How to Define and Insert a Custom Math Element in FrameMaker 5.5.x and Later
If you need a math element that doesn't appear on the Equations palette in Adobe FrameMaker, you can create a custom element. This document explains how to define and insert custom math elements in FrameMaker 5.5.x and later. For more information, see the Adobe FrameMaker 6.0 User Guide.
To define a custom math element:
1. Choose View > Reference Pages and display a FrameMath reference page. If the document doesn't contain a FrameMath reference page, display a reference page and then choose Special > Add Reference Page.
2. Name the new page "FrameMath1". (Note the capitalization.)
3. Use the Graphic Frame tool to draw an unanchored graphic frame on the page.
4. In the Frame Name dialog box, enter a name for the element. If you are redefining a built-in element, enter the name of that element.
5. Use the Text Line tool to add a text line in the graphic frame.
6. Create the math element in the text line using the following guidelines:
- You can type any characters in the text line, and you can change the character format. You can also move the characters by using micropositioning shortcuts. For a list of keyboard shortcuts, see online Help.
- For all math elements except delimiters, the text line represents just the mathematical symbol, not the operands. When you later insert the element in an equation, FrameMaker places the operands in the appropriate places, based on the type of the math element. For example, a large element such as a summation or an integral sign has up to three operands: One above, one below, and one to the right of the symbol.
- A custom delimiter can contain only one operand, even though some built-in delimiters contain two or three. To indicate the location of the operand, insert a space in the text line. If you do not insert a space in the text line, FrameMaker places the operand between two copies of the delimiter.
- FrameMaker uses the first text line in the frame for the custom math element, so make sure that the frame contains only one text line.
7. Select the graphic frame.
8. On the Equations palette, choose Add Definition to Catalog from the Equations pop-up menu.
9. Choose an element type from the pop-up menu and click Add.
To insert a custom math element in an equation:
1. Choose View > Body Pages.
2. On the Equations palette, choose Insert Math Element from the Equations pop-up menu.
3. Select the element name and click Insert.
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