Problem in getting shapes to align

rbuser

I am using rectangle shapes to build reports that simulate government forms.

While the preview shows the shapes aligning correctly the actual printed
form has a number of the shapes that appear either larger or smaller then
one to the right or left (which should be the same size) or out of position
and the form looks a bit off as a result.

I have checked the top, left and width properties for the shapes involved
and they are the correct.

I am using inches as my "units" and snap to grid (2x2) in the form settings.

I am using a HP Laserjet 1012 printer and WinXP Pro.

I have tried everything and cannot seem to make it come out looking exactly
as it should in the preview. Am I doing something wrong or are shape the
wrong thing to use here for this purpose?

Regards;

Bob Dalton

nicocizik

Hi Bob,

This is not a known issue with ReportBuilder. ReportBuilder converts all
measurements to microns (Thousandths of millimeters) before converting back
to device units (i.e. screen pixels or printer pixels). Are you certain the
shapes are alligned to the same measurement inside the report? If you would
like, you can send a sample of this report in .zip format to
support@digital-metaphors.com and I'll try printing it on one of our
printers.

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rbuser

Thanks for the reply.

I have sent you the rtm file in a zip package as you directed.

Regards;

nicocizik

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the example. I just sent a response to your email address. Let
me know if your received it.

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rbuser

Nico:

Nothing received at this end as of 8PM CDT today (Arkansas time). Could you
please resend?

Regards;

Bob Dalton

nicocizik

Hi Bob,

I got a reply from your e-mail server saying that my message cannot be
delivered for 12 hours. Here is a copy of the email I sent you.

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Hi Bob,

ReportBuilder has the ability to place objects on paper much more accurately
than on screen. This is why the screen output sometimes does not match the
printer output. Though it looks as though the boxes in your report line up
on screen, if you zoom to 250% in the preview window, you can clearly see
that they do not. The reason some of the boxes are not lining up correctly
is that their widths are off just a bit and they are printing over the boxes
with the correct measurements. I was able to fix your report by sending the
following shapes to the back in the following order...

ppShape9
ppShape20
ppShape11
ppShape12
ppShape13
ppShape14

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rbuser

Nico:

Got your and thanks.

Further question: Being able to see it in the preview does not help much
during the design process. How can I ensure that they line up when I design
the report? I design a lot of reports using shapes to emulate government
forms and this is a constant problem (ie; appearing to line up at design
time and during 100% preview, but not when printed).

Regards;

Bob Dalton

nicocizik

Hi Bob,

It is a constant battle to define the difference between the screen output
and printer output. Since most screens use a 96 ppi resolution and most
printers use 600 - 1200 dpi resolution, it is clear to see how dificult it
is to have a screen preview that exactly matches the printer output.
Perhaps in a future release of ReportBuilder we could provide the ability to
zoom in design mode, but as for now the best way to ensure allignment is to
always check the measurements of your lines and boxes. For instance, the
main issue your report was having was when you were placing two rectangles
side by side. Though the Top and Left properties matched the rectangles
below them, their Widths did not match up.

--

rbuser

Nico:

I understand and thanks for your assistance.

FYI information when I create multiple shapes next to each other on the
report I use the sizing controls from the toolbar to size (width or height
as appropriate) them correctly (so I assumed anyway). When lining shapes up
above or below I also use the alignment controls on the tool bar as well. I
only rarely use the nudge ability. I guess I thought the toolbar controls
would keep what you are saying is happening from happening.

It would seem based on what you are saying that a new feature is needed to
"connect" adjacent lines of two shapes where required. If you have ever seen
how this is done in a vector graphics program like Corel Draw you know what
I mean. Not having zoom during design, and eyes that are not as young as
they once were, it is very hard at times to tell for sure when two shapes
next to each other (side, top or bottom) are lined up correctly.

Regards;

Bob Dalton