Design steps

The design process consists of a sequence of actions from different operating "modes". The order of the actions described here corresponds approximately to the approach during design, in that objects are initially inserted with the aid of a freely positionable origin, which then at a later stage can be adapted both in their properties and their positions.

The origin of the coordinate system, recognizable by the blue circle with a small crosshair, is by default at the "bottom left" of the main plate:

For the simple and direct placement of an insertable object, it is always necessary or useful to first set a suitable origin for the coordinate system. This action is initiated by selecting the icon for origin setting on the toolbar or going to View > Set origin .

With the aid of the icon bar that subsequently opens, the origin on the main plate can be redefined in different ways . At the same time its coordinates always refer to the lower left corner of the main plate.

The action of placing a new object on the main plate is initiated by selecting the appropriate object icon in the toolbar or the corresponding object from the Insert menu.

This selection always results in two consecutive dialog boxes opening:

1.	To determine the coordinates of the reference point for the object to be inserted

2.	To define the parameters of the object

Note for the further processing of an object after insertion In order to adjust or change the properties of an object directly after insertion, you first have to switch from insert mode to select mode either by pressing <Space> or the arrow icon in the toolbar.

The scale of a front panel view can most easily be changed with the mouse wheel. The zoom is always centered on the cursor position. In addition this may also be initiated by selecting the magnifying glass icon in the toolbar or by going to View > Zoom in/out .

Thereafter, the display of the active front panel in the workspace can be zoomed in or out by a factor of "2" by clicking the right or left mouse button:

•	Clicking the left mouse button will enlarge the display by a factor of "2"

•	Clicking the right mouse button will reduce the display by a factor of "2"

The cursor position becomes the center of the enlarged or reduced workspace.

The workspace display can be "returned" to full view from every temporarily adjusted scale with the key combination Ctrl + a .

An object can only be highlighted or selected for further processing (move, change properties) in "select mode". This is done by selecting the icon for select mode or going to Selection > Select mode or by pressing the Space bar .

Individual objects are selected by mouse click. If there are several objects at the position where you clicked, a dialog box will appear for you to choose the desired object.

The following options are available for the selection of multiple objects:

•	By holding down Shift all of the objects you click on are added to your selection.

•	The elements can be selected with a rectangle that you can drag open by clicking next to the objects and keeping the mouse button pressed.

After selecting one or more objects, these can be edited. There are two different ways of doing this.

•	With the aid of the context menu: If you press the right mouse button while the cursor is over the selection the context menu appears with a list of the editing options for the selected object(s).

•	With the aid of the menu item Selection: If you open the Selection menu in the top menu bar, you will find the same editing options that are listed in the context menu.

Additionally, it is possible to move selected objects directly by dragging them with the mouse. In combination with Ctrl the action is applied to a copy of the object.