Use a grid or ruler in the map

There is an invisible grid of lines beneath the main map and OverAll map. If grid snapping is turned on, elements such as labels, shapes, and images always “snap to” one of these grid lines, which makes it easier to line up elements. If grid snapping is turned off, you can move elements to any location in the map. By default, grid snapping is turned on.

Whether or not the grid is currently turned on, you can optionally insert background images that show the location of the grid or let you position elements using a ruler.

Align map elements using the grid

1. Right-click the map and choose Properties. Be sure to right-click a blank area of the map. If you right-click a map element, such as a page or label, the Properties dialog box for that element will appear.

2. Select Turn grid snapping on option.

If the check box has a checkmark, grid snapping is turned on.

Insert a picture that shows the grid

1. Right-click the map and choose Insert Image.

2. Browse to the folder that contains the grid images, and choose the type (lines or dots) and color of grid you want to use. Click Open.

3. In the map, position the new image in the upper left corner of the map.

4. Right-click the new image, and choose Properties.

5. In the Properties dialog, choose Fixed Size (tiled) and click OK.

6. Select the grid image and pull on its lower right handle, until it covers the space where you need it.

7. If you have other map elements already in place, select the grid and choose Map > Priority > Send to Back, so the grid recedes behind them.

8. Align other map elements using the grid as needed.

9. When the visual grid is no longer needed, delete its image.

Insert a picture that acts as a ruler

1. Right-click the map and choose Insert Image.

2. Browse to the folder that contains the ruler images, and choose the type (vertical or horizontal) and length you want to use. Click Open.

3. In the map, position the new image at the left corner of the map, so its numerical measurements will be accurate.

4. If you have other map elements already in place, select the ruler and choose Map > Priority > Send to Back, so the ruler recedes behind them.

5. Align other map elements using the ruler as needed.

6. When the visual ruler is no longer needed, delete its image.

Related Topics

Overview

Notes

• Map elements include pages, labels, shapes, images, sequences, and tour sequences.

• If you position map elements without the grid, and then turn the grid back on, elements will snap back to the grid when you move them. However, you can select them without putting them back on the grid.

• If you plan to use a large tiled grid image, place it on the map before any other elements. Otherwise, you must use Map > Priority > Send to Back before you can select the other elements in the map.

• The grid images have a transparent background color, so they can work with any color of map. You can use them with or without the grid. If you use them with the grid, be sure to position your chosen image in the upper left corner of the map, or in some other location that is aligned with the underlying grid, so that elements appear to "snap" to both grids correctly.

• Grid points occur every six pixels, horizontally and vertically. To match them, the grid images offer 6x6 and 12x12 options. The ruler images are calibrated in pixels, so that if you align both with the edges of the map, the visible grid lines will intersect the ruler at multiples of 6 pixels.

• You can also align map elements using explicit menu commands. Such commands match the alignment of a designated element whether the grid is on or off.

• You can lock shapes and images, including a grid image, in place on the map so that you don’t inadvertently move them while moving pages, labels, sequences, or tour sequences. Right-click in the map and choose Lock Background to lock map elements.