2011

The ribbon is divided into tabs, with each tab is supporting a specific activity. Within each tab, tools are grouped
together into a task-based series of panels.
To specify which ribbon tabs and panels are displayed, right-click the ribbon and, on the shortcut menu, click
or clear the names of tabs or panels.
You can customize the ribbon depending on your needs in the following ways:
■ You can change the order of ribbon tabs. Click the tab you want to move, drag it to the desired position, and
release.
■ You can change the order of ribbon panels in a tab. Click the panel you want to move, drag it to the desired
position, and release.
You can control the amount of space the ribbon takes in the application window. There are two buttons to the
right of the ribbon tabs, that allow you to choose the ribbon toggle and ribbon minimize states.
■ The first button toggles between the full ribbon state
and the minimize ribbon state .
■ The second drop-down button
allows you to select one of four minimize ribbon states:
Minimize to Tabs: Minimizes the ribbon so that only tab titles are displayed.
Minimize to Panel Titles: Minimizes the ribbon so that only tab and panel titles are displayed.
Minimize to Panel Buttons: Minimizes the ribbon so that only tab titles and panel buttons are displayed.
Cycle Through All: Cycles through all four ribbon states in the order, full ribbon, minimize to panel
buttons, minimize to panel titles, minimize to tabs.
Contextual Tabs
Some of the tabs are contextual. When you execute some commands, a special contextual ribbon tab is displayed
instead of a toolbar or dialog box. For example, as soon as you start selecting items in the Scene View, the
previously hidden Item Tools tab appears. When nothing is selected, it becomes hidden again.
Slideout Panels
A down arrow
to the right of a panel title indicates that you can slide out the panel to display additional tools
and controls. By default, an expanded panel closes automatically when you click another panel. To keep a panel
expanded, click the push pin
icon in the bottom-left corner of the slideout panel.
Floating Panels
If you pull a panel off of a ribbon tab and into a different area in the application window or the desktop, that
panel floats where you placed it. The floating panel remains open until you return it to the ribbon, even if you
switch ribbon tabs.
70 | Chapter 4 Quick Start