| iTool User's Guide: Property Sheets and Browsers |

## The Preferences Browser

The Preferences Browser provides a means of setting preferences, or default properties, for the general settings and file readers and writers used by all iTools. For example, if you prefer default drag quality to be low rather than high, you can change the default property for Default drag quality from High to Low in the Preferences Browser, as shown in Figure 6-5.

Figure 6-5: Preferences Browser with Contour Projection Properties Displayed

Figure 6-5: Preferences Browser with Contour Projection Properties Displayed

For more information on the property sheets displayed in the right-hand pane of the Preferences Browser, see Visualization Properties.

The Preferences Browser displays a nested list of general preferences, file readers, and file writers available for all iTools in the left pane, and a property sheet for the currently selected item in the right pane.

- To expand a list item, click the + icon

- To collapse an expanded list item, click the - icon

To change the properties of a general setting, file reader, or file writer from the Preferences Browser:

1. Select File Preferences.

2. Select the name of the general setting, file reader, or file writer in the list. A list of properties and the current property settings appears in the right-hand pane of the Preferences Browser window.

3. Locate the property you want to change in the list, and click in the settings column.

- If a drop-down button appears in the settings column, click the button to choose a new setting from the list of options, activate a slider to change the setting value, display a selection dialog or list, or display an Edit button providing access to a user-defined property control.

- If the text is editable, edit the text to change the setting.

See Property Controls for a detailed description of the types of property settings included in property sheets.

4. Click the Close button to close the Preferences Browser.

Note Changes to preferences are saved between iTool sessions. When the OK button is clicked, preferences are saved in their current state.

IDL Online Help (March 01, 2006)