You can also change the VNAV path angle from the LEGS page. For example, on the LVZ4 STAR into KTEB, it is common to get STENT at FL350. The LEGS page will look something like this:
JHW
HOXIE
DMACK
3.0
STENT /FL350
In the scratch pad, you can type in "1.5" and then line select it over the "/FL350" for STENT. That will change the descent angle to 1.5 to STENT at FL350:
1.5
STENT /FL350
A 1.5 descent angle results in a 1000 - 1200 FPM descent rate, depending on headwind or tailwind. This keeps you within the RVSM descent rate requirements, i.e., not to exceed 1500 FPM. It doesn't affect your default settings either. It's a one time change.
You can also use this method to restore the default vertical angle. The next waypoint after STENT is LVZ, which is an "expect FL180" constraint. Often times, we'll program that constraint ahead of time. When you enter the AT FL350 for STENT, the VNAV draws a geometric path between STENT at FL350 and LVZ at FL180, which usually equates to a 1.8 degree or so path, which might be too shallow. You can type "3.0" in the scratch pad, and line select it up on the LEGS page next to the FL180 at LVZ and that will change the angle back to 3.0. It also makes for a smoother path transition to join the VNAV path from LVZ to MUGZY at 6000.
Rich