2.1 Design Interface
Estimated Completion Time: 9 minutes
Description
This module provides an overview of the Design mode interface.
Objectives
Navigate and interact with the Paragon Design App.
Identify interface elements in Design Mode.
Additional Resources
Learning Activity
Watch video and follow along within the Paragon Design App.
Video Transcript:
Welcome back,
In this module, we’ll walk through the user interface of the Design Mode in the Paragon Design App, highlighting key tools and navigation areas that support component design workflows.
On the left is the Scene Options Toolbar.
These controls allow you to modify the current view, such as setting the camera, adding dimensions, displaying the analog model, showing reference lines and a variety of View Options.
The Scene displays the active component. This is the primary workspace for creating, editing, and evaluating your design in real-time.
In the lower right of the Scene, you’ll find live mouse coordinate tracking, which provides precise X/Y positioning relative to the scene.
At the top of the interface is the Header Bar.
Here, release notes for new features and updates will be displayed, allowing you to stay current with software.
The Choose and Create Project menu, provides options to open existing projects or start new ones.
The project title is displayed centrally for the active session.
To the right, you’ll find project configuration settings and project-level commands such as sharing, estimating, and uploading. You’ll also find general settings for managing user preferences, accessing documentation, and submitting feedback. Additionally, there's a keyboard shortcut (hotkey) reference, designed to streamline high-frequency actions. Advanced users can take full advantage of these hotkeys to navigate the interface and execute commands more efficiently.
The Left Sidebar functions as a Component Explorer.
It lists all components within the current project, with search capabilities and total component quantities displayed. You can collapse or expand the sidebar depending on your screen real estate or workflow preferences.
The Right Sidebar houses the Properties Panel.
This panel dynamically updates based on the selected component or group, allowing you to modify attributes, adjust parameters, and manage applied settings. It serves as the control center for fine-tuning design details.
The Actions Toolbar, located above the main working area, provides access to essential design tools used throughout the component design process. From this toolbar, you can generate and analyze components, export components, view your action history, and access notifications. It also includes tools to adjust settings, edit trusses and perform undo or redo operations—critical for iterative design. Each of these tools are optimized to support an efficient and streamlined component design workflow.
In the lower-left corner, the Notifications Toolbar displays notifications relevant to your current workflow. Click the notification message to display it in the Left Sidebar.
That wraps up our overview of the Paragon Design Mode interface.
Understanding this layout is essential for effective component design.
Thanks for watching
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