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Chapter 2 – Using Pulsonix 17
The Status Bar
The status bar appears across the bottom of the Pulsonix framework. The bar contains two sets of
information; the Prompt / Message box displays useful information about the current activity and
also provides basic instruction to its use. If an option doesn't behave as expected this area should be
checked first to see what the system is expecting you to do, a prompt message is displayed in this
area.
The Prompt/Message box is a single instruction box, the box to the right of this contains display
Property information about any design items selected. The information in these boxes is not
exhaustive but does contain commonly required information about the item selected. For more
detailed information about any selected item, right click and click the Properties command from the
context menu.
The status bar displays Co-ordinate information about the position of the cursor within the design as
an X and Y co-ordinate value. These co-ordinates are shown as either absolute [Abs] or relative
[Rel] depending on the mode selected. The current design Units are also shown on the status bar.
When viewing the X,Y co-ordinates on the status bar you will notice that they sometimes display a +
or - sign after the each of the co-ordinate numbers. This indicates that the value shown cannot be
represented using the current units precision.
The minus sign (-) (when displayed) indicates that the number is slightly less than the last digit
shown, whereas the plus sign (+) indicates that the number is slightly more than the number shown.
With the precision set in the Units dialog and the available space in the co-ordinate boxes this
notation allows you to see instantly whether the number is precise or not.
If using Relative co-ordinates, the status bar shows the co-ordinates relative to the relative origin.
This will only return back to co-ordinates relative to the design origin if the system is swapped back
to an Absolute co-ordinate system. Use the Design Properties dialog located on the Edit menu to
switch modes and change the relative origin.
The furthest box to the right displays the current design Units.
Active Status Bar
The Status bar is also active. This means that by double-clicking on a pane within it, relevant
information can be modified. For example, clicking on the Abs word will toggle between Absolute
and Relative modes. Other modes, such as Grid: will display the Grids dialog where a change can be
made. The active Status bar includes:
· Layer, Layer Span, Net, Style (text style, pad style, line style) also editable by clicking on Width,
Size, Line Width, Side, Delta X, Delta Y, Angle and Radius (for arc)
· Toggle Units (mm < > thou toggle)
· Units (double-click on coords when not editing/moving item)
· Typed coords (double-click on coords)
· Absolute/Relative coords (toggle),
· Current Grid