Phase 2: The Canvas (Structure & Workflow)

Now that styling an object is better understood, how is it placed on an object? Total Launcher is not just a grid of icons; it is a free-form design canvas. This phase covers the architecture: Pages, Windows, Layouts, and Positioning.

Understanding the container hierarchy is critical for troubleshooting.

• The Screen: The physical display of a user device.
• The Page: The main workspace (Home Screen) … and multiple pages are also possible.
• The Window: A floating container that sits above the page. (Used for pop-ups, sidebars, or overlays).
• The Layout: A group of objects anchored together (like a grid of icons).
• The Object: The individual item (Icon, Text, Widget).

Total Launcher allows extensive management of screens and pages.

• Adding/Removing Pages: Enter Edit mode. By default, the setting is off. When viewing this screen make sure to tap the Edit icon to turn the Edit On . The New page heading indicates that a 'new page' can be created. Swipe right to view the page placeholder. Then tap + to create a new page. Pages do not require labels, but labels are used for Launcher Actions, such as Go to page …. Therefore, labels are recommended to be entered here. Tap the “New Page” icon to add, or the “Trash” icon to remove the current page (shows in the center of the screen).
• Arranging Pages: In the page overview, use the Swap Button to exchange positions of pages.
• The Home Page: Indicated by a House Icon . To change the default home page, swipe left or right to center the desired page on the screen. Tap the house icon to set it as 'Home'.
• Scrolling:
  • Horizontal: Standard swiping between pages.
  • Vertical: Each page can be individually set to “Scroll Vertically” in Options . Just turn on the Fit the content to the screen height (disable scrolling) button. Then follow this setup procedure. This allows for an almost infinite-scrolling page, similar to a social media feed.
• Orientation: Total Launcher supports independent page designs for Portrait and Landscape modes. Arrange objects separately for each orientation by tapping the Background icon and selecting Portrait and/or Landscape for each device orientation.

While objects can be placed freely, “Layouts” are containers that snap objects into a structured arrangement.

• Grid Layout: Snaps items into rows and columns.
  • Customization: Adjust Columns or Rows (1 to 16).
• Circle Layout: Arranges items in a perfect circle.
  • Customization: Adjust the size, rotation angle, and even transform it to unique viewpoints, or select the option to make it a Fidget spinner.
• Why use a Layout?
  • Automatic Spacing: If resizing a Grid Layout, all icons inside resize and space themselves automatically.

New users often confuse these two features.

• Layout: A container that forces items into a grid/circle. You cannot drag items freely inside it.
• Group: A selection of free-floating objects glued together.
  • How to Group: Highlight multiple objects by a tap/hold. This activates the Object Design Menus. In the bottom menu, tap the Group icon .
  • Benefit: This enables the entire group to be moved, rotated, or animated as one unit (e.g., a “Music Player” group containing Play, Pause, and Album Art objects).

When moving or sharing themes between devices with different screen sizes (aspect ratios), objects can shift unexpectedly. Total Launcher uses two positioning modes to fix this.

• Top Anchor (Default):
  • Behavior: Objects are positioned based on their distance (Y-axis) from the Top of the screen.
  • Best for: Headers, Clocks, and Status Bars.
• Bottom Anchor (The “Fit Content” Mode):
  • Problem: On a taller screen, a “Dock” anchored to the top might float in the middle of the screen.
  • Solution: Enable Fit content to the screen height in the Page Options.
    • How to set: Once enabled, select the object and use the Y-Position entry to adjust alignment to the desired position, and select the icon on the Object Design menu (bottom) to reflect top or bottom priority.
  • Best for: Docks, Navigation Bars, and Footers. This ensures stability across different devices.

• Behavior: A pinned object floats above the page system, appearing on every page in the exact same location.
• Action: With Edit mode On, select the object to activate the Object Design Menu. In the top menu, tap the Pin icon .

Objects in Total Launcher sit in layers, like a stack of papers.

• The Issue: When a large transparent shape is placed over a button, the button becomes unclickable because the shape is blocking the touch.
• The Fix:
  • Access: With the desired object selected and the Object Design Menu (bottom) activated, then:
    • Bring to Front: - Moves the object to the top of the stack.
    • Send to Back: - Moves the object behind everything else (ideal for Background Shapes).

• Snap-to-Grid: By default, objects in Edit On mode, when selected, will snap to invisible grid lines for neatness when manually moved.
• Nudging: For pixel-perfect precision, still in Edit On mode with the object selected, quickly tap one of the Edit elements to use the directional arrow keys to finitely move an object or the pencil to manually adjust the position coordinates 1 pixel at a time.