To learn and practice basic Windows functions, it is recommended to read some Windows Help; use for instance the Index tab in the Windows Help to find topics on Introduction and Welcome.
The map windows, table windows etc., in which ILWIS displays data, have some common Windows features:
Moving a window:
A window can be moved over your desktop by dragging the title bar of a window to a new position: position the mouse pointer on the title bar, press the left mouse button and hold it down, and move the mouse pointer to a new position, then release the left mouse button.
Changing the size and shape of a window:
A window can be sized by dragging its borders. Select the window you want to resize, point to a border or a corner of a window, the cursor changes into a two-headed arrow, drag (press the left mouse button and hold it down) the border or corner until the window has the size you want, then release the mouse button.
A window cannot be resized when a map or table is already entirely displayed in a window.
Resizing a window is possible when the border of a window consists of double lines.
Maximize:
A window can be enlarged to the full size of your screen:
To restore a window, double-click the title bar again. When two or more windows are open and you maximize one of them, all the others are covered up by the maximized one.
Restoring a window to its previous size: (after maximize)
A window is restored to its previous size by clicking the restore button, i.e. the double-delta button at the upper-right corner of a maximized window. You can also restore a window to its previous size by double-clicking the title bar. Another way is to click the Control-menu box and select Restore from the menu.
Minimize:
A window can be reduced to an icon on the desktop if you want the window or application available for later use. To reduce a window to an icon:
After a window is reduced to an icon, you can select and move the icon in the same way you select and move a window. See also: icons of minimized ILWIS windows.
Restoring an icon: (after minimize)
An icon can be restored to a window by double-clicking it. You can also click the minimized icon and select Restore from the Control menu.
Using scroll bars:
When an ILWIS map or table cannot be entirely displayed in a window, scroll bars appear at the right and/or bottom of the window. You may have both a horizontal and vertical scroll bar or only one of them, depending on the size of your map/table in the window. You can use the scroll bars to view information that does not fit in the window.
The buttons with the arrows are called scroll arrows, the area between the scroll arrows is called the scroll bar, and the button in the scroll bar is called the scroll box.
The best ways to use the scroll bars in ILWIS are:
Using scroll bars can be convenient when you have zoomed in on a map.
Closing a window:
A window can be closed:
When you close the ILWIS Main window, you will close all ILWIS windows and leave ILWIS. When you close an ILWIS data window, you close the window in which a map, table, or pixel information is displayed.
See also:
Windows features : parts of a window
Windows features : using a menu
Windows features : Control menu