Description
The List panel provides both selection functionality and entity reference information for the following entity types: blocks, domains, connectors,
database, sources, spacing constraints, and groups. The only exception are database boundaries which can only be seen and selected in the Display
window, subject to Mask settings.
An example of the List panel showing all the entities being sorted by their names.
Select the List tab of the Panels to see entities grouped by type and designated with their corresponding entity type icon. Each group can
have its portion of the list expanded or closed as desired to facilitate selection. Expand a closed entity list by placing the cursor over the "+" next to the
entity icon and clicking the left mouse. Reverse this operation by clicking the "-" next to the entity icon of an expanded list. When CAE dimension is set to
2D, the block icon and section will not be shown in the List panel.
Click the left mouse button over the "+" or "-" in the list to expand or close, respectively, the portion of the list for that entity type.
In parentheses next to each entity icon is a number indicating the total number shown for that type. Once entities are selected, this is shown as "number
selected/number shown". A mouse hover over the numbers shown in parentheses will also produce a tooltip showing a third number, the total number of that type
of entity in the model including those that are hidden. Refer to the Attributes section for more
information.
Hovering the mouse cursor over the parentheses next to an entity icon in the List produces a tooltip showing the additional "Total".
The List provides basic information about each entity, such as domain name, type, and number of cells or points. Such information can be sorted by
clicking on its corresponding header. For example, if you wished to sort all entities by their names, you would click on the Name header in
the List. The direction of the arrow in the header indicates whether the sort is in ascending or descending order. Note that the header names for the
last two columns are not displayed. This is because these columns are used differently depending on the entity type.
Tip: Often entity selection can be done more efficiently using the List, particularly using the entity icons to select all
shown of a type. Using the List also prevents you from having to make any Mask changes since the entities are already segregated by
type.
The List also allows you to quickly modify the name of an entity as long as it is not a spacing constraint. Left-click on an entity, and double
click on its name. Type in a new name then press Enter to confirm it.
For spacing constraints, the following information are shown in the List: name, end, value and type. Each spacing constraint is associated with one
end of a connector (i.e., "con-1") or subconnector (i.e., "con-4.1" that stands for the 1st subconnector of the connector "con-4"). You can set a spacing
constraint to a user defined value by double clicking on its value in the List. This will cause the default type "Automatic" to be updated as
"User".
Set a spacing constraint to a user defined value by double clicking on its value in the List.
If groups are defined in your grid, their names, type, and group member count appear in the List. Note that a group is not a grid or database
entity. Instead, it is a shortcut to select multiple entities. That is, selecting or deleting a group (e.g. "Group_Blocks" in the image below) in
the List will also select or delete its group members (i.e. "blk-1" and "blk-2"). Deleting a group member simply removes that entity from the group
but the group definition remains with the remainder of its constituents.
Selecting a group in the List will also select its members.
A group is visible in the List as long as at least one of the group members is visible. However, a group will be grayed out and non-selectable until
all of the group members are visible and selectable.
Selection from the List involves placing the mouse cursor over an entity and clicking the left mouse button. Standard meta keys can also be used for
multiple entity selection. Left-click on an entity, and then Shift-click on a second entity to select the entire range between and including the two
entities. Or left-click and drag the cursor to select a contiguous portion of the list. Also, left-click on an entity, and then Ctrl-click any number of
additional entities for additive selection. Finally, you can click on an entity type header or icon in the list to select all of that type of entity currently
shown. You can use the Ctrl meta key in conjunction with clicking the headers for additive selection. Refer to
the Selection Methods section for further information on entity selection.
List entities are displayed in one of several different styles based on availability or selection. Entities which are not available for selection
due to Mask settings have their text grayed out. As the mouse cursor moves over an entity in the List, its text is highlighted with a bold
type-face. Currently selected entities are displayed with a blue background.
An example of the List panel showing blocks masked, a source selected in blue, and one quilt mouse highlighted.