Variables Window

Window of Variables Editor

The work with the editor can be carried out in two ways. The first way – the work in the main window of the variables editor, called with the help of the command “V: Edit variables”. The dialog box of the given window enables to use the entire functionality of the variables editor and possesses a convenient interface. However, all changes made in the given window will be applied to the model only after closing the window of the dialog box.

The second way – is to use a special service window of the system – the window “Variables”. This window enables to work with the variables in the transparent mode.

In this chapter the description of work with the variables editor will be further presented by taking the standard window of the variables editor as an example. However, the same operations can be performed in the window “Variables”. The work with the window “Variables” will be discussed in the section “Working with variables editor in transparent mode” in a more detailed manner.

To call the main window of the variables editor, the command “V: Edit variables” is used:

The window of the variables editor contains the list of all variables of the current T-FLEX CAD document no matter in what way they were created (recall that the new variables can be created not only in the variables editor). Upon calling this command, the window of the variables editor will be empty if no single variable has been created in the document.

In the editor window, the variables list is displayed as a table, the form of which can be freely edited by a user. It is possible to modify the number and content of the displayed columns, the parameters for grouping and sorting the rows of the table, parameters of the grid of the table.

The variables editor has its own textual menu and the toolbar containing the main commands for working with the variables.

 

Working with Variables Editor in Transparent Mode

To work with the variables editor in the transparent mode (while working simultaneously in the drawing or 3D model window), the service window of the system “Variables” can be used. Similar to other service windows of the system, the window “Variables” can operate in floating and popup mode. Also it can be placed along one of the sides of the main window of the system.

By functionality the window “Variables” duplicates the main window of the variables editor, called with the command “V: Edit variables”. But the textual menu and the toolbar are absent in the window “Variables”. All operations with the variables in the window “Variables” can be carried out only with the help of the context menu and hot buttons. Such simplification of the interface is completely compensated for by the transparent operation with the variables. With the help of the window “Variables”, it is possible to edit variables while being in any command. Upon changing the expression of the variable in the window “Variables”, automatic recalculation of the drawing (or 3D model) is carried out. All changes are immediately displayed in the window of the system.