Help while you use MechDesigner.
Help is available from::
•Local Help - access with F1
•Tool-Tips (in the Feedback Area)
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http://mechdesigner.support (you are here)
•Tutorial Videos - see
•Messages in the Feedback-Area
Local help
Reference Help:
It is always a good idea to download the latest reference help from our website.
You MUST run MechDesigner as an Administrator.
1.Right-click MechDesigner in the Start menu, taskbar, or desktop
2.Click Run as Administrator
After MechDesigner opens:
3.Click
 Click 'Download Now' to install the Local Help 4.Click the Download Now button.
5.Check the
•If the message is: “Failed to Create: C:\ProgramData\PSMotion\Help\MechDesigner.chm”, then see Permissions
•If the progress-bar under the Download Now button is making progress, then please wait until you see the message: “Download Successful”. |
Command Help:
 Help for a command |
Use the F1 key on your keyboard to open the local-help for a command:
1.Move your mouse-pointer above a command icon in a toolbar:
On a desktop:
2.Press the keyboard F1 function key.
Or, on a laptop:
2.Press the Fn+F1 keys together. |
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Dialog Help:
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To edit an element's parameters (e.g. change the value of a ), you open the element's dialog ( dialog).
Each type of element type has the same dialog format. Only the parameters are different.
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There is a mini-toolbar with four icons at the top of each dialog.
 - Apply the changes and close the dialog
 - Cancel the changes and close the dialog
 - Cancel the changes, and do NOT close the dialog
 - Open the Dialog Help that is contextual to the element.
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Parameter-Help:
 Help for a parameter |
Dialogs have whose values control the element.
If there is an icon to the left of the data-box
1.Move your mouse-pointer over the Parameter icon
When a  is over the Parameter icon, carefully, with a little skill:
2.Move your mouse-pointer down a little
When you see the icon AND your mouse-pointer is NOT above the icon (see image left)
3.Click your mouse-button |
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Tool-Tips
To Enable Tool-Tips:
Enable tool-tips :
1.Click Menus >
2.Select the Enable Hints and Tool-tips check-box
or
1.Click (maybe two times!) |
To see a Tool-Tip:
Commands: move your mouse-pointer above a toolbar command, and pause a short time.
Dialogs: move your mouse-pointer above each parameter.
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VIDEO: Contextual Help for Commands, Dialogs, and Parameters
Getting Help from within the Mechdesigner Application. |
How to use the Local Help
 Contents tab |
Below the Quick access toolbar, there are four(4) tabs above the help topics.
Contents (default):
There is a Table of Contents
Navigate the topics to select a topic
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 Index tab |
Index:
You can search for topics with the keyword that the author of the help has manually entered as an index list.
If you cannot find the topic you want, try the Search tab.
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 Search tab |
Search:
Enter a term, and click List Topics.
Select a topic from the list and click Display or Double-click a topic in the list.
 Click the arrow to add a Boolean term to the search: AND, OR, NOT, NEAR.
 At the bottom of the Search tab, there are three check-boxes
☑Search previous results
☑Match similar words
☑Search titles |
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Path Permissions:
You may need to ask your I.T. department for these Windows© permissions on your computer.
A)Do you have permission to see <CommonAppData > \Help\
1.Go to Files Explorer > View tab > Show/Hide panel
☑Click Hidden items |
B)Do you have permission to download the local-help file ?
Run MechDesigner as Administrator to download the Local Help.
1.Navigate to: <CommonAppData >\Help\
2.Right-Click the Help path-name
3.Click Properties at the bottom of the shortcut-menu, to open the
In the Help Properties dialog.
4.Click the Security tab
5.Click the Edit button, to open the Properties for Help dialog
6.In the Group or user-names box, click the Users group (usually)
7.In Properties for Help dialog, click the Allow check-box, for the Write option.
8.Click the Apply button, then the OK button to close the Properties for Help dialog.
9.Click the OK button to close the Help Properties dialog.
Now you should be able to automatically download the latest help file.
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