The user interface is designed to be a simple, yet powerful, tool for dealing with daily tasks in computer aided drafting and design. We know that you may wish to modify your layout to more fully use the drafting tools. We have provided the ability to manage how user interface elements are displayed. This includes the movement and docking of all default and custom toolbars, windows, and flyout toolbars. Layouts also contain the key accelerator configurations. (Visit this link for more on changing the Keyboard Shortcuts.)

 

Basic and Advanced Layouts:

Installed by default are two different layouts designed for two groups of users: basic and advanced. The basic layout is designed to get the unfamiliar user more comfortable with the use of hsCADCreator. This will have a visible library window, notification window, and help window open and accessible. The advanced has windows and features tucked away (with the assumption that the advanced user is able to find them) to maximize drawing space.

 

Basic Layout:

Advanced Layout:

 

 

Custom Layouts:

This includes the placement and visibility of almost every user interface element including toolbars, windows, menus, etc. Below we will cover the steps to Save, Revert, Save As, and Load From.

 

 

Save my current layout:

1.  Modify the layout of the windows/toolbars as desired.

2.  Click the Application Button ð Layout ð Custom Layout ð Save

3.  After performing this operation a file will be created in the hsCADCreator install directory under Layouts.  The file's name is Current.xml.

 

Revert my current layout:

1.  Go to Application Button ð Layout ð Custom Layout ð Revert from the main menu.

2.  This will load the previously saved layout configuration.

 

Save As...:

You may save your current configuration and saving to a file will save the active configuration with which you could then share with friends and colleagues.

1.  Go to Application Button ð Layout ð Custom Layout ð Save As...

2.  Select the desired name and location and save the layout.

 

Load from File:

This will allow you to specify which layout you wish to use. You may load a previously saved layout at any time.

Note: that if you do not Save the current layout after loading from a file, then the loaded layout will not become the default startup layout.

1.  Go to Application Button ð Layout ð Custom Layout ð Load From...

2.  Select the Layout file you wish to Load.

3.  Layout will be updated from the file.

4.  If you wish this layout to be the active layout the next time hsCADCreator is opened you must go to Application Button ð Layout ð Custom Layout ð Save to save the layout as the current active layout.

 

Note: Every time you save you will overwrite the Current.xml file with the active configuration. Every time you revert it will load the Current.xml file if one exists.

 

 

Changing Layouts:

You may change your layout at any time. You may change to the basic layout by going to Application Button ð Layout ð Basic Layout. You may change to the advanced layout by going to the Application Button ð Layout ð Advanced Layout.

 

See Also:

Application Button