... open a dialog

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... open a dialog

How to open a dialog

There are many methods you can use to open an element's dialog.

With all methods, you must be able to select the element. You can select the element in three places:

•Graphic-Area

•Assembly-Tree

•Selection-Window

It may be helpful to use a Selection-Filter to filter for the type of element you want to edit.

See Selection-Filters

To open an element's dialog, do one of these methods:

Click to exapand /collapseMethod 1: Use the Selection-Window

Click

1.Click the element (see also the SHIFT-CLICK exception below) in the graphic-area or the Assembly-Tree

The element is now in the Selection-Window

2.Right-click the element in the Selection-Window

A shortcut menu shows next to your pointer

3.Click Edit element in the shortcut menu

The element's dialog opens.

SHIFT+CLICK

SHIFT+CLICK Profile

SHIFT+CLICK Profile

An Extrusion is a child to a Profile. It is possible to show or hide the extrusion from the graphic-area. When the Extrusion is hidden from the graphic-area:

1.SHIFT+CLICK the Profile contour that is the parent to the extrusion in the graphic-area

The Profile AND Extrusion are now in the Selection-Window.

2.Right-click the Extrusion

In the shortcut menu:

3.Click Edit element to open the Extrusion dialog.

The Extrusion dialog opens.
Click to exapand /collapseMethod 2: Double-Click the element

Summary:

You open the dialog only if you double-click one element.

Double-click one element in the:

•Graphic-Area

•Assembly-Tree

•Selection-Window
Double-click to open the element's dialog-box

Double-click to open the element's dialog-box

Example: Edit a Motion-Dimension FB

Double-Click in the graphic-area

1.Move your mouse-pointer above the element so that only the element you want to edit changes color to the Selection Color (usually, it becomes red).

2.Double-click the element

When it is difficult to double-click only the element in the graphic-area:

•Edit the Symbol Selection Size - See Edit toolbar > Application Settings > Accessibility tab.

•Use Selection Filters to filter for the element type you want to edit.

•Use Display Filters to hide other element types

OR

Double-click in the Assembly-Tree

1.Double-click the element in the Assembly-Tree.

Double-Click element in Assembly-Tree

Double-Click element in Assembly-Tree
Double-Click element in Selection-Window

Double-Click element in Selection-Window

OR

Double-click in the Selection-Window

1.First, click the element in the graphic-area or the Assembly-Tree one time so that it shows in the Selection-Window.

When the element is in Selection-Window,

2.Double-click the element in the Selection-Window.

Click to exapand /collapseMethod 3: Right-Click the element

Summary:

1.Right-click the element in the Selection-Window, the Assembly-Tree and graphic-area

2.Click Edit-Element in the shortcut menu.

Click, then Right-Click in Assembly-Tree

Click, then Right-Click in Assembly-Tree

Example: Edit a Motion-Dimension FB

In the Assembly-Tree:

1.Click to select the element in the Assembly-Tree

2.Right-click the element

In the shortcut menu:

3.Click Edit Element
Right-click in the graphic-area

Right-click in the graphic-area

In the graphic-area:

1.Click the graphic-area to deselect all elements

2.Hover + Right-click an element.

The shortcut menu shows.

In the shortcut menu:

3.Click Edit Element

Click to exapand /collapseMethod 4: Edit toolbar > Edit Element tool

Edit element icon

1.Click the element you want to edit in the Selection-Window, Assembly-Tree or graphic-area

2.Click Edit toolbar > Edit Element icon
Click element in Graphic-Area

Click element in Graphic-Area

Click element in Assembly-Tree

Click element in Assembly-Tree

For example, you want to edit a Gearing FB to open its dialog.

In the Graphic-area, Assembly-Tree, or Selection-Window:

1.Click the Gearing FB in the Selection-Window

or

1.Click the Gearing FB in the graphic-area

or

1.Click the Gearing FB in the Assembly-Tree

Click 'Edit-Element' icon in Edit menu

Click 'Edit-Element' icon in Edit menu

2.Click Edit toolbar > Edit Element

The Gearing-FB dialog is now open.

Special Cases:

Click to exapand /collapseTo edit a dimension in the Part-Editor
Double-click Arrowhead

Double-click Arrowhead

De-select other commands. Most usually, Add Dimension is active, which you must de-select.

1.Double-Click the arrowhead of a dimension to open the Dimension dialog

If you try to click the dimension number - R34.46 in the image to the left  - MechDesigner does not respond.
Click to exapand /collapseTo edit a Gear-Pair or 2D-Cam
MD-GA-Doubleclick-GearPair

When you click a Gear-Pair or 2D-Cam it is possible to click four elements:

•the Gear-Pair (or 2D-Cam) - select it in the Selection-Window

•a Polyline - you cannot edit a Polyline

•a Profile and Extrusion - you can only edit the Extrusion.
btn_delkeywordTo edit an Extrusion
Shift-click a Profile

Shift-click a Profile

To edit an Extrusion that you cannot see, but you can see its Profile or Auto-Profile.

1.SHIFT-CLICK the PINK Profile element

The Profile AND Extrusion elements are now in the Selection-Window.

2.Right-click the Extrusion element in the Selection-Window

3.Click Edit element in the shortcut menu.
Click to exapand /collapseReasons you cannot edit an element

You cannot edit an element when:

•A different dialog is open. Close all other dialogs. (ALT+F4 if you cannot see the dialog).

•You double-click two or more elements. You open none or one dialog.

•A command is active, in the Command-Manager. You must complete or cancel that command.

•You cannot edit the element - for example, a Slide-Joint