ALPHA-VISION® Basis: Tutorial VISUalization

Tutorial VISUalization

SUMMARY

The project example „DEMO“ is presented in a simulated process environment. Afterwards the way leading to those results is described.

CONTENTS

1. Preface
2. Approach
3. File Structure
4. Programs of ALPHA-VISION
5. The Process environment
6. Partial views of the runtime
7. Technology Pictures in the Application Area
8. The Projecting Area PMU
9. Programs for working on a Project
10. The AbvEditor
11. Technology Picture 'TUT_1 - SWITCHED BULB' (Editor)
12. Technology Picture TUT_2 - DIGITALMETER' (Editor)
13. Technology Picture TUT_21 – DIGIM. BARGRAPH (Editor)
14. Technology Picture 'TUT_22 – DIGIM. Diagram' (Editor)
15. Technology Picture 'TUT_3 – Ramp and Counter' (Editor)
16. Dialog Window 'DIAGRA – Ramp Diagram'(Editor)
17. Technology Pictures for the reporting system (Editor)
18. Alarm Area 'TUT – Alarm Area' (Editor)
19. Header Area 'TUT – Tutorial Header' (Editor)
20. Menu Area 'TUT – Tutorial Menu' (Editor)
21. From the project-environment to the process-environment

Preface

The ALPHA-VISION^® VISU Software is used to monitor and control processes.
The processes are broken down to logical units – the ‘Technology pictures’.
The pictures are customized; measuring values and signal conditions can be displayed graphically or numeric.
During runtime the displayed objects get modified by the running process, vice versa the process can be modified by acting on the displayed objects.

Creating the technology pictures and their use is strictly separated. We distinguish between the projecting- and the process- environment (=runtime)

The information transfer between controls and visualisation is done via data objects. Those Data Objects do have attributes that are interpreted by the visualisation and converted into according presentation of the graphic objects.

By reading through the tutorial you get familiar with the basic methods of creating a project.
Thereto it is necessary to install the "Av-<Version>-BasisWithDemo_de.exe" package.
See also:
AV - Overview und
Installing of VISU Software

Approach

By arbitrary setting of simple tasks this tutorial describes possible solutions in the project-environment. For not going beyond the scope of that tutorial we refrain from a complete accoutrement required on a real project.

First we will show you the result in the process environment.
Afterwards, in the project-environment, we disclose the way that leads to that result.

File Structure

After installing ALPHA-VISION^® you will find the following file structure on your PC:

<Vision-Installtions-Folder>\VISION\
                                bin\         (VISION-Software)
                                prj\         (Project Directory)
                      
                  

Programs of ALPHA-VISION

Via „start“ in the task bar and „Vision“ you get the following menu:

Shows the available help files.

Changes a DEMO-Version into a licensed one. See: licensing

Changes a DEMO-Version into a licensed one. See: licensing

Lists all VISION-Programs with its version number.

Used to define the environment of VISION.
(Especially the Data Objects)

Program to create or modify VISION-Projects.

Starts the runtime for a project (in that case: DEMO)

Deletes all VISION-Programs

The Process environment

By calling the program „Prcs“ you start the runtime, the following picture comes up:



The display of the process-environment is divided into 4 areas
Header Area - Alarm Area - Application Area - Menu Area

Partial views of the runtime

The graphic objects within any of the areas may be dynamised.
A right mouse-click on a graphic object shows whether a Data Object is connected to it; the name of the Data Object is displayed then. A left mouse-click on the Data Object Name opens a dialog window showing details of that Data Object.

It is used to display general information. The image of that area does not change; shown values and indications are updated.

The indication „USER“ shows the logged in user.

The icon offers the opportunity to log in as „ADMINISTRATOR“ with enhanced rights.
The status line prompts for the password – enter „admin“ and press the ‚ENTER’ button. With the status reply „login successfully“ the indication for the logged in user changes to „ADMIN“.

Via the Icon you can render the administrator rights.

Via the icons you can switch between the languages.

Date and Time are shown as UT (Universal Time).

Three lines are available to show the lately appeared alarms.
The Alarm Area is part of the reporting system, if no alarms are pending that area is empty.

The main area – the selected technology pictures are displayed here.
The status line at the very bottom of that area delivers information and prompts for input.

The graphics to illustrate and watch the processes to be controlled usually does not fit on one page. Therefore it is reasonable to create several pictures according to the logical units of the processes to be controlled
Technology pictures are always displayed in the application area; there is no limit to the number of pictures.
Selection of pictures may be done on a horizontal-
(any picture is selectable via the menu)
or a vertical-
(a selected picture offers selection of the next one) structure.
Also a mixture of both is possible, as well as a restricted access according to the rights of the logged in user.

In the application area the following shortcuts are available:

Shortcut	Function
Ctrl + Z	Zoom in - The picture in the application area will be zoomed in in steps.
Ctrl + U	Zoom out - The application area will be zoomed out in steps
Ctrl + left Mouse button	Var. zoom - The application area lassoed by the mouse pointer when holding the Ctrl. key down is zoomed in.
Ctrl + O	Original size - The Technology picture in the application area is displayed in its original size.(= as created in the editor)
Ctrl + C	Close - If more than one picture is displayed in the application area, the active one is closed.
Ctrl + L	Load picture - Prompts for the name of the picture loaded next.
Ctrl + T	Tile picture - Prompts for the name of the picture to load in addition. The active picture is halved and the new one fit in. The maximum number of concurrently loaded pictures is four.
Ctrl + F	Fit picture - The complete picture is fit into the available application area.
Ctrl + M	Maximise picture - The active Window is fit into the application area.
Strg + X	Exit program - Closes the programm `PRCS`.

It keeps the menu to select different technology pictures. The image may change, even for the same picture.

Via mouse click or by pressing the according function key you choose a technology picture. If logged in as administrator you may close down the visualisation.

Technology Pictures in the Application Area

There are 7 Technology Pictures:

“TUT_1 - Bulb”, “TUT_2 - Digital Meter”, TUT_3 - “Counter and Ramp”, Events, Alarms are reachable via the menu; the pictures “TUT_21 - Digital Meter and Bargraph” and “TUT_22 - Digital Meter, Bargraph and Diagram” via the picture “TUT_2”.

The simplest form of an electric circuit with its components.

By activating the ‚ON’,’OFF’ buttons the switch is opened or closed and the bulb is ”lightened” or “dark”.

Via mouse click on the menu button ‚Digital Meter’ or the function key ‚F2’ you switch to the next picture.

The simplest form of a digital indicator.

The value of the upper indicator follows the value of the Data Object "SINUS".
The value of the lower one (Data Object “POSITI”) may be set by an input field, or incremented/decremented via the slider aside. The displayable range reaches from -9,99 to +9.99.
By clicking the ‘numeric edit’ field the status line prompts for a ‘New Value’. Pressing the ‘ENTER’ button applies the value.

Via the button ‘Bargraph’ the Technology picture ‘Digital Meter and Bargraph’ is called.

The previous picture is extended by bar graphs.
The bar graphs follow the digital indications.
The range of the bar graph for the Data Object “POSITI” is set to +/- 1; Therefore the input values on that page are restricted to those limits.
(It is still possible to input a higher value on the pervious page ‘Digital Meter’– and the higher value is shown in the current page also. That should not !!! happen on a real project, here it is done by purpose to show the effect.)

The buttons offers to step back to the previous picture or go to the ‘Diagram’ picture.

The previous picture is extended by diagrams.

By clicking the button writing of the diagrams start.
By clicking the button writing of the diagrams stop.
Via clicking the buttons the stored part of the diagrams can be tapped.

That picture is driven by two small STEP7 programs, please start the SoftPLC7.

Now start the program for the counter. The counter ranges from -32767 to + 32767, the digital meter, the analog meter and the bar graph follows the counter value.
The binary indicator shows only the 8 lower bits.
The input field as well as the arrows allow you to modify the increment value for the counter. The arrows below the ‘Stop’ button allow to define the count direction.

Now start the Step7 program for the ramp.
The ramp area ranges from -100 to +100.
The maximum value for the ramp, the increment value and the alarm limit can be defined. Exceeds the actual value the alarm limit the ‘RAMPALARMFLAG’ is set, the alarm indicator beside the limit input field starts blinking red and an according message is shown in the alarm area.
If you move the mouse pointer upon the indicator a small window opens showing information about the type of the alarm expressed by the colour code.

Please press the diagram button.
A dialog window showing the diagram in detail is opened.

The pictures ‘Events’ and ‘Alarms’ are part of the Reporting System.

Events are incidents considered worthy to be notified; they are stored in the eventlog and displayed in the picture ‘Event’.
Alarms are incidents considered as disturbance of the running process; they are displayed in the picture ‘Alarm’.

The Alarm Area lists the 3 latest alarms out of the picture ‘Alarm’.

Only active alarms are listed.

Alarms may have 4 conditions:

• unacknowledged (red blinking) – a new alarm
• acknowledged (red) – an acknowledged alarm
• unacknowledged gone (green blinking) – an alarm disappeared without being acknowledged
• acknowledged gone (not displayed any more) – a quitted alarm disappeared

Any alarm is listed here also but unlike the 'Alarm List' the entries are kept with the date/time stamp when there are appeared and disappeared.
(The more often the limit in the technology picture ‘Counter a. Ramp’ is exceeded the more entries you got in the list.)
Via the arrows on the right hand side you may page up and down in the list. The button ‘set Time Filter’ opens a Dialog to set date and time for showing events that occurred in that time slice.

The Projecting Area PMU

The program PMU (Project Management Utilities) contains the sub programs for the project management.
After a short overall survey we will show how the technology pictures were created and dynamised.

When PMU is called, the following picture turns up:

It gives admission to:

• Project and Version management
• Any available program module
• The Selection of the project and version the program modules should work at.

Programs for working on a Project

Used for set ups in the Project-Environment that are not defined in the technology pictures themselves.

Allows to project multiple language environment for the runtime environment.

Concept:
The projecting language is elective, if abvMls is not used any text is displayed in runtime as projected.
If abvMls is used a language table for any chosen language is created and labeled with an identification letter i.e. D- for German, E- for English. The Tables are translated and used in runtime according the language selection.

Used to define the sizes of the subareas (Header = , Alarm= ,Application= ,Menu Area).

Used to create or modify technology pictures, header, alarm area and menus.

The program is used to compile the files of the project environment; it creates two for the runtime necessary files.

The AbvEditor

Select the project ‘DEMO’ (Password ‘DEMO’) and the version ‘W_01’ as a working version.

Double-click the AbvEditor. In the opened display pull down the menu ‘File’, select the type ‘Application area’ and open the file named ‘‚TUT_1 - SWITCHED BULB’.

You get the following picture:

Handling of the editing tools mainly follow the ‘Windows’ standard. For further information you may also refer to the existing help files (Function key F1)

Via several pull-down-menus on the upper margin the functionalities for creating/editing a picture are offered. The most common ones are also presented by icons below.
In the lower part you find the colour palettes P1 to P4. The colour selection left beside P1 represents ‘transparent’. On the very bottom in the 'status line' you get information about the selected element(s):

• Element Type
• X /Y Position of the mouse pointer, resp. the left-upper position of the selected object.
• dX / dY Dimension of the selected element or element group
• Number of selected elements

Via the pull-down-menu “Setup“ you can define:

Snap to Grid:
Position and size of a graphic element is adjusted to the grid.

Show Grid:
Makes the grid visible or hide it.

Grid Settings:
Defines the grid raster in pixels.

Enable Selektion:
Defines the type(s) of graphic elements that are selectable by the mouse pointer.

Zoom:
The work space may be zoomed in steps.

Guideline:
In the following captures you are directed to make changes to the existing pictures. You may save or discard the changes you made. Via version copy you may regain an original of the ‘MASTER’ anyway.

Please keep in sequence when working through the tutorial, since functionalities described once not explained on reoccurrence later on.

Technology Picture 'TUT_1 - SWITCHED BULB' (Editor)

It consists of the elements ‘text’ and ‘polygon’ in their static attributes only. The polygon is used to achieve a 3D effect.

Activate the icon and click into the headline ‚Bulb’.

The object is marked; the status line gives the information „Polygon selected“, the position, the dimension and number of objects selected. The colour table shows the colouring. Line: white; Fill: transparent. Pull down the object a bit while holding the mouse-button down. Click in the headline again, „Polygon selected“ is shown but with different colours. Pull down that object also; you naw have taken apart the headline to its elements. Click into the text of the headline, the information belonging to the text is shown below.

Alterable static attributes of a Polygon:
- Colour, via colour palettes
- Size, via the handles of the selection frame
- Line style, via the pull-down-menu „Edit“ - „Attributes Sequential” – “Category: General“
- Form, by double-click into the Polygon, the benchmarks that may be moved are shown.

Alterable static attributes of a Text:
- Text= and background colour, via the palettes
- Size of text field, via the handles of the Selection frame
- Font, via the input fields ‘Font’= and ‘Font size’
- Text, double-click into the text field modifies it to a text input field.

It is composed of the elements Line, Rectangle, Ellipse and the Figure “SWTCH0”.
As described above select the single objects and move them outwards, like in an exploded assembly drawing.

Alterable static attributes of a Line, Rectangle and Ellipse:
Colour, size, line style.

The inner ellipse should dynamically reflect the (on, off) conditions of the bulb.
The Dataobject “LIGHT” carries the information:
Value ‘0’ = Light OFF
Value ‘1’ = Light ON
so for the condition of the bulb, the value of the Dataobject must be queried and the ellipse must coloured according the returned value. (off=grey, on=yellow)

Select the inner ellipse. (in the foreground, grey with black border)

- query the value of the dataobject “LIGHT:

Via the pull-down-menu ‘Edit’ and ‘Attributes sequentiell..’ select the Category ‘ ‘Dynamic’

• Dynamic function: Obj_ValueInt(LIGHT)
  (queries the value of the dataobject LIGHT)
• Descrption:
  (facultative)
• Condition table: "BULB"
  (That table define the colours for the returned values)

- Check the Attribute Condition Table

Via pull-down-menu 'Setup' option 'Attribute Condition Table' load the table 'BULB'

That table defines the following:

Return-value (State) = 0 (Light OFF)
- Line colour (border of the ellipse) black
- Fill colour (filling of the ellipse) light grey

Return-value (State) = 1 (Light ON)
- Line colour (border of the ellipse) yellow
- Fill colour (filling of the ellipse) yellow

Return-value (State) = -1
(used to define the colouring for ANY returned value, not defined in the table)
- Line colour (border of the ellipse) dark grey
- Fill colour (filling of the ellipse) grey

Before we go further on some general information.

Actions apply changes to data objects
- that change of the data object may modify the running process.
Functions queries data objects
– a change of the data object indicates a change in the running process.
The ALPHA-VISION^® VISU-System offers predefined actions and functions, those connect the graphic elements of the visualisation with the data objects and achieve that way the dynamisation.

From the many existent ones you will meet very few in that tutorial – but it surely imparts the vast variety available to display and control a process environment.

WORKING WITH ACTIONS AND FUNCTIONS:

First select the graphic element to work on.

From the pull-down menu „Edit“, select „Attributes Sequential”
Depending on the type of graphic element select a “Category”:

• General
  defines static attributes
• Dynamic
  queries an attribute of a data object to modify a graphic element by means of a condition table.
• Action
  initiate actions
• Variables
  queries the variable of a data object to display it.
• Format
  define the notation of display
• Enable
  sets precondition for the defined action
• Scaling
  defines the scaling
• Figur Parameters
  correlates a figure to the desired data object(s).

After selecting a category you can enter/select the appropriate parameters; The button opens a dialog offering options.
More information you can find in the help files by pressing the ‘F1’ function key.

A figure you can look at as a small technology picture.
Figures are used for frequently repeated illustrations/functional-units and to display different conditions of a component.

The displayed switch has two conditions; for any one a figure was created.
Figure SWTCH0 = Switch open
Figure SWTCH1 = Switch closed


The data object „LIGHT“ is carrying the information.
Value 0 = Switch open
Value 1 = Switch closed

The dynamic is achieved by placing one figure, defining the condition table and query the value of the data object.

- placing the figure “SWTCH0” in the technology picture.

• Via pull-down menu ‚Insert’, -option ‚Figure’ select the figure „SWTCH0“.
• With the mouse pointer (it changed to a hair cross) draw up an arbitrary rectangle.
• Activate the Icon and select the placed figure.
• Via the pull-down menu „Arrange“ select the option „Original size“
• Position the figure “SWTCH0” as desired.

- Checking the condition table

• Via pull-down menu „Setup“ select option „Figure condition table“.
• Via the „Load“ button open the table „SWITCH“

State -00001 = Figure SWTCH0
State 00001 = Figure SWTCH1

That table defines that figure “SWTCH1” is displayed on a return-value of “1”
- any other value leads to a display of figure „SWTCH0“.

- query the value of the data object „LIGHT“

• Select the placed figure
• Via pull-down menu „Edit“ - „Attributes Sequential” and the category “Dynamic” the necessary entries can be made.

Dynamic function: Obj_ValueInt(LIGHT)
Description: Optional input
Condition table: SWITCH

Any button consists of the elements ‘button’ and ‘text’. To ungroup these elements double-click the button or select the button and „Ungroup“ it via the pull-down menu „Arrange“.

Select the text “ON” and move it a bit up. Modify the text colour to white and the background colour to green by using the colour palette at the bottom.
Lassoing both elements - the status line shows „Several primitives selected“and the count of 2.
Via the pull-down menu „Arrange“ and the funktion „Label Button“ you couple text and button.

In the same way label the „OFF“ button white on a red background.

For the command ON/OFF the appropriate actions must be tied to the buttons.

The data object „LIGHT“carries the information.
set Value 0 = switch Light OFF
set Value 1 = switch Light ON

- To set the value of the data object „LIGHT“:

• Select the ‘ON’ button
• Via the pull-down menu „Edit“ and „Attributes Sequential” the action 'Obj_SetValue(LIGHT,1)' is defined
• Select the ‘OFF’ button.
• Via the pull-down menu „Edit“ and „Attributes Sequential” the action 'Obj_SetValue(LIGHT,0)'is defined

If in the runtime the button ‘ON’ is pressed the data object „LIGHT“ is set to 1; by pressing the 'OFF' button it is set to 0.

Finally - via the pull-down menu „Edit“ option „Information“ and the "Menu" -field a menu for the Technology picture was defined.

Now close the technology picture;
if you haven’t saved your modifications yet the program will ask, whether you want to save your changes.

Technology Picture TUT_2 - DIGITALMETER' (Editor)

They were inserted via the pull-down menu „Insert“ and the option “Digital Meter”.
Select the upper Digital Meter and have a look at the defined parameters.
Use the pull-down menu „Edit“ - „Attribute sequential“

- in the Category:

• „General“
  you can modify the static parameters;
• „Dynamic“
  no dynamic defined;
• „Action“
  not available for a Digital Meter;
• „Variables“
  'Obj_Value(SINUS)' queries the value of data object “SINUS” to display it.
• „Format“
  defines direction and format of the Digital Meter.
• „Enable“
  not available for Digital Meter.
• „Scaling“
  - Offset: defines the offset of the shown value to the real one;
  - Gradient: defines a factor the real value is multiplied with before displaying;
• „Figure Parameter“
  not available

The second Digital Meter shows the value of the data object „POSITI“;
its value can be manipulated via the slider and the input field.

Select the slider, again you can readout and modify the Categories.

• „Action“
  'Obj_SetVal(POSITI,)'
  (The value of the data object 'POSITI' is modified according to the position of the slider.)
• „Format“
  – Direction = up
  (vertical movement of the slider)
  - Arrow-Direction = +90°
  (Slider points to the left)
• „Scaling“ (the slider should cover the range from -1 to +1)
  – offset = ‘Usr_Const(-1)’
  (the zero-position of the slider is moved by 1;
  '-' means in the same direction as defined under ‘Format’(=up))
• - range = ‘Usr_Const(2)’
  (the absolute range=2)

Select the Value Input Field and have a look at the definitions. If you like to modify any of parameter known to you.

The action ‚Obj_SetVal’ expects 2 parameters (DataObject and Value); by omitting the second parameter – the value – you attain that in the runtime the missing value is asked for and can be delivered.

To the button “Bar Indication” the action „Wnd_LoadDis(TUT_21,)“, is bound. That loads the Technology Picture ‘TUT_21’ when pressed

Technology Picture TUT_21 – DIGIM. BARGRAPH (Editor)

Select both Bargraphs(Lasso), the Status Line informs that you have selected 4 elements. (Any bargraph is framed by a rectangle, for a more pleasant illustration). The bargraph colour was adapted to the frames of the according Digital Meters.
Under the Category „Variables“ use the 'Ok next' button to step forward until the function „Obj_Value(SINUS)“ is shown. The function is equal to that for the Digital Meter, due to the different form of display further definitions are needed.

„Format“
- the direction (up) the bargraph should take
- Bargraph style („line“ would change the solid bar to a single line)

„Scaling“

• „Scaling offset”
  defines the offset for the value of the Data Object ‘SINUS’
  (-) minus = in the same direction as defined in the format.
  (+) plus = in the opposite direction as defined in the format
  
• „Scaling range”
  defines the range for the bargraph.
• „Scaling zero”
  defines the zero point
  0: the zero point is equivalent to the defined Offset
  -: the zero point is shifted against the defined direction
  +: the zero point is shifted in the same direction as defined.
  

So the entries define a range of 2,
the zero point is located right in the middle.
– the bargraph will display values between -1 and +1 orderly.

The other elemets are already known to you.

Technology Picture 'TUT_22 – DIGIM. Diagram' (Editor)

New are:
3 Figures, „SKALAX“, „SKALAY“ and „RASTER“
2 Graphs (one upon each other)
4 Buttons to manipulate the display of the graphs
3 Digital Meter for time scaling

Scales and raster(background of the graphs) are purely static.

Displays the given values in a time raster of 1 second in the defined range.
A ring buffer with a defined size keeps the measuring values.

Select one of the graphs and have a look at the following category:

„Scaling“

• Scaling functions Y
  The Y-scalings are equal to that of the bargraph.
  
• Scaling offset-function X
  - it defines the oldest value to be display in the diagram.
  it is controlled by the Data Object ‘TSTART’ which is incremented by 1 systemwise at any second.
• Scaling range-function X
  - it defines the range to be displayed;
  The diagram should cover a period of 6 minutes (360 seconds)
  
• Pool size
  - 800 measuring values should be stored.
  The buffer is a ring-buffer, when it is filled any new value pushes out the oldest one.

Select the button , during runtime it starts the graph.

Action
Obj_TickOn(TSTART,360) – that starts the graph - The Data Object “TSTART” is incremented by 1 on any second.
Obj_SetSts(TSTART,1) – sets the status of Data Object “TSTART” to 1
(This is an auxiliary construction to control enabling of the diagram control buttons)

Enable
Obj_StsCmp(TSTART,0) – The button is enabled if the status of “TSTART”=0

Select the button , during runtime it stops the graph.
Action
Obj_TickOff(TSTART) – stops the graph – “TSTART” is no longer incremented
Obj_SetSts(TSTART,0) – Status “TSTART” is set to 0 (auxiliary construction)

Enable
Obj_StsCmp(TSTART,1) – enabled if the status of “ TSTART” =1.

Select the buttons , during runtime they allow to display any value stored in the buffer.
(Select 1st element than Shift-and 2nd element)

Action
Obj_IncrData(TSTART,Value,60) – The value of “TSTART” is incremented by 60.
On the other button the value of “TSTART” is decremented by 60.

Enable - Obj_StsCmp(TSTART,0) – enabled if the status of “TSTART”=0; (the graph is not running)


SUMMING-UP:
The value of “TSTART” represents the time, -the oldest value in the diagram.
By incrementing or decrementing “TSTART” by 60 (sec) the time window is moved along the buffer in steps of a minute, so the whole contend of the buffer can be inspected.
The status of “TSTART” represents activity
– 0 = stopped, moving of the time window and start of graph is possible
- 1 = running, stopping of the graph is possible

Select the 3 digital meters on the X-Scaling.
All of them got the same variable function and format, they only differ in scaling; the very left one (no Offset)=oldest time – the middle one (+180) – the right one(+360)=newest time.

Via copy and paste the digital meter and modifying the offset you can complete the scale labelling.

Technology Picture 'TUT_3 – Ramp and Counter' (Editor)

From our first picture you are familiar with using a figure to show the condition of an element(switch) and swap it against a different one on change of the value.
The figure described next is used in a different way.

Please select the analogue meter, figure DMD_11 and open the category “Figure parameter”.

First some general considerations:
We assume that such an analogue meter is used a lot in a real process environment and the only difference in usage will be the Data Object with its specific parameters like range, limits and unit.
In such a case we create a figure (here DMD_11) with all the wanted functionalities using a dummy as a placeholder for the real Data Object. The so created figure can be placed in any Technology Picture and connected to the individual Data Object via the category „Figure Parameter“.

The entry ‘Formal Parameter’ represents the Data Object name used as a dummy in the figure
The entry 'Object Name' represents the individual Data Object that replaces the dummy.


Please click the Formal parameter “GRAPH”
The 'Object name' is written to the input field “Actual parameter” it can be modified directly or by selecting a Data Object via the '>>' button.

Now open the figure itself and have a look how it is projected.
What you know from the bargraph you find here as a „Analogue meter“. As scaling the figure „DIALSC“ is used – you see, it is possible to use a figure in a figure. The digital meters for the scaling queries the range of the data object in question instead of setting a fixed value; all the rest is straight forward.

The way the „Start“ button was created you will find slightly different to what you know from above.
Via that button the STEP7 program for the counter is started or stopped. The program starts when the Data Object „CountStart“ is set to 1, it stops when it is set to 0.

Under the category „Action“ open the dialog window for selection.
The following actions/functions are listed:

• Obj_ValCmp(CountStart,0)
• Usr_PushArgs()
• Obj_SetValue(CountStart,)

- The value of the Data Object “CountStart” is compared with 0.
If the compare is true the system returns a 1, on false it returns a 0.
- The returned value is pushed onto the stack.
- The Data Object “CountStart” is set to ...
Since no value is defined it is taken from the stack.

The sequence of these functions leads to a toggle between '0' and '1' on any keystroke.

To mark the button properly the label (in that case a figure) is dynamised.
Ungroup button and label.
The button is labelled with the figure “START” the figure contains a bitmap which was inserted via the pull down menu "insert" option "Bitmap..." . Via the Condition table “START_ST” it is swapped against the figure "STOP" according the value of the Data Object “CountStart”.

The buttons to define the count direction (figures in that case) follow in their definition the logic known from the figure “DMD_11”. (Figure Parameter)
Dataobject: "CountDirection"
0 = Counter is decremented
1 = Counter is incremented.

In the runtime they start/stop the SoftPLC7 application needed for the small STEP7-Programs.

Aktion:
Usr_ExecShellCmd(open,sps_start.bat,,.,SW_SHOW)
The „Usr_ExecShellCmd“ “ is used to call programs from outside of ALPHA-VISION^®VISUALISATION.

Select the ellipse on the right hand side of the input field for the Limit.
The indicator shows 4 possible conditions:
No Alarm - unacknowledged Alarm – acknowledged Alarm – unacknowledged Alarm gone
(The condition 'acknowledged Alarm gone' is equivalent to 'No Alarm')

As a dynamic function “Obj_QueryAttr(RampAlarmFlag,AlarmAct)” is connected.
(The Data Object „RampAlarmFlag“ is queried for the attribute 'actual alarm level')

In the Condition Table “ALARM” you find the following definitions:
no Alarm = Normal = black/grey
new Alarm(unack) = Alarm level 1+ 128(bit7) = black/red-yellow (blinking)
acknowledged Alarm = Alarm level 1=black/red
unacknowledged Alarm gone = 128 = black/green-white(blinking)

To the figure ‘FRAME4’ underneath the action ‘Wnd_ToolTip(info,)’ is bound. That keeps (in runtime) the tooltip window ‘info’ open as long as the mouse-pointer points to the area of the placed Figure.

Select the diagram button via lasso.
You will realise there are 3 elements (button, text, Graph) one above each other; the button is not labelled. To label the button select the button + 1 of the elements and label it.


Please note that the action for loading the dialog window differs slightly from loading a technology picture.

Dialog Window 'DIAGRA – Ramp Diagram'(Editor)

Any of the graphic elements shown are known to you, as well as the actions and functions connected to it.

Technology Pictures for the reporting system (Editor)

ALARMS – Alarm protocol
EVENTS – Event protocol
The setup of the Alarm- resp. Event-List is identical, it is done in listform.

Open the file “ALARMS” as an example.
For going down all way to the bottom click into the list area, the status line tells you “Listbox selected”. Ungroup the Listbox und find the single lines below, called “Entry field”. Again any Entry field can be ungrouped at the bottom you find a figure called “AL_LN”.
The figure “AL_LN – Alarm Line” is created the way you know from all the examples above. But since the Data Object is not known yet and it also will differ for any single line the trick using a placeholder (called “$ACT”) is used again. In the runtime then it is replaced by the real Data Object.

Now going all way up again.
An “Entry Field” is labelled with the so created figure.
A labelled “Entry Field” may be duplicated as often as needed.
A “Listbox” is labelled with all lines.

The action “Crsr_OpenAlarm(AL)” is bound to the Listbox for Alarms;
it hands over alarms to that list.
The action “Crsr_OpenEvnt(EV)” is bound to the Listbox for Events;
it hands over events to that list.

Alarm Area 'TUT – Alarm Area' (Editor)

In the pull down menu ‘File’ –‘open’, select the type ‘Alarm area’ and open the file named ‘TUT’
It is projected like the Alarm Protocol described above, but it has only 3 lines.

Header Area 'TUT – Tutorial Header' (Editor)

In the pull down menu ‘File’ –‘open’, select the type ‘Header area’ and open the file named ‘TUT’
Date and Time are displayed in a digital meter. The Data Object “$UT” for universal time is queried: “Obj_Value($UT)”.
The ‘Format’ in the 'Category' distinguishes between Date and Time.
If you want to show local time instead (or in addition) query the Data-Object “$LT” Any of the graphic elements here are known to you, as well as the actions and functions bound to it.

Menu Area 'TUT – Tutorial Menu' (Editor)

In the pull down the menu ‘File’ –‘open’, select the type ‘Menu area’
and open the file named ‘TUT’
Any of the graphic elements here are known to you as well as the action and functions bound to it.

From the project-environment to the process-environment

To make a created or modified project usable it must be compiled.

Go to the Project Management level (PMU), check that the appropriate project and version is marked and select the program „AbvProNT“.

Two areas have to be compiled:
The program „ObjCmpl (NT)“ is used to compile the Data Object area;
it creates the "<PROJECTNAME>.DO" file.
The program „GrfxCmpl (NT)“ is used to compile the graphic area;
it creates the “<PROJECTNAME>.DIS“ file.

After selecting one of the programs you may define
Destination file – Warning level – Show remarks – Signal at ending


Start Compiling -
In the main column progress messages are displayed.

The program 'GrfxCmpl (NT)' should end with the message :

Creating……….DEMO.DIS
All done
Total Errors: 0      Total Warnings: 0    Total Remarks: 0

The program 'GrfxCmpl (NT)' should end with the message :

Creating……….DEMO.DO
All done
     Total Errors: 0      Total Warnings: 6    Total Remarks: 0

The warnings are:
1 Warning #0011 [L3]: No Unit in MP-Object "LIST_INDICATOR".
2 Warning #0011 [L3]: No Unit in MP-Object "LIST_PORT".
3 Warning #0011 [L3]: No Unit in MP-Object "LIST_STDB".
4 Warning #0020 [L2]: Undefined data object "" found in _STATION.DBF.
5 Warning #0020 [L2]: Undefined data object "" found in _STATION.DBF.
6 Warning #0020 [L2]: Undefined data object "" found in _STATION.DBF.

1 to 3 Those Data Objects do not have a Unit
4 to 6 System dependent
Those warnings may be ignored safely.


A warning usually points directly to its reason and can easily be corrected.

Example:
Warning #0036 [L2]: Parameter data object "POSITO" not found in function 
"Obj_Value" of digital meter primitive, display TUT_2 at 954, 282
	  
Means: 
- in the Technology Picture ‘TUT_2’ the digital meter at position 954, 282  
  uses the function "Obj_Value" to query the data object "POSITO" 
- That data object does not exist.
	  
Consequence: 
- In the runtime the digital meter will be displayed in the projected way, 
   but will not have any function.
   
possible correction:
- create the missing Data Object
- Use an existing Data Object

We wish you success and        - some fun !