Layer Properties Dialog

The General tab defines the security settings for the layer. In addition, you can configure how the layer appears on the screen. The following options are available:

• Name: Defines the name of the layer.

• Comments: Provides space for any special information end users might need regarding the layer. The comments will appear in the preview image of the layer in the Layers pane.

Security

• Locked: When enabled, prevents the selection or moving of the objects on the layer.

On-Screen Appearance

The On-Screen Appearance section contains options for how items in the layer will be displayed on your computer monitor. Any changes to the options in this section will not affect the printed outcome of your document.

• Hidden: When enabled, hides the layer and all objects on it. Objects in a hidden layer cannot be selected, moved, or seen.

• Display as monochrome: When enabled, allows you to select a single color for all objects on the selected layer. The following options are available when Display as monochrome is enabled:

  • Color: Defines the color of the objects on the layer. For more information, see Changing an Object's Color.

  • Transparency: Selects the displayed level of transparency of the layer from 0 (opaque) to 100 (completely transparent).

The Print Options tab controls how the layer appears on a printed page. The following options are available:

Print Visibility

• Preprinted: When enabled, treats the layer as if it is already printed on the media. If this option is selected, the layer will not print, though it will appear in the Print Preview window.

• Print When: Determines when BarTender prints the selected layer. This option is available only when the Preprinted option is disabled.

Opens the When to Print dialog, which determines specific conditions for printing the layer.

Bounding Rectangle

The Bounding Rectangle section allows you to set a boundary in which all objects in the layer must reside.

• Clip objects to bounding rectangle: When enabled, only layer objects within a rectangle determined by the values in the Left, Top, Width, and Height fields will be printed. If an object resides partially within the bounds, then only the portion within the bounds will be printed. This option can be combined with password-protected layers to limit users to editing only specific regions of the template. For more information on this functionality, please see Layer Security.

Output Panel

The Output Panel section allows you to configure your document when printing with alternative panels on a card printer. Layers are grouped by the type of material selected. If the current printer is not capable of using the selected material, BarTender will display a warning icon above the layer, along with an error message.

• Print to primary panel(s): When enabled, configures the layer to print using the main color panels available on the printer.

• Print to monochrome black panel: When enabled, configures the layer to print with a monochrome black panel. Layers configured with this option show up in black and white, and are best-suited for text or simple outlines.

• Print to UV fluorescing panel: When enabled, configures the layer to print onto a UV fluorescing panel. Layers configured with this option will only show up under ultraviolet light.

• Print to overlay / inhibitor panel: When enabled, configures the layer to print onto an overlay / inhibitor panel.

The Effects tab contains options for applying transparencies to all items on the layer. The settings for this transparency applies to all items in the layer, and overrides any individual transparency effects applied to the items on the layer. Transparency ranges from 0 (opaque) to 100 (completely transparent).