The items of the main menu present many of the conventional functions of graphical applications. The availability and precise meaning of these menu items depends on the current state of processing of the problem. We summarize the menu items here, and describe them in more detail in the following sections.
File
The "File" menu item allows you to begin operation by opening a problem descriptor file, importing a DXF file, or viewing previously stored graphical output from a FlexPDE run. It also allows you to save your work or exit the application. These operations are performed using standard dialogs of the computer operating system. (See "The File Menu");
Controls
This menu contains an assortment of functions that may be performed during the generation and running of a problem descriptor, such as running the script or switching between edit and plot modes. (See "The Controls Menu")
View
When a stored FlexPDE graphics file has been opened, the View menu item will present a menu of options for controlling the display of the stored images. (See "Viewing Saved Graphic Files")
Stop
While a problem is being run, the Stop menu item will display a selection of termination strategies of various levels of urgency. (See "The Stop Menu")
Edit
When a descriptor is being edited, this menu provides standard editing commands. (See "Editing Descriptor Files")
Help
The Help menu contains four items: Help, Register, License and About.
On Windows, the "Help" sub-item will initiate the help system.
On Mac/Linux, you must manually initiate your browser and direct it to "Help | Html | Index.html" in the FlexPDE installation directory.
The "Register" sub-item allows you to inspect or modify the FlexPDE license registration, select software key, dongle or network licensing, or upgrade dongles. (See "Registering FlexPDE")
The "License" sub-item displays the End-User Licence Agreement.
"About" redisplays the sign-on screen.
Note: The menu bar can be detached and moved to a different part of the screen.