Dynamic Layout Function Formulas
The Dynamic Layout feature allows you to create documents whose objects are positioned using relative values with formulas, as opposed to a static layout with absolute values and anchors.
NOTE: Changing an anchoring setting will instantly update the corresponding dynamic layout setting, however, changing the dynamic function breaks the link with applied anchor settings.
1 Click the function buttons (f) next to the various property fields to display the formula field.
If a warning is displayed that the link with currently applied anchor settings will be broken, click Yes to continue.
2 Enter a formula to specify the object’s location dynamically. The formula will refer to other element properties and variable values:
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•Supported operators in formulas
+ | adding |
- | subtracting |
* | multiplying |
/ | dividing |
() | parentheses |
•Reference to other elements in formula
Frame tag names: By typing the frame tag followed by a dot and the name of the property you want to reference. If frame tag contains a space or special character, the frame tag can still be used in the function but must be put between brackets. e.g.: [My frame tag].X
Page: By typing “Page” followed by a dot, and the name of the property you want to reference. e.g.: Page.Width
Paragraph tag names within a text frame: A text paragraph can be tagged, and can also be referenced in a Dynamic Layout function. This is possible by first typing the name (tag) of the frame, followed by a dot, followed by the name of the paragraph (tag). e.g.: [My frame tag].MyParagraphTag.Bottom
Variable: Variable types Number and Coordinate can be used inside a function.
Refer to the variable by simply typing the name of the variable, or by specifying variable.value. Both will resolve to the value of the variable. e.g.: [My Number variable]
NOTE: Note that functions, tags and references are case insensitive.
•Properties
X | The X position of the referenced rotated frame (note reference point) (or 0 for page) |
Y | The Y position of the referenced rotated frame (note reference point) (or 0 for page) |
Top | The Y value of the top of the referenced rotated frame (or 0 for page) |
Bottom | The Y value of the bottom of the referenced rotated frame or page height |
Left | The X value of the left of the referenced rotated frame (or 0 for page) |
Right | The X value of the right of the referenced rotated frame or page width |
CenterY | The Y value of the center of the referenced rotated frame or page |
CenterX | The X value of the center of the referenced rotated frame or page |
Width | The width of the referenced frame or page (note value is scaled) |
NonScaledWidth | The non scaled width of the referenced frame |
Height | The height of the referenced frame or page (note value is scaled) |
NonScaledHeight | The non scaled height of the referenced frame |
Rotation | Rotation of the frame (note doesn't exist on inline frames) |
ScaleX | X Scale of the frame |
ScaleY | Y Scale of the frame |
•Self: When creating a function for a certain frame in which you want to use a property of that particular frame, you can use the tag of the frame, but you can also use "self". e.g.: Y = page.height - self.height
•Specific predefined functions
MinMax(min, max, input) | Clamps a given value between a minimum and maximum value. e.g. MinMax(300, 700, myVariable) When the width of myVariable is lower than 300, the function will return 300. If the width is above 700, the function will return 700. If myVariable is somewhere between, it will return the actual value (e.g. 450) |
ClampMin(min, input) | If the input value is less than the minimum, return the minimum value otherwise return the input value |
ClampMax(max, input) | If the input value is greater than the maximum, return the maximum value otherwise return the input value |
•Units: The supported units are millimeters, inches, points, pixels (or mm, in, pt, px). If no unit are specified, the Dynamic Layout engine will assume the value is in points. Multiple units can be used within a single function. e.g.: frameA.width=50mm+10in+5pt
•Errors: Invalid formulas are displayed in red with a warning; you need to correct the syntax.
doc. version 6.0.4