| What is the UI Principles article about? | It introduces the basic user interface concepts of HELIOS 3D and helps users understand how to navigate between the database application and the CAD-based planning environment in Autodesk Civil 3D. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Who should read the UI Principles article? | The article is intended for new users, support staff, and project teams who need orientation before working with projects, drawings, arrays, electrical objects, reports, and exports. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Does this article describe a specific PV design command? | No. It does not describe one specific PV design command. It provides general orientation for using the HELIOS 3D interface and understanding where major functions are located. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What are the two main parts of HELIOS 3D? | HELIOS 3D consists of the database application and the HELIOS 3D Palette, which is an extension inside Autodesk Civil 3D. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What is the database application used for? | The database application manages project-related data, drawings, components, user access, system settings, reports, and import/export functions. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What is the CAD environment used for? | The CAD environment in Autodesk Civil 3D is used for graphical planning tasks, terrain-related work, placement, object interaction, and context-sensitive editing of HELIOS 3D objects. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Why do users need to understand both the database application and the CAD environment? | Some information is managed in the database, while other information is created, edited, or displayed in the drawing. Understanding both environments helps users interpret menus, ribbons, tooltips, context menus, and object-specific information correctly. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What happens when HELIOS 3D is launched? | When HELIOS 3D is launched, the database application starts first. Users must log in with the credentials configured during installation. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I check before working in the database application? | Check that the correct SQL server, database, user account, and license are active, especially in multi-user or client-server environments. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I check if expected projects, drawings, components, or settings are not visible after login? | First check whether you are connected to the correct database and whether your user account has the required permissions. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What is the HELIOS 3D symbol used for? | The HELIOS 3D sun symbol opens a menu in the database application. Depending on the settings, it may also appear as a tab. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What does the Reconnect command do? | Reconnect reopens the login dialog. It can be used to connect to a different database or disable automatic login. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What does the Backup Database command do? | Backup Database creates a database backup without using SQL Server Management Studio. Administrative rights on the SQL Server are required. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Where is a database backup saved? | The backup file is saved in the SQL Server’s default backup directory. In a client-server environment, the file is stored on the server, not necessarily on the local workstation. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Can I restore a database directly from the HELIOS 3D database application? | No. The article states that restoring a database can only be done via SQL Server Management Studio. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What is the Helios on the Internet menu entry used for? | It provides links to the HELIOS 3D website, the associated forum, and the STÖHR+SAUER GmbH website. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What does Search for Update do? | Search for Update checks online whether a newer HELIOS 3D version is available. If an update is found, it can be downloaded and installed. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What information is shown in the About dialog? | The About dialog shows information that is often required in support cases, especially the program version, database version, and dongle or license duration information. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What information is shown in the title bar? | The title bar shows the HELIOS 3D program name and release, SQL server, database, username, and license number. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Why is the title bar useful for support? | It helps identify the current HELIOS 3D release, SQL server, database, user, and license. This information is useful when reporting login, database, licensing, project availability, or version compatibility issues. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What is the Start Ribbon used for? | The Start Ribbon contains the main functions of the database application, including editing, clipboard actions, export/import, view functions, reports, window layout, and settings. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What can I do in the Edit command group? | The Edit command group contains functions for creating, copying, editing, and deleting an entry in the currently focused area of the database application. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What can I do in the Clipboard command group? | The Clipboard command group provides Windows clipboard functions such as Cut, Copy, and Paste. Standard Windows shortcuts can also be used. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What can I do in the Export/Import command group? | The Export/Import command group allows users to export or import projects and drawings. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What can I do in the View command group? | The View command group allows users to update all records and access the home page of the database application. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What is the Reports command group used for? | The Reports command group provides access to the print dialog for system reports. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What is the Window Layout command group used for? | The Window Layout command group contains options for arranging application windows, saving them in a fixed profile, and closing all open modules. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What does Show data from subfolders do? | Show data from subfolders controls whether the folder structure displays content from subfolders in addition to direct folder contents. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What does Show quick launch bar do? | Show quick launch bar toggles the module quick launch bar. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What does Show help texts do? | Show help texts controls whether yellow help boxes or tooltips appear when hovering over interface elements. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Why should I be careful when using commands such as Delete, Export, Import, or Window Layout? | These commands usually apply to the currently focused module or record. Users should verify which area of the application is active before running them. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What is the Modules Ribbon used for? | The Modules Ribbon provides access to the individual modules of the database application. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What is the Module Quick Start Bar used for? | The Module Quick Start Bar provides quick access to modules and can reduce the need to switch between the taskbar and the module bar. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I check if a module does not appear or cannot be opened? | Check user permissions, window layout settings, and application configuration. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What does the HELIOS 3D CAD section explain? | It explains interaction principles inside Autodesk Civil 3D, including the HELIOS 3D Palette, object-related tooltips, right-click context menus, and the radial menu. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| When is the CAD section especially relevant? | It is especially relevant when users work directly in the drawing, inspect PV layout objects, check object data, or access commands related to placement, electrical planning, analysis, or output. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What kind of information can the mouse pointer show in the CAD area? | In the Autodesk Civil 3D area, the mouse pointer can display information such as height above ground or object-specific data for HELIOS 3D objects, such as table information or cable data. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What is the HELIOS 3D Palette? | The HELIOS 3D Palette is a tool palette inside Autodesk Civil 3D that provides access to HELIOS 3D functions. It is typically displayed automatically. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| How can I show the HELIOS 3D Palette if it is hidden? | Make sure no command is active and no object is selected, then right-click in the drawing area and choose Helios 3D – More Commands > Show Palette…. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I check if the HELIOS 3D Palette still does not appear? | Check whether HELIOS 3D is loaded correctly in Autodesk Civil 3D, whether the palette is hidden or docked outside the visible screen area, and whether a saved workspace layout affects the palette display. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What are tooltips in the HELIOS 3D Palette used for? | Tooltips provide quick explanations and hints for menu items in the CAD area, helping users understand a function without opening a separate help page. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I check if tooltips are not displayed? | Check whether help texts or tooltip display options are enabled in the application settings. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What happens when I right-click inside the HELIOS 3D Palette? | A context menu appears with additional functions that go beyond the standard tools and help users work more efficiently. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What information can object tooltips show? | Object tooltips can show object-specific information such as properties, function within the project, technical data, table information, or cable data. The displayed information depends on object type, available object data, and current project state. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What happens when I right-click a HELIOS 3D object in Civil 3D? | A context menu opens with additional commands for working with the selected HELIOS 3D object. Available commands depend on the selected object and drawing context. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I check if the expected right-click command is not visible? | Check whether the correct object is selected, whether the cursor is positioned over a valid HELIOS 3D object, and whether the command is available for that object type. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What is the radial menu used for? | The radial menu provides fast access to context-sensitive commands near the cursor. It can reduce mouse movement between the drawing area, palette, and ribbons. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| How do I open the radial menu? | Press the <ALT> key while the mouse cursor hovers over an AutoCAD object. The radial menu can be used as an alternative to AutoCAD ROLLOVERTIPS. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Where can the radial menu be activated? | It can be activated in the HELIOS 3D user account settings or in the Civil session options. These options are accessed through the program icon on the HELIOS 3D Palette. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I consider when using the radial menu? | Release the <ALT> key before selecting an icon. If an icon opens a command group, use the arrow icon to access additional commands or return to the previous command level. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
