Reassigning A Badge Template
As an alternate to redefining a badge design within the database, you may add, change, rename, purge, and export designs assigned to the database. This is done by selecting File, Manage Badge Designs from the menu.
Designs assigned to the database are given a number starting with zero. The number zero design is the default assigned automatically to each new badge. It needs re-emphasizing the difference between templates assigned to a database and template files. When you assign a template file to a database template number, a “snapshot” of the design in the file is taken and stored in the database. No subsequent modification of the template file will have any effect on the template appearance within the database. If you do change the file and want to update the snapshot in the database then you will need to reassign the template number to the file again to take a new snapshot. This is detailed below. Conversely, if you change the appearance of the template number within the database with the Revise Current Badge Design feature, this will not change the original template file, unless you save the revision at the time of change with the Design , Export Design As button and over-write the original template file.
If you are adding to a multiple template database a pop-up dialog will appear similar to this:
A list is displayed of currently available template numbers and the name assigned to them. To retrieve a different .CTM file layout for an existing template number, simply highlight the desired line and click on Change. A standard file dialog will appear from which you can select the desired template file. If you wish to add an additional template to the list of available templates, click on Add. The same template file dialog will appear and you can select the desired template. Either way, a standard file selection dialog will appear to allow you to select the template to assign. There is nothing to stop you taking snapshots of the same template file several times for different template numbers. You could later make minor adjustments to one and not the other if you wish.
The ID badge software will then take you to the assignment pop-up so that you can select which data fields to assign the data holder rectangles. (If an older style single template database is being revised, the assignment dialog will appear directly. Review the section Database Field Assignments for more information.)
A template can be deleted from the database by highlighting it and pressing the Delete button. The program will only delete the template from the database if it meets all the following:
1. It is not in use on a badge
2. It is not assigned as the Dossier template
3. It is not the default template (numbered 0)
Remember, this only deletes the template which is stored internally to the specific database. It does not delete the .CTM file from which the template was originally loaded into the database.
The dialog also contains a Purge button. This will remove from the database any templates which are not currently assigned to at least one badge. (If a dossier template has been defined, this will not be deleted, even if the display is not currently in Dossier Mode. For more information on dossiers see Using the Dossier Feature in the Operation and Setting the Dossier Template in the Configuration chapter. This operation can take a little time as the use of each template must be checked. A gauge shows the progress of the operation.
The Rename button can be used to give the currently selected template a new name. The names do not have to be unique but it is best to make them so, to avoid confusion.
It is also possible from this dialog to Export a single design to a .CTM file, or Export All designs to .CTM files. The export a single design, select it in the main window and click Export. Then indicate the location and file name for the .CTM file. To export all the designs click the Export All button and then select the folder to save the .CTM files to. The files will be given the same name as appears in the listing window, including the number, so that designed with the same name can be distinguished. Note that any .CTM files already existing in the selected folder will be overwritten.
