Methods to fit content to assigned space

GN4 provides three fitting methods for single paragraphs. All three methods change the type size and/or base, character tracking and space band (whatever specified), in multiple steps, within specified preferences, actions order and limits. The methods names are ParaModify, ParaShrink and ParaGrow.

The F7 key calls the EditParaModify system script, that internally calls the ParaModify system script and hard-codes the names of the fitting presets to the same names of element type, e.g. "head" for head and "body" for body.

•Paragraph shrinking: It attempts to decrease the number of lines in text or in the current paragraph. For example, if the paragraph had 4 lines before shrinking attempt, it will have 3 lines if the shrinking could be applied within specified limits. If limits would be exceeded, action is aborted. Note also that it is not possible to shrink further a paragraph that consists of a single line of text. This can be achieved by ParaModify and ParaShrink.

Note: if limits would be exceeded by the action, there are two possible outcomes, depending of the selected shrinking method: ParaShrink won't apply any change on paragraph if it is not possible to achieve the desired result, while ParaModify will change the paragraph as much as possible, i.e. to the closest value.

•Paragraph stretching: It attempts to increment the number of lines in the paragraph. For example, if the paragraph has 4 lines before a stretching attempt, it will have 5 lines if the stretching could be applied within specified limits. If limits would be exceeded, action is aborted.

Note: if limits would be exceeded by the action, there are two possible outcomes, depending of the selected stretching method: ParaGrow won't apply any change on paragraph if it is not possible to achieve the desired result, while ParaModify, will change the paragraph as much as possible, i.e. to the closest value.

•Paragraph fitting: The fitting changes the type size and/or base, character tracking and space band (whatever specified) in independent combinations and limits to increment or decrement the number of lines in the paragraph, based on the desired number of lines, specified in the current paragraph style. For example, if the paragraph style defines that the paragraph may have minimum 2 lines, and maximum of 3 lines, the following is possible:

•If the paragraph has 4 lines, it will be shrunk to 3 lines (if possible).

•If the paragraph has 1 line, it will be stretched to 2 lines (if possible).

•If the paragraph has 2 or 3 lines, no action is taken.

The fitting applies on the entire text the changes of the type size/base, tracking and/or space band (whatever specified) in independent combinations and limits to bring the number of lines in the text into the required measure.

The F8 key fires the fitting for entire text.

Example 1: A text, linked to a geometry that allows 164 lines, has 175 lines before a fitting attempt.

The following outcomes are possible:

•The text is brought in the measure of 164 lines, and the changes are spread evenly in all paragraphs.

•The text becomes shorter than 164 lines, since even the smallest change, spread across many paragraphs, causes too much shrinking.

•The text remains longer than 164 lines, but shorter than 175 lines, since even the largest change, within predefined limits, causes not enough shrinking.

Example 2: A text, linked to a geometry that allows 164 lines, has 148 lines before a fitting attempt

The following outcomes are possible:

•The text is brought in the measure of 164 lines, and the changes are spread evenly in all paragraphs.

•The text remains shorter than 164 lines, but longer than 148 lines, since even the biggest change causes not enough stretching.

•The text becomes longer than 164 lines, since even the smallest change, within predefined limits causes too much stretching.