Overview

Freeform template pages are made up of a backdrop over which content objects are positioned. These objects can include Page Fields, Maxlets, Forms, Polls, etc. You have absolute control over positioning. Many objects can be resized directly on the Page Editor, others have editable properties which control size. The set of objects along with their positions and sizes is known as the layout.

Positioning and Resizing Objects

Editing of Freeform Template pages is done primarily with the mouse. You select objects by clicking on them. Once selected, objects can be dragged to any position within the backdrop. In addition, if an object can be resized directly on the Page Editor, a resize handle will appear in the lower right corner of the object. Clicking and dragging the resize handle will alter the object's size.

Adding Objects to the Layout

Clicking the right mouse button when no object is selected will produce the Insert menu. The menu shows various categories of content objects which can be inserted. Most are self-explanatory.

Some terms you will see on the insert menu are defined below:

Box	-	A box with a content area.
Panel	-	A box with a content area plus a caption.
Stylized	-	A standalone maxlet which inherits its style from the page template. See Page Templates for more information on styles.
Page Field	-	A maxlet which acts as a wrapper around a standard page field. The maxlet also inherits its style from the page template.

Images

The Image option of the Insert menu can take you to the site Image List or Page Images list. From there you can click the Insert button to add one of the images to your page. An image slot (A-Z or 1-9) must have an image selected in order for the Insert button to appear. Regardless of how you reach the Image List or Page Images, if you are editing a Freeform page you will see the image Insert button.

You can also insert a standalone maxlet image by choosing Stylized or Plain from the Insert/Image menu. Stylized image maxlets will inherit their look from the page template's Image Style property (unless you override image style at the image maxlet level).

Maxlets, Forms, Polls, Calendars, and Popups

The Insert menu has an option to go to the Designer for each of these content object types. Whenever you are editing a Freeform page the Designer will show an additional button or link labeled Insert. Clicking Insert will place the particular object onto your page. See the topic Page Templates to learn how maxlets can inherit their look from the page.

Editing Objects

To edit an object click it with the right mouse button. This will display a menu of possible edit actions. When editing a maxlet the sub-menu Contained Objects shows edit actions available for fields and objects contained within the maxlet.

Before you can edit a maxlet object you will need to customize it. Note, however, if the maxlet is a container for a Page Field or a Site Field you will be able to edit the contained field without customizing the maxlet itself. If a maxlet in your layout is not yet customized (if it is a base maxlet) you will see an option on the right mouse menu to Customize it. If the object is already customized you will see options to edit it.

Notes:

1. After positioning, resizing, or deleting objects you must click Save Layout to commit your changes.
2. The Freeform Page Editor requires Java. Click here to see if your browser supports Java.
3. The Copy/Cut/Paste feature works across freeform pages.