Chapter 4. Menu Bar

Table of Contents

4.1. File Menu
4.1.1. New
4.1.2. Open
4.1.3. Close
4.1.4. Close all
4.1.5. Save
4.1.6. Save As
4.1.7. Save Copy As
4.1.8. Revert To Saved
4.1.9. Recent Files
4.1.10. Open Most Recent File
4.1.11. Run Project Wizard
4.1.12. Create Local Macro
4.1.13. Add Local Macro
4.1.14. Open File in MATE
4.1.15. Show MATE
4.1.16. Run ToolRunner
4.1.17. Run TestCaseManager
4.1.18. Recent Test Cases
4.1.19. Run Most Recent Test Case
4.1.20. Restart with Current Networks
4.1.21. Quit
4.2. Edit Menu
4.2.1. Undo
4.2.2. Redo
4.2.3. Clear Undo History
4.2.4. Cut
4.2.5. Copy
4.2.6. Paste
4.2.7. Duplicate
4.2.8. Delete
4.2.9. Select All
4.2.10. Deselect All
4.2.11. Invert Selection
4.2.12. Align / Distribute
4.2.13. Auto Arrange Selection
4.2.14. Reload Selected Modules
4.3. Preferences
4.3.1. Preferences — General
4.3.2. Preferences — Packages
4.3.3. Preferences — Module Groups
4.3.4. Preferences — Supportive Programs
4.3.5. Preferences — Paths
4.3.6. Preferences — Scripting
4.3.7. Preferences — Network Appearance
4.3.8. Preferences — Network Interaction
4.3.9. Preferences — Error / Debug Handling
4.3.10. Preferences — Shortcuts
4.4. Modules Menu
4.5. Applications Menu
4.6. Extras Menu
4.6.1. Reload Updated Shared Libraries
4.6.2. Reload Module Database (Keep Cache)
4.6.3. Reload Module Database (Clear Cache)
4.6.4. Reload Imported Python Modules
4.6.5. Show Global MDL Definitions...
4.6.6. Run Module Tests...
4.6.7. Run Tests On Selection...
4.6.8. Generate Module Reference for User Packages (HTML)
4.6.9. Show Widget Explorer
4.6.10. Debug Widgets
4.6.11. Show Connector Details
4.6.12. Show Image Connector Preview
4.6.13. Clear Image Cache
4.7. Scripting Menu
4.7.1. Show Scripting Console
4.7.2. Scripting Context Menu
4.7.3. Edit Network Script
4.7.4. Start Network Script
4.8. User Scripts
4.8.1. Example Scripts
4.8.2. Run User Script...
4.8.3. Run Last User Script: <NameOfUserScript>
4.8.4. Run Recent User Script
4.8.5. Example Scripts
4.9. View Menu
4.9.1. View All
4.9.2. Zoom To Selection
4.9.3. Zoom In
4.9.4. Zoom Out
4.9.5. Zoom 100%
4.9.6. Layout
4.9.7. Toolbars
4.9.8. Views
4.10. Networks Menu
4.10.1. Close
4.10.2. Close All
4.11. Panels Menu
4.11.1. Panels Stay In Front Of Main Window
4.11.2. Hide Panels Of Invisible Networks
4.11.3. Close All Panels
4.11.4. Close Panels Of Current Network
4.11.5. Minimize All Open Panels
4.11.6. Show All Minimized Panels
4.11.7. Working with the Panel List
4.12. Help Menu
4.12.1. (Search in documentation and menu entries)
4.12.2. Full-text Search in Documentation...
4.12.3. Show Context Help...
4.12.4. Show Help Overview
4.12.5. Browse Help Pages
4.12.6. Welcome
4.12.7. About
4.12.8. Enter License

4.1. File Menu

Figure 4.1. File Menu

File Menu

4.1.1. New

Creates a new MeVisLab network document.

4.1.2. Open

Opens an existing MeVisLab network from file (extension .mlab). Alternatively, the .mlab file can be dragged onto the workspace to open it in a new network window.

Some other file types may also be opened directly by dragging them onto the workspace (no network needs to be open for that):

  • A dragged image file (.dcm, .tif, .png, etc.) creates an ImageLoad module that automatically loads the file.

  • A dragged file readable by WEM modules (.wem, .off, .obj, .ply, etc.) creates a WEMLoad module that automatically loads the file. See the HTML help for the WEMLoad module for more information.

  • A dragged file readable by CSO modules (.cso) creates a CSOLoad module that automatically loads the file.

4.1.3. Close

Closes the current network.

4.1.4. Close all

Closes all open networks.

4.1.5. Save

Saves the current network.

For saved networks, the AutoSave files are discarded. See Section 4.3.1, “Preferences — General” .

4.1.6. Save As

Writes the current network to file with a new name.

For saved networks, the AutoSave files are discarded. See Section 4.3.1, “Preferences — General” .

4.1.7. Save Copy As

Writes a copy of the current network to file with a new name.

4.1.8. Revert To Saved

Reverts to the last saved version of the current network. (This option is only available if the network was changed.)

4.1.9. Recent Files

Allows the selecting of a recently opened network from file. The maximum number of recent files is 20. The list of recent files is not deleted upon installing a new version of MeVisLab. For more information about storing preferences, see Section 4.3, “Preferences”.

4.1.10. Open Most Recent File

Opens the most recent network file. This function can be triggered with a keyboard shortcut, see Section 4.3.10, “Preferences — Shortcuts”.

4.1.11. Run Project Wizard

Starts a wizard for creating new modules, packages, and installers (an ADK license is required for the latter). See Chapter 26, Project Wizard.

4.1.12. Create Local Macro

Creates a new local macro module relative to the current network path, based on the currently selected modules or a module group. See Section 3.11.2, “Editing, Converting, and Deleting Groups”. The necessary inputs and outputs are added automatically. The display names of interface fields can be changed, but their internal names cannot.

Figure 4.2. Local Macro Creation

Local Macro Creation

Locally defined macro modules can be used in complex networks to encapsulate subnetworks as independent functional units with a defined interface to other network components. In this way, they perform an application-specific function that would not be useful for other applications. Therefore, they are not added to the common MeVisLab module database, meaning they are not declared in a .def file.

The following items are created:

  • The files <ModuleName>.script and <ModuleName>.mlab in the current network path directory.

  • The new local macro module on the current network workspace.

[Note]Note

A local macro module is not available in the MeVisLab module database, as no .def file is created. The module cannot be accessed via the Modules menu or the Modules Search. Local macro modules can only be added to networks in the same network path, see Section 4.1.13, “Add Local Macro”.

To differentiate local macros from global macros, "./" is prepended to the module name/type in the network view to indicate that this module only exists relative to the location of the network file.

[Note]Note

During the conversion to a local macro, modules must be disconnected and reconnected. Connections set by script, i.e., forwarded from an outer macro, cannot be disconnected, resulting in an alert: “Unable to remove the module [module name] with connections set by script.” A similar alert is issued when attempting to remove a module connected in this way. In the next figure, modules within a red rectangle cannot be deleted, disconnected from inputs/outputs, or added to a local macro.

Figure 4.3. Modules Connected to Outer Macros

Modules Connected to Outer Macros

For an introduction to macros, read Getting Started, chapter Introduction to Macro Modules.

4.1.13. Add Local Macro

Adds a locally defined macro module to the current network, see Section 4.1.12, “Create Local Macro”. Choose the <ModuleName>.script file in the file dialog to add the local macro module. The local macro must be defined in the same folder as the network to which it will be added, or in a subfolder of that folder.

4.1.14. Open File in MATE

Opens MATE with a file dialog where one or more files can be opened, see Chapter 27, MATE.

4.1.15. Show MATE

Opens MATE without files, see Chapter 27, MATE.

4.1.16. Run ToolRunner

Starts the ToolRunner, see the ToolRunner documentation.

4.1.17. Run TestCaseManager

Starts the TestCaseManager of the TestCenter, see the TestCenter Reference and the Getting Started, chapter 16, Using the TestCenter.

4.1.18. Recent Test Cases

Lists the most recently run test cases from the TestCaseManager. Selecting an entry from this list will open the TestCaseManager and run the selected test case.

4.1.19. Run Most Recent Test Case

This will open the TestCaseManager and run the top-most entry of the recent test cases list.

4.1.20. Restart with Current Networks

Restarts MeVisLab with all currently opened networks. This is necessary for a complete DLL update and is useful when developing new ML and Inventor modules. Alternatively, you can press a shortcut to restart MeVisLab with the current network. Refer to Section 4.3.10, “Preferences — Shortcuts”.

[Note]Note

MeVisLab restarts in the same mode in which it was originally started, particularly concerning the -quick option.

4.1.21. Quit

Quits MeVisLab. If unsaved changes in networks are present, a message will appear.