This module serves for the definition of the basic data of a layout (page format, page and chapter numbering) as well as for working with complete pages and layouts.
The Page module is divided into three function groups: The first
is for working with normal document layout pages, the second is for
working with so-called master pages
.
The third function group offers all basic possibilities for using layers in your documents.
Master pages are like style sheets. They allow you to establish elements which will appear on one or more related document pages. Here are examples of such elements:
Each document must have at least one master page. All the elements
on the master page will appear on all the document pages related to it
(that's why they are called master elements
). A master page can
– and should – apply to several document pages, but must
contain only the elements which should appear on every page (for
exceptions, see below). Text frames that will be filled only later
with text can not be created on master pages, because these will look
different on every page; body text should be created on the document
pages themselves. It is possible to use more than one master page in a
document, but any single page has only one master page which applies
to it, so can only adopt the elements of this one master page. These
master page elements are divided into master frames, guidelines and
layout rulers.
Master frames appear on document pages exactly as defined on the
master page. You cannot change master frames on document pages, but
you can turn them all on or off, or move them to the background or
foreground. Registration marks too can be defined as elements on
master pages, by putting together suitable raster areas and lines.
However, it is simpler to use special functions provided for this (see
below, Set layout/working area
). You can also generate crop
marks with this and have some additional functions available.
There is one exception to the rule that all master frames must
look the same: This concerns the page number. Below in the description
of page numbering, and in the Text module / Tools
function
group, we mention that for page numbering you basically only use a
placeholder, which Calamus will automatically convert to the correct
page number. You can also use these placeholders on the master page,
and Calamus will handle them correctly. The frames are then really
identical (each has the same placeholder), but Calamus will assign
different values to the placeholders on each page during output.
Likewise, guidelines (see Guideline module) and page layout rulers
(see Frame editing module / Display
function group) can also be
defined on the master page, but you can change them on document pages.
However, if you change them, you will change them not just on the
current page, but also on the relevant master page and all other
document pages that use this master page.
When you add a new page, you must specify which master page it should use. To do this, you give every master page a name which you can use to call it up again. You can also delete a master page which is being used by other document pages, but you must specify a replacement master page for it.
Layers are a further method to structure documents in an elegant way. In Calamus you have nearly unlimited possibilities to work with layers.