Word Perfect 6.1 Desktop Publishing Features
Drop Caps
Drop Caps allow you to create a professional looking title page with a minimum of effort. A drop cap is an oversize first letter (or letters) at the beginning of a paragraph. To create one, first select the paragraph by clicking somewhere in it. Next click on Format / Drop Cap. A button bar will appear that allows you to set the size, style and number of characters in the drop cap. Close the button bar when done.
Special Characters
Special characters are those not normally found on the keyboard. They include symbols used in math science, other alphabet sets, even small emblems or currency symbols. Word Perfect has an extensive set that are all applied in the same way. First position the insertion point, then either press CTRL-W or click Insert / Special Characters. The characters are grouped in sets by style, such as Cyrillic or Equation. Select the group then select the character and choose Insert or Insert and Close.
Fonts and Quick Format
Fonts and point size can be selected from the power bar or under Format on the menu. Once you have formatted a section of text, you can quickly format other text sections with Quick format. Simply click anywhere in the formatted section and choose Quick Format from the toolbar or under Format on the menu. A dialog box will appear allowing you to specify character or paragraph styles. Choose character to only affect the text. The pointer will now become a brush, any text you drag through will automatically be formatted. Click Quick Format again to turn it off when done.
Today's documents now almost always contain pictures. These pictures include "clip art" provided by Word Perfect and other word processors, "scanned images", screen captures, charts,and images you create yourself with painting programs. All images are stored in a Graphics box, which is then positioned and adjusted to the surrounding text. Word Perfect offers ten types of graphics boxes including the following:
Each box type groups the common features available for that type and offers the ability to separate each box type with its own numbering system. Each type of box also has its own default style.
Creating a Box
Boxes are created in one of two methods,Drag to Create which lets you size and position the box before you fill it or Automatic Sizing and Positioning , which is the default. To use drag to create, make sure that option is checked under the Graphics menu. In both methods you create a box by positioning the insertion point, choosing Graphics, then Custom Box and choose the type of box. If you are using drag to create, make the box. It will be automatically selected for filling.
Filling a box
Depending on the type of box, it can be filled in different ways. For example, to fill a text box, type in the text and click outside the box when done. In the case of an image box, select the image file name from the Insert Image dialog box, or right click on the box and choose Content and enter or browse for the filename.
Selecting a box for Editing or Deleting
After a box has been created, it can be reselected by clicking on it once with the left mouse button. If this does not work, right click the mouse on it and choose Select Box from the Quickmenu. After a box is selected, pressing the delete key will delete it. Deselect a box by clicking anywhere outside of it.
Moving and Sizing Boxes
Boxes can be moved by dragging the mouse anywhere on the selected box to the new location. Boxes are resized by dragging in the appropriate direction on the sizing handles that appear when a box is selected. Note that the Size option on the feature bar or quickmenu will let you size it precisely.
Controlling Graphics Display
A file that contains a lot of graphics will be slower refreshing the screen because of all the images being redrawn. You can temporarily stop graphics display by choosing View / Graphics. This is a toggle on and off feature.
Anchoring or Moving Boxes
Occasionally, you may find that a box moves as you are editing near it, or it may refuse to move when you attempt to move it. Both are cases where you need to be aware of the anchoring feature. You can attach a box to a page, paragraph or other character, or you can position it precisely on the page. To anchor the box, select the box and display the features bar or right click the box. Now choose Position. Now choose an option from the dialog box. Anchoring it to the page makes it independent of any text on the page. Anchoring it to a paragraph allows it to move with the paragraph, but keep its position within the paragraph. Treating the box as a character allows it to float with the other characters as changes are made. Note the option to position the box precisely if you anchor it to the page, or relatively if you anchor it to a paragraph or the baseline of neighboring text if you anchor it as a character.
Text Wrapping
As you intermingle text and graphics some considerations should be given to how the text and boxes interact. These options are set choosing Wrap from the quickmenu or features bar. Both Wrapping Type and Wrap Text Around allow you to specify how various wrapping will work as illustrated below.
Changing the Box's Appearance
You can change the way a box looks by selecting it and choosing Border/Fill. The dialog box allows you to choose a style or customize one. If you want to change the style of all boxes of a particular type, choose Graphics / Graphics Style then Style Type and Box. Now choose the type of box and Options / Setup. From this dialog box you can set all your options and save your choices for either a document or template.
Creating Columns
Move the insertion point to where you want to begin and click on the Columns Define button in the power bar. Next specify the number of columns and type. Alternatively choose Format / Columns / Define.
Entering Data
Type as you normally would, Word Perfect automatically will move to new column. Use CTRL+ENTER to force it to anmother column. To relocate insertion point, click or use Alt+Left or Right to move across columns.
Editing or Deleting Columns
Delete columns by using reveal codes to delete the define column mark. Columns can be redefined with Format / Columns / Define. Add a border by moving the insertion to where you want to start it and choosing Format / Columns / Border/Fill.
Changing Leading
Change the amount of space between lines with Format / Typesetting / Word/Letter Spacing / Adjust Leading Enter the leading adjustment at Between Lines as a value in inches 0.22" or points -2p.
Changing Line Height
Choose Format / Line / Height then Auto or Fixed.
Changing Horizontal Spacing
Choose Format / Typesetting / Word/Letter Spacing then enter Normal for printer normal or Word Perfect Optimal for Word Perfect's suggestion. You can also specify a percentage value or set the pitch. Set the kerning with Automatic Kerning
Using TextArt
Choose Graphics / TextArt. Enter your text and specify fonts and other options. When done, click in the document outside of the TextArt box.