Multiple Document Interface (MDI)

Most Synthesis applications have their own Multiple Document Interfaces (MDIs) that provide full-featured support for the relevant analysis methods. (The exceptions are Weibull++/ALTA and BlockSim/RENO, which can display both applications in a shared MDI.)

When you are using multiple Synthesis applications simultaneously, different applications will open in separate MDIs but they can all connect to the same repository, and even to the same analysis project.

All Synthesis MDIs share a common structure, which includes the following elements.

Ribbon and Backstage View

The Ribbon at the top of the MDI replaces the toolbars and menus of previous versions of the software. The Ribbon is divided into tabs that organize commands into logical groups. Some tabs will always be available (such as File, Home, etc.) while others are contextual and will appear only when you are working on a particular task.

The first tab in the Ribbon, the File tab, provides access to a special type of interface called the Backstage view. This is where you will create and open databases, manage settings that apply to the entire database, access the Help Center, etc.

Project Manager and My Portal

The Project Manager allows you to manage the projects within the current database and, for many Synthesis applications, it also allows you to manage all of the folios, diagrams, reports, attachments, etc. in the current project. This panel is docked on the left side of the MDI and pinned by default. ("Pinned" means that the entire panel is always visible unless you decide to hide or "unpin" it.)

My Portal provides access to messages between users, actions that need to be performed, a list of users who are currently logged in to the same database and context-sensitive notes about the feature your are currently using. This panel is docked on the right side of the MDI and unpinned by default. ("Unpinned" means that only a small tab will be visible in the interface unless you move the pointer over the tab to make the entire panel visible.)

For both of these MDI features, you can decide whether the panel will be visible and how it will be positioned in the interface. (See Show, Tile, Dock and Pin Panels.)

Tip: If desired, you can change the overall color scheme used in the MDIs for all Synthesis applications on your computer. Choose File >Synthesis Setup to open the Synthesis Setup window and then use the Skins drop-down list to select the style you prefer.

Status Bar

The status bar at the bottom of the MDI displays the following:

The software name and version.
The path and filename (if applicable) of the database that you are currently using.
The currently active project.
If you are connected to an enterprise database, a connection speed indicator, as follows:

< 30 ms: Good (acceptable performance)

30 - 70 ms: OK (may exhibit some delays in operations, opening/closing windows, etc.)

70 - 110 ms: Slow (will exhibit some delays in operations, opening/closing windows, etc.)

110 - 150 ms: Very slow (will exhibit significant delays in operations, opening/closing windows, etc.)

> 150 ms: Extremely slow (will result in unacceptable performance and usability)

Your login information. Double-clicking this section of the status bar provides quick access to the User Login and Contact Information window, where you can view/modify your display name and other contact details.