Marketing Template Creator

1. Working with Veco Plus Data

This editor creates templates that merge with live Veco Plus property data.

• Text Variables: Use the Insert Text Variable dropdown to add codes like {{SummaryDescription}}.
• Image Variables: Click Add Image Placeholder, then select a variable like [[PropertyPhoto]]-1 to create a smart frame.
• Testing Data: Check the "Inject Data" box at the top to preview how actual property photos and graphs will look. Uncheck it before exporting if you want raw placeholders.

2. Text & Overflow Controls (Crucial)

Because live property data varies in length, you must tell text boxes how to handle too much text using the Text Overflow dropdown in the Text Styles panel:

• Expand (Visible): The box will grow downwards to fit all text. Warning: This may push text over other elements if the description is very long.
• Cut Off (Hidden): Text that exceeds the physical height of the box you drew will be invisibly sliced off.
• Ellipsis (...): The smartest option for descriptions. It cuts off the text at the bottom of your box and automatically adds "..." so the layout stays perfect.

3. Image & Shape Controls

• Perfect Cropping: Images automatically use "Cover" scaling. They will never stretch or distort when you resize their frames.
• Panning: Hold down the ALT key and click-and-drag an image to pan or re-center the photo inside its frame.
• Rounded Corners: Select any image or rectangle and use the Corner Radius slider in the Appearance panel to curve the edges.
• EPCs & QR Codes: Use the dedicated buttons on the left to instantly drop in smart placeholders for energy graphs and scannable links.

4. Pages & Layers

• Multi-Page Brochures: Click "+ Add" in the Page Settings to create multi-page brochures. Use the "Show Pages" button at the top to open the thumbnail navigator.
• Layers Panel: Located at the bottom right. Drag and drop items in this list to easily move backgrounds behind text, or click an item in the list to select it if it's hidden behind something else.

5. Custom Fonts & Fast Image Uploads

• Custom Fonts: Click + Upload Custom Font in the Text Styles panel to add your agency's specific brand fonts (supports .ttf, .otf, .woff). They apply immediately and export perfectly.
• Drag & Drop Images: You can drag an image file directly from your computer onto the canvas to insert it.
• Copy & Paste Images: Copy an image from the web or a snipping tool and press Ctrl+V to paste it directly onto the canvas.
• Images from URL: Use the Add Image from URL button to pull in an image via a direct web link.

6. Drawing Tools & Exact Sizing

• Perfect Shapes: When using Draw Rectangle, hold the Shift key to draw a perfect square. When using Draw Line, hold Shift to snap the line to perfect 45°, 90°, or 180° angles.
• Exact Dimensions (mm): Select any object and use the Size (mm) panel on the right to type in exact physical measurements for its width and height.
• Text Lists: Select a text box and use the bullet (•) or number (1.) buttons in the Text Styles panel to instantly format your text into structured lists.

7. Precision Layout & Alignment

• Millimeter Rulers: Click anywhere on the top or left rulers to drop a magnetic alignment guide onto the canvas. Drag it off the canvas to delete it.
• Advanced Guide Options: Right-click any blue guide line to open a menu where you can instantly snap it to the Center (50%), Quarters (25%/75%), or Thirds (33.3%/66.6%) of the page. You can also select Set Exact Position (mm)... to type in a precise measurement.
• Smart Guides: As you drag elements, orange dashed lines will automatically appear to help you align them perfectly with other objects.
• Group Alignment: Drag a box over multiple objects to select them all. An Align Selected Objects panel will appear, allowing you to instantly align them or distribute them evenly across the page.
• Grid Snapping: Click Snap: OFF in the Arrange panel to turn on a visual grid. Objects will magnetically snap to this grid. You can change the grid size (e.g., 25px) in the box next to it.

8. Keyboard Shortcuts

9. Object Menus & Properties

• Right-Click Menu: Right-click any object (text, image, shape) to open a quick menu to Copy, Paste, Bring Forward, Send Backward, or Delete.
• Rotation: Use the Rotate -90° or Rotate +90° buttons in the Arrange panel to quickly snap objects sideways or upside down.
• Appearance Controls: Add colored borders, adjust opacity, or add a Drop Shadow to elements using the Appearance panel.

10. Saving, Auto-Save & Templates

• Auto-Save: The editor automatically backs up your work every 30 seconds. If you accidentally close the tab, it will prompt you to restore your draft when you return!
• Save & Load Project: Click Save Project at the top to download a ".json" file of your completely editable workspace. Use Load Project to open it later.
• Template Gallery: Click Template Gallery to load pre-made, professionally aligned layout starting points (Warning: This overwrites your current canvas).