Application Tips: Difference between revisions
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== | ==Seeing and Finding Panel Locations== | ||
Your computer monitor is much smaller than real dispatching panels. Therefore, it is important that you are able to quickly see or navigate to where you need to go on the panel, in order to make your dispatching decisions. | |||
===Toggling Magnets and Zoom Options=== | |||
The icons at the top left of the signalling panel expand when clicked. The arrow-shaped icon offers panel magnets which can be placed as reminders on the panel. The magnifying glass icon provides some buttons useful for controlling how tiles are displayed and enlarged when your mouse cursor hovers over them. These two icons can be toggled by using the '''Panel > Magnets''' and '''Panel > Zoom Options''' menu items. | |||
===Panel Navigation=== | ===Panel Navigation=== | ||
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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. | 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. | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
==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. | |||
===Multiple Monitors=== | ===Multiple Monitors=== | ||
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===Panel Resizing=== | ===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. | 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. | ||
Revision as of 17:27, 8 July 2011
Seeing and Finding Panel Locations
Your computer monitor is much smaller than real dispatching panels. Therefore, it is important that you are able to quickly see or navigate to where you need to go on the panel, in order to make your dispatching decisions.
Toggling Magnets and Zoom Options
The icons at the top left of the signalling panel expand when clicked. The arrow-shaped icon offers panel magnets which can be placed as reminders on the panel. The magnifying glass icon provides some buttons useful for controlling how tiles are displayed and enlarged when your mouse cursor hovers over them. These two icons can be toggled by using the Panel > Magnets and Panel > Zoom Options menu items.
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.
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.
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.