Exporting Macro Parameters

Use macro definition parameters as Export As coordinate values for rules in that macro.

When you create parameters on the Signature tab of the Create Macro Definition dialog, those parameters become available in the Export As dropdown lists on the Properties tab. The parameters are displayed with a $$ prefix (for example, $$xPos). This lets you assign dynamic, parameter-driven values to the X, Y, Width, or Height coordinates of rules within the macro definition.

  1. Go to the RULES section and select the rules you want to include in the macro definition.
  2. Right-click the selection and select Create Macro Definition.
    The Create Macro Definition dialog opens.
  3. On the Signature tab, enter a name for the macro definition in the Name field.
  4. In the PARAMETERS section, click +Create parameter and enter a parameter name for each coordinate value you want to make dynamic (for example, xPos, yPos).
  5. Click the Properties tab.
  6. In the RULES section of the dialog, select the rule whose coordinates you want to configure.
  7. In the PROPERTIES section, click the Export As list for the coordinate you want to assign ( X, Y, Width, or Height).
  8. Select the macro parameter from the list.

    Parameters created on the Signature tab appear in the dropdown with a $$ prefix. For example, a parameter named xPos appears as $$xPos.

  9. Click CREATE.
    The macro definition is saved. The Export As values assigned to the rules are visible in the PROPERTIES panel on the right side of the main interface.
When you export the project as a control file, the rule coordinates use the macro parameter values instead of fixed positions. This allows the same macro definition to be reused with different coordinate values across multiple macro rules.
    Note:
  • You can also select macro parameters from the Export As list in the PROPERTIES panel when a macro rule is selected.
Parent topic: Creating Macro Definitions