User Libraries

User Libraries

Related Information

Libraries Menu

Name Mode

Element Mode

Button Mode

Library Menu

Manage Menu

Transfer Palette

Properties Button

Libraries are special drawing files that contain graphic elements, property containers, or drawing tool references for use as specialized drawing tools. The graphics are ones that might be used many times in different drawings, they originate as normal EazyDraw content. Property containers are parameter sets such as a specific gradient fill, dash pattern or arrow head shape. And a drawing tool reference provides a mechanism to include a standard drawing tool in a library thereby allowing users to design custom tool palettes.

A library is created by executing the New Library command which is found at the top of the Libraries main menu.

Libraries are saved with the save command found on the popup menu at the bottom of a library palette. Note that normal menu commands such as Save, Save As, or Open apply to drawings and drawing windows. Libraries are accessed from a floating palette window and the library’s own popup menu must be used to execute commands such as these for a library file.

A library palette has 3 forms of display presentation, Name , Element , and Button . These different manners of viewing a library are provided to assist in the management and use of the library elements. Each of these views are discussed in detail on their own help page, click the links to the left to access a detailed discussion of each. The libraries popup menu, found at the bottom of the library palette, is used to change the presentation form for the library palette.

Since Libraries are displayed as floating palettes, some of the common frequently used menu commands such as Copy, Paste, and Paste Special must be accessed specifically from the library palette’s own popup menu. When these commands are executed from the main menu their actions are directed at the current drawing window. To direct one of these actions to a library palette the private menu for the palette needs to be used.

Access to a floating palette means that the Delete key cannot be used, without confusion, to remove elements from a library. The minus button found near the bottom of the library palette is used for this function.

The floating palette aspect of a library window means that the Delete key cannot be used, without confusion, to remove elements from a library. The minus button found near the bottom of the library palette is used for this function. Undo support for libraries is limited, a warning message will precede the delete of a library element. The delete of an element from a library cannot be undone, of course the delete is not permanent until the library is saved to disk. A good backup and save-as regimen is advised for all of your library files.

The Plus button is used to add a graphic from a drawing to the Library. Drag and Drop is used to accomplish the same thing. A graphic on the front-most EazyDraw drawing window must be selected to enable this button. Multiple graphics may be added at the same time by selecting multiple graphics on the drawing. Note that each graphic is added as an individual element. If multiple graphics are selected and added to a library, they are not grouped and inserted as a single graphic. Grouping must be done explicitly before adding a grouped element to a library.

Use the shift key with the Plus button to replace an existing library graphic with a new graphic. Only works with graphics, not property containers.

The Use button is used to add a graphic from a library to a drawing. Drag and Drop is used to accomplish the same thing. All selected library graphics are added to the drawing when the button is clicked. The size and position of the added graphic may be handle automatically, or specifically managed using the Transfer parameters found on the Transfer palette.

If the selected library element is a property container there needs to be at least one selected graphic on the front-most EazyDraw drawing window to allow the Use button to enable. Clicking the button will apply the defined parameter sets to the selected drawing graphic or graphics. These parameter sets may be placed in the library by dragging the small "L" button from a parameter palette to a library. Alternatively a combination of parameter sets may be created by using the Transfer palette in conjunction with a library graphic.

All forms of library presentation support drag and drop. This will be the primary method for adding, re-arranging, and using library elements. The fact that libraries are floating palettes and that they exchange information with other floating palettes and drawings means that drag-and-drop is the clearest and most convenient way to handle these exchanges. Be sure to explore these methods when working with library palettes.

An advanced use of this Transfer concept is to create specific user tools that apply a property or parameter set. If the transfer mechanism is engaged, and the actual graphic is not transfered, then the graphic becomes an abstract carrier of properties such as color, gradient fill, or dashed line pattern. Install one of these transfer-carrier graphics in a user library and it becomes a properties only tool the you may access from the user library. If the user library is installed on the Libraries menu, a complex set of carried parameters may be applied with a simple menu selection.