After creating a hot spot, you must define its attributes in the Attributes dialog box. Hot-spot attributes include binding information for the hot spot, the hot-spot name, and the bounding box coordinates.
The following table describes the hypergraphic attributes.
| Field | Description |
| Context String | Specifies binding information for the hot spot, in the form of a context string or a macro. |
| Type | Indicates the type of action to be taken when the user chooses the hot spot. The four binding types are pop-up, jump, macro, and searchable. |
| Attribute | Specifies whether the hot spot is to be visible or invisible when displayed to the user in the Help window. Hot spots are always visible in Hotspot Editor. |
| Hotspot ID | Specifies a unique identifier for the hot spot. The hot-spot name is used internally by Hotspot Editor to make it easier to identify hot spots in the Select dialog box. Hotspot Editor assigns an incremental number to the hot-spot name; however, you can type your own unique name. |
| Bounding Box Coordinates | Displays the coordinates for the hot-spot rectangle: left, right, top, and bottom. The coordinates are measured in pixels and are restricted to the size of the graphic image. |
To define attributes for a hot spot
1.1.Select the hot spot and choose Attributes from the Edit menu.
Or click the hot spot with the right mouse button.
Or double-click the hot spot with the left mouse button.
Or select the hot spot and press ENTER.
The Attributes dialog box appears (Figure 11.2).
Note:
If you use the right mouse button to define a hot-spot rectangle, Hotspot Editor displays the Attributes dialog box when you release the mouse button.
1.2.Complete the Attributes dialog box and choose OK.
The attributes defined for the hot spot appear in the Hotspot Editor status bar.
For more information about each attribute, see the preceding attributes table.
2.3.Repeat this process for each hot-spot region that you want to define.
To define a jump hot spot
1.1.From the Type list, choose Jump.
2.2.In the Context String box, type the context string of the topic Help jumps to when the user chooses the hot spot.
3.3.Choose OK.
To define a pop-up hot spot
1.1.From the Type list, choose Pop-up.
2.2.In the Context String box, type the context string of the topic that Help displays in the pop-up window when the user chooses the hot spot.
3.3.Choose OK.
To define a macro hot spot
1.1.From the Type list, choose Macro.
2.2.In the Context String box, type the macro (or macros) that Help executes when the user chooses the hot spot.
For a Help macro, type the macro. (For more information, see Chapter 15, “Help Macros.”)
3.3.Choose OK.
To define a searchable hot spot
1.1.From the Type list, choose Searchable.
2.2.In the Context String box, type the keyword (or keywords) that you want to associate with this hypergraphic.
Separate each keyword with a semicolon. (For more information, see Chapter 6, “Creating Topics.”)
3.3.Choose OK.
To define the appearance of the hot spot
1.1.Choose Visible or Invisible for the binding attribute.
Visible hot spots are outlined in black or are displayed in inverse video.
2.2.Choose OK.
To change the default name assigned to the hot spot
1.1.In the Hotspot ID box, type the name you want to assign to the hot spot.
This name helps you identify the hot spots in the graphic if you use the Select command (described in the next section). If you don’t enter a hot-spot name, Hotspot Editor appends a number at the end of the name Hotspot.
2.2.Choose OK.
To change the size or location of the hot spot
1.1.Edit the bounding box values.
The numbers used in the bounding boxes represent pixels.
2.2.Choose OK.
When you define a hot spot, Hotspot Editor uses the binding information and hot-spot identifier stored in the Preferences dialog box. To change the default values, edit them. Setting your own preferences for hot-spot attributes saves time and effort when creating hypergraphics that require settings different from Hotspot Editor’s internal defaults. Hotspot Editor assigns the attributes you enter to subsequent hot spots created with these preferences.
The following table shows the default setting for each attribute.
| Field | Default entry |
| Context String | (Empty) |
| Type | Jump |
| Attribute | Invisible |
| Hotspot ID | Hotspot |
To change Hotspot Editor preferences
1.1.From the Edit menu, choose Preferences.
2.2.In the Context String box, type a context string or macro.
3.3.Select the binding type.
4.4.Select the binding attribute.
5.5.Type a hot-spot name.
This entry affects only the hot-spot name. Hotspot Editor continues to assign numbers incrementally to each new hot spot.
6.6.Choose OK.