Lesson 5 Exercise 3: Creating Action Buttons and Online Documents

Objective

In this exercise you will learn how to enhance the usability of your model using action buttons and online documents.

Try to complete the following steps on your own. If you need help, click the step to jump to a set of more detailed steps.

1	Start METIS and Create Exercise Model

Create a new model called MyExerciseL5_3 based on the Training template.

2	Create Action Buttons

Create action buttons to zoom between the Organization and Requirements containers.

3	Create an Online Document

In the Products container, create an online document called Modeling Checklist that opens Checklist.doc from the METIS \help directory. Include a brief description for the online document.

4	Create an Online Document and Access a Web Site

In the Organization container, create an online document called METIS Homepage that accesses the METIS Web site. Note that if you are not connected to the Internet you can complete this step at a later date.

5	Create an Online Document from Another Program

Using an Internet browser and METIS, automatically create an online document in the Organization container that opens an HTML page. Note that if you are not connected to the Internet you can complete this step at a later date.

6	Save the Model and Exit METIS

7	Practice on Your Own (Optional)

Start METIS and Create Exercise Model

Complete the following steps to start METIS and create a new model file based on an example template:

1	Minimize your web browser and any other application you have open (except this window) to see your desktop.

2	Double-click the METIS icon [image] to launch METIS.

3	In the dialog box, click the Model From Template option.

4	In the template list, click Training, and then click OK.

5	In the file dialog box, enter MyExerciseL5_3 for the filename and click Save.

6	Position this Exercise window so that you have a good view of the modeling window.

Create Action Buttons

Create two action buttons that enable quick navigation between the Organization container and the Requirements container.

1	Click the Domain tab in the left pane of the METIS window, find the Utilities domain and click the + icon to expand it.

2	Drag the Action Button from the Domain tree and drop it onto the Organization container. In the Properties window, click OK.

3	Select the Requirements container, right click the action button and select Set URI Reference.

4	Double-click the action button to zoom to the Requirements container.

5	Repeat the three previous steps to create an action button in the Requirements container that zooms to the Organization container.

Create an Online Document

Create a link to an online document as follows:

1	If necessary, click the Zoom All tool [image].

2	In the Domain tab in the left pane of the METIS window, expand the Modeling and Document Modeling domains.

3	Drag the Online Document from the Domain tree and drop it on the Products container.

4	In the Properties window, enter the following:

•	For the Name, enter Modeling Checklist

•	For the Description, enter Planning Document

5	Click Browse next to the Filename box and browse to x:\METISdir\help\Checklist.doc, where x:\METISdir is the drive and directory corresponding to your METIS installation. (If you accepted the default folder when you installed METIS, this would be c:\Program Files\METIS3.0\help\Checklist.doc.) Once you have located the correct file, click OK to close the Properties window.

6	Right-click on the online document Modeling Checklist, and then select Open Document.

7	Review the document if you wish, then exit Microsoft Word and return to the METIS window.

Example

Create an Online Document and Access a Web Site

Complete the following steps to create a link to a Web site.  Note that if you are not connected to the Internet you can complete this step at a later date.

1	In the left pane of the METIS window, find the Document Modeling domain.

2	Drag the Online Document from the Domain tree and drop it on the Organization container.

3	In the Properties window, enter the following:

•	For the Name, enter METIS Homepage.

•	For the Description, enter Links to METIS Web Site.

•	For the Filename, enter http://www.computas.com/metis/, and then click OK.

4	Right-click on the online document METIS Homepage, and then select Open Document. Note that you must be connected to the Internet.

5	Review the homepage if you wish, then exit your Web browser and return to the METIS window.

Create an Online Document from Another Program

Use an Internet browser and METIS to automatically create an online document that links to an HTML page.  Note that if you are not connected to the Internet you can complete this step at a later date.

1	Right-click the online document, METIS Homepage, and select Open Document. Note that you must be connected to the Internet.

2	Resize and position your browser over the left pane of the METIS window so that you can see the right pane of the METIS window also.

3	Drag the What is METIS hyperlink from the METIS Homepage that is displayed in the browser and drop it onto the Organization container. Note that METIS automatically enters the name and the location of the HTML page in the Properties window. Click OK.

4	Right-click on the online document, what_is_ metis.html, and then select Open Document.

5	Review the HTML page if you wish, then exit the browser and return to the METIS window.

Save the Model and Exit METIS

When you are done, save the model and exit METIS as follows:

1	From the File menu, click Save.

2	From the File menu, click Exit.

3	Close this window and maximize your browser to continue with the course.

Practice on Your Own (Optional)


Practice on Your Own (Optional)

•	Create action buttons in the Products container to zoom to some of the smaller objects in that container; also create a small container in the center of this model including action buttons that zoom to each of the other containers. Experiment with the various Action options for zooming. Apply different symbols to these buttons, such as Browse Previous and Browse Next.

•	Create several online documents linking to different files on your local drive or a network that you are connected to.


Online Document Properties

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