GoBe Productive - Word Processing - Views and Layers

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Note
When working with a layered word processing document it is important to keep track of the layer where you are working. New items and edits are performed only to the selected layer. If you want to edit the items in a different layer you must first select that layer in the Views & Layers palette. While a layer may be visible (visible indicator checked) and even available for some editing (the selection indicator is checked), you cannot add new items to a layer without first selecting it.

GoBe Productive - Views and Layers

Generally, views and layers are available only in professional graphic drawing and editing programs. However, because graphics are such a fundamental aspect of Gobe Productive, the word processing environment has these same powerful features. For most users, views and layers are probably more powerful than needed, but the power is there to help you meet whatever creative designs you have.

Professional graphic artists use layers in complex images to break-up the components of their work. Layering allows a complex image to be changed and retouched easily. A layer is nothing more than a contained set of items. Within a given layer, items can be stacked in any order without any bearing on the layers. Consider the following diagram.

This diagram demonstrates how layering and stacking are different. Layer one contains five items (1 - 5), stacked accordingly. While layer two contains two items (A - B ) stacked accordingly. When the whole document is put together, the items in layer one will sit atop the items in layer two. Likewise, the stacking on each layer will apply.

As you can see, using stacking and layering you can build a rather intricate document.

How To Create & Manage Layers
From the Document menu, select Views and Layers. The Views & Layers floating palette is displayed.

Views & Layers Palette Contents
Layer List: A list of all the layers in the document.
View Indicator: Shows which view is currently being shown. See below for more information about views.
Selected Layer: Any items drawn or pasted are placed on the selected layer. To place items on a different layer, select that layer first in the Views & Layers palette.
Visible Indicator: Checked, the layer is visible on the screen. Unchecked, the layer is hidden.
Selection Indicator: Checked, items on the layer can be selected in the workspace. Unchecked, items cannot be selected.
Locked Indicator: Checked, the layer is locked. Items cannot be edited in any way. Unchecked, items are available for editing (unless the item itself is locked).

Printed Indicator: Checked, the layer will print. Unchecked, the layer will not print.

To Create a New Layer

1. Select New Layer from the Layer menu on the Views & Layers palette. The Layer is added to the list.

To Rename a Layer

1. In the Views & Layer palette, select the layer you wish to rename.
2. Select Rename Layer from the Layer menu on the Views & Layers palette. A Rename Layer dialog box is displayed.
3. Enter the new name for the layer and click OK.

To Delete a Layer

1. In the Views & Layer palette, select the layer you wish to delete. Items on a deleted layer are also deleted.
2. Select Delete Layer from the Layer menu on the Views & Layers palette. The layer and all associated items are deleted.

Views
A view is merely a particular configuration of the Views & Layer palette. For example, you are working on a complex graphic with four layers. Layers one and two are a schematic for wiring, while layers three and four are a structural schematic. Using views, you can setup one view to display only layers one and two, and a second view to display only layers three and four. A view does not exclude any layers. It merely holds the configuration of the indicators for the Views & Layer palette. Consider the following examples.

View 1, layers 1 and 2 have some indicators checked, while layers 3 and 4 remain virtually hidden. In View 2, layer 1 is essentially hidden while layers 2, 3, and 4 are visible. As you can see, both views contain the same layers, it is merely how those layers are configured in the Views & Layers palette that is stored in a view.

To Create a New View

1. Select New View from the View menu on the Views & Layers palette. The View is added to the list.

To Rename a View

1. From the View menu in the Views & Layers palette, select the view you wish to rename.
2. Select Rename View from the View menu on the Views & Layers palette. A Rename View dialog box is displayed.
3. Enter the new name for the view and click OK.

To Delete a View
1. From the View menu in the Views & Layers palette, select the view you wish to delete.

2. Select Delete View from the View menu on the Views & Layers palette. No items or layers are deleted when a view is deleted. Only the palette configuration for the view is deleted.

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