The Evolving User Interface: Add New

Figure 1: Dragging a channel, memory, math, or zoom trace
to the Add New box creates a new trace of the same type

In our ongoing exploration of the evolving user interface as embodied by Teledyne LeCroy's MAUI - Most Advanced User Interface, we've seen how the addition of OneTouch gesture control and features such as Copy Setup and Change Source have made the touchscreen UI even more powerful, flexible, and intuitive. These features let you get the most out of an oscilloscope's functionality at lightning speed without fussing with menus or dialogs.

Yet another powerful feature in the latest version of MAUI, which makes its debut in Teledyne LeCroy's new WaveRunner 8000 oscilloscopes, is what's known as Add New. With the Add New feature, it's easier than ever to create a new trace of any desired type (channel, math, memory, or zoom). As with other OneTouch gestures, Add New helps you forget about driving the oscilloscope so you can better concentrate on the task at hand.

Figure 2: Touching the Add New box opens
a popup menu with a selection of trace types

There are two ways to use the Add New box, which, on your new Teledyne LeCroy WaveRunner 8000 oscilloscope, is the empty rectangle with a plus sign at the lower left corner of the display. The first way to use it is when you already have a channel, math, memory, or zoom trace on the display and you want to create another trace of the same type. In such circumstances, opening the new trace is as easy as dragging and dropping the existing trace into the Add New box (Figure 1).  Doing so will create a new trace at the oscilloscope's default settings. Additionally, the new trace becomes the instrument's active trace.

Now, suppose you want to create a new trace but there's no existing one open on the display. A second way to use the Add New box is to simply touch the box. This will open a popup menu allowing you to choose the type of trace you need (Figure 2). Or, if the Measure table is closed, touching the Add New box and then touching Measurement will open the table.

As an aside, it's worth pointing out that MAUI One Touch's drag-and-drop targets, such as the Add New box, appear with a white outline if they are valid targets. If a target is invalid, a null symbol appears as you drag your finger or stylus over it.

Stay tuned for more posts on the evolving user interface and how it can make you a more efficient and productive oscilloscope user.