Settings

The tab contains settings that apply to all visualizations of the PLC project.

Settings 1:

General settings

Use Unicode strings

If this option is enabled, all strings that are used in the visualization are processed in Unicode format. To do this, "VISU_USEWSTRING" must be entered additionally under Compile > Settings > Compiler defines in the settings for the PLC project.

Use CurrentVisu Variable

The PLC project knows and uses the global variable VisuElems.CurrentVisu of type STRING. It contains the name of the currently active visualization at runtime.

The variable can be accessed in read mode to obtain the name of the currently active visualization, and in write mode to change the visualization. The switchover takes place on all display devices in parallel so that the same visualization page is displayed on all connected clients.

Requirement: The application contains a visualization that calls further visualizations.

Samples:

  • Assigning a variable: VisuElems.CurrentVisu := sVisuName;
  • Assigning a text: VisuElems.CurrentVisu := ‘Visualization1‘;

Style settings

Selected style

Each visualization presents the elements in this style.

Display all versions (for experts only)

If this setting is enabled, all style versions that are installed on the system are available for selection via the selection menu.

Preview

The elements shown in the preview represent the selected style.

Language settings

Selected language

The selected language is used when a visualization starts.

Settings 2:

A default language for the start of a visualization can only be set in conjunction with PLC HMI and/ or PLC HMI Web. With an integrated visualization, the text version ‘Standard’ is automatically used on startup. Language change at runtime via buttons on the visualization is also possible in the integrated visualization.

See also:

Settings 3:

From build 4024.0 the settings for the user management dialogs are listed on the separate Dialog settings tab and are documented there accordingly.

Additional settings

Activate multitouch handling

At runtime the visualization expects user inputs via gestures and touch events. Affected elements:

  • Elements with input configuration
  • Elements of type frame
  • Elements of type tab control

Activate semi-transparent drawing

The visualization draws the elements in a semi-transparent color.
When defining the color you can additionally specify a graduation value for the transparency. The transparency is defined in the Transparency property.

Preset: Activated.

Requirement: You create a new visualization, and the display variants can draw semi-transparently.

Activate default keyboard operation

  • Tab
  • Shift + Tab
  • Input
  • Up arrow
  • Down arrow
  • Right arrow
  • Left arrow

Draw deactivated elements in gray

The visualization draws deactivated elements grayed out.

Extended settings

Visible

Memory settings, file transfer mode and client settings are visible. (Not required for standard applications)

Settings 4:

If the integrated visualization is used, the unavailable settings are grayed out or not displayed at all.

Memory settings

Size of Memory for Visu

Memory size in bytes, which the visualization allocates at runtime.

Preset: 400000

Size of Paintbuffer (per Client)

Memory size in bytes, which the visualization allocates for each display option and uses for drawing actions.

Preset: 50000

Client settings

Maximum number of Visualization Clients

Limits the number of display variants, which can run simultaneously.

If you configure elements such that they vary depending on the display variant, you need to limit the number of display variants. A visualization is assigned an ID at runtime, which identifies the display variant. Data is then processed accordingly. TwinCAT can query the ID with the system variable CURRENTCLIENTID to obtain information on which of the current variants is affected.

Sample: arr[CURRENTCLIENTID].dwColor

Requirement: Library VisuGlobalClientManager is integrated in the project.

Convert images to

If this setting is enabled, you can select from a drop-down menu whether the images of the standard elements should be compiled in the bmp or png format. This is necessary if a Windows Embedded Compact operating system is installed on the target system, since only bmp, png and jpg images can be displayed there in the PLC HMI client.

Transfer both svg images and converted images

If this setting is enabled, image files that had previously been converted to bmp or png can also be loaded to the target system in the original svg format. The PLC HMI client uses the image files in bmp or png format locally on the Beckhoff CE device and a PLC HMI Web client uses the image files in svg format.

This setting is then available if both the PLC HMI and the PLC HMI Web are activated.