2.14. Windows Management

The Mechanical interface contains window panes that house graphics, outlines, tables, object details, and other views and controls. Window management features allow you to move, resize, tab-dock, and auto-hide window panes. A window pane that is "tab-docked" is collapsed and displayed at the side of the application interface. Auto-hide indicates that a window pane (or tab-docked group of panes) automatically collapses when not in use.

Auto-Hiding

Panes are either pinned   or unpinned  . Toggle this state by clicking the icon in the pane title bar. A pinned pane occupies space in the window. An unpinned pane collapses to a tab on the periphery of the window when inactive.

To examine an unpinned pane, move the mouse pointer over the tab. This causes the pane to open on top of any other open window panes. Holding the mouse pointer over the tab keeps the tab visible. Clicking the tab activates the window pane (also causing it to remain visible). Pin the pane to restore it to its open state.

Moving and Docking

Drag a window’s title bar to move and undock a window pane. Once you begin to drag the window, a number of dock targets (blue-filled arrows and circle) appear in the interface window. At this point you:

  1. Move the mouse pointer over a target to preview the resulting location for the pane. Arrow targets indicate adjacent locations. A circular target enables tab-docking of two or more panes (to share screen space).

  2. Release the button on the target to move the pane. You can abort the drag operation by pressing the ESC key.


Tip:  You can also double-click a window’s title bar to undock the window and move it freely around the screen. Once undocked, you can resize the window by dragging its borders/corners.


Restore Original Window Layout

Select the Reset Layout option in the Layout group on the Home tab to return to the default/original pane configuration.