Groupbox

Visualization elements can be dragged into a group box based on the drag & drop principle, in order to form a visual unit. They can be nested multiple times.

Groupbox 1:

Properties editor

The properties of a visualization element - except alignment and order - can all be configured in the properties editor. By default, this editor opens next to the visualization editor, or it can be opened explicitly via the "Properties" command (which can be found in the View menu as standard).

A property can be modified by editing the field "Value". To this end, an input field, a selection list, a dialog or checkbox that can be activated is provided in this field, depending on the element type. The value field opens

If a variable is assigned,

Working in the list of properties can be made easier with the aid of default, sorting and filter functions.

Element properties

All element properties and their descriptions are listed below.

Element name

The element name can be changed. Standard name is "GenElemInst_x". "x" stands for a sequential number.

Element type

The element type is entered here. For three element groups it is possible to switch between the corresponding elements by changing the element type:

Position

Here you can define the position (X/Y coordinates) and size (width and height) of the element in pixels. The origin is in the top left corner of the window. The positive x-axis is on the right, the positive y-axis runs downwards. If the values edited, the displayed element is simultaneously modified in the visualization editor.

X

Horizontal position in pixels – X=0 is the left edge of the window.

Y

Vertical position in pixels – Y=0 is the upper edge of the window.

Width

Width of the element in pixels

Height

Height of the element in pixels

Texts

These properties are used for a static definition of the element labelling.

Text

Enter a text. It is used to label the element.

Note: The text can also be entered directly. If the element is selected in the visualization editor, an input field can be opened by pressing the space bar.

Tooltip

Enter a text. It is used as a tooltip for the element and appears in the visualization only in online mode when the cursor is placed over an element.

Text properties

Font

Defines the font through selection from predefined fonts:

  • Standard
  • Heading
  • Large heading
  • Title
  • Note

Press Groupbox 3: to opens the dialog for user-defined font properties.

Font color

Defines the font color for the element. Either from the selection list or via the dialog that opens when Groupbox 4: is clicked.

Access rights

This setting relates to the access rights for the individual element. Click to open the Access rights dialog. The setting is only available if a user management was added to the PLC project. The following status messages are available:

Not set. All rights.

The default message is set, if the element is shown as available for all groups.

Rights are issued: Limited rights.

The message is set, if the element is shown with limited behavior for at least one group.

State variables

These are dynamic definitions of the availability of the element in online mode.

Invisibility

Specification of a boolean variable. If this returns TRUE, the element is invisible in online mode.

Input disabled

Specification of a boolean variable. If TRUE is returned, inputs for the element have no effect. Also, the element itself is greyed out in the visualization, to indicate that no user inputs are possible.

If the visualization uses the user management, the elements for user groups with access right "only visible" are grayed out.