Editor Mode

Entering Editor Mode

The user may enter or exit Editor Mode by right clicking the stage (non-graph) area and choosing "Toggle Editor Mode". When in Editor Mode, the background color becomes a light yellow color and the Simulation Tools tab is removed and replaced by the Editor Tools tab. The colors of the STEs are reverted to the original non-active STE colors and the character stream is disabled. When exiting Editor Mode, the look is returned to normal and to the current simulation index unless the automata structure has been altered in any way, in which case the simulation is reset.

On-Screen Functionality

The user has a number of options for editing the automata in stage:

• Right-Clicking Stage - Provides multiple options:
  • Add STE - Opens dialog allowing the user to enter a required ID and symbol set, as well as optional start type and report code. The ID must be unique to the automata. The STE is placed where the user clicks next.
  • Show All Nodes - Reveals all hidden nodes.
  • Toggle Editor Mode - Exits Editor Mode.
  • Reset Camera - Resets the viewport (same functionality as "Reset Camera" in Graph Settings).
  • - Print All Node Data - - Logs the data of every node in the graph to the browser's console. Useful in debugging JavaScript. **NOT RECOMMENDED FOR LARGE GRAPHS**
• Left-Clicking Node - Allows the user to click and drag all selected nodes to a new position. Node selection methods are described below in Editor Tools.
• Right-Clicking Node - In addition to basic STE information, this provides the user with a few options:
  • Add Outgoing Connection - Creates a connection from the selected STE to the next one clicked. If the user does not click an STE next, the connection is not added. The user may also click the same node to add a self-loop.
  • Change Data - Opens a dialog similar to the "Create STE" dialog, loaded with the STE's data. Allows the user to edit any or all of the data and behavior of the STE.
  • Delete STE - Prompts the user to confirm deletion of the selected STE, then removes the STE and all connected edges from the automata.
  • - Print Node Data - - Logs node data to browser console. Useful for debugging JavaScript.
• Right-Clicking Edge - Provides two options:
  • Select Connected STEs - Selects the nodes on either end of the edge.
  • Remove Edge - Drops the connection from the automata.

Editor Tools

The Editor Tools tab appears at the bottom of the screen after entering Editor Mode. This area provides the user with a number of tools:

• Selector Tools - These tools are activated by clicking their corresponding boxes and can be deactivated by clicking the button again. The user's cursor will become a crosshair when a tool is activated. These tools allow for selecting nodes within a specified region with different functionalities:
  • Lasso Tool - Allows the user to click and draw a shape around any nodes they wish to select.
  • Box Selector - The user may click and draw a rectangular box around any nodes they wish to select.
• Keyboard Methods
  • Select All - Selects all nodes in graph.
  • Unselect All - Deselects all nodes in graph.
  • Select Neighbors - Selects all connected nodes of all currently selected nodes.
  • Select Multiple - Additionally selects each node the user clicks while holding spacebar.
• Save ANML File - Downloads a properly formatted .anml file containing the automata's data structure.
• Save Graph Data - Downloads the graph position data for reloading automata with current positioning data.