Libraries are reusable collections of objects and definitions that facilitate efficient project creation. Each library links to a directory on a local or shared disk. Objects and definitions added to a library are saved to their own subdirectory rather than to a specific project, making them available for use in subsequent projects. This allows users to import library contents into a project and avoid rebuilding frequently-used objects and definitions each time they are needed.

Controls

Screenshot of the View menu.

Users can access the Libraries window by clicking the Libraries button on the right side of XF, or by selecting ViewLibraries in the upper-left corner.

Screenshot of library directory and filters.

The Libraries window is separated into three panes that list XF's libraries, filter the selected library by category, and display that library's filtered contents. The Libraries pane in the upper-left portion of the window lists all XF library files. Libraries are not project-specific and each one added to XF remains listed and available for use unless intentionally removed.

The three buttons at the top of the pane control the listed libraries:

Users can select one or more libraries from the list, and then use the Filters pane in the upper-right portion of the window to narrow library contents by category. The listed filters remain the same regardless of a library's content.

The third pane spans the lower portion of the window and displays the objects and definitions associated with each selected library and filter.

Five buttons at the bottom of the window edit the library contents in the lower pane:

Users can also perform these actions through the right-click menu of a selected object or definition.

Add a Library

Each library listed in the Libraries window points XF to a locally-saved directory. This window allows users to add libraries to XF by either creating a local directory or loading an existing library.

Users can create a new library by clicking the Screenshot of the Add button. button in the upper-left portion of the window to open the Create a new Object Library directory window. Here, a library is created once the named file is saved to the specified location by clicking Save. The new file appears immediately in XF's listed Libraries and is available for added content.

Users can access an existing library by clicking the Screenshot of the Link button. button to open the Load Object Library window. Navigating to the directory's location, selecting the desired library, and clicking Select Folder adds the directory to XF's available libraries.

Add and Use Library Contents

Users can add to a selected library by clicking on the desired object or definition in the project tree and dragging it to the lower portion of the Libraries window. The added content is visible in the window when its associated category is selected in the Filters pane.

Screenshot of the Object Library Options dialogue.

Users can create a bundle in the Libraries window by selecting the desired objects and definitions in the project tree while pressing the Ctrl key, and dragging them to the lower portion of the window. An Object Library Options dialogue prompts users to confirm the number of items to bundle into one object. Clicking Yes opens a second dialogue that allows users to name the bundle and attach an optional user-defined note, and then click OK to add the bundle to the library. The bundle is visible in the window when viewing the library contents with the Bundle filter selected.

Users can import library contents into a project by clicking on the desired object or definition in the lower portion of the Libraries window and dragging it to the appropriate branch of the project tree.