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Motif and CDE 2.1 Style Guide Reference
Tool (Value Choice Type)
Reference
Description
A tool is a choice in a value set that, when set, places the user in a mode
that limits or specializes the user's interaction with the application.
Figure 71. Tools in a Value Set.
When to Use
- Required
- Include tools in a value set to perform specific tasks in an application.
Guidelines
- Required
- When the user selects a tool, do the following:
- Change or augment the pointer to indicate which operation
the user can perform. For example, if the user chooses a
line-drawing tool in a value set, change the pointer to a
line-drawing tool pointer in the applications viewing area.
- Provide a tool within the value set to allow the user to
return to a neutral state, unless completing the activated choice
automatically returns the user to a neutral state. For example,
if the user chooses a line-drawing tool in a tool palette area
and the pointer is not restored to the arrow pointer after the
line-drawing operation is complete, provide an arrow-pointer
choice on the palette area.
- Display the pointer appropriate for the tool mode when the
pointer is within the area to which the tool applies.
- Required
- When focus is on a tool, the default action, if any, is an expert action;
that is, one which is equivalent to using the tool in some special way. For
example, make the default action (such as, expert) for an eraser tool erase
the entire contents of the control to which the tool applies.
- Recommended
- When the user chooses a tool that displays a dialog window used to set
parameters for use of the tool, provide an expert action for the tool that
initiates the tool with the most frequently used set of parameters.
Essential Related Topics
For more information, see the Choice and Value Set (Control) reference
pages.
Supplemental Related Topics
For more information, see the Palette Area (Area) reference page.
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