Change to class file not reflected

Question

I am using a class file to help document my thesis.I need to make some basic changes and I therefore go and edit my class file.I save it and then in Texnic Center when I do shift+ctrl+f5 I do not get the updated information.Is there another way to compile or something?I am not sure why changes do not get reflected.

Answer 1

Modifying directly a .cls file is not a good practice. Instead you can make the modification(s) in your .tex file (redefining what you need, and using \makeatletter, \makeatother if necessary). Another option is to use the etoolbox package; in this case, we only have to patch the \maketitle command, so you can use

\usepackage{etoolbox}
\patchcmd{\maketitle}{\begin{center}}{\begin{center}\vspace*{1in}}{}{}

in the preamble of your .tex document. A complete example:

\documentclass{uiucecethesis09}
\usepackage{etoolbox}

\patchcmd{\maketitle}{\begin{center}}{\begin{center}\vspace*{1in}}{}{}

\msthesis

\title{Title Goes Here and Will Be Automatically Set in ALL CAPS}
\author{Your Name Goes Here}
\department{Electrical and Computer Engineering}
\degreeyear{year}

\advisor{Your Adviser Here}


\begin{document}
\maketitle

\end{document}