Access objects and painters

Where you are

   Start InfoMaker

>   Access objects and painters

   Use toolbars

   Use views

   Use pop-up menus

   Use the mouse with controls

What click means

The word click is used throughout these tutorials to mean move the pointer somewhere and press the left (primary) mouse button. For example, click the Open button.

  1. Click the Open button in the PowerBar.

    Your toolbar might not be showing text on the buttons. You learn how to display text in a few minutes.

    The Open dialog box displays. It lists the objects in the current library, which is the library named tutor_im.pbl. This library includes samples that come with InfoMaker; it is the library you use for the tutorials.

    If the current library is not tutor_im.pbl

    If the current library is not tutor_im.pbl, you need to change it. Select File>Select Library and use the Browse page to navigate to tutor_im.pbl in the Tutorial folder (in the folder structure where InfoMaker is installed). Then click the Open button in the PowerBar.

  2. Select Reports as the Object type at the bottom of the dialog box.

    Click expenses (scroll the list until you see the report named expenses) and then click OK.

    InfoMaker connects to the Demo Database and the report displays in the Report painter. You learn about the Report painter in the Report tutorial. For now you learn basic skills.

    First you are going to make a few settings in your working environment.

  3. If InfoMaker does not fill your screen, click the maximize box in the upper-right corner of the InfoMaker frame.

    InfoMaker fills the screen.

  4. Select View>Layouts>(Default) from the menu bar.

    InfoMaker displays the Report painter default layout of views. (Your views may already have been set to the default. Now you know how to get back to the default anytime you want to.)

    Now you close the tabbed view at the bottom right of the screen since you are not going to be using those views.

  5. Move the pointer to a position just above the up-arrow (at the lower right edge to the right of DB Name) until the title bar of the view drops (displays).

  6. Continue moving the pointer until it is over the Close button (the button with the X in it) and click it.

    The tabbed view closes and the Export/Import XML Template view (originally positioned on the bottom left) displays in the full horizontal space.

  7. Now close the Export/Import XML Template view using the same process you used with the tabbed view.

    Your screen should look something like this now. Because InfoMaker offers so much flexibility in arranging your work area, your screens may not match many of the pictures in the remaining lessons. It does not matter as long as you are getting the correct results.