Overview

This topic describes ways to change the view in workspaces (for example, the workspace of a physical view).

It also describes how to select multiple objects displayed in a workspace.

NOTE: You can configure settings such as zoom level and snap-to-grid for each physical view individually. They are persisted when you close the system project or the Topology Manager and reopen it on the same computer.

Aligning Devices in a Physical View

By default, when you move one or more devices in a physical view, a soft snapping is applied by using elements of other devices as guides. In addition, horizontal and vertical guide lines appear, which let you align various elements of a device (for example, edges or ports) with those of others. The lines also help you position devices at equal distance one from another.

When you right-click an empty area of the physical view and select Snap Device to Grid, a more pronounced snapping to an invisible grid is applied and the guide lines do not appear anymore.

When you select and move multiple devices in the workspace, the relative position of the selected devices is unchanged when snapped to grid.

For information on features that help you route physical links, refer to the topic describing how to modify existing links.

NOTE: Devices that you had positioned in the physical view before enabling the functionality are not moved even if they are not snapped to a grid point.

Moving the Workspace (Panning)

To move the workspace, click an empty area of the workspace and hold down the left mouse button. The pointer turns into a hand icon. You can now drag the workspace in any direction by moving the pointer.

Alternatively, use the following methods to move the workspace.

Mouse wheel up

Moves down the workspace.

Mouse wheel down

Moves up the workspace.

Shift + Mouse wheel up

Moves the workspace to the left.

Shift + Mouse wheel down

Moves the workspace to the right.

Magnifying and Reducing the Workspace View

To magnify or reduce the workspace view gradually, use the following method.

Ctrl + Mouse wheel up

Zoom in.

The position of the pointer becomes the center of the magnification.

Maximum zoom level is 400%.

Ctrl + Mouse wheel down

Zoom out.

The position of the pointer becomes the center of the reduction.

Minimum zoom level is 10%.

To change the workspace zoom level, right-click an empty area of the workspace and select a command of the View submenu.

Command

Button

Description

Fit to Content

Selects a zoom level that lets you view all the objects displayed in the workspace.

Actual Size

Resets the zoom level to 100%.

Zoom In

Magnifies the view in small increments.

Zoom Out

Reduces the view in small increments.
NOTE: Some information may be hidden or represented differently when selecting a low zoom level (for example, device labels and diagnostic information shown in a physical view).

Selecting Multiple Objects in Windows

You can select multiple objects that appear in a window. The method to use depends on the workspace or editor you are working in. You can use one or a combination of the following methods:

  • In workspaces (for example, the workspace of a physical view):

    • Press and hold Ctrl , click an empty area of the workspace, and hold down the mouse button. Then, drag the pointer to draw a rectangle. Objects that overlap with the rectangle are selected when you release the mouse button. Last, release Ctrl .

  • In workspaces, editors, viewers:

    • Click an object, press and hold Ctrl , and click other objects.

    • Press Ctrl+A. All objects in the view are selected.

The number of objects that are selected is indicated at the top of the PROPERTIES pane.