19.1.6 The Tuner “-/+”

Use the Tuner to increase or decrease a value. You can use it to modify the precision of an action, align or scale an element using axes, and to define the number of points in a curve or a surface. It can also be used to browse through the pages of the Catalog.

How to access the Tuner

There are different ways the Tuner can be accessed.
· When the user requests it.
· When Amapi 3D displays it automatically. Some of the tools give you the opportunity to fine-tune an action. The cursor indicates that the Tuner is available.
The Tuner must be used when it is displayed automatically. The user must end the action even if the default values are satisfactory. (See below).

How to use the Tuner

There are two ways to do this:
· Using the “+” and “-” keys of the numeric keypad.
· Clicking on one of the buttons (“+” or “–”) in the Assistant Palette.

Validate or put the tool aside to end the action.

There are three ways:
· Put the Tuner aside (move the cursor out of the scene through the right hand side of the screen and then back in).
· Press the Return key to validate the action.
· Select another tool (only if you have chosen the “Standard” interface). (See User Manual/Preferences/Interface/Tool palettes).

You will use the Tuner to:

q Modify the axes step size

You can modify the step size of displayed axes by:

· Clicking on the “+” or “–” of the Assistant Palette. · Pressing the “+” or “-” of the numeric keypad.

This will increase or decrease the working precision.

q Define tool parameters

Some tools are used to modify certain parameters.

· Case 1: The cursor switches to the Tuner icon. You can edit the parameters of the tool currently being used by:

· Clicking on the “+” and “-” buttons of the Assistant Palette.
· Pressing the “+” or “-” of the numeric keypad.
In this case, the Tuner must be used. The user must end the action even if the default values are satisfactory. (See previous paragraph.)

· Case 2: The user invokes the Tuner using the Assistant Palette’s command buttons.

Example of case 1: Circle tool. The Tuner increases or decreases the number of points on the circle.	Example of case 2: Smooth tool. The Tuner increases or decreases the number of facets.

q Object selection (when elements are difficult to select with the Wand)

It can sometimes be difficult to select elements in the scene with the Wand.
Use the “+” and “-” keys to select elements in the scene, one after another. Stop when the element of interest is highlighted as the current object.

q Browsing through the pages of the Catalog:

The Catalog is Amapi 3D’s own file manager. (See chapter User Manual/File/Catalog.)
To browse the numbered pages of the Catalog, you can use the scroll arrows, type in a Catalog page number directly, or use the Tuner.
You can browse through the Catalog pages using the Tuner as follows:
· Click on the “+” and “-” buttons of the Assistant Palette.
Or
· Press the “+” or “-” of the numeric keypad.