Developer’s Guide

Creating a database solution 4-11
• How to use your Help system
• How to use What’s This? Help (Windows)
• How to start the database solution (see “Starting your runtime
database solution” on page 7-5)
• What to do in case of a damaged file (see “Recovering damaged
files” on page 7-6)
• How to reach you for technical support
You might also want to include the following recommendations:
• Tell your users not to rename any solution files (except the runtime
application), or they may be unable to run your solution.
• Recommend that users back up their data regularly. You might
want to automate some of the process by including scripts that save
copies of the solution files.
For more information on automating a backup procedure, see the
FileMaker Pro Help.
Important In the event that your runtime database solution files
become damaged, make sure users have access to your technical
support e-mail address or telephone number in your printed
documentation or in a text file. If a database file is damaged, they
may not be able to access the About layout in your solution to find
out how to contact you.
Design tips for cross-platform solutions
If you’re developing a database solution to be run on both Windows
and Mac OS machines, there are many issues that require planning
and consideration—for example, which font technology, colors, and
design conventions to use.
Creating a consistent appearance
To ensure a consistent look for files across platforms, try to use the
same font technology, for example TrueType. It is best to use fonts
with identical names, styles, and metrics on both platforms. When
fonts used to view a file are different from the ones used to create the
file, there can be problems with word wrapping and placement.
Most font vendors supply Windows and Mac OS versions of the
same font. Contact your font vendor for more information.
When you move a file from one platform to another, if the font used
to create the file isn’t available, another font will be substituted. In
FileMaker Pro for Windows, you can specify how fonts are
substituted in the Microsoft Windows Registry Editor. You can add
more fonts to the Registry Editor to include more font substitutions.
If there is no match and no substitute is defined, FileMaker Pro
changes the font to Arial. In the Mac OS, FileMaker Pro attempts to
substitute a similar font.
Simulating outline and shadow text styles
The Windows platform doesn’t offer outline and shadow text styles.
If you want a shadow effect for titles or headings, simulate the look
by positioning two copies of a text block so that the foremost copy
appears to cast a shadow against your layout.
Simulated text styles as
displayed on the Mac OS
Actual text styles as displayed
on the Mac OS
Simulated text styles as
displayed on the Windows OS
Actual text styles as displayed
on the Windows OS