If you are new to using the visual layout page template, you may have missed the "Layout Settings" button in the upper right corner of the editor. 

These settings can be very helpful when creating a page in the visual layout editor and this post will explain those different settings, as well as a few of the other features in the visual layout editor. 

Layout Settings: 

After clicking on the "Layout Settings" button, you will see the following settings:

Each of these settings is explained below:

Scale from Center:  Checking this box allows you to resize an object from the center rather than the edge of the object. 

Force Proportional Scale:  This prevents objects from resizing disproportionately.  You may want to check this box so that none of your images get distorted when you resize them.  This setting also forces a proportional scale on text boxes, so if you want to be able to change the size, height, width, etc., of a text box, make sure you uncheck this box. 

Allow Delete:  This allows objects to be deleted by selecting the object and then pressing the delete key on the keyboard. This box is checked by default. 

Move Selected to Front:  The more objects you have on your page canvas, the more you will probably end up layering the objects.  If this box is checked, an object that is selected will move to the front of any other objects layered on top of it, making it easier to edit. 

Lock Position:  Prevents all objects from being moved. 

Lock Rotate:  Prevents objects from being rotated. 

Lock Scale:  Prevents objects from being resized. 

Allow Multiple Select:  Allows selecting multiple objects at a time by holding down the shift key while clicking on the objects. Having the ability to select more than one image at a time allows you to move multiple objects at a time.  This box is checked by default. 

View Grid:  Displays a layout grid to assist with spacing and alignment. The grid will not show when the page is viewed in the course preview or when the course is deployed. 

Grid Size:  Indicate the grid size by typing in a number or using the arrow buttons to increase or decrease the default amount.  A smaller number creates smaller grid squares and a bigger number creates bigger grid squares. 

Other Helpful Tips on the Visual Layout Page:

Double Clicking:  You can double click on an existing object on the page canvas to access the object's settings. 

Layout Page Zoom:  Being able to view the entire canvas at once, as well as zooming in to specific parts of the canvas for editing purposes, is one benefit of the visual layout page. 

Use Layout Page Zoom to be able to zoom in or out.  If you zoom in, scroll bars will appear at the bottom and to the right of the page canvas, allowing you to navigate around the page. Clicking on the "Fit" button will size the page canvas to fit inside the editor.  Clicking on the "Actual" button will show you the actual size of the page when it is previewed or viewed in a course. 

Arrange Settings:  Use these buttons to layer objects in front of or behind one another. 

• Bring to Front: moves a selected object to the front of all the objects.

• Bring Forward:  moves the selected object forward one layer.

• Send Backward:  moves the selected object back one layer.

• Bring to Back:  moves the selected object behind all the other objects.

Selecting Objects:  You can select objects by clicking on the objects on the canvas.  You can also select objects by clicking on the object icons oriented vertically on the right side of the page canvas. This feature is especially helpful if you have a lot of objects in a small area.

You might also be interested in the capabilities of the visual layout page or how to change the background. 

For more information about filling out the visual layout page form in the authoring tool, please refer to the Rapid Intake wiki.