If you have used previous versions of Tajima DG/ML by Pulse before, the first thing you will notice when you start using version 2010 is that we have completely redesigned the user experience of the software.  Version 2010’s workspace has been designed from the ground up incorporating the latest technology.  These changes allow intimate control over your working environment.  Over the next few weeks, I want to spend some time going over enhancements in Tajima DG/ML by Pulse 2010’s working environment.  There are over 30 enhancements in work area alone.  The next posts will explain these new features (in no particular order).

#1 User Definable Shortcuts

We had a number of requests to be able to reconfigure the hotkeys in the software.  Ever wish you could assign a shortcut key to a feature that you use often but there was no shortcut available in the software?  Now you can by selecting Tools-Configuration-Customize from the DG/ML main menu.  Selecting the Keyboard tab will allow you to view, change or assign new hotkeys to DG/ML menu items and tools.  Keyboard shortcuts will be shown in the “Current Keys” field.  The setting “Set Accelerator For” allows you to change shortcuts for specific windows in the software.  For example, you can have different shortcuts for the True Type Font Editor than the main design window.  In most cases, you should select Design from the Set Accelerator list.  This will allow you to view and edit hotkeys when working in the main design window.  You can select from a list of tool categories and the individual commands will be listed.  To assign or change a shortcut key, select the command, then select the Current Keys box and press the key combination that you wish to assign to this command.  The system will indicate if the hotkey is already in use.

The software installs with a new set of default shortcuts.  We decided to take the opportunity to reorganize our shortcuts to make them more intuitive.  For a listing of the new shortcut keys, please select the Quick Reference Card option under the View Documentation section of the Tajima DG/ML by Pulse installation CD.  A list of the new shortcuts can also be found in the New User Information section of the Pulse Microsystems Community.

But I want to use my existing shortcuts

It is recommended that you use the new shortcut keys, however if you are an existing user and would like to use the set of shortcuts that came with older versions of Tajima DG/ML by Pulse, you can do this by selecting Tools-Configuration-User Settings-Environment-Shortcuts.  Here you can load the software with the “Classic Shortcuts”.  Please note, when you load the Classic or Standard set of shortcuts from this menu, your existing shortcut keys will be overwritten.  If you changed or created your own shortcut keys, these changes will need to be done again after loading the classic or standard shortcuts.

#2 Full Screen Mode

Full screen mode is great for digitizing when you want to get the most out of your viewing area.  Pressing the F12 shortcut key or selecting Full Screen from the Window menu will toggle the full screen mode on and off.  In the Full Screen mode, additional windows will be removed from your view allowing for the largest possible work area for your design.  You can work on your design using the shortcut keys.  To exit from the Full Screen mode, just click the “Close Full Screen” button or press the F12 key again.

#3 New Global View

The Global View has been enhanced, allowing you to see the “big picture”" when zoomed in on parts of your design.  This saves you time because you do not have to keep zooming in and out to see where you are in the design.  A highlighted rectangle in the Global View will indicate the area that is visible on the main screen.  Click and drag to move the rectangle and your main screen is automatically updated.  The Global View shows outlines only in order to generate the fastest possible image while zooming or panning.

#4 Spacebar for Panning

You can now press and hold the space bar while clicking and dragging with the mouse to pan from one part of the design to another.  This works using the Standard style of shortcuts.

What happened to Stitch Edit Mode?

You can activate the stitch edit mode by pressing the M key.  Pressing the M key again will switch back to Outline Editing.

#5 – Choice of Application Look

  Selecting View-Application Look will allow you to change the colors and style of the windows and menu items.  A number of themes are included.  You should review these themes to see which style you like the best for you. 

Stay tuned for more tips….