Altium Designer Documentation

ConfigureHeadsUpDisplay

Created: July 7, 2022 | Updated: July 7, 2022
Applies to Altium Designer version: 22

Parent page: PCB Commands

The following pre-packaged resources, derived from this base command, are available:


Applied Parameters: Action=ToggleHeadsUp

Summary

This command is used to toggle the Heads Up Display on or off. The Heads Up Display (HUD) gives you real-time feedback about objects currently under the cursor in the PCB workspace. The HUD is configurable and can include cursor location, delta information (distance from the last mouse click), current layer, and current-snap grid. As well as the information content, the display font and colors can also be configured. The HUD can be parked anywhere on the screen or you can have it follow the cursor.

Access

This command can be accessed from the PCB Editor and the PCB Library Editor by:

  • Choosing the View » Board Insight » Toggle Heads Up Display command from the main menus.
  • Using the Shift+H keyboard shortcut.
Use the F2 keyboard shortcut to quickly access a pop-up menu of commands relating to the PCB's Board Insight feature set.

Use

After launching the command, the Heads Up Display will either disappear or reappear depending on whether it was previously visible or not.

Tips

  1. If you pause for a moment as you are moving the cursor, the Heads Up Display will switch to Hover mode. Extra information is displayed in Hover mode. This can include a summary, available shortcuts, rule violations, net, and component and primitive details.
  2. This command toggles the Display Heads Up Information option on the PCB Editor - Board Insight Modes page of the Preferences dialog. The information displayed in the HUD can also be configured from this page.
  3. Changes made to the Board Insight system affect the PCB domain workspace, and therefore, affect all PCB and PCB LIbrary documents on which you work.


Applied Parameters: Action=ToggleHeadsUpTracking

Summary

This command is used to toggle Heads Up Display tracking on or off, allowing you to move the HUD with the cursor or effectively relocate it to a different location in the workspace. The Heads Up Display (HUD) gives you real-time feedback about objects currently under the cursor in the PCB workspace. The HUD is configurable and can include cursor location, delta information (distance from the last mouse click), current layer, and current-snap grid. As well as the information content, the display font and colors can also be configured.

Access

This command can be accessed from the PCB Editor and the PCB Library Editor by:

  • Choosing the View » Board Insight » Toggle Heads Up Tracking command from the main menus.
  • Using the Shift+G keyboard shortcut.
Use the F2 keyboard shortcut to quickly access a pop-up menu of commands relating to the PCB's Board Insight feature set.

Use

After launching the command, Heads Up Display tracking will either be switched off or turned on depending on whether it was previously on or off. The default location for the HUD is the top-left corner of the workspace. With tracking on, the HUD can be moved as you move the cursor. If you want to relocate the HUD, move it to the required new position then use this command again to fix it at that new location.

Tips

  1. The HUD will not jump to the cursor but rather move in relation to where the cursor was when tracking was enabled. It is advised to position the cursor in relation to the current HUD position before using this command.
  2. If you pause for a moment as you are moving the cursor, the Heads Up Display will switch to Hover mode. Extra information is displayed in Hover mode. This can include a summary, available shortcuts, rule violations, net, and component and primitive details.
  3. The information displayed in the HUD can be configured from the PCB Editor - Board Insight Modes page of the Preferences dialog.
  4. Changes made to the Board Insight system affect the PCB domain workspace, and therefore, affect all PCB and PCB LIbrary documents on which you work.


Applied Parameters: Action=ToggleDeltaOrigin

Summary

This command is used to toggle the display of the Delta coordinates within the Heads Up Display. The delta coordinates display the distance, horizontally (dx) and vertically (dy), from the Delta Origin - a point that can be user-defined within the workspace. Use these coordinates to accurately gauge distance relative to a position on your board.

The Heads Up Display (HUD) gives you real-time feedback about objects currently under the cursor in the PCB workspace. The HUD is configurable and can include cursor location, delta information (distance from the last mouse click), current layer, and current-snap grid. As well as the information content, the display font and colors can also be configured.

Access

This command can be accessed from the PCB Editor and the PCB Library Editor by:

  • Choosing the View » Board Insight » Toggle Heads Up Delta Origin command from the main menus.
  • Using the Shift+D keyboard shortcut.
Use the F2 keyboard shortcut to quickly access a pop-up menu of commands relating to the PCB's Board Insight feature set.

Use

First, set the location of the delta origin within the workspace by positioning the cursor at the required point then either click or press the Insert key.

After launching the command, display of the Delta coordinates will either be switched off or turned on depending on whether they were previously displayed or not. With the coordinates displayed and as you move the cursor, the dx and dy values will reflect the position of the cursor in relation to the defined Delta Origin point.

Tips

  1. The ability and controls that are used to set the Delta Origin point follow the Insert Key Resets Heads Up Delta Origin and Mouse Click Resets Heads Up Delta Origin options on the PCB Editor - Board Insight Modes page of the Preferences dialog. If both of these options are disabled, the Delta Origin feature is effectively disabled and the delta coordinates will remain at 0,0 as you move the mouse. The information displayed in the HUD is also configured from this page.
  2. Changes made to the Board Insight system affect the PCB domain workspace, and therefore affect all PCB and PCB LIbrary documents on which you work.


Applied Parameters: Action=ResetDeltaOrigin

Summary

This command resets the Delta Origin point for the Heads Up Display feature to 0,0. The HUD can be configured to display the delta coordinates - the distance, horizontally (dx) and vertically (dy), from the Delta Origin - which can be effectively used to accurately gauge distance relative to a position on your board.

The Heads Up Display (HUD) gives you real-time feedback about objects currently under the cursor in the PCB workspace. The HUD is configurable and can include cursor location, delta information (distance from the last mouse click), current layer, and current-snap grid. As well as the information content, the display font and colors can also be configured.

Access

This command can be accessed from the PCB Editor and the PCB Library Editor by:

  • Using the Insert keyboard shortcut.
  • Using the left-click mouse button.
The ability and controls that are used to set the Delta Origin point follow the Insert Key Resets Heads Up Delta Origin and Mouse Click Resets Heads Up Delta Origin options on the PCB Editor - Board Insight Modes page of the Preferences dialog. If both of these options are disabled, the Delta Origin feature is effectively disabled and the delta coordinates will remain at 0,0 as you move the mouse.
Use the F2 keyboard shortcut to quickly access a pop-up menu of commands relating to the PCB's Board Insight feature set.

Use

Position the cursor at the required point within the workspace and launch the command. This will be the new Delta Origin point with delta coordinates calculated relative to this point as the cursor is moved.

Tips

  1. Changes made to the Board Insight system affect the PCB domain workspace, and therefore, affect all PCB and PCB LIbrary documents that you work on.

 

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