Introduction To Layout Editor

Layout Editor is a version of the Layout Developer application built specifically for the needs of those users who use the interface to create or finish print documents. Layout Editor is not, therefore, a development tool and consequently has had development functionality removed, hidden or restricted. Layout Editor does use the same formatting engine as Layout Developer, so all code, formatting rules and layouts created there will work in Layout Editor.

To protect template code, Layout Editor has a different file format from Layout Developer, which cannot be edited in a text editor. Layout Editor files can be created from both Layout Developer and Layout Editor. In addition, Layout Editor users will not have the ability to edit what is considered to be template code. This must be done in Layout Developer.

Layout Editor is provided for manual document creation and finishing based on templates. Layout Editor users will be working manually to edit text, tweak formatting, move or create frames with content in and generate output. Any template helpers such as automation scripts or libraries can be run as in Layout Developer. Template developers can, and are encouraged to, create bespoke interfaces to work in Layout Editor including toolbars and menus, which can be delivered as part of the template or as Layout Editor libraries. System file customisation is discouraged as much as possible, with libraries being the preferred method.

From a formatting and page layout point of view, there is no difference between Layout Editor and Layout Developer, but there are differences in the user interface, access to content and features, and in file management.

• Layout Editor’s user interface has been stripped back to remove template development tools. Additionally, a set of toolbars has been provided which give extensible tools for working with documents.

• As Layout Editor is not a development tool, access to template code and features has been removed, making it impossible for Layout Editor users to change the behaviour of the template beyond the scope of that allowed by the template developer.

• Layout Editor files are different from Layout Developer files and so production workflows should be considered with this in mind. Layout Editor files cannot be edited in Notepad.

The purpose of this document is not to provide extensive documentation all of Layout Editor’s formatting and layout features, that is provided by the Layout Developer’s documentation. This topic simply provides information about the differences between Layout Editor and Layout Developer, and any features specific to Layout Editor. It is expected that template developers will provide Layout Editor users with guidance on how to use their templates within Layout Editor. Given how customisable the two products are, it is expected that template developers will provide bespoke interfaces, tools and other helpers to assist Layout Editor users with their work.