Templates are the foundation for messages, enabling the possibility of a uniform structure across all messages created. They consist of placeholders, which are different modules that can be placed freely around in the display, and to which data will be added when creating a message based on the template.
Create/edit a template
- Go to Content -> Templates.
- For a new template select «New Template», or to edit an existing template press either the title of the template or «Edit» under the Action menu for the template.
- Write a name/title for the template, and select a background.
- You can also change the width and height of the template, but the default size (1920×1080) is the correct size in almost all instances.
- Finally, add the placeholders you wish the template should contain.
Placeholder settings
There are several general settings for each placeholder.
«Template Title» is the name/title of the template, and it has to be a unique name for each template.
«Background Image» selects which image should be in the background of the message. [TIP: If you would like to make a template without a background image create a white image that is 1920×1080 pixels, and use that.]
«Width» and «Height» sets the size of the template. The default size (1920×1080) is the correct size in most cases.
The «Dimensions» («Width» and «Height») and «Position» («Left» and «Top») settings define the size and placement of the placeholder.
«Name» is used to recognize the placeholder when creating or editing a message based on the template.
«Layer» is used to be able to stack placeholders on top of each other. Lower-numbered placeholders (e.g. 1) are placed behind higher-numbered placeholders (e.g. 10) if they overlap.
«Type«: There are also placeholder types available, that provides different functionality in messages.
Text
The text type gives you a text box to write into. It has several settings you can change:
Required – If Required is checked, then the placeholder must have data set when creating or editing a message based on the template.
Font – Set which font family that should be used. [Dependent on «Lock down style»]
Max. Len. – Sets the maximum number of characters allowed within the text box. [Dependent on «Lock down style»]
Style – Choose an effect to put on the text, between Normal, Bold, Italic, and underlined text. [Dependent on «Lock down style»]
Color – Set the color of the text. [Dependent on «Lock down style»]
Size – Set the size of the text. [Dependent on «Lock down style»]
Lock down style – Lock down the style of the text to the settings above.
Crawling text – Animates the text, coming in from the right, moving towards left. Due to limitations in the hardware, this feature does not animate smoothly.
Image
Lets you place an image in the message. Only has two settings to change:
Required – If Required is checked, then the placeholder must have data set when creating or editing a message based on the template.
Ratio – Decide whether the image should keep its current aspect ratio (Keep), or fill out the placeholder (Stretch).
Video
Lets you place a video in the message. Only has the Required setting:
Required – If Required is checked, then the placeholder must have data set when creating or editing a message based on the template.
Forecast
Lets you show a weather forecast in a message. Forecast is a fullscreen placeholder no matter what Dimensions and Position settings it has and is also always set to Required. It should be used as a standalone placeholder, and, although it often works with other placeholders, it is not a practice we recommend. It does not have any additional settings.
Counter
Adds a counter to the message. It can count up from a past date (e.g. «Days since last accident») or count down to an upcoming date (e.g. «Days until Christmas»). It has many of the same settings as the text placeholder:
Font – Set which font family that should be used.
Max. Len. – Sets the maximum number of characters allowed.
Style – Choose an effect to put on the text, between Normal, Bold, Italic, and underlined text.
Color – Set the color of the text.
Size – Set the size of the text.
TimeAndDate
Add the current time and date to the message with the format [DD. MMMM HH:mm] (e.g. «29. august 15:05»). It has many of the same settings as the text placeholder:
Font – Set which font family that should be used.
Max. Len. – Sets the maximum number of characters allowed.
Style – Choose an effect to put on the text, between Normal, Bold, Italic, and underlined text.
Color – Set the color of the text.
Size – Set the size of the text.