How to show Input & Output panes with the Explorer View

Click on the icon to show the Explorer View and then click on the Restore Window button (the middle button at the top right hand side of your screen).  This will then allow you to re-size the window.  Adjust the size so that the Explorer View only takes up about one third of your screen and then move it over to the right hand side.  You should then be able to see the Input and Output panes underneath.   Click on these and re-size theses so that you can see all three at once.  You can then keep the Explorer view on the right hand side and either show one or both of the Input and Output panes using the icons at the top of the screen.

Shortcut to storing and selecting different views

If you wish to create shortcuts between viewing say the Input pane only, the Output pane only or perhaps showing both panes and the Explorer View you need to create shortcuts.  To do this, select the view for which you wish to create a short cut and press Ctrl Control) and any number between 1-9. You then select your next view and use Ctrl and a different number.  To switch between the different views you then only need to enter the number of the view that you require.

Shortcut to zooming

Click on either the input or output panes depending upon where you require to zoom, then press Ctrl (Control) and either Page Up or Page Down depending upon whether you wish to Zoom In or Out respectively.

How to move elements up and down the Explorer View

If you wish to move element up and down the Explorer View then you need to click on the element that you wish to move and whilst holding down the shift key, press either the Up or Down arrows on the keyboard.  It is often easier if you first right click in the Explorer window and select to collapse all branches.  If the element that you wish to move exists in a branch, then just open that one to move it up or down.

Finding your elements

If you are looking at the Explorer View together with your Input and Output panes and you wish to find a particular element that is not shown on your Output pane.  Right click on the element in the Explorer View and select Bring to Front.  There is also a Send to Back option, which is useful in removing the yellow loop element if this has hidden the elements within your loop.  Sending the loop to the back will save you having to bring all the other elements to the front.  You may also right click on the element on the Output pane and select either of these options.

There is a Find/Replace function under the Edit menu. This function is case sensitive. If you select Find Next then the next occurrence of your find string will be highlighted in the Explorer view. The replace function is most useful if you have, for instance, renamed an exit program.

Minor positioning adjustments

If you wish to make very small changes in the positioning of your data, images etc. on the Output pane you may do this by using the Column and Line offsets on the element properties dialog. Each unit represents 1440th of an inch. You may also use the mouse to make these minor adjustments by holding down the ALT key whilst dragging the element with the mouse.

Useful tools on the Explorer View

There are two useful tools on the Explorer View; they are the Expand All and Collapse All tools.  They provide a quick way of expanding or collapsing all the elements within the tree, to save you selecting to expand/collapse each element individually.

Printing from your PPD file

You may select to print from either the Output pane or the Explorer View of your PPD file.  Click on the view that you wish to print and then select File and Print.   What will be printed is exactly what is shown on the screen.  If you wish to print the entire Explorer View you should first select to “Expand All” and then print.  The same applies to the Output pane.