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Layout Grid

Grid Layout Definition and Configuration

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for defining and configuring grid layouts in the StoryBoard AI application. The layout grid defines the physical arrangement of sections on a page. Follow these steps to effectively create, modify, and configure layouts for your storyboards.

1. Accessing Grid Layout Definition

  • Navigation: From the main menu, go to Setup: Story Boards > Setup: Story Board Grid Layouts.
  • This will open a summary page displaying all existing layout grids.

2. Overview of Summary Page

The summary page lists all the existing grid layouts with the following actions available:
- View: Click the view icon to see the layout configuration.
- Edit: Click the edit icon to modify an existing layout.
- Create New: Use the button at the top to define a new grid layout.
- Refresh: Allows you to reload the page to view any updates made by you or others.

3. Creating a New Grid Layout

Start New Layout:

  1. Click the Create New button.
  2. Enter the following fields:
  3. Template Name: Provide a unique name for the layout.
  4. Template Description: Add a brief description to identify the purpose of this layout.
  5. Type: Free-text field for classification (e.g., "Book Layout" or "Presentation Layout").
  6. Layout Style: Choose from the dropdown options: Book Portrait, Book Landscape, or Presentation HD.

Saving the Layout:

  • Click the Save button at the bottom.
  • To clear fields and start over, click Reset.
  • If you decide not to proceed, click the Close button. If there are unsaved changes, a confirmation prompt will appear.

4. Editing an Existing Grid Layout

Open for Editing:

  1. Select a layout from the summary page and click the edit icon.
  2. Editable Fields:
  3. Template Name, Description, and Type: All can be updated.
  4. Layout Style: It is recommended not to change this if the layout is already in use. If necessary, ensure no pages are affected.
  5. Refresh Option:
  6. Use the Refresh button to discard uncommitted changes and restore the last saved version.

Saving Changes:

  • Once edits are complete, click Save.
  • If exiting without saving, click Close and respond to the confirmation prompt as needed.

5. Configuring the Grid Layout

Access Configuration:

  • Click the Configure button for the chosen layout on the summary page.

Grid Map:

  • Opens a visual grid map showing the available sections and their layout.
  • Use the + icons to add new sections.
  • Zoom: Adjust the zoom level with the slider at the top for better visibility.

Adding Sections:

  1. Click on any + icon to add a section.
  2. Close the Grid Map to return to the layout screen, where the new sections appear.

Modifying Sections:

  • Resize: Mouse over a section to reveal handles for resizing.
  • Move: Drag a section to a new location, ensuring it does not overlap.
  • Remove: Right-click a section and select Remove.

Locking Sections:

  • Right-click a section to lock it, preventing further adjustments without unlocking.

6. Tips and Best Practices

  • Layout Style: Set this upfront to avoid issues with proportions later.
  • High-Resolution Grids: Use the zoom tool for precise configurations.
  • Responsive Design: Grids are responsive, but verify how content fits to avoid scroll or truncation issues.
  • Template Reuse: Plan and save reusable templates to maintain consistency across pages.

7. Error Handling and Warnings

  • If unsaved changes are present, the system will prompt you when attempting to exit.
  • If a layout change affects existing content, ensure to review the impact on linked pages.