Editing models

What you see in the main window (and also in the mini window) is always one model of a natural neural network. The editing of this model is done by using different elements of the user interface, especially the mouse with mouse keys and mouse wheel and also the keyboard. You can create new nobs (Neurons etc.), move them around, connect them, delete them and so on.

Any single operation you use to act on the model is called a command. Commands can be classified according to the number of operands, the command needs.

Commands with one operand
These commands follow the point and click metaphor. Point at an object (move the mouse cursor over it until the object is highlighted) and press the right mouse button. The context menue of the object opens and you can choose one of the commands. Typical commands of this class are
 * Delete
 * Select
 * Add incoming dendrite

Commands with two operands
Sometimes a command needs two operands: In these cases, a click and drag metaphor is used. Point at an object (move the mouse cursor over it until the object is highlighted), and press the left mouse button and move the cursor to the new location (or over the target object) and release the mouse button. A context menue is not involved in these cases. The operation to be performed is implicitly clear. Commands of this class are How does the program know, wether the user wants a Move or a Connect operation? It depends on the target location, where the mouse button is released. If the target location is a nob, the program tries to connect the dragged nob to the target nob. If the target is the naked background, a move operation is assumed. Similar to the highlighting of the source nob, there is als a visual feedback regarding the target nob. As soon as the source nob, which is attached to the mouse cursor is located over another nob (target), the target nob changes its internal color to green or red.
 * Move this to that place
 * Connect this to that
 * Move nob
 * Connect (e.g. a pipe to an output line)
 * Green means, a connection of the two nobs is possible and will be performed as soon as the mouse button is released.
 * Red means, a connection is not possible and no operation will be upon release of the mouse button.