Improve Workflow with Shortcut Keys in GoldSim

Posted by Jason Lillywhite

The graphical features of the GoldSim user interface are highly intuitive and easy to use, making it one of the most popular simulation software tools available today. The user-friendly interface allows even novice users to quickly and easily create models, organize their elements into containers, and navigate through them using the built-in browser and navigation tools. With its intuitive interface, GoldSim allows users to focus on the task at hand rather than on the software, which ultimately leads to better results and improved productivity.

But did you know that there are many shortcut keys available that can make your modeling experience even smoother and more efficient? In this blog article, we'll explore some useful shortcut keys in GoldSim. Whether you're a seasoned GoldSim user or just starting out, these shortcuts are sure to save you time and make your modeling experience more enjoyable.

See a list of all of our shortcuts here: Shortcut Keys in GoldSim – GoldSim Help Center

Switching Between Dashboard Views (Ctrl-D)

Within GoldSim, a Dashboard can be in one of two views: Design view and Active view.  When you are creating and editing your Dashboards, you will generally be in Design view.  Within this view, you can add, resize and edit controls, and add other objects (e.g., images and text) to your Dashboard.

You may find yourself frequently switching between Design view and Active view in Dashboards. This can be done using the Dashboard Active button in the Dashboard toolbar or by right-clicking inside the Dashboard and selecting Dashboard Active from the context menu. However, did you know that there is a faster way to toggle between these views? By using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl-D, you can easily switch between Design view and Active view without ever having to touch your mouse.

Entering a Container (Ctrl+double-click)

Containers are an essential tool for managing, organizing, and viewing elements in GoldSim. A Container is simply a "box" into which other elements have been placed, and any number of levels of containment can be created. Containers in a model are easily identified in the graphics pane: they all have a small triangle in their upper left-hand corner. You can click the triangle to "enter" a Container.

Another way to navigate into the Container is using Ctrl+double-click. It could be a faster and more efficient way to navigate through the elements in your model compared to clicking on the small triangle in the upper left-hand corner of the container. 

Change Element Name (Ctrl-double-click)

For those of you that always open the element properties dialog to edit the Element ID, you will find this shortcut a real time saver! This shortcut allows you to edit the Element name without having to navigate into a different window. Instead, just hold the Ctrl key then double click the element name as shown below.

Navigation Shortcuts (Alt-Up/Down/Left/Right

The shortcut keys for navigation in GoldSim, such as Alt-Left, Alt-Right, Alt-Home, Alt-Up or Alt-PgUp, can save time by allowing users to quickly move between different levels of the containment hierarchy in a model. Instead of having to use the navigation bar at the top of the graphics pane or the mouse to click on triangles to enter Containers, users can use these keyboard shortcuts to navigate through the model with fewer clicks and movements. This can help to increase efficiency and productivity, especially when working with large and complex models that contain many sub-groups or collections of elements. Below is a table listing each of the navigation shortcuts, from our Help Documentation:

Keys	Action
Alt-Left	Moves back to previously viewed Container.
Alt-Right	Moves forward (only active if you have already moved back).
Alt-Home	Moves up to the Model Root.
Alt-Up or Alt-PgUp	Moves up one level.

As noted above, you can refer to Shortcut Keys in GoldSim – GoldSim Help Center to see more shortcuts.

In conclusion, using shortcut keys in GoldSim can greatly enhance your productivity and streamline your modeling process. With practice, these shortcuts can become second nature, saving you time and effort in the long run. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced GoldSim user, incorporating shortcut keys into your workflow can help you work more efficiently and effectively. So why not give them a try and see how they can help you improve your modeling experience?

Also, if you have a favorite shortcut key(s), let us know in the comments below.