xcoffins.pdf. - CTAN

\TypesetCoffin
\CoffinDepth
\CoffinHeight
\CoffinTotalHeight
\CoffinWidth
7 Typesetting coffins
\TypesetCoffin
〈coffin〉 [ 〈pole1〉 , 〈pole2〉 ]
( 〈x-offset〉 , 〈y-offset〉 )
Typesetting is carried out by first calculating 〈handle〉, the point of intersection of 〈pole1 〉
and 〈pole2 〉. This is an optional argument, and if not given then (H,l), the TEX reference
point of the underlying box, is used. The coffin is then typeset such that the relationship
between the current reference point in the document and the 〈handle〉 is described by
the 〈x-offset〉 and 〈y-offset〉. This 〈offset〉 is optional, and if not given (0 pt, 0 pt) is
used. Typesetting a coffin is therefore analogous to carrying out an alignment where the
“parent” coffin is the current insertion point.
8 Measuring coffins
There are places in the design process where it is useful to be able to measure coffins
outside of pole-setting procedures.
\CoffinDepth 〈coffin〉
Calculates the depth (below the baseline) of the 〈coffin〉 in a form suitable for use in a
〈dimension expression〉, for example \setlength{\mylength}{\CoffinDepth\ExampleCoffin}.
\CoffinHeight 〈coffin〉
Calculates the height (above the baseline) of the 〈coffin〉 in a form suitable for use in a
〈dimension expression〉, for example \setlength{\mylength}{\CoffinHeight\ExampleCoffin}.
\CoffinTotalHeight 〈coffin〉
Calculates the total height of the 〈coffin〉 in a form suitable for use in a 〈dimension
expression〉, for example \setlength{\mylength}{\CoffinTotalHeight\ExampleCoffin}.
\CoffinWidth 〈coffin〉
Calculates the width of the 〈coffin〉 in a form suitable for use in a 〈dimension expression〉,
for example \setlength{\mylength}{\CoffinWidth\ExampleCoffin}.
9 Diagnostic functions
Diagnostic data for following the coffin-building process is available both graphically and
at the terminal. This reflects the fact that coffins are visual constructs.
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