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11 Preferences

Preferences are for setting defaults for some GrafEq features, behaviour and appearances. Some advanced features are only accessible or controlable from within the preferences window. The preferences window can be opened by selecting Preferences from the File menu.

Figure 11.1 shows the preferences window as it appears when the program is installed for the first time; preferences are organized mainly by windows, while a few general preferences for file access control and interface languages are also provided.

The GrafEq Preferences Window
Figure 11.1: The GrafEq preferences window

Before going into details about preferences, following are some general hints about the effects of preference settings and some general use instructions:

  • Most preference settings take effect immediately, but to change the language used for the interface, you must quit and restart GrafEq.
  • Preferences are generally inherited by the next use of the program - thus enabling the user to continue on in the same environment as was most recently used.
  • To make a selection from a pop-up menu, first click on the menu title. After the menu has popped up, you can then select an item from the menu.
  • Some preference controls are offered in lists, as in the Ticks Defaults preferences. Lists have the following general properties:
    • Lists can be toggled between an expanded and a collapsed state by clicking on the name of the list or on the triangular arrow adjacent to it.
    • Expanded lists reveal their respective list elements and/or sub-lists. Revealed list elements can then be customized individually, and sub-lists can then be expanded or collapsed. The same rules that apply to lists also apply to sub-lists.
    • Some lists also come with checkboxes adjacent to their respective triangular arrows. (Most lists in the Ticks Defaults preferences have them.) The list box can be checked or unchecked to conveniently, and collectively, select or deselect all element options covered by the list.

      Hint:A list which has both selected and unselected elements displays a horizontal bar in its checkbox.


11.1 Windows Preferences

Windows are listed in alphabetical order of window names, as seen in figure 11.1 earlier.


Algebraic Window Preferences

Hint:Algebraic window preferences also control the custom ticks window settings.

Controls cover the clipboard, easy buttons, display fields, and the teleprompter. Figure 11.2 shows algebraic window preferences:

Algebraic Window Preferences
Figure 11.2: Algebraic window preferences

  • Algebraic Window - Clipboard
    Clipboard Preferences are for setting appearances and formats to be used when exporting from GrafEq’s algebraic windows to the clipboard. Figure 11.3 shows clipboard preferences:

    Algebraic Window Clipboard Preferences
    Figure 11.3: Algebraic window clipboard preferences

    • Add padding space around relation checkbox
      Check the option if it enhances layout appearance when relations are pasted to a word processing document.
    • Resolution select low resolutions to save memory or disk space.
      Select higher resolutions for smoother and clearer bitmaps.
    • Encapsulate in Rich Text Format (RTF) Often convenient for pasting a relation into a word processor.

  • Algebraic Window - Easy Buttons
    Easy buttons preferences are for setting defaults to show, or not show, the easy button floating window; and setting access to each easy button group. Figure 11.4 shows easy buttons preferences:

    Algebraic Window Easy Buttons Preferences
    Figure 11.4: Algebraic window easy buttons preferences

      • Select the respective Available checkboxes to display the headings of desired easy button groups;

  • Algebraic Window - Formatted Display
    Formatted display preferences are for setting font type, default font size, and appearances of entries in the algebraic window’s constraint field(s). Figure 11.5 shows formatted display preferences:

    Algebraic Window Formatted Display Preferences
    Figure 11.5: Algebraic window formatted display preferences

    • Defaults list
      • On startup, warn user if proper fonts are not available checkbox
        Select this option to warn user every time GrafEq starts up if proper fonts are not available.
      • Precise character layout checkbox
      • Display implicit multiplications checkbox
    • Fonts option list
      • Effects sample box
        The effects of the current font options set under this manual section is displayed here for convenient examination.
        The highlighted character(s) represents the currently selected character kind; its selection, font type, and appearance each corresponds to the respective option settings listed below the effects sample box.
      • Character Kind pop-up menu
        This Kind pop-up menu lists: formatted character kinds (entries to the left side of the mouse cursor), then a separator line, and finally unformatted character kinds (entries to the left side of the mouse cursor).

        The character kind selected will be highlighted in the effects sample box. Selection can be changed by either clicking any characters of the desired kind within the effects sample box, or from the Kind pop-up menu.

        Hint:The current option in the Kind pop-up menu and the kind of characters highlighted in the sample box are synchronized.

      • Font setting controls include:
        • a Font type pop-up menu,
        • a Bold checkbox,
        • a Italic checkbox,
        • a Outline checkbox, and
        • a Colour pop-up menu.
        Any changes in the font settings will apply only to the currently selected / highlighted character kind, and will take effect immediately in both the sample box, and the algebraic window.

        Hint:The font settings shown and the appearances of the highlighted characters in the sample box are synchronized.


      Tip:
      • Symbol character kinds, for both formatted and unformatted sections, should use symbol font only.
      • Experiment with the various options and see the effects.


  • Algebraic Window - Keystroke Display

    Hint:As of GrafEq version 2.04, keystroke information is available directly from the constraint field, by positioning the cursor to the left of the entries. The keystroke field remains useful for printing purposes, but has been set to be hidden by default preference settings.

    Keystroke display preferences is for setting to show, or not show the keystroke field (which would be a strip field beneath the current constraint field), and setting font type, and appearances of entries in the keystroke field. Figure 11.6 shows keystroke display preferences:

    Algebraic Window Keystroke Display Preferences
    Figure 11.6: Algebraic window keystroke display preferences

    • Show keystroke line checkbox
      Select this option to show the keystroke line when a constraint is being entered or edited.
    • Fonts option list
      Fonts options are essentially identical to those for the formatted display, except that these options apply to entries to the keystroke display field.

  • Algebraic Window - Teleprompter
    The teleprompter preference is for toggling to show, or not show the teleprompter (which would be the user hint shown at the bottom of an active constraint field). There is just one preference option, provided by the Show teleprompter checkbox. Figure 11.7 shows the teleprompter preference:

    Algebraic Window Teleprompter Preferences
    Figure 11.7: Algebraic window teleprompter preferences


Create View Window Preferences
Create view window preferences are for setting default options covering automatic graphing, colour view and view size, and interface options covering user access to these create view settings and controls. Figure 11.8 shows create view window preferences:

Create View Window Preferences
Figure 11.8: Create View Window preferences

  • Defaults list:
    • Start graphing immediately checkbox
      Select this option for automatic graphing when a new view is opened. De-select this option and graphing in a view window has to be activated by selecting the Graph checkbox in the view window’s parameter bar.
    • Display views in colour, if possible checkbox
      De-select this option to display graph views in black and white, which might be desired such as in printing.
    • View size:... pop-up menu
      Selectable view sizes are relative to the monitor size.
    • Perturb bounds checkbox
      Select this option to enlarge bounds by about 0.01% of the view size every time a new view created, so that graphed lines will always have uniform thickness (because lines like x=0 will fall upon a column or row of pixels rather than in between two columns or rows).

    Hint:Defaults apply to all create view windows. Settings for individual create view windows can be changed from within that create view window if either of the interface options, described in the following section, are selected.

  • Interface options list:
    • Provide "More/Fewer Options..." button checkbox
      Select this option to provide a "More/Fewer Options..." button at the bottom center of each create view window. The button allows view creation options to be displayed or hidden anytime from within the create view window. Displayed options can then be customized for the current view creation.

      Hint:When create view options are hidden, the button would be labelled More Options and is for revealing the options; When create view options are shown, the button would be labelled Fewer Options and is for simplifying or minimizing the create view window.

    • Show view creation options checkbox
      Select this option to show the individual create view options.

      Hint:The setting of this option solely determines the accessibility of view creation options if the "More/Fewer Options..." button is not provided within the create view window.


Custom Ticks Window Preferences
Custom Ticks Window uses the same preference settings as the algebraic window.

Page Window Preferences
Page window preferences are for setting the frequency at which page window contents are to be updated from any graph views, and setting font size for the page window to suit printing needs. Figure 11.9 shows page window preferences:

Page Window Preferences
Figure 11.9: Page window preferences

  • Updates preference is provided by the Update from view window every... time interval pop-up menu.

  • Decoration preference is provided by the default font size pop-up menu.

Tip:The page window might flash when it is updated; the advantage of showing current contents should be weighted against possible flashing of the display.

Preferences Window Preferences
Preferences window preferences are for controlling access to preferences settings, and saving of preference changes. Figure 11.10 shows preferences window preferences:

Preferences Window Preferences
Figure 11.10: Preferences window preferences

  • Password must be entered to access preferences checkbox
    Select this option to restrict any access to the preferences window and settings.
  • Password must be entered to save preferences checkbox
    Select this option to restrict changes to the preferences file; if the preferences window is accessible, preferences can be changed for the current GrafEq session, but saving of the changes is restricted by password.

Hint:The same password will be used for restricting access to preference settings and saving, as well as access to file loading and saving. A user specific password is supplied with registration.


View Window Preferences
View Window - Information
Information preferences are for setting updating frequency, and optional displayed data items for the view window’s information view buddy. Figure 11.11 shows information preferences:

View Window Information Preferences

Figure 11.11: View window information preferences

  • Updates - Update info every... time interval pop-up menu
    Select a rate just frequent enough to display reasonably timely information, because fast changing data can be hard to read. GrafEq constantly monitors memory conditions anyway.
  • Displayed Data list:
    • Region count checkbox
    • Memory usage checkbox
    • Equation Evaluation Rate checkbox
    • Total Equation Evaluations checkbox
    • CPU time checkbox
    • Real time checkbox
    • Dimensionality checkbox
    • Show work areas checkbox
    • Work area colours colour pop-up menus
    • Pixel size checkbox
    All the data options are selected by default preferences. Refer to the The View Buddy Floating Windows chapter for detailed meaning and useful application of information buddy’s displayed data.


11.2 Files Preferences

Files preferences
Figure 11.12: Files preferences

Files preferences are for controlling access to file loading and saving/changing, by the Password required for opening files checkbox and Password required for saving files checkbox.

Hint:The same password will be used for controlling access to preference settings and saving, as well as access to file loading and saving. A user specific password is supplied with registration.


11.3 Language Preference

The language preferences allow you to select which language is used for GrafEq’s interface.

Language preferences
Figure 11.13: Language preferences


Conclusion

To conclude this chapter of the manual, remember that default preference means that the settings will apply to all appropriate cases, and across sessions, every time GrafEq is started. These settings can be changed on the fly, when GrafEq is running, but the changes will apply only to individual graphs or windows, and will not affect the defaults. The next time GrafEq is started, default settings would be back in effect.

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