Std DlgParameter

Other languages:

Menu location
Std DlgParameter
Tools → Edit parameters...
Workbenches
All
Default shortcut
None
Introduced in version
-
See also
Preferences Editor

Description

The Std DlgParameter command opens the Parameter Editor. In the Parameter Editor the parameters that control the behavior of FreeCAD and its workbenches can be inspected and optionally removed, added or changed. The parameters are stored in a file called user.cfg, the location of this file depends on your OS.

Working with the Parameter Editor requires some experience. For the most common parameters the Preferences Editor should be used instead.

The Parameter Editor dialog box

Usage

Select the Tools → Edit parameters... option from the menu.
The Parameter Editor dialog box opens. For more information see Options.
Optionally press the Save to disk button to immediately update the user.cfg file. This is not required as FreeCAD will automatically update that file when the application closes.
Press the Close button to close the dialog box and finish the command.

Options

Left panel

The left panel shows a tree with parameter groups and sub-groups.

The following options are available in the panel's context menu:

Expand/Collapse

If a selected group has one or more sub-groups it can be expanded or collapsed by choosing this option from the context menu. But you can also expand and collapse the tree in the usual manner.

Add sub-group

Select a group.
Select the Add sub-group option from the context menu.
Enter a name for the new sub-group in the dialog box that opens.
Press the OK button.

Remove group

Select a group.
Select the Remove group option from the context menu.
Press the Yes button in the dialog box that opens to confirm you want to remove the group (including all its sub-groups, and all parameters in the group and its sub-groups).

Rename group

Select a group.
Select the Rename group option from the context menu.
Enter a new name.
A group can also be renamed by double-clicking it.

Export parameter

Select a group.
Select the Export parameter option from the context menu.
Enter a filename in the dialog box.
Press the Save button.

Import parameter

Select a group that does not contain any sub-groups or remove them first. Any existing parameters in the group will be lost.
Select the Import parameter option from the context menu.
Select an *.FCParam file in the dialog box.
Press the Open button.

Right panel

The right panel shows the parameters in the group selected in the left panel. If this group only contains sub-groups the right panel will be empty.

The following options are available in the panel's context menu:

Change value

Select a parameter.
Select the Change value option from the context menu.
Enter a new value in the dialog box that opens.
Press the OK button.
A parameter's value can also be changed by double-clicking its 'Type' or 'Value' field.

Remove key

Select a parameter.
Select the Remove key option from the context menu.

Rename key

Select a parameter.
Select the Rename key option from the context menu.
Enter a new name.
A parameter can also be renamed by double-clicking its 'Name' field.

New string item

Select the New string item or New → New string item option from the context menu.
Enter a name in the dialog box that opens.
Press the OK button.
Enter a value in the next dialog box.
Press the OK button.

New float item

Select the New float item or New → New float item option from the context menu.
The next steps are similar to those for a New string item

New integer item

Select the New integer item or New → New integer item option from the context menu.
The next steps are similar to those for a New string item

New unsigned item

Select the New unsigned item or New → New unsigned item option from the context menu.
The next steps are similar to those for a New string item

New Boolean item

Select the New Boolean item or New → New Boolean item option from the context menu.
The next steps are similar to those for a New string item

Sorting

By default the groups in each tree level in the left panel are sorted alphabetically, and the parameters in the right panel are sorted alphabetically as well. But the order in each panel can be reversed by clicking the 'Group' or 'Name' header respectively.

Quick search

Typing a (partial) string in this input box will fully expand the tree in the left panel and highlight all groups with names that match the entered value. If no matches are found the background of the input box will turn red.

Find

In the left panel select the group where you want to start your search. The search direction is down. The search is not restricted to the group and its sub-groups, but rather the selected group and everything below it in the tree will be searched.
Press the Find... button.
Enter a string in the Find what input box. The search is case-insensitive.
Check one or more of the Groups, Names and Values checkboxes. Note that only string values will be searched.
Optionally (un)check the Match whole string only checkbox.
Press the Find Next button to select the first group with a match. Matching parameters are not individually highlighted. Optionally repeat this until no further matches are be found.
It is possible to start a new search without closing the dialog box. Again selecting the group from which to start searching is then usually required.
Use the Cancel button to close the dialog box.

Notes

The Fine-tuning page lists a number of parameters that may be of interest.

Scripting

Preferences can be accessed from Python scripts using their corresponding path in the Parameter Editor. For example, the Edit → Preferences → Import-Export → DXF → Import options → Join geometry preference appears in Tools → Edit parameters → BaseApp → Preferences → Mod → Draft → dxfCreatePart and has type Boolean. It can therefore be accessed in Python using the following code:

# get:
App.ParamGet("User parameter:BaseApp/Preferences/Mod/Draft").GetBool('dxfCreatePart')
# set:
App.ParamGet("User parameter:BaseApp/Preferences/Mod/Draft").SetBool('dxfCreatePart', True)