Screen Layout

~ ~ Below is a brief overview of the different areas of the screen. The user's options in each of these areas are detailed in Section . Figure shows how the areas of the screen are placed.

Menu Bar:

The Menu Bar is located at the top of the screen, and provides access to several functions available throughout the design session.

Drawing Area:

The Drawing Area, located in the middle of the screen, is the area where all of the graphical display is done. It displays the current tower design.

Agent Display Area:

The Agent Display Area is located on the left side of the screen. It is the area where messages from each of the agents are accumulated individually. This area also provides a means of signaling when a new comment by a particular agent has been added, by highlighting that agent's buttons.

Message Area:

The Message Area is located at the bottom of the screen. It contains messages from all of the agents, separated by a record of the user's actions.

Palette of Objects:

The Palette of Objects is located in the upper right. It contains buttons to choose among the objects that the user can place into the current tower design.

Requirements Display Area:

The Requirements Display Area is located in the center, on the right side of the screen, just below the Palette of Objects. It is placed here so that the requirements can be consulted when making a choice from the palette.

Other Information Area:

The Other Information Area is in the lower right corner, and gives information about where on the screen to look to make the next design decision. It may inform the user to choose from the file menu, or to select an item from the palette.

Pop-up Dialogs:

Various Pop-up Dialogs appear in the center of the screen when some aspect of the system needs immediate attention. These include the Requirements Selection dialog and various warnings about illegal or undesirable actions by the user.