Application Tips

Window Management

Signalsoft's computer simulations use a large number of windows to allow interaction with what's going on in a simulation. It is easy for a beginner to miss out on some of the more advanced features designed to make dispatching less about using a computer program, and more about dispatching.

Panel Navigation

While it's possible to navigate to the different parts of the dispatching panel using the mouse buttons and mouse wheel, this can be cumbersome. Instead, press the numbers 1, 2, 3 .. 8, 9, or 0 on your keyboard. Each number is programmed to take you to a different area of the panel. You can view these shortcuts by choosing Panel > Navigation from the menu. You do not need the Panel Navigation window open to use the shortcuts.

You can also define your own navigation short cuts. If you have a particular view that you like, right-click on a navigation shortcut, and choose Set as Current to bind your current view to the selected number. Give your binding a name, if desired, and then press the green checkmark finish.

The slider at the bottom of the Panel Navigation window controls the zoom level, as do the buttons to the left and right of it. If you want to have fine-grained control of the zoom, first select the track bar, then use the arrow keys (Left and Right) to finely zoom in and out.

Multiple Monitors

If you have several monitors side-by-side, you normally have to un-maximise the window, and resize it manually to fill multiple screens. Instead, try View > Fill Multiple Monitors. This will attempt to resize the main application window (and the signalling panel within) to fill multiple screens. This option may not work if you have an unusual multi-monitor setup where your screens are not aligned.

Finding Lost Windows

In rare cases, a window can be hard to find, especially if it is off-screen. The View > Reset Windows menu item will nicely cascade your open windows within view so that you can see them again.

Panel Resizing

It is of course possible to manually resize the panel window, although in some cases it is easier to use the Panel > Auto Size Panel menu item. This attempts to make the simulation panel window larger, if possible.