Program Settings

The "Program Settings" dialog allows the following eight program parameters to be changed.

The Maximum cube size for normal (scroll-disabled) operation parameter sets the maximum cube size that the program will permit the user to select via the Cube Size dialog when the scroll option is not enabled. The maximum settable value is a function of the Standard cube minimum width of facelet and the size of screen in use. For more details on how these affect the maximum achievable cube size, refer to the Maximum cube size item description. The maximum achievable cube size for this condition will be determined for the particular computer in use when the program is run and that will set the upper limit for the associated size spinner. The upper limit in this case is often considerably lower than that applicable when the scroll-enabled option is set. It is recommended that users select the upper limit setting for the size spinner.

The Maximum cube size for scroll-enabled operation parameter sets the maximum cube size that the program will permit the user to select via the Cube Size dialog when the scroll option is enabled. The maximum settable value is a function of the Standard cube minimum width of facelet and the size of screen in use. For more details on how these affect the maximum achievable cube size, refer to the Maximum cube size item description. The maximum achievable cube size for this condition will be determined for the particular computer in use when the program is run and that will set the upper limit for the associated size spinner. For many computers the upper program limit of 99 will be achievable in this case. It is recommended that users select the upper limit setting for the size spinner.

The Standard cube minimum width of facelet excluding separator parameter allows the user to specify the minimum acceptable width (equals height) of individual facelets. The facelet width is automatically adjusted so that maximum use is made of available screen space for cubes of size greater than 6. The minimum selectable width of an unmarked cube facelet is 2 pixel. This value is probably too small for most viewers. Increasing the minimum width value will reduce the maximum cube size that the viewer can select. Retaining the default (2 pixel) value setting for this parameter is recommended.

The Numerically marked cube minimum width of facelet excluding separator parameter allows the user to specify the minimum acceptable width (equals height) of individual facelets when marked centres are in use. The facelet width is automatically adjusted so that maximum use is made of available screen space for cubes of size greater than 6. The minimum selectable width of a numerically marked cube facelet is 8 pixel. The developer found that marking breakdown occurs for a lower facelet width. The 8 pixel value is likely to be usable for most viewers. Increasing the minimum width value will reduce the maximum numerically marked cube size that the viewer can select. Retaining the default (8 pixel) value setting for this parameter is recommended. The numerically marked cube size limit is unaffected by any change in the Standard cube minimum width of facelet excluding separator.

The Corner marked cube extension allows the user to change the cube size to which the corner cubie style can extend the marking option above the numerical marking limit. The default setting of 6 pixel extends marking to the same limit as for standard (unmarked) cubes. Corner marking is not as convenient to use as numerical marking and it is unlikely that anybody would wish to use it for very high cube sizes.

The Origin for default numerical macros parameter allows the user to select either a zero or unity origin for default numerical macros. The numbering of the default numerical macros follows an x-y (row, column) pattern where the origin is the top left element on the front face. The default for this element is (row 1, column 1) but users can select (row 0, column 0) if they wish. The (row 1, column 1) arrangement corresponds with the number system used for multi-layer rotations. If the program is run in applet mode, a change here will be reflected only in macro command files subsequently generated during the session. To change any existing default macro command files (stored in external memory) when running in application (non-applet) mode, the files need to be deleted and the program will regenerate them according to the changed origin.

The Wait cursor enable/disable parameter allows the user to enable or disable the wait cursor. Any change in this parameter is implemented immediately when this dialog is closed. For users who have modern fast computers and don't usually experience heavy demands on their computer's speed from background programs, the wait cursor is likely to be activated only rarely (e.g. for the long task associated with scrambling cubes of large size).

When set, the Permutation cycle counting parameter allows the user to determine the cycle length for any specified permutation (move). The permutation cycle length is the number of times the permutation needs to be applied for the cube to return to its original state. Depending on the applied permutation, the cycle length may vary according to one or more of cube size, cube style (unmarked or marked centres), initial state (set, scrambled or retrieved) and whether the cycle count is stopped for any spatial orientation of the cube. When the marked centres' style is in use the cycle length is always independent of the initial state. For more details on permutation cycle counting refer to the Permutation cycle length section.

If the maximum cube size for scroll-disabled or scroll-enabled operation is set to the upper limit for the respective size spinner, then any change in the Standard cube minimum width of facelet excluding separator setting will automatically adjust the maximum cube size spinner setting to the new maximum value. If the maximum cube size for scroll-disabled or scroll-enabled operation is set below the respective upper limit value, that value will be retained if within range if the Standard cube minimum width of facelet excluding separator is changed. The program will not permit the user to make a maximum cube size change that would result in the inability to display the current size cube.

If the user clicks the Help button, on-line help for the dialog is provided. If the user clicks the Default button, default settings are restored but the dialog remains open. If the user clicks the Apply button, the dialog exits with the currently displayed settings implemented. If the user clicks the Cancel or the Close button or presses the esc key, the settings on entry to the dialog will be restored. When running in application (non-applet) mode, the most recent settings for the dialog's parameters are saved in the urvstart.ini file when the program is shut down.