About Netfabb's graphical user interface

What is it?

Netfabb's window is where you work on parts and prepare them for additive manufacturing.

What are its key features?

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• Is fully controlled with mouse and keyboard (includes support for 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse®)
• Manages objects directly in a 3D view as well as in listing-based views
• Is assembled from panes (frames, views), that you can rearrange and detach, useful for multi-monitor workplaces
• Comes in three default layouts
• Position and layout is stored between launches
• Is compatible with resolutions beyond standard-HD resolutions of 1920×1080
• Provides a function to search and execute commands from almost anywhere

How are Netfabb's functions accessed?

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You access Netfabb's functions through several of ways:

• Clicks and drag&drop: Click buttons, select objects, drag and drop to move, rotate, reorder objects, change the 3D view perspective, and more.
• Main menu: The main menu at the top of Netfabb's window holds most of the functions. When appropriate, it changes the contents to provide you with the functions that you need for what you are currently doing.
  

  The Home tab collates the items used most often during preparation.

  You can also create your own tab in the main menu with the commands you need.

  • Command search: Most commands sorted into the various main menu categories are accessible through a common search function: Open the search dialog ( Help > Search menu), begin typing the name of the command, or a word likely to be contained in the command's name, and the search narrows down the possible matches as you type. Then select the command so found to execute it right there, or pin it to the dialog so that it always appears even when you have not searched for it yet.
    

    Find the right command with just a few keystrokes.

• Context menus: Right-click an object or a place. This opens its context menu if and as available, listing the functions available and sensible at the time of clicking. Both 3D objects and objects in lists usually have context menus, and empty space in the 3D view typically has, too.
• Context view: The context view is an area in the lower right (in default Center layout) within the main window. It changes based on the currently selected function to provide additional information and controls.
• Additional views: More views provide specialized information and controls when the context view isn't sufficient. Some of them come loaded in the default layouts, others you can switch on yourself or are switched on as needed. These views may appear as separate windows or may temporarily replace existing views or stack with them.
• Dialogs: Some functions require input that they do not request in the context view or elsewhere. These functions open dialogs in front of Netfabb that take the focus away from the main window until you finish or cancel the respective function.
• Function-specific menus: Some functions take over the main menu, the 3D view, and the context view whenever a more specialized access to a part is required. For example, mesh repair does this.
• Keyboard shortcuts: Call functions by pressing a key or a combination of keys.
• Automation: In Netfabb Premium, many functions are available for running directly through Lua scripting. To a lesser extent of automation, you can configure and chain steps of repair and support generation and have them run on demand.

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