Properties window and Properties dialog box

The Properties window and the Properties dialog box pperform similar functions:

The Properties window provides a quick way to see and modify the attributes for one or more selected objects. It is also used to set attributes for certain commands.
The Properties dialog box offers a detailed view of the properties for an individual object, with additional options for editing.

Properties window

The Properties window facilitates the input, review and editing of model properties.

By default it is docked at the bottom left of the main window, but you can reposition it if required.

Tip:

If you click x in the top right corner to close the window, you can re-open it from the Windows tab of the ribbon.

It can be used to:

Specify properties when running a command from the ribbon.
Review or edit existing properties when individual or multiple items are selected in a scene view.
Save properties to and recall properties from property sets.

When it is being used to review or edit existing properties:

If an individual item is selected, all of its properties are displayed.
If multiple items of the different types are selected, the list at the top of the Properties window enables you to choose the item type for which properties are to be displayed.
When multiple items of the same type are selected, only those property values that have the same value for each item are displayed, property values that differ are left blank.
If a property is displayed but its value is greyed out, this indicates that it can not be changed.

Note:

Some item properties are not suited for display in Properties window and can only be accessed via the Properties dialog box. In steel members, web opening properties are one such example.

Properties dialog box

The Properties dialog box provides an alternative method for editing an individual item. It can be opened by selecting an individual item in a Scene View and then selecting Edit from the right-click context-sensitive menu.