Skip to main content

Tool Configuration

Tools are configured in the Configuration window. When a tool is added to a Designer workflow, the Configuration window displays the relevant configuration options for that tool.

Configuration

Configuration icon Use the Configuration Properties to set up the specific function of each tool. The properties here vary depending on the tool chosen. For a detailed description of how to configure each tool, go to Tool Categories.

XML View

Displays the XML for each tool's configuration as a reference.

To display this option in the Configuration window, go to Options > User Settings > Edit User Settings > General and select Display XML in Properties Window.

Navigation

Display all connections icon Displays all the connections and incoming and outgoing tools connected to the selected tool.

You can double-click on the connected tool name to jump to it on the canvas. The Navigation view of the tool you jumped to will be active in the Tool Configuration window.

Check the Wireless box Wireless icon to make the connection arrow that connects the selected tools wireless.

Tools with multiple outputs include the Filter tool, Join tool, Unique tool, Find Nearest tool, and Spatial Match tool.

Annotation

Annotation tab icon The Annotation area allows you to add notes to the project, for later reference. With your tool selected on the canvas, use the F2 key on your keyboard to access the tool's Annotation window.

  • Type: Displays the tool being used.

  • ID: Tool IDs are assigned as you drop tools onto the canvas. Tool IDs persist. For example, if you delete the third tool in the workflow, the next tool ID is still 4. The order of the tool ID does not guarantee the order of execution. To see a tool's ID, use the Ctrl+F keyboard shortcut. This opens the Find and Replace window and shows all tools with their IDs.

  • Name: Defaults to tool name plus the tool ID, but you can enter any name of your choice.

  • Show Annotation: Some tools have a default Annotation, and some do not.

    • Using Canvas Settings: The annotation populates automatically based on the configuration properties.

    • Always: The annotation is always visible in the document.

    • Never: The annotation is never visible in the document.

  • Place Annotation on the Top: The default position for annotations is beneath the tool. Select this box to place the annotation above the tool.

  • Annotation: Enter the text you wish to see associated with the tool in the document.

Tool annotations appear when the mouse hovers over the tool.

Assets

Assets, also known as dependencies, are files that are necessary for the tool to perform correctly.

  • Auto-detected assets: In the case of an input tool, an autodetected asset is the file chosen as the input.

  • User added assets: Use Add File(s) to add assets.

To display this option in the Configuration window, go to Options > User Settings > Edit User Settings > General and select Display Asset Management in Properties Window.

Help

Help icon Opens the Help page for the selected tool.