GUI Basics

Windows

In AMI, windows are the building blocks of layouts. Windows are highly customizable and entire complex layouts can be built within one window. This section will discuss the various options you have when starting out with a window.

The Windows option can be found on the top menu bar. Developers have the option of creating and managing windows whereas end-users are still able to use the menu to view a list of windows that are in the layout.

Renaming Windows

Once created, Windows can be renamed by double clicking on the Window name or by using the Configure Window found in the middle of the Window header.

Popping out, Minimizing, Maximizing, and Deleting Windows

Using the buttons found on the right side of the window header, you can pop out a window (into its own window), minimize, maximize, or delete a window.

: pops out the window its own window. When you close a popped out window, it will return the window onto the dashboard (it will not be deleted). The status of the window will be shown as [popped out] in the Windows menu.

: minimizes the window. Minimized windows can be accessed by selecting them from the Windows menu.

: maximizes the window or restores a maximized window to its original size.

: deletes the window. Windows in use will require confirmation before being deleted.

Note: in order to delete individual panels within windows, use the configuration button menu of the panel and select Delete Highlighted Panels. If the window does not have any panels, selecting this option will delete the window.

Resizing and Moving Windows

In order to resize a window, click and hold any part of the edges or corners of the window. While holding the mouse button, drag the cursor to resize the window

In order to move a window around the dashboard, click and hold the window header. While holding the mouse button, move the window to any area of the dashboard.

Configure Window menu

The Configure Window menu found in the window header contains a lot of options to be used for the windows. The options to be discussed in this section are Type and Location in Menu Bar.

Type

Maximized, no Header: maximizes the size of the window and removes the window header. The Configure Window button will still be visible when in developer mode.

Regular: the default state of windows with all window header buttons available.

Hidden: hides the name of the window from the Windows drop down menu when not in developer mode. When in developer mode, the name of the window will be visible with a [hidden] label. This is useful when creating windows that will be kept minimized or behind other windows and only available when taking a certain action.

You can also use the Manage Windows option in the Windows menu in order to get an overview of all of the windows in the layout and apply a configuration to each.

Location in Menu Bar

If you would like to place a window under its own menu item in the menu bar, use the Location in Menu Bar option to assign a Menu Name. The menu item will then appear when not in developer mode (and the window is not hidden):

The window will list appear in the Windows menu:

Dividers

As a layout is made of a window or multiple windows, a window is made of a panel or multiple panels. Dividers allow you to take a single window and subdivide it as you see fit to best visualize your information.

Adding Panels

There are two ways to create dividers/divide a window into panels:

The first way to divide a window is using the Split Vertically and Split Horizontally found in the panel configuration menu (also known as the Green Button).

The second way to divide a window is to actually create panels using the Add Panel option also found in the panel configuration menu.

Both options lead to the creation of dividers with their own set of options. Dividers, by default, can be dragged by the user to adjust the real-estate of the two panels they divide. In order to further modify the window, use the divider configuration button found on the divider itself. Opening the configuration menu will highlight the associated panels and numbers will be assigned to each panel.

Settings	Includes the option to change Panel ID, User Preferences ID, and Default Offset
Style	Includes both styling and behavior options for the dividers
Set Current Offset as Default	Sets the offset of the divider as the default. Reopening/rebuilding the layout will place the divider at this position
Clear Default Offset	Clears the divider position set
Flip Panels	Flips the position of the panels
Rotate Panels Clockwise	Rotates the selected panels in a clockwise direction
Rotate Panels Counterclockwise	Rotates the selected panels in a counterclockwise direction
Change to 2 Tabs	Removes the divider and places each of the panels in a tab
Distribute Dividers	Evenly distributes the dividers
Replace With...	Replaces the panels with a different visualization or blank panel
Add Panel	Add a blank panel left, right, above, or below
Place Highlighted in Scroll Panel	Places the selected panels in a scroll panel
Place Highlighted in Tab	Places the panels in tabs
Place Highlighted in Window	Places the panels in a new window, leaving behind a blank panel in their place
Move to Different Layout File...	When working with multiple layouts - moves selected panels to a different layout
Cut Highlighted Panels	Cut the panels for pasting to a different panel
Copy Highlighted Panels	Copies the panels for pasting to a different panel
Delete Highlighted Panels	Deletes the selected panels
Hide Highlighted Panels	Hides the selected panels. To unhide, use the Unhide Panel option in the panel configuration menu
Export Highlighted Panels	Export the highlighted panels, as text, for use in another dashboard
Paste	Paste the cut/copied panel(s)

Examples

Adding panels

Adding a panel above using the right panel configuration button adds a panel only above the right panel:

Adding a panel above using the divider configuration button adds a panel above both panels:

Modifying Dividers

The options to modify dividers are all found in the divider's Style setting.

Style

Adjusting Size and Color

Under the Style section of the Divider Style menu, you can adjust the thickness of the divider, the color of the divider, and the color of the divider when the mouse is hovering over it. Note: To make a divider invisible, change the thickness to 0(px).

Behavior

Locking Dividers

Dividers may be locked in order to prevent it from moving when not in developer mode. A small lock will appear over the divider configuration button

Alignment

The Align options keeps the size of the panels consistent when resizing the windows. For example, when set to the Ratio option, resizing a window consisting of two panels will keep their sizes relatively similar to their original sizes.

Snapping

When enabled, the Snap Setting allows you to collapse a divider by double clicking on it. Depending on the setting used, the panel to the left, right, top, or bottom will be collapsed.

Unsnap minimum(%): when set, the divider will return to at least that % position of the window. For example: if the unsnap minimum is set to 60%, and the the divider was dragged to 40%; snapping and then unsnapping the divider will return the divider to the 60% location