About Image Template Files
Corda®
Builder™ saves Corda Builder graph and map information in project files,
also referred to as Image Template files.
Image Template files allow you to customize and publish graphs and maps
again and again as needed.
Create an Image Template file from scratch, or customize one from a
pre-designed template using the Graph
Wizard. Corda Builder saves Image Template files in a text-based
XML format (using a .itxml extension) that
is easy to manipulate in a text editor, and flexible enough to modify
or create Image Template file on the fly.
Corda Builder displays sample data in Image Template files to show what
graphs and maps might look like, but Corda Server™ typically applies live
data to the Image Template file dynamically when they are published. Although
the data changes, Corda Server retains the layout and formatting options
specified for the Image Template file.
Note: Because Image Template
files are merely templates for graphs and maps, it is hard to know how
the resulting graph looks when fed real data. For tips on creating an
Image Template file that is effective with dynamic data, see Tips for Creating Good Image Template Files.
By default, Corda Builder saves Image Template files in <product_root>\Resources\image_templates,
which is accessible from the Document
Root shortcut. There are several sample Image Template files stored
in this folder.
Opening Image Template Files
Corda Builder opens a blank Image Template file when it loads. To open
an existing Image Template file, do one of the following:
Select File >
Open or click the Open
button 
and enter project's filename, or browse to the desired
file.
Select File >
Recent Image Templates and select the project.
Access the Image Template file directory by selecting
the Start > All Programs > Corda
7 > Image Templates. Double-click any Image Template file to
open it in Corda Builder.
Clicke of the Gallery buttons 
to open the Corda 7 Gallery, then locate
and open the desired Image Template file. For more information about using
Corda 7 Gallery, see The Corda 7 Gallery.
Saving Image Template files
Save an Image Template file using one of the following options:
Save:
Select File > Save or click
the Save button 
. If the Image Template file has been previously saved, Corda
Builder replaces the previously-saved version of the file. If the file
has not been previously saved, it prompts you for a file name and location.
Save As.
Use File > Save As to save
the file for the first time, or to save a new copy of an existing file.
Save As prompts you for a file
name and location.
Note: Because Corda Server looks
for Image Template files in its document root
directory, save projects that you intend to use as Image Template files
for Corda 7 in <product_root>\Resources\image_templates
(or in an image_templates subdirectory).
Image Template File Configuration
Corda Builder provides broad project-level configuration options for
the Image Template file, meaning that the configurations apply to the
entire Image Template file, not just a single graph or map object. It
is important to make this distinction because a project can contain a
large number of graph, map, and other objects. Each object can also be
modified independently of all others, as described in the object-specific
chapters in this guide.
Corda Builder supports the following project-level properties:
Project Dimensions
To create larger or smaller output images, adjust the size of the Project
Canvas. To change the size of the Project Canvas, click and drag the square
"handles" on the project border, or specify specific dimensions
in the project's properties.
Attributes related to project dimensions are available in the Layout property in Object
Properties. For more information on these properties and attributes,
see Corda 7 Object Reference.
Note: Changing the project size
does not scale the objects within the project to the new size. Changing
the size of the project might make it necessary to resize individual project
objects to better fit the project space. To change an object's size, see
Working with Objects.
Project Border
Optionally, Corda Builder can display visible project borders surrounding
the Project Canvas.
Attributes related to project border are available in the Canvas
property in Object Properties.
For more information on these properties and attributes, see Corda 7 Object Reference.
Project Background
Optionally, Corda Builder can provide a colored project background to
help project objects stand out. The selected background color appears
behind all objects in the Image Template file. Backgrounds can be a solid
color, or a gradient.
Attributes related to project background are available in the Canvas property in Object
Properties. For more information on these properties and attributes,
see Corda 7 Object Reference.