Hint bar

The hint bar sits at the top of the graphical window. The hint bar's main objective is to guide the user through the execution of functions.

From left to right, the hint bar shows function hints, function dependent options (if applicable) or the last used function, and three input fields for the current control position. The function dependent options are presented as shortcut keys and hyperlinks which change their color when hovering over them with the mouse pointer.

Current control coordinates

The three input fields are for displaying and entering the current control coordinates.

Note: Using a width grid whose direction is towards the port side is not reflected in the presentation of the breadth (width) values here. The presentation of breadth is always according to the default grid direction, which is towards the starboard. Therefore the port side always has negative breadth values, and the starboard side has positive values.

The values can be pasted into other input fields using keyboard shortcuts. The keyboard shortcuts for pasting the values are, from left to right: Ctrl + Shift + 1, Ctrl + Shift + 2 and Ctrl + Shift + 3. Use these keyboard shortcuts to enter a value into a destination input field.

Function Dependent Options

The 2D drawing and modifying functions which do not have a function panel make use of the Function Dependent Options (FDOs). With an FDO you can change the state of the active function or execute a related action.

An FDO is executed by a shortcut key (like 6, 7, 8 or 9) or alternatively by clicking a hyperlink. Either press the key associated to the FDO on the keyboard, or click the respective hyperlink. The FDOs are also accessible through the shortcut menu that opens when right-clicking with the mouse.

Last used function

If no function is active, the hint bar shows the last function used. You can activate the last used function by pressing Enter.