How to size buttons consistently

[Lynton123]

Hi Gurus

I have a very basic problem, which I nonetheless cannot solve myself.  When I create buttons, I would like them to all be the same size, however I cannot see how to determine the dimensions other than by manually adjusting and then checking the result.  Of course when you pass your cursor over a button you see the size (e.g. 70 x 38) but how can I make that button be 39 high instead of 38.  Trying to do it manually is a hit-and-miss affair.

Thank you

Lynton

[www_cpguru_com · Accepted solution]

Select the button - go the the Transform section in the Properties panel. Here you can modify the size by inserting pixel values directly.

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[Lilybiri]

Hello,

I do not know if Michael's correct answer will solve your issue totally? Perhaps I do misunderstand, but think you want not only to know how to resize objects more precisely (which can be done by the Transform accordion, although I prefer using shorcut keys for small resizing/moving, see: Shortcut keys for Moving/Resizing ) but also how to have the same size for all buttons. And using the Apply to all from the Transform accordion is not useful because, which I regret tremendously, this accordion will not only apply the size settings to all objects of same type (or style) but also the X-Y coordinates of its registration point (mostly top left of the bounding box) and if you use 5.5 also the rotation if the source object has a rotation. I have already asked multiple times to have the size separated from those other properties, but apparently no one else has issues with that, so request is not top priority.

Another possibility would exist if size was part of the object style, but it is not either.

I could offer some suggestions, all workarounds, but first could you tell me which version you are using and, if you are talking about Text buttons or are you willing to create your own image buttons or to replace the buttons by an image with a transparent button on top of it (you'll lose the states in that case).

Anyway, for text buttons: be sure to uncheck the AutoSize Buttons in Preferences, Defaults.

To resize buttons on the same slide to the same size, you can use the right click menu on the selection, Align, Resize to Same Size

Lilybiri

[Guest]

On the same topid but as a general comment.

I have often thought a "format painter" (as you have in MS Excel) would be a great addition for Captivate.

With this option you could click the object which you want to duplicate the format - for example the button as mentioned by Lynton 123 - and then click on other similar objects and on each click, the object would take on the same format as the original "master".

Seems like a good idea to me.

Noel

[Lilybiri]

Totally agree and have been begging for it as well. Did you enter a feature request for a Format painter? Although this still will need to paint over all buttons, whereas the Apply to all if it could be restricted to only size would do it in one click.

Lilybiri

[Guest]

I will submit a Feature Request for a format painter today with the comment that this is required in view of the fact that using the "Apply to all" option also moves the object which is not always required.

Noel

[Lynton123]

Thank you very much for your replies, and yes I agree that the format painter is a great idea - thanks for submitting this Noel.

Regards

Lynton123

[Guest]

Dont get your hopes up....Adobe may not agree with this idea.

Lets wait and see.

Noel

[juliewales]

I totally agree, even the use of Format Painter for text that has been cut and paste into an existing text caption box.  It would make life so much easier than having to highlight the new text and apply everything manually.

cheers

Julie

[Lilybiri]

Sorry to disagree about Format painter. Every professional application working with text (including Word) has styles for text. So does Captivate. Moreover those styles are part of the used theme. I don't think I would ever use the Format painter at all for texts. Same with all styles.