Original Article Date: March 1, 2005
Don't have enough screen real estate? Or, are you one of those users who always seems to close the Tool Settings dialog? If so, then this is for you.
Introduced as a SELECT add-on application for MicroStation /J, PopSet manages the display of the Tool Settings dialog resulting in additional screen real estate and reduced mouse movement. Let's first take a look at using MicroStation without having PopSet enabled. Pick your tool, adjust the settings, follow the prompts, pick the tool, adjust the settings, follow the prompts, pick the tool, adjust the settings......well, you get the idea. In this case, the Tool Settings dialog is always open and may be taking up valuable screen space. For other users, it's not uncommon to do the following: pick the tool, adjust the settings, follow the prompts, close the Tool Settings dialog, pick the tool, adjust the settings, follow the prompts, close the Tools Settings dialog, pick the tool..... This habit, of constantly closing the Tool Settings box, is rather counter-productive since it opens every time a tool is selected. This can be seen in the following clip.
So, rather than moving the Tool Settings box out of the way, or worse - constantly closing it manualy, let's use PopSet to manage it's behaviour! PopSet is off by default which is shown by the red "light" in the Primary Tools tool box. Poking this button, will turn it on and the light turns to green.
When PopSet is turned on, as shown by the green light, the Tool Settings window will auto-hide depending upon the location of your mouse. To show the Tool Settings window: Mouse-over the PopSet light or the active tool, select a new tool, or press CTRL+Spacebar in which case it will open under your cursor. To hide the Tool Settings window: Move your mouse off the PopSet light or the active tool, or press the CTRL+Spacebar
Although PopSet works wonderfully "right out of the box", there are certain aspects of PopSet's behavior are adjustable. Simply do a right-click the PopSet icon, and select Properties from the pop-up menu.
Auto-Position Tool Settings: When on, this option auto-positions the Tool Settings box when the the cursor hovers over the active tool's icon. If the setting is turned off, the Tool Settings window only shows up when the cursor hovers over the PopSet icon or when you press CTRL+Spacebar. Allow Ctrl+Space When Disabled: This setting allows you to use the CTRL+Spacebar to position the Tool Settings window under your pointer, even is PopSet is turned off. Very Cool! Use Alternate Indicator Icons: Did you know that colour blindness is a trait found in about 7% of males? If this means you, then you may want to turn this setting on. New Tool Delay: This setting is the number of seconds it takes for the Tool Settings window to disappear after you've selected a new tool. The default is 0.75 seconds. Hide Delay: This is the number of seconds it takes for the Tool Settings window to disappear when your mouse is in a view. The default is 0.25 seconds.
Although using PopSet takes a little getting used to, within no time you'll appreciate your productivity increase!
AskInga Article #234