Table

Table : The table shows the bounds of the graphics in the layer. Each row shows the bound of an individual graphic in the layer in the sequence order of the layer. Those bounds can be edited directly or via any of the individual graphic's Graphics inspector editor. The table controls are described in the Tables section.

The graphic bounds shown in the table are determined by the Selection control described below.

Menu Shortcuts

Edit : The Edit menu shortcut is one of Cut, Copy, Paste, Delete or Select All.

History : Shows the history of the layer. For this to be enabled, history recording must be selected in the Graphic View tool inspector. Selecting a menu item makes that history recording the current state. On platforms that accept hover, hovering over a menu item will pan the history. The last menu item clears the history only for the focused layer. All history can also be cleared in the Graphic View tool inspector.

Align : The align menu is used to align graphics in the layer.

Sort : Sorting the layer means to arrange the sequence index of the layer elements against another dimension. That dimension is either Natural or Y-Descending. Natural means the way text is read (from top to bottom) and in the case of intersecting elements then the element with greater area has a lesser sequence index. This is consistent with backdrops and also tabbed responder order. The ordering is most important when order refers to implicit functions such as tabbing in HTML. The Y-Descending sorting is appropriate for cumulative area graphs. Care must be taken to not sort when the sequence index order provides for a z-buffer effect.

Layer Parameters

Selection : Determines which grouping in the layer is to be edited by the inspector. Normally this is kept to Selection indicating that only selected graphics are to be altered. However, it could also be any of the other options such as Draw indicating that any drawable graphic is to be altered.

Identity : Defines the identity string of the layer. The identity helps determine the current overlay as well as describes the intended use of the overlay or layer. It is displayed by the Navigator, Cursor Information and the data layers for Graphs.

Transfer Graphics

Group Selection : Removes the selected graphics from the layer and then places those selected graphics into a Group graphic which is then added to the layer. When this happens the focus is transferred to the group. From there, the group can be ungrouped if needed thus reversing this operation.

Common Controls

Other controls common to all graphics are described in the Graphics section.

When altering a graphic attribute that attribute is applied to each element in the layer independently. Notice how if the graphics are rotated then they are rotated individually with the fulcrums at the center of each individual graphic. Contrast that to the way a Group rotates its graphics which rotates around a common fulcrum point which is the center of the group as a whole.