The Tool Palettes

The Tool Palettes groups all tools for creating and managing tool palettes. For a list of all palettes available in the application, see Palettes Reference.

Use the ToolsPalette command to display the Tool Palettes.

Right clicking a tool displays context menus containing the available options.

By default, the Tool Palettes contains a set of predefined tool palettes. For example:

  • Draw. Groups the tools for drawing.

  • Modify. Groups the tools for editing.

tip Use the mouse wheel to scroll between tabs on the Tool Palettes.

To display the Tool Palettes:

  • Do one of the following:

    • On the menu, click Tools > Tool Palettes.

    • On the ribbon, click Insert > Palettes > Tool Palettes.

    • Type ToolsPalette.

To hide the Tool Palettes:

  • Type HideToolsPalette at the command prompt.

Tool Palettes

Toolbar

The toolbar on the top of the Tool Palettes provides quick access for the most frequently used tools for the currently selected tab.

Button

Description

Function

Group drop-down list

Displays available groups of tool palettes. You can display all tool palettes or only the tool palettes from a specified group.

icon_save_all

Save all

Saves the current tool palette.

icon_viewing_options

View options

Lets you display the tool palettes in ascending or descending order according to their names. Displays the options for organizing tool palettes:

  • Sort by name

  • Sort by type

icon_options

Options

Displays a menu with options for working with tool palettes. The same options are available in the context menu displayed when right-clicking within a tool palette.

Options Menu

Right-clicking within a tool palette displays a context menu with the same options as in the Options menu. You can create, organize, manage, and share your tool palettes using the options provided in the context menus. The available options vary according to the item that you select in Tool Palettes.

Option

Function

New Palette

Creates a new empty palette with the specified name

Delete Palette

Deletes the current tool palette. Deleting a palette removes the palette from all groups that contained it.

Rename Palette

Renames the current tool palette

Add Header

Adds a header under the last tool in the list. If necessary, drag the header to the desired location in the tool palette.

Add Separator

Adds a separator under the last tool in the list. If necessary, drag the separator to the desired location in the palette.

Customize Palette

Displays the Customize - Tools Palette dialog box

Customize Commands

Displays the Customize dialog box

Import Palette

Lets you import an external XTP file

Export Palette

Exports the current tool palette to an XTP file

Lock Palette / Unlock Palette

Locks the tool palette. The locked state prevents unintentional modification. Use the Unlock Palette option if you want to change the set of tools on the tool palette.

Path Option

Opens the Files tab of the Options dialog box. Lets you specify the path to your tool palettes folder.

Context Menus

You can organize, manage and edit your tools using the options provided in the Tool Palettes context menu. The available options vary according to the item that you select in Tool Palettes.

  • Cut. Removes the tool from the list and pastes it to clipboard.

  • Copy. Copies the selected tool to clipboard.

  • Rename. Allows you to rename the selected tool.

  • Delete. Allows you to delete the selected tool. A message appears requiring confirmation or cancellation of the action. Click yes to delete the palette or cancel to close the message without deleting the palette.

  • Properties. Opens the Tool Properties dialog box.

Access

Command: ToolsPalette

Menu: Tools > Tool Palettes

Ribbon: Insert > Palettes > Tool Palettes

Related Topics

Palettes Reference

Parent Topic

Working with Tool Palettes