Advanced Grouping in Infigo Invent for InDesign | IV_027

These features work by utilising InDesigns grouping feature for fields. These groups can be enabled inside Invent (ensuring it considers them dynamic fields). This then opens up additional configuration options.

In our example we have four fields. These consist of:

• 2 x text fields

• 1 x populated image field, with image in place

• 1 x placeholder image frame

The placeholder image frame is optional and will be used to define the boundary of the group in greater detail than simply relying on the boundary created when grouping the main fields.

If using an image frame as a boundary, it is essential it is empty. Invent will not recognise it as a possible boundary field if it is not empty.

Our next job is to ensure that all of these fields are enabled in Infigo Invent. Enabling them ensures Invent sees the fields as variable. This is also a requirement should you with to enable the entire group of fields.

For image frames, we choose either Image or Barcode based on their contents

For text fields, we are simply enabling or disabling the field

Next we will create our group of fields in InDesign.

Position the fields, select them all and right click. InDesign has an option in the resulting list named "Group".

If using a boundary field to control the group boundary, unsure that it is correctly placed around your other fields and is included when you create the group.

Once again, the boundary field is optional. You can simply rely on the group boundary created by the main fields, if you wish.

This is not an essential step, however is highly recommended to make things easier for you in the future!

Many of the other options available within the group are covered in other tutorials within the Infigo Academy.

These options allow you to specifically control which margins and which size parameters (height/width) are controlled using this functionality.

In our example, we'll stick to "Adjust Horizontally" as all of our grouped fields are in a horizontal configuration.

Only empty image frames will be displayed. Once selected as a boundary item, subsequent options for this field will be hidden. Once moved to MegaEdit, the boundary field will not be selectable by end users.

These are provided as some default, common options either to utilise or to serve as a starting point for your own positioning and sizing rules.

We will investigate these options in a later tutorial.

In our example, where Horizontal is selected, we have inputs for control of the left or right margin, along with the width of the field.

The margin inputs allow you to control the spacing between this field and whatever is to the left or right of it. This could be another field, or it could be the boundary.

There are multiple ways in which we can specify the value or behaviour of these margins. In addition, we can directly control the width of our field (again, in multiple ways).

A few different options may be associated with these lists. Here's a brief overview of what these different options entail:

• Self | The margin, relative position or size will not be changed by the algorithm from the field's current value.

• Value | Direct specification of size or margin. This will override the field's current position, if required.

• Auto | Size or margins automatically calculated to fit the space within the group. This is a weighted value, allowing you to provide priority to certain spaces.

• Content | Size the field based on the content within it. This can be applied to both text and image fields.