Ribbon Overview

The I-Mark software uses a ribbon-based interface similar to other Windows-based applications.
The ribbon is located across the top of the application window and displays tool groups based on the active tab and current user context.

Selecting a tab (File, Home, Layout, Entity, Marking, View, Help, or Settings) updates the ribbon to display the commands relevant to that function. 

Ribbon content is context-sensitive. Certain tabs, such as the Entity tab, appear only when applicable.

Quick Tab Performance Summary

Home Tab: This will be your base of operations for managing projects – save and open previously saved – along with managing your machine – connecting and disconnecting. 

Layout Tab: The layout tab is where you will create a layout you wish to run along with the layout settings – essentially you can create a visual representation of what you wish to mark on your part. 

Entity Tab: This tab will open once you have created a text. Once the text appears on your layout you click on the text, and you will see the entity tab automatically added to your tool bar. 

Marking Tab: Will allow you to connect or disconnect from the controller. 

View Tab: In the view tab you can customize your layout, essentially customizing what you see in the application environment to best suit your work. 

Setting Tab: You will find basic machine settings: the speed of your pin, and set your specific scribe mode. 

Ribbon Navigation Guide

Home Tab

The Home tab serves as the primary starting point for layout and machine management.

From the Home tab, you can:

  • Create new layouts
  • Open previously saved layouts
  • Save the active layout
  • Undo or redo changes in the current layout
  • Connect to or disconnect from a marking machine
  • Refresh the network to locate available machines


Layout Tab

The layout tab will open once you create a layout – by selecting “create new layout” in the home tab, though this can also be done by opening a previously saved layout. 


This tab is used to define the contents of the marking layout and insert entities into the layout.

  • Graphic
  • Line 
  • Text
  • Data Matrix
  • UID Code
  • Set Waypoints

Selecting any of these options will automatically open it in your layout.

Entity Tab

The Entity tab opens in the ribbon after text has been created in the layout. Selecting the text automatically switches the ribbon to the Entity tab.

Use the Entity tab to create, modify, and teach elements within the layout.

In the entity tool bar, you will:

  • Select your starting position and the alignment of the green dot within your entity
  • Group and align your layouts (for when you have multiple lines)
  • Manually choose your X and Y coordinates if known
  • Teach your layout position
  • Enter/ modify your text reading
  • Choose your font
  • Choose your character height, width and separation. 
  • Adjust angles and create a radius
  • Change the appearance of your text. 

Figure 1 Graphic Entity

Figure 2 Text Entity


Figure 3 Line Entity

Figure 4 Data Matrix

Figure 5 UID Entity

Figure 6 Waypoint

Marking Tab

The Marking tab is used to manage communication between the software and the marking controller.

From this tab, you can:

  • Connect to the controller
  • Disconnect from the controller

View Tab

The View tab allows customization of the application environment.

  • Make your layout screen larger or smaller
  • Customize your layout window by adding grid lines, rulers, and axis labels
  • Adding navigation window, marking window properties windows and marking window to your layout screen


Help Tab

The Help tab provides access to system help and support resources.

Settings Tab

You will find basic settings: the speed of your pin, and set your specific scribe mode. 

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