Option box versus Control Window
 
 
 

There are two different types of option windows.

Option boxes are simple windows that can be moved around the screen, but not resized or stowed. They usually contain only a few options.

While an option box is open, you can’t perform any operation in the view windows, or select any tool, until you have closed the window by clicking the Save, Exit, or Go button.

A typical option box

Control windows, on the other hand, are usually much more complex, with many options.

More importantly, control windows can remain open while you continue using a tool. Changing a parameter in those windows usually causes the model to update automatically. Instead of a Go button, they have a Next button (to restart the behavior of the tool from the beginning) and Recalc. button (to update the model according to the new values in the window, if this is not done automatically).

A typical control window

Micro-sliders

Text fields and slider widgets are equipped with a feature called a micro-slider, which allows you to finely adjust any numeric value option.

To use a micro-slider, hold down the (Windows) or (Mac) key, then click in the numeric field and drag the mouse.

Text fields

Besides typing values into text fields, you can also copy, cut, and paste values and text strings by using +C (Windows or +C (Mac) , +X (Windows) or +X (Mac), and +V (Windows) or +P . (Mac).