Sliding Problems w/ Pictures, FM 5

[rmowens]

Hi all,

I'm relatively new to FM, but I'm learning fast. My non-profit org. uses a FM-based database for tracking donor info. I'm trying to create a new layout for printing letters to donors, and my specific problem involves inserting a signature image into the layout. The letter text box includes merge fields for address, etc., and those work perfectly. I want to place a signature image in the layout between the "Sincerely" and the printed signatory name, AND I want everything to slide upward as the length of the merged address blocks varies from letter to letter. I tried breaking the letter body and signatory names into separate text boxes, with the signature image in between, and with everything aligned and set to slide up. No matter what, I still get giant gaps of white between the three items on the printed page. Can anyone offer a suggestion?

Exporting my mail lists to a merge with Word would be the simple solution, but the person who primarily uses the database is uncomfortable with that strategy.

Many thanks!

[jamesducker]

Yes, the 'sliding' stuff is a bit hit-and-miss, especially in FM5.

Make sure:

1) none of the objects overlap

2) all the objects are the same width, ie the signature graphic box is the same with as the text box *

3) prior to bringing up the sliding/printing dialog, you select ALL THREE objects.

The way I usually do this is use Fontographer to make up a custom with one character containing the signature graphic. That way the signature becomes a text 'character' so it can be put in the same box as the text and as it is a vector rather than an image it takes up less PDF space / printing time.

Hope this helps.

James

* strictly speaking this is not necessary but it can help eliminate problems.

[IdealData]

Graphics need to aligned top/left for sliding to work.