Text Variables
Variables are special codes that may be used in place of ordinary text in Text Boxes and in Button Action specifications. A Variable has a name and a value.
All variables have the format:
^(VariableName)
The software comes with a library of resarved names that have useful functions such as dates and page numbers as well as EFIX industry standard camera settings such ase exposure time and focal length. Local and Global variables may also be defined defined. Local (slide specific) variables can be used to enter descriptions, product names prices etc where global or Show variables such as a company name and address, phone nmbers etc are supported.
The Variable is included in the text label and the value of the Variable is displayed. It should be noted that variables can be used in Actions to define URLs and other information that can be used in data drien environments) java scipt, PHP, AJAX, etc.)
Reserved Variable Names names are described below.
Variable names may be automaticaly selected and inserted in a Text Box by first right clicking on the box and the selecting Variables form the popup menu.By right-clicking on a text box or button action specification, a variable can be inserted by selecting it from a list.
There are two different types of variables: User and Built-In:
| %a |
Abbreviated weekday name |
Wed |
| %A |
Full weekday name |
Wednesday |
| %b |
Abbreviated month name |
Jun |
| %B |
Full month name |
June |
| %c |
Date and time representation appropriate for locale |
6/14/2006 |
| %d |
Day of month as decimal number (01 - 31) |
14 |
| %H |
Hour in 24-hour format (00 - 23) |
16 |
| %I |
Hour in 12-hour format (01 - 12) |
4 |
| %m |
Month as decimal number (01 - 12) |
6 |
| %M |
Minute as decimal number (00 - 59) |
25 |
| %p |
Current locale's A.M./P.M. indicator for 12-hour clock |
PM |
| %S |
Second as decimal number (00 - 59) |
22 |
| %U |
Week of year as decimal number, with Sunday as first day of week (00 - 53) |
|
| %x |
Date representation for current locale |
|
| %X |
Time representation for current locale |
|
| %y |
Year without century, as decimal number (00 - 99) |
6 |
| %Y |
Year with century, as decimal number |
2006 |
| %z, %Z |
Either the time-zone name or time zone abbreviation, depending on registry settings; no characters if time zone is unknown |
EST |
| %% |
Percent sign |
% |
Built-In Variables are tran sl ated as various meta-data about the picture which is embedded in the original picture file. While some picture information is common to all file types, most of the information is available only in JP EG files with embedded EXIF information. Many cameras embed this information at the time the picture is taken.
The following Built-In Variables are available:
For example: The text:
This picture: ^(Name). which is located on my computer at ^(FileName) is ^(Width) pixels wide and was taken on ^(Date).
Is translated to
This picture: MyWifeAndKids, which is located on my computer at C:\MyPictures\MyWifeAndKids.jpg is 1200 pixels wide and was taken on 06/14/06 .
The format of the date can be specified by appending ":" and any of the following format codes to the Date tag: (examples are for the date: June 14, 2006 , 4:25:22 pm )
| Name |
The name of the file without folder or extension. |
| FileName |
The full path of the file. |
| Label |
The text entered in |
| Width |
The width of the picture in pixels |
| Height |
The height of the picture in pixels |
| Date |
The date the picture was taken |
| Time |
The time the picture was taken |
| FStop |
The F-Stop used. |
| ExposureTime |
The shutter speed used |
| FocalLength |
The focal length of the lens used |
^(Date:%x) " 6/14/04 " (or 14/6/04 in Europe ) (this is the default for Date)
^(Date:%X) " 16:25:22 "
^(Date:%I:%M %p) " 04:25 PM " (this is the default for Time)
^(Date:%A %B %d, %Y %I:%M %p) " Wednesday, June 14, 2006 04:25 PM "
User Variables may be created. Any variable name not otherwise used may be created. Most any text can be used in user variables, including other variables.
The user variable editor is accessed from Edit - User Variables. User variables are system global - i.e. they are remembered across sessions and documents.
Here is how you use the tags:
To add the name of each file to label, very handy for photographers, you could create a line a label that looked like this:
The photo name is ^label and it is ^Width pixels wide.
If the file name for example was ABC0038.jpg and the image was 1000 pixels wide your label would appear as "The photo name is ABC0038 and the image is 1000 pixels wide.
Create a label using the attributes describes in this section (Label Tab) and then use Apply to all. Now all you sl ides will contain the name and the width. We will be changing this and adding a much larger selection of variables that can be incorporated automatically in a text string.
User defined Variables operate the same way. See:
- Global Variables
- Local Vaiables
Note that Variables can be used in web actions and anyplace a text string is output.
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