Create A New Command Menu

New command menus are only required when a programmer adds a new interaction mode or hierarchy node. New command menus must be added directly to the XML file. This exercise shows you how to create a new command menu although you won't be able to use in inside Scenome. DO NOT complete this exercise unless you are comfortable using a text editor to make changes to XML or C++ code!

  1. Please make sure Scenome is not running.
  2. Find the XML file associated with your current desktop. Typically SCENOME.XML unless you're using a different desktop.
    This file is usually in C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\OWNER\APPLICATION DATA\SCENOMICS. However location can vary depending on where and how you choose to install the software. You may have to search your hard drive for this file.
  3. Open the XML file in a text editor.
  4. Find the first entry named <contextmenu>
  5. Before the first <contextmenu> entry, create a blank context menu entry as shown below: 
    <contextmenu></contextmenu>
  6. Set an appropriate name attribute. It should be similar to the c++ class name or c++ interaction mode name. 
    <contextmenu name="User Node"></contextmenu>
  7. Set the class attribute to the c++ class name of the new hierarchy node or interaction mode. This must exactly match the c++ class name. For this example, we're using a fictional class named UserNode. 
    <contextmenu name="User Node" class="UserNode"></contextmenu>
  8. Save the XML file when you are finished.
  9. Close the XML file.
  10. Start Scenome.
  11. Please proceed to the next exercise.