Common Functions in Graphical Editors

The implementation part of the graphical editors for FBD, LD, CFC and SFC has a toolbar in the lower right corner:

Common Functions in Graphical Editors 1:

Back to normal editing mode: The mouse pointer changes to the default arrow shape. You can again select and edit elements in the editor window.

Common Functions in Graphical Editors 2:

Panning tool: The mouse pointer changes to the shape of two crossed arrows. You can now click anywhere in the editor window, keep the mouse button pressed then move the visible area of the FBD/LD/IL editor or the CFC diagram within the window.

Common Functions in Graphical Editors 3:

Magnifier tool: An additional magnifier window opens in the lower right corner of the editor window and the mouse pointer changes to the shape of two crossed arrows. As long as you now move the mouse pointer over your diagram, the magnifier shows the area of the diagram around the pointer at 100% size. If you click into the window, the magnifier closes, and the part of the diagram that was shown in it is displayed at 100% size. Therefore, if you want to retain the set zoom factor, you should use Common Functions in Graphical Editors 4: to return to normal editing mode.

Common Functions in Graphical Editors 5:

Zoom tool: The button opens a submenu for selecting a zoom factor. Selecting the three points ... opens the zoom dialog, where you can enter a different value. The current zoom factor is always displayed to the left of the button.

Zooming in/out with the mouse wheel: If you press the [Ctrl] button while you move the mouse wheel, the zoom factor changes in 10% steps.

Each graphical editor features a toolbox (Toolbox view), by default to the right of the editor window. The toolbox contains the available elements that you can drag with the mouse to the respective insertion positions in the editor window. TwinCAT highlighting the respective insert positions with gray diamond, triangular or arrow-shaped position marks. As soon as the mouse pointer is over one of these marks, the mark turns green. When you now release the mouse button, TwinCAT inserts the element at the current position.

Moving elements in the editor is also possible with the mouse.

You can drag declarations of function blocks into the editor window in the FBD, LD and CFC graphical editors. To do this, select the complete declaration (variable name and data type) and drag it to a suitable place in the editor window. With the Ladder Diagram, you can additionally drag boolean declarations into the editor and insert them as a contact.

See also: