The VX Graphical User Interface (GUI) is designed to maximize the modeling area while providing easy access to the Tool Bar, Tool Tabs, Pull Down Menus, Message Area, and User Input Area.  A World Triad is displayed in the lower-left corner of the graphics windows (see below) that shows the current orientation of the active part or assembly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can always keep track of what object is active by looking at the VX title bar.  It displays the path to the currently active object.

 

 

 

Pull Down Menus are located across the top of the display just below the VX Title Bar.  The menus that are active and their selections will vary depending on which level of VX is currently active.  The available levels are File, Object, Part, Sketch, Drawing Packet, Drawing Sheet, and CAM.

 

Easier and simpler commands are higher up on the menus where applicable.  These would be commands requiring less input or with simpler concepts.  Otherwise, they are ordered according to use.  The commands used before other commands are higher up on the menus.
 

 

 

 

System prompts and messages are displayed in the message area located at the top left (or bottom left) of the display.  The marker located to the right of the message area will collapse or expand it for viewing previous messages.  The message area is part of a Dockable Panel and can be moved and docked as desired.

 

Message Area Marker
	Expand the message window (collapse if configured for bottom viewing message area - see VX Configuration Form ).
	Collapse the message window (expand if configured for bottom viewing message area - see VX Configuration Form ).

 

The message area will expand automatically when an error message is displayed.  This alerts you that an error has occurred.

 

 

 

 

The User Input Area is located in the top right portion of the display just below the Icon Tool Bar (or the bottom left as specified by the VX Configuration Form).  The user input area is part of a dockable panel and can be moved and docked as desired.  See below for more information.

 

 

 

 

In response to a command prompt, keyboard entries can be made in the text input field.  Pressing the Return Key on the keyboard accepts the entry.  The prompt for the command being executed is located to the left of the window. If a default entry is displayed, a middle-click will accept it.  While the cursor is located in the field, standard Windows copy (Ctrl+C), cut (Ctrl+X) and paste (Ctrl+V) functions are available.

 

 

 

These icons are available just below the Text Input Field and allow you to set the default wireframe and surface colors.  Pick the icon and then select a color.  All new wireframe and surface geometry will default to these colors.  You can also set these default colors using the Colors tab of the VX Configuration Form.  If wireframe or surface entities are selected for Object Editing, you can also use these icons to change their attributes.

 

 

 

The Toggle Command Options Display button is located to the left of the Message Area (see above).  It displays the Options Form for the active command.  The form can be automatically displayed for all commands using the General tab of the VX Configuration Form.  The options available will vary.

 

 

 

Icons are available just below the Text Input Field that displays the 3D Attribute Filter and Pick Filter List.  The active pick filter is indicated beside the icon.  See Using Pick Filters for more information.

 

 

 

Use theIncrement and Decrement Buttons to increase or decrease a numeric value in the Text Input Field.  The amount of increase or decrease is equal to the Step Size (see below).  The buttons will become inactive when numeric input is not requested.  

 

 

 

Use the Step Size Button to increase or decrease the numerical step applied when the Increment and Decrement Buttons are picked.  You can modify the step size at any time by selecting the button and entering a new value.

 

 

 

VX employs dockable panels.  This means that you can move portions of the interface to any location on the screen that is most comfortable for you.  The message and user input area can be moved as a single panel. You can also move the Tool Tabs and the Tool Bar (see above).  Select the handles provided and drag the panels to the desired location.  Note that Tool Bars that are locked can not be moved.

 

The message and input panel can be optionally docked at the top or bottom of the screen by dragging it to that location.  The Tool Bar can be optionally docked on the right, left, top or bottom.  All of the panels can be docked independently any where on the screen.  The figure below illustrate one possible configuration.
 

 

 

 

The View Extent Readout appears in the lower left corner of the Graphics Window as shown in the VX Display Map.  The readout indicates the extent of the current view.  Display functions such as Shading and Facet Regeneration use the current view extent value.
 

To Change the View Extent:
 

1. Pick from the Utility Tool Bar.
    

2. Use Dynamic Zoom to change the view extent.
   
   Or
   Pick one of the zoom related icons.
   
   The view extent readout will update accordingly.

 

 

 

During point input, the Coordinate Readout appears in the lower right corner of the Graphics Window as shown in the VX Display Map.  The readout indicates the current x,y,z position of the cursor as measured from the world origin.  While in sketch mode the coordinates are measured from the origin of the active sketch plane.

 

• Press the Control Keys (Ctrl+K)to toggle the coordinate readout on/off.