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Forms
About Forms
A Form provides a mechanism for viewing, querying and setting Minescape data
for a specific operation or task. In previous versions of Minescape, a form was
referred to as a screen. A form consists of panels each with an appropriate title
and containing various labels and fields.
Forms are used for a diverse range of tasks including:
viewing and selecting various Minescape data types
tracking and manipulating CAD coordinate geometry
obtaining measurements and information from the CAD window
viewing and setting display definitions for CAD graphics
setting input requirements and executing user-commands
setting an input Spec for a module and submitting it for execution.
An example of a form appears below.

Forms are invoked explicitly by

actions and can be called from either
pages or other forms. Forms may be
either modal (take input focus away
from other windows when open) or
non-modal. Most forms are displayed
in the overlay planes of your
workstation to avoid graphics
redraws in CAD windows.

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Form intrinsics
Standard behaviour
Minescape embraces Motif standardsstandard techniques for navigation and
usage therefore apply across all forms.

Overlay plane display

A form is displayed by a calling action which supplies the start-up parameters to
invoke the form. By default, forms are displayed in the overlay planes of your
workstation i.e. their display does not cause costly graphics redraws where data
is displayed in underlying CAD windows.
The amount of colour which can be displayed by a form is limited by the number
of overlay planes available on your workstation. If your machine has no more
than two overlay planes, colour cannot be displayed by the form. Forms such as
the CAD Attributes form that use colours extensively are displayed, by default, in
the non-overlay planes of your workstation. You can, however, override these
settings by changing the forms calling action.
ActionMPL in the Minescape Customisation Guide for information on
changing a forms calling action
See:

Form categories
Every form is categorised according to the type of functionality it provides. This
categorisation provides a convenient mechanism for storing and locating form
definition files and associated data such as related actions and Specs. Typical
examples of form categorisations include:
tables
designs
grids
cad

functionality associated with Minescape Table files.

functionality associated with Design files.
functionality associated with Grid files.
functionality associated with CAD.

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Controls
Menu Bar
Some fields permit
you to select from
a pull-down
selection
list
Some fields
permit you
to enter
data
Default
Button

Fields
A number of different field types are used by Minescape forms. Each field type
has a specific appearance and associated usage characteristics. Some field
types permit you to enter dataMinescape data type fields go on to validate this
data. Some field types only permit you to select data from an available list of
options.
See also: Minescape data types in the Minescape Customisation Guide.
Menus
Most forms feature a standard Menu Bar which gives you access to generic
form-related operations. Menu options are sensitised and desensitised
according to the field currently selected.
Buttons
Standard (text label) form buttons are placed horizontally across the bottom of a
form. Some forms also feature icon buttons. A number of buttons are defined for
Minescape forms. Usually one button has a visible indent around itthis denotes
that the button is the default action button and that it can be selected at any time
by pressing Enter.

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Form decks
In a form-deck, tab-dividers appear horizontally across the top of the form. The
information in each individual tab-divider in the form-deck is referred to a form.

Tab-dividers
A tab-divider is a mechanism for identifying and selecting a layer from the form.
Tab-dividers are positioned horizontally across the top of a form (as part of a
form deck) and/or vertically down the right-hand side.

Help
All forms feature comprehensive on-line help facilities. At the click of a button you
can get:
help about a field
help about the form.

Form basics
Navigation
Navigating a form
Using the mouse

Menu items, fields, tab-dividers and buttons on a form are selected by leftclicking (pressing the left mouse button).
Using the keyboard

You can use Tabto move around the form. Selectable fields and the OK and
Apply buttons are sequentially ordered in a form. Use the following key
sequences for moving about a form using the keyboard:
Tab to move in a forward direction
Shift - Tab to move in a reverse direction.

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Navigating within a field

A selected field (known as the current field) is surrounded by a visible indent. If
the current field is an editable field, you can move within it using either the
mouse or the keyboard.
Using the mouse

If an editable field contains data:

left-clicking places the cursor at a character.
double-left-clicking selects a single block of characters.
triple-left-clicking selects all characters in the field.
Using the keyboard

If an editable field contains data:

moves the cursor to the previous character.

moves the cursor to the next character.

Navigating the menus

You can navigate form menus using standard menu navigation techniques.
Selecting a tab
You can select a tab by left-clicking on the tab-divider corresponding to the tab
you want to work on.

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Menus
The menus contained in any form are found in the Menu Bar of the respective
form.
The Pointer Menu is also accessible from any input field contained in the form.
Specs menu
The Specs menu can be found in any forms Menu Bar. To display the menu, leftclick on Specs.

The menu displayed on the left opens. Specs menu options are listed in the table
below.
Option

Action

Restore ...

Load or restore an existing form Spec to the form.

Existing form values are overwritten.

Save

Update the forms Spec.

Save As ...

Save the forms current data as a named Spec.

Clear

Clear current data from form fields.

Initialise

Restore field values to the defaults displayed by the

form when it was first opened.

Stow

Stow a form in the page docking area.

Quit

Invoke the forms terminating action and dismiss the

form. No data is passed to the Minescape
environment. Quit has the same effect as the Cancel
button.

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Fields menu
The Fields menu can be found in any forms Menu Bar. To display the menu, leftclick on Fields.

The number of options displayed on this menu depends on the field type
selected. The example below shows a Fields menu when a Design File field is
selected.
Fields Menu Options

Option

Submenu
Option

Select Item...

Row

Action
If more items exist that can be displayed in the fields
selection list, they can be displayed using the Select
an item option.

This option is only activated when the current field is a cell in a table. The
Row menu appears with the following options:
Fill Down
Delete
Insert Before
Insert After

Enables items to be selected from a list to fill the

column rows.
Delete the row corresponding to the selected cell.
Insert a row into a table above the current cells row.
Insert a row into a table below the current cells row.

Clear

Clear the data from the field.

Projects...

Select files from other projects.

Browse...

Select files from other directories.

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Fields Menu Options (contd)

Option

Submenu
Option

Action

Create...

Creates new data for the current field. This option is

only activated when the field data type is enabled for
create.

Copy...

Copy the selected file to a new name.

Delete...

Delete the file in the selected field.

Edit...

Edit data in the file in the selected field.

Pick

Interactively pick a graphical element from a CAD

window. This option is only activated when the field
type is enabled for picking.

Rename

Rename the selected file.

View ...

Examine the attributes of the data in the selected

field.

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Help menu
The Help menu can be found in any forms Menu Bar. To display the menu, leftclick on Help.

The menu displayed on the left opens. Help menu options are listed in the table
below.
Option

Action

On Context ...

Invoke context sensitive help for the form. You can left-click the question
mark in a field to display field help or on the form to display form help.
Once you left-click, your help viewer starts up and the applicable help
topic displayed. On Context invokes the same action as the Help button
at the bottom of the form.

Manuals ...

Activates your help viewer which displays a catalogue of Minescape online manuals.

Trace ...

Provide feedback on the action used to call the current form.

See also:

Standard Menu options for details on menus accessed from the

page Menu Bar.

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Buttons
Depending on the function, different forms can contain a variety of buttons.

OK button
The OK button invokes the form apply action and dismisses the form using the
form terminating action (i.e. OK = Apply + Cancel).
Apply button
The Apply button invokes the form apply action but does not dismiss the form.
Cancel button
The Cancel button dismisses the form by invoking the terminating action. This
action does not pass any form data to the Minescape environment and has
the same effect as selecting Quit from the Specs menu or Close from the
window menu button.
Close button
In forms that contain a Cancel button, when the Apply button is activated, the
Cancel button changes to Close. After Applying the action, this button closes
the form.

Help button
The Help button invokes form help for the form.

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CAD Apply button

If a form requires input in the CAD window, the following buttons are displayed.

When the CAD Apply button is selected, the form is hidden from view and
stowed in the Docking Area thus enabling unobstructed access to the CAD
window.
Form is stowed
in the
Docking Area

When input in the CAD window has been completed, the form reappears. Select
Close to close the form.
If OK is selected, the form is stowed in the Docking Area but is closed after
completion of CAD input.

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Fields
Non-selectable fields
Non-selectable fields (also known as protected fields) display data but cannot be
selected or have their data changed.
Selectable fields
Selectable fields (also known as unprotected fields) display data and allow
interaction. A selectable field may be either:
Non-editable A non-editable field can be selected but its data cannot be
altered. Boolean (toggle) fields and Option fields are examples
of non-editable fields.
Editable
An editable field allows you to enter, change and delete data.
Data fields and Table fields are typical examples of editable
fields. When you select an editable field, the form Edit menu is
enabled.
Field input errors
Most editable fields are Minescape data type fields because they have an
Minescape data type parent which ensures the integrity and validity of any
entered data. For example, if a field requires the name of a design file as input,
you can only enter the name of a existing design file or create a new design file
and enter its name. If you enter invalid data to an Minescape data type field, an
error pop-up prompts you to make an alternative entry or selection.
See also: Minescape data types in the Minescape Customisation Guide.
Types of fields
A form can display the following types of fields:

Data fields
Boolean (toggle) fields
Option fields
Table fields

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Field focus
You can only enter data into a field when it is in focus. To do this you need to leftclick in the field. When a field is in focus it is bordered by a visible indent.

Modes
Forms are always registered against their parent.
Read mode
A form displayed in read mode cannot have its data edited or changed.
Read/write mode
A form displayed in read/write mode can have its data changed and updated.
When you select either the Apply or OK button, the forms data is submitted to
the Minescape environment for use by a Minescape process such as a module.

Display properties
Transient
A transient form takes the command focus from its calling parent thereby
restricting access to other current Minescape windows. Therefore you must
close the form before you can undertake further work in other parts of the
Minescape interface. A transient form is identified by an OK, Cancel and Help
button.
Non-transient
You can leave a non-transient form open for the duration of a Minescape session
without taking command focus from elsewhere in Minescape. A non-transitory
form always includes an Apply button.
Persistent
A persistent form is a form that when reopened, maintains the state in which it
was last closed.

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Using Specs
The data present in a form is collectively known as a Spec. A Spec is a list of
name:value pairings which Minescape uses to refer to data used in a project. All
Specs are namedMinescape uses its own naming schema to refer to Specs.
Typically, Specs are held in memory, however Minescape permits you to save
from data to disk as a named Spec. By doing this, you can refer to the Spec at
any time.
For UNIX

Form Specs are saved to the project ./formspec directory according to the
following convention:

Files are subclassified by the product being used

i.e.
./formspec/stratmodel for Stratmodel and
./formspec/occoal for Open Cut Coal
(./formspec/minescape where no product is used).

Files are further sub-classified by the category of form used

i.e.
./formspec/stratmodel/designs
./formspec/stratmodel/tables

Files are named <Spec name>.form. (The .form extension is automatically

appended by Minescape).

Note: Do not add your own extensions to Spec namesthis is done by Minescape.

For NT

Form Specs are saved to the project .\formspec directory according to the
following convention:

Files are subclassified by the product being used

i.e
.\formspec\stratmodel for Stratmodel and
.\formspec\occoal for Open Cut Coal
(.\formspec\minescape where no product is used).

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Files are further sub-classified by the category of form used

i.e
.\formspec\stratmodel\designs
.\formspec\stratmodel\tables

Files are named <Spec name>.form. (The .form extension is automatically

appended by Minescape).

Note: Do not add your own extensions to Spec namesthis is done by Minescape.

Loading a Spec
Existing form Specs can be loaded/restored using this option. The values in the
form are replaced with those from a saved Spec.
To load a saved Spec to a form:
Select SpecsRestore from the form Menu Barthe following form appears.
Select the Load Spec tab-divider.

Enter the Category and the Name of the Spec you wish to load.
Select OK.
The fields on the current form are loaded with the values in the Spec that match
the variable names.

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Restoring a Spec
This options enables an existing form Spec to be restored i.e. the values in the
form are replaced with those from a saved form.
The form must have been saved using the Save As option.
To load the values from a Spec saved for another form, change the Form field
(and/or the Subcategory field). The required name can then be selected from
the pull-down selection list
. When the Form field is modified, the first name
of any Spec saved for that form is loaded into the Name field.
To restore the default of another form into the current one, change the Form to
formall defaults in the current sub-category are then listed.
To restore a saved Spec to a form:
Select SpecsRestore from the form Menu Barthe following form appears.
Select the Form Restore tab-divider.
Subcategorythe default for the current form
e.g. minescape/tables.

Formdefaults to the form name if any Spec has

been saved e.g. mns_tabpost.

Namethis field is loaded with the first name

found with the specified form. If a Spec has not
been saved, the defaults are set to read:
For UNIX

./formspec[<category><formname>.form.
For NT

.\formspec[<category><formname>.form.

Select OK.
The Spec is loaded to the form.

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Updating a Spec
To update a Spec:

Load the Spec to the form.

Make the necessary changes to the Spec by editing appropriate fields.

Select SpecsSave from the form Menu Bar.

The Spec is saved to the same name and updated with the changes.
Saving a named Spec
To save a Spec as a named Spec:

Select SpecsSave from the form Menu Bar.

The Spec is saved as follows:

For UNIX

./formspec/<category>/<userid>.<formname>
e.g. ./formspec/minescape/tables/fred.mns_tabpost
according to the forms category.
For NT

.\formspec\<category>\<userid>.<formname>
e.g. .\formspec\minescape\tables\fred.mns_tabpost
according to the forms category.

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Saving a Spec to a new name

To save a forms data to a Spec:
Select SpecsSave As from the form Menu Barthe following form opens.

Enter the Spec

name

Enter a Name for the form Spec (a default name is supplied).

Select OK.

The Spec is saved as follows:

For UNIX

./formspec/[<category>]/<name entered>.<formname>
e.g. ./formspec/minescape/tables/fred.mns_tabpost
according to the forms category.
For NT

./formspec/[<category>]/<name entered>.<formname>
e.g. ./formspec/minescape/tables/fred.mns_tabpost
according to the forms category.

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Clearing a Spec
To clear all data fields in a form, select SpecsClear from the form Menu Bar.

Initialising a Spec
To restore the form to the field values displayed when it was first opened, select
SpecsInitialise from the form Menu Bar.

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Editing field data

When editing field data, the form displayed depends on the type of field selected.
In the example below, a data file field is selected for edit.
To edit field data:
Select the field in the form whose data you wish to edit.
Select FieldsEdit from the form Menu Barthe appropriate editing form
opens.
Make the necessary changes.

Select Save to save the changes.

The Pointer

Menu can also be used when editing field data.

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Selecting field items

A maximum of 1024 items can be displayed in a fields pull-down selection list. If
more items exist than can be displayed in the selection list, they can be displayed
using this option.

More Items

Select the field in the form for which you want to list
the items.

Select FieldsSelect Item from the form Menu

Barthe Item Selection form appears (see
example)if there are more than 1024 items, the
More button is flagged
.

In the Filter field, enter a wildcard (e.g. p* to list all

items commencing with p) or an expression (e.g.
[m-s]* to list all items between m and s).

Press Tab to list the specified items.

Select the required item from the Items panel and

select OKthe item appears in the selected field
in the form.

Enter an expression
Select the item

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Creating new data

Sometimes you may wish to simultaneously create a new instance of a data type
and nominate it in a field. For example, you may decide that you wish to output
the contour of a grid file into a design file which has not yet been created.
Instead of exiting the Contour a Grid Value form, opening the Create Design
File form to create the new design file and then re-opening the Contour a Grid
Value form to specify the newly created design file, you can create the design file
in one simple operation (see following example).
To create new data:
Select the field in the form for which you want to create new data.

Select FieldsCreate from the form Menu Bar or select Create from the
Pointer Menuthe form used to create a new instance of the data type
appears.

Select the
field in which
to create the
new date
Using this form,
Select
FieldsCreate

The Create
Design File
form appears

create the new

instance of the
data type and
select OK.
The data is created
by the applicable
module and the
name you gave the
new data will
appear in the
current field.

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Displaying field data attributes

The attributes of any field data in a form can be viewed. When this option is
selected, design file data is displayed in a CAD sub-window, table field data is
displayed in the Table Editor or the Data File Edit form etc., depending on the
type of data being viewed. For example, if you need to nominate a grid value but
you are having difficulty remembering which file is which, you can display the
attributes to assist you (see example below). Displayed data is non-editable.
To display data:

Select the field containing the data whose attributes you want displayed.

Select FieldsView from the form Menu Bar or select View from the Pointer
Menuthe attributes are displayed in a separate window.

When you are finished checking the data attributes, select Cancel to dismiss
the form.

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Picking data from a CAD window

Some fields allow you to pick graphical element from a CAD window. For
example, when contouring a surface, the Element ID of the polygon (a design file
element) which bounds the surface is required; rather than remembering or
having to search through a list of Element IDs (remember there may be
thousands) you can select the element from the CAD window using your mouse.
To pick data from a CAD window:
Ensure that the graphics element you want to select is visible in a CAD
window in the page work area. You should also ensure that the relevant snap
polygon snap mode is turned on.
Select the field which requires the input from the CAD window.
Select FieldsPick from the form Menu Bar or select Pick from the Pointer
Menuthe mouse pointer changes to crosshairs
.

Pick the required element from the CAD window by double left-clicking.
The appropriate details from the selected element appear in the
corresponding input field in the form.

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Editing table data

Highlighting a row
In Minescape tables it is not necessary to highlight a row. Rather, when you
select a cell in a row, all row editing facilities for the current row are enabled.
Filling in fields
Table cell

If the selected field in a form is a table cell (see

example), it can be filled from a selection list. A
list of possible items for the data type of the
parent field is displayed.
Initially, all items are selected. Items can also
be added to the selection by using a wildcard
filter.
The list is first displayed in the order produced
by the data type build list method.
To fill in a field from a selection list, use one of
the following methods:

Select (right-click) in the field you wish to fill

and hold down the right mouse button.
Select RowFill Down from the pull-down
menu.

or

Select FieldsRowFill Down from the form Menu Bar.

The Column Filldown Selection form opens (see above) with all of the items
highlightedthese selections can be cleared by selecting the Clear button or
selected/deselected using the F12 left click or Ctrl left-click.

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The list may be sorted and displayed using the Sort and display list in reverse
order
button. If this button is depressed, the list is sorted in ascending
order, or descending order if it is not depressed.
To filldown a table in a specific order, items can be raised to the top by selecting
one or more items and selecting the Raise Items
button or by double leftclicking an item in the list.
Items in the Item Selection panel can be selected/deselected using one of the
following methods:
1. Select/deselect multiple items and select OK.
2. Enter a wildcard in the template field (in the accompanying example, A* is
used).

select OKthe table cells in the selected field in the form are filled with all
items commencing with A.

Note: Fill

down does not ask for a template if there are less than 250 items on the list.

3. Use the Filter button to select multiple wildcarded lists:

First clear (deselect) the highlighted items by selecting the Clear button.

Now, for example, enter A* and select the Filter button; then enter F* and
select the Filter buttonall items starting with A and F are highlighted.

Select OK. The selected items are placed in the current row and
subsequent rows of the table column.

If the field is an extended data type field (e.g. BLOCKS) a list of possible values
is displayed. To generate the values, select the Generate button. The following
form opensthis form allows a naming convention to be defined in order to
generate names to fill down a list.

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Naming conventions define the rules by which names are automatically

constructed and may consist of up to eight separate rules. Each part
may be any of the following types:
Constanta fixed character string.
Characterscharacters from a base source value.
Counteran incremental part of the name.
Associated with each part is a value, the meaning of which depends on
the type:

Constant valuethe character string to use.

Characters valueindicates the position in the source name where

each character will be found. The value may consist of any of the
characters 123456789ABCDEFG indicating a position from 1 to 16. For
example, 25B indicates that three characters are to be derived from the
source name, coming from the positions two, five and eleven respectively.

Note: The default base source value is displayed in the Base value field and is the first
name found in the selected items. If the existing value in the field is to be used for
the source, the Base value field should be cleared.

Counter valueprovides the starting number and the number of characters

indicating the maximum allowable number. For example, 001 will start from 1
to a maximum of 999, and 0A will start 0A to 9Z.
If more than one incremental part is defined, the right-hand parts are
increased first. If the incremental limit is reached, the last name created will
be repeated and the user informed.

Note: A Step Size may be set for Counter parts. Scroll to the right to set this advance
option. It may be positive or negative in value. Missing or zero values are treated as
a step of one.

Saved naming conventions can be loaded using the Load naming

convention
button, or saved to disk using the Save naming convention
button.

Enter the definition required and press OK.

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Deleting a row
To delete a row:

Select (left-click) a cell in the row you want to delete.

Select FieldsRowDelete from the form Menu Bar or alternatively, use

F6.

The selected row is deleted.

Inserting a row
To insert a blank row into a table:

Select a cell in a row of the table.

Select FieldsRow from the form Menu Bar.

To insert a blank row above the current row, select Insert Before or use
CtrlF5. To insert a blank row below the current row, select Insert After,
or use F5

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Getting help
Form help
Form help provides information on form usage and output. Form help can be
accessed by:

selecting the form Help button

selecting HelpOn Context from the Page Menu Bar and left-clicking on a
non-field area of the form.

See also:

Form help under Interface concepts.

Field help
Field help provides information on the data required for a field. Field help can be
accessed by:
left-clicking on the field for which help is required and selecting F1.
selecting HelpOn Context from the Page Menu Bar and left-clicking on the
field for which help is required.
See also:

On context under Interface concepts.

Exiting a form
You can exit a form by:
selecting the OK button to dismiss the form and execute its apply action
selecting the Cancel button to dismiss the form without executing its apply
action
if Apply has been selected and the Cancel button has changed to Close,
select Close to exit the form.
selecting SpecsQuit from the form Menu Barthe form is dismissed
without executing its apply action
selecting Close from the form window menu button
.
double-clicking on the form window menu button.

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Stowing (minimising) a form

Stowing a form/forms enables quick recall of the form/forms by simply clicking on
the icon from within the Minescape page. If a form is able to be stowed, a
button is visible in the top right-hand corner of the form.
When a form is stowed, an
icon is displayed in the page docking area
representing each form that has been stowed.
To stow a form, select SpecsStow from the form Menu Bar or select the
button.

Contour

Bubble help that provides the function of the stowed form can be
displayed by placing the cursor over the icon.
To access the stowed forms, simply left-click on the icon.

Accessing Data
The Minescape Explorer
The Minescape Explorer is a special Minescape form which provides access to
all data used in the current Minescape project. It provides a focal point for all
Minescape data-related actions, allowing you to perform a variety of generic
operations including create, copy, delete, import, export, edit, graphics and
process operations.
Data types are logically categorised into folders in the Minescape Explorer.
Related data is displayed hierarchically in child folders beneath each parent
folder. For example, the Design file hierarchy
folder contains Layer
folders for the design files that currently exist in the project.
The Minescape Explorer is the only default form that does not use the standard
Minescape forms Menu Bar, but instead uses its own special menu that provides
access to the forms generic operations.
The Minescape Explorer is a persistent formits current state is maintained
between closing and opening.

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Opening the Minescape Explorer

The Minescape Explorer may be opened either by one of the following methods:
Select PageFilesOpen Minescape Explorer from the page Menu Bar

or

Select the Minescape Explorer

Import

File menu
(different to
standard
form menu)
Create

Delete
Export

View

Edit

button from the Tool Bar.

Info
Copy

Process
Graphics

Rename
Stow the Minescape
Explorer

Icon buttons
for standard
data operations

Hierarchy
Indicator

Data types
by category

See:

Data items
are selected
in this panel

Generic actions for a description of the action performed by each button.

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Using the Minescape Explorer

Using the folders
The Minescape Explorer permits only one folder hierarchy to be opened at a
time. Hierarchy indicators have two statesopened
and closed
. The
contents of a folder are revealed when it is opened. A closed folder is opened by
left-clicking on its icon. Conversely, an opened folder is closed by left-clicking its
icon. A data item is selected by left-clicking its label. You can select multiple data
items provided they are at the same level of hierarchy.
Selecting multiple data Items
To select multiple non-continuous data items:

Highlight (Ctrl-left-click) the required items.

To select multiple continuous data items:

Highlight (left-click) the first item in the list.

Highlight (Shift-left-click) the last item in the list (all items between the two
selected items are highlighted).

or

Highlight (Ctrl-left-drag) down the list of items to be added.

Deselecting multiple data items

The functions for selecting items (above) are also used to deselect items.

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Generic actions
Once a data item is selected, you can perform an action. The generic operations
available using the Minescape Explorer may be accessed by using the buttons
that appear horizontally across the top of the form, via the form File menu or by
dragging-and-dropping an item onto the button. The following generic actions
are available:
Button

Name

Action

Create

Create a new instance of the selected data item.

Import

Import data into the selected data item, offering all registered methods for
importing to the selected data type.

Export

Export data from the selected data item, offering all registered methods for
exporting from the selected data type.

Delete

Delete the selected data type (or instances of it).

Edit

Edit the selected data item by invoking the editor registered for data of that
type.

View

View the selected data type.

Rename

Rename and validate the selected data item.

Copy

Copy the selected data item by generating a new instance of the same type.

Info

Obtain information on the selected type.

Graphics

Produce graphics from data in the selected type.

Process

Process the selected data item, offering all registered processing option for
data of that type.

Reverse sort

Display sorted list in reverse order.

Refresh

Refresh the items list.

Depending on the extended data type, double-left-clicking an item in the
Values panel in the Minescape Explorer in the majority of cases invokes
the default action and opens the relevant form.

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The Minescape Explorer menu

The Minescape Explorer is the only default form that does not use the standard
Minescape forms Menu Bar, but instead uses its own special menu that provides
access to the forms generic operations.
To access this menu, select File from the Minescape Explorer Menu Bara pulldown menu appears.
Depending on the data type selected in the Minescape Explorer, various options
may be desensitised (not available) for that particular data type.
All available menu options are the same as those accessed by selecting the
buttons on the Minescape Explorer Tool Bar with the exception of Close which
closes the Minescape Explorer (see below) and Stow which stows it as an icon
in the docking area.
Refer to the relevant section i.e. Design Files, Grids, etc. for information on these
options.

Closing the Minescape Explorer

The Minescape Explorer can be closed using one of the following methods:
Select FileClose from the Minescape Explorer Menu Bar.
Toggle the Minescape Explorer button
in the page Tool Bar off.
Select Close from the Minescape Explorer window menu or double left-click
on the button
.

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Selecting files from other projects

Files can be selected from other projects from within a form using this option. By
default, current project files are displayed. However, files from other projects can
be selected. Only files from projects in the MIN_ROOT search list can be
accessed.
See:
Example MIN_ROOT definition (UNIX)
Example MIN_ROOT definition (NT)
To select a file from another project:
Position the cursor in the data field where you want to access data from
another project. In the following example, a Grid file field is selected:

Note: The list of files presented for selection in the File Browser form (see below) will be of the
same data type. This field is automatically updated on completion of the following form.

IMPORTANT

Select FieldsProjects from the Menu Bar or select Projects from the fields
Pointer Menuthe following form opens:

On an NT platform, / in the pathname below would be substituted with \

Select the project

The file name is written
to the selected field

Select the file

Select the Project containing the file to be accessed from the pull-down
selection list.

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Select the File name whose data you wish to access from the pull-down
selection list
Select OKthe file name is written to the selected field.

Selecting files from other directories

Files can be selected from directories from within a form using this option.
To select a file from another project:
Position the cursor in the data field where you want to access data from
another directory. In the following example, a design file field is selected:

Note: The list of files presented for selection in the File Browser form (see below) will be of the
same data type. This field is automatically updated on completion of the following form.

IMPORTANT

Select FieldsBrowse from the Menu Bar or select Browse from the fields
Pointer Menuthe following form opens:
On an NT platform, / in the pathname below would be substituted with \

Select the directory

Select the file

The file name is written

to the selected field

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Directorythe name of the current sub-directory. The pull-down selection list

contains all of the directories available at this level.
Selecting the Up one level

button takes you up one directory level.

Double clicking a directory name will add that name to the Directory field and
display all files contained in that directory in the panel below the field.
Double clicking a file name in the panel below the Directory field selects the
file and closes the form. The selected file name is added to the field in the
form e.g. in the example above, the Design File field.

File namethe currently selected file.

Filter (optional)enter any regular expression e.g. [a-h]* matches all

names beginning with the characters a to h, followed by any other letters.

Select OKthe file name is written to the selected field (e.g. the Design File
field in the above examples).

Customising forms
i

See:

Form configuration in the Minescape Customisation Guide for details

on customising forms.