Module 2: Template Studio Basics

Overview of Template Studio

The Template Studio is the core environment within Brandgility where templates are created, customized, and managed. It is accessible through the icon at the top right of the dashboard. The studio provides all the tools you need to:

• Design new templates from scratch.
• Manage brand and template assets.
• Revisit recently edited templates for quick access.
• Improve templating skills with practice and tutorials.
• Download essential plugins for external design tools like Adobe InDesign.

Template configuration

1. Template Setup Environment

Once a template is opened in Edit Mode, users can define how the template will behave. The setup environment allows for:

• Customizing User Interactions:

  • Lock elements to prevent users from editing specific components.
  • Unlock elements to allow user customization within defined boundaries.

• Design Testing:

  • Use Preview Mode to test and view the template from an end-user perspective.

2. Top Bar Controls

Located at the top of the Template Studio, the top bar includes:

• Template Name: The name of the current template being edited.
• Save Options: Tools to save progress or updates.
• Edit/Preview Toggle:
  • Switch between Edit Mode (to configure the template) and Preview Mode (to simulate user interactions).

3. View Modes

The Template Studio offers various view modes to refine designs and ensure accuracy:

• Placeholder Mode: Displays empty fields or areas meant for user input.
• Scaling Mode: Shows how the template adapts to different sizes.
• Bleed Mode: Highlights areas that extend beyond the print boundary.
• Snapshot: Captures the current state of the design for a thumbnail.

4. Palettes and Panels

Palettes help organize and adjust key elements in the template:

• Placeholder Palette: Manage fields for user input.
• Layers Palette: Arrange elements by hierarchy for easy editing.
• Logic Palette: Configure template behavior using logic rules and actions.
• Questions Palette: Define dynamic questions to guide user input and interactions.

5. Work Area

The main workspace in the Template Studio provides tools for editing and navigation:

• Selection Tools: Choose and adjust specific elements.
• Pan and Zoom: Navigate the design area with precision.
• Paging: Navigate between multiple pages in multi-page templates.
• Shortcuts: Use keyboard shortcuts for faster workflow.
  • Zoom in: ⌘/Ctrl +
  • Zoom out: ⌘/Ctrl -
  • Zoom to fit: ⌘/Ctrl 0
  • Pan: space (hold)

6. Properties Menu

The Properties Menu dynamically updates based on the selected element and offers:

• Document Setup: Adjust settings like page size, orientation, and layout.
• Element-Specific Properties: Modify properties such as color, size, font, and alignment based on the selected component.
• Interaction setting: configure the options that define which elements users can interact with.

Tips for Effective Use

• Regularly toggle between Edit and Preview modes to ensure the template meets user expectations.
• Use view modes like Bleed and Scaling to guarantee design accuracy across different output formats.
• Familiarize yourself with keyboard shortcuts for faster navigation and editing.