Each frame can operate in one of several modes. OpenROAD Workbench provides six frame modes: Update, Read, Query, and three user modes (User1, User2, User3) that you can use as you see fit. As a frame runs, you change its current mode by changing the CurMode attribute.

Every field has a bias for each of the six modes. The bias attributes of a field are as follows:

Another bias attribute, AllBias, lets you set a single bias value for all six modes.

A field's current bias is the bias setting for a frame's current mode. The bias setting for a mode determines how the user interacts with the field when the frame is in that mode. A field's bias can be used, for example, to control whether a user can enter data in a field, whether the field is dimmed, and even whether the field is visible.

The current bias of a field may also determine what events are generated in connection with the field. For example, a DragSegment event is generated for a field only when the field has the DragSegment bias; no event is generated for a field when its bias is Dimmed.

When you create a field using the Frame Editor, a default initial bias is set for each frame mode. You can change a field's initial bias by using the Property Inspector or by using the Bias menu commands.

The following section describes the OpenROAD field biases. The biases are organized by the following categories: