Panels or Inspectors: What's the difference

Panels or Inspectors: What's the difference?

I wish I knew. Many years ago there were differences between the two types of onscreen elements. But those differences were lost with each new version of FreeHand.

In fact, you can even group panels with inspectors.

The only real difference I can see is that inspectors are found under the Window > Inspectors and panels are under Window > Panels.

Perhaps the real reason to keep the two different names is to avoid confusing old-time users like me.

Text inspector

The Text inspector (Window > Inspector > 949t197j Text) is used to control the various attributes applied to text . There are five different settings for the Text inspector. (For more information on the Text inspector, see Chapter 18 Basic Text

Figure 23. The Text inspector controls five different categories of text attributes.

Document inspector

The Document inspector (Window > Inspector > 949t197j Document) controls various attributes of the entire FreeHand document including pages . (For more information on the Document inspector, see Chapter 4 Working with Pages

Figure 24. The Document inspector controls the document's pages and printer resolution.

Library

The Library (Window > Library) stores the graphic symbols that are used to help automate working with FreeHand . These symbols are also used when working with brushes and when exporting as Flash (SWF) animations. (For more information on the Library, see Chapter 21 Styles

Figure 25. The Library stores symbols that help you automate changes, use brushes, and create Flash (SWF) animations.

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Technically, the Library looks like - and can be used like - a panel. But it is such an important onscreen element that it is found under its own listing: Window > Library. So it is named simply as Library, not Library panel or Library inspector.

Main toolbar

The Main toolbar (Window > Toolbars > Main) contains icons that let you apply the most commonly used commands in FreeHand such as Save, Copy, Paste, Undo, and so on . (For information on the basic commands, see Chapter 2 Document Basics

Figure 26. The Main toolbar contains icons for commands such as New, Open, and Save.

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You can customize the toolbars so they contain your own set of commands. (For information on customizing the toolbars, see Chapter 32 Customizing FreeHand

Text toolbar

The Text toolbar (Window > Toolbars > Text) contains some of the most commonly used attributes for working with text . This makes the Text toolbar a quick alternative to using the five different modes of the Text inspector. (For information on styling text, see Chapter 18 Basic Text

Figure 27. The Text toolbar lets you apply text attributes such as font, point size, and alignment.

Xtra Tools toolbar

The Xtra Tools toolbar (Window > Toolbars > Xtra Tools) contains specialized tools . These tools may not appear in the Tools panel (covered on page 19). The Xtra tools include the Arc, Smudge, and Graphic Hose tools. (For information on the Xtra tools, see Chapter 24 Xtra Tools

Figure 28. The Xtra Tools toolbar contains added tools that are not in the Tools panel.

Xtra Operations toolbar

The Xtra Operations toolbar (Window > Toolbars > Xtra Operations) contains icons that let you apply Xtra Operations such as Emboss . (For information on the Xtra operations, see Chapter 9 Path Operations

Figure 29. The Xtra Operations toolbar contains commands for working with objects.

Controller toolbar

The Controller toolbar (Window > Toolbars > Controller)is used to work with the preview of Flash (SWF) movies . (For information on creating Flash (SWF) movies, see Chapter 29 Flash Animations

Figure 30. The Controller toolbar is used when previewing Flash (SWF) movies.

Envelope toolbar

The Envelope toolbar (Window > Toolbars > Envelope) lets you assign the features of FreeHand's envelopes to distort text . (For information on the envelope commands, see Envelopes and Perspectives

Figure 31. The Envelope toolbar contains the controls for distorting objects within specific shapes.

Info toolbar

The Info toolbar (Window > Toolbars > Info) shows the size, position, and other attributes of objects as they are created and manipulated . (For information on using the Info toolbar, see Chapter 10 Move and Transform

Figure 32. The Info toolbar displays information about the objects as they are drawn.

Status toolbar (Win)

The Status toolbar (Window > Toolbars > Status) controls various attributes of the document such as the preview mode and magnification The Status toolbar is only available in Windows. On the Macintosh it is permanently fixed to the bottom of the document window. (For details on the using the parts of the Status toolbar, see Chapter 3 Display Options

Figure 33. The Windows Status toolbar controls the views and units of your document.

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Although it is not labeled as a toolbar, the Tools panel (covered on page 19) can also be modified like the toolbars.