Layouts

By default, a swim lane is drawn for each node in the WBS hierarchy and stored as a default layout. Changes to the layout are not saved to the database automatically and must be saved manually by the user. The following characteristics comprise a layout and are described in more detail in this chapter and the next:

The default layout cannot be renamed, deleted, or modified. Changes to the layout must be saved as a new layout.

• Swimlanes (WBS or Codes)

• Swimlane collapse/expand states (see Summarizing chapter)

• Timeline zoom

• Timescale splits

• Row/grid Height

• Summary activities (see Summarizing chapter)

• Milestone visibility (see Summarizing chapter)

• Filters

Saving, Renaming, and Deleting

1. Click the Layout button in the Global Toolbar above the timeline.

2. Choose Save as New Layout… from the menu.

3. Enter a name and click the Save As button.

4. To rename, delete, or switch between layouts, repeat step 1 and choose from the menu accordingly.

The last 3 most recently used layouts will show up at the top of the menu.

Swimlanes

Swimlanes can be derived from the WBS or from codes. The colors are set automatically with unique colors up to 8 levels, at which point the colors repeat:

P6 filters and layouts do not export. As a result, any activities assigned to a WBS node will always show above any children nodes and activities.

For NetPoint files, the top-level WBS node is named after the project title. If no project title exists, then the filename.

To change the swimlane grouping by code:

1. Click the Swimlane button above the first swimlane and choose Codes from the WBS/Codes menu.

Codes from NetPoint with multiple assignments do not show up for grouping.

AutoGrid

Within each swim lane, activities are placed on the same grids or rows (which are numbered on the left-hand side) as other activities, according to start date and predecessor/successor chains. AutoGrid achieves a more compressed layout than a waterfall, saving vertical space, while at the same time ensuring that activities do not overlap.

AutoText

AutoText ensures that any text (e.g., names, dates, durations, etc.) does not clash with other text nearby. For example, names are bound within an activity bar unless the bar is smaller than a single word. Dates and durations will stack if they cannot fit on a single line. All of this will adjust as the row height or timeline zoom is adjusted.

To view truncated descriptions or swimlane titles, move the cursor over the text and leave it still for a second or more.

AutoLink

AutoLink chooses an optimal shape for logic relationships based on the relationship type (FS, SS, FF) and horizontal difference between a predecessor and successor. To reduce the number of links drawn on a detailed schedule, a link is faded if only 1 of the activities that it is connecting is visible. If both activities are scrolled away, the link will be hidden.  All of this will adjust as the row height or timeline zoom is adjusted.

Timeline Zoom & Split Windows

After importing, the timeline scale is set automatically to show MMM YYYY on the top and Weeks (starting on Monday) below it.

The timescale defaults to the Project Planned Start which is not necessarily the Project Start Date (Data Date).

The timeline can be stretched (i.e., zoomed) to increase or decrease the amount of horizontal space that the schedule occupies. Furthermore, a timescale split or window can be added to allow individual subsections of the timeline to be zoomed in or out independently. As the timeline is zoomed out, AutoText and AutoLink will adjust text and links automatically. In addition, timeline scales will adjust automatically as follows:

To prevent the timeline scale from switching between sets, hover the mouse over the timeline and press "T" on the keyboard.

Zooming In

1. Move the cursor over the timeline area until it turns into a Zoom/Stretch double-arrow cursor.

2. Click and drag to the right.

Zooming Out

1. Move the cursor over the timeline area until it turns into a Zoom/Stretch double-arrow cursor.

2. Click and drag to the left.

Resetting Zoom

1. Move the cursor over the timeline area until it turns into a Zoom/Stretch double-arrow cursor.

2. Double-click with the mouse.

AutoFit

1. Right-click anywhere in the timeline.

2. Choose Stretch to Fit.

Zoom to Fit

1. Right-click anywhere on the canvas.

2. Choose Zoom to Fit.

Adding a Split/Window

1. Choose the Select Tool or the Activity Tool from the toolbar.

2. Move the mouse until the desired date shows up above the cursor.

3. Right-click and choose Add Timescale Split

4. For more splits, repeat step 3.

5. Use the steps above to zoom in or out on either side of a split.

Removing a Split/Window

1. Choose the Select Tool or the Activity Tool from the toolbar.

2. Move the mouse over the split until the date shows up above.

3. Right-click and choose Remove Timescale Split.

Zoom to Fit, Stretch to Fit, and Density Zoom are not allowed with timescale splits/windows.

Row/Grid Height

The spacing or height of each row or grid adjusted to increase or decrease the amount of vertical space that the schedule occupies. As the spacing is adjusted, AutoText and AutoLink will adjust text and links automatically.

Row/grid height cannot be reduced below 65 pixels.

Increasing 

1. Move the cursor over the row/grid numbers until it turns into a Zoom/Stretch double-arrow cursor.

2. Click and drag down.

Decreasing

1. Move the cursor over the row/grid numbers until it turns into a Zoom/Stretch double-arrow cursor.

2. Click and drag down.

Resetting

1. Move the cursor over the row/grid numbers until it turns into a Zoom/Stretch double-arrow cursor.

2. Double-click with the mouse.

AutoFit

1. Right-click anywhere over the grid number or swimlane text.

2. Choose Collapse/Expand to Fit.

Zoom to Fit

1. Right-click anywhere on the canvas.

2. Choose Zoom to Fit.