How can I format fractions in Frame?

[Guest]

I have fractions in my manual, and I cannot figure out how to format them the same as 1/2, 1/3, and 1/4.

I found how you can use Unicode characters, but I can't figure out how to use them in Frame.

Please advise...

[AxialInfo]

Cindy, what specific version of FM are you using, the "pxxx" numbers shown in Help > About.

What fonts are you using? Do you have a font that has the built-in fractions -- and are they all of the fractions you need -- or do you need to create ad-hoc fractions, such as 5/32 or something?

[Guest]

Sheila,

I'm using 8.0p277.

Cindy

[MichaelKazlow]

There are several ways to create fractions. There are fonts designed to create fonts like Helvetica Fractions and there are inferior and superior characters within fonts (similar to those within fraction fonts) that can be used to create fractions, some fonts have customized fractions within their character sets, and of course you can use the FrameMath editor to create fractions. Each method has its pros and cons. I might use each one in different types of documents and/or the font used within the document. What kind of fractions do you need and what type of document are you tryinng to create?

[Guest]

Sheila and Michael:

I'm trying to create fractions like 5/8 and 7/8 right now, but my manuals are for oilfield equipment, so there could be many more.

I'm using Times New Roman font.

Thanks!

[Arnis Gubins]

Cindy,

You can create variables that use the superscripted and subscripted values together with the proper fraction slash character from the Symbol font. For more precise vertical control, you can use Scott Prentice's utility "ExtraCharFormat" at http://www.leximation.com/tools/info/extracharformat.php

to create character tags with desired offset for the typeface in use.

Example variable definition for 7/8, e.g. "7_8" as the variable name, and the definition would be <Super>7</><Symbol>¤</><Sub>8</>, where the ¤ is alt+0164 on the numeric keypad (or the fraction character in the Symbol font). The Super and Sub are character tags that raise and lower a reduced sized numeric, the Symbol tag just changes the character tagging to use the Symbol font and the </> is a shortcut to reset the character formatting back to default.

Once you have the super & sub tag elevations sorted out (possibly some horizontal movement as well might be needed), then you can make a whole slew of variables for the common fractions that you will be using.

Use the ctrl+0 key shortcut to quickly insert the variables where you need them.

[Mike Wickham · Accepted solution]

Adding to what others have said, since you mentioned that you are using

Times New Roman, the OpenType version actually contains the 5/8 and 7/8

fractions. Use the Windows Character Map program (Start> Programs>

Accessories> System Tools> Character Map), select Times New Roman as the

font, and make sure the Character Set is set to Unicode. Then scroll down

through the characters until you find the 5/8 and 7/8 characters.

Double-click the character you want. It will appear in the "Characters to

copy" box. Click the copy button. Then switch back to FM and paste the

character.

Mike Wickham