2. User Guidance
2.1 Structure of the user interface
2.2 Mouse pointer
2.3 Colors
 
2.1 Structure of the user interface  
   

user interface

Looking at the CYCAS user interface, the GUI is structured as follows:

The largest part of the screen is taken by the drawing area. When using the default colors, this area is of a grey-blue color. To the right of the drawing area you can see the menu bar. It is divided into an upper area which cannot be changed (the main menu) and a lower, variable area (the function lists).

The main menu is divided into different "topics", that tell you, which kind of functions the appropriate function list contains. If you e.g. choose Line from the main menu, the function list will contain all functions dealing with the input and editing of line elements.

Above the main menu, you have access to the menu Project. It offers you file operations, settings for the program GUI, as well as the output to printer or plotter.

In the lower area of the screen you can find various functions that are always available. These functions aid you while entering different elements of the drawing. They provide you with information on your input and can be used to change the visible area of the drawing even during input. Each of these functions will be explained now, proceeding from left to right:  

The coordinate display :"X:" and "Y:". These mark the current position of the mouse pointer in the coordinate system. When placing a point in the drawing area, the displayed coordinates are measured relatively to that point. This enables you to check the distance between two points.

The help bar is located directly below the coordinate display. Whenever you are using a function, this bar contains information on what kind of input is possible or expected.

The view menu is located next to the coordinate display. This menu contains various functions for adjusting the current visible area and displaying drawing elements. These functions are always accessible, even during input.

Layers The button to the right of the view menu opens the Layers dialog box. It is a good idea to spread your drawing over several layers. Layers can be placed on top of each other as if they were transparencies.

 

The input box below the view menu: This box is used to enter text and numbers. Whenever it is possible to do input here, the field turns white.

The so called snap-to and guide functions are located at the bottom right corner of the screen. You can e.g. create guide lines or create certain snap-to points. Further on, the Undo and Redo functions are located here.

 
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2.2 Mouse pointer  
 


  • The mouse pointer

Within the drawing area the mouse pointer is displayed in different shapes:
snap-to - snap-to active. This is essential for the accurate entering of drawing elements. You can snap-to any point within the snap-to box, e.g. start points, ending points, intersections, center points, and so on.
select area - select a range (for activating elements) or the snap-to is not active. In case the snap-to is not active, you cannot enter elements accurately.
select element - single elements can be selected.
 

  • Snap-to points

When entering points, CYCAS indicates you which kind of points are available to the snap-to function. This snap-to preview is optional.
points - points, for example such as ending points of lines, center points of circles, start points of texts, etc.
middle points - middle points
intersection points - points of intersection between two elements
 

  • Placing points

Points that already have been placed indicate you this:
select point - a point, whereas it could not snap-to any existing point.
point - a point, if it could snap-to a point of an existing element.
confirm point - a point, which you have confirmed (two crosses on top of each other)


 
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2.3 Colors  
 

Farben

  • The following paragraphs describe the different colors and their meaning in the drawing area. These paragraphs were written under the assumption that the default colors are used.

Active Layer : All elements of the active (or current) layer are displayed, using their respective pen and line types.

Background Layers : The elements of all layers that are displayed in the background are displayed with reduced color intensity of their respective pen colors.

Active Elements : If elements need to be edited, they must be activated first. Active elements are displayed using a white color.

Active points : If the points of elements need to be edited, they must be activated first. Activated points are represented by small white crosses.


 
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