Menu commands

File menu

 

Command	Description
New > Protocol	Creates a new protocol. See Creating a protocol: basic procedure.
New > Device	Creates a new device file. See Creating a device file.
New > Runset	Clears the Runset Manager tab so that you can create a new runset. See Managing runsets.
New > Form	Opens the Form Designer so that you can create a new form to run a protocol or runset. See Workflow for creating or editing a form.
Open	Allows you to locate and open files, such as protocol, device, runset, and form files.
Close	Closes the displayed protocol, device, runset, or form file.
Save	Saves the changes in the protocol, device, or form file.
Save As	Opens the Save As dialog box and allows you to create a copy of the existing protocol or device file and specify a new name.
Save All	Saves all protocol, device, and form files currently open in the software.
Save Runset	Saves a runset in a folder that you specify.
Save Runset As	Opens the SaveAs dialog box, which enables you to save the runset file using a different file name and storage location.
Recent .pro files	Opens a recently opened protocol file.
Recent .dev files	Opens a recently opened device file.
Recent .rst files	Opens a recently opened runset.
Recent .VWForm files	Opens a recently opened protocol form.
Print	Prints the selected protocol, device, or form file.
Print Setup	Opens the Print Setup dialog box and allows you specify printing options.
Print Preview	Allows you to preview the printout.
Import	Imports a .vzp file that contains a protocol, runset, or form file and associated components. See Exporting and importing protocols and associated components.
Export	Exports a protocol, runset, or form file and associated components and stores them in a .vzp file. See Exporting and importing protocols and associated components.
Exit	Quits the VWorks software.

Edit menu

 

Command	Description
Cut	Removes selected text and stores it in memory.
Copy	Copies selected text and stores it in memory.
Paste	Pastes the text that is currently stored in memory.

View menu

 

Command	Description
Menubar	Displays or hides the menubar. When it is hidden, press ALT+V, or right-click in the protocol or device file area and select Menubar to display it.
Standard Toolbar	Displays or hides the standard toolbar.
Control Toolbar	Displays or hides the control toolbar.
Workspace	Displays or hides the Workspace area.
Available Tasks	Displays or hides the Available Tasks area.
Available Macros	Displays or hides the Available Macros area. For details on macros, see Using macros to create protocols.
Main Log	Displays or hides the Main Log in the log and progress area.
Pipette Log	Displays or hides the Pipette Log in the log and progress area.
Time Constraints Log	Displays or hides the Time Constraint Log in the log and progress area.
Status Bar	Displays or hides the status bar below the log and progress area.
Progress	Displays or hides the Progress table in the log and progress area.
Runset Manager	Displays or hides the Runset Manager in the log and progress area. For details on managing runsets, see Managing runsets.
Full Screen Mode	Available only if a form is open in the VWorks window and the form contains a Toggle Full Screen control. The Full Screen Mode command changes the VWorks window to a full screen display of only the form.

Tools menu

 

Command	Description
Labware Editor	Opens the Labware Editor. For details, see the VWorks Automation Control Setup Guide.
Liquid Library Editor	Opens the Liquid Library Editor. For details, see the VWorks Automation Control Setup Guide.
Pipette Technique Editor	Opens the Pipette Technique Editor. For details, see the VWorks Automation Control Setup Guide.
System State Editor	Available during a paused protocol run. Opens the System State Editor. Enables you to view the status of the devices and locations to assess and correct the causes of the errors. For details, see: • Opening the System State Editor • About the System State Editor
Tip State Editor	Available if automatic tip selection is specified when using the Hit Pick Replication (Bravo) task. Opens the Tip State Editor.
Configure Labware	Allows you to assign labware to device locations.
Backup Manager > Back up	Allows you back up system files, including the inventory databases, labware definitions and liquid classes, and pipette techniques. For details, see Backing up and restoring files.
Backup Manager > Restore	Allows you to restore a backed up copy of the system files, including the inventory databases, labware definitions and liquid classes, and pipette techniques. For details, see Backing up and restoring files.
Log Management	Allows you to back up or validate a selected log file. For details, see Backing up and validating the log files.
Hit Pick Format Wizard	Allows you to set up the fluid transfer from a source microplate to a destination microplate. For details, see Hit Pick Replication (Bravo).
User Management	Allows you to manage users and privileges. For details, see the VWorks Automation Control Setup Guide.
Reload Plugins	Scans the Plugins folder and reloads the device plugins. The command is only available if all device files and protocol files are closed. Use the command if you have added a new device plugin in the Plugins folder and you want to reload all the plugins without restarting the software.
Open Hooks Plugin for	Allows you to open any VWorks plugins that are installed on the computer. For details on the Twitter plugin, see Setting up automatic online notification.
Error Library	Opens the Error Library. For details, see Setting up automated error responses
Gantt Charts	Available only when one or more protocols are running, or when one or more open protocols have been run in the current VWorks session. Allows you to visually monitor the real-time status of processes, plate instances, and devices. For details, see Tracking the run progress of instances or devices.
Get Status	Appends the current status to the Main Log. You can use this command at any time, including during a run.
Inventory Editor	Opens the Inventory Editor. For details, see the VWorks Automation Control Setup Guide.
Manage IO	Available if the Agilent ACU device is initialized. Allows you to manage and set options for input and output signals. For details, see Managing digital signals.
Watcher is ON/OFF	Available only if the Watcher feature is configured. For details, see Setting up and using the Watcher tool.
Edit Form	Available only if a form is open in the VWorks window. Displays the Form Editor window that enables you to edit the form. For details, see Workflow for creating or editing a form.
Options	Allows you to specify global options in the software, including paths to various logs, e-mail setup, robot speed, database setup, and error handling. For details, see Running a protocol.

Window menu

 

Command	Description
Cascade	Arranges the protocols and device files in the cascade style.
Tile	Arranges the protocols and device files in the tile style.
Arrange Icons	Aligns the icons in a sequential order.
Close All	Closes all open protocols and device files. If changes were made to the protocols and device files, a message will prompt you to save the changes.
Manage Windows	Opens the Window dialog box and allows you to arrange, minimize, or close the selected protocol and device files.

Help menu

 

Command	Description
VWorks Help	Opens the default browser window and displays the Knowledge Base.
Report a Bug	Allows you to send a software bug report to Agilent Technologies.
About VWorks	Displays the following: • VWorks software installer number • Copyright dates • List of plugins installed