How to Make Custom Toolbars

[tilite]

rhino was given to us threw my course ar uni and at the same time they gave us there prescribed version of what a toolbar should be.. idiots! i dont even know if ive used it once... but im heading into uni tomorrow so ill grab it (if i remember) and post it here so u can all atleast have a look, throw it ou the window most likely but if your new to rhino you might want to check it out.. it was a beginer bar.

[Dimos]

You can also create a new toolbar (tools>toolbar layout>toolbar>new...), add buttons there and create your own buttons as well. Shift right click on a button (edit), empty or not, opens a new dialog box where you can write the command(s) you want to be executed by pressing the button, write a tooltip and sketch the picture of the button.

[Rani]

I would like to say that in addition to creating new customized toolbars like like Dimos said, you can edit the popup toolbar which appears when you click the middle mouse button, this is useful and can save alot of time by adding to it commands you use frequently.

[tilite]

haha i changed my middle mouse (pop-up menu) to pan.... im such a lazy barstard. when im leaning right back in my chair and i cant be bothered reaching my other hand to the keyboard to hold shift... or i cant even be bothered moving the mouse up the page to click pan (some early morning who really can though.. right?)... so convienient... now i can navigate from inside my sleeping bag if i must with absolute ease:thumbsup:

[kiwi8]

hah the unending lazyness epidemic, i did see this mouse for people who cant use thier hand they hand this tracking that you move your head and it moves the mouse alwasy wanted to make one of those. lol
i have my middle mouse with set view, that way i can switch from top, L, R, F quickly, to lazy for the extra click.

[Hypernaut]

another thing which might be interesting is that you can link toolbars, meaning you have a button on your toolbar that open another subordinate toolbar.

Shift+Rightclick on a button then Editor screen for that button apears; on the upper right you have a drop down menu, where all existing (loaded) toolbars are listed; you now can pick anyone you like, for your button to open this toolbar as secondary toolbar (a small triangle shaped arrow will then appear on your upgraded button); if want to do undo this function then just press the "unlink" button below the drop down menu - then no longer a secondary toolbar will pop up.


another thing which is very useful concerning toolbars is the option to save your toolbar layouts. Perhabs you have seen before that you can not only customize your toolbars and button but also you can change the icons for the buttons.
But the best thing is you can save these customizations! All the toolbars, their layouts, functions, positions (and info if opened or not), button size, toolbar-shape, etc etc will be saved. In short you can save your personal Rhino-desktop/workspace.
Go to menu-->tools-->toobat layout
a screen pops up: on the upper part you see a list of toolbar collections (the lower parts shows all the toolsbars that are contained in the corresponding collection). In default mode you should see only one entry representing all the Rhino default toolbars. When installing flamingo, Penguin or other "plug-ins" you can there see the corresponding toolbars too.
When you change or add toolbars of your own it is advisable to save them with a own name. For this go (in the toolbar layout screen) to menu --> file --> save as; give in a name of your choice (preferable a recogniceable description) and save. I am not sure whether these custom-layout-collection will be delted when you un- or reinstall Rhino, so better save a copy somehwre else.
E.g. I changed and added some custom toolbars, changed and colored the icons for better overview and faster workflow and then saved it; one version as a one-monitor-layout and one version for two monitors. This way I only need one click when changing the number of monitors I work with. Another advantage is that sometimes is happen that the toolbars vanish, or you by accident move them around or close them. Then the only thing you need to do is to reload your layout-scheme.
One last word: when you saved your custom toolbar collection, but deleted some toolbars because your considered them unnecessary that time, but now you need them, then just use the import option in toolbar layout screen. Then you can complement your toolbar collection with the content ofthe default collection.
Comfortable isn't it !!!???

Have fun'n'joy

[Tugmaster]

Here's my layout. I've been using it for a few years. Yes it's ugly and doesn't even look like Rhino but everything I use is right in front of me ( hate those damn dropdowns ) and it gives me maximum window space.




http://xs30.xs.to/pics/05214/rhinolayout.jpg

[andrewjohn81]

just curious about the happy sad face. I don't seem to remember the make me happy or make me sad commands. lol

[tilite]

agreed and where can i get the make me happy command... that is somethign i need when ussing rhino

[andrewjohn81]

I think it's hiding with that button they always use in the movies. I'm sure you know the one. Some guys says, "enhance." then someone clicks a button and it magically looks better.
I would love that button.

[Lord Banshee]

Here's my layout. I've been using it for a few years. Yes it's ugly and doesn't even look like Rhino but everything I use is right in front of me ( hate those damn dropdowns ) and it gives me maximum window space.



How did you make your buttons. They look great.

[kiwi8]

heres one place you can get custom icons

http://www.hydraulicdesign.net/workspace.htm

not all to different but has color.

[Hypernaut]

How did you make your buttons. They look great.

@Lord Banshee:
shift+right click with mouse on a button; the corresponding editor for the chosen button will appear; on the upper left corner click the button "edit bitmap"; there you can draw/change the icon, or more efficient you can go to --> menu --> file and import any icon you drew with a real painting-software or which you downloaded.
I myself just colored the existing icons. E.g. all line tools are now purple, all line manipulation tolls have a purple background; same system goes for surface and solid tools - help and speeds up overview and workflow pretty much - highly recommendable !!!

[Lord Banshee]

@Lord Banshee:
shift+right click with mouse on a button; the corresponding editor for the chosen button will appear; on the upper left corner click the button "edit bitmap"; there you can draw/change the icon, or more efficient you can go to --> menu --> file and import any icon you drew with a real painting-software or which you downloaded.
I myself just colored the existing icons. E.g. all line tools are now purple, all line manipulation tolls have a purple background; same system goes for surface and solid tools - help and speeds up overview and workflow pretty much - highly recommendable !!!

Thanks but i was talking about the ones on the left. When i try to import pictures they never come out good. I was wondering what tricks he used to make rendered shots looks so nice as buttons.

[wild-brendan]

I don't know about you guys, but i dont even use any tool bars. One day my Rhino decided 2 stuff up and i lost all the toolbars, but, i learnt how to use the command-consol properly and now i dont even need the toolbars. Its way faster and gives you the most windows space
Just need to remember the names of the commands but it doesnt take long

[Hypernaut]

so if possible everyone please I don't know about you guys, but i dont even use any tool bars. One day my Rhino decided 2 stuff up and i lost all the toolbars, but, i learnt how to use the command-consol properly and now i dont even need the toolbars. Its way faster and gives you the most windows space
Just need to remember the names of the commands but it doesnt take long

read posting No. 7 within this thread to regain your toolbars - if you still want them, that is *g*
btw. loosing the toolbars is a quiet common phenomenon...

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