Object that works as a BG layer?

[saltobello]

I'm not sure how to even describe this one. I'm borrowing some virtues and fields of an old FMP doc and pasting them into a new one. One such element is an object that rests on a set of tabs. In the original file, it seems to rest IN BETWEEN the tab and the buttons and fields (essentially, it's like adding a new background color). Also in the original file, when I'm in Layout -> Selection Mode, I cannot lasso several fields at once; instead, any click/grabbing simply drags this object around.

 

If I paste this into my new document and send it to the background, obviously it disappears. How if I copy my fields, then move this object into the front, and then paste the fields on top of it, the font and borders come up as transparent (I only see the black corner dots.

 

I'm getting up to speed very quickly on The Way FMP Thinks, but I can't wrap my mind around this one (much less describe what the problem is!)

 

(BTW, I've tried drawing a new object also, and no matter what I create, it behaves identically to what I'm trying to duplicate from the older document.)

 

TIA!

[kirkrr]

I'm not sure how to even describe this one. I'm borrowing some virtues and fields of an old FMP doc and pasting them into a new one. One such element is an object that rests on a set of tabs. In the original file, it seems to rest IN BETWEEN the tab and the buttons and fields (essentially, it's like adding a new background color). Also in the original file, when I'm in Layout -> Selection Mode, I cannot lasso several fields at once; instead, any click/grabbing simply drags this object around.

 

If I paste this into my new document and send it to the background, obviously it disappears. How if I copy my fields, then move this object into the front, and then paste the fields on top of it, the font and borders come up as transparent (I only see the black corner dots.

 

I'm getting up to speed very quickly on The Way FMP Thinks, but I can't wrap my mind around this one (much less describe what the problem is!)

 

(BTW, I've tried drawing a new object also, and no matter what I create, it behaves identically to what I'm trying to duplicate from the older document.)

 

TIA!

 

For the moment, ignore the behavior you are getting, and describe what you want to occur, not how. That may allow assistance to identify the solution, not attempt to debug something that may be a difficult or incorrect path to that end game.

[saltobello]

"For the moment, ignore the behavior you are getting, and describe what you want to occur, not how."

 

Good idea, Kirk.

 

I'd like the BG beneath the fields to be a different color than the tab-portion of the tab.

[kirkrr]

OK, just make a rectangular object from the tools palette on the left, and place that over the fields on the tab. Make sure that it is at least 1 pixel smaller than the tab area, and then send to back. It will be behind the fields and on top of the tab body. If it is larger, it will move behind the tabs; not what you want, I think.

 

Is there some particular reason that you want this? You can, by clicking on the tab of the tab control, set the color of the tab and body as one.

[saltobello]

Perfect. It was def. that "Make sure that it is at least 1 pixel smaller than the tab area" issue that was gumming me up.

 

"Is there some particular reason that you want this? You can, by clicking on the tab of the tab control, set the color of the tab and body as one."

Purely cosmetic. And factually, I'll prob. be ditching it. Still, it's great to know how to do it!

 

Thanks again!