Tips and tricks for using the Feature Builder

The following are tips and tricks for using feature builder.

The Coordinates area

The shortcuts for the tabs in the Coordinates area on the Feature Builder window create geometries to mark the locations of coordinates, as well as transfer coordinates between tabs. There are also keyboard shortcuts that can be used on the Input tab.

Input tab

Mouse action/Keyboard shortcut	Function
Right-click	Displays coordinate masks that can be selected. Choosing a mask converts the existing coordinates to the new format.
Double-click (row header)	Creates a new point geometry in the map that represents the location of the coordinate.
HOME key	Moves to the first column in a row.
END key	Moves to the second column in a row.
UP ARROW key	Moves to the coordinate row above the one currently selected.
DOWN ARROW key	Moves to the coordinate row below the one currently selected or creates a new optional coordinate row.
LEFT ARROW key	Moves to the next cell or character to the left if you are editing the cell data.
RIGHT ARROW key	Creates a new optional coordinate row, if permitted. If you are editing the cell data, it moves to the next character to the right.
TAB key (pressed once)	Accepts the current value if you are editing the cell data or moves to the next cell if you are not.
TAB key (pressed twice)	Moves to the next cell, if you are editing the cell data.

Input tab shortcuts

Output tab

Mouse action	Function
Right-click	Displays coordinate masks that can be selected. Choosing a mask converts the existing coordinates to the new format.
Double-click (row header)	Copies coordinates in the selected row to either the selected row on the Input tab or the first available row.

Output tab shortcuts

Vertices tab

Note:

This tab is only populated when you double-click the Shape node for a geometry on the Components tab in the Functions area.

Mouse action	Function
Selecting a row	Creates a new point geometry in the map that represents the location of the coordinate.
Double-click (row header)	Creates a new point geometry in the map that represents the location of the coordinate and copies the coordinate to the Input tab.

Vertices tab shortcuts

The Functions tab

The shortcuts for the tabs in the Functions area on the Feature Builder window allow you to select features, change coordinate masks, and dynamically change the function you are using.

Functions tab

Mouse action	Function
Pause on a function name	Displays a brief description of the function and the output it generates.

Functions tab shortcuts

Components tab

Mouse action	Function
Select (parts or point properties)	Flashes the part or point in the map display.
Double-click (parameters)	Displays the parameters for the part and changes the function to the function for the selected geometry.

Components tab shortcuts

Input tab

Mouse action	Function
Right-click (parameter)	Displays coordinate masks that can be selected. Choosing a mask converts the existing coordinates to the new format.

Input tab shortcuts

Output tab

Mouse action	Function
Right-click (parameter)	Displays coordinate masks that can be selected. Choosing a mask converts the existing coordinates to the new format.

Output tab shortcuts