Glossary

 

A

  

access key The key that corresponds to an underlines letter on a menu or control (also referred to as a mnemonic access key).
active end The ending point for a selected range of objects. It is usually established at the object logically nearest the hot spot of the pointer when a user releases a mouse button. Compare anchor point.
active object Object currently being edited.
active window The window in which a user is currently working or directing input. An active window is typically at the top of the Z order and is distinguished by the color of its title bar. Compare inactive window.
album Collection of images you generate with the Tools > Image>Capture... command.
anchor point The starting point for a selected range of objects. An anchor point is usually established at the object logically nearest the hot spot of the pointer when a user presses a mouse button. Compare active end.
application window Window containing the Version 5 application.
apply To commit a set of changes or pending transactions made in a secondary window, typically without closing that window.
assembly An entity composed of various components which have been positioned relative to each other.
auto-repeat An event or interaction that is automatically repeated. Auto-repeat events usually occur when a user holds down a keyboard key or presses and holds a special control (for example, scroll bar buttons).
     

B

  

background Area in document windows to which you can apply a background color.
box edit A standard Microsoft Windows interface control that provides a discrete area for entering each character. A user can also edit text within the control.
     

C

  

cancel To halt an operation or process and return to the state before it was invoked. Compare stop.
cascading menu A menu that is a submenu of a menu item (also referred to as a hierarchical menu, child menu, or submenu).
check box A standard Windows control that displays a setting, either selected (set) or cleared (not set). Compare option button.
child menu See cascading menu.
click (v.) To position the pointer over an object and then press and release a mouse button. See also press.
(n.) The act of clicking.
clipboard The area of storage for objects, data or their references after a user carries out a Cut or Copy command.
clipping Depth effect for viewing parts or all of a 3D object between two planes.
character set A character is any symbol used for the organization, control, or representation of data. A group of such symbols used to describe a particular language. Each language (or group of languages) has its character set
combo box A standard Windows control that combines a text box and interdependent list box.
command button A standard Windows control that initiates a command or sets an option (also referred to as a push button).
component A reference integrated in an assembly. A component possesses characteristics related to how it is integrated in an assembly (for example, its relative location in an assembly).
context-sensitive Help Information about an object and its current condition. It answers the questions "What is this" and "Why would I want to use it?" Compare reference Help and task-oriented Help.
contextual menu A menu that is displayed at the location of a selected object (also referred to as a shortcut menu). The menu contains the commands that are contextually relevant to the selection, and the most frequently used. You display the contextual menu by right-clicking.
contiguous selection A selection that consists of a set of objects that are logically sequential or adjacent to each other (also referred to as range selection).
current State of an object when selected.
cursor A generic term for the visible indication of where a user's interaction will occur. See also input focus, insertion point, and pointer.
     

D

  

default An operation or value that the system or application assumes, unless a user makes an explicit choice.
desktop The visual work area that fills the display. The desktop is also a container and can be used as a convenient location to place objects stored in the file system.
dialog box A secondary window that gathers additional information from a user. A dialog box usually contains one or more controls, such as buttons, list boxes, combo boxes, and edit boxes, with which the user enters text, chooses options, or directs the action of the command.
document A common unit of data (typically a file) used in user tasks and exchanged between users. When saved on disk, a document is given a unique filename by which it can be retrieved.
document window A window that provides a primary view of a document (typically its content).
double-click (v.) To press an release a mouse button twice in rapid succession.
(n.) The act of double-clicking.
duplicate Performs mirroring or pattern operations on an active object.
     

E

  

edit field See text box.
Edit menu A common drop-down menu that includes general purpose commands for editing the current object, such as Cut, Copy, and Paste.
ellipsis The "..." suffix added to a menu item or button label to indicate that the command requires additional information to be completed. When a user chooses the command, a dialog box is usually displayed for the user input of this additional information.
embedded object See OLE embedded object.
enter (v.) To type a character from the keyboard.
(n.) A classification of an object based on its characteristics, behavior, and attributes.
extended selection A section technique that is optimized for the selection of a single object or single range using contiguous selection techniques (that is, canceling any existing selection when a new selection is made). However, it also supports modifying an existing selection using disjoint selection techniques.
     

F

  

filter Tool for organizing elements of V4 model document into layers.
File menu A common drop-down menu that includes commands for file operations, such as Open, Save, and Print.
font A set of attributes for text characters.
font size The size of a font, typically represented in points.
     

G

  

geometry area Area of a document window in which application data are displayed and edited.
glyph A generic term used to refer to any graphic or pictorial image that can be used on a button or in a message box. Compare icon.
     

H

  

handle An interface element added to an object that provides a control point for moving, sizing, reshaping, or other operations pertaining to that object.
Help menu A common drop-down menu that includes commands that provide access to Help information or other forms of user assistance. See also context-sensitive Help, and task-oriented Help.
hierarchical menu See cascading menu.
hold down To continue pressing a keyboard key, or mouse button.
hot spot The specific portion of the pointer (or pointing device) that defines the exact location, or object, to which a user is pointing.
     

I

  

icon A pictorial representation of an object. Compare glyph.
inactive window A window in which a user's input is not currently being directed. An inactive window is typically distinguished by the color of its title bar. Compare active window.
in-place activation The ability to edit an OLE embedded object in place, without opening it into its own window.
insertion point The location where text or graphics will be inserted (also referred to as the caret). Also used for text box controls to indicate input focus.
interoperability
  • Ability to exchange data between CATIA Version 4 and Version 5
  • Ability to exchange Version 5 data between Version 5 workshops
  • Ability to exchange data between Version 5 and OLE-compliant applications
  • Ability to exchange data between CATIA and ENOVIAVPM, ENOVIA LCA or VPM Navigator.
     

J

  

jump A special form of a link that navigates to another location (also referred to as a hyperlink).
     

L

  

label The text (or graphic) that identifies a control (also referred to as a caption).
landscape An orientation where the long dimension of a rectangular area (for example, screen or paper) is horizontal.
link (v.) To form a connection between two objects.
(n)) A reference to an object that is linked to another object. See also OLE linked object.
link path The descriptive form of referring to the location of a link source (also referred to as a moniker).
list box A standard Windows control that displays a list of choices.
     

M

  

marquee See region selection.
maximize To make a window its largest size. See also minimize.
menu A list of textual or graphical choices from which a user can choose. See also contextual menu.
menu bar A horizontal bar at the top of a window, below the title bar, that contains menus.
menu button A command button that displays a menu.
menu item A choice on a menu.
menu title A text or graphic label that designates a particular menu. For drop-down menus, the titles is the entry in the menu bar; for cascading menus the menu title is the name of its parent menu item.
message box A secondary window that is displayed to inform a user about a particular condition.
minimize To minimize the size of a window: in some cases, this means to hide the window. See also maximize.
mirror An operation creating a 3D object by duplicating an initial object. The duplication is defined by symmetry.
model CATIA Version 4 model.
model document Document containing a CATIA Version 4 model.
most recently used List of most recently used files (MRU) located in the File menu for easy access.
mouse A commonly used input device that has one or more buttons used to interact with a computer. It is also used as a generic term to include other pointing devices that operate similarly (for example, trackballs and head pointers).
     

O

  

object An entity or component identifiable by a user that can be distinguished by its properties, operations, and relationships.
OLE Object Linking and Embedding. The name that describes the technology and interface for implementing support for object interaction.
OLE embedded
object		 A data object that retains the original editing and operating functionality of the application that created it, while physically residing in another document.
OLE linked object An object that represents or provides an access point to another object that resides at another location in the same container or a different, separate container. See also link.
operation A generic term that refers to the actions that can be done to or with an object.
option button A standard Windows control that allows a user to select from a fixed set of mutually exclusive choices (also referred to as a radio button). Compare check box.
     

P

  

package An OLE encapsulation of a file so that it can be embedded in an OLE container.
part A 3D entity obtained by combining different features. It is the content of a CATPart document.
point (v.) To position the pointer over a particular object an location.
(n.) A unit of measurement for type (1 point equals approximately 1/72 inch).
pointer A graphic image displayed on the screen that indicates the location of a pointing devices (also referred to as a cursor).
portrait An orientation where the long dimension of a rectangular area (for example, screen or paper) is vertical.
press To press and release a keyboard key. See also click.
preview Tool allowing you to view a document or album image prior to printing.
product A 3D entity which contains several components.
progress indicator Any form of feedback that provides the user with information about the state of a process.
property Attribute or characteristic of an object that define its state, appearance, or value.
push button See command button.
     

R

  

radio button See option button.
range selection See contiguous selection.
redo Repeat the last operation.
reference A product or part with its own characteristics. Compare component.
reference Help A form of online Help information that can contain conceptual and explanatory information. Compare task-oriented Help and context-sensitive Help.
region selection A selection technique that involves dragging out a bounding outline (also referred to as a marquee) to define the selected objects.
restore window To make a window back to its previous size and location.
right-click Click using the right mouse button (to display contextual menu).
     

S

  

scale Operation that resizes the contents of document prior to printing or previewing.
scroll To move the view of an object or information to make a different portion visible.
scroll arrow button A component of a scroll bar that allows the information to be scrolled by defined increments when the user clicks it. The direction of the arrow indicates the direction in which the information scrolls.
scroll bar A standard Windows control that supports scrolling.
scroll box A component of a scroll bar that indicates the relative position (and optionally the proportion) of the visible information relative to the entire amount of information. The user can drag the scroll box to view areas of information not currently visible.
section view 3D view of a cross-section generated using a plane.
select To identify one or more objects upon which an operation can be performed.
selection An object or set of objects hat have been selected.
selection handle A graphical control point of an object that provides direct manipulation support for operations of that object, such as moving, sizing, or scaling.
selection set A group of selected objects that you can store and retrieve.
Send To Tool used for sharing document files with other users.
settings Set of setup parameters and user preferences stored in non-editable files.
shell A generic term that refers to the interface that allows the user control over the system.
shortcut A generic term that refers to an action or technique that invokes a particular command or performs an operation with less interaction than its usual method.
shortcut icon A link presented as an icon that provides a user with access to another object.
shortcut key A keyboard key or key combination that invokes a particular command (also referred to as an accelerator key).
shortcut menu See contextual menu.
slider A standard Windows control that displays and sets a value from a continuous range of possible values, such as brightness or volume.
specification tree Area of the document window reserved for viewing the design specifications of a part, presented in the form of a tree structure.
spin box A control composed of a text box and increment and decrement buttons that allow a user to adjust a values from a limited range of possible values.
split An operation allowing splitting 3D objects using a plane.
standard view Typical view available in 3D workshops: top, bottom, front, back, left, right, isometric.
status bar An area that allows the display of state information of the information being viewed in the window, typically places at the bottom of a window.
stop To halt a process or actions, typically without restoring the state before the process began. Compare cancel.
STRIM/STYLER models Model files generated by STRIM or STYLER. These files have the same ".tdg" extensions. They are read  and converted to Version 5 documents for further processing.
submenu See cascading menu.
     

T

  

taskbar A special toolbar that docks on an edge of the desktop supplied by the system. The taskbar includes the Start button, buttons for each open primary window, and a status bar.
task-oriented Help Information about the steps involved in carrying out a particular task. Compare context-sensitive Help and reference Help.
template An object that automates the creation of new objects of a particular type.
text box A standard Windows control in which a user can enter an edit text (also referred to as the edit field).
toolbar A frame or special area that contains a set of other controls.
tooltip A standard Windows control that provides a small pop-up window that provides descriptive text such as a label, for a control or graphic object.
     

U

  

unavailable The state of a control or data whose normal functionality is not presently available to a user (also referred to as dimmed).
undo To reverse one operation performed on an object.
user-defined view 3D view an end user can generate by customizing view parameters. The view can be named. Also referred to as named view.
     

V

  

View toolbar Toolbar containing viewing tools.
viewing tools Tools for viewing contents of current document in different ways.
VRML Virtual Reality Markup Language. A vector-based language for modeling three-dimensional environments. It sends ASCII text files over the Internet, which are translated by the VRML viewing engine at the other end. VRML complements HTML. This format is useful for viewing Version 5 data using a Web browser.
     

W

  

window A standard Windows object that displays information. A window is a separately controllable area of the screen that typically has a rectangular border.
workbench Set of tools for completing specific tasks. Each type of document can be edited with a document-specific set of tools.
workspace A window or task management technique that consists of a container holding a set of objects, where the windows of the contained objects are constrained to a parent window. Similar to the multiple document interface, except that the window displayed within the parent window are of objects that are also contained in the workspace.