--- title: "The Template Designer" slug: "template-designer" description: "Create custom templates with Timestone's Template Designer, featuring intuitive tools for precise design and efficient template management." updated: 2025-05-21T20:29:07Z published: 2025-05-21T20:29:07Z canonical: "help.timestone.com.au/template-designer" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.timestone.com.au/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # The Template Designer All Products in Timestone Software (with the exception of digital and retouching products) are the result of templates created in the Timestone applications. Each of the applications includes a Template Designer that enables the user to create templates relevant to that application. The templates are saved as files and use different filename extensions depending on the type of template created. | Application | Template Types | File extensions | | --- | --- | --- | | NeoPack | pack layouts item designs package templates for IOS | .plt .pit .pkg | | NeoComposite | page layout subject block board | .cpt .cst .cbt | | NeoGroup | group template | .tgt | | Fulfill | order headers | .oht | ## Launching the Template Designer In all applications, the Template Designer is launched by the **F10** function key or by selecting **Mode>Template Designer** from the main menu. ## The Template Designer tools and interface Many of the Template Designer’s tools and features are common from app to app, even though the template being created differ. The discussion that follows focuses on the Template Designer in NeoPack. ![NeoPack Professional interface displaying various editing tools and a blank workspace.](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/TD_Main%20Screen_2025.jpg) Figure 1: The main template designer screen The Template designer is divided into 3 main parts: - The Main Tool Bar - The Dimensions and Units Toolbar - The Design Canvas Area > [!WARNING] > NOTE > > Depending on whether the user is creating a layout or Design Item, some of the buttons may be unavailable for use. ## The Toolbars Several toolbars allow access to various options when designing templates. ![Toolbar displaying various editing options for document formatting and layout adjustments.](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/TD_Toolbars_2025.jpg) Figure 2: Template Designer tool Icons ### The File Toolbar The File toolbar includes icons for the common **File** menu options: **New, Open,** and **Save**. ### The Place Object Toolbar The place object toolbar allows users to place various objects onto the template. There are 10 object types: | Object | Icon | Description | | --- | --- | --- | | Add Hole | ![A square outline indicating a selected area for focus or action.](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/image-1747168589116.png) | Defines where the images will appear in the template. | | Add Grid | ![Grid layout displaying various elements for data organization and visualization purposes.](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/image-1747168669820.png) | Defines a Grid that can be filled with other item elements | | Add Graphic | ![A scenic landscape featuring a bright sun and green hills under a blue sky.](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/image-1747168958434.png) | Defines where various graphic elements will appear in the template. Graphic objects created with this tool are static | | Add Fill | ![A colorful pixelated pattern showcasing various shades of blue and green.](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/image-1747168922021.png) | Add a filled rectangle. The fill can either be a solid colour or a Fountain (Gradient) between two colours | | Add Text | ![A stylized letter 'A' within a dotted square, representing a design element.](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/image-1747170013788.png) | Defines where text will appear in the template. Text can be static or contain special variable ‘@’ codes. Text automatically scales to fill the defined text box. | | Add Curved Text | ![A stylized letter 'A' within a decorative border design.](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/image-1747169998413.png) | Similar to the above, but the text is on a curve. | | Add Barcode | ![A barcode design representing product identification and inventory management.](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/TD_Icons_2025_7.png) | Defines where a barcode will appear in a Layout. Note that the barcode object is not available when creating a sizeable pack item – the item must be a fixed-size item | | Add 2D Barcode | ![A QR code displayed for scanning, representing digital access or information retrieval.](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/image-1747169783041.png) | Define an area for a 2d Barcode (like a QR Code) to appear in a layout | | Add Labeled Image | ![A yellow tag icon representing a label or marker for categorization purposes.](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/image-1747169199797.png) | Places a box that will be replaced by an image, e.g., a logo | | Add Page | ![Icon representing a file or document selection interface with highlighted elements.](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/image-1747169121414.png) | In pack layouts can call a formed composite or group page. In Package Templates, can call a product from the package. | ### The Display/Snap Toolbar This area consists of the icons for **Show Rulers, Show Cut Marks, Show Grid,** and **Snap to Grid** (shown in Figure 2, from left to right)**.** ![Toolbar displaying various selection and editing tools for graphic design applications.](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/TD_Icons_2025_11.png) Figure 2: Display/Snap Toolbar These are useful options to help size and position objects in a template: A ruler, Grid, Grid snap, and Cut marks. The ruler and grid are visual aids for sizing and positioning objects in a template. Enabling snapping assists further by snapping the object to gridlines or other objects on the page. As an object is sized or moved on the template, it will snap from one gridline to another, ensuring accurate size and position. #### Cut Marks Cutmarks can be shown or hidden using the Show cut marks icon, as seen in Figure 2 above. To add a cut mark to a template, select **Edit> Cut Marks…** then indicate the orientation of the mark and its location on the canvas. ![Settings for cut marks in a layout, including options for horizontal and vertical axes.](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/TD_CutMarks_2025.jpg) Figure 3: The cut marks menu ### The Object Layer Toolbar Objects placed into a template can be positioned in layers, making it possible to make the various objects appear behind or in front of each other. To change the layer order of an object, select it, then choose the desired layer order button. It consists of a few different areas with their related tools: 1. The Move Object Area: This area consists of the icons for **Move Up, Move Down, Move to Top,** and **Move to Bottom** (Figure 4) in that order**.** ![Four dotted boxes representing different states or configurations in a user interface.](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/TD_Icons_2025_12.png) Figure 4: Move Object Icons 1. The Align Object Area: This area consists of the icons for **Align Left, Align Vertically, Align Right, Align Top, Align Horizontal,** and **Align Bottom** in that order**.** ![Various shapes and symbols are displayed, indicating different functions or categories.](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/TD_Icons_2025_13.png) Figure 5: Align Object Icons 1. The Match Object Area: This area consists of the icons for **Same Width, Same Height, Same Size,** and **Same Angle** in that order**.** ![Icons representing various alignment and shape tools for design applications.](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/TD_Icons_2025_14.png) Figure 6: Match Object Icons ### The Set Mask Option Masks are image files created in an outside editing software that allows the user to create image transparency in the finished prints. These files allow more complex transparency effects, such as a soft-edged blend or a semi-transparent overlay. A mask can be applied to any graphic object placed in a template ![Icon representing a graphic element, possibly for design or editing purposes.](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/image-1747171234479.png) Figure 7: The Set Mask Icon ****Further Reading: Using Masks**** Masks are used to apply blending and transparency effects to images and graphics. [Applying a Mask to an Image Hole](/v1/docs/applying-a-mask-to-an-image-hole) ### The Scaling Options Toolbar When placing image objects into a template, the user can control how the graphic is scaled within the object box. This is useful to ensure an image is completely displayed but not distorted. ![Three distinct symbols representing different concepts or categories in a visual format.](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/TD_Icons_2025_16.png) Figure 8: Scaling options There are 3 options: 1. Set Image Fill- This will clip the image to fill the box while maintaining the aspect ratio. 2. Set Image Fit- This will fit the whole image in the box while maintaining the aspect ratio. 3. Set Image Stretch- This will fill the image box by stretching the image to match the box, distorting the aspect ratio. ### The Orientation Toolbar The orientation bar has different uses depending on whether the user is creating customer version templates, custom version templates, pack layout templates, or item templates. When designing items, both portrait and landscape versions can be created using the same template within the same file. This is an alternative to having separate templates for each orientation and then locking the image hole to a certain orientation. Using the toolbar, the user can have a single template file that houses both versions. Click the **Different orientations** icon to create the secondary version, and then use the **Horizontal** and **Vertical Version** icons to swap between them. ![User interface elements including buttons and icons for navigation and actions.](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/TD_Icons_2025_17.png) Figure 9: The Template orientation icons NeoPack will automatically select the correct orientation for a portrait or landscape image when selected. > [!NOTE] > TIP > > The orientation tool is helpful for indicating that an Item design - “ .pit” (PIT) file - has two versions based off the image orientation. Pack Layouts - “.plt” (PLT) files- will choose the correct version of the template based off the image orientation, matching the long and short sides of the image to the item template and then rotate to fit the layout template. ****Further Reading: Orientation Specific Templates**** A user can create a single Item design that will automatically fulfill the correct orientation image with a matching orientation template. [Templates with Horizontal and Vertical Orientations](/v1/docs/templates-with-vertical-and-horizontal-orientations) ### The Dimensions Toolbar Objects placed into a template can be positioned and sized exactly using the Objects Dimensions toolbar. To set the size and position of an object, select it, then enter the desired values to the toolbar. Once done, click the Apply button to set the values. The Offset values set the position of an object’s top left corner. ![Toolbar displaying measurement options including size, angle, and nudge settings.](https://cdn.document360.io/4c6b2b86-f0ee-419b-9aca-71ba574125e1/Images/Documentation/TD_Icons_2025_18.png) Figure 10: The Dimensions Toolbar ****Further Reading: More on Templates**** Templates are a basic building block of an offer and are the blueprint for final printed products in Timestone’s applications. [Creating a Basic Print Template](/v1/docs/creating-a-basic-print-template) The efficient and organized storage of templates is one of the most important administrative considerations for a user. [Template Paths](/v1/docs/template-paths) The Template designer allows for several types of graphic elements to be included in an item design. [Using Graphics](/v1/docs/using-graphics-and-text-in-a-template) In addition to print templates, the user can create Customer versions of templates that will be displayed in Timestone’s Online Ordering System. [Customer versions of templates](/v1/docs/customer-versions-of-templates) A product is any item produced in the apps. Simple prints, package prints, trader cards, groups, composites and digital files are all examples of products. Products are of different types. Portrait 'type' products often relate directly to a pack layout template. Other product types relate to a genre, such as composites, groups and digital image. One or more products are combined into a Package. QR codes are a two dimensional barcode containing encoded information. In Timestone Software, QR codes are often used to match images to entities (subjects, families or folders). ## Related - [Beginner's Guide](/beginners-guide.md) - [The Template Report](/template-report.md)