The User Database Manager

The so-called "User Database Manager" is the central tool for the creation and maintenance of user database files (file extension *.mtu) in which own reference data (powder diffraction patterns and/or crystal structure data) are stored. The User Database Manager can be opened either by clicking on the corresponding toolbar button (in the toolbar at the top), by selecting the command "User Database Manager" from the "Database" menu, or by pressing the "Create/modify user database..." button in the "Create Reference Database" dialog.

The user database manager window consists of three parts: At the top, there are nine buttons using which the basic actions can be initiated:

Below the buttons, in the upper half of the window, is the list of entries currently present. Finally, in the lower part of the window there is a so-called "tabsheet" in which the details of the entry currently marked in the Entry list above are displayed and edited. You can switch between the individual tabsheets by clicking on the corresponding tabsheet header.

The first tabsheet (called "Summary") contains an extract of the database fields on the remaining tabsheets; the data can just be viewed here, but not edited. The second tabsheet "General" contains data required for the description of the phase, like formula sum, chemical name etc. On the third tabsheet "Crystal structure", crystal structure data can be entered in order to calculate the corresponding diffraction pattern on the subsequent tabsheet "Diffraction pattern". Here, it is not only possible to calculate and view the pattern, but also to import or export diffraction data as peak list files, or to enter the diffraction data manually. Finally, the "Properties / Bibliography" tabsheet provides access to the physical property (e.g. density) as well as bibliographic database fields.

Once you have finished adding or editing entries in the user database manager, the modified user database has to be saved to a mtu-file before it actually can be used. You will be asked automatically to save your user database when you leave the User Database Manager dialog by pressing the "Quit" button. Alternatively, you can also press the "Save" button at the top of the dialog window.