Graphics editing in the Definition module has been greatly improved in IGSS V10 both by adding brand new editing tools and fine-tuning and optimizing existing ones.

New alignment functions

Two new graphic alignment functions are available: Vertical Center and Horizontal Middle.

New distribution and stacking functions

Completely new distribution functions that make it very easy to arrange graphic objects automatically.

Distribute:

• Horizontal: Space evenly, distribute left, distribute right
• Vertical: Space evenly, distribute top, distribute bottom

Stack: Left, right, top and bottom

The general behavior of alignment functions changed

In IGSS V9 and earlier versions, the alignment function would align compared to the most recent graphic object selected. This has been changed so that left alignment always aligns to the left-most edge of all the selected graphic objects; align top aligns to the topmost edge of all the selected graphic objects and so forth.

New alignment toolbar

All the new align; distribute and stack functions are available from a new toolbar:

New improved palette

The color palette has been improved to include more modern 24-bit colors:

Snap to grid or release from grid by holding down Ctrl key

Using a grid can be a great help when designing graphics for making objects the exact same size or ensure consistent placement along a line. However, for some operations, a grid may prevent you from placing a graphic with the desired precision. In IGSS V10 the current grid functionality may be toggled during editing operations by holding down the Ctrl key on the keyboard. If the grid is currently turned on, holding down the Ctrl key releases any snap to the grid and vice versa.

Select graphic, name and value as one unit by holding down the Alt key.

When working with graphics that are connected to IGSS objects and displaying the name and/or value of this object, it could sometimes be difficult during editing to determine which name/value pair matched which object. All three parts may now be selected as one unit by holding down the Alt key and clicking either one. This replaces the “Group with Symbol” function in previous versions.

Lines, polylines and polygons can easily be drawn in 15-degree angels

When drawing lines, polylines or polygons line segments can be snapped to 15-degree angles by holding down the Shift key.

Polylines and polygons may now be resized like any other graphic

When selecting a polyline or polygon graphic you now get an outer selection rectangle as well as all other objects, which allow you to scale up or down the entire polyline or polygon.

The screen is updated immediately when moving or resizing graphics

When moving or resizing graphical objects with the mouse, the screen is now updated immediately during the operation to reflect the change in size or position. This makes it a lot easier to place or size objects correctly.

Resize multiple graphics in a single operation

If multiple graphic objects are selected you may now resize all individual objects in the selection by moving the resize handles of just one.

The primary selection is now visually indicated

Some functions like “Make same width”, “Make same height” and “Object properties” operate based on the primary (i.e. most recent) selection. This is now indicated visually by a light blue selection rectangle.

Graphics not scaled by default when resizing diagram

In prior IGSS versions rescaling a diagram with the mouse in the definition module would automatically rescale all graphic objects on that diagram as well. To just resize the diagram area you would have to hold down the Ctrl key while resizing. This has been changed so that by default you only resize the diagram background but do not scale the graphics. To scale the graphics as well, you must hold down the Ctrl key while resizing the diagram.

Pasted objects not scaled by default

In prior IGSS versions when copying graphic objects from one diagram and pasting them onto a diagram with a different size would rescale the graphics. To preserve the graphic proportions, you would have to use the “Paste Special” command. This has been changed so that graphic proportions are preserved by default. When pasting onto the new diagram it will be attempted to locate at the same position as to where the objects were copied from. If this does not fall inside the new diagram size, all the objects will be moved into the diagram area as one unit preserving the relative object placement.

New status bar information

The status bar in the Definition module has been extended to show the type of descriptor, name, location, and size of the primary selected object.