The User Interface of hsCADCreator 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 utilize the drafting space / tools / etc.  We have provided the ability to manage how exactly user interface elements are displayed.  This includes the easy movement and docking of all default and custom toolbars, Drawer windows,  Flyout toolbars for like minded tools, and much more.  Layouts also contain the key accelerator configurations.  Visit this link for more on changing the Keyboard Shortcuts.  

 

 

 

Basic and Advanced Layouts:

 

Installed by default is two different layouts designed for two groups of our users Basic and Advanced.  The Basic layout is designed to get the unfamiliar user more comfortable with the use of hsCADCreator.  This will typically have a visible Library Bar, Notification Window, and Help Window open and easily seen.  The Advanced layout is designed more for our advanced user and every day usage of hsCADCreator.  This layout will have most windows set as unpinned such that the drawing space is maximized.  Also in the Advanced layout all toolbars and tools are visible. 

 

   

 

Custom Layouts:

 

The layout of  hsCADCreator is fully customizable.  This include 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.  Go to Window Æ Layout Æ Custom Layout Æ Save from the main menu.

       3.  After accepting to perform 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 Window Æ Layout Æ Custom Layout Æ Revert from the main menu

       2.  After accepting that this will modify the current layout the layout will be modified to the previously saved layout configuration. 

 

Save to File:

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 Window Æ Layout Æ Custom Layout Æ Save As... from the main menu

       2.  Select name and location and save the layout.

 

Load from File:

This will allow you to specify which layout you wish to utilize.  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 the layout will not be the same as the loaded file the next time hsCADCreator is started. 

 

       1.  Go to Window Æ Layout Æ Custom Layout Æ Load From from the main menu

       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 Window Æ Layout Æ Custom Layout Æ 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 Window Æ Layout Æ Basic Layout from the main menu.  You may change to the Advanced layout by going to the Window Æ Layout Æ Advanced Layout from the main menu.