Glossary

A
accelerator key	See shortcut key.
access bar	See desktop toolbar.
access key	The key that corresponds to an underlines letter on a menu or control (also referred to as a mnemonic access key).
accessibility	Designing software to be usable and accessible to the widest range of users, including users with disabilities.
active	The state when an object is the focus of user input and its operations are available.
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 -> 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.
anti-aliasing	A graphic design technique that involves adding colored pixels to smooth the jagged edges of a graphic.
application window	Window containing the CATIA Version 5 application.
apply	To commit a set of changes or pending transactions made in a secondary window, typically without closing that window.
auto-exit	A text box in which the input focus automatically moves to the next control as soon as a user types the last character.
auto-joining	The movement of text to fill a remaining gap after a user deletes other text.
automatic scrolling	A technique where a display area automatically scrolls without direct interaction with a scroll bar.
auto-repeat	An event or interaction that is automatically repeated.Atu-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.
caret	See insertion point.
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 checked (set) or unchecked (not set). Compare option button.
child menu	See cascading menu.
child window	A document window used within an MDI window. See also multiple document interface.
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.
clipboard format	The data format of a memory object on the clipboard. Applications can use the standard clipboard formats provided by Windows or register their own custom formats. A clipboard format is identified by a unique, unsigned integer value, called the "format name."
clipping	Depth effect for viewing parts or all of a 3D object between two planes.
close	To remove a window.
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
code page	A collection of characters that make up character set. See also locale.
code set	A code page (or code set) is a table mapping a given character (from a given character set) to a hexadecimal code position, or code point, for that code page. It contains the encoding values for a character set or several character sets. The encoding values in a code set provide the interface between the system and its input and output devices.
collection	A set of objects that shares some common aspect.
column heading	A standard Windows control that can be used to provide interactive column titles for a list.
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).
composite	A set or group of objects whose aggregation is recognized as an object itself (for example, characters in a paragraph, named range of cells in a spreadsheet, or a grouped set of drawing objects).
constraint	A relationship between a set of objects, such that making a change to one object affects another object in the set.
container	An object that holds other objects.
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	Specific to the conditions in which something exists or occurs.
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.
contextual window	A secondary window with no title bar that is displayed next to an object; it provides contextual information about that object.
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). Compare disjoint selection.
control	An object that enables user interaction or input, often to initiate an action, display information, or set values.
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
data-centric design	A design in which users interact with their data directly without having to first start an appropriate editor or application.
data link	A link that propagates a value between two objects or locations.
default	An operation or value that the system or application assumes, unless a user makes an explicit choice.
default button	The command button that is invoked when a user presses the ENTER key. A default button typically appears in a secondary window.
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.
desktop toolbar	A toolbar that docks to the desktop, similar to the taskbar. See also taskbar.
dialog base unit	A device-independent measure to use for layout. One horizontal unit is equal to one-fourth of the average character width for the current system font. One vertical unit is equal to one-eighth of an average character height for the current system font.
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. Compare message box, palette window, and property sheet.
dimmed	See unavailable.
disjoint selection	A selection that consists of a set of objects that are not logically sequential or physically adjacent to each other. Compare contiguous selection. See also extended selection.
dock	To manipulate an interface element, such as a toolbar, such that is aligns itself with the edge of another interface element, typically a window or pane.
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.
explicit selection	A selection that a user intentionally performs with an input device. Compare implicit selection.
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. See also disjoint selection.
extended selection list box	A list box that supports multiple selection, but is optimized for a selection of a single object or single range. See extended selection and list box. Compare multiple selection list box.

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.
group box	A standard Windows control that groups a set of controls.

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.
heterogeneous selection	A selection that includes objects with different properties or type. Compare homogeneous selection.
hierarchical menu	See cascading menu.
hold down	To continue pressing a keyboard key, or mouse button.
homogeneous selection	A selection that includes objects with the same properties or type. Compare heterogeneous selection.
hot spot	The specific portion of the pointer (or pointing device) that defines the exact location, or object, to which a user is pointing.
hot zone	The interaction area of a particular object or location with which a pointer or pointing device's hot spot must come in contact.

I
icon	A pictorial representation of an object. Compare glyph.
implicit selection	A selection that is the result of inference or the context of some other operation. See also explicit selection.
inactive	The state of an object which it is not the focus of a user's input.
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.
input focus	The location where the user is currently directing input.
input focus appearance	The visual display of a control or other object that indicates when it has the input focus.
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.
inside-out activation	A technique that allows a user to directly interact with the content of an OLE embedded object without executing an explicit activation command. Compare outside-in activation.
interoperability	Ability to exchange data between CATIA Version 4 and CATIA Version 5. Ability to exchange CATIA Version 5 data between CATIA Version 5 workshops Ability to exchange data between CATIA Version 5 and OLE-compliant applications.

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. See also extended selection list box.
list view	A standard Windows list box control that displays a set of objects. The control also supports different views and drag and drop.
locale	A part of a user's environment dedicated to international data to define conventions for a specified culture, such as time formatting, numeric formatting, and character classification, conversion, and collation.
localization	The process of adapting software for different countries, languages, or cultures.

M
marquee	See region selection and bounding outline.
maximize	To make a window its largest size. See also minimize.
MDI	See multiple document interface.
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. Compare dialog box, palette window, and property sheet.
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.
mnemonic	See access key.
modal	A restrictive or limiting interaction because of operating in a mode. Modal often describes a secondary window that restricts a user's interaction with other windows. A secondary window can be modal with respect to its primary window or to the entire system. Compare modeless.
mode	A particular state of interactions, often exclusive in some way to other forms of interactions.
model	CATIA Version 4 model.
model document	Document containing a CATIA Version 4 model.
modeless	Not restrictive or limiting interaction. Modeless often describes a secondary window that does not restrict a user's interaction with other windows. Compare modal.
modifier key	A keyboard key that, when pressed, (and held), changes the actions of input.
moniker	See link path.
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 headpointers).
multiple document interface (MDI)	A technique for managing a set of windows whereby documents are opened into windows (sometimes called child windows) that are constrained to a single primary (parent) window. See child window, and parent window.
multiple selection list box	A list box that is optimized for making multiple, independent selections. Compare extended selection list box and single selection list box.

N
network license	A license maintained on a network license server for use upon request by a License Use Runtime (LUM) client. Compare nodelocked license.
non-default drag and drop	A drag (transfer) operation whose interpretation is determined by a user's choice of command. These commands are included in a pop-up menu displayed at the destination when the object is dropped.
nodelocked license	A type of license locked to a specific node, so that the product can be used only at that node. The nodelocked license is installed on the computer for which it was created. Compare network license.

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.
outside-in activation	A technique that requires a user to perform an explicit activation command to interact with the content of an OLE embedded object. Compare inside-out activation.

P
package	An OLE encapsulation of a file so that it can be embedded in an OLE container.
palette window	A modeless secondary window that displays a tool bar of other choices, such as colors or patterns. Compare dialog box and message box. See also property sheet.
pane	One of the separate areas in a split window.
parent window	A primary window that provides window management for a set of child windows. See also child window and multiple document interface.
persistence	The principle that the state of an object is automatically preserved.
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.
primary window	The window in which the main interaction takes place. See also secondary window and window.
progress indicator	Any form of feedback that provides the user with information about the state of a process.
progress indicator control	A standard Windows control that displays the percentage of completion of a particular process as a graphical bar.
project	A window or task management technique that consists of a container holding a set of objects, such that when the container is opened, the windows of the contained objects are restored to their former positions.
property	Attribute or characteristic of an object that define its state, appearance, or value.
property inspector	A dynamic properties viewer that displays the properties of the current selection, usually of a particular type of object. Compare property sheet.
property page	A group of properties on a tabbed page or a property sheet. See also property sheet.
property sheet	A secondary window that displays the properties of an object when a user chooses its Properties command. Compare dialog box. See also property page.
property sheet control	A standard Windows control used to create property sheet interface.
push button	See command button.

R
radio button	See option button.
range selection	See contiguous selection.
redo	Repeat the last operation.
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.
relationship	The context or way an object relates to its environment.
rich-text box	A standard Windows control that is similar to a standard text box, except that it also supports individual character and paragraph properties.
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.
scope	The definition of the extent that a selection is logically independent from other selections. For example, selections made in separate windows are typically considered to be independent of each other.
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 bar shaft	The component of a scroll bar that provides the visual context for the scroll box. Clicking (or tapping) in the scroll bar shaft scrolls the information by a screenful. See also scroll box.
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. See also scroll bar shaft.
secondary window	A window that provides information or supplemental interaction related to objects in a primary window.
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 appearance	The visual display of an object when it has 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.
separator	An entry in a menu used to group menu items together.
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.
single selection list box	A list box that only supports selection of a single item in the list.
size grip	A special control that appears at the junction of a horizontal and vertical scroll bar or the right end of a status bar and provides an area that a user can drag to size the lower right corner of a window.
slider	A standard Windows control that displays and sets a values 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.
split bar	A division between panes that appears where a window has been split; the split bar visually separates window panes.
split box	A special control added to a window, typically adjacent to the scroll bar, that allows a user to split a window or adjust a window split.
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.
status bar control	A standard Windows control that provides the functionality of a status bar.
stop	To halt a process or actions, typically without restoring the state before the process began. Compare cancel.
submenu	See cascading menu.

T
tab control	A standard Windows control looks similar to a notebook or file divider and provides navigation between different pages or sections of information.
targeting	To determine where pen input is directed.
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).
thread	A process that is part of a larger process or program.
title bar	The horizontal area at the top of a window that identifies the window. The title bar also acts as a handle for dragging the window.
toggle key	A keyboard key that alternates between turning a particular operation, function, or mode on or off.
toolbar	A frame or special area that contains a set of other controls.
toolbar button	A command button used in a toolbar (or status bar).
toolbar control	A standard Windows control designed with the same characteristics as the toolbar.
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.
transfer appearance	The visual feedback displayed during a transfer operation.
tree control	A standard Windows control that allows a set of hierarchically related objects to be displayed as an expandable outline.

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 CATIA Version 5 data using a Web browser.

W
well control	A control that is used to display color or pattern choices, typically used like an option button.
window	A standard Windows object that displays information. A window is a separately controllable area of the screen that typically has a rectangular border. See also primary window and secondary window.
wizard	A form of user assistance that automates a task through a dialog with the user.
wordwrap	The convention where, as a user enters text, existing text is automatically moved from the end of a line to the next line.
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.
writing tool	A standard Windows pen interface control that supports text editing.

Z
Z order	The layered relationship of a set of objects, such as windows, on the display screen.