The new DesignPLUS Sidebar is easier to use out of the box (especially for new and basic users), more intuitive to customize, and contains many new features. A lot has changed, so we recommend looking through the training materials provided on this page.
If you used the tools previously, you may need to use the keyboard shortcut detailed in this guide below to get the tools to appear again in your Canvas.
Getting Started with the new DesignPLUS Sidebar
Opening the DesignPLUS Sidebar in Canvas
To open the DesignPLUS sidebar in Canvas, use the keyboard shortcut Alt-Shift-D (Windows) or Option-Shift-D (Mac) any time you are editing content in canvas to open the tools.
You must be editing content in Canvas for the keyboard shortcuts to work. If neither of these shortcuts work, you can also try Ctrl-1.
Automatically show launch button
Once the Sidebar opens, we recommend changing your user settings to always show the launch button. Then, you will be able to click on the launch button to launch the DesignPLUS sidebar and will not need to use the keyboard shortcut.
To do this:
Use the kebab menu to go to “User Settings”
And check the box next to Show Launch Button.
Updating legacy Canvas content to work with the new sidebar
The first time you use the new sidebar to edit a page, you will be prompted to update the content on the page to work with the new sidebar.
Select Go to the Upgrade Tool and upgrade all elements on the page at once.
Upgrade all pages and course content in a course
If you have a lot of content that was created using the legacy CIDI Labs DesignPlus toolbar and you would like to upgrade all of your course content at once so it can work with the new DesignPlus Sidebar, use the Course Upgrade tool.
User Guide
New DesignPLUS User Guide - the user guide includes general information, tool specific guides, screenshots, and release notes.
Training Resources
Getting Started Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfO3UwQRAecAdditional Tutorial Videos
Getting Started with DesignPLUS Email Training Series
Filling out this DesignPLUS training form will launch a series of five emails, each with a different one-hour video training designed to help you learn how to use DesignPLUS effectively. Feel free to watch as many of them as suits your individual needs!
For additional one-on-one help getting started with DesignPLUS, or to schedule a training session for small groups, contact TLC.
Helpful Guides
Building a Basic Page - This document has a quick start for building basic page content with a suggested workflow.
Building a Homepage - This document has a quick start for building basic front page components.
Styling Plain Content - Instructions and screenshots for styling basic content such as headings, page title, images, links, and tables.
Styling Legacy Content - If you've been using the legacy sidebar for a while and have lots of pages with legacy content, this guide will help you see how to upgrade a page so that it is compatible with the new Sidebar.
Integrating DesignPLUS Content into Existing Content - How can you immediately start integrating DesignPLUS content into existing pages? See how the new Sidebar can insert content anywhere; you don't have to start with a blank page.