User interface overview

Author: Michael Category: Demonstration
User interface

In this video and blog post we explore CadTracker’s user interface.

Log in

When you start CadTracker, it will automatically connect to the last database you connected to, and you will be prompted to log in with a user name and password. Databases and connection strings will be discussed in depth in another blog post.

Project Explorer and Start page
Flexible UI

The first time you log in, you will see the Project Explorer docked to the left, and the Start page in the main window pane.

More pixels make you more productive, so even if you use a laptop, you should definitely consider plugging in an extra monitor when you’re in the office.

CadTracker’s user interface is flexible. It’s been designed to support small screen sizes with low resolutions, and it can also take advantage of extra screen real estate when it’s available. The screenshots in this blog post were captured at 1280×720 resolution, which is a very low resolution by modern standards. In 2018, the most common resolution for PCs is 1920×1080, also known as Full HD, which is more than twice the number of pixels of 1280×720. More pixels make you more productive, so even if you use a laptop, you should definitely consider plugging in an extra monitor when you’re in the office.

Tabs in the main pane
Tabs

Most windows in CadTracker display as tabs in the main pane. To close a tab, click the close button, or middle-click the tab.

Drag and dock a tab
Docking windows

Windows can be docked in many different configurations. To dock a window, click and drag its tab or title bar. Placeholders appear where the window may be docked. Hover over a placeholder and you will see a preview. Release the left mouse button to dock the window.

Double-click a tab or title bar to pop the window out. Double-click again to return it to its docked location.

Auto-hide windows
Auto-hide windows

Some windows open as auto-hidden tool windows, like the Recent projects and Recent document collections. Hover over the tool window to make it appear. To stop a window from auto-hiding, click the pin.

Tool strip, Explorer windows, help and configuration

Common commands are available in the main tool strip. If you need more screen space, minimise the tool strip by clicking Minimise tool strip at the top right of the CadTracker window. The Explorer windows can also be opened from the View menu. To get help for the current window, press F1, or click Help > View help. Most of CadTracker’s configuration windows are accessed via the Tools menu.

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