Revision as of 09:32, 12 December 2016

This is a page for canvas help

The “canvas” is where you create the ToC graphic of outcomes connected to one another in causal pathways. The canvas opens up when you open an existing TOCO file by clicking on the title in your file browser, or when you create a new TOCO file. Many operations on the drawing canvas are available on the Edit menu. These functions include creating new outcomes, comments, text boxes, titles, color legend, and the dashed accountability line. Here too are items for editing assumptions and the ToC narrative, and for switching from right-angled to straight-line connectors.

Drag and Drop

Outcomes may be moved around on the canvas using the cursor. You can move multiple outcomes at once too. To move multiple outcomes, hold down the shift key and click on all the outcomes you want to move. The selected outcomes will be partially screened from view. Then press the control key, hold the cursor down on the outcomes to be moved, and move them. When finished, click again and the outcomes will be de-selected. For Apple MacIntosh computers, hold down the command key instead of the control key to move selected objects. TOCO has popup instructions for moving multiple objects which you see as you roll over outcomes with the cursor.

== Right-click on an outcome to perform various operations ==

To delete an outcome, text box, connector, or comment, right-click and select “delete” from the menu. Outcome boxes may be moved by clicking and dragging; moving other objects requires right-clicking and selecting the “move” menu item. These include text boxes, the title box, comments, and the color legend. Once you select “move” you can drag the object where you want it. Once you have moved the object you must right-click again and select "edit" to update the content of the object-- for example, a comment box or a text box. To add a precondition to an outcome with a connector already drawn, right-click and select “add a precondition.” Right-clicking on a canvas object gives you a "send to back" option, which puts the object underneath another object.

Canvas Tool Panel

File-Edit-Help Dropdown Menus:

File Menu

Edit Menu

Help Menu

Navigation

There are two ways to move around the canvas: Grab the vertical or horizontal scroll bar handles and slide them. Click on the canvas (i.e., somewhere on the background grid rather than on any objects) and drag the canvas to the location you want. Creating and editing the TOC map requires frequent adjustments of the canvas size. There are two ways to zoom in and out: Use the zoom in/zoom out buttons to the left of the file menu. Or, use your mouse or keypad.

My ToCs File Directory

Files are searchable by file title or by user name

- Use the refresh button to reset the browser after a search
- Directory lists filenames, user name, dates of file creation and last update.

The << icon at the top of the Directory, to the right of the search window, allows you to slide the directory panel out of view when you need more space on your screen to work on the canvas. To delete a file, select the file name, right-click, and select “delete ToC” from the menu.