Creating definitions by searching for white space

When you do not know where white space exists, you can search for the first available white space in a page group and create a definition. Whitespace Manager searches for the largest white space area on a page that meets the minimum dimensions specified.

When Whitespace Manager finds white space that meets the specifications on that page, it stops the search.

Areas with overlays, page segments, barcodes, and images are considered available white space and you can create a white space definition over them. However, this is not recommended unless you want the content to merge with the existing content.

    Note:
  • In RICOH Visual Workbench you can display measurement units in inches or millimeters. To change the measurement unit, click View ⇒ Units.

To create a definition for the first available white space in a page group:
  1. In RICOH Visual Workbench, open a sample AFP file.
  2. If the file does not contain page groups, use AFP Indexer to create page groups.
  3. Click Mode ⇒ Whitespace Manager.
  4. Select a page in the page group.
  5. Position your cursor at a corner of the area where you want to define white space. While pressing the left mouse button, draw a box the approximate size of the white space area. You can draw a horizontal, vertical, or square box.
    In a later step, you can specify the exact position and size of the white space area.
  6. Right-click anywhere on the page and click Searching for white space.
    If the maximum number of white space areas are defined, you see an error message. Otherwise, you see the White space tab in the Searching for white space window with the page you selected displayed in the Current Page field.
  7. Type a name for the white space definition.
    Make sure you give the definition a descriptive name to distinguish it from other definitions.
  8. Specify the minimum width and height for the white space area.
    Whitespace Manager searches for the first available white space that meets the minimum specified dimensions. The fields are:
    Width
    Any decimal value, such as 0.75, for the horizontal width (in inches or millimeters) of the white space area. The minimum width of the area can be equal to or greater than 0.5 inches or 12.7 millimeters.
    Height
    Any decimal value, such as 0.75, for the vertical height (in inches or millimeters) of the white space area. The minimum height of the area can be equal to or greater than 0.5 inches or 12.7 millimeters.
  9. From the drop-down list in the Select Pages in the Page Group section, select which page or pages you want the white space area added to:
    This page
    Adds the white space area to the current page unless a known white space area is defined or no white space area meets the specified dimensions.
    This and following pages
    Searches the current page and all pages that follow in the page group and adds the white space area on the first page where it finds white space that meets the specified dimensions.
    Last page
    Adds the white space area to the last page unless a known white space area is defined or no white space area meets the specified dimensions. You can only select this option if the current page is the last page in the page group. You might want to create a Last page definition instead of This page when the page groups contain a variable number of pages and you want the white space to always be on the last page.
    If a selection is grayed-out, it is the only one available.
  10. Optional: On the Position tab, change the origin (top-left corner) and size (width and height) of the white space area.
    Fields on the Position tab shows the fields on the Position tab.

    Fields on the Position tab

    Field Value Description
    Origin of area: X position Any decimal value, such as 2.5. The X position cannot be greater than the width of the page. The horizontal distance (in inches or millimeters) of the left side of the white space area measured from the left side of the logical page (not the physical sheet of paper).
    Note: If you rotated the AFP file using the Rotate by 90o option on the View menu, specify the X position from the top-left corner of the logical page in the unrotated view.
    Origin of area: Y position Any decimal value, such as 2.5. The Y position cannot be greater than the height of the page. The vertical distance (in inches or millimeters) of the top of the white space area measured from the top of the logical page (not the physical sheet of paper).
    Note: If you rotated the AFP file using the Rotate by 90o option on the View menu, specify the Y position from the top-left corner of the logical page in the unrotated view.
    Size of area: Width Any decimal value, such as 2.5. The width of the area cannot be greater than the width of the page. The horizontal width (in inches or millimeters) of the white space area measured in the unrotated view.
    Size of area: Height Any decimal value, such as 2.5. The height of the area cannot be greater than the height of the page. The vertical height (in inches or millimeters) of the white space area measured in the unrotated view.
  11. Click OK.
    You see the defined white space area displayed as a colored box.
  12. Verify that the correct white space area has been defined:
    1. In the bottom pane, click the White spaces tab.
    2. Expand a page group and double-click the white space definition.
      You see a rectangle box highlighting the white space area on the page you selected.
    3. If the white space area is incorrect, modify or delete it (Tools ⇒ Modify Definitions).
  13. Optional: Optional: To create another white space definition, go to Step 4 and repeat the steps.

Related information:

Modifying or deleting white space definitions
Creating rules for assigning content
Whitespace Manager
Parent topic: Adding content to white space in AFP files