To create a window that allows you to view and edit data in a Rails table, first select the table in the Track Magic window, then click on the + symbol to the right of the table name. (You can also select the table and choose Create Local Synchronized Database from the Table menu.) Track Magic will create a new empty database window that contains the same field configuration as the Rails table.
The new database window is empty, so Track Magic asks if you would like to fill it.
The Download Subset and Local Field Configuration commands will be discussed later (see Downloading Data and Field Configuration). To simply download all of the data from the Rails database press the Download All button. Track Magic will copy all of the data in the Rails table into the new window.
What has actually just happened? The new window is in fact a newly created Panorama RAM based database. It has all of the capabilities of any other Panorama database (super fast sorting, selection, analysis tools, report generation, etc.) but also has additional Rails related capabilities. In addition to the standard Panorama menus, a new Rails menu appears near the end of the menu bar. This menu has special commands for managing the link between this Panorama database and the Rails server.
Although this new database is RAM based, Panorama also keeps a copy of the database on your hard drive. Use the Save command (in the File menu) to save the database at any time. From a database point of view it's actually not necessary to save this local copy, since the master copy of the data is kept in the Rails table and you can download it at any time. However, saving the database does save any local preferences you have set up (see Local Options) as well as any customizations you have made to the data sheet view (column widths, field configuration, etc.) or any alternate views or reports you have set up. It also allows you to keep a snapshot of the data that you can access even if when the Rails database is not available (if you are using a laptop without a network connection, for example).
Opening a Panorama Database Linked to a Rails Table
When you create a new Panorama database linked to a Rails table, the plus symbol next to the table name turns into a Panorama icon.
To open the Panorama database simply click on this icon. (You can also open the database by double clicking on the table name, or by selecting the table and choosing Open Local Synchronized Database from the Table menu.)
You'll probably never need to directly access the actual file the RAM based database is stored in. However, if you do, you'll find it in the Panorama folder inside the Vendors folder inside the main folder for your Rails application. (When a Panorama database is open, you can go directly to the database by choosing the Reveal in Finder command in the File menu.)
