Digital Workshop

I'm using Headstart Pro (Demo) for the first time. I've made a start on a publication but I haven't made a Master Page. Is there any way that I can add one or do I have to restart?

Frank

I never used Headstart, but in Opus Pro you can create a page and make it a Master page at any time. On any pages where you want to use the Master page you have to select that page's properties and select use Master Page. You also have the option to set the objects on the Master Page to appear over or under objects on a page.

Leo

Leo is on the money with his explanation of Master Pages. I'd suggest you always position your Master Page as the first Pages in your first Chapter. This allows OPUS to load them first when starting your Publication. Placing them at the end of a large Pub may cause initial delays in showing Pages which use a Master Page otherwise.

I'd suggest you get in the habit of naming Master Pages something like "Master Page 1." While Master Pages appear with a special icon in the Organizer (window on the left of your screen), and the words "Master Page" appear in the area surrounding your Master Page, it will make it easier when you come back to do maintenance or changes if you've labelled things properly. Learn from my previous mistakes (ha ha).

Thanks very much for your rapid replies. I hadn't realised that it was possible to have more than one Master Page - that's really the icing on the cake.

Frank

Frank,

Not only can you have more than 1 MP, but you can also "nest" MPs.

For example, suppose you have a piece of text that must appear on every page. Include that text on MP1.

Suppose also that you like to have a variety of backgrounds throughout your pub. Open a new page, and in that page's properties, check "Use Master Page" and select MP1. This places the content of MP1 into this new page. Add whatever background you want for the new page. Now, on the new page's properties, select "This page can be a Master Page". You have now nested 2 pages as a single master page. You might need to manipulate the "Objects from this page appear on top" parameter to achieve what you want.

There is probably a theoretical or practical limit to the number of iterations you can have for nesting pages. The most I have ever used was 4 MPs nested into a 5th MP -- and that worked fine.

Some of the more useful tasks I have found for nested MPS are:

1. I get overall consistency of appearance.
2. I frequently find that for some pages I need different navigation bars depending on the content of page.
3. Similarly, I find it great for having different triggers for different types of quizzes.

You have probably discovered that you cannot edit objects that belong to a MP. An easy way to overcome this is to create a new page using the appropriate MP. On that page place empty containers for the content you plan to use: text objects, buttons, text input, frames, images, videos, etc. Place them exactly where you want them to appear. If relevant, apply appropriate properties to each object.

Give each empty object a unique, meaningful name.

Go to Components > New Gallery and create a new gallery. Open it. Return to you page with the empty objects, and select them. Right-click, and choose "Copy to Gallery" to add them to the new gallery.

You now have a collection of empty containers that you can paste into any page. If necessary, you can fine-tune their placement and size. Add your content.

MPs are a great resource in Opus, but when you use them in conjunction with empty objects from a gallery, you have a really fantastic resource. When I start a new project, I start by setting up as many MPs as I think I will need. Next I design page components and add them to a gallery unique to that project.

An added benefit is that I can open existing galleries, paste components onto my new page, make appropriate changes and add them to the project specific gallery. I just find it easier to work with one gallery rather than with several.

HTH

WOW! Thank's, Sentosa! That's not so much a reply as a tutorial which I shall have to print out and keep for future reference.

That's why Opus is so great. Much good help from users as well as creators.

Thanks Ray,

That's brilliant -- I will look at Masterpages in a new light thanks to you.
I have been making the mistake of underestimating the value of Masterpages up to now.

cheers
Paul