Open the DesignPLUS Sidebar

Launch button

The launch button for the DesignPLUS Sidebar is not usually visible to users. However, some institutions choose to unhide the launch button by default.  If you do not see the launch button while editing Canvas content, then you'll need to use a keyboard shortcut to initiate the DesignPLUS Sidebar:

• Alt-Shift-D (PC)

• Option-Shift-D (Mac)

Look for the DesignPLUS launch button in the top right corner of the editor screen. If visible, select the launch button to open the sidebar. If not, refer to the article Keyboard Shortcuts above.

Open

After using the keyboard shortcut to load the sidebar, you can navigate to User Settings.

Open

From there, enable "Show Launch Button" to pin the launch button for yourself.  When this setting is enabled, you won't have to repeat the keyboard shortcuts next time because the launch button will now be visible.

A note about versions

Depending on your institution's DesignPLUS configuration, your first time loading the Sidebar may load the legacy version (2016) or the new version (2023).  The screenshots can help you identify your version.

Legacy:

Open

New:

Open

If the legacy version loads but you would like to use the new version

1. Select the Settings button in the top right of the legacy sidebar.

2. In the settings modal that appears, select the Try New Version button**
   
   

   Open

   

3. The editor page will reload with the new version.

4. Select the launch button or use the keyboard shortcuts:

   1. Alt-Shift-V (PC)

   2. Option-Shift-V (Mac)

5. The new version will now continue to load for you.