You will use the entries in this menu to open, close and save files, setup the printer, get information about the program and exit the program.
Library | New
Shortcut : Ctrl+N 
This menu is used to create a new library. The system will ask to save any changes to the current library if a library is already open.
Library | Open...
Shortcut : Ctrl+O 
This menu is used to open an existing library. You will be presented with the standard file dialog in the modellib directory. After you selected a library, the current library will be closed and the new library will be opened. If the current library was changed since the last save you will get the opportunity the save these changes or cancel the open command
Library | Close
Use this menu item to close the current library. If the current library has any unsaved changes you will get the opportunity to save these before the library is closed.
Library | Save
Shortcut : Ctrl+S 
Save is used to save the current library. If the current library was never saved before, you must enter a name for the new library.
Library | Save As...
This menu item is use to give the library a new name. If you use this option you must select a new name for the library. The library is then saved using this name. Any subsequent saves of the library will be done using this name
Library | Import...
This menu allows you to import other types of libraries like DXF and X format.
See Import DXF for more detail
Library | Import | X File
This option allows you to import an X file (in the Microsoft DirectX format).
Library | Fast-Switch
Use Fast-Switch to Re-open a scene edited in Modeller back to the Show Designer or other module. See Fast-Switch for more details
Library | Print Setup...
This option allows you to setup the current printer.
Library | Recent files
Here you will find the 4 last saved/opened files. By selecting one of these files you can open the selected library.
Library | Exit
Shortcut : Alt+F4
This option will shut down the program. If there is a library open and if this library has any unsaved changes you will be asked to save these changes or cancel the operation.
You will use the entries in this menu to create, open, close and save objects.
Object | New
Shortcut : Ctrl+N
This menu is used to create a new object. The system will ask you to save any changes to the current object if an object is already open.
Object | Open...
Shortcut : Ctrl+O
This menu is used to open an existing object.
You will be presented with a list of objects present in the current model library. Just like the 'Object List ' it has an optional preview, which you can be (de)activated using the
'<< Less / More >>' button.
The object window has a 'tree view', allowing you to see and/or select the (inserted) sub objects of an object. After you select an (sub)object and click on 'Open', the current object will be closed and the new object will be opened. If the current object was changed since the last save you will get the opportunity the save these changes or cancel the open command.
Object | Close
Use this menu item to close the current object. If the current object has any unsaved changes you will get the opportunity to save these before the object is closed.
Object | Save
Shortcut : Ctrl+S
Save is used to save the current object. If the current was never saved before, you must enter a name for the object.
Object | Save As...
This menu item is used to save the object with a new name. If you use this option you must select a new name for the object. The object is then saved using this name. Any subsequent saves of the object will be done using this name.
You will use the entries in this menu to delete, copy and insert objects and fixtures, clear pick or selection, edit layers and switch between 'Light Mode' and 'Normal Mode'.
Edit | Undo
Shortcut : Ctrl+Z 
This option will undo the last action (if there is one). The text after 'Undo' indicates the nature of the last action.
Edit | Redo
Shortcut : Ctrl+Y 
This option will redo the last 'undone' action (if there is one). The text after 'Redo' indicates the nature of the last 'undone' action.
Edit | Delete
Shortcut : Ctrl+X 
This option will delete the picked object.
Edit | Duplicate
Shortcut : Ctrl+D 
This option will copy the picked object. When you click with your left mouse button inside a window, the copy will be inserted into the current object.
If you keep the mouse button down, you can directly move the inserted copy around until you release the mouse button.
Edit | Duplicate Multiple
This option will make multiple copies of the picked object. When you click with your left mouse button inside a window, a dialog will appear.
See Duplicate Object or Fixture
Edit | Insert
This option allows you to insert an object from the object list into the current object. See Object List for more information about objects. When you click in a window after selecting this option a list of available objects will appear. The desired object will be inserted after clicking on it in the list.
Edit | Clear Pick
Shortcut : ESC
This option clears the current pick. If you had something picked, it will be unpicked.
Edit | Deselect All
Shortcut : Shift+ESC
This option clears the selection. If you have one or more objects selected, they will be de-selected.
Edit | LightMode
This option activates and deactivates the LightMode. When you are working in LightMode, you can only pick fixtures. All other objects are ignored when you try to pick something.
You can use the entries in this menu to view or hide the toolbars holding the buttons, the different lists and the status bar at the bottom of the main window. If an item is visible a check mark will be displayed in front of the menu item.
View | Toolbars
This menu is used to show or hide the toolbars. For an overview of all the buttons in the toolbars you can look at the Icon topic.
View | Object list...
This option shows the Object List window. In this window you can delete, rename and import objects. In a new library this list will be initially empty.
View | Material list...
This option shows the Material List window. In this window you can edit, copy, import, delete and create new materials. In a new library this list will be initially empty.
View | Status Bar
This menu is used to show or hide the status bar.
You will use the entries in this menu to open or arrange windows and to save or print windows.
Window | New 2D window
This option opens a new 2D window.
Window | New 3D window
This option opens a new 3D window.
Window | Cascade
This option will arrange all open windows to be all the same size, stacked one on top of another.
Window | Tile
This option will arrange all open windows to be tiled side by side, so all windows will be totally visible.
Window | Arrange Icons
This option will arrange all icons at the bottom of the main window.
Window | Save as Bitmap...
This option allows you to save a window as a Windows bitmap (BMP) or a jpeg image (JPG).
Window | Print...
Shortcut : Ctrl+P 
This option allows you to print a window. The print will always be in wireframe mode.
See Printing in ShowDesigner Module for more details
Window | Print Preview
This option allows you to preview how a window will be printed.
See Printing in ShowDesigner Module for more details
Window | (Opened windows)
Here you will see how many windows you have open and which is active. You can activate a specific window by choosing its menu item.
This menu allows you to select the display mode of a window. It gives you a range of representations of a object.
See Display Mode for more details
Display Mode | Render
Display Mode, Render menu
This menu will only be available in a 3D window. It allows you to realistic render your object, taking into account lighting, reflection, shadows, smoke etc.
See Rendering for more details
Display Mode | Render | Start
The start option will start the rendering of the Object.
Display Mode | Render | Hold
The Hold option will temporarily stop rendering the window. This might be useful if you are rendering a complex object. By setting the rendering on hold, you get more time to do other things (in this application or another). This option is only available if you are currently rendering in the window.
Display Mode | Render | Resume
The Resume option will resume rendering a window, which was previously stopped by using the Hold option. This option is only available if the window is currently in a 'hold rendering' mode.
This menu allows you to start an operation on one or more objects and/or fixtures.
Operation | Move menu
The Move operations allow you to interactively manipulate the position horizontally and/or vertically by moving the mouse.
Operation | Move | XY
Shortcut : M 
This option allows you to move an object or fixture both horizontally and vertically.
Operation | Move | X
This option allows you to move an object or fixture only horizontally.
Operation | Move | Y
This option allows you to move an object or fixture only vertically.
Operation | Rotate
The Rotate operations allow you to interactively manipulate the orientation of an object or fixture.
Operation | Rotate XY
Shortcut : R 
This option allows you to rotate an object or fixture around both the horizontal and vertical axis.
Operation | Around Horizontal
This option allows you to rotate an object or fixture around the horizontal axis.
Operation | Around Vertical
This option allows you to rotate an object or fixture around the vertical axis.
Operation | Around Depth
This option allows you to rotate an object or fixture around the depth axis.
Operation | Scale
The Scale operations allow you to interactively manipulate the size of an object.
Operation | Scale | Horizontal
Shortcut : S 
This option allows you to scale an object horizontally.
Operation | Scale | Vertical
This option allows you to scale an object or vertically.
Operation | Scale | 2D
This option allows you to scale an object horizontally and vertically.
Operation | Scale | 3D
This option allows you to scale an object uniformly by scaling the whole object by the same amount.
Operation | Alignment menu
Operation | Alignment | Align Chain
This option allows you to align two or more selected objects in a chain like way.
See Align for more details
Operation | Alignment | Align...
This option allows you to align one or more selected object(s) to the active (picked) object. When you select this option, a dialog will appear.
See Align for more details
Operation | Combine menu
Operation | Combine | Group
Shortcut: G 
This option allows you to group the selected objects together. The resulting group can be treated as a single object from then on. Such a group can always be split again by picking it and selecting the 'UnGroup' operation.
Operation | Combine | Group using Axis
Shortcut: ALT+G 
This option allows you to group the selected objects together. The resulting group can be treated as a single object from then on. Such a group can always be split again by picking it and selecting the 'UnGroup' operation.
Operation | Combine | Subtract
See Subtractive Grouping
Operation | Combine | Intersect
See Intersect Grouping
Operation | Combine | UnGroup
Shortcut: U 
This option allows you to split a group into its components. Each component will be added to the selection.
Operation | Turn Off Operation
Shortcut: Spacebar 
This option turns off all current operation.
This menu allows you to manipulate the camera of a window.
See Camera for more details
Camera | Properties
For information on the camera properties
Camera | Full View
Shortcut: Double click middle mouse button 
This option will try to adjust the camera so that the entire object will be visible in the current view.
Camera | Full View All
This option will try to adjust the camera so that the entire Object will be visible in all views.
Camera | Zoom
Shortcut: Z 
This option allows you to interactively zoom in/out. In 2D windows, the scale will change and in 3D windows, it will be the camera angle that changes.
Camera | Move To/From
Shortcut: X 
This option allows you to move the camera to and from. In 2D windows, this does the same as the 'Zoom' operation. In 3D windows, the camera is moved forwards or backwards.
Camera | Inspect
Shortcut: C 
This option allows you to inspect an object by moving the camera around a point. In 2D windows this can only be done if you have an active (picked) object. The camera will move around the center of the object. In 3D windows the camera will move around the center of an active object if there is an active object, otherwise the camera will move around the focus point of the camera.
Camera | Move
Shortcut: V 
This option allows you to pan up, down, left and right the camera.
Camera | Swivel
Shortcut: Alt+V 
This option allows you to look around with the camera. In 2D windows, you can move around then view plane, and in 3D windows you can look around by tilting the camera from left to right and from top to bottom.
Camera | Save Camera...
This option allows you to save a 3D camera position, giving it a name. The camera will be stored with the library file.
Camera | Delete Camera...
This option allows you to delete one or more cameras (from this library file).
This menu allows you to adjust the appearance and preferences.
Settings | Main Background
This option allows you to change the appearance of the background of the main application window.
See settings for more details
Settings | Window color
This option allows you to change the background color of the 2D-and 3D windows.
See settings for more details
Settings | Preferences
In the preferences dialog you can set your preferences. Some are local (apply only to the ShowDesigner module), some are global (they may apply to all MyShowDesigner modules). The preferences are arranged into groups, with each it's own page (page). Each page ('Render Settings', 'Snap', 'Grid', 'Units', 'Detail', 'Gamma', 'Auto Save', 'Paths' and 'DirectX driver') will be explained next.
Render Settings page
See Settings for more details
Help | Contents
Shortcut : F1
This option will display this help text.
Help | About Model...
This option will display a window in which you can get information about the program. By clicking on the info button you will see information about the current installed version, the installation date, the serial number of the program and the name with which the program was installed. By clicking again on the (now 'Version') button, you