Customizing the Appearance of the Timescale

To access the customization features available for the timescale, click on the timescale in your timeline. This will open the Timescale, Format tab. In this tab you can choose the font, along with its size and color, tick preferences, as well as the Timescale shape with its fill, outline and effects. As you select customization options, the timescale will automatically update with your preferences.

In this article

• Customizing the font
• Formatting tick marks
• Selecting the timescale shape and fill
• Formatting the outline
• Choosing effects
  

Customizing the font

To customize the timescale font:
1. Click on the timescale. This will open the Timescale, Format tab.
2. In the Labels group, select the font, font size and color settings as desired for the Time scale and Major Scale.

Formatting tick marks

To hide/show minor tick marks:

1. Click on the timescale. This will open the Timescale, Format tab.
2. In the Tick Marks group, click Show Minor Tick. A checkmark in the checkbox indicates that minor ticks will be displayed in the timescale.
   

To customize the minor and major tick colors:

1. Click on the timescale. This will open the Timescale, Format tab.
2. In the Tick Marks group, select the down arrow beside Minor Tick or Major Tick, as desired.
3. Select a color from the options shown.
   

Selecting the timescale shape and fill

To change the timescale shape:

1. Click on the timescale. This will open the Timescale, Format tab.
2. In the Shape group, click on the desired shape.
   

To select a single color for the timescale shape fill:

1. Click on the timescale. This will open the Timescale, Format tab.
2. In the Shape group, click the down arrow beside Shape Fill.
3. Choose a color from either the Theme Colors (drawn from the theme currently in use), Standard Colors, or click More Colors to choose a custom color.
   

To use a gradient for the timescale shape fill:

1. Click on the timescale. This will open the Timescale, Format tab.
2. In the Shape group, click the down arrow beside Shape Fill, and select Gradient.
3. At the top of the Gradient dialog, select the two colors you wish to use.
4. Select a gradient style, then click OK.
   

To use a picture for the timescale shape fill:

1. Click on the timescale. This will open the Timescale, Format tab.
2. In the Shape group, click the down arrow beside Shape Fill, and select Picture.
3. In the Picture dialog, choose one of the graphics included with Timeline Maker Pro, or click the Browse button to browse to and select a picture from your own collection.
4. Select the down arrow at the top of the dialog box to choose how the picture will be displayed. Options include: Maintain Aspect, Stretch, or Tile.
5. If you wish, select Watermark to lighten the picture to a watermark.
6. Click the OK button.
   

Tip: If you wish to leave the timescale shape fill blank, select No Fill in the Shape Fill drop down list.

Formatting the outline

To customize the timescale shape outline:

1. Click on the timescale. This will open the Timescale, Format tab.
2. In the Shape group, click the down arrow beside Shape Outline.
3. Select the Color, Size and Style as desired.
   

Choosing effects

To customize the timescale shape effects:

1. Click on the timescale. This will open the Timescale, Format tab.
2. In the Shape group, click the down arrow beside Shape Effects.
3. Click Bevel or Shadow and select the desired options.