To modify an existing layout, you use the Layout editor in conjunction with the Component Palette, Component Catalog window, and Object Inspector. You select components from the Component Catalog window or the Component Palette and then place those components in the layout window. You manipulate the components in the layout as you would manipulate graphic objects in a drawing application.

A layout is modified in the following ways:

• Creating objects
• Manipulating objects
• Examining objects
• Removing objects
• Layout editor contextual menu

The RAD tools access available project components from the current catalog. The Component Palette and Component Catalog window give you two convenient ways to access the components.

If you use the Component Catalog window, you drag components to the layout window to create new interface objects. If you use the Component Palette, you click the button representing the component you want to add, and then you drag a cursor in the layout window to place that component in the layout.

For more information about the Component Palette, see "Component Palette". To learn more about the Component Catalog window, see "Component Catalog window".

To move an object in a layout, select it in the layout window. A selected object is shown in Figure 13.2. The heavy border around the object indicates that it is currently selected. Drag selected objects to move them to a new positions in the layout window. Alternatively, use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move the selected objects. To resize or reshape an object, drag one of its resize handles in the desired direction. A heavy outline is displayed as you drag the resize handle. This outline represents the final shape of the object when you release the resize handle.

You can select multiple objects in two different ways:

• Shift-click each object that you want to add to your selection. A heavy border is displayed around all selected objects. If you decide against an object in the selection, Shift-click that object again.
• Draw a marquee around a group of objects to quickly select them, as shown in Figure 13.3. Position the cursor near the group of objects you want to select, then drag the cursor to display a marquee. Release the marquee when it encloses the objects you want to select. To add additional objects to the selection, position the cursor near the additional objects and then press the Shift key while dragging the cursor. This action displays another marquee. Release the marquee when it encloses the additional objects.
A selected object:

After you place objects in the layout, you can edit the various properties that characterize each object, as well as the events handled by that object. The Object Inspector displays the available properties and events for a selected object. For more information, see "Object Inspector".

To remove objects in a layout, select them and press Delete. Alternatively, select the objects and choose Edit > Delete (Windows menu bar layout) or Edit > Clear (Macintosh menu bar layout). The Layout editor removes the selected objects from the layout.

The Layout editor features a contextual menu that conveniently duplicates the commands in the Layout menu. The available commands in the contextual menu depend on the selected item. A sample contextual menu is shown in Figure 13.4.

To display the Layout editor contextual menu, use one of the following techniques:

Right-click an item.

Control-click an item.

The following list describes some common graphical editing commands in the contextual menu:

• Align-displays a submenu from which you can choose different ways to position selected objects.
• Resize-displays a submenu from which you can choose different ways to change the size of selected objects.
• Send To Back-moves the selected objects so that they are displayed behind all other objects.
• Bring To Front-moves the selected objects so that they are displayed in front of all other objects.
• Display Grid-when checked, displays the graphical grid in the layout window.
• Snap To Grid-when checked, the Layout Editor automatically aligns objects with the graphical grid.
• Group-combines selected objects so that they move together as a group.
• Ungroup-separates a selected group so you can move each object independently.
• Customize-opens a customization utility for the selected component. For example, after selecting a menu component, choosing this command opens the Menu Editor.
• Properties-displays the Object Inspector to examine the properties of the selected object.