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CHAPTER 1 Exploring thE UsEr intErfacE
options have a separate button for each use, such as the Mirror, Split, and Trim/Extend tools.
The tools for creating groups, assemblies, or parts are located on the Create panel.
If you are running any external applications or macros, the Add-Ins tab will appear on your
ribbon as the next-to-last tab. The buttons or other features provided by the external application
will appear on the tab as configured.
The Modify button appears in the Select panel on every tab. This button allows you to exit
from any active command, giving you an alternative to using the Esc key multiple times or
selecting another tool.
Contextual Tabs
In addition to the tabs provided by default on the ribbon, other tabs appear when you select
objects in your project. These contextual tabs contain tools specific to modifying the selected
object. Contextual tabs appear in the location of the Modify tab and are identified by their
green color and a name that applies to the selected object. A contextual tab for a selected
object is an extension of the Modify tab, which is why the base Modify tab is so compact
compared to the other tabs. This allows for the selection-specific tools to appear on the right
side of the Modify tab. The top of Figure 1.1 shows the contextual tab for an air terminal
selected in the model of a project. The standard tools on the Modify tab are available at the
left but not shown in this figure for clarity.
When you select an object in the model that is part of a system, an additional contextual tab
appears with tools for editing the system. These tabs are completely separate from the standard
Modify tab and contain only tools for system editing. If you select an object on a system, the sys-
tem tab will appear along with the contextual Modify tab, as shown at the bottom of Figure 1.1.
However, if you select an actual system, only the system tab appears. The panels and buttons on
contextual tabs cannot be removed or rearranged on the ribbon. The buttons cannot be added to
the Quick Access toolbar.
Figure 1.1
Contextual tab for
an air terminal
(top), and contex-
tual tab for a duct
system (bottom)
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