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5006.pdf

Panele Astraada - Tworzenie dynamicznego zbiornika i miernika wypełnienia

Te obrazki faktycznie figurują na materiałach dotyczących paneli ale nie wiem czy to nie jest tylko "demo" do materiałów drukowanych. Skontaktuj się z Astorem - skoro sprzedają powinni wiedzieć co i jak. Jeśli umieszczasz na oknie obrazki-"picture" to powinieneś załadować sobie to co Ci jest potrzebne. Patrz na "2.2.3. Picture Database" w załączonej dokumentacji. Często robi się tak, że bitmapa tła jest wykonywana w programie graficznym (np. robisz ją sam lub robi ją grafik) a części powiązane z układem automatyki (wskazania, słupki poziomu itp.) są z systemu - tutaj Astraada HMI CFG. W załączniku podręcznik do programu.


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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1.

Getting Started.............................................................................................. 1

1.1.1.

Documentation Conventions ......................................................................................... 1

1.2.

Project Development Steps .......................................................................... 2

1.3.

Installing Astraada HMI CFG .................................................................... 3

1.3.1.
1.3.2.

1.4.

System Requirements .................................................................................................... 3
Software Installation Astraada HMI CFG ..................................................................... 3

Using Astraada HMI CFG........................................................................... 5

1.4.1.
1.4.2.
1.4.3.
1.4.4.
1.4.5.

Main Menus ................................................................................................................... 5
Toolbars ....................................................................................................................... 17
Project Manager........................................................................................................... 26
Screen Manager ........................................................................................................... 34
Popup Menus ............................................................................................................... 36

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1.1. Getting Started
Welcome to Astraada HMI CFG
Thank you for purchasing Astraada HMI CFG. This manual describes Astraada HMI CFG operation procedures and details
about each feature.
Notes
1) All programs and documentation included with Astraada HMI CFG ( " this product " ) are the copyright of ASTOR Sp. z
o.o., and are licensed to the user under the Software License Agreement. Any violation of the conditions described in
the Software License Agreement is prohibited under Taiwanese and international laws.
2) ASTOR Sp. z o.o. makes every attempt to provide the user with functionality and usability of the Product and accuracy
of its documentation. However, if you should find any errors or omissions in this manual, please contact ASTOR Sp. z
o.o..
3) Regardless of the above provisions, ASTOR Sp. z o.o. shall not be held responsible for any damages or third party
claims resulting from the use of this product.
4) Difference may occur between the descriptions found in this manual and the actual functioning of this product. For the
latest information, please refer to the provided data files (i.e. readme.txt files, etc) or other ASTOR Sp. z o.o.
documentation.
5) Information recorded in or displayed by this product may include content related to intangible assets or intellectual
properties owned by ASTOR Sp. z o.o. or by a third-party. However, this does not imply that ASTOR Sp. z o.o. grants
the user or other third-parties any license or permits to use such assets or properties.
Precautions
1) Do not use the touch panel switch as an emergency stop switch. For safety reasons, it is required that all industrial
machinery and systems must be equipped with a mechanical, manually-operated emergency stop switch.
2) Do not use the touch panel switch that could result in human injury or equipment damage. Failure with the touch panel,
the processing unit, and the cables that makes the output stuck at ON or OFF could result in a serious accident.

1.1.1. Documentation Conventions
Product-related Abbreviations and Terminology
This manual uses the following terminology.
Terminology
Description
Controller

Indicates controller, such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs), motion controllers, thermal
controllers, inverters, and so on.

Application

The screen application created with the Astraada HMI CFG on the PC.

Target Panel

The HMI (Human-Machine Interface) unit or the computer that runs PanelExpress where the screen
application is downloaded to and displayed.

This manual uses the following abbreviations.
Abbreviations Corresponding Target Panel
PM

All PanelMaster Series

PE

PanelExpress

LSK

PL037-LSK, PV037-LSK, PV037V-LSK,
PL057-LSK, PV057-LSK, PV057V-LSK

TSK

PL057-TSK, PV057-TSK, PV057V-TSK

WKT

PL070-WKT, PV070-WKT

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1.2. Project Development Steps
Install and run
Astraada HMI CFG

Create a project

Global Settings
Languages
Font Templates

Set up project
protection

Create and set up
panel applications

Picture Database
Sound Database
Text Database

Create and set
up links

Global Tags
Global macros
Create local tags

Application setup
Command block
Status words

Create and set
up screens

Recipe blocks
Data loggers

Clock
Passwords

Alarm blocks

Design the screens

Operation logger
Local macros

Compile current
panel application

Simulate current
panel application

Download current
panel application

Run

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1.3. Installing Astraada HMI CFG
1.3.1. System Requirements
The following hardware / software is required to use Astraada HMI CFG.
Free hard disk space
Astraada HMI CFG, once installed, takes around 170 MB of hard disk space. The installation procedure (only at installation
time) requires twice as much (i.e. 340 MB).
RAM Working Memory
The memory requirements are as required by the OS. However minimum of 512MB RAM is recommended for decent
performance when user is having large projects with high color bitmaps.
Minimum OS requirements :
Windows 2000
SP4
Windows XP
SP2 (for all flavors of XP such as Home, Media Center, Tablet PC)
Windows Server 2003
Windows Vista

1.3.2. Software Installation Astraada HMI CFG
■ Installing Astraada HMI CFG
To install Astraada HMI CFG, you may do the followings:
1. Close all other programs.
2. Select and click setup.exe in the CD or Astraada HMI CFG installation folder.
3. Follow the on screen prompts.
4. The default location for the Astraada HMI CFG software is " c:\Program Files\Astraada HMI CFG. If you prefer to
change the
software at a different location on your hard drive, you have that option.
The installation procedure will create a program group entitled " Astraada HMI CFG " within Windows . A Astraada HMI
CFG icon

will be added to your desktop. Astraada HMI CFG also appears on the Windows

start menu under

Start & gt; All Programs & gt; Astraada HMI CFG.

■ Technical Support
For the questions about the Astraada HMI CFG software, contact ASTOR Sp. z o.o. by sending an email to the following
address: astraada.hmi@astor.com.pl.

■ How to Report a Bug
The Astraada HMI CFG development team is proud to present a high quality program with minimal bugs. Despite their best
efforts, however, bugs do occasionally appear in the software. Should you notice a problem with the software that you think
may be a bug, please report it to Astraada HMI CFG. Please e-mail to astraada.hmi@astor.com.pl.
Please include as much information as possible, including a description of the irregularity, the type of PC and panel that
you have, any other software that was running when the problem occurred, and the sequence of steps that led to the
problem.

■ Astraada HMI CFG Software License
This is a legal agreement between you (either an individual or a single entity) and ASTOR Sp. z o.o. for the Astraada HMI
CFG SOFTWARE, which includes computer software and may include associated media, printed materials, and 'on-line'
electronic documentation.

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By installing, copying, downloading, accessing, or otherwise using the Astraada HMI CFG SOFTWARE, you agree to be
bound by the terms of this License. If you do not agree to the terms of this agreement, do not install or use the Astraada
HMI CFG SOFTWARE; you may, however, return it to your place of purchase for a full refund.

■ Software License
The Astraada HMI CFG SOFTWARE is protected by copyright laws and international copyright treaties, as well as other
intellectual property laws and treaties. The Astraada HMI CFG SOFTWARE is licensed, not sold.

■ Grant of License
With this License ASTOR Sp. z o.o. grants you the non-exclusive right to use the Astraada HMI CFG SOFTWARE in
accordance with the following terms:
You may install, use, access, display, run, or otherwise interact with ('RUN') one copy of the Astraada HMI CFG
SOFTWARE on a single computer, workstation ('COMPUTER'). The primary user of the COMPUTER on which the
Astraada HMI CFG SOFTWARE is installed may make a second copy for his or her exclusive use on a portable computer.
You may also store or install a copy of the Astraada HMI CFG SOFTWARE on a storage device, such as a network server,
used only to RUN the Astraada HMI CFG SOFTWARE on your other COMPUTERS over an internal network; however,
you must acquire and dedicate a license for each separate COMPUTER on which the Astraada HMI CFG SOFTWARE is
RUN from the storage device. A license for the Astraada HMI CFG SOFTWARE may not be shared or used concurrently
on different COMPUTERS.

■ Transfer of License
The initial licensee of the Astraada HMI CFG SOFTWARE may make a one-time permanent transfer of this License and
the Astraada HMI CFG SOFTWARE only directly to an end user. This transfer must include all of the Astraada HMI CFG
SOFTWARE (including all component parts, the media and printed materials and this License). The transferee of such
one-time transfer must agree to comply with the terms of this License, including the obligation not to further transfer this
License and the Astraada HMI CFG SOFTWARE.

■ Limitations
You may not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the Astraada HMI CFG SOFTWARE, except and only the extent
that such activity is expressly permitted by applicable law notwithstanding this limitation.
The Astraada HMI CFG SOFTWARE is licensed as a single product, its component parts may not be separated for use on
more than one COMPUTER.

■ Copyright
All title and copyrights in and to the Astraada HMI CFG SOFTWARE (including but not limited to any images, photographs,
animations, video, audio, music and text incorporated into the Astraada HMI CFG SOFTWARE), the accompanying printed
materials, and any copies of the Astraada HMI CFG are owned by ASTOR Sp. z o.o. or its suppliers. If this Astraada HMI
CFG SOFTWARE contains documentation which is provided only in electronic form, you may print one copy of such
electronic documentation. You may not copy the printed materials accompanying the Astraada HMI CFG SOFTWARE.
■ Intellectual Property
The Intellectual Property of the Astraada HMI CFG SOFTWARE (including but not limited to any images, photographs,
animations, video, audio, music and text incorporated into the Astraada HMI CFG SOFTWARE) is owned by ASTOR Sp. z
o.o.

■ Disclaimer (Limited Warranty)
The Astraada HMI CFG SOFTWARE is provided 'as is' and without warranty of any kind, express, implied or otherwise,
including without limitation, any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
In no event shall ASTOR Sp. z o.o. be liable for any special, incidental, indirect or consequential damages of any kind, or
any damages whatsoever resulting from loss of use, data or profits, whether or not advised of e possibility of damage, and
on any theory of liability, arising out of or in connection with the use of the Astraada HMI CFG SOFTWARE.

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1.4. Using Astraada HMI CFG
1.4.1. Main Menus
There are 11 menus you can select in the main menu: File, Edit, View, Screen, Draw, Object, Project, Panel, Tools,
Window, Help.

1.4.1.1. File Menu
Icon

Menu Item

Shortcut

Description

New

Ctrl+N

Create a new Astraada HMI CFG project.

Open...

Ctrl+O

Open an existing Astraada HMI CFG project.

Close

Close the current project.

Save

Ctrl+S

Save the current project.

Save As...

Save the current project with a new name.

& lt; Recently opened filename & gt;

Open the referred project.

Exit

Quit Astraada HMI CFG.

1.4.1.2. Edit Menu
Icon

Menu Item

Popup Menu Item

Shortcut

Description

Undo

Ctrl+Z

Undo the last action.

Redo

Ctrl+Y

Redo the previously undone action.

Cut

Ctrl+X

Cut the selection and put it on the Clipboard.

Copy

Ctrl+C

Copy the selection and put it on the Clipboard.

Paste

Ctrl+V

Place the Clipboard contents on the current screen.

Delete

Del

Delete the selection.

Duplicate...
Fine and
Replace

Duplicate the selected object.
Find...

Find the specified text.

Replace...

Replace specific text with different text.

Show Grid

Show or hide the grid.

Snap to Grid

Select or deselect the option of aligning objects to the grid
points.

Grid Settings...

Opens the Grid Settings dialog box.

Select All

Ctrl+A

Select entire objects of the active screen.

Group

Group the selection.

Ungroup

Ungroup the selected group.

Continued

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Icon

Menu Item

Popup Menu Item

Description

Pin

Pin the selection so it can not move.

Unpin

Unpin the selection so it can move again.

Auto Text
Resizing

Select or deselect the option of automatic text resizing.

Align

Align the vertical centers of selected objects to the vertical center of
the reference object. All the objects move horizontally so their vertical
centers are in line with the vertical center of the reference object.

Right

Align the right sides of selected objects to the right side of the
reference object. All the objects move horizontally so their right sides
are in line with the right side of the reference object.

Top

Align the tops of the selected objects to the top of the reference object.
All the objects move vertically so their tops are in line with the top of
the reference object.

Horizontal Center

Align the horizontal centers of selected objects to the horizontal center
of the reference object. All the objects move vertically so their
horizontal centers are in line with the horizontal center of the reference
object.

Bottom

Align the bottoms of selected objects to the bottom of the reference
object. All the objects move vertically so their bottoms are in line with
the bottom of the reference object.

To Grid

Select or deselect the option of aligning objects to the grid points.

Width

Make the selected objects have the same width as the reference
object.

Height

Make the selected objects have the same height as the reference
object.

Both
Nudge

Align the left sides of selected objects to the left side of the reference
object. All the objects move horizontally so their left sides are in line
with the left side of the reference object.

Vertical Center

Make Same
Size

Left

Make the selected objects have the same width and height as the
reference object.

Left

Nudge the selection left. When the Snap to Grid option is not selected,
all objects of the selection move one pixel left. When the Snap to Grid
option is selected, each object of the selection moves left to where its
upper-left corner aligns to the nearest grid point.

Right

Nudge the selection right. When the Snap to Grid option is not
selected, all objects of the selection move one pixel right. When the
Snap to Grid option is selected, each object of the selection moves
right to where its upper-left corner aligns to the nearest grid point.

Up

Nudge the selection up. When the Snap to Grid option is not selected,
all objects of the selection move one pixel up. When the Snap to Grid
option is selected, each object of the selection moves up to where its
upper-left corner aligns to the nearest grid point.

Down

Nudge the selection down. When the Snap to Grid option is not
selected, all objects of the selection move one pixel down. When the
Snap to Grid option is selected, each object of the selection moves
down to where its upper-left corner aligns to the nearest grid point.

Continued

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Icon

Menu Item

Popup Menu Item

Description

Layer

Bring to Top

Bring the selection to the top.

Bring Forward

Bring the selected object one layer up.

Send Backward

Send the selected object one layer down.

Send to Bottom

Send the selection to the bottom.

Set Order

Start the order setting process for the objects of the active screen.

Object
Properties...

Open the property sheet of the selected object.

Save as
Default

Save the selected object as the default object for the type of that
object. Default objects are saved in the Objects category of the object
library.

Save to Object
Library...

Save the selected object to the object library.

Save as Global
Object…

Save the selected object as the global object which is saved in the
Global category of the object library. Global Objects can be used for
the Global Object Containers.

Note:
1. To select a reference object from the selection, use [Ctrl+Click].
2. To add an object to the selection, use [Shift+Click].

1.4.1.3. View Menu
Icon

Menu Item

Popup Menu Item

Description

Address

Write/Monitor

Display the Write address and Monitor address defined for each object of
all the opened screens.

Write

Display the Write address defined for each object of all the opened
screens.

Monitor

Display the Monitor address defined for each object of all the opened
screens.

Read

Display the Read address defined for each object of all the opened
screens.

Notification

Display the Notification address defined for each object of all the opened
screens.

Touch Operation
Control

Display the address of the Touch Operation Control bit defined for each
object of all the opened screens.

Visibility Control

Display the address of the Visibility Control bit defined for each object of
all the opened screens.

Show Tips

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Select or deselect the option of displaying tip for the toolbar icon or the
object on which the cursor stays.
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Icon

Menu Item

Popup Menu Item

Description

Zoom

25%

Display screens in 25% of their normal sizes.

50%

Display screens in 50% of their normal sizes.

70%

Display screens in 70% of their normal sizes.

80%

Display screens in 80% of their normal sizes.

90%

Display screens in 90% of their normal sizes.

100%

Display screens in normal size.

150%

Display screens in 150% of their normal sizes.

200%

Display screens in 200% of their normal sizes.

300%

Display screens in 300% of their normal sizes.

Normal Size

Display screens in normal size.

Project Manager

Show or hide Project Manager.

Screen Manager

Show or hide Screen Manager.

Screen Overview

Show or hide Screen Overview.

Link Overview

Show or hide Link Overview.

Object Library

Show or hide Object Library.

Macro Command
Properties

Show or hide Macro Command Properties window.

Object List

Show or hide Object List.

I/O List

Show or hide I/O List.

Standard Toolbar

Show or hide Standard toolbar.

Object Toolbar

Show or hide Object toolbar.

Draw Toolbar

Show or hide Draw toolbar.

Text Toolbar

Show or hide Text toolbar.

Edit Toolbar

Show or hide Edit toolbar.

Address Toolbar

Show or hide Address toolbar.

Picture Toolbar

Show or hide Picture toolbar.

Status Bar

Show or hide Status bar.

Semi-transparent Object
Dialog View

Select or deselect the option of displaying the object
property dialog box in semi-transparent mode. A
semi-transparent dialog box allows you to see the objects
underlying the dialog box.

& lt; Language name & gt;

Display the text of objects in the selected language.

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1.4.1.4. Screen Menu
Icon

Description

New Screen...

Create a new screen for the current panel application.

Open Screen...

Open an existing screen of the current panel application.

Close Screen

Close the current screen.

Close All Screens

Close all the opened screens.

Cut Screen

Cut the current screen and put it on the Clipboard.

Copy Screen

Copy the current screen and put it on the Clipboard.

Paste Screen

Insert the screen on the Clipboard to the current panel
application.

Delete Screen

Delete the current screen.

Stretch Screen...

Stretch the current screen.

Export Screen...

Export the current screen to a file.

Import Screen...

Import a screen from a file for the current panel application.

Save Current Screen as Picture...

Save the current screen to a picture file.

Save Screens as Pictures...

Open the Save Screens as Pictures dialog box. You can save
each of the selected screens to a picture file using the dialog
box.

Screen Properties

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Menu Item

Open the screen property dialog box for the current screen.

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1.4.1.5. Draw Menu
Icon

Menu Item

Description

Dot

Get ready to place a copy of the default dot on a screen.

Line

Get ready to place a copy of the default line on a screen.

Horizontal Line

Get ready to place a copy of the default horizontal line on a screen.

Vertical Line

Get ready to place a copy of the default vertical line on a screen.

Polyline

Get ready to draw a polyline on a screen.

Rectangle

Get ready to place a copy of the default rectangle on a screen.

Round Rectangle

Get ready to place a copy of the default round rectangle on a screen.

Clipped Rectangle

Get ready to place a copy of the default clipped rectangle on a screen.

Circle

Get ready to place a copy of the default circle on a screen.

Ellipse

Get ready to place a copy of the default ellipse on a screen.

Arc

Get ready to place a copy of the default arc on a screen.

Pie

Get ready to place a copy of the default pie shape on a screen.

Polygon

Get ready to draw a polygon on a screen.

Text

Get ready to place a copy of the default text object on a screen.

Picture

Get ready to place a copy of the default picture object on a screen.

Scale

Get ready to place a copy of the default scale on a screen.

Table

Get ready to place a copy of the default table on a screen.

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1.4.1.6. Object Menu
Icon

Menu Item

Popup Menu Item

Description

Bit Button

Get ready to place a copy of the default bit button on a
screen.

Toggle Switch

Get ready to place a copy of the default toggle switch on
a screen.

Screen Button

Get ready to place a copy of the default screen button
on a screen.

Function Button

Get ready to place a copy of the default function button
on a screen.

Slide Switch

Get ready to place a copy of the default slide switch on
a screen.
Word Button

Get ready to place a copy of the default word button on
a screen.

Multistate Switch

Get ready to place a copy of the default multistate
Switch on a screen.

Radio Button Group

Get ready to place a copy of the default radio button
group on a screen.

Keypad Button

Get ready to place a copy of the default keypad button
on a screen.

Scroll Button Group

Get ready to place a copy of the default scroll button
group on a screen.

Scroll Bar

Get ready to place a copy of the default scroll bar on a
screen.

Step Button

Get ready to place a copy of the default step button on a
screen.

Page Selector

Get ready to place a copy of the default page selector
on a screen.

More buttons

Numeric Entry

Get ready to place a copy of the default numeric entry
on a screen.

Numeric Display

Get ready to place a copy of the default numeric display
on a screen.

Advanced Numeric Display

Get ready to place a copy of the default advanced
numeric display on a screen.

Character Entry

Get ready to place a copy of the default ASCII string
entry on a screen.

Character Display

Get ready to place a copy of the default ASCII string
display on a screen.

Bit Lamp

Get ready to place a copy of the default bit lamp on a
screen.

Multistate Lamp

Get ready to place a copy of the default multistate lamp
on a screen.

Message Display

Get ready to place a copy of the default message
display on a screen.
Get ready to place a copy of the default meter on a
screen.
Continued

Meter

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Icon

Menu Item

Get ready to place a copy of the default time display on
a screen.

Date Display

Get ready to place a copy of the default date display
on a screen.

Day-of-week Display

Get ready to place a copy of the default day-of-week
display on a screen.

Dynamic Circle

Get ready to place a copy of the default dynamic circle
on a screen.

Dynamic Rectangle

Get ready to place a copy of the default dynamic
rectangle on a screen.

GIF Display

Get ready to place a copy of the default GIF display on
a screen.

Picture Display

Get ready to place a copy of the default picture display
on a screen.

Animated Graphic

Dynamic Graphic

Description

Time Display
Time/Date

Popup Menu Item

Get ready to place a copy of the default animated
graphic on a screen.
Get ready to place a copy of the default pipeline on a
screen.

Pipeline
Bar Graph

Get ready to place a copy of the default bar graph on a
screen.

Line Chart

Get ready to place a copy of the default line chart on a
screen.

Circular Bar Graph

Get ready to place a copy of the default circular bar
graph on a screen.

Scatter Chart

Get ready to place a copy of the default scatter chart
on a screen.

Graph/Chart

Get ready to place a copy of the default alarm display
on a screen.

Alarm Display
Historic Data Table
Historic Event Table

Get ready to place a copy of the default historic event
table on a screen.

Historic Trend Graph

Get ready to place a copy of the default historic trend
graph on a screen.

Single Record Data
Table

Get ready to place a copy of the default single record
data table on a screen.

Single
Chart

Historic Display

Get ready to place a copy of the default historic data
table on a screen.

Get ready to place a copy of the default single record
line chart on a screen.

Record

Line

Operation Log Display

Get ready to place a copy of the default operation log
display on a screen.

Recipe Selector

Get ready to place a copy of the default recipe selector
on a screen.

Recipe Table

Get ready to place a copy of the default recipe table on
a screen.

Sublink Table

Get ready to place a copy of the default sublink Table
on a screen.

Global Object Container

Get ready to place a copy of the default global object
container on a screen.

USB Camera View

Get ready to place a copy of the default USB camera
view on a screen.

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1.4.1.7. Project Menu
Icon

Menu Item

Popup Menu Item

Description

Information & Protection...

Open the Project Information & Protection dialog box. This
dialog box shows the basic information of your project and
allows you to define how to protect it.

Languages...

Open the Languages dialog box. You can specify up to 10
languages for your project to support with this dialog box.

Font Templates...

Open the Font Templates dialog box. With this dialog
box, you can specify up 20 fonts as the frequently used
fonts for each language.

Text Database...

Open the Text Database (dockable window). With Text
Database, you can import text, export text, and edit text for
your project.

Picture Database...

Open the Picture Database (dialog box). You can import
pictures and organize them for your project in this dialog
box.

Sound Database...

Open the Sound Database (dialog box). You can import
sounds for your project in this dialog box.

Global Tags...

Open the Global Tags window. You can define the global
tags in this window.

Global Macro

Add...

Create a new macro.

Edit

Select a macro to edit.

Delete

Select a macro to delete.

Add New Panel
Application...
Import Panel Application...

Import a panel application from a PLF file.

Delete Panel Application

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Create a new panel application.

Select a panel application to delete.

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1.4.1.8. Panel Menu
Icon

Menu Item

Popup Menu Item

Description

Current Panel
Application

& lt; Panel application
name & gt;

Select a panel application as the current application

Link

Add...

Add a new communication link to the current application.

Properties

Select a communication link to open its property sheet.

Delete

Select a communication link to delete.

Driver List…

Open communication driver list dialog box which lists all the
supported communication drivers. In the dialog box, you can
export the driver list to the .csv file.

Tags...

Open the Tags window of the current application. You can
define tags for the application in this window.

Sound Table...

Open the Sound Table (dialog box). You can collect sounds
for the current application in this dialog box.

General Setup...

Open the Panel General Setup dialog box. You can define
the general settings for the current application in this dialog
box.

Command & Status...

Open the Command & Status dialog box. You can define the
command block and the status words for the current
application in this dialog box.

Clock...

Open the Clock dialog box. You can define the clock
operations for the current application in this dialog box.

Passwords...

Open the Passwords dialog box. You can define passwords
and related settings for the application in this dialog box.

Discrete Alarm Block

Select a discrete alarm block to delete.

Add

Add a new analog alarm block to the current application.

Properties

Select an analog alarm block to open its property sheet.

Delete

Select an analog alarm block to delete.

Add

Add a new recipe block to the current application.

Properties

Select a recipe block to open its property sheet.

Delete

Select a recipe block to delete.

Add

Add a new data logger to the current application.

Properties

Select a data logger to open its property sheet.

Delete

Data Logger

Select a discrete alarm block to open its property sheet.

Delete

Recipe Block

Add a new discrete alarm block to the current application.

Properties
Analog Alarm Block

Add

Select a data logger to delete.

Operation Logging...

Open the Operation Logging dialog box. You can define the
settings of operation logging for the current application in
this dialog box.
Add a new macro to the current application.
Select a macro of the current application to edit.

Delete
Compile...

Add...
Edit

Macro

Select a macro of the current application to delete.
Compile the current application to build the runtime data.
You can download the runtime data to the target panel. With
the runtime data the target panel can perform exactly what
you programmed for the application.
Continued

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Icon

Menu Item

Popup Menu Item

Description

Build Panel Runtime
Package (PRP)...

Build the panel runtime package (PRP) file for the current
application. The PRP file contains the runtime data and the
system programs. You can update the target panel without
the project file by downloading the PRP file to it. The target
panel can also update itself by loading the PRP file from a
USB mass storage device.

Build ROM Image...

Build the ROM image file for the current application. The
ROM image file contains the runtime data and the system
programs. The target panel can update itself by loading the
ROM image file from a micro SD card.

Download...

Download data to the target panel.

Upload...

Upload data from the target panel.

Export Panel
Application...

Export the current panel application to a PLF file.

1.4.1.9. Tools Menu
Icon

Menu Item

Popup
Menu Item

Description

Language Selection

Auto

When this item is selected:
Default Language for
the Windows

Language Used for the U/I of
the Astraada HMI CFG

Simplified Chinese

Simplified Chinese

Traditional Chinese

Traditional Chinese

Others

English

English

Select English as the language for the U/I of the Astraada
HMI CFG.

Chinese
(Simplified)

Select simplified Chinese as the language for the U/I of the
Astraada HMI CFG.

Chinese
(Traditional)

Select traditional Chinese as the language for the U/I of the
Astraada HMI CFG.

Run Offline Simulation
Run Online Simulation

Run online simulation for the current application.

Set Transparent
Communication...

Open the Set Transparent Communication dialog box.

Start Transparent
Communication

Start the transparent communication.

End Transparent
Communication

End the transparent communication.

Update OS0 through BIOS

Update the system program OS0 of the target panel through
its BIOS. This operation is useful when the system programs
of the target panel were destroyed.

Export Text...

Export the text of the current application to a PTX file.

Import Text...

Import the text in a PTX file for the selected application.

PM TextEditor

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Run offline simulation for the current application.

Run the PM TextEditor program to edit the text of a PTX file.

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1.4.1.10. Window Menu
Icon

Menu Item

Description

Cascade

Arrange windows so they overlap.

Tile Vertical

Arrange windows as non-overlapping vertical tiles.

Tile Horizontal

Arrange windows as non-overlapping horizontal tiles.

Arrange Icon

Arrange icons at the bottom of the window.

Restore

Restore the windows to their original sizes and positions.

Maximize

Maximize the windows

Opened Window List

Display a list of opened windows titles. You may click the window title to bring the
corresponding window to the top.

Windows…

Open the Windows dialog box to activate or save or close the selected window.

1.4.1.11. Help Sub-menu
Icon

Menu Item

Description

About Astraada HMI CFG...

Open the About Astraada HMI CFG dialog box. You can see the version number of
the Astraada HMI CFG in this dialog box.

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1.4.2. Toolbars
1.4.2.1. Standard Toolbar

Icon

Tool Tip

Description

New
Open

Open an existing Astraada HMI CFG project.

Save

Save the current project.

Cut

Cut the selection and put it on the Clipboard.

Copy

Copy the selection and put it on the Clipboard.

Paste

Place the Clipboard contents on the current screen.

Undo

Undo the last edit action.

Redo

Redo the previously undone edit action.

New Screen

Create a new screen for the current panel application.

Screen Properties

Open the screen property dialog box for the current screen.

Previous Screen

Make the previous screen of the current screen in terms of screen number the
current screen.

Next Screen

Make the next screen of the current screen in terms of screen number the current
screen.

Zoom In

Make the screen view one step bigger.

Zoom Out

Make the screen view one step smaller.

Normal Size

Restore the screen view to normal size.

Off (State 0)

Show the Off state of all the objects on the current screen.

On (State 1)

Show the On state of all the objects on the current screen.

State

Select a state for the selected object to show.

Compile

Compile the current application to build the runtime data. You can download the
runtime data to the target panel. With the runtime data the target panel can
perform exactly what you programmed for the application.

Download

Download data to the target panel.

Download
Immediately

Download data using the existing settings to the target panel immediately

Run Offline
Simulation

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Create a new Astraada HMI CFG project.

Run offline simulation for the current application.

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About

Open the About Astraada HMI CFG dialog box.

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1.4.2.2. Object Toolbar

Icon

Tool Tip

Description

Bit Button

Get ready to place a copy of the default bit button on a screen.

Word Button

Get ready to place a copy of the default word button on a screen.

Screen Button

Get ready to place a copy of the default screen button on a screen.

Page Selector

Get ready to place a copy of the default page selector on a screen.

Function Button

Get ready to place a copy of the default function button on a screen.

Keypad Button

Get ready to place a copy of the default keypad button on a screen.

Scroll Button Group

Get ready to place a copy of the default scroll button group on a screen.

Scroll Bar

Get ready to place a copy of the default scroll bar on a screen.

Radio Button Group

Get ready to place a copy of the default radio button group on a screen.

Step Button

Get ready to place a copy of the default step button on a screen.

Toggle Switch

Get ready to place a copy of the default toggle switch on a screen.

Multistate Switch

Get ready to place a copy of the default multistate Switch on a screen.

Slide Switch

Get ready to place a copy of the default slide switch on a screen.

Numeric Entry

Get ready to place a copy of the default numeric entry on a screen.

ASCII String Entry

Get ready to place a copy of the default ASCII string entry on a screen.

Advanced Numeric Display

Get ready to place a copy of the default advanced numeric display on a screen.

Bit Lamp

Get ready to place a copy of the default bit lamp on a screen.

Multistate Lamp

Get ready to place a copy of the default multistate lamp on a screen.

Numeric Display

Get ready to place a copy of the default numeric display on a screen.

ASCII String Display

Get ready to place a copy of the default ASCII string display on a screen.

Message Display

Get ready to place a copy of the default message display on a screen.

Meter

Get ready to place a copy of the default meter on a screen.
Continued

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Icon

Tool Tip

Description

Time Display

Get ready to place a copy of the default time display on a screen.

Date Display

Get ready to place a copy of the default date display on a screen.

Day-of-week Display

Get ready to place a copy of the default day-of-week display on a screen.

Dynamic Circle

Get ready to place a copy of the default dynamic circle on a screen.

Dynamic Rectangle

Get ready to place a copy of the default dynamic rectangle on a screen.

GIF Display

Get ready to place a copy of the default GIF display on a screen.

Picture Display

Get ready to place a copy of the default picture display on a screen.

Animated Graphic

Get ready to place a copy of the default animated graphic on a screen.

Pipeline

Get ready to place a copy of the default pipeline on a screen.

Bar Graph

Get ready to place a copy of the default bar graph on a screen.

Line Chart

Get ready to place a copy of the default line chart on a screen.

Circular Bar Graph

Get ready to place a copy of the default circular bar graph on a screen.

Scatter Chart

Get ready to place a copy of the default scatter chart on a screen.

Alarm Display

Get ready to place a copy of the default alarm display on a screen.

Historic Data Table

Get ready to place a copy of the default historic data table on a screen.

Historic Event Table

Get ready to place a copy of the default historic event table on a screen.

Historic Trend Graph

Get ready to place a copy of the default historic trend graph on a screen.

Operation Log Display

Get ready to place a copy of the default operation log display on a screen.

Recipe Selector

Get ready to place a copy of the default recipe selector on a screen.

Recipe Table

Get ready to place a copy of the default recipe table on a screen.

Sublink Table

Get ready to place a copy of the default sublink Table on a screen.

USB Camera View

Get ready to place a copy of the default USB camera view on a screen.

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1.4.2.3. Draw Toolbar

Icon

Description

Dot

Get ready to place a copy of the default dot on a screen.

Line

Get ready to place a copy of the default line on a screen.

Horizontal Line

Get ready to place a copy of the default horizontal line on a screen.

Vertical Line

Get ready to place a copy of the default vertical line on a screen.

Polyline

Get ready to draw a polyline on a screen.

Rectangle

Get ready to place a copy of the default rectangle on a screen.

Round Rectangle

Get ready to place a copy of the default round rectangle on a screen.

Clipped Rectangle

Get ready to place a copy of the default clipped rectangle on a screen.

Polygon

Get ready to draw a polygon on a screen.

Circle

Get ready to place a copy of the default circle on a screen.

Ellipse

Get ready to place a copy of the default ellipse on a screen.

Arc

Get ready to place a copy of the default arc on a screen.

Pie

Get ready to place a copy of the default pie shape on a screen.

Table

Get ready to place a copy of the default table on a screen.

Scale

Get ready to place a copy of the default scale on a screen.

Text

Get ready to place a copy of the default text object on a screen.

Picture

Get ready to place a copy of the default picture object on a screen.

Dot Style

Select a dot style for the selected dot.

Line Style

Select a line style for the selected shape.

Border Color

Select a color for the border of the selected shape.

BG Color

Select a color for the background of the selected solid shape.

Pattern Style

Select a pattern for the selected solid shape.

FG/Pattern Color

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Tool Tip

Select a color for the pattern of the selected solid shape.

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1.4.2.4. Text Toolbar

Icon

Tool Tip

Description

Text Type

Select the type of text you are working on.
Text Type

Description

Inner Text

Text displayed inside of an object.

External Text

Text of the external label of an object.

Language

Select a language that you are defining the text for.

Font

Select a font for the text here.

Size

Select a font size for the text here.

Text

Edit the text here.

Text Color

Select a color for the text.

Background Color

Select a color for the background of the object.

Center Position

Position the text at the center location within the object.

Horizontal Position

Change the horizontal position of the text within the object.

Vertical Position

Change the vertical position of the text within the object.

Align Left

Align the text to the left of the text body.

Center

Align the text to the center of the text body

Align Right

Align the text to the right of the text body

External Label
Position

Change the position of the external label.

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1.4.2.5. Edit Toolbar

Icon

Description

Align Left

Align the left sides of selected objects to the left side of the reference object. All the
objects move horizontally so their left sides are in line with the left side of the
reference object.

Align Vertical Center

Align the vertical centers of selected objects to the vertical center of the reference
object. All the objects move horizontally so their vertical centers are in line with the
vertical center of the reference object.

Align Right

Align the right sides of selected objects to the right side of the reference object. All the
objects move horizontally so their right sides are in line with the right side of the
reference object.

Align Top

Align the tops of the selected objects to the top of the reference object. All the objects
move vertically so their tops are in line with the top of the reference object.

Align Horizontal
Center

Align the horizontal centers of selected objects to the horizontal center of the
reference object. All the objects move vertically so their horizontal centers are in line
with the horizontal center of the reference object.

Align Bottom

Align the bottoms of selected objects to the bottom of the reference object. All the
objects move vertically so their bottoms are in line with the bottom of the reference
object.

Snap to Grid

Select or deselect the option of aligning objects to the grid points.

Make Same Width

Make the selected objects have the same width as the reference object.

Make Same Height

Make the selected objects have the same height as the reference object.

Make Same Size

Make the selected objects have the same width and height as the reference object.

Nudge Left

Nudge the selection left. When the Snap to Grid option is not selected, all objects of
the selection move one pixel left. When the Snap to Grid option is selected, each
object of the selection moves left to where its upper-left corner aligns to the nearest
grid point.

Nudge Right

Nudge the selection right. When the Snap to Grid option is not selected, all objects of
the selection move one pixel right. When the Snap to Grid option is selected, each
object of the selection moves right to where its upper-left corner aligns to the nearest
grid point.

Nudge Up

Nudge the selection up. When the Snap to Grid option is not selected, all objects of
the selection move one pixel up. When the Snap to Grid option is selected, each
object of the selection moves up to where its upper-left corner aligns to the nearest
grid point.

Nudge Down

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Tool Tip

Nudge the selection down. When the Snap to Grid option is not selected, all objects of
the selection move one pixel down. When the Snap to Grid option is selected, each
object of the selection moves down to where its upper-left corner aligns to the nearest
grid point.
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Icon

Tool Tip

Description

Bring to Top

Bring the selection to the top.

Bring Forward

Bring the selected object one layer up.

Send Backward

Send the selected object one layer down.

Send to Bottom

Send the selection to the bottom.

Group

Group the selection.

Ungroup

Ungroup the selected group.

Pin

Pin the selection so it can not move.

Unpin

Unpin the selection so it can move again.

Auto Text Resizing

Select or deselect the option of automatic text resizing.

1.4.2.6. Address Toolbar

Icon

Tool Tip

Description

Write Address

Specifies the Write address of the selected object.

Read Address

Specifies the Read address of the selected object.

Monitor Address

Specifies the Monitor address of the selected object.

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1.4.2.7. Picture Toolbar

Icon

Tool Tip

Description

Picture Name

Specifies the picture name. You can select an imported picture here using the
drop-down list.

Import from File

Select a picture from a picture file.

Select/Import
from Library

Select a picture from a Astraada HMI CFG provided picture library.

Transparent

Select or deselect the option that parts of the picture are transparent. The
transparent parts are pixels having the specified transparent color.

Transparent
Color

Select a color as the transparent color.

Flip/Rotate

Select a method to rotate/flip the picture.

Tone

Select or deselect the option that the picture is toned with the specified toning
color.

Toning Color

Select a color as the toning color.

Fit to Object

Stretch the picture so it has the same size as the object.

Center

Position the picture at the center location within the object.

Horizontal
Position

Change the horizontal position of the picture within the object.

Vertical Position

Change the vertical position of the picture within the object.

Background
Color

Select a color for the background of the object.

1.4.2.8. Status Bar

Coordinate of the cursor; (x, y)

Type of the selected object

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Size of the selected object; (width x height)

Coordinate of the selected object; (x, y)

INTRODUCTION

Zooming factor of the screen view

Astraada HMI CFG Operation Manual

1.4.3. Project Manager
The Project Manager is a dockable window with a project tree. You can manage your project with it easily. To open the
Project Manager, check the Project Manager menu item in the View menu. The following is an example of the Project
Manager. In this example, the project MyProject has two panel applications: MyAP_1 and MyAp_2.

Languages node

Project node

Font Templates node

Global node

Picture Database node
Sound Database node
Panel Application node

Text Database node
Global Tags node

Links node
Internal Memory node

Global Macros node
Tags node

Link node
Setup node

Sound Table node
General Setup node
Command & Status node

Screens node

Clock node
Passwords node

Alarms node
Screen node
Recipes node

Discrete Alarm Block node
Analog Alarm Block node

Data Loggers node
Recipe Block node
Operation Logging node
Data Logger node
Macros node
Macro node
Panel Application node

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■ Project Node (

)

The label of the Project node is the project name. You can do the following with the Project node:
1) Double-click it to open the Project Information & Protection dialog box.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu items:
Menu Item

Description

Add Panel Application...

Create a new panel application.

Import Panel Application...

Import a panel application from a PLF file.

Information

Open the Project Information & Protection dialog box.

Toggle All

Expand all the collapsed lists of sub-nodes and collapse all the expanded lists of
sub-nodes.

■ Global Node (

)

The Global node has seven sub-nodes. You can do the following with the Global node:
1) Double-click it to expand or collapse the list of its sub-nodes.

■ Languages Node (

)

You can do the following with the Languages node:
1) Double-click it to open the Languages dialog box.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu item:
Menu Item

Description

Properties...

Open the Languages dialog box.

■ Font Templates Node (

)

You can do the following with the Font Templates node:
1) Double-click it to open the Font Templates dialog box.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu item:
Menu Item

Description

Properties...

Open the Font Templates dialog box.

■ Picture Database Node (

)

You can do the following with the Picture Database node:
1) Double-click it to open the Picture Database dialog box.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu item:
Menu Item

Description

Properties...

Open the Picture Database dialog box.

■ Sound Database Node (

)

You can do the following with the Sound Database node:
1) Double-click it to open the Sound Database dialog box.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu item:
Menu Item

Description

Properties...

Open the Sound Database dialog box.

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■ Text Database Node (

)

You can do the following with the Text Database node:
1) Double-click it to open the Text Database dialog box.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu item:
Menu Item

Description

Open

Open the Text Database window.

■ Global Tags Node (

)

You can do the following with the Global Tags node:
1) Double-click it to open the Global Tags window.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu item:
Menu Item

Description

Open

Open the Global Tags window.

■ Global Macros Node (

)

The Global Macros node can have many Global Macro sub-nodes. Each Global Macro node is associated with a global
macro of the project. You can do the following with the Global Macros node:
1) Double-click it to expand or collapse the list of its sub-nodes.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu items.
Menu Item

Description

Add Macro...

Create a new global macro.

Import
Macro...

Import a global macro from an MCR file.

■ Global Macro Node (

)

Each Global Macro node is associated with a global macro of the project. You can do the following with the Global Macro
node:
1) Double-click it to open the editing window of the associated macro.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu items.
Menu Item

Description

Open

Open the editing window of the associated macro.

Close

Close the editing window of the associated macro.

Rename

Rename the associated macro.

Delete

Delete the associated macro.

Export Macro...

Export the associated macro to an MCR file.

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■ Panel Application Node (

)

The label of a Panel Application node is the associated application name. You can do the following with the Panel
Application node:
1) Double-click it to open the General Setup dialog box.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu items:
Menu Item

Description

Rename

Rename the panel application.

Delete

Delete the panel application.

General Setup

Open the General Setup dialog box.

Export Panel Application...

Export the panel application to a PLF file.

Toggle All

Expand all the collapsed lists of sub-nodes and collapse all the expanded lists of
sub-nodes.

■ Links Node (

)

The Links node has one Internal Memory sub-node and can have up to 16 Link sub-nodes. You can do the following with
the Links node:
1) Double-click it to expand or collapse the list of its sub-nodes.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu item:
Menu Item

Description

Add Link

Create a new communication link.

Driver
Link…

Open communication driver list dialog box which lists all the supported communication drivers. In the
dialog box, you can export the driver list to the .csv file.

■ Internal Memory Node (

)

You can do the following with the Internal Memory node:
1) Double-click it to open the Internal Memory dialog box.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu item:
Menu Item

Description

Properties...

Open the Internal Memory dialog box.

■ Link Node (

)

A Link node is associated with a communication link. You can do the following with the Link node:
1) Double-click it to open the Link Properties dialog box of the associated communication link.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu item:
Menu Item

Description

Rename

Rename the associated communication link.

Delete

Delete the associated communication link.

Properties...

Open the Link Properties dialog box of the associated communication link.

■ Tags Node (

)

You can do the following with the Tags node:
1) Double-click it to open the Tags window.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu item:
Menu Item

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Description

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Open

Open the Tags window.

■ Sound Table Node (

)

You can do the following with the Sound Table node:
1) Double-click it to open the Sound Table dialog box.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu item:
Menu Item

Description

Properties...

Open the Sound Table dialog box.

■ Setup Node (

)

The Setup node has four sub-nodes. You can do the following with the Setup node:
1) Double-click it to expand or collapse the list of its sub-nodes.

■ General Setup Node (

)

You can do the following with the General Setup node:
1) Double-click it to open the General Setup dialog box.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu item:
Menu Item

Description

Properties...

Open the General Setup dialog box.

■ Command & Status Node (

)

You can do the following with the Command & Status node:
1) Double-click it to open the Command & Status dialog box.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu item:
Menu Item

Description

Properties...

Open the Command & Status dialog box.

■ Clock Node (

)

You can do the following with the Clock node:
1) Double-click it to open the Clock dialog box.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu item:
Menu Item

Description

Properties...

Open the Clock dialog box.

■ Passwords Node (

)

You can do the following with the Passwords node:
1) Double-click it to open the Passwords dialog box.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu item:
Menu Item

Description

Properties...

Open the Passwords dialog box.

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■ Screens Node (

)

The Screens node can have many Screen sub-nodes. Each Screen sub-nodes is associated with a screen of the panel
application. You can do the following with the Screens node:
1) Double-click it to expand or collapse the list of its sub-nodes.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu item:
Menu Item

Description

New Screen...

Create a new screen.

Import Screen...

Import a screen from an SNF file.

Sort by Name

Sort the list of Screen sub-nodes by the screen name.

Sort by Number

Sort the list of Screen sub-nodes by the screen number.

Close All Screens

Close all opened screens.

Save Screens as Pictures...

Open the Save Screens as Pictures dialog box. You can save each of the selected
screens to a picture file using the dialog box.

■ Screen Node (

)

Each Screen node is associated with a screen of the panel application. You can do the following with the Screen node:
1) Double-click it to open the associated screen if the screen is not opened yet.
2) Double-click it to open the property sheet of the associated screen if the screen is already opened.
3) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu item:
Menu Item

Description

Open

Open the associated screen.

Delete

Delete the associated screen.

Properties

Open the property sheet of the associated screen.

Export Screen...

Export the associated screen to an SNF file.

■ Alarms Node (

)

The Alarms node can have many Discrete Alarm Block sub-nodes and Analog Alarm Block sub-nodes. You can do the
following with the Alarms node:
1) Double-click it to open the Alarm Properties dialog box.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu item:
Menu Item

Description

Add Discrete Alarm Block

Create a new discrete alarm block.

Add Analog Alarm Block

Create a new analog alarm block.

Import Alarm Block...

Import an alarm block from an ALM file.

Properties

Open the Alarm Properties dialog box.

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■ Discrete Alarm Block Node (

)

A Discrete Alarm Block node is associated with a discrete alarm block of the panel application. You can do the following
with the Discrete Alarm Block node:
1) Double-click it to open the Discrete Alarm Block dialog box of the associated alarm block.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu item:
Menu Item

Description

Delete

Delete the associated discrete alarm block.

Properties

Open the Discrete Alarm Block dialog box of the associated discrete alarm block.

Export Alarm Block...

Export the associated alarm block to an ALM file.

■ Analog Alarm Block Node (

)

An Analog Alarm Block node is associated with an analog alarm block of the panel application. You can do the following
with the Analog Alarm Block node:
1) Double-click it to open the Analog Alarm Block dialog box of the associated alarm block.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu item:
Menu Item

Description

Delete

Delete the associated analog alarm block.

Properties

Open the Analog Alarm Block dialog box of the associated analog alarm block.

Export Alarm Block...

Export the associated alarm block to an ALM file.

■ Recipes Node (

)

The Recipes node can have many Recipe Block sub-nodes. Each Recipe Block sub-node is associated with a recipe block
of the panel application. You can do the following with the Recipes node:
1) Double-click it to expand or collapse the list of its sub-nodes.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu item:
Menu Item

Description

Add Recipe Block

Create a new recipe block.

■ Recipe Block Node (

)

A Recipe Block node is associated with a recipe block of the panel application. You can do the following with the Recipe
Block node:
1) Double-click it to open the Recipe Block dialog box of the associated recipe block.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu item:
Menu Item

Description

Delete

Delete the associated recipe block.

Properties

Open the Recipe Block dialog box of the associated recipe block.

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■ Data Loggers Node (

)

The Data Loggers node can have many Data Logger sub-nodes. Each Data Logger sub-node is associated with a data
logger of the panel application. You can do the following with the Data Loggers node:
1) Double-click it to expand or collapse the list of its sub-nodes.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu item:
Menu Item

Description

Add Data Logger

Create a new data logger.

■ Data Logger Node (

)

A Data Logger node is associated with a data logger of the panel application. You can do the following with the Data
Logger node:
1) Double-click it to open the Data Logger dialog box of the associated recipe block.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu item:
Menu Item

Description

Delete

Delete the associated data logger.

Properties

Open the Data Logger dialog box of the associated data logger.

■ Operation Logging Node (

)

You can do the following with the Operation Logging node:
1) Double-click it to open the Operation Logging dialog box.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu item:
Menu Item

Description

Properties...

Open the Operation Logging dialog box.

■ Macros Node (

)

The Macros node can have many Macro sub-node. Each Macro node is associated with a macro of the panel application.
You can do the following with the Macros node:
1) Double-click it to expand or collapse the list of its sub-nodes.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu items.
Menu Item

Description

Add Macro...

Create a new macro.

Import Macro...

Import a macro from an MCR file.

■ Macro Node (

)

Each Macro node is associated with a macro of the panel application. You can do the following with the Macro node:
1) Double-click it to open the editing window of the associated macro.
2) Right-click it to get a popup menu with the following menu items.
Menu Item

Description

Open

Open the editing window of the associated macro.

Close

Close the editing window of the associated macro.

Rename

Rename the associated macro.

Delete

Delete the associated macro.

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Export Macro...

Export the associated macro to an MCR file.

1.4.4. Screen Manager
The Screen Manager is a dockable window. You can manage the screens of your project with it easily. To open the Screen
Manager, check the Screen Manager menu item in the View menu. The following is an example of the Screen Manager
that lists the screens of the application EV-104 of the project.
The name of the current panel
application. You can select another
panel application of the project to
view.

Click this icon to get the list
view of the screens.
If the Use box of a screen is
checked,
the
application
compiler will generate the
runtime data for that screen. If
the Use box of screen is
unchecked, the application
compiler will not generate the
runtime data for that screen
and will assume that screen is
not existing.

Click this icon to get the thumbnail
view of the screens.

Click the thumbnail of a screen to
select that screen. The selected
screen is highlighted. Use [Ctrl] +
click or [Shift] + click to make
multiple selections.

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The following is an example of the Screen Manager that shows the screens in thumbnail view.

If the Use box of a screen is
checked,
the
application
compiler will generate the
runtime data for that screen. If
the Use box of screen is
unchecked,
the
application
compiler will not generate the
runtime data for that screen and
will assume that screen is not
existing.

Click the row of a screen to select
that screen. The selected screen is
highlighted. Use [Ctrl] + click or
[Shift] + click to make multiple
selections.

You can right-click the Screen Manager to get the popup menu with the following menu items:
Menu Item

Description

New Screen...

Create a new screen for the current panel application.

Open Screen...

Open the selected screen.

Cut Screen

Cut the selected screen and put it on the Clipboard.

Copy Screen

Copy the selected screen and put it on the Clipboard.

Paste Screen

Insert the screen on the Clipboard to the current panel application.

Delete Screen

Delete the selected screen.

Export Screen...

Export the selected screen to a file.

Import Screen...

Import a screen from a file for the current panel application.

Screen Properties

Open the screen property dialog box of the selected screen.

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1.4.5. Popup Menus
1.4.5.1. Object Popup Menu
■ For all objects
Icon

Menu Item

Shortcut

Description

Cut

Ctrl+X

Cut the selection and put it on the Clipboard.

Copy

Ctrl+C

Copy the selection and put it on the Clipboard.

Paste

Ctrl+V

Place the Clipboard contents on the current screen.

Delete

Del

Delete the selection.

Pin

Pin the selection so it can not move.

Unpin

Unpin the selection so it can move again.

Duplicate...

Duplicate the selected object.

Bring to Top

Bring the selection to the top.

Bring Forward

Bring the selected object one layer up.

Send Backward

Send the selected object one layer down.

Send to Bottom

Send the selection to the bottom.

Object Properties…

Open the property sheet of the selected object.

Save as Default

Save the selected object as the default object for the type of that object.
Default objects are saved in the Objects category of the object library.

Save to Object Library…

Save the selected object to the object library.

Save as Global Object…

Save the selected object as the global object which is saved in the
Global category of the object library. Global Objects can be used for the
Global Object Containers.

Save Current Screen as
Picture…

Save the current screen to a picture file.

Screen Properties

Open the screen property dialog box for the current screen.

■ For polylines and polygons
Menu Item

Description

Insert Point

Add a point at the specified position.

Delete Point

Delete a selected point.

■ For pipelines
Menu Item

Description

Insert Connector

Add a connector at the specified position. If the specified position is on the vertical pipe
segment, you can add left, right or cross connector. If the specified position is on the
horizontal pipe segment, you can add up, down or cross connector.

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Delete Pipe Segment

Delete a selected connector and its pipe segments.

1.4.5.2. Screen Popup Menu
Icon

Menu Item

Description

Close Screen
Cut Screen

Cut the current screen and put it on the Clipboard.

Copy Screen

Copy the current screen and put it on the Clipboard.

Paste Screen

Insert the screen on the Clipboard to the current panel application.

Delete Screen

Delete the current screen.

Save Current Screen as Picture...

Save the current screen to a picture file.

Screen Properties

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Close the current screen.

Open the screen property dialog box for the current screen.

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2.1.

Project Information and Protection ........................................................... 1

2.1.1.

2.2.

Global Settings .............................................................................................. 4

2.2.1.
2.2.2.
2.2.3.
2.2.4.
2.2.5.

2.3.

The range limitation of the Astraada HMI CFG software ............................................. 3

Languages ...................................................................................................................... 5
Font Templates............................................................................................................... 6
Picture Database ............................................................................................................ 7
Sound Database ........................................................................................................... 11
Text Database............................................................................................................... 13

Working with Tags...................................................................................... 17

2.3.1.
2.3.2.
2.3.3.
2.3.4.
2.3.5.

Types of Tags ............................................................................................................... 17
Opening and Closing Tags Editor................................................................................ 17
Creating Tags by Tags Editor....................................................................................... 18
Importing and Exporting Tags ..................................................................................... 21
Adding/Deleting/Renaming Tag Groups ..................................................................... 21

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2.1. Project Information and Protection
You can get the project information and set up passwords to protect your project, the password table and the global
macros by using the Project information & Protection dialog box. To open the dialog box, you can do one of the followings:
1)

In the Astraada HMI CFG's Project Manager tool window, double-click the Project node (

2)

In the Astraada HMI CFG's menu bar, click Project to bring up the Project sub-menu. Click Information & Protection…
in the Project sub-menu.

The following is an example of the Project Information and Protection dialog box.

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The following table describes how to read or use each of the items in the dialog box.
Item

Description

Project Name

The name of the project. It is also the file name of the project.

Author

The author of the project.

Created Time/date

The time and date when the project was created.

Last Saved Time/date

The last time and date when the project was saved.

Version

The version number of the Astraada HMI CFG that was used to save the project
last time.

Developer
Password

Click it to bring up the Edit Developer Password dialog box and specify the
developer password.
The developer password must be an unsigned integer and can have up to 9
digits. The default developer password is 000000000 (nine 0's) for new projects
and new panels. When you download the runtime data of an application to a
panel, the panel compares its developer password with the developer password
of that application. If they are identical, the panel accepts the download
operation immediately. If they are different, the panel asks you to enter the
developer password of the application. This is to make sure you have the right to
use the runtime data. After you enter the application's developer password, the
panel accepts the download operation and takes the developer password of the
application as its developer password.

Project File
Protection

Protect

Check this item to enable the project file protection. You need to enter the
specified password to open the project file when this item is checked.

Use Developer
Password

Available when the Protect item is checked. Check this item if you want to use
the developer password for the protection.
Available when the Use Developer Password item is unchecked. Click it to bring
up the Edit Password dialog box and specify the password.

Password
Table
Protection

Protect

Check this item to enable the password table protection. You need to enter the
specified password to view the password table of any panel application of the
project when this item is checked.

Use Developer
Password

Available when the Protect item is checked. Check this item if you want to use
the developer password for the protection.
Available when the Use Developer Password item is unchecked. Click it to bring
up the Edit Password dialog box and specify the password.

Global
Macro
Protection

Protect

Check this item to enable the global macro protection. You need to enter the
specified password for viewing any global macro of the project when this item is
checked.

Use Developer
Password

Available when the Protect item is checked. Check this item if you want to use
the developer password for the protection.
Available when the Use Developer Password item is unchecked. Click it to bring
up the Edit Password dialog box and specify the password.

Note

You can type a note for the project.

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2.1.1. The range limitation of the Astraada HMI CFG software
(A) The limitation of the general setting and objects:
Item

Description

Astraada HMI CFG

Astraada HMI CFG

01

Number of the languages

10

10

02

Number of the fonts (Each Language)

20

No Limitation

03

Number of the tags

No Limitation

No Limitation

04

Number of the macros

No Limitation

No Limitation

05

Number of the objects (One Screen)

No Limitation

No Limitation

06

Number of the objects (One Project)

No Limitation

No Limitation

07

Number of the panels (One Project)

No Limitation

No Limitation

08

Number of the instructions (One Project)

No Limitation

No Limitation

09

Number of the links

4

HMI: 4; PanelExpress: 16

10

Regular user memory ($U)

5000-Words

131072-Words

11

Battery backed user memory ($N)

5000-Words

131072-Words

12
13

System memory ($S)
Number of the screen pages

1024-Words
7999-pages

512-Words
7999-pages

14

Number of the passwords

User Password: 8
Developer Password: 1

User Password: 8
Developer Password: 1

(B) The limitation of the particular objects:
Item

Astraada HMI CFG

Astraada HMI CFG

01

Number of the Discrete Alarm Blocks

16-Blocks

16-Blocks

02

Number of the Analog Alarm Blocks

16-Blocks

16-Blocks

03

Alarm size (Each Block)

Depends on the PLC type

Depends on the PLC type

04

Number of the Recipe Blocks

16-Blocks

16-Blocks

05

Recipe Size (Each Block)

1023-Words

4096-Words

06

Number of the recipes (Each Block)

65535-sets

65535-sets

07

Number of the Data Loggers

16-Blocks

16-Blocks

08

Sample Size (Each Block)

09

Number of the Samples (Each Block)

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128-Words

65535-sets

65535-sets

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2.2. Global Settings
Global settings are the settings that can be used by all panel applications in the same project. They are accessible and
modifiable throughout your project. The global settings help a designer to construct a project that can be flexible and easy
to update. Designers can make changes to the overall design of the panel application by revising the global settings
directly.
You can complete all the global settings in the corresponding dialog box. To open the dialog box, you can double-click the
related node in the Global node in the Astraada HMI CFG's Project Manager tool window, or you can click Project to bring
up the Project sub-menu in the Astraada HMI CFG's menu bar, and then click the related command in the Project
sub-menu.
The global settings contain the following items.

Languages
Described in Section 2.2.1.

Font Templates
Described in Section 2.2.2.

Picture Database
Described in Section 2.2.3.

Sound Database
Described in Section 2.2.4.

Text Database
Described in Section 2.2.5.

Global Tags
Described in Section 2.3.

Global Macros
Described in Chapter 14.

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2.2.1. Languages
This section describes how to set up the languages for the project using the Languages dialog box. Each panel application
in the project can have up to 10 languages for the screen texts. The following is an example of the Languages dialog box.

The following table describes each property in the Languages dialog box.
Property

Description

Number of language

Specifies how many languages the project will have.

Language

The index of the language.

Name

Specifies a name for a language. The name must be unique within the project.

Character Set

Specifies the character set for a language to determine how to translate the bytes in the
text into characters on the screen.

Import...

Click it to import the languages settings from a LNG file.

Export...

Click it to export the languages settings to a LNG file.

OK

Click it to close the dialog box and accepts all changes.

Cancel

Click it to close the dialog box and discard all changes.

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2.2.2. Font Templates
The following is an example of the Font Templates dialog box.

The following table describes how to read or use each of the items in the dialog box.
Item

Description

Language

Specifies the language that you are working for.

Template List

Lists the font templates of the selected language. You can select a font template
here as the current template.

Current
Template

Name

The name of the current template.

Windows Font

Specifies the Windows font for the current template.

Font Style

Specifies the font style for the current template.

Size

Specifies the size for the current template.

Underline

Specifies if the Underline feature is selected for the current template.

Strikeout

Specifies if the Strikeout feature is selected for the current template.

Update

Click it to update the selected template using the new settings.

Import...

Click it to import the font templates from an FTF file.

Export...

Click it to export the font templates to an FTF file.

OK

Click it to close the dialog box and accepts all changes.

Cancel

Click it to close the dialog box and discard all changes.

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2.2.3. Picture Database
The picture database contains all the pictures used by the project. The picture database is empty initially after the project is
created.

2.2.3.1. Importing and Exporting Pictures
■ Importing Pictures
You need to import a picture before you can use it for the project. There are 5 ways to import pictures:
1)

Use the Picture Database dialog box to import one picture at a time from a picture file. The types of importable picture
files include: BMP, JPG, GIF, and WMF.

2)

Use the Picture Database dialog box to import many pictures at a time from a picture database (PDB) file.

3)

Use the Picture Database dialog box to import one or many pictures at a time by dragging the pictures files from the
Windows Explorer to Picture Database list.

4)

Click the icon

5)

Click the icon
to select and import a picture in a picture database file when you specify a picture in a dialog box or
a property sheet.

to select and import a picture file when you specify a picture in a dialog box or a property sheet.

■ Exporting Pictures
You can export the pictures of the project so the other projects can share those pictures by importing them. There are 2
ways to export pictures:
1)

Use the Picture Database dialog box to export one picture at a time to a picture file.

2)

Use the Picture Database dialog box to export many pictures at a time to a picture database (PDB) file.

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2.2.3.2. Picture Groups
The picture database can contain picture groups.
A picture group is a collection of pictures. Each picture in a picture group represents one state. When a picture group is
displayed as the picture shape for an object, the picture that corresponds to the current object state is shown. This is the
main benefit of using a picture group as the object shape because it can show each object state with a different picture.
When a picture group is used as the shape for buttons or switches, you may want it to have a different look when it is
pressed. In order to support the pressed look, a picture group needs two pictures for each state; one picture is for the
normal (released) look and another picture is for the pressed look.
For example, a 3-state multi-state switch needs a picture group that contains 6 pictures as its picture shape if the pressed
look is required.
The following is an example of a picture group supporting 3 states and the pressed look.
Picture Group

State

Pictures

0 (Normal/Released)

0 (Pressed)

1 (Normal/Released)

1 (Pressed)

2 (Normal/Released)

2 (Pressed)

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2.2.3.3. Picture Database dialog box
The following is an example of the Picture Database dialog box.

The following table describes how to read or use each of the items in the dialog box.
Item

Description

Pictures

Lists the pictures and picture groups of the project. You can select a picture or a picture group as the
current selection. You can also make multiple selections.

View

Shows the current selection. If the selection is a picture group, the first picture of the group will be
shown.

OK

Closes the dialog box and accepts all changes to the picture database.

Cancel

Closes the dialog box and discards all changes to the picture database.

Import...

Imports a picture from a picture file. The types of importable picture files include: BMP, JPG, GIF,
and WMF.

Import From...

Imports pictures from a picture database (PDB) file.

Export...

Exports the current picture to a picture file.

Export To...

Exports the current selection to a picture database (PDB) file.

Add Group

Adds one picture group to the picture database.

Add Item

Imports a picture from a picture file and adds the picture to the current picture group.

Continued

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Item

Description

Add From...

Imports pictures from a picture database (PDB) file and adds those pictures to the current picture
group.

Move Up

Moves the selection down in the list

Move Down

Moves the selection up in the list

Delete

Delete the selection.

Color
Conversion

Select Dithering or Nearest Color as the color conversion method.
If the color resolution of a picture is not compatible with the target panel, the application compiler will
use the specified method to convert the picture data so it can be displayed without too much color
distortion at runtime.

Support
Pressed Look

Available when the selection is a picture group. Check this item so the current picture group
supports the pressed look. When a picture group supports the pressed look, it needs two pictures for
each state; one picture is for the normal (released) look and another picture is for the pressed look.

Transparent

Check this item to enable the transparent feature of the selection; if the selection is a picture, the
picture will be transparent for the specified transparent color; if the selection is a picture group, all
the pictures of the picture group will be transparent for the specified transparent color. Note that this
feature is effective only when a picture or a picture group is shown as the picture shape for an
object.
It is a common practice to make a picture transparent for a certain color so the picture can be shown
as a non-rectangle shape. The following are some examples:
Original Picture

Transparent Color

Picture Shown

Transparent
Color

Available when the Transparent item is checked. Select a color for the transparent color.

Rename

Click this button to rename the current picture or the current picture group.

Rotate/Flip

Rotates or flips the current picture and saves it as another picture in the picture database.
You can select one of the following 7 methods for the Rotate/Flip operation.
Method

Description

90°

Rotates the picture clockwise by 90 degree

180°

Rotates the picture clockwise by 180 degree

270°

Rotates the picture clockwise by 270 degree

X

Flips the picture over X axis

90° & X

Rotates the picture clockwise by 90 degree and flips it over X Axis

Y

Flips the picture over Y axis

90° & Y

Rotates the picture clockwise by 90 degree and flips it over Y Axis

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2.2.4. Sound Database
The sound database contains all the sounds used by the project. The sound database is empty initially after the project is
created. Now only the target panel that is PanelExpress supports sound.
You can use a function button to play a sound or stop playing sound. For details, please see Section 5.4.1 Basic
Operations of function buttons
You can use Execute General Command ($C2.f) command flag setting in Command Block to play a sound. For details,
please see Section 3.6.7 Using General Commands.

2.2.4.1. Importing and Exporting Sounds
■ Importing Sounds
You need to import a sound before you can use it for the project. There are two ways to import sounds:
1) Use the Sound Database dialog box to import one sound at a time from a sound file. The types of importable sound
files include: WAV.
2)

Use the Sound Database dialog box to import many sounds at a time from a sound database (SDB) file.

■ Exporting Sounds
You can export the sounds of the project so the other projects can share those sounds by importing them. There are 2
ways to export sounds:
1)

Use the Sound Database dialog box to export one sound at a time to a sound file.

2)

Use the Sound Database dialog box to export many sounds at a time to a sound database (SDB) file.

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2.2.4.2. Sound Database dialog box
The following is an example of the Sound Database dialog box.

The following table describes how to read or use each of the items in the dialog box.
Item

Description

Sounds

Lists the sounds of the project. You can select a sound as the current selection. You can also make
multiple selections.

Sound
Information

Shows the sound information of the current selection such as sound format and the length.
You can click
to start playing the sound. Click
stop playing the sound.

to pause playing the sound. Click

OK

Closes the dialog box and accepts all changes to the sound database.

Cancel

Closes the dialog box and discards all changes to the sound database.

Import...

Imports a sound from a sound file. The types of importable sound files include: WAV.

Import From...

Imports sounds from a sound database (SDB) file.

Export...

Exports the current sound to a sound file.

Export To...

Exports the current selection to a sound database (SDB) file.

Rename

Click this button to rename the current sound.

Delete

Delete the selection.

Move Up

Moves the selection down in the list

Move Down

to

Moves the selection up in the list

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2.2.5. Text Database
The Text Database is a dockable window. With the Text Database, you can manage the texts in multiple languages of your
project easily. To open the Text Database, check the Text Database menu item in the Project menu or double click the
Text Database node in the Global in PM Project Manager tool window.
The following is an example of the Text Database that lists the texts in all the languages of the project.

File to Table Icon

Table to File Icon

Table to Application Icon

The name of the table. You
can select a table from
Table A to Table L.

To edit a text, you need to select a text row first by left-click anywhere in it, and then
click the cell of the row to bring up the edit box. In the edit box, you can type the text.
To stop or confirm editing, you can click anywhere outside the selected row.

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Astraada HMI CFG Operation Manual
You can click the following icons to bring up the corresponding dialog box to import or export texts.
Icon

Description
Imports texts from a text file(.txt file) to the selected the table.

Select an operation from the
dropdown list. You can overwrite
the table or append the text to
the table.

If the Import box of a language is
checked, the texts of that language in
the text file will be imported into the
table. If the Import box of a language is
unchecked, the texts of that language
won’t be imported.

Exports texts from the selected table to a text file (.txt file).

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If the Export box of a language is
checked, the texts of that language in
the table will be exported to the file. If
the Export box of a language is
unchecked, the texts of that language
won’t be exported.

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Icon

Description
Imports texts from the selected table to a panel application in the same project.

Table Name

Application Name

If the Import box of a language is
checked, the texts of that language in
the table will be imported into the
application. If the Import box of a
language is unchecked, the texts of
that language won’t be imported.

Exports texts from a panel application of the project to the selected table.

You can right-click the Text Database to get the popup menu with the following menu items:
Menu Item

Description

Cut

Cut the selected text and put it on the Clipboard.

Copy

Copy the selected text and put it on the Clipboard.

Paste

Insert the text on the Clipboard to the current table.

Delete

Delete the selected text.

& lt; Language name & gt;

Check the language name to display the text of objects in the selected
language.

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2.3. Working with Tags
A tag represents a single input or output variable monitored or controlled by the system. By changing tags, you can use
any PLC or controller without re-developing the application. This chapter explains how you can define and manage tags by
tags editor.
After the tag is created in tags editor, you can use it in your application by Select Tag Dialog Box. Please see Section
4.4.3.3 Selecting Tags for details. Or you can specify the tag by yourself. The format of a tag is Link Number\Tag Group
Name\Tag Name.
For example:
Tags

Description

1\MONITOR\CORE DISPLAY

Indicates a local tag named CORE DISPLAY in MONITOR tag group of link 1

0\BOT\DECLARE

Indicates a local tag named DECLARE in BOT tag group of internal memory

0\_ALARM SHOW

Indicates a global tag named _ALARM SHOW of internal memory

Note that the maximum text amount of the tag/tag group name is 48 characters. You are allowed to define not only tags for
the link but also the tags for a tag group of the link.

2.3.1. Types of Tags
In Astraada HMI CFG, there are two types of tags: global tags and local tags.
■ Global Tag
A global tag is a tag that can be used by all panel applications in the same project. With global tags, the panel applications
in the same projects can share the common address declaration without having to keep and maintain the same set of tags
locally.
Note that a global tag can be only associated with internal variables.
■ Local Tag
A local tag is a tag that can be only used by the panel application which the tag is located in.

2.3.2. Opening and Closing Tags Editor


Opening Tags Editor

To open the global tags editor, use the Global Tags… command on the Project menu, or double click Global & gt; Global Tags
item in the Project Manager tool window, or right-click the Global & gt; Global Tags item in the Project Manager tool window to
bring out the popup menu and then use the Open command on the popup menu.
To open the local tags editor, use the Tags… command on the Panel menu, or double click Panel Application & gt; Tags item
in the Project Manager tool window, or right-click the Panel Application & gt; Tags item in the Project Manager tool window to
bring out the popup menu and then use the Open command on the popup menu.


Closing Tags Editor

To close the tag editor, select the window and click the close button, or choose Windows... on the Window menu, select
the window you want to close in the window dialog and then click Close Window(s) button. You can also right-click the
Global & gt; Global Tags item (Panel Application & gt; Tags item) in the Project Manager tool window to bring out the popup menu
and then use the Close command on the popup menu to close the global tags editor(the local tags editor).

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2.3.3. Creating Tags by Tags Editor
You can use tags editor to create and manage tags. The tags editor is split into two panes: Tag Group Explorer on the left
and Tag List Window on the right. Each pane scrolls separately, both horizontally and vertically. You can position the
mouse over the vertical splitter bar and drag the bar to resize the panes.
The following is an example of the tags editor.
Tag Group Explorer

List all the Tags for the link

List all the Tags for the
active tag group named
MONITOR

Tag List Window

Tag Groups

Vertical Splitter Bar

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2.3.3.1. Tag Group Explorer
Tag explorer displays links, recipes, data loggers and their tag groups if any. From tags explorer, you can:


Open a tag group of a link for editing by clicking the node



Import and export tags of a link
Described in Section 2.3.4



Add new groups to a link and delete or rename the existing tag groups
Described in Section 2.3.5



View tags (Data Items) of recipes and data loggers.

If there are any recipes or data loggers in the application, the tag editor will display their data items as the tags. All the
data items (tags) for the recipes or data loggers are read only in the tag editor. If you want to edit the data items (tags),
please use the corresponding dialog box.

You can edit the data items of
the selected recipe block with
the recipe block dialog box.
Please see Section 10.5
Setting up Recipe Blocks for
details.

Recipe Block Name (ID)

Data Logger Name (ID)

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2.3.3.2. Tag List Window
Tag list window displays all the tags related to selected tag group. In the tag list window, you can:


Make switching between tag groups by clicking the window tab



Click any column header to sort the list



Add a tag by defining the tag name and then click any other cells to edit the elements of the tag

The following table describes each attribute of the tag.
Item

Description

Name

Specifies the name for the tag.
The name must be unique in the tag group.
The maximum text amount of the name is 48 characters. And Chinese characters are
supported.
The name can not start with a number and can not be the same as a macro keyword.
The name of global tags must start with underline ( _ ). But the name of the local tags can not
start with underline ( _ ).

Data Type

Selects the data type for the tag from the dropdown list. The supported data types for each tag
are some of the followings: 16-Bit Unsigned Integer, 32-Bit Unsigned Integer, 16-Bit Signed
Integer, 32-Bit Signed Integer, 16-Bit BCD, 32-Bit BCD, 32-Bit Floating Point, ASCII String,
Bit.

Address

& lt; Edit
Box & gt;

Specifies the bit address when the Data Type is Bit, otherwise specifies the word address.
Clicks this icon to bring up the Address Input Keypad and specify the desired address for the
& lt; Edit Box & gt; field.

Length
Scan Rate

Selects the scan rate for the tag from the dropdown list. The supported scan rates for each tag
are Fast and Normal.

Comment


Specifies the string length when the Data Type is ASCII string, otherwise displays n/a

Type a comment for the tag.

Cut, copy, paste and delete selected tags using menu commands or key combination

You can right-click the number column to display a popup menu of editing commands. The editing commands available
depend on what the pointer is pointing to.

The following table shows the supported editing commands.
Menu Command

Key Combination

Description

Cut

CTRL+X

Removes selected tags from the active window and saves them to
the Clipboard.

Copy

CTRL+C

Duplicates selected tags in the active window.

Paste

CTRL+V

Pastes cut or copied tags into an active window.

Delete

DELETE

Deletes tags without copying it to the Clipboard.

Note that all editing commands require a selection in order to work. To select a tag, click the row on its header number
column. To select multiple tags, click the row on its heard column and use Ctrl+Click to add a row to the selection.

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2.3.4. Importing and Exporting Tags


Importing Tags

1)

Right-click the Internal Memory or a link or any of their tag groups item in the Tag Group Explorer to bring out the
popup menu and then use the Import Tags… command on the popup menu.
2) Click the *.csv file you want to import. If you want to open a tags import file that was saved in a different folder, locate
and open the folder first.
3) Click Open.
Note:
If the file format is not correct, the import operation will be cancelled.
Note:
The tags import file can contain tags only or many tag groups and their tags.
Note:
If the name of a tag in the file exists in the tag group, you will be asked to confirm whether to replace the existing
tag or not.
If selecting Yes, the tag in the tag group will be replaced by the tag from the file.
If selecting No, only the tag with nonexistent name will be imported.
If selecting Cancel, the import operation will be cancelled.
Note:
If the tag group name in the file exists in the link, you will be asked to confirm whether to replace the existing tag
group or not.
If selecting Yes, the tags in the existing tag group will be removed and replaced by the tags from the file.
If selecting No, only the tag group with nonexistent name and its tags will be imported.
If selecting Cancel, the import operation will be cancelled.

■ Exporting Tags
If you have tags you want to reuse in another application panel, you can export the tags of the selected tag group as a .csv
file. You may do the following:
1) Locate the tag group you would like to export
2) Right-click on the tag group to display the item's " popup menu " ; and then click Export Tags..., the second menu item.
3) If you want to save tags in a different folder, locate and open the folder first. then click Save.
You can export all the tags of the internal memory or a link as a .csv file by right-clicking on the internal memory or a link
item and then using the Export All Tags command on the popup menu.

2.3.5. Adding/Deleting/Renaming Tag Groups
■ Adding a Tag Group
1) Click the link or the internal memory you want to add a tag group for
2) Right-click the selected item to display the popup menu, and then click Add Group menu
3) The new tag group will be added at the end of the link. And the default tag group name will become selected for
renaming.
■ Deleting a Tag Group:
1) Locate the tag group you would like to delete
2) Right-click on the tag group to display the popup menu; and then click Delete Group
Note:

You can only select one tag group to delete at one time.

■ Renaming a Tag Group:
1) Locate the tag group you would like to rename
2) Right-click on the tag group to display the popup menu; and then click Rename Group or click the tag group
3) The tag group name will become selected, simply type the new name over the selected text, and then press the
ENTER key or click anywhere outside the editing field.

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CHAPTER 3

CREATING PANEL
APPLICATIONS
3.1.

Setting up the Panel Application................................................................. 1

3.1.1.
3.1.2.
3.1.3.
3.1.4.

3.2.

Working with Keys..................................................................................... 10

3.2.1.
3.2.2.
3.2.3.
3.2.4.

3.3.

Default Settings for the Panel Application .................................................................. 11
Settings for a Screen .................................................................................................... 12
Key Usage Table Settings ............................................................................................ 13
Usage Settings for a Key ............................................................................................. 14

Internal Memory ........................................................................................ 18

3.3.1.
3.3.2.
3.3.3.
3.3.4.

3.4.

General Settings............................................................................................................. 2
Custom Settings ............................................................................................................. 5
Activating Multiple Overlapped Buttons by One Touch ............................................... 7
Specifying Default Folder for File I/O .......................................................................... 8

Types of Internal Memory ........................................................................................... 18
Index Registers ............................................................................................................ 18
System Memory........................................................................................................... 19
Setting up Internal Memory......................................................................................... 21

Communication Links................................................................................ 22

3.4.1.
3.4.2.
3.4.3.
3.4.4.
3.4.5.
3.4.6.
3.4.7.

Types of Communication Links................................................................................... 22
General Settings........................................................................................................... 25
Parameter Settings (Serial Port)................................................................................... 28
Parameter Settings (Ethernet Port) .............................................................................. 29
Sub-link Settings.......................................................................................................... 30
Sharing Data among Panels Using Data Sharer .......................................................... 31
Using General Device (COM) to Communicate with Unsupported Devices.............. 32

3.5.

Sound Table................................................................................................. 35

3.6.

Command Block and Status Words.......................................................... 37

3.6.1.
3.6.2.
3.6.3.
3.6.4.

Types of Command Block and Status Words............................................................... 37
General Settings........................................................................................................... 42
Command Block Settings (Type A) ............................................................................. 43
Status Word Settings (Type A)..................................................................................... 46

-i-

3.6.5.
3.6.6.
3.6.7.

Command Block Settings (Type H)............................................................................. 47
Status Word Settings (Type H)..................................................................................... 49
Using General Commands........................................................................................... 50

3.7.

Setting up Clock Operations ..................................................................... 52

3.8.

Setting up Passwords.................................................................................. 55

3.9.

Screens ......................................................................................................... 56

3.9.1.
3.9.2.
3.9.3.
3.9.4.
3.9.5.
3.9.6.

Types of Screens .......................................................................................................... 56
Creating and Opening Screens..................................................................................... 57
Setting up a Screen ...................................................................................................... 58
Importing/Exporting a Screen...................................................................................... 63
Cutting/Copying/Pasting/Deleting a Screen ................................................................ 63
Saving Screens as Pictures........................................................................................... 64

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3.1. Setting up the Panel Application
You can set up the panel application with the General Setup dialog box. There are five ways to open the dialog box:
1)

In the Astraada HMI CFG's Project Manager tool window, double-click the Panel Application node (

).

2)

In the Astraada HMI CFG's Project Manager tool window, right-click the Panel Application node (
popup menu and select General Setup menu item.

3)

In the Astraada HMI CFG's Project Manager tool window, double-click the General Setup Node (
Application & gt; Setup

) in Panel

4)

In the Astraada HMI CFG's Project Manager tool window, right-click the General Setup Node (
Application & gt; Setup to bring out the popup menu and select Properties menu item.

) in Panel

5)

In the Astraada HMI CFG's menu bar, click Panel to bring up the Panel sub-menu. Click General Setup…in the Panel
sub-menu.

) to bring out the

The General Setup dialog box contains the following pages. Some of the pages appear only when they are needed.

General
Described in Section 3.1.1.

Custom
Described in Section 3.1.2.

Keys
Described in Section 3.1.3.

Startup Macro / Main Macro / Event Macro / Time Macro
Described in Section 14.2.6.

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3.1.1. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a panel application. The following is an example of the
General page of the General Setup dialog box.

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The following table describes each item in the General page.
Item

Description

Application Name

The name of the panel application.

Model

The model of the target panel.
Click
to bring up the Panel Model dialog box which helps you to select a
model by specifying the size, resolution and orientation of the display.
The following is a sample of Panel Model dialog box

Battery Backed RAM

Specifies the size of the battery backed RAM installed in the target panel.

Use External Keypad

Available if the target panel supports the custom designed external keypad. For
example PV037-LSK, PV037V-LSK, PL037-LSK…
Select this option if the application uses a custom designed external keypad.

Start Up

Screen

Specifies the first screen of the application that the target panel will display after
power up.

Delay Time

Specifies the time that the target panel will delay to run the application.

Display
Countdown

Check this option if you want the target panel to display countdown while it is
waiting for the expiry of the Delay Time.

Language

Specifies the language that the application will display the text for after power up.

Login Required

Check this option if you want the target panel to get a valid password from the
operator before it displays the first screen.

Default User
Level

Available when the Login Required is not selected. Specifies the user level as the
initial user level for the application. When the target panel starts the application, it
sets the current user level to the initial user level.

Display Idle
Screen

Check this option if you want the target panel to display the Idle Screen when the
target panel has not been operated by the operator for the specified amount of
time. The specified amount of time is called the idle time.

Idle Time

The amount of time that will be used to decide if the idle screen should be
displayed.

Idle Screen

Specifies the screen that will be displayed as the idle screen.

Change User
Level

Check this option if you want the target panel to change the current user level
when the idle screen is displayed.

Idle User Level

Available when the Change User Level is selected. Specifies the user level that
will be the current user level when the idle screen is displayed.

Screen Saver
Time

Specifies the screen saver time. The target panel will turn off its backlight when it
has not been operated by the operator for the specified amount of time.

Idle
Processing

Continued

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Item

Description

Buzzer Sounding Time

Specifies the length of the beep sounded by the buzzer when a touch operation is
activated.

Overlapped buttons can be
activated in sequence by one
touch

Check this option if you want the application to have the feature that the
overlapped buttons can be activated in sequence by one touch. This feature
allows the operator to issue multiple data settings or commands with one touch.
There are some constraints using this feature. See Section 3.1.3 for details.

Note

You can type a note for the panel application.

Macro

Startup Macro

Check this item if you want the application to have the Startup macro.
The Startup macro is run only once when the application starts. The target panel
will not display the start-up screen until the macro terminates. You can use
Startup macro to initialize global data and settings for your application.

Main Macro

Check this item if you want the application to have the Main macro.
The Main macro is run all the time while the application is running. The target
panel runs the Main macro cyclically, i.e. it runs Main macro starting from the first
command again each time after it completes the processing of the last command
of the macro or when it encounters an END command in the middle of the macro.

Event Macro #1~#4

An Event macro is run whenever the associated trigger bit changes from 0 (Off) to
1 (On). An application can have up to four Event macros. If the application needs
an Event macro for a certain event, check one of the items that are available and
specify the associated trigger bit for the corresponding Event macro.

Time Macro #1~#4

A Time macro is run periodically with a preset time interval. An application can
have up to four Time macros. Each Time macro has a different set of time
intervals you can choose to specify how often you want it to run. The following
table describes the available time intervals for each Time macro.
Time Macro

Available Time Intervals

Remark

#1

0.5 and 1 second

#2

1, 2, 3, ... and 59 seconds

#3

1, 2, 3, ... and 59 minutes

The macro is run at 0 second.

#4

1, 2, 3, ... and 24 hours

The macro is run on the clock.

If the application needs a Time macro, check the item of an appropriate Time
macro and specify the time interval for that Time macro.
Print

Printer

Specifies the type of printer that the application will use.

Port

Specifies the port of the target panel that will connect to the printer.

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3.1.2. Custom Settings
This section describes how to define the customization settings for a panel application. The following is an example of the
Custom page of the General Setup dialog box.

The following table describes each item in the Custom page.
Item

Description

Decimal
Number
Keypad

Use custom
keypad

Check this item if you want the application to use the custom keypad instead of the
built-in keypad for the entry of decimal numbers.

Window
Screen

Specify the window screen that is designed as the decimal number keypad.

Hexadecimal
Number
Keypad

Use custom
keypad

Check this item if you want the application to use the custom keypad instead of the
built-in keypad for the entry of hexadecimal numbers.

Window
Screen

Specify the window screen that is designed as the hexadecimal number keypad.

Octal
Number
Keypad

Use custom
keypad

Check this item if you want the application to use the custom keypad instead of the
built-in keypad for the entry of octal numbers.

Window
Screen

Specify the window screen that is designed as the octal number keypad.

Continued

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Item
Character Keypad

Description
Check this item if you want the application to use the custom keypad
instead of the built-in keypad for the entry of characters.

Window Screen

Specify the window screen that is designed as the character keypad.

Use custom
keypad

Check this item if you want the application to use the custom keypad
instead of the built-in keypad for the entry of passwords.

Window Screen

Password Keypad

Use custom
keypad

Specify the window screen that is designed as the password keypad.

Default Folder for File I/O

This field is available only when the target panel is PanelExpress. There
are 4 kinds of default folder that you can select for your application. They
are Same as Application File, Pre-assigned, New Per Day, New Per
Month. Please see Section 3.1.4 for details

Touch Operation
Disabled Sign

Use custom
sign

Check this item if you want the application to display the custom sign
instead of the built-in sign when the touch operation of an object is
disabled.

Picture

Specify the picture that is to replace the built-in sign.

Transparent

Select this item if you want parts of the custom sign to be transparent.

T. Color

Specify the transparent color.

Date

The date format that the target panel will use to output date information to
text files.

Time

The time format that the target panel will use to output time information to
text files.

Set Time/Date

The minimum user level that is required to set the time and date of the
target panel through the target panel's Panel Setup menu.

Time/Date Format
for Text Files

User Level Required
in Panel Setup

Prohibit uploading and copying of the
panel application stored in the HMI unit

Check this option if you want to prohibit uploading and copying of the
panel application stored in the HMI unit.

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3.1.3. Activating Multiple Overlapped Buttons by One Touch
To enable the feature of activating multiple overlapped buttons by one touch, open the Panel General Setup dialog box and
check the option of “Activate multiple overlapped buttons by one touch” on the General page. With this feature, the
overlapped underlying buttons will be activated one by one from top to bottom when the top-most button is pressed. The
following are the constraints of applying this feature.
1. The types of buttons that support this feature include: Bit Button, Toggle Switch, Screen Button, Function Button, Word
Button, Multi-state Switch, and Keypad Button.
2. The first button, i.e. the top-most button, can only be a bit button, a toggle switch, a word button, a multi-state switch, or
a keypad button. The button can not have the optional property of Minimum Hold Time or Operator Confirmation. If the
button is a bit button, a toggle switch, or a keypad button, it can not have any macro. If the button is a word button, it
can not be configured for Enter Value or Enter Password. If the button is a multi-state switch, it can not be configured
as a List or Drop-down List.
3. The underlying buttons that have the optional property of Minimum Hold Time or Operator Confirmation will not be
activated.
4. An underlying bit button that is configured for Momentary ON or Momentary OFF will not be activated. However if that
bit button is the second button and the first button is a keypad button, it can be activated. An underlying bit button that
has any macro will not be activated.
5. An underlying toggle switch that has any macro will not be activated.
6. An underlying multi-state switch that is configured as a List or Drop-down List will not be activated.
7. A function button can only be the last button, i.e. the bottom-most button. All the buttons that are under a function
button will not be activated.
8. A screen button can only be the last button. All the buttons that are under a screen button will not be activated.
9. A word button that is configured for Enter Value or Enter Password can only be the last button. All the buttons that are
under such button will not be activated.
10. The maximal number of buttons that can be indirectly activated by one touch is 10.

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3.1.4. Specifying Default Folder for File I/O
The default folder will be used for a file I/O operation when one of the following two conditions exists:
1) The command issued for the operation does not require the specification of a filename.
2) The command issued for the operation requires a filename and the specified filename contains no path information.
To specify the default folder, you need go to the “Custom” page of the “Panel General Setup” dialog box. To go there, select
the menu item “General Setup” in the submenu “Panel” to get the dialog box, then click the “Custom” tab. Another way to
get the dialog box is to double-click the “Panel General Setup” node on the project tree.
On the “Custom” page, you can specify the desired default folder in the “Default Folder for File I/O” group according to the
following rules:
1) If you want the folder of your application file (.pe2 or .pl2 file) to be the default folder, select “Same as Application File”
in the “Option” combo box.

For applications with this selection running on HMI units, because the applications are not stored in any file and under
any directory, the root directory of the USB memory stick will be used as the default folder instead.
2) If you want to use a specific folder that will exist at run-time as the default folder, select “Pre-assigned” in the “Option”
combo box and specify the folder in the “Folder” edit box.

Note that the specified folder must exist at the run-time or the file I/O operations will fail.

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3) If your application needs a new default folder every day, select “New Per Day” in the “Option” combo box
and specify the following 3 items:
A) Folder Path: The path for the new folder. The system will create a new default folder under the specified path
every day.
B) Folder Name Format: The format to create a default folder name.
C) & lt; Prefix & gt; : The string to be used as the prefix of the new default folder names. Note that only ASCII characters
are allowed.

Example:
Folder Name Format

Folder Path

& lt; Prefix & gt;

Date

Default Folder Name

& lt; Prefix & gt; yymmdd

C:

ABC

December 19, 2008

C:\ABC081219

& lt; Prefix & gt; yyyymmdd

D:\NEO

ABC_

December 19, 2008

D:\NEO\ABC_20081219

& lt; Prefix & gt; yyMMMdd

C:

XYZ

January 10, 2009

C:\XYZ09JAN10

& lt; Prefix & gt; yyyyMMMdd

D:\123

XYZ_

January 10, 2009

D:\123\XYZ_2009JAN10

4) If your application needs a new default folder every month, select “New Per Month” in the “Option” combo box and
specify the following 3 items:
A) Folder Path: The path for the new folder. The system will create a new default folder under the specified path
every month.
B) Folder Name Format: The format to create a default folder name.
C) & lt; Prefix & gt; : The string to be used as the prefix of the new default folder names. Note that only ASCII characters
are allowed.

Example:
Folder Name Format

Folder Path

& lt; Prefix & gt;

Date

Default Folder Name

& lt; Prefix & gt; yymm

C:

ABC

December 19, 2008

C:\ABC0812

& lt; Prefix & gt; yyyymm

D:\NEO

ABC_

December 19, 2008

D:\NEO\ABC_200812

& lt; Prefix & gt; yyMMM

C:

XYZ

January 10, 2009

C:\XYZ09JAN

& lt; Prefix & gt; yyyyMMM

D:\123

XYZ_

January 10, 2009

D:\123\XYZ_2009JAN

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3.2. Working with Keys
Some of the target panels are key type. Those key type panels carry external keys that you can press to perform the
defined operations.
To assign or change the operation of the keys in the panel application, you can use the following two ways:


Default Settings for the Panel Application
Described in Section 3.2.1.



Settings for a Screen
Described in Section 3.2.2.

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3.2.1. Default Settings for the Panel Application
The default settings are the settings that can be used by all screens in the panel application. With the default settings of the
keys, all the screens in the panel application can share the common usages of the keys and do not have to keep and
maintain the same usages in each screen.
You can do the default settings of the keys for the panel application in General Setup property sheet. To open the General
Setup property sheet, please see Section 3.1 Setting up the Panel Application for details. The General Setup property
sheet provides you the Keys page to set up the keys as default.
The following is an example of the Keys page and Usage Setup dialog in General Setup property sheet.

Key Usage Table

Usage Setup Dialog

If all the screens use the
default settings of the key
named K22, the K22 key
will perform just like the bit
button when it is pressed.
That means in any screen
at runtime, the state of
1\M238 bit will be inverted
when the K22 Key is
pressed.

There are two parts in the above illustration: Key Usage Table and Usage Setup Dialog.

Key Usage Table
A table lists all the keys of the target panel and their default usages. The key usage table here is empty (Usages for key
and key combination are none) initially after the panel application is created. For details about Key Usage Table, please
see Section 3.2.3

Usage Setup Dialog
A floating dialog box allows you specify the usage for the selected key or key combination. You can left-click the cell in the
key usage table to bring up the dialog. For details about Usage Setup Dialog, please see Section 3.2.4.

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3.2.2. Settings for a Screen
Each screen can have its own key operation. If you want a key to perform an operation only in the specified screen, you
need do the settings of the keys for the screen in Screen Properties property sheet. To open the Screen Properties
property sheet, please see Section 3.9.3 Setting up a Screen for details. The Screen Properties property sheet provides
you the Keys page to set up the keys for the screen.
The following is an example of the Keys page and Usage Setup dialog in Screen Properties property sheet.

Key Usage Table

Usage Setup Dialog

F5 key will perform just like
the screen button when it is
pressed. That means at
runtime, the screen 253 will
be opened when the F5
Key is pressed in the
specified screen.

There are two parts in the above illustration: Key Usage Table and Usage Setup Dialog.

Key Usage Table
A table lists all the keys of the target panel and their usages in a screen. The key usage table here is the same as the one
in the Keys page of the General Setup property sheet initially after the screen is created. For details about Key Usage
Table, please see Section 3.2.3

Usage Setup Dialog
A floating dialog box allows you specify the usage for the selected key or key combination. You can left-click the cell in the
key usage table to bring up the dialog. In the dialog box, Use Default option is checked by default. You can uncheck the
Use Default option to assign a usage for the selected cell and such usage is only available in the specified screen. For
details about Usage Setup Dialog, please see Section 3.2.4.

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3.2.3. Key Usage Table Settings
The key usage table is located in the Keys page of General Setup property sheet or Screen Properties property sheet. It
lists all the keys of the target panel and their default usages. The Keys page is only shown up when the target panel is key
type.
The following table lists key type panels and their available keys.
Model

Available Keys

AS40MON0410

Provides UP,DOWN F1~F4 by default;
Provides UP,DOWN,F1~F6,K20~K37 if using external keypad;
Provides ESC-key to double the number of above keys.

AS40TFT0602 / AS40TFT0603

Provides UP,DOWN,F1~F6,K20~K37
Provides ESC-key to double the number of above keys.

AS40TFT0723

Provides F1~F6;
Provides UP,DOWN,F1~F6,K20~K57 if using external keypad.

Astraada HMI CFG

Provides F1~F12

The following is an example of key usage table in the Keys page.

There are three columns in the key usage table. The
following table describes each column.
Column

Description

Key

Available keys of the target panel.

Usage

Displays how the key will be used
when it is pressed.

Usage(Esc+)

Displays how the key combination
(ESC+Key) will be used when it is
pressed.
This column exists only when the
target panel supports the key
combination.

Note: Left-click the cell will bring up the Usage Setup
Dialog which is used to set up the usage of the selected
cell. For details about Usage Setup Dialog, please see
Section 3.2.4.

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3.2.4. Usage Settings for a Key
You can assign or change the usage for the key or the key combination by Usage Setup Dialog. The Usage Setup dialog is
a floating dialog box that can be moved to anywhere you want.
To open the Usage Setup Dialog, you may left-click the cell in the key usage table. If the selection in the key usage table is
changed, the dialog box will stay open and show all the settings related to the selection.
The following is an example of usage setup dialog.
The name of the
key or the key
combination

If you want to
close the dialog,
click the close
button.

Property

Description

Use Default

Check this option if you want to use the default setting in the Keys page of the General Setup
property sheet. The field is only available in the Keys page of the Screen Properties property sheet.

Usage

Select a usage for the key or key combination. There are 7 choices: None, Bit Button, Function
Button, Keypad Button, Multistate Switch, Screen Button and Word Button.

Bit Button

If the usage is Bit Button, you need to specify the following properties:
Property

Description

Function

Select the operation for the bit button. There are 5 choices: Set ON, Set
OFF, Momentary ON, Momentary OFF, and Invert.
For details, see Section 5.1.1 Basic Operations

Write Address

Specifies the bit variable to be operated.
Click
field.

to enter an address for this field. Click

to select a tag for this

ON Macro

Check this option if you want the button to have an ON macro. Select a
macro from the dropdown list. This option is available when the bit button
operation is Set ON, Momentary ON, or Momentary OFF.

OFF Macro

Check this option if you want the button to have an OFF macro. Select a
macro from the dropdown list. This option is available when the bit button
operation is Set OFF, Momentary ON, or Momentary OFF.

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Property
Function
Button

Description
If the usage is Function Button, you need to specify the following properties:
Property
Function

Keypad
Button

Description
Specifies the operation that you want the function button to perform. About the
available operations, see Section 5.4.1 Basic Operation.

If the usage is Keypad Button, you need to specify the following properties:
Property

Description

Enter
Character

Select this item if the button is used to input the specified character to the keypad
buffer.

Character

Available when the Enter Character is selected. Specifies the character to be
entered in the keypad buffer.

Enter
Command

Select this item if the button is used to issue the specified command to the keypad
buffer.

Command

Available when the Enter Command is selected. Specifies the command to be
issued to the keypad buffer. There are four commands available:
Command

Description

Enter
Escape

Cancels the data entry operation.

Clear

Clears the keypad buffer.

Backspace
Multistate
Switch

Completes the data entry and sends the input string to the
associated object or the system.

Removes the last character in the keypad buffer.

If the usage is Multistate Switch, you need to specify the following properties:
Property

Description

State Type
Data Type

The data type of the variables specified in this page.

Write
Address

Specifies the variable to be controlled.

Total State

Specifies the number of valid states that the monitored variable has.
Note: The last state is state N-1 when the Total States is N.

Next State

Screen
Button

The state type of the monitored variable. There are two options: Value and LSB.
For details, see Section 4.4.1.1 State Types

Specifies the method of calculating the next state for the Button control type.
+1 means the next state is the current state plus one when the current state is not
the last state. When the current state is the last state, the next state is state 0.
-1 means the next state is the current state minus one when the current state is not
state 0. When the current state is state 0, the next state is the last state.

Click

to enter an address for this field. Click

to select a tag for this field.

If the usage is Screen Button, you need to specify the following properties:
Property

Description

Function

Specifies the operation that you want the screen button to perform. There are four
choices: Open Screen, Previous Screen, Close and Open Screen, and Close
Screen. For details, see Section 5.3.1 Basic Operations.

Screen

Specifies the screen to be opened.

Change user
level to

Check this option if you want the button to change the current user level.
And specifies the new user level to replace the current user level.

Acknowledge
alarm

Check this option if you want the button to acknowledge the associated alarm of
the screen where the button is on.
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Property
Word Button

Description
If the usage is Word Button, you need to specify the following properties:
Property

Description

Function

Specifies the operation that the word button performs. For details, see Section
5.6.1 Basic Operations.

Data Type

The data type of the variable to be controlled.

Write Address

Specifies the variable to be controlled.
to enter an address for this field. Click

Click
field.

to select a tag for this

Constant

The constant for the specified operation.

Minimum

The minimum for the specified operation.

Maximum

The maximum for the specified operation.

Total Digits

The number of digits to be displayed for the Minimum and the Maximum on the
numeric keypad.

Fractional
Digits

When the Data Type is 32-bit Floating Point, this property specifies the number
of fractional digits to be displayed for the Minimum and the Maximum on the
numeric keypad.
When the Data Type is not 32-bit Floating Point, this property specifies not only
the number of fractional digits to be displayed but also the number of least
significant digits to be displayed as the fractional part. With this feature, an
integer can be shown and entered as a fixed point number. When the
Fractional Digits is nonzero, say N, the entered value will be converted to an
integer according to the following formula before being output.
OutputValue = EnteredValue * (Nth power of 10)
Example:
Display Type

Total
Digits

Fractional
Digits

Entered
Value

Output
Value

32-bit Floating Point

2

12.34

12.34

32-bit Floating Point

4

2

123.4

Error!

16-bit
Decimal

Signed

5

2

123.45

12345

16-bit
Decimal

Signed

5

2

-0.05

-5

16-bit
Decimal
Activation

4

Signed

5

2

3

300

Select Button Down item so the touch operation will be activated when the
button is touched. Select this Button Up item so the touch operation will be
activated when the button is released.
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Property
Advanced

Description
The following table describes each property in the Advanced group. Some of the properties are
available when need.
Property
Description
Enabled by
Bit

Check this option so the operation of the object will be enabled and disabled by
the specified bit.

Bit

Specifies the bit that enables and disables the touch operation.
Click

to enter a bit address. Click

to select a bit tag.

Enabling
State
Enabled by
User Level

Check this item so the touch operation of the object will be enabled and
disabled by the current user level.

Lowest
Enabling
User Level

Specifies the lowest user level that is required to enable the touch operation.

Operator
Confirmation

Check this option if you want the operator to confirm the operation. The
Confirmation box will be displayed when the object performs the operation. If
the operator selects “Yes” in the Confirmation box, the operation will be done. If
the operator selects “No” or the operator does not respond within the specified
time period (Maximum Waiting Time), the operation will be cancelled.

Maximum
Waiting Time

Specifies the maximum time that the object will wait for the operator’s
confirmation. The operation will be cancelled if the operator does not respond
within this time.

Notification

Check this option so the object will notify the specified bit after it finishes the
operation.

Bit

Specifies the bit that receives the notification.

State

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Specifies the state (On or Off) that enables the touch operation.

Specifies the state (On or Off) that is used for the notification.

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3.3. Internal Memory
This section describes how to set up and use the internal memory for the panel application.

3.3.1. Types of Internal Memory
The following table describes the types of memory space that can exist or always exist in the internal memory.
Type

Address Format

Description

Regular user
memory

Word: $Un
Bit: $Un.b; b: 0~f

The size of this memory space is settable.

Battery backed
user memory

Word: $Nn
Bit: $Nn.b; b: 0~f

This memory space is available when the target panel is equipped with
battery backed RAM. The size of this memory space is settable.

System memory

Word: $Sn
Bit: $Sn.b; b: 0~f

This memory space keeps the system maintained data and information.
See Section 3.3.3 for details.

Index registers

Word: $In
Bit: $In.b; b: 0~f

The index registers are provided to support the indirect addressing. To
know how to specify indirect address by using index register, please see
Section 3.3.2 for details.

Command block

Word: $CBn
Bit: $CBn.b; b: 0~f

This memory space is allocated for storing the data read from the specified
command block.

3.3.2. Index Registers
The index registers are battery backed if the panel has battery backed memory. The index registers are cleared to zero
when the panel application is updated.
You can use the index registers to specify the indirect address. With the support of indirect addressing, an object or macro
can be designed to access different sets of data at run time.

Examples
1) The word address W[$I30] is equivalent to W2000 when the value of $I30 is 2000.
2) The word address $U[$I0+123] is equivalent to $U223 when the value of $I0 is 100.
3) The bit address $U[$I2].a is equivalent to $U0.a when the value of $I2 is 0.
4) The word address [$I2]:W100 is equivalent to 3:W100 when the value of $I2 is 3.
5) The bit address [$I0]: W[$I1+10].f is equivalent to 5:W20.f when the values of $I0 and $I1 are 5 and 10 respectively.

Notes:
1) It is your responsibility to make sure that the values in the index registers will result in valid addresses at runtime. PM
Designer has no way to check the validity of the using of index registers.
2) The offset values must be a positive number and the maximum offset value is 65535.
3) Only $I0~$I15 can be used for the node address (PLC address) and no offset value is allowed.
4) Make sure the PLC driver you are going to use supports the indirect addressing.

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3.3.3. System Memory
The following table lists the system maintained data and information in the system memory of the PM panels that may be
useful for your application.
Note that in any case do not modify the system memory for any purpose or the system may malfunction or crash.
Address

Length

Content

$S0~$S25

26

Keypad input buffer for keypads
$S0: Command code for keypad display
$S1~$S24: Null terminated ASCII character string up to 48 characters

$S42

1

The second and minute of the current time in BCD format
Bit 0~7: Second (0x00~0x59)
Bit 8~15: Minute (0x00~0x59)

$S43

1

The hour of the current time in BCD format and the RTC adjustment parameter
Bit 0~7: Hour (0x00~0x23)
Bit 8~15: RTC adjustment value

$S44

1

The day and month of the current date in BCD format
Bit 0~7: Day (0x01~0x31)
Bit 8~15: Month (0x01~0x12)

$S45

1

The year and the day-of-week of the current date in BCD format
Bit 0~7: Year (0x00~0x99)
Bit 8~15: Day of week (0x00~0x06); 0 represents Sunday

$S46

1

The second of the current time in binary format (0~59)

$S47

1

The minute of the current time in binary format (0~59)

$S48

1

The hour of the current time in binary format (0~23)

$S49

1

The one tenth of the second of the current time in binary format (0~9)
9 represents 0.9 second

$S50

1

The day of the current date in binary format (0~30)
0 represents the first day of a month

$S51

1

The month of the current date in binary format (0~11)
0 represents January

$S52

1

The year of the current date in binary format (0~99)

$S53

1

The day of week of the current date in binary format (0~6)
0 represents Sunday

$S219

1

Current user level (0~9); 9 indicates that the user logged in with the developer password

$S230~$S241

12

The ASCII character string up to 24 characters to show the allowable input range for
numeric keypads

$S297

1

The lowest user level that can be accepted by the current password keypad. When the
value is 0, any user level is acceptable. When the value is 9, only the developer password
is acceptable.

$S300~$S301

2

500ms timer

$S302~$S303

2

1 second timer

$S304

1

20 Hz sine wave (-1000 ~ 1000)

$S305

1

20 Hz cosine wave (-1000 ~ 1000)

$S306

1

20 Hz triangle wave (0~1000)
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Address

Length

Content

$S307

1

System signals
$S307.0: always 0 when ready
$S307.1: always 1 when ready

$S315

1

System status
$S315.0: 1 indicates that the data in battery backed RAM is good

$S317

1

Current language number (0~9); 0 represents language #1

$S319

1

Status bits of USB memory sticks
$S319.0: Drive C (1:OK; 0:None)
$S319.1: Drive D (1:OK; 0:None)
$S319.2: Drive E (1:OK; 0:None)

$S654

1

Link enabled bits for Link 1~16
$S654.0 is for Link 1; 0: Disabled; 1: Enabled
$S654.1 1 is for Link 2;

$S654.f is for Link 16

$S662~$S677

32

Communication status words for Link 1~16
$S662 is for Link 1
$S663 is for Link 2

$S677 is for Link 16
Communication Status
Value

Meaning

Value

Meaning

0

OK

13

Invalid request

1

Overrun error

14

Device busy

2

Break error

15

Unknown error

3

Parity error

16

Link disabled

4

Framing error

17

Initialization failure

5

No response

18

Failed to send data

6

Unrecognized response

19

Failed to receive data

7

Timeout

20

Failed to open connection

8

Inactive CTS

21

Connection not ready

9

Checksum error

22

Invalid sub-link

10

Command rejected

23

Invalid COM port

11

Invalid address

24

Error

12

Invalid range

255

Uncertain

$S838

1

The ID of the current recipe block (0~15)

$S839~$S854

16

The current recipe numbers of recipe block 0~15
$S839 is for recipe block 0
$S840 is for recipe block 1

$S854 is for recipe block 15

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3.3.4. Setting up Internal Memory
You can use the Internal Memory dialog box to define the sizes of the regular user memory and the battery backed user
memory. To open the Internal Memory dialog box, you can do one of followings:
1)

In the Astraada HMI CFG's Project Manager tool window, double-click the Internal Memory Node (
Application & gt; Links

) in Panel

2)

In the Astraada HMI CFG's Project Manager tool window, right-click the Internal Memory Node (
Application & gt; Links to bring out the popup menu and select Properties menu item.

) in Panel

The following is an example of the Internal Memory dialog box.

Specify the size of regular user memory in
word. The size must be between 0 and
131072 words. By default, it is 5000.

Specify the size of battery backed user
memory in word. The size must be between 0
and 131072 words. By default, it is 0.

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3.4. Communication Links
This section describes how to set up communication links for the panel application to access the data of external devices.

3.4.1. Types of Communication Links
The following table describes the three types of communication links that the panel application can have.
Link Type
Direct link

Description
A direct link connects the panel and the specified device or devices directly. The following are
examples of the direct links.

[Example 1] The panel uses an RS232 direct link to talk with the specified device directly.

[Example 2] The panel uses an RS485 direct link to talk with the specified devices directly.

[Example 3] The panel uses an Ethernet direct link to talk with the specified device directly.

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Link Type
Indirect link

Description
With an indirect link, the panel can talk with a device that is not connected to it. An indirect link
connects the panel and the specified indirect link server. The indirect link server is the target panel
of another panel application of the same project and connects to the specified device directly.

[Example 1] Indirect Link via 2-to-1 Connection

[Example 2] Indirect Link via N-to-1 Connection (COM)

[Example 3] Indirect Link via N-to-1 Connection (Ethernet)

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Link Type

Description

Communication
service

To allow other panels to communicate with the device that is directly connected to the target panel,
you need to add an appropriate communication service link to the application for that purpose. The
following table describes the available communication services.
Communication
Service

Description

2-to-1 Server (COM)

You need to specify the data link, i.e. the associated direct link,
for this communication service. This service allows two panels
to talk with one device and only one communication port is
required on that device.

2-to-1 Transparent
Server (COM)

This communication service makes the target panel a gateway
for another computing device, such as a PC, another PM panel,
or a panel of other brand, to access the associated controller.
See the following diagrams to know the possible applications.

Any kinds of controller whose communication protocol is of the
request-reply type can be supported by this communication
service. Ask your local representative to check if your controller
is supported. Note that the communication parameters (baud
rate, number of data bits, number of stop bits, and type of parity
check) of the computing device and the communication
parameters of the 2-to-1 Transparent Server must be identical.
Currently supported protocol:
PanelMaster ModBus Device/Slave (RTU)
N-to-1 Master (COM)

You need to specify the data link, i.e. the associated direct link,
for this communication service. This service allows up to 16
panels to talk with one device and only one communication port
is required on that device.

N-to-1 Master (Ethernet)

You need to specify the data link, i.e. the associated direct link,
for this communication service. This service allows up to 16
panels to talk with one device and only one communication port
is required on that device.

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3.4.2. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for the communication links using the General page of the Link
Properties dialog box. The following is an example of the General page that defines a direct link.

The following is an example of the General page that defines a communication service link.

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The following table describes each property in the General page of the Link Properties dialog box.
Property

Description

Link Number

The sequence number of the communication link. It is assigned when the link is created and
it will be reassigned when any other link of the same application is removed.

Link Name

Specifies the name of the communication link.

Link Type

Select one of the following link types for the link:
Link Type

Description

Direct Link (COM)

The link connects to the specified device directly through the
specified serial (COM) port.

Direct Link
(Ethernet)

The link connects to the specified device directly through the
specified Ethernet port.

Communication
Service (COM)

The link connects to one or more other PM panels through the
specified serial (COM) port and provides the communication
service specified in the Device/Server field to the connected PM
panels. See the description of the Device/Server field to know the
available communication services.

Communication
Service (Ethernet)

The link connects to one or more other PM panels through the
specified Ethernet port and provides the communication service
specified in the Device/Server field to the connected PM panels.
See the description of the Device/Server field to know the
available communication services.

Indirect Link via
2-to-1 Connection
(COM)

The link connects to a PM panel that provides the communication
service as a 2-to1 server through the specified serial (COM) port.
The target panel can communicate with the associated device
indirectly through that PM panel.

Indirect Link via
N-to-1 Connection
(COM)

The link connects to a PM panel that provides the communication
service as a N-to1 master through the specified serial (COM) port.
The target panel can communicate with the associated device
indirectly through that PM panel.

Indirect Link via
N-to-1 Connection
(Ethernet)

The link connects to a PM panel that provides the communication
service as a N-to1 master through the specified Ethernet port. The
target panel can communicate with the associated device
indirectly through that PM panel.
Continued

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Property

Description

Device/Server

When the Link Type is Direct Link, select a device to specify the connected device of this
link.
When the Link Type is Communication Service (COM), select one of the following servers.
Server

Description

2-to-1 Server

You need to specify a direct link of the application as the data link for
the service in the Data Link field. The link connects to a PM panel and
allows that panel to communicate with the device connected by the
specified data link indirectly. The panel served by the link must use an
indirect link to accept the service.

2-to-1
Transparent
Server

You need to specify a direct link of the application as the data link for
the service in the Data Link field. The link connects to a computing
device and allows that device to communicate with the device
connected by the specified data link indirectly. The computing device
can be a PM panel, a panel of other brand, or a PC. If the computing
device is a PM panel, it must use a direct link to accept the service.

N-to-1
Master

You need to specify a direct link of the application as the data link for
the service. The link can connect up to 8 PM panels and allow those
panels to communicate with the device connected by the specified
data link indirectly. The panels served by the link must use an indirect
link to accept the service.

When the Link Type is Communication Service (Ethernet), select one of the following
servers.
Service

Description

N-to-1 Master

You need to specify a direct link of the application as the data link
for the service in the Data Link field. The link can connect up to 8
PM panels and allow those panels to communicate with the device
connected by the specified data link indirectly. The panels served
by the link must use an indirect link to accept the service.

When the Link Type is Indirect Link and the Indirect Link Server Location is specified, the
indirectly connected device is shown here.
Link Port

Select a port for this link.

Sub-links

When an RS485 communication line has many devices connected to it, the logical
connection of a device on the link with the PM panel is called a sub-link.
This field is available when the Link Type is Direct Link (COM). Select this option if this link
will connect to many devices and you want to identify, monitor, or control the
communication with each connected device.

Data Link

Select a direct link of the application as the data link for the communication service when
the Link Type is Communication Service.

Indirect
Link
Server
Location

Panel
Application

Select the panel application that provides the communication service for this indirect link.

Link

Select the communication service link provides the communication service for this indirect
link.

Record communication
status in operation log

Check this option if you want the communication status of the link or the link’s sub-links to
be recorded in the operation log. The recordable types of status include: Enabled,
Disabled, Failed, and Recovered. The operation log display can show the logged
communication status.

Check Word

The panel will read the specified word once in a while to check if the connection of the link
is good.

The duration of showing
a communication error

The communication error message box will hide and show according to the specified
duration. If the duration is 0, the error message box will not show.

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message

3.4.3. Parameter Settings (Serial Port)
This section describes how to set up the communication parameters for the serial communication links using the
Parameter page of the Link Properties dialog box.
The following is an example of the Parameter page for a
serial direct link.

The following is an example of the Parameter page for a
N-to-1 master.

The following table describes each property in the Parameter page of the Link Properties dialog box for a serial link.
Property

Description

Baud Rate

The baud rate used.

Data Bits

The number of data bits used.

Parity

The scheme of parity used.

Stop Bits

The number of stop bits used.

Panel Address

The address of the target panel.

PLC Address

The address of the connected device.

Timeout Time

The maximum time allowed for the communication driver to wait for the reply from the
connected device. When the elapsed time exceeds the Timeout Time, the communication
driver assumes the communication failed.

Command Delay

If the Command Delay is 0, the communication driver sends the next request immediately to
the connected device after it received the reply of the last request. If the Command Delay is
nonzero, the communication driver delays the specified time before sending the next
request to the connected device.

Retry Count

The number of times that the communication driver will retry to get a successful reply from
the connected device for each request. If the number is zero, the communication driver will
use a default retry count.

Specify N-to-1
Connection Slave
Panels

This button is available when the link is a N-to-1 master. Click this button to bring up the
N-to-1 Connection Slave Panels dialog box. You can define the slave panels of the N-to-1
connection in the dialog box.

Specify Other Data
Sharing Panels

This button is available when the link is a direct link and the connected device is Data
Sharer (RS485). Click this button to bring up the Other Data Sharing Panels dialog box. You
can define the other data sharing panels in the dialog box.

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3.4.4. Parameter Settings (Ethernet Port)
This section describes how to set up the communication parameters for the Ethernet links using the Parameter page of the
Link Properties dialog box. The following is an example of the Parameter page for an Ethernet direct link.

The following table describes each property in the Parameter page of the Link Properties dialog box for an Ethernet link.
Property

Description

IP Address

The IP address of the connected device.

Use Default Port

Check this option if the default IP port is used

Port

Specifies the IP port used

Node Address

Specifies the node address of the connected device.

Timeout Time

The maximum time allowed for the communication driver to wait for the reply from the connected
device. When the elapsed time exceeds the Timeout Time, the communication driver assumes
the communication failed.

Command Delay

If the Command Delay is 0, the communication driver sends the next request immediately to the
connected device after it received the reply of the last request. If the Command Delay is nonzero,
the communication driver delays the specified time before sending the next request to the
connected device.

Retry Count

The number of times that the communication driver will retry to get a successful reply from the
connected device for each request. If the number is zero, the communication driver will use a
default retry count.

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3.4.5. Sub-link Settings
An RS485 link can have many slave devices connected to it. The HMI uses the same communication protocol to talk with
all those slave devices. The connection between the HMI and each of the slave devices is a sub-link. With the Sub-link
table, the operator can enable or disable a sub-link at any time.
This section describes how to define the sub-links for the direct links using the Sub-link page of the Link Properties dialog
box. The following is an example of the Sub-link page.

The following table describes each property in the Sub-link page of the Link Properties dialog box for a direct link.
Property

Description

Number of sub-links

Specifies how many devices the link will connects as sub-links.

Language

Specifies the current language for the Name field.

Name

The name of the selected sub-link for the language specified in the Language field.

Node Address

The address of the selected sub-link. The address must be a unique number within all the
sub-links.

Initial State

The initial communication state for the selected sub-link. If the state is On, the panel will
communicate with the sub-link after running the application. If the state is Off, the panel will
not communicate with the sub-link until the communication state is turn On in a sub-link table.

Show error message

If this option is checked, the communication error message will be shown when the selected
sub-link encounters communication errors. If this option is unchecked, no error message will
be shown for any communication errors.

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3.4.6. Sharing Data among Panels Using Data Sharer
The data sharer is a virtual device. It allows data sharing among up to 16 PM panels on an Ethernet or an RS485 network.
Each of the PM panels can have up to 256 words of data to share.

To set up the communication for the data sharing, create a direct link and select Data Sharer (UDP) or Data Sharer
(RS485) of PanelMaster as the connected device. The panel address that you can set in the Parameter page of the Link
Properties dialog box must be unique for each sharing panels as it is used to identify the shared data.
The communication driver for the link connecting to Data Sharer is responsible for broadcasting the panel's shared data on
the network. For example, if the panel address of a panel is 10 and the number of the link connecting to Data Sharer is 2,
the following Macro command will cause the communication driver to broadcast the corresponding data on the network.
2\P10.0 = MOV($u300, 30)
The communication driver receives the broadcasted shared data on the network automatically. It has a block of memory to
store the shared data. To access a word, use the following address, where m is the panel address and n is the word
number of that panel’s shared data.
Pm.n

m=1~16; n=0-255

To access a bit, use the following address, where b is a hexadecimal number representing the bit number in the specified
word.
Pm.n.b

m=1~16; n=0-255; b=0~f

The UDP is used for the data sharing on Ethernet.

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3.4.7. Using General Device (COM) to Communicate with Unsupported Devices
You can use general device to customize your own serial port communication driver.
To use customized communication protocol, you may do the followings:
1.

Select PanelMaster- & gt; General Device(COM) as the destination controller in Link Properties dialog box.

2.

Write your own communication protocol by macro commands. The following is an example:

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The following table describes the bit devices and word devices of general device:
Address
CTS_STS

Device
Type
Bit

Full Name
Clear To
Status

Send

Read/Write
Read only

Operation
Get the state of the CTS signal from the destination
device.
I: Transmission prohibited by the destination device.
0: Transmission permitted by the destination device.
When EN_HS is 1, you need to wait for the permission
before sending data by checking whether CTS_STS is 0.

EN_HS

Bit

FLUSH

Enable RTS/CTS
hardware
handshaking

R/W

When EN_HS is 1, before sending data, you need
check whether CTS_STS is 0 and set RTS = 1 to
prohibit the data transmission from the destination
device. After finishing data sending, set RTS to 0 to
permit the transmission.

Bit

Write Only

Set 1 to clear receive buffer.

RESET

Bit

R/W

Set 1 to reset UART and clear receive buffer

RTS

Bit

Request To Send

R/W

Set 1 to prohibit the transmission from the destination
device. Set 0 to permit the transmission

RX

Word

Receive Data

Read only

Read N characters from the receive buffer. If the size of
receive buffer is larger than N, read N characters and
RX_CNT = N; RXB_CNT=RXB_CNT-N;
Otherwise read RXB_CNT characters, and RX_CNT =
RXB_CNT; RXB_CNT=0.
For each receiving operation, RX_STS indicates the
result: 1: Success, 2: Timeout, & lt; 0: Failed.

RX_CNT

Word

Receiving Count

Read only

Total characters read from the receive buffer.

RX_STS

Word

Status of the last
receiving

Read only

Get the status of the last receiving.
1: Success, 2: Timeout, & lt; 0:Failed.

RX_W

Word

Receive data and
wait until all datum
are received

Read only

Read N characters from the receive buffer. If the size of
receive buffer is larger than N, read N characters and
RX_CNT = N; RXB_CNT=RXB_CNT-N; if RX_STS =
1(Success), continue to read the remaining. Or wait until
time out.
If the size of receive buffer is less than N,. read
RXB_CNT characters, and RX_CNT = RXB_CNT;
RXB_CNT=0.
For each receiving operation, RX_STS indicates the
result: 1: Success, 2: Timeout, & lt; 0: Failed.

RXB_CNT

Word

Count of Receive
buffer

Read only

The number of bytes of data in the receive buffer.

TO_TIME

Word

Time Out

R/W

Specify the amount of time that the target panel waits
between sending commands to your controller. The unit
of time is 100MS and the default is 0.

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Address

Device
Type

Full Name

Read/Write

Operation

TX

Word

Transmit Data

R/W

Transmit Data to the specified COM port. Please do the
following procedure:
1. Wait for the end of last transmission
2. If EN_HS is 1, wait for CTS_STS = 0 to send the
data
3. If EN_HS is 1, set RTS to 1 before sending data.
And set RTS to 0 after transmission is over.
4. If timeout before sending data, TX_STS will be 2
and the operation is cancelled
5. Sending data and TX_STS will be 1, if sending data
is successful.

TX_STS

Word

Status of the last
transmission

Read only

Get the status of the last transmission
1: Success, 2: Timeout, 0xF: Sending

TX_W

Word

Transmit Data and
wait until all datum
are sent

R/W

Transmit Data to the specified COM port. Please do the
following procedure:
1. Wait for the end of last transmission
2. If EN_HS is 1, wait for CTS_STS = 0 to send the
data
3. If EN_HS is 1, set RTS to 1 before sending data.
And set RTS to 0 after transmission is over.
4. If timeout before sending data, TX_STS will be 2
and the operation is cancelled
5. Ready to send data
6. Wait until all datum are sent and TX_STS will be 1, if
sending data is successful.

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3.5. Sound Table
The sound table contains all the sounds used by the panel application. The sound table is empty initially after the panel
application is created.
You can use the sound only if the target panel is PanelExpress. In the PanelExpress application, you can use function
button with play sound operation to play the specified sound.
Before using the sound in the panel application, you need to import or add a sound into the Sound Table.
To open the Sound Table dialog box, please do one of the followings:
1)

In the Astraada HMI CFG's Project Manager tool window, double-click the Sound Table (
Application.

2)

In the Astraada HMI CFG's Project Manager tool window, right-click the Sound Table (
popup menu and select Properties menu item.

2)

On the Panel menu, click Sound Table…

The following is an example of the Sound Table dialog box.

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) node to bring out the

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The following table describes how to read or use each of the items in the dialog box.
Item

Description

Sounds

Lists the sounds for the panel application. You can select a sound as the current selection. You can
also make multiple selections. To select a sound, click the row on its header column of that sound in
the list. To select multiple rows, click the row on its header column and use Ctrl + Click to add a row
to the selection.
The following table describes each column in the sound list.
Column

Description

Number

The number of the sound in the sound list. The number is an unsigned integer
starting from 0. It must be unique in the panel application. You can click the cell
and then edit the number.

Name

The name of the sound. You can click the cell to select a sound predefined in
the Sound Database from the drop down list. To know how to predefine sounds
in Sound Database, please see Section 2.1.3.

Type

Displays the type of the sound.

OK

Closes the dialog box and accepts all changes to the sound table.

Cancel

Closes the dialog box and discards all changes to the sound table.

Import…

Imports a sound from a sound file. The types of importable sound files include: WAV only.

Add

Adds a sound from the Sound Database to the end of the sound table. To know how to use Sound
Database, please see Section 2.1.3.

Insert

Inserts a sound from the Sound Database before the selection. To know how to use Sound
Database, please see Section 2.1.3. This button is available when the selection is made.

Delete

Deletes all the selections. This button is available when the selection is made.

Move Up

Moves the selection one item down in the list. This button is available when the selection is made.

Move Down

Moves the selection one item up in the list. This button is available when the selection is made.

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3.6. Command Block and Status Words
Your can command the panel to do a variety of things using the command block. The command block is a block of words in
your controller or the internal memory. The panel scans the control block periodically and performs the specified
operations according to the contents of the control block. You can decide the size of the command block, the command
words that are required in the command block, and the rate of scanning the command block, so the overhead of reading
the command block is minimized.
The panel can provide its status information to you by writing status values to the status words. The status words are in
your controller or the internal memory. You can decide the status words that are required for your application so the panel
will not waste time to output useless status values.

3.6.1. Types of Command Block and Status Words
There are three types of control block and status words that you can choose for your application.

3.6.1.1. Type A
■ Type A Command Block
You can have the following command words for the application and their orders in the command block are adjustable.
Screen Switching Register
You can command the panel to change the main screen or display a window screen by setting this word to the number of
the desired screen.
Command Flag Word (Command Flags #0 ~ #15)
The following table describes the function of each bit in the Command Flag Word.
Bit

Function

Description

0

(reserved)

1

Switch Language

Changes the language that the panel displays.
Parameter One Register: Specifies the number of the desired language

2

Set Current Recipe
Number

Sets the current recipe number of the specified recipe block to the specified
recipe number.
Parameter One Register: Specifies the recipe number
Parameter Two Register: Specifies the recipe block
Note: You do not need to specify the recipe block if the application has only one
recipe block.

3

Read Recipe From PLC

Reads a recipe from the specified address which is defined in the Recipe Block
dialog box and use that recipe to replace the specified recipe of the specified
recipe block.
Parameter One Register: Specifies the recipe number
Parameter Two Register: Specifies the recipe block
Note: You do not need to specify the recipe block if the application has only one
recipe block.

4

Write Recipe To PLC

Writes the specified recipe of the specified recipe block to the specified address
which is defined in the Recipe Block dialog box.
Parameter One Register: Specifies the recipe number
Parameter Two Register: Specifies the recipe block
Note: You do not need to specify the recipe block if the application has only one
recipe block.

5

Clear Alarm History

Clears the alarm history.
Continued

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Bit

Function

Description

6

Clear Alarm Count

Clears the alarm counts.

7

Sound Buzzer

Sounds buzzer.
Parameter One Register: Specifies the sound type.
Sound Type Value
0

500ms beeps

2

200ms beeps

3

100ms beeps

4
Print Screen

Continuous beep

1

8

Description

50ms beeps

Prints the specified screen.
Parameter One Register

Operation

(Undefined)

Prints the top screen.

0

Prints the top screen.

The number of the screen
to be printed

Prints the specified screen.
Note: This operation is not supported by
PL035/037/057/058

9

Backlight On

Turns the backlight on.

10

Backlight Off

Turns the backlight off.

11

Set Current User Level

Sets the current user level to the specified level.
Parameter One Register: the user level

12

Close All Window
Screens

Closes all window screens.

13

(reserved)

14

(reserved)

15

Execute General
Command

See the section 3.6.7 Using General Commands for details.

Note: To activate any of the above functions, you need to change the corresponding command bit from Off to On. The
panel does not reset the command bit, so you have to reset the command bit before commanding the panel to perform the
same function again. You should keep the state of the command bit long enough so the panel can detect the change. The
best way is to use the corresponding acknowledge bit in the Command Status Word. The panel turns on the acknowledge
bit when it detect the change. It is safe to reset the command bit when you see the acknowledge bit turns on. The panels
turns off the acknowledge bit when it sees the command bit turns off.

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Low Trigger Word (Trigger Bits #0 ~ #15), High Trigger Word (Trigger Bits #16 ~ #31)
You can use the trigger bits to initiate the following operations:
1) Asking the associated data loggers to collect data
2) Asking the associated data loggers to clear their logging buffers
3) Executing event macros
4) Increasing the clock by one hour
5) Decreasing the clock by one hour
6) Logging in
7) Logging out
8) Asking the associated line charts to read and draw a new set of data.
9) Asking the associated line charts to clear its content.
10) Asking the associated scatter charts to read and draw a new set of data.
11) Asking the associated scatter charts to clear its content.
Enabling Word (Enabling Bits #0 ~ #15)
You can use the enabling bits to enable the following operations:
1) The data collection of data loggers
Parameter One Register
This word specifies the parameter #1 for the specified operation.
Parameter Two Register
This word specifies the parameter #2 for the specified operation.
Parameter Three Register
This word specifies the parameter #3 for the specified operation.
Parameter Four Register
This word specifies the parameter #4 for the specified operation.
■ Type A Status Words
You can have the following status words for the application.
Status Word

Description

Command Status Word
(Command Flag Ack. Bits #0 ~ -#15)

Stores the acknowledge bits of the command bits #0 ~ #15.

Low Trigger Ack. Word
(Trigger Ack. Bits #0 ~ #15)

Stores the acknowledge bits of the trigger bits #0 ~ #15.

High Trigger Ack. Word
(Trigger Ack. Bits #16 ~ #31)

Stores the acknowledge bits of the trigger bits #16 ~ #31.

Current Screen Number Word

Stores the current main screen number.

Current Recipe Block ID Word

Stores the current recipe block number.

Current Recipe Number Word

Stores the current recipe number of the current recipe block.

Current User Level Word

Stores the current user level.

Current Language Word

Stores the current language number.

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3.6.1.2. Type H (Binary)
■ Type H (Binary) Command Block
You can have the following command words for the application.
Screen Number Register
You can command the panel to change the main screen or display a window screen by setting this word to the number of
the desired screen. You can also use this word to request the panel to 1) change the language, 2) turn on the backlight,
and 3) turn off the backlight. The following table describes how to program this word.
Bit

Description

0~9

Specifies the screen to be displayed.

11~13

Specifies the language that the panel displays for.
000: The panel does nothing.
001: The panel changes the language to language 1.
010: The panel changes the language to language 2.
...
111: The panel changes the language to language 7.

14

If this bit is On, the panel turns off the back light of the display.

15

If this bit is On, the panel turns on the back light of the display.

Command Flag Register
The following table describes the function of each bit in the Command Flag Register.
Bit

Function

0

Clears the alarm history.

1

Clears the alarm counts.

2

(reserved)

3

(reserved)

4

Writes the current recipe of recipe block #0 to the address defined in the Recipe Block dialog box of recipe block
#0.

5

Sets the current recipe number of recipe block #0 to the number specified in Recipe Number Register.

6

Reads the recipe from the address defined in the Recipe Block dialog box of recipe block #0 and use it to
replace the current recipe of recipe block #0.

7

Turns on the buzzer.

8

Used as trigger bit #4.

9

Used as trigger bit #5.

10

Used as trigger bit #6.

11

Used as trigger bit #7.

12

Used as trigger bit #0.

13

Used as trigger bit #1.

14

Used as trigger bit #2.

15

Used as trigger bit #3.

Note: To activate any of the above functions, you need to change the corresponding command bit from Off to On. The
panel does not reset the command bit, so you have to reset the command bit before commanding the panel to perform the
same function again. You should keep the state of the command bit long enough so the panel can detect the change. The
best way is to use the corresponding acknowledge bit in the Command Status Word. The panel turns on the acknowledge
bit when it detect the change. It's safe that you reset the command bit when you see the acknowledge bit turns on. The
panels turns off the acknowledge bit when it sees the command bit turns off.

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Recipe Number Register
The number in this word will be used as the current recipe number of recipe block #0 when bit 5 of Command Flag
Register changes from Off to On.
■ Type H (Binary) Status Words
You can have the following status words for the application.
Status Word

Description

Screen Status Word

Whenever the panel switches the main screen, it sets this word to the number of
the current main screen.

Command Flag Ack. Word

Contains the acknowledge bits for the command flags of Command Flag Register.

Current Recipe Number Word

Stores the current recipe number of recipe block #0.

3.6.1.3. Type H (BCD)
The command words and status words you can have for the application are the same as the H (Binary) type. However, the
values in the following words must be in BCD format: Screen Number Register, Recipe Number Register, Screen Status
Word, and Current Recipe Number Word.

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3.6.2. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for the command words and the status words using the General
page of the Command & Status dialog box. The following is an example of the General page.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

Type

Select one of the following three types of control block and status words for your
application:
A, H (Binary), H (BCD)

Use Command Block

Check this item if the application needs any of the command words.

Read Address

Specifies the address of the command block.

Size

Specifies the size of the command block.

Scan Time

Select one of the following rate for the panel to scan the command block:
1 second, 0.5 second, 0.25 second

Command
Block
Image

Bit Address
Range

Shows the valid address range of the bits in the command block. Note that the application
can only read the bits.

Word
Address
Range

Shows the valid address range of the words in the command block. Note that the
application can only read the words.

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3.6.3. Command Block Settings (Type A)
This section describes how to configure the type A command block using the Command Block page of the Command &
Status dialog box. The following is an example of the Command Block page.

The following table describes each property in the Command Block page.
Property

Description
Select Default if you want the command words to be in the default order in
the command block. Select Custom if you want to arrange each command
word in the command block by yourself.
Check this option so you can use the word to change the main screen or
display a window screen by setting the word to the number of the desired
screen.

Reset SSR to Zero

If this option is selected, the panel always resets the Screen Switching
Register to zero when it detects a nonzero value is in the word. If this option
is not selected, the panel resets the Screen Switching Register to zero only
when the specified screen is valid and not displayed yet.

Parameter One Register

Check this option so you can this word to specify the No. 1 parameter for the
specified operation.

Command Flags #0 ~ #15
(Command Flag Word)

Check this option so you can use the command flags to request the panel to
do the specified operations.

Trigger Bits #0 ~ #15
(Low Trigger Word)

Check this option if you need any of the trigger bits in the word for your
application.

Parameter Two Register

Check this option so you can this word to specify the No. 2 parameter for the
specified operation.

Trigger Bits #16 ~ #31
(High Trigger Word)

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Arrangement

Screen Switching
Register

Command
Word

Check this option if you need any of the trigger bits in the word for your
application.

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Continued
Property
Command
Word

Description
Check this option if you need any of the enabling bits in the word for your
application.

Parameter Three
Register

Check this option so you can this word to specify the No. 3 parameter for the
specified operation.

Parameter Four Register
Command
Flag

Enabling Bits #0 ~ #15
(Enabling Word)

Check this option so you can this word to specify the No. 4 parameter for the
specified operation.

Switch Language (#1)

Check this option so you can use command flag #1 to request the panel to
display the specified language. You need to specify the following:
1) Parameter One Register: the number of the desired language

Set Current Recipe
Number (#2)

Check this option so you can use command flag #2 to request the panel to
set the current recipe number of the specified recipe block to the specified
recipe number. You need to specify the following:
1) Parameter One Register: The recipe number
2) Parameter Two Register: The recipe block
(Note: You do not need to specify the recipe block if the application has only
one recipe block)

Read Recipe From PLC
(#3)

Check this option so you can use command flag #3 to request the panel to
read a recipe from the specified address which is defined in the Recipe
Block dialog box and use that recipe to replace the specified recipe of the
specified recipe block. You need to specify the following:
1) Parameter One Register: The recipe number
2) Parameter Two Register: The recipe block
(Note: You do not need to specify the recipe block if the application has only
one recipe block)

Write Recipe To PLC
(#4)

Check this option so you can use command flag #4 to request the panel to
write the specified recipe of the specified recipe block to the specified
address which is defined in the Recipe Block dialog box.
You need to specify the following:
1) Parameter One Register: The recipe number
2) Parameter Two Register: The recipe block
(Note: You do not need to specify the recipe block if the application has only
one recipe block)

Clear Alarm History (#5)

Check this option so you can use command flag #5 to request the panel to
clear the alarm history.

Clear Alarm Count (#6)

Check this option so you can use command flag #6 to request the panel to
clear the alarm counts.

Sound Buzzer (#7)

Check this option so you can use command flag #7 to request the panel to
sound its buzzer in the specified manner.
You need to specify the following:
1) Parameter One Register: The sound type.
The following table describes the sound type value.
Sound Type Value

Description

0

Continuous beep

1

500ms beeps

2

200ms beeps

3

100ms beeps

4

50ms beeps
Continued

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Property
Command
Flag

Description
Print Screen (#8)

Check this option so you can use command flag #8 to request the panel to
print the specified screen.
You need to specify the following:
1) Parameter One Register: the number of the screen to be printed
Note1: The top screen is printed if the number is zero or there is no
Parameter One Register.
Note2: The operation of printing a screen that is not the top screen is not
supported by PL035/037/057/058

Backlight On (#9)

Check this option so you can use command flag #9 to request the panel to
turn its backlight on.

Backlight Off (#10)

Check this option so you can use command flag #10 to request the panel to
turn its backlight off.

Set Current User Level
(#11)

Check this option so you can use command flag #11 to request the panel to
set the current user level to the specified one.
You need to specify the following:
1) Parameter One Register: the user level

Close All Window Screens Check this option so you can use command flag #12 to request the panel to
close all window screens.
(#12)
Execute General
Command (#15)

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Check this option so you can use command flag #15 to request the panel to
perform the specified operation. See the section 3.6.7 Using General
Commands for details.

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3.6.4. Status Word Settings (Type A)
This section describes how to configure the type A status words for your application using the Status Word page of the
Command & Status dialog box. The following is an example of the Status Word page.

In the Status Word page, check the needed status words for your application and specify a word variable that will receive
the status value for each checked status word.
The following table describes when and what the panel will write to each status word.
Status Word

Description

Command Flag Ack. Bits #0 ~
#15

The panel will write the states of all the effective command flags to this word
whenever there is any state change occurring on the effective command flags.

Trigger Ack. Bits #0 ~ #15

The panel will write the states of trigger bits #0 ~ #15 to this word whenever there
is any state change occurring on trigger bits #0 ~ #15.

Trigger Ack. Bits #16 ~ #31

The panel will write the states of trigger bits #16 ~ #31 to this word whenever
there is any state change occurring on trigger bits #16 ~ #3.

Current Screen Number Word

The panel will write the number of the current main screen to this word whenever
the main screen changes.

Current Recipe Block ID Word

The panel will write the current recipe block ID to this word whenever a different
recipe block becomes the current recipe block.

Current Recipe Number Word

The panel will write the current recipe number of the current recipe block to this
word whenever a different recipe becomes the current recipe of the current recipe
block.

Current User Level Word

The panel will write the current user level to this word whenever the current user
level changes.

Current Language Word

The panel will write the current language number to this word whenever it
changes the language.

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3.6.5. Command Block Settings (Type H)
This section describes how to configure the type H command block using the Command Block page of the Command &
Status dialog box. The following is an example of the Command Block page.

The following table describes each property in the Command Block page.
Property
Command
Block

Description
Screen Number Register

You can use the word to change the main screen or display a window
screen by setting the word to the number of the desired screen. You can
also use this word to request the panel to do the following operations: 1)
Change the language, 2) Turn on the backlight, and 3) Turn off the
backlight.
The following table describes how to program this word.
Bit

Description

0~9

Specifies the screen to be displayed.

11~13

Specifies the language that the panel displays for.
000: The panel does nothing.
001: The panel changes the language to language 1.
010: The panel changes the language to language 2.
...
111: The panel changes the language to language 7.

14

If this bit is On, the panel turns off the back light of the
display.

15

If this bit is On, the panel turns on the back light of the
display.
Continued

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Property

Description
Reset SNR to Zero

Command Flag Register

You can use the command flags to request the panel to do the specified
operations.

Recipe Number Register
Command
Flag

If this option is selected, the panel always resets the Screen Number
Register to zero when it detects a nonzero value is in the word . If this
option is not selected, the panel resets the Screen Number Register to
zero only when the specified screen is valid and not displayed yet.

When you use command flag #5 to set the current recipe number for recipe
block #0, you need to specify the recipe number in this word.

Clear Alarm History (#0)

Check this option so you can use command flag #0 to request the panel to
clear the alarm history.

Clear Alarm Counts (#1)

Check this option so you can use command flag #1 to request the panel to
clear the alarm counts.

Write Recipe To PLC (#4)

Check this option so you can use command flag #4 to request the panel to
write the current recipe of recipe block #0 to the specified address which is
defined in the Recipe Block dialog box.

Set Current Recipe
Number (#5)

Check this option so you can use command flag #5 to request the panel to
set the current recipe number for recipe block #0.
You need to specify the following:
1) Recipe Number Register: the recipe number

Read Recipe From PLC
(#6)

Check this option so you can use command flag #6 to request the panel to
read a recipe from the specified address which is defined in the Recipe
Block dialog box and use that recipe to replace the current recipe of recipe
block #0.

Sound Buzzer (#7)

Check this option so you can use command flag #7 to request the panel to
sound its buzzer.

Trigger Bit #4 (#8)

Check this option so command flag #8 will be used as trigger bit #4.

Trigger Bit #5 (#9)

Check this option so command flag #9 will be used as trigger bit #5.

Trigger Bit #6 (#10)

Check this option so command flag #10 will be used as trigger bit #6.

Trigger Bit #7 (#11)

Check this option so command flag #11 will be used as trigger bit #7.

Trigger Bit #0 (#12)

Check this option so command flag #12 will be used as trigger bit #0.

Trigger Bit #1 (#13)

Check this option so command flag #13 will be used as trigger bit #1.

Trigger Bit #2 (#14)

Check this option so command flag #14 will be used as trigger bit #2.

Trigger Bit #3 (#15)

Check this option so command flag #15 will be used as trigger bit #3.

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3.6.6. Status Word Settings (Type H)
This section describes how to configure the type H status words for your application using the Status Word page of the
Command & Status dialog box. The following is an example of the Status Word page.

In the Status Word page, check the needed status words for your application and specify a word variable that will receive
the status value for each checked status word.
The following table describes when and what the panel will write to each status word.
Status Word

Description

Screen Status Word

The panel will write the number of the current main screen to this word whenever
the main screen changes.

Command Flag Ack. Word

The panel will write the states of all the effective command flags to this word
whenever there is any state change occurring on the effective command flags.

Current Recipe Number Word

The panel will write the current recipe number of recipe block #0 to this word
whenever a different recipe becomes the current recipe of recipe block #0.

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3.6.7. Using General Commands
This section describes how to use the general commands provided by the type A command block. To issue a general
command, specify necessary parameters in the parameter registers and then turn on command flag #15 in Command Flag
Register.
You can request the panel to perform the following file operations using the general command and the default filename:
Operation

Parameter One
Register
(Operation code)

Parameter Two Register
(Data ID)

Default Filename Format

Save logged data to TXT file

1

ID of the data logger (0~15)

DL & lt; ID & gt; _ & lt; Date & gt; _ & lt; Time & gt; .txt

Save logged data to CSV file

14

ID of the data logger (0~15)

DL & lt; ID & gt; _ & lt; Date & gt; _ & lt; Time & gt; .csv

Save logged alarms to TXT file

2

(Not required)

AL_ & lt; Date & gt; _ & lt; Time & gt; .txt

Save logged alarms to CSV file

15

(Not required)

AL_ & lt; Date & gt; _ & lt; Time & gt; .csv

Save alarm counts to TXT file

3

(Not required)

AC_ & lt; Date & gt; _ & lt; Time & gt; .txt

Save alarm counts to CSV file

16

(Not required)

AC_ & lt; Date & gt; _ & lt; Time & gt; .csv

Save recipe data to TXT file

4

ID of the recipe block
(0~15)

RB & lt; ID & gt; .txt

Save recipe data to CSV file

17

ID of the recipe block
(0~15)

RB & lt; ID & gt; .csv

Save recipe data to DAT file

5

ID of the recipe block
(0~15)

RB & lt; ID & gt; .dat

Print screen to BMP file (256
colors)
If the target panel is PE, the
color resolution follows the
setting of the PC

6

Number of the screen

S & lt; ID & gt; _ & lt; Date & gt; _ & lt; Time & gt; .bmp

Print screen to BMP file (64K
colors)
If the target panel is PE, Print
screen to JPG file

7

Number of the screen

S & lt; ID & gt; _ & lt; Date & gt; _ & lt; Time & gt; .bmp

Save logged operations to TXT
file

9

(Not required)

OL_ & lt; Date & gt; _ & lt; Time & gt; .txt

Save logged operations to
CSV file

18

(Not required)

OL_ & lt; Date & gt; _ & lt; Time & gt; .csv

Save logged data to LDF file

10

ID of the data logger (0~15)

DL & lt; ID & gt; _ & lt; Date & gt; _ & lt; Time & gt; .ldf

Take picture and save it to
BMP file

12

ID of the USB camera (0~3)

CAM & lt; ID & gt; _ & lt; Date & gt; _ & lt; Time & gt; .bm
p

Take picture and save it to
JPG file

13

ID of the USB camera (0~3)

CAM & lt; ID & gt; _ & lt; Date & gt; _ & lt; Time & gt; .jpg

Note for default filename format:
& lt; ID & gt; : ID of the data logger, ID of the recipe block, ID of the USB camera, or number of the screen
& lt; Date & gt; : date when saving the data; format is YYMMDD
& lt; Time & gt; : time when saving the data; format is hhmmss

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You can request the panel to perform the following file operations using the general command and the specified filename:
Operation

Parameter One Register
(Operation code)

Parameter Two
Register (Data ID)

Parameter Three Register
(Specified filename)

Save logged data to
TXT file

31

ID of the data
logger (0~15)

Specifies the address in the internal
memory $U that stores the specified
filename or full pathname. The name
must be a valid Windows pathname
with ASCII characters only. The
character string must be null terminated
and each character occupies one byte.
The maximum length of the string is
127. All the folders stated in the full
pathname must already exist or the file
operation will fail. For example, if the
number stored in this register is 400, it
means the specified filename is stored
in $U400.

Save logged alarms
to TXT file

32

(Not required)

Same as above

Save alarm counts to
TXT file

33

(Not required)

Same as above

Save recipe data to
TXT file

34

ID of the recipe
block (0~15)

Same as above

Save recipe data to
DAT file

35

ID of the recipe
block (0~15)

Same as above

Save logged
operations to TXT file

39

(Not required)

Same as above

Save logged data to
LDF file

40

ID of the data
logger (0~15)

Same as above

Take picture and save
it to BMP file

42

ID of the USB
camera (0~3)

Same as above

Take picture and save
it to JPG file

43

ID of the USB
camera (0~3)

Same as above

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3.7. Setting up Clock Operations
This section describes how to define the clock operations for the panel application using the Clock dialog box. The
following is an example of the Clock dialog box.

The following table describes each property in the Passwords dialog box.
Property

Description

Write

Write Time/date to
PLC

Select this option so the panel will write time and date information to the specified
variable.

Time/date Data Type

Select one of the following data type for the output time and data information.
Data Type

Description

6 BCD bytes

The following shows the data structure.
Byte No.

Content

0

Minute; 0~59

1

Hour; 0~23

2

Day; 1~31

3

Month; 1~12

4

Year; 00~99

5

Day-of-week; 0(Sunday)~6(Saturday)

Note: All the values are in BCD format.
Continued

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Property
Write

Description

Time/date Data Type
Data Type

Description

8 BCD bytes

The following shows the data structure.
Byte No.

Content

0

Minute; 0~59

1

Hour; 0~23

2

Day; 1~31

3

Month; 1~12

4

Year; 00~99

5

Day-of-week; 0(Sunday)~6(Saturday)

6

Second; 0~59

7

0

Note: All the values are in BCD format.
7 BCD words

The following shows the data structure.
Word No.

Content

0

Second; 0~59

1

Minute; 0~59

2

Hour; 0~23

3

Day; 1~31

4

Month; 1~12

5

Year; 00~99

6

Day-of-week; 0(Sunday)~6(Saturday)

Note: All the values are in BCD format.
7 binary words

The following shows the data structure.
Word No.

Content

0

Second; 0~59

1

Minute; 0~59

2

Hour; 0~23

3

Day; 1~31

4

Month; 1~12

5

Year; 00~99

6

Day-of-week; 0(Sunday)~6(Saturday)

Write Address
Write
Operation

Timed

When this item is selected, the panel writes time and date information to the
specified variable periodically at a rate specified in the Interval field. You can
specify an interval between 1 and 255 minutes.

Triggered

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Specifies the variable that will receive the output time and date information.

When this item is selected, the panel writes time and date information to the
specified variable whenever the specified trigger bit changes from Off to On.
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Property

Description

Read

Synchronize Panel
with PLC

Select this option so the panel will read time and date information from the
specified variable and adjust its clock accordingly.

Time/date Data Type

Specifies the data type for the input time and data information. For details, see the
description of the Time/date Data Type field of the Write group.

Read Address

Specifies the variable that the panel will read the time and date information.

Do not run panel
application until the
restart synchronization
is done successfully

The password keypad will close automatically when it gets no input from the
operator for the specified time.

Read
Operation

Timed

When this item is selected, the panel reads time and date information from the
specified variable periodically at a rate specified in the Interval field. You can
specify an interval between 1 and 255 minutes.

Triggered

When this item is selected, the panel reads time and date information from the
specified variable whenever the specified trigger bit changes from Off to On.

Increase Hour

Select this option so you can increase the panel's clock by one by changing the
specified trigger bit from Off to On.

Decrease Hour

Select this option so you can decrease the panel's clock by one by changing the
specified trigger bit from Off to On.

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3.8. Setting up Passwords
This section describes how to set up the passwords for the panel application using the Passwords dialog box. The
following is an example of the Passwords dialog box.

The following table describes each property in the Passwords dialog box.
Property

Description

Password

The Password column contains 8 fields. You can specify the password for a user level in
the corresponding field. A password is a positive integer up to 8 digits. A password must
be unique within the application.

Comment

The Comment column contains 8 editable fields. You can type the comment for a
password or user level in the corresponding field.

9

Check this item if you want the developer password to be the password with the highest
privilege.

Automatic login for
operations requiring a
higher user level

The password keypad will display to get a password with a higher user level when the
operator touches an object that requires a higher user level than the current one to
perform the programmed operation.

Login Trigger Bit

When the specified trigger bit changes from Off to On, the password keypad will display
to get a password. The operator can enter a valid password or cancel the password
keypad.

Logout Trigger Bit

When the specified trigger bit changes from Off to On, the current user level is reset to 0.

Login Timeout

The password keypad will close automatically when it gets no input from the operator for
the specified time.

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3.9. Screens
3.9.1. Types of Screens
There are three types of the screen: Normal Screen, Window Screen and Menu Screen.
To create any type of the screen, you can use the following procedures:
1)

Create a screen. Default is a normal screen. To learn how to create a screen, please see Section 3.9.2 for details.

2)

Open Screen Properties dialog box. To learn how to open the dialog box, please see Section 3.9.3 for details.

3)

In the dialog box, select the type you would like the screen to be.

The following table describes how each type of the screen opens, closes and displays.
Types

Description

Normal Screen

A screen that will be shown up when it is selected to be a startup screen or a screen button with
open screen/previous screen operation is pressed.
Usually the normal screen can not be closed until the other normal screen is opened.
The normal screen is also called a main screen that displays only one at a time in the panel. The
screen size depends on the panel model and it is fixed.

Window Screen

A screen that appears in the following situation:
Screen button with open screen operation is pressed
Selected to be a startup screen
OPEN_WS macro command is used.
Alarm is active or clear if display screen option in the discrete/analog alarm block is selected
Page selector object is used
Custom keypad is needed
Usually the window screen stays on the normal screen until you press the close button on the title
bar or use screen button or CLOSE_WS macro command to close. It then disappears.
The panel can display many window screens at a time.
At runtime the window screen will display on the predefined position at very beginning. If the
window screen has the title bar, you can click-and-hold the title bar to move it around in the panel.

Menu Screen

A screen that will be shown up when it is selected to be a startup screen or screen button with
open screen operation is pressed.
Usually the menu screen stays on the normal screen or window screen until you press anywhere
outside the menu screen or use screen button to close. It then disappears.
The panel can display one menu screen at a time.
The menu screen can slide into the view horizontally from left or right side of the screen. It can also
appear by the left or right side of the button and slide upward or downward into the view. Please
see Section 5.3.4 to learn how to use screen button to set up the position of the menu screen.

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3.9.2. Creating and Opening Screens
■ Creating Screens
To create a screen, you can use the following procedures:
1)

Do one of the following:
On the Screen menu, click New Screen…
In the Project Manager tool window, right-click the panel application & gt; Screens item and then click New Screen…
on the popup menu.

2)

In the New Screen dialog box, type the name and number you want, and hit the ENTER key or click the OK button to
validate your choice. The following is an example of the New Screen dialog box.
Specify the screen name here. The screen names are
case insensitive. For example, consider the names
Startup Screen, startup screen to be the same.
Specify the screen number here. The screen number
must be between 1 and 7999.

Note: In each panel application, both the screen name and the screen number have to be unique.
■ Opening Screens
To open a screen, you can do one of the followings:
1)
2)

In the Project Manager tool window, double click the screen you want to open
On the Screen menu, click Open Screen… In the Open Screen dialog box, select one or multiple screens and click
Open button to open all the selected screens.
The following is an example of Open Screen dialog box.

To select a screen, click the
row of that screen in the list.
To select multiple screens,
click one row and use Ctrl +
Click to add a row to the
selection.
To select continuous screens,
click one row and hold the Shift
key and click the last row.

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■ Activating Screens after Opening
To uncover any screen that is partially or completely obscured by other screens, you can do one of the followings:
1)
2)
3)

In the Project Manager tool window, double click the screen which is not on the top.
On the Window menu, click the screen you need to activate. Or click Windows… to bring out the Windows dialog box.
In the Windows dialog box, select the screen and then click Activate button.
Click anywhere on the screen. If the screens are maximized, click on the title tab of the screen.

3.9.3. Setting up a Screen
You can set up the screen with the Screen Properties dialog box.
To set up a screen, right click the panel application & gt; Screens & gt; screen you want to set up in the Project Manager tool
window, and then click Properties on the popup menu.
To set up a current screen, an opened screen which is on the top, you can do one of the followings:
1)

In the Project Manager tool window, double click the current screen.

2)

Right click the blank area on the current screen, and then click Screen Properties… on the popup menu.

3)

On the Screen menu, click Screen Properties…

The Screen Properties dialog box contains the following pages. Some of the pages appear only when they are needed.

General
Described in Section 3.10.3.1.

Background
Described in Section 3.10.3.2.

Keys
Described in Section 3.2.2.

Open Macro / Close Macro / Cycle Macro
Described in Section 14.2.6.

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3.9.3.1. General Page
This section describes how to define the general settings for a screen. The following is an example of the General page of
the Screen Properties dialog box.

The following table describes each item in the General page.
Property

Description

Screen Number

The number of the screen. It must be between 1 and 7999.

Screen Name

The name of the screen.

Use This Screen

Check this option if you want to use the screen.

Type

Specifies the type of the screen. There are three types: Normal Screen, Window
Screen and Menu Screen. Please see Section 3.9.1 for details.

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Continued
Property

Description

Width

Specifies the width (in pixels) of the screen. This field is available to edit when the
Type is Window Screen and Menu Screen.

Height

Specifies the height (in pixels) of the screen. This field is available to edit when the
Type is Window Screen and Menu Screen.

Shown on Display Center

Check this option if you want the window screen is shown on display center. This
field is available when the Type is Window Screen.

Shown At

Check this option if you want the window screen is shown at the specified position.
This field is available when the Type is Window Screen.
X

Specifies the X coordinate of the window screen’s upper-left corner in pixel on the
normal screen.

Y

Specifies the Y coordinate of the window screen’s upper-left corner in pixel on the
normal screen.

Title Bar

Select this option if you want the window screen to have a title bar to show the
specified title when the Type is Window Screen.

Close Button

Select this option if you want the window screen to have a close Button when the
Type is Window Screen and the Title Bar field is checked.

Language

Select a language so you can view and edit the settings of the title for that language.
This field is available when the Type is Window Screen and Title Bar field is
checked.

Title

Specifies the title for the Title Bar. This field is available when the Type is Window
Screen and Title Bar field is checked.

Base
Screen

& lt; Check Box & gt;

Check this option if you want to have a base screen for the current screen

& lt; Combo Box & gt;

Specifies the screen to be a base screen. This field is available when the Base
Screen is checked.

OPEN Macro

Check this item if you want the screen to have the OPEN macro.
An Open Macro is run once when the associated screen is being opened. The target
panel will not display the screen until the Open Macro terminates. You can use
OPEN macro to initialize global data and settings for the screen.

CLOSE Macro

Check this item if you want the screen to have the CLOSE macro.
A Close Macro is run once when the associated screen is being closed. The target
panel will not erase the screen until the Close Macro terminates.

CYCLE
Macro

& lt; Check Box & gt;

Check this item if you want the screen to have the CYCLE macro.
A Cycle Macro is run all the time while the associated screen is open. The target
panel runs Cycle Macros cyclically, i.e. it will run a Cycle Macro starting from the first
command again each time after it completes the processing of the last command of
the macro or when it encounters an END command in the middle of the macro. And
the cycle macro terminates immediately if the screen is closed.

Cycle Macro
Delay Time

Specifies the delay time in 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000
milli-second for the cycle macro.

Whole Screen

Check this item if you want to print the whole screen by Command Flag or Function
Button or Macro Command

Upper-left

Specifies the X and Y coordinates in pixel for the upper-left corner of the screen’s
printing area. The field is available when Whole Screen item is unchecked.

Lower-Right

Specifies the X and Y coordinates in pixel for the lower-right corner of the screen’s
printing area. The field is available when Whole Screen item is unchecked.

Position on Paper

Specifies the X and Y coordinates in millimeters for the position where the specified
area of the screen will print on paper..
Continued

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Property

Description

Percentage of data scan time allocated to
the fast scan

Select the percentage of data scan time allocated to the fast scan
among 50%, 66%, 75%, 80%, 86% and 90%.
Note: The bigger percentage, the faster data scan time to the tag with
fast scan rate, but the slower data scan time to the tag with normal scan
rate.

What to show for
an object’s content
before its
corresponding data
is scanned for the
object?

Blank

Select this item to show blank for an object’s content before its
corresponding data is scanned for the object.

Last scanned data
or blank

Select this item to show last scanned data or blank for an object’s
content before its corresponding data is scanned for the object.

Last scanned data
or zero

Select this item to show last scanned data or zero for an object’s content
before its corresponding data is scanned for the object.

Operable under window screen

Check this option to make the screen operable under window screen.
This field is available only when the Type is Normal Screen.

Numeric keypad remains open for
continuous data entry

Check this option if you want numeric keypad to remain open for
continuous data entry.

Note

You can type a note for the screen.

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3.9.3.2. Background Page
This section describes how to define the background of a screen. The following is an example of the Background page of
the Screen Properties dialog box.

The following table describes each item in the Background page.
Property

Description

Solid Color

Check this option if you want the screen background filling with the solid color.
& lt; Solid Color & gt;

Tile

Click the corresponding color button to specify the color which is used to fill the
background. This item is available when Solid Color option is selected.
Check this option if you want the screen background filling with the pattern.

Pattern

Specify the pattern which is used to fill the background. Click the corresponding
Pattern icon and select a pattern from the Pattern palette. This item is available
when Tile option is selected.

FG Color

The color that is used to paint the black part of the pattern. When the solid white
pattern is selected, this color is not used. This item is available when Tile option is
selected.

BG Color

The color that is used to paint the white part of the pattern. This item is available
when Tile option is selected.

Picture

Check this option if you want to have a picture background for the screen.
& lt; Name & gt;

The name of the picture. You can use the drop-down list to select a picture from the
picture database.
Click
to select a picture file. After the selection, the picture of the selected file
is imported and saved in the picture database.
Click
to bring up the Select/Import from Library dialog box. Select a picture
from a picture library file. After the selection, the selected picture is imported and
saved in the picture database.

Stretch

Check this item so the picture can change its size automatically to just fit the
screen.

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3.9.4. Importing/Exporting a Screen
This section describes how to export a screen and import a screen regardless of the panel model and screen size.
■ Importing a screen
1)
2)
3)

Right-click the panel application & gt; Screens item in the Project Manager tool window to bring out the popup menu and
then use the Import Screen… command on the popup menu
Click the *.snf file you want to create a new screen from. If you want to open a screen that was saved in a different
folder, locate and open the folder first.
Click Open.

■ Exporting a screen
If you have screen you want to reuse, you can export the screen as a .snf file. You may do the following:
1) In the Project Manager tool window, click the screen you would like to export
2) Right-click on the screen to display the screen item's " popup menu " ; and then click Export Screen..., the fourth menu
item.
3) If you want to save a macro in a different folder, locate and open the folder first. then click Save.

3.9.5. Cutting/Copying/Pasting/Deleting a Screen
■ Copying or Cutting and Pasting a Screen
To copy/cut a screen which is opened and activated, right click the blank area on the screen, and then click Copy
Screen/Cut Screen on the popup menu or use the Copy Screen/Cut Screen command On the Screen menu.
After Copying or Cutting, you can paste the screen by right clicking the blank area on any of the screen and then using
Paste Screen command on the popup menu or using the Paste Screen command On the Screen menu.
■ Deleting a Screen
To delete a screen which is opened and activated, right click the blank area on the screen, and then click Delete Screen on
the popup menu or use the Delete Screen command on the Screen menu.
To delete a screen from project manager tool window, local the screen you would like to delete and then right-click on the
screen node to use the Delete command on the popup menu. You will be asked to confirm the deleting operation.

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3.9.6. Saving Screens as Pictures
This section describes how to save screens as pictures.
■ Saving a screen as a picture
To save current screen as the bmp or jpg file, you can do one of the followings.
1) Open and activate the screen as a current screen
2)

Right click the anywhere on the current screen, and then click Save Current Screen as Picture… on the popup menu.
- or On the Screen menu, click Save Current Screen as Picture…

■ Saving multiple screens as pictures
You can also use Save Screens as Pictures dialog box to save a screen or multiple screens as bmp or jpg files. To open
the dialog box, click Save Screens as Pictures… on the Screen menu.
The following is an example of the Save Screens as Pictures dialog box.

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The following table describes each item in the dialog box.
Property

Description

Panel Application

The application Name.

Screen

The screen list shows all the screens in the panel application. You can click the
column header to sort the items.
The following table describes each column in the screen list.
Column

Description

Number

The screen number. Check the option before the screen
number if you want to save the screen as a picture file.

Name

The screen name.

Filename

The Filename. The default filename is Screen
Name+Language Name+S+State Number.
Note: If any of the characters such as /\:*? " & lt; & gt; | in the screen
name, they will be converted to underscore(_).

Check All

Click the button to check all the screens.

Uncheck All

Click the button to uncheck all the screens.

Selections

The language that displays the text of objects.

State

The state that displays the state of objects.

File Type

Select the file type. There are two types: bmp and jpg.

Save in
Folder

Specifies the folder you want to locate the files. If the file exists in the folder, it will be
replaced by the new one.

Print Screen
Name as
Foot Note

Check this option if you want to display general screen information as foot note.
The format of the foot note is Screen Name(#Screen Number); Screen
WidthXScreen Height.

& lt; Screen
View & gt;

Show the selected screen or the screen which is saving. To select a screen, click the
row of that screen in the screen list.

& lt; Progress
Bar & gt;

Progress

Language

Show the saving progress after the Save button is clicked.

Save

Click the button to save all the selections with the specified conditions.

Close

Click the button to exit the dialog box.

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4.1.

Drawing Basic Shapes .................................................................................. 1

4.1.1.
4.1.2.
4.1.3.
4.1.4.
4.1.5.
4.1.6.
4.1.7.
4.1.8.
4.1.9.
4.1.10.
4.1.11.
4.1.12.
4.1.13.

4.2.

Editing Objects ........................................................................................... 32

4.2.1.
4.2.2.
4.2.3.
4.2.4.
4.2.5.
4.2.6.

4.3.

Selecting and De-selecting the Objects ....................................................................... 32
Basic Operations with the Selected Area..................................................................... 32
Duplicating Objects ..................................................................................................... 34
Aligning Objects .......................................................................................................... 35
Making Objects Same Size.......................................................................................... 36
Arranging the Order of Objects ................................................................................... 36

Designing Object Appearance ................................................................... 38

4.3.1.
4.3.2.
4.3.3.
4.3.4.
4.3.5.
4.3.6.
4.3.7.
4.3.8.

4.4.

Drawing Dots................................................................................................................. 2
Drawing Lines ............................................................................................................... 3
Drawing Polylines ......................................................................................................... 5
Drawing Rectangles....................................................................................................... 8
Drawing Circles ........................................................................................................... 11
Drawing Ellipses.......................................................................................................... 13
Drawing Arcs ............................................................................................................... 15
Drawing Pie Shapes ..................................................................................................... 16
Drawing Polygons ....................................................................................................... 18
Drawing Text Objects .................................................................................................. 21
Drawing Picture Objects.............................................................................................. 24
Drawing Scales ............................................................................................................ 26
Drawing Tables ............................................................................................................ 28

Selecting a Color.......................................................................................................... 40
Selecting a Pattern ....................................................................................................... 41
Selecting a Graphical Shape ........................................................................................ 41
Setting up the Shape of an Object................................................................................ 44
Label Settings .............................................................................................................. 45
Text Settings ................................................................................................................ 49
Picture Settings ............................................................................................................ 51
External Label Settings................................................................................................ 53

Setting up Objects....................................................................................... 55

4.4.1.

States of Objects .......................................................................................................... 55

-i-

4.4.2.
4.4.3.
4.4.4.
4.4.5.
4.4.6.

Operation Options of Objects ...................................................................................... 57
Address Settings .......................................................................................................... 58
Scale Settings............................................................................................................... 61
Advanced Settings ....................................................................................................... 63
Visibility Settings......................................................................................................... 65

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4.1. Drawing Basic Shapes
Astraada HMI CFG provides a drawing tool you can use to create simple or elaborate drawing shapes such as lines,
rectangles, circles, arcs etc.
To create a drawing shape, click the shape on the Draw Toolbar (See Section 1.3.2.3 Draw Toolbar for details), or use the
command on the Draw menu (See Section 1.3.1.3 Draw menu for details) and then move the mouse to the position you
want to place the shape and click the left button. To set up a drawing shape, double-click the shape to bring up the
corresponding properties dialog that you can set up the color and style of the line/outlined, pattern, FG/BG Color…of the
shape.
Note: If you don’t see the Draw Toolbar as below in the lower left corner of the program window, please click Draw Toolbar
command on the View menu.

The following is a sample of the basic shapes:

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4.1.1. Drawing Dots
1.

In the Draw menu or Draw toolbar, click Dot

.

2.

Move the cursor onto the screen where you want to draw a dot. A dot with default settings will display and move
along with the cursor.

3.

Click the desired position on the screen to place the dot. The center of the dot will be at the clicked position.

4.

Double-click the dot to bring up the Dot dialog box and then modify the settings of the dot.
The following is an example of the Dot dialog box.

The following table describes each property in the Dot dialog box.
Property

Description
Select one of the dot styles listed below:

Style

Color
Position

5.

Specifies the dot color.
X

Specifies the X coordinate of the upper-left corner of the dot.

Y

Specifies the Y coordinate of the upper-left corner of the dot.

You can click the following icons in the Draw toolbar to modify the properties of the dot.
Click Icon

To
Select a style for the dot.
Select a color for the dot.

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4.1.2. Drawing Lines
1.

In the Draw menu or Draw toolbar, click Line
to draw a horizontal line or click Vertical Line

to draw a straight line. You can also click Horizontal Line
to draw a vertical line.

2.

Move the cursor onto the screen where you want to draw a line. A line with default settings will display and move
along with the cursor.

3.

Click the desired position on the screen to place the line. The start point of the line will be at the clicked position.

4.

Drag the handle at the start point to adjust the position of the start point. Drag the handle at the end point to
adjust the position of the end point.
The picture on the left shows the two handles of a line. Position the mouse
pointer over one of the handles. When the cursor turns to be , drag the handle
until the line has the length and slope you want.

5.

Left-click and hold down the mouse button until the cursor becomes cross icon

6.

Double-click the line to bring up the Line dialog box and then modify the settings of the line. The following is a
sample of Line dialog box.

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to move the line.

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The following table describes each property in the Line dialog box.
Property
Type
Line

Description
Specifies the type of the line: General, Horizontal, or Vertical.

Style
Clicks the button to select the
line style from the dropdown
window shown on the right:

Color Controlled
By Bit

Check this option if the color of the line will be controlled by the specified bit.

State

Select the state that you want to view or define the color for.

Color

Specifies the line color for the selected state.

Control Bit

Specifies the bit that controls the color.
Click

Start /
End
Point

to enter the bit address. Click

to enter the bit tag.

Start/End Point

Select this option if you want the line to have a shape at the start/end point.

Type

Clicks the dropdown list to select the type for Start/End Point
End Point Type:

Start Point Type:

Filled
Size
X1

The X coordinate of the start point.
The Y coordinate of the start point.

X2

The X coordinate of the end point.

Y2

The Y coordinate of the end point.

Visibility
Controlled By Bit

Check this option if the line will be shown or hidden by the specified bit.

Control Bit

Visibility
Control

Specifies the shape size.

Y1

Terminal

Select this option if you want the shape to be filled with the line color.

Specifies the bit that shows or hides the object.
Click

Visible State
7.

to enter the bit address. Click

to enter the bit tag.

Specifies the state (On or Off) that makes the line visible.

You can click the following icons in the Draw toolbar to modify the properties of the line.
Click Icon

To
Select a style for the line.
Select a color for the line.

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4.1.3. Drawing Polylines
1.

In the Draw menu or Draw toolbar, click Polyline

to draw a polyline.

2.

Move the cursor onto the screen where you want to draw a polyline and click the position where you want the
start point of the polyline to be at.

3.

Continue clicking on the screen to place as many points needed for nodes in the polyline.

4.

Right-click to place the last point for the polyline and complete the polyline.

5.

Drag one blue handle of the polyline at a time to resize the polyline.

6.

Drag one black handle of the polyline at a time to adjust the node positions of the polyline.
The picture on the left shows all the blue and black handles of a polyline.
Position the mouse pointer over one of the handles. When the cursor
or
or
or
turns to be
the shape and size you want.

7.

Right-click anywhere on the polyline and use the Insert Point command on the object popup menu to insert a
new point for the polyline. Or right-click the existing point of the polyline and use the Delete Point command on
the object popup menu to delete the point.
Popup menu

Description
Add a point at the specified position.

Insert Point

Delete a selected point.

Delete Point

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8.

Double-click the polyline to bring up the Polyline dialog box and then modify the settings of the polyline.
The following is a sample of Polyline dialog box.

The following table describes each property in the Polyline dialog box.
Property
Line

Description

Style

Specifies the style of the polyline.

Color Controlled
By Bit

Check this option if the color of the polyline will be controlled by the specified
bit.

State

Select the state that you want to view or define the color for.

Color

Specifies the line color for the selected state.

Control Bit

Specifies the bit that controls the color.
Click

Start
Point

to enter the bit address. Click

to enter the bit tag.

Select this option if you want the polyline to have a shape at the start point.

Type

Specifies the shape type.

Filled

Select this option if you want the shape to be filled with the line color.

Size
End
Point

Start Point

Specifies the shape size.

End Point

Select this option if you want the polyline to have a shape at the end point.

Type

Specifies the shape type.

Filled

Select this option if you want the shape to be filled with the line color.

Size

Specifies the shape size.

Continued

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Property
Profile

Description
The X coordinate of the upper-left corner of the bounding rectangle of the
polyline.

Top

The Y coordinate of the upper-left corner of the bounding rectangle of the
polyline.

Width

The width of the bounding rectangle of the polyline.

Height

The height of the bounding rectangle of the polyline.

Visibility Controlled
By Bit

Check this option if the polyline will be shown or hidden by the specified bit.

Control Bit

Visibility
Control

Left

Specifies the bit that shows or hides the polyline.
Click

Visible State
9.

to enter the bit address. Click

Specifies the state (On or Off) that makes the line visible.

You can click the following icons in the Draw toolbar to modify the properties of the polyline.
Click Icon

To
Select a style for the polyline.
Select a color for the polyline.

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4.1.4. Drawing Rectangles
1.

In the Draw menu or Draw toolbar, click Rectangle
Rectangle

to draw a normal rectangle. You can also click Round

to draw a round rectangle or click Clipped Rectangle

to draw a clipped rectangle.

2.

Move the cursor onto the screen where you want to draw a rectangle. A rectangle with default settings will
display and move along with the cursor.

3.

Click the desired position on the screen to place the rectangle. The upper-left corner of the rectangle will be at
the clicked position.

4.

Drag one handle of the rectangle at a time to resize the rectangle.
The picture on the left shows the eight handles of a rectangle. Position the mouse pointer
over one of the handles. When the cursor turns to be
handle until the rectangle is the shape and size you want.

5.

or

or

or

, drag the

Double-click the rectangle to bring up the Rectangle dialog box and then modify the settings of the rectangle.
The following is a sample of Rectangle dialog box.

The following table describes each property in the Rectangle dialog box.
Property

Description
Specifies the type of the rectangle. There are three types: Normal, Round, or Clipped.

Type

Normal

Round

Clipped

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Continued
Property
Number
of Dots

Description
Specifies the size of the clipped corners if the rectangle is a clipped rectangle. Specifies the
radius of the round corners if the rectangle is a round rectangle.
Specifies the 3D visual effect for the rectangle. There are three effects: Flat, Raised, or Sunken.
Effects
Flat

Samples

Description
You can specify the
Color and Style for the
Border if it is selected.
Thickness field is not
available when flat is
selected.

Raised

3D

You can specify the
color for the top and
left
edges.
And
Astraada HMI CFG will
darken the specified
color and draw the
bottom
and
right
edges for you.
Border and Style field
is not available when
Raised is selected.

Sunken

You can specify the
color for the bottom
and right edges. And
Astraada HMI CFG will
darken the specified
color and draw the top
and left edges for you.
Border and Style field
is not available when
Raised is selected.

Continued

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Property
Color
Control

Color Controlled
By Bit

Description
Check this option if the color of the rectangle will be controlled by the
specified bit.
Specifies the bit that controls the color.

Control Bit
Click

to enter the bit address. Click

to enter the bit tag.

State
Border

Check this option if you want the rectangle to have border.

Thickness

Specifies the thickness of the border.

Color

Specifies the border color for the selected state.

Style

Select a line style for the border.

Solid

Check this option if you want the rectangle to be solid. A solid rectangle is
filled with the specified pattern and colors. This field is available when the
Border is selected.

Pattern

Specifies the fill pattern for the selected state.

FG Color

Specifies the color for the selected state that will be used for painting the
black part of the fill pattern.

BG Color

Specifies the color for the selected state that will be used for painting the
white part of the fill pattern.

Left

The X coordinate of the upper-left corner of the rectangle.

Top

The Y coordinate of the upper-left corner of the rectangle.

Width

The width of the rectangle.

Height

Border

Select the state that you want to view or define the colors for.

The height of the rectangle.

Visibility
Controlled By Bit

Check this option if the rectangle will be shown or hidden by the specified bit.

Solid

Profile

Visibility
Control

Specifies the bit that shows or hides the rectangle.
Control Bit
Click
Visible State
6.

to enter the bit address. Click

to enter the bit tag.

Specifies the state (On or Off) that makes the rectangle visible.

You can click the following icons in the Draw toolbar to modify the properties of the rectangle.
Click Icon

To
Select a line style for the border.
Select a color for the border.
Select a color for painting the white part of the fill pattern.
Select a pattern for the fill pattern.
Select a color for painting the black part of the fill pattern.

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4.1.5. Drawing Circles
1.

In the Draw menu or Draw toolbar, click Circle

to draw a circle.

2.

Move the cursor onto the screen where you want to draw a circle. A circle with default settings will display and
move along with the cursor.

3.

Click the desired position on the screen to place the circle. The center of the circle will be at the clicked position.

4.

Position the mouse pointer over the handle on the edge of the circle. When the cursor turns to be
the handle until the circle is the size you want.

5.

Position the mouse pointer over the handle on the center of the circle. When the cursor turns to be
the center and hold down the button to move the circle.
The picture on the left shows the two handles of a circle.

6.

Double-click the circle to bring up the Circle dialog box and then modify the settings of the circle.
The following is a sample of Rectangle dialog box.

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or

, drag

, left-click

Astraada HMI CFG Operation Manual
The following table describes each property in the Circle dialog box.
Property
Color
Control

Description

Color Controlled
By Bit

Check this option if the color of the circle will be controlled by the specified
bit.

Control Bit

Specifies the bit that controls the color.
Click

to enter the bit address. Click

to enter the bit tag.

State

Solid

Check this option if you want the circle to be solid. A solid circle is filled with
the specified pattern and colors.
Specifies the fill pattern for the selected state.
Specifies the color for the selected state that will be used for painting the
black part of the fill pattern.

BG Color

Specifies the color for the selected state that will be used for painting the
white part of the fill pattern.

X

The X coordinate of the center of the circle.

Y

The Y coordinate of the center of the circle.

Radius

The radius of the circle.

Visibility
Controlled By Bit

Check this option if the circle will be shown or hidden by the specified bit.

Control Bit

Visibility
Control

Specifies the outline color for the selected state.

FG Color

Profile

Check this option if you want the circle to be outlined.

Pattern

Solid

Outlined
Color

Outline

Select the state that you want to view or define the colors for.

Specifies the bit that shows or hides the circle.
Click

Visible State
7.

to enter the bit address. Click

to enter the bit tag.

Specifies the state (On or Off) that makes the circle visible.

You can click the following icons in the Draw toolbar to modify the properties of the circle.
Click Icon

To
Select a color for the outline.
Select a color for painting the white part of the fill pattern.
Select a pattern for the fill pattern.
Select a color for painting the black part of the fill pattern.

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4.1.6. Drawing Ellipses
1.

In the Draw menu or Draw toolbar, click Ellipse

to draw an ellipse.

2.

Move the cursor onto the screen where you want to draw an ellipse. An ellipse with default settings will display
and move along with the cursor.

3.

Click the desired position on the screen to place the ellipse. The upper-left corner of the bounding rectangle of
the ellipse will be at the clicked position.

4.

Drag one handle of the ellipse at a time to resize the ellipse.
The picture on the left shows the eight handles of an ellipse. Position the mouse pointer
over one of the handles. When the cursor turns to be
or
handle until the rectangle is the shape and size you want.

5.

or

or

, drag the

Double-click the ellipse to bring up the Ellipse dialog box and then modify the settings of the ellipse.
The following is a sample of the Ellipse dialog box.

The following table describes each property in the Ellipse dialog box.
Property
Color
Control

Description

Color Controlled
By Bit

Check this option if the color of the ellipse will be controlled by the
specified bit.

Control Bit

Specifies the bit that controls the color.
Click

State

to enter the bit address. Click

to enter the bit tag.

Select the state that you want to view or define the colors for.

Continued

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Property
Outline

Description

Solid

Check this option if you want the ellipse to be solid. A solid ellipse is filled
with the specified pattern and colors.
Specifies the fill pattern for the selected state.

FG Color

Specifies the color for the selected state that will be used for painting the
black part of the fill pattern.

BG Color

Specifies the color for the selected state that will be used for painting the
white part of the fill pattern.

Left

The X coordinate of the upper-left corner of the bounding rectangle of the
ellipse.

Top

The Y coordinate of the upper-left corner of the bounding rectangle of the
ellipse.

Width

The width of the bounding rectangle of the ellipse.

Height

The height of the bounding rectangle of the ellipse.

Visibility
Controlled By Bit

Check this option if the ellipse will be shown or hidden by the specified bit.

Control Bit

Visibility
Control

Specifies the outline color for the selected state.

Pattern

Profile

Check this option if you want the ellipse to be outlined.

Color
Solid

Outlined

Specifies the bit that shows or hides the ellipse.
Click

Visible State
6.

to enter the bit address. Click

to enter the bit tag.

Specifies the state (On or Off) that makes the ellipse visible.

You can click the following icons in the Draw toolbar to modify the properties of the ellipse.
Click Icon

To
Select a color for the outline.
Select a color for painting the white part of the fill pattern.
Select a pattern for the fill pattern.
Select a color for painting the black part of the fill pattern.

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4.1.7. Drawing Arcs
1.

In the Draw menu or Draw toolbar, click Arc

to draw an arc.

2.

Move the cursor onto the screen where you want to draw an arc. An arc with default settings will display and
move along with the cursor.

3.

Click the desired position on the screen to place the arc. The upper-left corner of the bounding rectangle of the
arc will be at the clicked position.

4.

Drag one handle of the arc at a time to change the shape of the arc.
The picture on the left shows the handles of an arc. The blue handles are for shaping the
arc. The black handles of the two ends of the arc are for changing the ends' angles. The
black handle at the center of the arc is for forcing the arc to be a part of a circle.
Position the mouse pointer over one of the handles. When the cursor turns to be
or
or
, drag the handle until the arc is the shape and size you want.

5.

Double-click the arc to bring up the Arc dialog box and then modify the settings of the arc.
The following is a sample of Arc dialog box.

The following table describes each property in the Arc dialog box.
Property
Color
Profile

Description
Specifies the color of the arc.
The X coordinate of the upper-left corner of the bounding rectangle of the arc.

Top

The Y coordinate of the upper-left corner of the bounding rectangle of the arc.

Width

The width of the bounding rectangle of the arc.

Height
6.

Left

The height of the bounding rectangle of the arc.

You can click the following icons in the Draw toolbar to modify the properties of the arc.
Click Icon

To
Select a color for the arc.

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4.1.8. Drawing Pie Shapes
1.

In the Draw menu or Draw toolbar, click Pie

to draw a pie shape.

2.

Move the cursor onto the screen where you want to draw a pie shape. A pie shape with default settings will
display and move along with the cursor.

3.

Click the desired position on the screen to place the pie shape. The upper-left corner of the bounding rectangle
of the pie shape will be at the clicked position.

4.

Drag one handle of the pie shape at a time to change the pie shape.
The picture on the left shows the handles of a pie shape. The blue handles are for
changing the pie shape. The black handles of the two ends of the arc are for
changing the ends' angles. The black handle at the center of the arc is for forcing
the arc to be a part of a circle.
Position the mouse pointer over one of the handles. When the cursor turns to be
or
want.

5.

or

or

, drag the handle until the pie is the shape and size you

Double-click the pie shape to bring up the Pie dialog box and then modify the settings of the pie shape.

The following table describes each property in the Pie dialog box.
Property
Outline

Description
Specifies the outline color.

Solid

Check this option if you want the pie shape to be solid. A solid pie shape is filled with
the specified pattern and colors.

Pattern

Specifies the fill pattern.

FG Color

Specifies the color that will be used for painting the black part of the fill pattern.

BG Color
Profile

Check this option if you want the pie shape to be outlined.

Color
Solid

Outlined

Specifies the color that will be used for painting the white part of the fill pattern.

Left

The X coordinate of the upper-left corner of the bounding rectangle of the pie shape.

Top

The Y coordinate of the upper-left corner of the bounding rectangle of the pie shape.

Width

The width of the bounding rectangle of the pie shape.

Height

The height of the bounding rectangle of the pie shape.

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6.

You can click the following icons in the Draw toolbar to modify the properties of the pie shape
Click Icon

To
Select a color for the outline.
Select a color for painting the white part of the fill pattern.
Select a pattern for the fill pattern.
Select a color for painting the black part of the fill pattern.

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4.1.9. Drawing Polygons
1.

In the Draw menu or Draw toolbar, click Polygon

to draw a polygon.

2.

Move the cursor onto the screen where you want to draw a polygon and click the position where you want the
first vertex of the polygon to be at.

3.

Continue clicking on the screen to place as many points needed for vertices in the polygon.

4.

Right-click to place the last vertex for the polygon and complete the polygon.

5.

Drag one handle of the polygon at a time to resize the polygon.

6.

Drag one black handle of the polygon at a time to adjust the vertex positions of the polygon.
The picture on the left shows the handles of a polygon. The blue
handles are for resizing the polygon. The black handles are for moving
the vertices of the polygon.
Position the mouse pointer over one of the handles. When the cursor
turns to be
or
or
or
the shape and size you want.

7.

, drag the handle until the polygon is

Right-click anywhere on the polygon and use the Insert Point command on the object popup menu to insert a
new point for the polygon. Or right-click the existing point of the polygon and use the Delete Point command on
the object popup menu to delete the point.
Popup menu

Description
Add a point at the specified position.

Insert Point

Delete a selected point.

Delete Point

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8.

Double-click the polygon to bring up the Polygon dialog box and then modify the settings of the polygon.

The following table describes each property in the Polygon dialog box.
Property
Color
Control

Color Controlled
By Bit

Description
Check this option if the color of the polygon will be controlled by the specified
bit.
Specifies the bit that controls the color.

Control Bit
Click

to enter the bit address. Click

to enter the bit tag.

State

Check this option if you want the polygon to be outlined.
Specifies the thickness of the outline.

Color

Specifies the outline color for the selected state.

Solid

Check this option if you want the polygon to be solid. A solid polygon is filled
with the specified pattern and colors.

Pattern

Specifies the fill pattern for the selected state.

FG Color

Specifies the color for the selected state that will be used for painting the
black part of the fill pattern.

BG Color

Solid

Outlined
Thickness

Outline

Select the state that you want to view or define the colors for.

Specifies the color for the selected state that will be used for painting the
white part of the fill pattern.

Continued

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Property

The X coordinate of the upper-left corner of the bounding rectangle of the
polygon.
The Y coordinate of the upper-left corner of the bounding rectangle of the
polygon.

Width

The width of the bounding rectangle of the polygon.

Height
Visibility
Control

Left
Top

Profile

Description

The height of the bounding rectangle of the polygon.

Visibility
Controlled By
Bit

Check this option if the polygon will be shown or hidden by the specified bit.
Specifies the bit that shows or hides the polygon.

Control Bit
Click
Visible State
9.

to enter the bit address. Click

to enter the bit tag.

Specifies the state (On or Off) that makes the polygon visible.

You can click the following icons in the Draw toolbar to modify the properties of the polygon.
Click Icon

To
Select a line style for the border.
Select a color for the border.
Select a color for painting the white part of the fill pattern.
Select a pattern for the fill pattern.
Select a color for painting the black part of the fill pattern.

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4.1.10. Drawing Text Objects
1.

In the Draw menu or Draw toolbar, click Text

2.

Move the cursor onto the screen where you want to draw a text object. A text object with default settings will
display and move along with the cursor.

3.

Click the desired position on the screen to place the text object. The upper-left corner of the bounding box of the
text object will be at the clicked position.

4.

Double-click the text object to bring up the Text Object dialog box and then modify the settings of the text object.
This dialog box contains the following three pages:


General
Described in Section 4.1.10.1.



Shape
Described in Section 4.3.4



.

Visibility
Described in Section 4.4.6.

Note 1:

You can use the Text toolbar to modify the properties of the text object's text instantly.

Note 2:

You can use the Draw toolbar to modify the properties of the text object's shape instantly.

Tip:

By default, the Auto Text Resizing on the Edit menu is checked and the related icon on the Edit toolbar is
sunken. If you don’t want to resize the text when resizing the object, you need to uncheck the Auto Text
Resizing command on the Edit menu or click the sunken icon
fixed.

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on the Edit toolbar to make the font size

Astraada HMI CFG Operation Manual

4.1.10.1. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for text objects.

In this edit box, you can view and
edit the current text of the current
selected language.

The above is an example of the General page of the Text Object dialog box.

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The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

Language

The language that you are setting the text for.

Shape

Check this option if you want the text object to have a frame as its background. The Shape
page appears in the dialog box when the option is selected.

Use the text of the
first language for all
other languages

Check this item so the text object always shows the text of the first language regardless of what
the current language is.

Font

The font of the current text. You can use the drop-down list to select a font.
Or click
to bring up the Font Templates dialog box and select a font for the current text.
You can change the font templates before selecting a font in that dialog box.

& lt; Text Edit Box & gt;

The current text of the current selected language. You can view and edit the text for the
selected language in this edit box. Or click
to bring up the Text Source dialog box to select
a text from Text Database. You can change the text database before selecting a text in that
dialog box.

Color

The color of the text. To specify the color, click the corresponding Color icon and select a color
from the Color palette.

Transparent

Check this item to make the background of the text transparent.

BG Color

Specifies the background color of the text. This field is available when the Transparent is not
selected.

Direction

Select one of the following directions to arrange the characters of the text.
Direction

From left to
right

From right to
left

From top to
bottom

Input text:
An
example

Position
The position of the text body.

The alignment of the text.
Border Spacing

The margin (in pixels) to the border of the object’s shape for the text body.

Line Spacing

The distance (in pixels) between two adjacent lines of the text.

Character Spacing

The distance (in pixels) between two adjacent characters of the text.

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4.1.11. Drawing Picture Objects
1.

In the Draw menu or Draw toolbar, click Picture

.

2.

Move the cursor onto the screen where you want to draw a picture object. A picture object with default settings
will display and move along with the cursor.

3.

Click the desired position on the screen to place the picture object. The upper-left corner of the bounding box of
the picture object will be at the clicked position.

4.

Double-click the picture object to bring up the Picture Object dialog box. Select a picture and define the settings
for the picture object in the dialog box. Note that you can use the Picture toolbar to modify the properties of the
picture object instantly. The following is an example of the Picture Object dialog box.

The following table describes each property in the Picture Object dialog box.
Property

Description
The name of the picture that the object displays. You can use the drop-down list to select
a picture from the picture database.

Name

Click
to select a picture from a file. After the selection, Astraada HMI CFG imports
the picture of the selected file and saves the picture in the picture database.
Click
to bring up the Select/Import from Library dialog box. Select a picture from a
picture library file. After the selection, Astraada HMI CFG imports the selected picture
from the selected library and saves the picture in the picture database.

View

Shows the processed result of the selected picture according to the current settings.

Continued

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Property

Description

Fit to Object

Check this item so the picture can change its size automatically to just fit
inside the object.

Transparent

Check this item to make parts of the picture transparent. The transparent
parts are pixels whose colors are identical to the specified transparent color.
This item is available when the picture is not a black and white picture.

Transparent Color

The transparent color. This item is available when the picture is not a black
and white picture.

FG Color

The color to paint the black part of a black and white picture. This item is
available when the picture is a black and white picture.

BG Color

The color to paint the white part of a black and white picture. This item is
available when the picture is a black and white picture.

Flip/Rotate

Specifies the method to flip or rotate the picture before drawing it. There are
8 options:
Method

Description



Do nothing

90°

Rotates the picture clockwise by 90 degree

180°

Rotates the picture clockwise by 180 degree

270°

Rotates the picture clockwise by 270 degree

X

Flips the picture over X axis

90° & X

Rotates the picture clockwise by 90 degree and flips it over X
Axis

Y

Flips the picture over Y axis

90° & Y

Rotates the picture clockwise by 90 degree and flips it over Y
Axis

Tone

Check this item to tone the picture.

Toning Color

The color to tone the picture.

Visibility
Control

Visibility
Controlled By Bit

Check this option if the picture will be shown or hidden by the specified bit.

Control Bit

Specifies the bit that shows or hides the picture object.
Click

to enter the bit address. Click

to enter the bit tag.

Visible State

The X coordinate of the upper-left corner of the object.
The Y coordinate of the upper-left corner of the object.

Width

The width of the object.

Height

The height of the object.

Redraw

4-25

Left
Top

Profile

Specifies the state (On or Off) that makes the picture visible.

Click this button to redraw the object on the screen with the current settings.

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4.1.12. Drawing Scales
1.

In the Draw menu or Draw toolbar, click Scale

.

2.

Move the cursor onto the screen where you want to draw a scale. A scale with default settings will display and
move along with the cursor.

3.

Click the desired position on the screen to place the scale. The upper-left corner of the bounding box of the scale
will be at the clicked position.

4.

Double-click the scale to bring up the Scale dialog box and then define the settings for the scale. The following is
an example of the Scale dialog box. To the right of the dialog box shows the corresponding scale.

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The following table describes each property in the Scale dialog box.
Property
Direction and Position

Description
Select the direction and the position for the scale according to the following table.
Direction

Horizontal

Position

Top

Vertical
Bottom

Left

Right

Example

Dynamic
Range

Dynamic
Range

Check this item if you want the numbers of the scale ticks and the range of the scale marks
to be dynamic, i.e. to be controlled by the specified variable.

Parameter
Block

Specifies the variable that controls the numbers of the scale ticks and the range of the
scale marks. The variable is an array of four double-words (8 words). The following table
describes the data members of the array.
Word #

Data Type

Description

0, 1

32-bit unsigned integer

The number of major ticks. The allowable range of
this number is between 2 and 101.

2, 3

32-bit unsigned integer

The number of divisions between two adjacent
major ticks. The allowable range of this number is
between 1 and 100.

4, 5

32-bit signed integer

The minimum of the scale marks.

6, 7

32-bit signed integer

The maximum of the scale marks.

Example
Assume a scale’s dynamic range control block is $U100. The following macro commands
makes that scale look like this:
$U100 = 3 (UD) // The number of major ticks.
$U102 = 5 (UD) // The number of sub-divisions.
$U104 = 0 (SD) // The minimum of the scale marks.
$U106 = 100 (SD) // The maximum of the scale marks.
Color

The color of the scale. To specify the color, click the corresponding Color icon and select a
color from the Color palette.

Number of Major Ticks

The number of major ticks. The minimum you can specify is two.

Number of Sub
Divisions

The number of divisions between two adjacent major ticks. The minimum you can specify
is one.

Minor Tick Length

The length of minor ticks.

Axis

Check this item if you want the scale to have an axis.

Marks

Check this option if you want the scale to have marks.

Font

The font of the marks.

Minimum

The minimum of the marks. It is a 32-bit integer.

Maximum

The maximum of the marks. It is a 32-bit integer.

Total Digits

The total digits to be displayed for the marks.

Fractional
Digits

The number of fractional digits for the marks. For example, when the Maximum is 5000, the
Total Digits is 4, and the Fractional Digits is 2, the mark for the Maximum will be 50.00.

Reverse
Order

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Marks

Check this option if you want the marks of the scale to show in reverse order. In normal
order, the maximal mark is at the right end or top end of the scale. In reverse order, the
maximal mark is at the left end or bottom end of the scale.

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4.1.13. Drawing Tables
1.

In the Draw menu or Draw toolbar, click Table

.

2.

Move the cursor onto the screen where you want to draw a table. A table with default settings will display and
move along with the cursor.

3.

Click the desired position on the screen to place the table. The upper-left corner of the table will be at the clicked
position.

4.

Use drag-and-drop editing to move an existing object into an empty cell of the table. If the object is allowed to be
placed in the cell, a message box will popup to confirm the operation. The following is an example of object
insertion with confirmation dialog box.

If you click Yes to insert the object to the table,
the object will be part of the table. Any
modifications such as moving the table, resizing
the table, deleting the table… will be applied to
the objects of the table at the same time.
If you click No to cancel the operation, the
object will move to the specified position and
float over the table.

Note: Only 23 types of the objects can be placed in the cells of the table. The supported objects are Picture, Dot,
Text, Bit Button, Toggle Switch, Word Button, Multistate Switch, Screen Button, Function Button, Keypad Button,
Numeric Display, Numeric Entry, ASCII String Display, ASCII String Entry, Bit Lamp, Multistate Lamp, Time
Display, Date Display, Day-of-Week Display, Message Display, Bar Graph, Picture Display, GIF Display,
Advanced Numeric Display.
5.

Click the cell inside the table. If the cell contains the object, there will be the
icon on the upper-left corner of
the cell. The following is an example shown you how to edit the object in the table.
Left-click the icon
and hold down the
button.
When
the

This is an empty
cell where you
can place an
object.

cursor turns to be ,
move the object out of
the table.
Double click the icon
to
bring
up
the
properties dialog box
of the corresponding
object and then define
the settings of object
for the selected cell.

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6.

Position the mouse point over one of the grid lines. When the cursor turns to be
column is the width and the row is the height you want.

or

, drag the line until the

Drag the line to adjust the
width of the column.

Drag the line to adjust the
height of the row.

Note: You can adjust the width of the column when the Distribute columns evenly is not selected in the general
page of the Table dialog box. And you can adjust the height of the row when the Distribute rows evenly is not
selected in the general page of the Table dialog box.
7.

Double-click anywhere inside the table, exclusive of the
icon, to bring up the Table dialog box and then
define the settings for the table. This dialog box contains the following two pages:



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General
Described in Section 4.1.13.1.
Cell
Described in Section 4.1.13.2.

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4.1.13.1. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for table objects. The following is an example of the General
page of the Table Object dialog box.

The following table describes each property in the General page of the Table dialog box.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created and is unchangeable.
The identifier is unique within the screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s
for the tables is TBLnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, see Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of an
Object.

Cell

, Border Color, BG Color

Specifies the number of rows in the table.

Number of columns

Specifies the number of columns in the table.

Distribute rows
evenly

Check this option if you want the rows of the table to be distributed evenly always.
Uncheck this option if you want to adjust the heights of the rows.

Distribute columns
evenly

Check this option if you want the columns of the table to be distributed evenly always.
Uncheck this option if you want to adjust the widths of the columns.

Drag and drop
Grid

Number of rows

Check this option so you can drag and drop an object into a cell of the table. Note that
not all kinds of objects can be placed in the cells of the table.

Vertical

Check this option if you want the table to have vertical grid lines.

Horizontal

Check this option if you want the table to have horizontal grid lines.

Style

Specifies the style for the grid lines.

Color

Specifies the color for the grid lines.

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4.1.13.2. Cell Settings
The following is an example of the Cell page of the Table Object dialog box and Select Object Dialog box when the Insert
Button is clicked.

Click the button to bring up
the Select Object dialog.

The following table describes each property in the Cell page of the Table dialog box. To make the buttons available, you
need to select a row. To select a row, left-click the (Row, Column) column.
Property

Description

(Row,Column)

The location of the cell.

Object

The type of the specified object. If the field is empty, the cell has no object inserted and it is called
empty cell.
Click the button to bring up the properties dialog box of the specified object and define the settings
of the object for the selected cell. The button is available when the Object field is not empty.

Margin

The distance in pixels between the object boundary and the cell border. Select a number between 0
and 10.

Delete

Click the button to clear the contents of the selected cell. The button is available when the selected
cell is non-empty.

Insert

Click the button to bring up the Select Object Dialog Box shown above. And select an object type
listing in the dialog to create a new object for the selected cell. The button is available when the
selected cell is empty.
Note: The table won’t allow to insert the type of an object which is not listed in the dialog.

Move Up

Click the button to move the selected cell before the previous cell. It will not be available when
multiple rows are selected or no row is selected or the first row is selected.

Move Down

Click the button to move the selected cell after the next cell. It will not be available when multiple
rows are selected or no row is selected or the last row is selected.

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4.2. Editing Objects
In this section you will learn how to select the objects first and then move around, copy, or edit the selections without
affecting the rest of the screen.

4.2.1. Selecting and De-selecting the Objects
■ Selecting Objects
To select an object, move the mouse to the object you want to select and then click the left button.
To add an object to the selection, use Shift + Click.
To select all objects of the active screen, use Ctrl + A or use the Select All command on the Edit menu.
■ Selecting Objects by a Rectangular Area
Click the mouse left button on the blank area of the screen, and hold the button to begin your selection. Where you click
will become one of the corners of the rectangular selection area. Then drag the mouse diagonally. Release the mouse
button when to the position you want the opposite corner of the rectangular area to be.
Each of the selected objects will have blue square-shaped tabs around it. The object with solid tabs is the reference object.
■ De-selecting the Objects
To de-select the objects, either click the blank area of the screen, or make a new selection.

4.2.2. Basic Operations with the Selected Area
■ Moving Objects
Left-click anywhere inside the selected objects and hold down the button. When the cursor turns to be , drag the mouse
to move the selection to another area of the screen. It will " float " over the rest of the screen, allowing you to position it
wherever you want it to be. Release the mouse button to " let go " of the selection.
■ Grouping or Ungrouping Objects
To group the selection, click
on the edit toolbar, or use the Group command on the Edit menu or on the object popup
menu. After you have grouped a selection that includes at least two objects, you can copy, move and resize all objects in a
group as a single unit. Or you can select an object within the group and change the properties without ungrouping. You can
also save the group to the object library and use this object group in the animated graphic.
To ungroup the selected group, click
on the edit toolbar, or use the Ungroup command on the Edit menu or on the
object popup menu. After ungrouping the objects, the objects within the group will be restored to the single ones.
■ Resizing Objects
The square-shaped tabs around your object can be re-sized. You can resize by clicking on the square-shaped tabs located
at the corners and the middle sections of the bound rectangle area, holding the mouse button down, when the cursor turns
to be
or
or
or
, dragging the mouse to change the size of the selection. Release the mouse button when the
selection is the size you want it to be. You can make it bigger or smaller, and achieve a distorted effect by " squashing " or
" stretching " the selection to make it either wider/narrower or taller/shorter than its original proportions.
Tip: You can’t resize more than one object at a time unless you group multiple objects before resizing.
■ Auto Text Resizing
on the edit toolbar if it is raised, or use the
To automatically scale the text of the object when resizing the object, click
Auto Text Resizing command on the Edit menu.
Tip: Auto Text Resizing command is checked and the icon is sunken by default. If you don’t want to resize the text
when resizing the object, you need to uncheck the Auto Text Resizing command or click the sunken icon to
make the font size fixed.

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■ Pinning or Unpinning Objects
To pin the selection so it can not move, click
object popup menu.

on the edit toolbar, or use the Pin command on the Edit menu or on the

To unpin the selection so it can move again, click
on the object popup menu.
Tip: Pinning objects can still be resized.

on the edit toolbar, or use the Unpin command on the Edit menu or

■ Copying or Cutting and Pasting Objects
To copy the selection from the current screen and places it on the Windows
clipboard, press Ctrl+C, or click
the standard toolbar, or use the Copy command on the Edit menu or on the object popup menu.

on

on the standard toolbar, or use the Cut command on the

To cut the selection from the screen, press Ctrl+X, or click
Edit menu or on the object popup menu.

After Copying or Cutting, you can paste the selection by pressing Ctrl+V, or click
Paste command on the Edit menu or on the object popup menu.

on the standard toolbar, or use the

To copy and paste the selection by mouse, press and hold down Ctrl key, and
then left-click the selection and hold down the button. When the cursor turns
to be , drag the mouse to copy the selection to another area of the screen.
The picture on the right shows the example.
Tip:

Cut and Paste are good for moving objects around in the screen or to another screen.
Copy and Paste are good for duplication objects for current screen or some others screens.
By pasting multiple times on the current screen, you can achieve a cascading effect.
By pasting once to the different screen, the position of the pasted object will be same as the copied object in the
different screen.
■ Deleting Objects
To delete the selection, press Del or use the Delete command on the Edit menu or on the object popup menu. When you
use Delete, whatever is in the selection will be deleted.
■ Undo
To reserve the last action, press Ctrl+Z, or use the Undo command on the Edit menu.
■ Redo
To reapply the actions that were previously canceled by the Undo command. press Ctrl+Z, or use the Redo command on
the Edit menu.
■ Keyboard Shortcuts
Shortcut

Operation

Shortcut

Operation

Shortcut

Operation

【Ctrl+N】

New Project

【Ctrl+X】

Cut

【Ctrl+D】

Duplicate

【Ctrl+O】

Open Project

【Ctrl+C】

Copy

【Ctrl+F】

Find

【Ctrl+S】

Save

【Ctrl+V】

Paste

【Ctrl+R】

Replace

【Ctrl+Z】

Undo

【Ctrl+Click+move】

Copy & Paste

【Ctrl+A】

Select All

【Ctrl+Y】

Redo

【Del】

Delete

【Shift+Click】

Multiple Select

【Ctrl+Click】

Reference Object Select

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4.2.3. Duplicating Objects
To duplicate the selected object, use the Duplicate… command on the Edit menu or on the object popup menu. After the
duplicate command is executed, the following dialog will popup and allows you to set how to duplication objects.

Preview
addresses

Click View & gt; Address & gt; Monitor on the
menu to show the monitor address on the
upper-left corner of the object.
The following table describes each property in the Duplicate dialog.
Property

Description

Number
of Copies

Columns

The total number of the columns.

Rows

The total number of the rows.

Spacing
in Pixels

Vertical

The distance (in pixels) between two adjacent objects in the vertical direction.

Horizontal

The distance (in pixels) between two adjacent objects in the horizontal direction.

Increase Address

Check this item so the address of each duplicate will be increased of the specified
increment over the previous object.

Increment

The increase amount.

Copy
Direction

From top to down, place the duplicates row by row. In the same row, place the duplicate to
the right of the previous object.
From top to down, place the duplicates row by row. In the same row, place the duplicate to
the left of the previous object.
From down to top, place the duplicates row by row. In the same row, place the duplicate to
the right of the previous object.
From down to top, place the duplicates row by row. In the same row, place the duplicate to
the left of the previous object.
From left to right, place the duplicates column by column. In the same column, place the
duplicate down to the previous object.
From right to left, place the duplicates column by column. In the same column, place the
duplicate down to the previous object.
From left to right, place the duplicates column by column. In the same column, place the
duplicate up to the previous object.
From right to left, place the duplicates column by column. In the same column, place the
duplicate up to the previous object.

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4.2.4. Aligning Objects
To arrange the selected objects on a screen, you need to select a reference object from the selections and then press the
icon on the toolbar or click the menu item listed as below. To do the multiple selection, use Shift + Click. To select a
reference object from the selections, use Ctrl + Click.
Use the Align commands on the Edit menu to arrange objects/draws on a screen. Select an object or draw by
single-clicking on it, then hold down the Shift key while clicking on other objects or draws to be aligned with it. When all of
the objects or draws to be aligned are selected, choose one of the commands in the Align submenu or directly click
specified icon in the Edit Toolbar.
Icon

Menu Item

Description

Left
Vertical
Center

Align the vertical centers of selected objects to the vertical center of the reference
object. All the objects move horizontally so their vertical centers are in line with the
vertical center of the reference object.

Right

Align the right sides of selected objects to the right side of the reference object. All the
objects move horizontally so their right sides are in line with the right side of the
reference object.

Top

Align the tops of the selected objects to the top of the reference object. All the objects
move vertically so their tops are in line with the top of the reference object.

Horizontal
Center

Align the horizontal centers of selected objects to the horizontal center of the
reference object. All the objects move vertically so their horizontal centers are in line
with the horizontal center of the reference object.

Bottom

Align the bottoms of selected objects to the bottom of the reference object. All the
objects move vertically so their bottoms are in line with the bottom of the reference
object.

To Grid

Select or deselect the option of aligning objects to the grid points.

Left

Nudge the selection left. When the Snap to Grid option is not selected, all objects of
the selection move one pixel left. When the Snap to Grid option is selected, each
object of the selection moves left to where its upper-left corner aligns to the nearest
grid point.

Right

Nudge the selection right. When the Snap to Grid option is not selected, all objects of
the selection move one pixel right. When the Snap to Grid option is selected, each
object of the selection moves right to where its upper-left corner aligns to the nearest
grid point.

Up

Nudge the selection up. When the Snap to Grid option is not selected, all objects of
the selection move one pixel up. When the Snap to Grid option is selected, each
object of the selection moves up to where its upper-left corner aligns to the nearest
grid point.

Down

Align

Align the left sides of selected objects to the left side of the reference object. All the
objects move horizontally so their left sides are in line with the left side of the
reference object.

Nudge the selection down. When the Snap to Grid option is not selected, all objects of
the selection move one pixel down. When the Snap to Grid option is selected, each
object of the selection moves down to where its upper-left corner aligns to the nearest
grid point.

Nudge

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4.2.5. Making Objects Same Size
To make the selection same size as the reference object which can be selected by using Ctrl + Click, press the icon on the
toolbar or click the menu item listed as below.
Icon

Menu Item

Description

Width

Make the selected objects have the same width as the reference object.

Height

Make the selected objects have the same height as the reference object.

Both

Make
Same
Size

Make the selected objects have the same width and height as the reference object.

4.2.6. Arranging the Order of Objects
Icon

Menu Item

Description

Bring to Top

Bring the selection to the top.

Bring Forward

Bring the selected object one layer up.

Send Backward

Send the selected object one layer down.

Send to Bottom

Send the selection to the bottom.

Layer

Set Order

Start the order setting process for the objects of the active screen. For details,
please see Section 4.2.6.1 Changing the Order of Objects

4.2.6.1. Changing the Order of Objects
The object order in Astraada HMI CFG is the order in which the selection cursor moves the input focus from one object to
the next within a screen. Usually the order proceeds from left to right and from top to bottom in a screen. In the model with
programmable keys such as 037-LSK, the Data Entry Object receives input focus in the specified order by clicking
direction keys. In touch panel, you can use function button to select a data entry object with the order number previous or
next to the current selection.
The object order is also the display order. If the screen contains overlapping the objects, change the order will change the
display sequence of the objects. The objects that come later in the order are always displayed on top of any overlapping
objects that precede them in the order.
■ Viewing order
To view the current order of all objects in the screen, click Set Order on the Edit menu.
■ Changing order
To change the order for all objects in the screen
1) On the Edit menu, click Set Order
A Number in the upper-left corner of each object shows its place in the current order
2) Set the order by clicking each object in the order you want to display the object. The ordering number starts from 1.
3) Click the blank field on the screen to exit Set Order mode

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The following is an example of the object ordering.

If the screen running on 037-LSK, click the down or right direction key to move the selection in 2-4-6-8-10-12-14-16-18
-20-29 sequence. If the screen running on the touch panel, click function button
to move the selection in the same
sequence. The text objects with 1,3,5…order number are not data entry object, so they won’t receive the selection and
don’t list in the sequence.

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4.3. Designing Object Appearance
There are four common components of object appearance. They are described in the following table:
Appearance Component
Shape

Description
The shape of an object can either be a graphical shape or a picture shape.
The following are examples of graphical shapes

The following are examples of picture shapes.

Astraada HMI CFG provides many graphical shapes for you to choose. For details, see
Section 4.3.3 Selecting a Graphical Shape. The color or the pattern of a graphical shape is
dependent on the state of the associated object. You need to specify the color or pattern
settings of a graphical shape for each state of the associated object. For details, see
Section 4.3.1 Selecting a Color and Section 4.3.2 Selecting a Pattern.
If you want an object to have a picture shape, check the item Picture Shape in the General
Page of the object’s property dialog box. You can select a picture from the picture
database or import a picture from a library file for the shape of an object. Any picture with
the format of BMP, JPG, or WMF can be a picture shape. When a picture is used as a
shape, the shape is state independent, i.e. the same look appears for all (object) states. If
you want a picture shape to display the object state and/or show the touch action, you
need to select a picture group as the shape. For details of picture groups, see Section
2.1.3.3 Picture Groups
To know how to set a shape, see Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of an Object.
Inner Label

An inner label is a label inside the associated object. It has the same number of states as
the associated object. You need to specify the text settings and the picture settings of an
inner label for each (object) state. Inner labels are language dependent. You need to
specify the text of an inner label for each language too. Note that not all objects can have
inner labels and some objects can just have text or a picture in their inner label.
To know how to set an inner label, see Section 4.3.5 Label Settings.

VFTA (Visual Feedback for
Touch Action)

A button or switch can give the operator one of the following visual feedback when it is
touched:
Visual Feedback

Description

Sunken
Back

Fills the area inside the border of the shape with the shape’s FG
Color.

Outline
External Label

Shifts the inner label to the lower-right corner by one or two pixels.

Outlines the object with the shape’s FG Color.

An external label is a label outside but attached to the associated object. Unlike inner
labels, external labels are state independent. They have the same look for all (object)
states. However, external labels are language dependent. You need to set the text of an
external label for each language. External labels are touch insensitive. Touching an
external label will not activate the associated object. Note that not all objects can have an
external label.
To know how to set an external label, see Section 4.3.8 External Label Settings.

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The following table shows the common appearance components that each object type can have:
Shape
Object Types

Inner Label
VFTA

External
Label























Graphical
Shape

Picture
Shape

Text

Picture

Bit Button, Toggle Switch, Screen Button, Word
Button, Multi-state Switch, Radio Button Group







Function Button, Keypad Button, Page Selector





Step Button



Bit Lamp, Multi-state Lamp,



Message Display



Picture Display



Day-of-week Display



Meter



Slide Switch, Numeric Entry, Numeric Display,
Advanced Numeric Display, ASCII Character
Entry, ASCII Character Display, Bar Graph



Time Display, Date Display, Pie Graph, Line Chart,
Scatter Chart, Alarm Display, Historic Data
Display, Historic Trend Graph, Single Record Line
Chart, Operation Log Display, Recipe Selector,
Recipe Table, Sub-link Table, Static Text, Table



















Animated Graphic



The orders of drawing the common appearance components are shown in the following table with examples:
Step

1

Draw

Example 1

Example 2

Description

Shape

Described in Section 4.3.4
A picture group that supports
the pressed look

2

Picture of Inner
label

3

Text of inner
label

4

VFTA

(None)

5

External label

(None)

A graphical shape named
SW_0023
(None)

Described in Section 4.3.5.1

Final
Appearance
(When untouched)
Final
Appearance
(When touched)

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Described in Section 4.3.5.2

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Back (FG Color is

)
Described in Section 4.3.8

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4.3.1. Selecting a Color
■ Color Icons
In a dialog box, a color icon is associated with a property that requires a color. It shows the color of the current selection
and you can click it to bring up the Color palette. With the Color palette, you can select a color for the associated property.
The following is a Color icon showing that the current selection is yellow.

■ Color Palette
With the Color palette, you can: 1) Select a color from a set of predefined colors, 2) Customize a set of user colors, and 3)
Select a color from a set of user colors.
Usually, you click a Color icon to bring up the Color palette. The following shows the pages of the Color palette.

On page 1, the yellow block is outlined to indicate that it is the current selection. To select a color, click on that color block.
To select a page, click on that page’s number tab. To cancel the operation click on any position other than the color blocks
and the number tabs. Page 1, 2, and 3 contain the predefined colors. Page 4 contains the user colors. To customize user
colors, click
to bring up the Define Custom Color dialog box as shown below.

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4.3.2. Selecting a Pattern
■ Pattern Icons
In a dialog box, a Pattern icon is associated with a property that requires a pattern. It shows the pattern of the current
selection and you can click it to bring up the Pattern palette. With the Pattern palette, you can select a pattern for the
associated property. The following is a Pattern icon showing that the current selection is the “big dashes”.

■ Pattern Palette
With the Pattern palette, you can select a pattern from a set of predefined patterns. Usually, you click a Pattern icon to
bring up the Pattern palette as shown below.

The “big dashes” block is outlined to indicate that it is the current selection. To select a pattern, click on that pattern block.
To cancel the operation, click on any position other than the pattern blocks.

4.3.3. Selecting a Graphical Shape
■ Shape Buttons
In an object’s property dialog box, you can click the shape button
to bring up the Shape palette. With the Shape
palette, you can select a graphical shape as the shape of the associated object.
■ Shape Palette
With the Shape palette, you can select a graphical shape for an object. Usually, you click
to bring up the Shape
palette. The Shape palette contains several pages of graphical shapes. To select a graphical shape, click on that graphical
shape. To select a page, click on that page’s number tab. To cancel the operation, click the close button
Shape palette.

to close the

There are four sets of graphical shapes available for your applications. Each of them is suitable for certain kinds of objects.
The Shape palette shows the set that is suitable for the type of the concerned object. The four sets of shapes are shown
below.

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Graphical shapes for buttons and switches

Graphical shapes for data entry objects

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Graphical shapes for data display objects

Graphical shapes for lamps

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4.3.4. Setting up the Shape of an Object
This section describes how to set the shape of an object.
In order to give the operator a visual feedback for the touch action, most of the graphical shapes designed for the touch
operable objects can change their look when touched. They can make the edge or border look pressed or show the outline
with a different color.
The following examples are the shape settings of a bit button:
Example 1
The graphical shape SW_0031 is selected.

Example 2
The graphical shape is a picture.

The following table describes each property that may be required for the settings of an object’s shape.
Property

Description

Picture Shape

Check this option if you want the object to have a picture shape instead of a graphical shape. This
option is available when the object can have a picture shape.
Click this button to specify the shape of the object. When the Picture Shape is checked, the
Select/Import from Library dialog box will display. Otherwise the Shape palette will display.

VFTA

The type of VFTA (Visual Feedback for Touch Action).

Test VFTA

Click this button to view the selected VFTA.

Border Color

The border color of the graphical shape. Click the corresponding Color icon to specify the color.

Pattern

The pattern that is used to fill the area inside the border of the graphical shape for the current
(object) state. To specify the pattern, click the corresponding Pattern icon and select a pattern from
the Pattern palette. This item is available when the area inside the graphical shape needs be
painted.

FG Color

The color that is used to paint the black part of the pattern for the current (object) state. When the
solid white pattern is selected, this color is not used. When a picture shape is used, this color is used
for the outline mode with VFTA.
Example 1

Example 2

To specify the color, click the corresponding Color icon and select a color from the Color palette.
This item is available when the area inside the graphical shape needs be painted.
BG Color

The color that is used to paint the white part of the pattern for the current object state. To specify the
color, click the corresponding Color icon and select a color from the Color palette. This item is
available when the area inside the graphical shape needs be painted.

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4.3.5. Label Settings
This section describes how to set up the inner label for the following types of objects:
Bit Button, Toggle Switch, Screen Button, Function Button, Word Button, Keypad Button, and Bit Lamp.
The property sheets of the above mentioned objects provide you the Label page to set up the inner label. If an object has
only one state, the Label page has the Text sub-page and the Picture sub-page for you to set up the text and the picture of
the inner label respectively. If an object has two states, the Label page has the following four sub-pages:
Sub-page

For Setting

OFF Text

Text of state 0 (Off)

OFF Picture

Picture of state 0 (Off)

ON Text

Text of state 1 (On)

ON Picture

Picture of state 1 (On)

You can use the Label page to set the inner label of an object that can have at most two states.
The following is an example of the Label page.
The following table describes only the properties in
the Label page that are common to all it's sub-pages.
The properties of each of its sub-pages are described
in the specific section about that sub-page.
Property

Description

Language

The language that you are setting
the text for.

Border Spacing

The margin (in pixels) to the
border of the object’s shape for
both the text body and picture.

Use the text of
the first
language for all
other
languages

Check this item so the inner label
always shows the text of the first
language regardless of what the
current language is.

Text tab
Picture tab

Click this tab to bring up the ON
Text sub-page.

OFF Picture
tab

Click this tab to bring up the OFF
Picture sub-page.

ON Picture tab

DESIGNING SCREENS

Click this tab to bring up the OFF
Text sub-page.

ON Text tab

CHAPTER 4

Click this tab to bring up the
Picture sub-page.

OFF Text tab

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Click this tab to bring up the Text
sub-page.

Click this tab to bring up the ON
Picture sub-page.

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4.3.5.1. Text Sub-page Settings
You can use the Text sub-page, OFF Text sub-page, and ON Text sub-page to set up the text of the inner label for the
corresponding state and the current language. The language you are setting for is specified by the Language item in the
Label page.
The following are examples of the Text pages:
Text sub-page

ON Text sub-page

The following table describes each property in the Text sub-page, OFF Text sub-page, and ON Text sub-page.
Property

Description

Copy from Note

Click this button to replace the current text by the text of Note in the General page.

Copy to ON State

Click this button to use the current text to replace the text of ON state.

Copy to OFF
State

Click this button to use the current text to replace the text of OFF state.

Font

The font of the text. You can use the drop-down list to select a font.
to bring up the Font Templates dialog box and select a font for the text. You can
Click
change the font templates before selecting a font in that dialog box.

Color

The color of the text. To specify the color, click the corresponding Color icon and select a color
from the Color palette.

Blink

Check this item so the text will blink.

Transparent

Check this item to make the background of the characters transparent.

BG Color

The background color of the text.

Line Spacing

The distance (in pixels) between two adjacent lines of the text.

Character

The distance (in pixels) between two adjacent characters of the text.

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Spacing

Continued
Property

Description
The alignment of the text.

Position

The position of the text body.

Shape BG Color

The BG color of the object’s shape for the current state.

4.3.5.2. Picture Sub-page Settings
You can use the Picture sub-page, OFF Picture sub-page, and ON Picture sub-page to set up the picture of the inner label
for the corresponding state.
The following are examples of the Picture pages:
Picture sub-page

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ON Picture sub-page.

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The following table describes each property in the Picture sub-page, OFF Picture sub-page, and ON Picture sub-page.
Property
Name

Description
The name of the picture. You can use the drop-down list to select a picture from the picture database.
Click
to select a picture file. After the selection, the picture of the selected file is imported and
saved in the picture database.
Click
to bring up the Select/Import from Library dialog box. Select a picture from a picture library
file. After the selection, the selected picture is imported and saved in the picture database.

Copy to OFF
State

Click this button to use the current picture to replace the picture of OFF state.

Copy to ON
State

Click this button to use the current picture to replace the picture of ON state.

Transparent

Check this item to make parts of the picture transparent. The transparent parts are pixels whose
colors are the same as the specified transparent color. This item is available when the picture is not a
black and white picture.

T. Color

The transparent color.

FG Color

The color to paint the black part of a black and white picture. This item is available when the picture is
a black and white picture.

BG Color

The color to paint the white part of a black and white picture. This item is available when the picture is
a black and white picture.

Flip/Rotate

Specifies the method to flip or rotate the picture before drawing it. There are 8 options:
Method

Description



Do nothing

90°

Rotates the picture clockwise by 90 degree

180°

Rotates the picture clockwise by 180 degree

270°

Rotates the picture clockwise by 270 degree

X

Flips the picture over X axis

90° & X

Rotates the picture clockwise by 90 degree and flips it over X
Axis

Y

Flips the picture over Y axis

90° & Y

Rotates the picture clockwise by 90 degree and flips it over Y
Axis

Tone

Check this item to tone the picture.

Toning Color

The color to tone the picture.

Fit to Object

Check this item so the picture can change its size automatically to just fit inside the border of the
object’s shape.

Position
The position of the picture within the object.

Shape BG
Color

The BG color of the object’s shape for the current state.

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4.3.6. Text Settings
This section describes how to set up the text of the inner label for the following types of objects:
Multi-state Switch, Radio Button Group, Step Button, Page Selector, Multi-state Lamp, Message Display, and
Day-of-week Display.
The property sheets of the above mentioned objects provide you the Text page to set up the text of the inner label. The
following is an example of the Text page.

The following table describes each property in the Text page.
Property

Description

Language

The language that you are setting the text for.

Border Spacing

The margin (in pixels) to the border of the object’s shape for the text body.

Use the text of the
first language for all
other languages

Check this item so the inner label always shows the text of the first language regardless of
what the current language is.

Move Up

Click this button to move the current text (and picture) up in the list and thus the associated
state number of the current text (and picture) is decreased by one.

Move Down

Click this button to move the current text (and picture) down in the list and thus the associated
state number of the current text (and picture) is increased by one.

Continued

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Property

Description

Copy to all states…

Click this button to use the text of state 0 to replace the text of all other states.

Copy from state 0…

Click this button to use the text of state 0 to replace the current text.

Font

The font of the current text. You can use the drop-down list to select a font.
Click
to bring up the Font Templates dialog box and select a font for the current text.
You can change the font templates before selecting a font in that dialog box.

Color

The color of the current text. To specify the color, click the corresponding Color icon and
select a color from the Color palette.

Blink

Check this item so the current text will blink.

Transparent

Check this item to make the background of the text transparent.

BG Color

The background color of the text.
The alignment of the text.

Position
The position of the text body.

Shape BG Color

The BG color of the object’s shape for the current state.

Line Spacing

The distance (in pixels) between two adjacent lines of the text.

Character Spacing

The distance (in pixels) between two adjacent characters of the text.

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4.3.7. Picture Settings
This section describes how to define the picture settings for the following types of objects:
Multi-state Switch, Radio Button Group, Step Button, Page Selector, Multi-state Lamp, Picture Display, and Animated
Graphic.

The property sheets of the above mentioned objects provide you the Picture page to define the picture settings of the
objects. The following is an example of the Picture page.

The following table describes each property in the Picture page.
Property
Picture

Description
The name of the current picture. You can use the drop-down list to select a picture from the picture
database.
Click
to select a picture from a file as the current picture. After the selection, Astraada HMI CFG
imports the picture of the selected file and saves the picture in the picture database.
Click
to bring up the Select/Import from Library dialog box. Select a picture from a picture library
file as the current picture. After the selection, Astraada HMI CFG imports the selected picture from the
selected library and saves the picture in the picture database.

Continued

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Property

Description

Transparent

Check this item to make parts of the current picture transparent. The transparent parts are pixels
whose colors are identical to the specified transparent color. This item is available when the current
picture is not a black and white picture.

Transparent
Color

The transparent color.

FG Color

The color to paint the black part of a black and white picture. This item is available when the current
picture is a black and white picture.

BG Color

The color to paint the white part of a black and white picture. This item is available when the current
picture is a black and white picture.

Flip/Rotate

Specifies the method to flip or rotate the current picture before drawing it. There are 8 options:
Method

Description



Do nothing

90°

Rotates the picture clockwise by 90 degree

180°

Rotates the picture clockwise by 180 degree

270°

Rotates the picture clockwise by 270 degree

X

Flips the picture over X axis

90° & X

Rotates the picture clockwise by 90 degree and flips it over X Axis

Y

Flips the picture over Y axis

90° & Y

Rotates the picture clockwise by 90 degree and flips it over Y Axis

Tone

Check this item to tone the current picture.

Toning Color

The color to tone the current picture.

Fit to Object

Check this item so the current picture can change its size automatically to just fit inside the border of
the object’s shape.

Position

The position of the current picture within the object.

Shape BG
Color

The BG color of the object’s shape for the current state.

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4.3.8. External Label Settings
This section describes how to set up the external label for the following types of objects:
Bit Button, Toggle Switch, Screen Button, Slide Switch, Word Button, Multi-state Switch, Radio Button Group, Step
Button, Numeric Entry, Numeric Display, Advanced Numeric Display, ASCII String Entry, ASCII String Display, Bit
Lamp, Multi-state Lamp, Message Display, Picture Display, and Bar Graph.

You can use the External Label page in an object's property sheet to set up the external label of that object. The following
is an example of the External Label page.

The following table describes each property in the External Label page.
Property

Description

Plate Style

Specifies the plate type of the external label. There are four plate types as shown
below:
Plate Type
Transparent,
Flat,
Outlined
Raised

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Example

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Continued
Property

Description

Position

Specifies the position of the external label relative to the object. There are four
positions as shown below:
Position

Example

Top

Left
Right

Bottom

Color

Border

The border color of the plate. To specify the color, click the corresponding Color icon
and select a color from the Color palette.

Plate

The color of the plate. To specify the color, click the corresponding Color icon and
select a color from the Color palette.

Text

The color of the text. To specify the color, click the corresponding Color icon and
select a color from the Color palette.

Language
Font

The language that you are setting the text for.
& lt; Drop-down List & gt;

The font of the text for the current language
Click this button to bring up the Font Templates dialog box and select a font for the
text. You can change the font templates before selecting a font in that dialog box.

Text

& lt; Edit Box & gt;

The text for the current language.
Click this button to bring up the Text Source dialog box and select a string for the
current text. You can change the text database before selecting a string in that dialog
box.
The alignment of the text.

Spacing

Border

The distance (in pixels) between the plate border and the text body.

Line

The distance (in pixels) between two adjacent lines of the text.

Character

The distance (in pixels) between two adjacent characters of the text.

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4.4. Setting up Objects
4.4.1. States of Objects
When an object has multiple states, its appearance automatically has the same number of states. You need to specify the
settings of the shape and the inner label of an object for each state. Usually the state of an object is determined by the
value of the variable it monitors. An object that monitors a bit has state 0 (off) and state 1 (on). An object that monitors a
word or a double-word can have up to 256 states.

4.4.1.1. State Types
You need to specify the state type for an object so the object knows how to determine its state. The following table
describes each of the four state types.
State Type

For

How to decide the state

Bit

Bit Variable

The state is the value of the variable.
Example:
1) The state of $U1.3 is 0 when $U1.3 is 0 (off).
2) The state of WX3.f is 1 when WX3.f is 1 (on).

Value

Word Variable,
Double-word Variable

The state is the value of the variable. The valid states are from 0 to 255.
Example:
1) The state of $U200 is 123 when $U200 is 123.
2) The state of WX20 is 0 when WX20 is 0.
3) The state of $N300 is invalid when $N300 is 999.

LSB

Word Variable,
Double-word Variable

The state is the number of the least significant bit of the variable’s value that is 1
(on). For a word variable, the valid state are from 0 to 16 and state 16 means all
the bits are 0. For a double-word variable, the valid state are from 0 to 32 and
state 32 means all the bits are 0.
Example:
1) The state of $U200 is 1 when $U200 is 246H.
2) The state of WX20 is 19 when WX20 is 80000H.
3) The state of $N300 is 16 when $N300 is 0.

Custom

Word Variable,
Double-word Variable

When you configure an object with the Custom state type, you assign each valid
state a unique number which is called a state value. The assigned state values
will be used to determine the state of the object. If the variable’s value is equal to
one of the state values, the corresponding state of that state value is the state of
the object. If the value is equal to none of the state values, the state is invalid.
Example:
An object monitors $U100 and its state type is Custom. There are three valid
states and you assigned 300, 200, and 100 to state 0, 1, and 2 respectively. The
state is 2 when $U100 is 100 and the state is 0 when $U100 is 300.

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4.4.1.2. Setting the Custom States of an Object
In the General page of the object’s property dialog box, with the Custom state type selected, click the
button to bring up the Custom State Value dialog box as the example shown below.

You can assign a positive integer for each state in that dialog box. To edit the value, click the row of that state on its value
column.
You can use the Move Up button and the Move Down button to adjust the position of state values. To move up or move
down the state values, you need to make a selection first. To select a state, click the header column. To select multiple
rows, click the header column and use Ctrl+Click to add a row to the selection.

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4.4.2. Operation Options of Objects
The following table explains operation options which can be added to an object to make it more informative, secure, and
useful.
Terminology

Definition

Enabling and disabling the
touch operation

The touch operation can be enabled and disabled either by a specified bit or by the
current user level. You can choose to display the touch operation disabled sign on the
button when the touch operation is disabled.
If the touch operation is to be enabled by a bit, you need to specify that bit and the bit
value that enables the touch operation.
If the touch operation is to be enabled by the current user level, you need to specify the
lowest user level that is required to enable the touch operation.
Select and set this feature in the Advanced page of the Bit Button dialog box.

Requiring the minimum hold
time

The touch operation will not be activated until the button is pressed and held down for
the specified Minimum Hold Time.
Select and set this feature in the Advanced page of the Bit Button dialog box.

Requiring the operator
confirmation

A confirmation dialog box displays when the button is activated to about to set a bit.
The button will proceed to set that bit if the operator selects “Yes” to confirm the
operation. The touch operation will be cancelled if the operator selects “No” to reject
the operation or the operator does not respond within the Maximum Waiting Time.
This feature is available for the following operations:
Set ON, Set OFF, Set ON Pulse, Set OFF Pulse, and Invert.
Select and set this feature in the Advanced page of the Bit Button dialog box.

Notifying a bit of the touch
operation

The notification is performed after the touch operation is done. You need to specify the
bit to be notified and the bit value to be used for the notification.
Select and set this feature in the Advanced page of the Bit Button dialog box.

Logging the touch operations

The time and data when the touch operation occurs, the new value that is written to the
bit, and the predefined text can be recorded in the operation log with this feature.
Select and set this feature in the Advanced page of the Bit Button dialog box.

Showing and hiding an object

The visibility of an object can be controlled either by a specified bit or by the current
user level, i.e. an object can be shown and hidden dynamically by any of those two
methods.
If the visibility is to be controlled by a bit, you need to specify that bit and the bit value
that shows the object.
If the visibility is to be controlled by the current user level, you need to specify the
lowest user level that is required to show the visibility.
Note 1: When an object is invisible, the touch operation is automatically disabled.
Note 2: It is allowed to simply set an object invisible. The touch operation is still
enabled with this setting.
Select and set this feature in the Visibility page of the object setting dialog box.

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4.4.3. Address Settings
This chapter describes the terms, rules, and methods to address data.

4.4.3.1. Terminologies for Data Accessing
The following table explains variables, addresses and tags.
Terminology

Definition

Internal memory

The memory space in the target panel that can be accessed by the panel application. For
example, the user memory $U, the non-volatile memory $N, the system memory $S, and
the recipe memory $R are all parts of the internal memory.

Internal variable

An address or a tag referring to an address of a space in the internal memory.

Internal bit variable

An internal variable that refers to a bit in the internal memory.
For easy to read, we usually use “internal variable” instead of “internal bit variable” when
referring to a bit if there is no ambiguity.

Internal word variable

An internal variable that refers to a word in the internal memory.
The variables can also be used to refer to a double-word, a block of bytes (byte array), a
block of words (word array), and a block of double-words (double-word array).
For easy to read, we usually use “internal variable” instead of “internal word variable”
when referring to a word or a block of memory space if there is no ambiguity,

External memory

The memory spaces or the collections of addressable devices in the controllers that can
be accessed by the panel application through communication links.

External variable

An address or a tag referring to an address of a space in the external memory.

External bit variable

An external variable that refers to a bit in the external memory.
For easy to read, we usually use “external variable” instead of “external bit variable” when
referring to a bit if there is no ambiguity.

External word variable

An external variable that refers to a word in the external memory.
The variables can also be used to refer to a double-word, a block of bytes (byte array), a
block of words (word array), and a block of double-words (double-word array) if the access
unit of the associated addresses is word. If the access unit is double-word, you can only
use the variable to refer to a double-word or a block of memory space with a length of a
multiple of 4 (bytes).
For easy to read, we usually use “external variable” instead of “external word variable”
when referring to a word or a block of memory space if there is no ambiguity,

Variable

An internal variable or an external variable.

Bit variable

An internal bit variable or an external bit variable.

Word variable

An internal word variable or an external word variable.

Double-word variable

An internal variable or an external variable that refers to a double-word.

Byte array variable

An internal variable or an external variable that refers to a byte array.

Word array variable

An internal variable or an external variable that refers to a word array.

Double-word array variable

An internal variable or an external variable that refers to a double-word array.

Tag

A name that stands for an address of the internal memory or the external memory. It also
specifies the data type and scan rate of the data in the memory location it refers to.

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4.4.3.2. Address Input Keypad
With the address input keypad, you can enter an address easily. Usually, you click
keypad as shown below.
Property

to bring up the address input

Description

Link

Click the down arrow and select a link from the drop down list.

PLC
Address

Click the down arrow and select a value between 0 and 255 or
an indirect address between [$I0] and [$I15] as the PLC
Address. If the indirect address is used, the plc address can be
dynamic changed.

Location
Type

Click the down arrow and select an item from the drop down list
as the location type.

Address

Specify the address.

Input
keypad

Buttons

Description
Clears all the texts in the address field.
Deletes all selected texts, if any, or the text
character to the left of the cursor in the address
field.
Cancels the address input and escapes the
dialog.
Checks and enters the address if valid.

Others

Click to specify the address. Only available
when the Address field holds the input focus.

Click the help button to see how to specify word or bit devices
and their addresses for the specified link in the following popup
dialog.

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4.4.3.3. Selecting Tags
To select a tag, you can click

to bring up the Select Tag dialog box as shown below.

All the predefined word or bit tags for the
selected link are listed. To use a tag, you
can double click the tag you want or select a
tag and then click the OK button.

Tag group

Selected tag
The address for the selected tag

Note: All the listed tags and tag groups are created in the Tags Editor. To create a tag, please see Section 2.3 Working with
Tags.

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4.4.4. Scale Settings
This section describes how to set up the scale for the following types of objects:
Slide Switch, Bar Graph, Circular Bar Graph, and Meter.

The following are examples of scales used in different kinds of objects.
Slide Switch

Circular Bar Graph

Major
ticks

Marks

Minor
ticks

Axis

Bar Graph

You can use the Scale page in an object's property sheet to set up the scale of that object. The following is an example of
the Scale page of the bar Graph.

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The following table describes each property in the Scale page.
Property

Description

Scale

Check this item if you want the object to have a scale.

Position

Specifies the position of the scale in the object. The position is relative to the part of the
object that displays the monitored variable. There are six positions shown below:
Position

Example

Position

Top

Bottom

Left

Right

Inner

Example

Outer

Color

The color of the scale. To specify the color, click the corresponding Color icon and select a
color from the Color palette.

Number of Major Ticks

The number of major ticks. The minimum you can specify is two.

Number of Sub
Divisions

The number of divisions between two adjacent major ticks. The minimum you can specify is
one.

Axis

Check this item if you want the scale to have an axis.

Marks

Marks

Check this option if you want the scale to have marks.

Font

The font of the marks.

Dynamic
Range

Check this option if you want the minimum and maximum of the marks to be controlled by
the dynamic range parameter block of the associated object at runtime.

Minimum

The minimum of the marks. It is a 32-bit integer.

Maximum

The maximum of the marks. It is a 32-bit integer.

Total Digits

The total digits to be displayed for the marks.

Fractional
Digits

The number of fractional digits for the marks. For example, when the Maximum is 5000, the
Total Digits is 4, and the Fractional Digits is 2, the mark for the Maximum will be 50.00.

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4.4.5. Advanced Settings
This section describes how to define the advanced settings for the following types of objects:
Bit Button, Toggle Switch, Screen Button, Function Button, Slide Switch, Word Button, Multi-state Switch, Radio
Button Group, Step Button, Advanced Numeric Display, ASCII String Entry, and Recipe Selector.
You can use the Advanced page in an object's property sheet to define the advanced settings of that object.

The following are examples of the Advanced page for different objects:
For an advanced numeric display.

For a bit button.

The following table describes each property in the Advanced page.
Property
Touch
Operation
Control

Description

Enabled by Bit

Check this option so the touch operation of the numeric entry will be enabled and
disabled by the specified bit.

Control Bit

Specifies the bit that enables and disables the touch operation.
Click

to enter a bit address. Click

to select a bit tag.

Enabling State

Specifies the state (On or Off) that enables the touch operation.

Enabled by
User Level

Check this item so the touch operation of the numeric entry will be enabled and
disabled by the current user level.

Lowest
Enabling User
Level

Specifies the lowest user level that is required to enable the touch operation.

Show Disabled
Sign

Check this option so the touch operation disabled sign will be shown on the numeric
entry when the touch operation is disabled.

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Property
Timeout

Description
Check this option so the data entry will be cancelled if the numeric keypad does not
receive any input within the specified time.

Timeout Time

Specifies the maximum time that the numeric keypad will wait to get a new input. If
there is no input within the specified time, the numeric keypad will be closed and the
data entry will be cancelled.

Notification

Check this option so the numeric entry will notify the specified bit after it finishes
outputting the entered value to the destination variable.

Signal

Notification

Timeout

Select one of the following signal for the notification:
Signal

Description

Level

Set the specified bit to the specified state.

Pulse

Send a positive pulse to the specified bit.

Bit
State
Operator
Confirmation

Check this option if you want the operator to confirm what he/she enters for the
numeric entry. The Confirmation box will be displayed when a value is entered for
the numeric entry. If the operator selects “Yes” in the Confirmation box, the numeric
entry will write the entered value to the specified variable. If the operator selects “No”
or the operator does not respond within the specified time period (Maximum Waiting
Time), the numeric entry will cancel the data entry operation.
Specifies the maximum time that the numeric entry will wait for the operator’s
confirmation. The data entry will be cancelled if the operator does not respond within
this time.

Operation
Logging

Check this option so the following three items will be recorded in the operation log
when the numeric entry outputs the entered value.
There are three recorded items:
1) The time when the operation is performed
2) The entered value
3) The predefined operation message

Message

Operation
Logging

Specifies the state (On or Off) that is used for the notification.

Maximum
Waiting Time

Operator
Confirmation

Specifies the bit that receives the notification.

Enter the operation message of the first language here.
Click this button to bring up the Operation Message dialog box that you can edit the
operation message for all the languages.

Minimum Hold Time

Available when the object is a button or switch. The touch operation of the button will
not be activated until the button is pressed and held down for the specified time
period (Minimum Hold Time).

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4.4.6. Visibility Settings
In the Visibility page of an object's property sheet, you can define how to show and hide that object. You can also modify
the position and size of an object with the Visibility page.
The following are examples of the Visibility page:
The option “Controlled by Bit” is checked

The option “Controlled by User Level” is checked

The following table describes each property in the Visibility page.
Property

Description

Invisible
Controlled
by Bit

Check this option so the object will be invisible always.
Note: The touch operation is still enabled with this setting.
Controlled by Bit

Check this option so the object will be shown and hidden by the specified bit.

Control Bit

Specifies the bit that will show or hide the object.
Click

to enter the bit address. Click

to enter the bit tag.

Visible State

Specifies the state (On or Off) that makes the object visible.

Controlled
by User
Level

Controlled by
User Level

Check this option so the object will be shown and hidden by the current user level.

Lowest Visible
User Level

Specifies the lowest user level that is required to show the object.

Dimension

Left

Specifies the X coordinate of the object’s upper-left corner on the screen.

Top

Specifies the Y coordinate of the object’s upper-left corner on the screen.

Width

Specifies the width (in pixels) of the object.

Height

Specifies the height (in pixels) of the object.
Click this button to redraw the object with the new settings.

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CHAPTER 5

B UTTONS AND
SWITCHES
5.1.

Changing Bit State Using Bit Buttons ........................................................ 1

5.1.1.
5.1.2.
5.1.3.
5.1.4.

5.2.

Toggling Bit State Using Toggle Switches................................................... 6

5.2.1.
5.2.2.

5.3.

Basic Operations .......................................................................................................... 21
Operation Options........................................................................................................ 22
Settings ........................................................................................................................ 22
General Settings........................................................................................................... 23

Setting Word Value Using Word Buttons................................................. 25

5.6.1.
5.6.2.
5.6.3.
5.6.4.

5.7.

Basic Operations .......................................................................................................... 14
Operation Options........................................................................................................ 17
Settings ........................................................................................................................ 18
General Settings........................................................................................................... 19

Selecting Word Value Using Slide Switches ............................................. 21

5.5.1.
5.5.2.
5.5.3.
5.5.4.

5.6.

Basic Operations ............................................................................................................ 9
Operation Options.......................................................................................................... 9
Settings ........................................................................................................................ 10
General Settings........................................................................................................... 11

Performing Built-in Function Using Function Buttons .......................... 14

5.4.1.
5.4.2.
5.4.3.
5.4.4.

5.5.

Settings .......................................................................................................................... 6
General Settings............................................................................................................. 7

Changing Screen Using Screen Buttons ..................................................... 9

5.3.1.
5.3.2.
5.3.3.
5.3.4.

5.4.

Basic Operations ............................................................................................................ 1
Operation Options.......................................................................................................... 2
Settings .......................................................................................................................... 3
General Settings............................................................................................................. 4

Basic Operations .......................................................................................................... 25
Operation Options........................................................................................................ 25
Settings ........................................................................................................................ 26
General Settings........................................................................................................... 26

Selecting Work Value Using Multi-state Switches................................... 28
-i-

5.7.1.
5.7.2.
5.7.3.
5.7.4.

5.8.

Setting Word State Using Radio Button Groups ..................................... 33

5.8.1.
5.8.2.
5.8.3.
5.8.4.

5.9.

Basic Operations .......................................................................................................... 28
Operation Options........................................................................................................ 29
Settings ........................................................................................................................ 30
General Settings........................................................................................................... 31

Basic Operations .......................................................................................................... 33
Operation Options........................................................................................................ 33
Settings ........................................................................................................................ 34
General Settings........................................................................................................... 34

Customizing Keypad Using Keypad Buttons .......................................... 36

5.9.1.
5.9.2.
5.9.3.
5.9.4.

Operation Options........................................................................................................ 36
Settings ........................................................................................................................ 36
General Settings........................................................................................................... 37
Creating your own keypads ......................................................................................... 38

5.10. Scrolling Object Content Using Scroll Button Groups........................... 40
5.10.1.
5.10.2.
5.10.3.
5.10.4.

5.11.

Basic Operations .......................................................................................................... 40
Operation Options........................................................................................................ 41
Settings ........................................................................................................................ 41
General Settings........................................................................................................... 42

Scrolling Object Content Using Scroll Bars............................................. 43

5.11.1.
5.11.2.
5.11.3.
5.11.4.

Basic Operations .......................................................................................................... 43
Operation Options........................................................................................................ 44
Settings ........................................................................................................................ 44
General Settings........................................................................................................... 45

5.12. Stepping Through Word State Using Step Buttons ................................. 46
5.12.1.
5.12.2.
5.12.3.
5.12.4.

Basic Operations .......................................................................................................... 46
Operation Options........................................................................................................ 46
Settings ........................................................................................................................ 47
General Settings........................................................................................................... 47

5.13. Displaying Window Screen as Information Page Using Page Selectors 50
5.13.1. Basic Operations .......................................................................................................... 50
5.13.2. Settings ........................................................................................................................ 50
5.13.3. General Settings........................................................................................................... 51

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5.1. Changing Bit State Using Bit Buttons
You can touch a bit button to change the state of the specified bit.

5.1.1. Basic Operations
A bit button can be configured to perform the following operations:
Operation

Description

Set ON

Sets the specified bit to On when the button is pressed.

Set OFF

Sets the specified bit to Off when the button is pressed.

Set ON Pulse

Sets the specified bit to On when the button is pressed and then sets the bit to Off to generate a
positive pulse with the specified pulse width.

Set OFF Pulse

Sets the specified bit to Off when the button is pressed and then sets the bit to On to generate a
negative pulse with the specified pulse width.

Momentary ON

Sets the specified bit to On when the button is pressed and sets the bit to Off when the button is
released.
Note: Pressing and releasing a momentary button quickly might generate a pulse that is too short
to be detected by the controller. To avoid this problem, specify a sufficient minimum pulse width for
the operation so the setting of the bit to Off is delayed if necessary to generate a pulse that is
always detectable.

Momentary OFF

Sets the specified bit to Off when the button is pressed and sets the bit to On when the button is
released.
Note: See the note above.

Invert

Inverts the state of the specified bit when the button is pressed.

Note: You can configure a bit button to operate a bit of a word or a bit of a double-word. In these cases, you need to
specify the number of the bit to be operated.

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5.1.2. Operation Options
The following operation options can be selected for a bit button to make it more informative, secure, and useful. You need
to select and set those options in the Bit Button property sheet.
Option

Description

Monitor

The bit button can be configured to monitor a bit. When this option is selected, the state of the
button is controlled by the monitored bit. With the monitored bit, you can control the color and label
of the bit button.

ON Macro, OFF
Macro

An ON Macro is a macro that is run when the associated button is activated to set a bit to 1 (On).
An OFF Macro, on the contrary, is a macro that is run when the associated button is activated to set
a bit to 0 (Off). The following table shows the macros that each bit button operations can support.
Operation
Set ON

ON Macro



Set OFF
Set ON Pulse

OFF Macro




Set OFF Pulse



Momentary ON





Momentary OFF





Invert
Select these options in the General Page. Specify and edit the ON macro in the ON Macro page.
Specify and edit the OFF macro in the OFF Macro page.
Note: When an ON macro or OFF macro is specified, the associated bit setting operation is not
performed until the macro is completely executed. So it is important to keep ON and OFF macros
as short as possible in order not to delay the bit setting operation.
Touch Operation
Control

The touch operation can be enabled or disabled either by a specified bit or by the current user level.
Select and set this option in the Advanced page.

Minimum Hold
Time

The touch operation of the button will not be activated until the button is pressed and held down for
the specified time period (Minimum Hold Time). Set this option in the Advanced page.

Operator
Confirmation

This option is available for the following bit button operations:
Set ON, Set OFF, Set ON Pulse, Set OFF Pulse, and Invert.
The Confirmation box will display when the button is touched. If the operator selects “Yes” in the
Confirmation box, the button will proceed to perform its operation. If the operator selects “No” or the
operator does not respond within the specified time period (Maximum Waiting Time), the button will
stop performing its operation.
Select and set this option in the Advanced page.

Notification

The button can be configured to notify a bit of the completion of the bit setting operation when the
button is pressed. Select and set this option in the Advanced page.

Operation
Logging

Each touch operation of the button can be recorded in the operation log. Select and set this option
in the Advanced page.

Invisible

The button can be invisible and still touch operable. Select this option in the Visibility page.

Visibility Control

The button can be shown or hidden either by a specified bit or by the current user level. Select and
set this option in the Visibility page.

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5.1.3. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a bit button in the Bit Button property sheet. This sheet contains the following seven
pages. Some of the pages appear only when they are needed.

General
Described in Section 5.1.4.

Label
Described in Section 4.3.5.

Advanced
Described in Section 4.4.5.

Visibility
Described in Section 4.4.6.

External Label
Described in Section 4.3.8.

On Macro
Described in Section 14.2.6.

OFF Macro
Described in Section 14.2.6.

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5.1.4. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for the bit buttons in the General page of the Bit Button property
sheet. The following is an example of the General page.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique within
the screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for the bit buttons is BBnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the bit button.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, see Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of an Object.
Picture Shape,

External Label

, VFTA,

, Border Color, Pattern, FG Color, BG Color

Check this option if you want the bit button to have an external label. Set up the external label in
the External Label page.
Click this button to change the object state to 1 (On) so you can view and set the object
appearance for state 1 (On).
Click this button to change the object state to 0 (Off) so you can view and set the object
appearance for state 0 (Off).

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Property
Operation

Write
Address

Description
Select the operation for the bit button. There are 7 choices: Set ON, Set OFF, Set ON Pulse,
Set OFF Pulse, Momentary ON, Momentary OFF, and Invert.
For details, see Section 5.1.1 Basic Operations

Address
Type

Specifies the type of variable in the Write Address field. The bit buttons support the following
three variable types:
Variable Type

Description

Bit
Word

The variable is a word variable. You need to specify which bit of
the word variable that is to be operated. Specify the bit number
(0~15) in the Bit Number field.

Double-word

Write
Address

The variable is a bit variable.

The variable is a double-word variable. You need to specify which
bit of the double-word variable that is to be operated. Specify the
bit number (0~31) in the Bit Number field.

Specifies the bit variable to be operated when the Address Type is Bit.
Specifies the word variable that contains the bit to be operated when the Address Type is Word.
Specifies the double-word variable that contains the bit to be operated when the Address Type
is Double-word.
Click this icon to bring up the Address Input Keypad and specify the desired address for the
Write Address field.
Click this icon to bring up the Select Tag dialog box and select the desired tag for the Write
Address field.

Bit
Number

Specifies which bit of the variable specified in Write Address field is to be operated.

Minimum Pulse
Width

The minimum width of the pulse that the Momentary ON and Momentary OFF operations must
generate. There are six choices available: 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 second.

Pulse Width

The width of the pulse generated by the Set ON Pulse and Set OFF Pulse operations. There
are six choices available: 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 second.

Monitor

Check this option if you want the bit button to monitor a specified bit and display its state.

Monitor Address
identical to Write
Address

Specifies that the Monitor Address is identical to the Write Address. With this item checked, you
don’t need to specify the Monitor Address again. This item is available when the option Monitor
is checked.

Monitor
Address

Specifies the bit variable to be monitored when the Address Type is Bit.
Specifies the word variable that contains the bit to be monitored when the Address Type is
Word.
Specifies the double-word variable that contains the bit to be monitored when the Address Type
is Double-word.

Monitor
Address

Click this icon to bring up the Address Input Keypad and specify the desired address for the
Monitor Address field.
Click this icon to bring up the Select Tag dialog box and select the desired tag for the Monitor
Address field.
ON Macro

Check this option if you want the button to have an ON macro. Specify and edit the ON macro
in the ON Macro page. This option is available when the bit button operation is Set ON, Set ON
Pulse, Momentary ON, or Momentary OFF.

OFF Macro

Check this option if you want the button to have an OFF macro. Specify and edit the OFF
macro in the OFF Macro page. This option is available when the bit button operation is Set
OFF, Set OFF Pulse, Momentary ON, or Momentary OFF.

Key

The hard key that is used to operate the bit button. This item is available only when the target
panel has hard keys.

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5.2. Toggling Bit State Using Toggle Switches
You can touch a toggle switch to toggle the state of the specified bit.
The difference between a toggle switch and a bit button performing Invert operation is described below:
1) A toggle switch performs the toggle operation by writing the inverse state of the monitored bit to the destination bit.
2) A bit button performs the Invert operation by inverting the destination bit directly regardless of the monitored bit.

5.2.1. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a toggle switch in the Toggle Switch property sheet. This sheet contains the following
seven pages. Some of the pages appear only when they are needed.

General
Described in Section 5.2.2.

Label
Described in Section 4.3.5.

Advanced
Described in Section 4.4.5.

Visibility
Described in Section 4.4.6.

External Label
Described in Section 4.3.8.

On Macro
Described in Section 14.2.6.

OFF Macro
Described in Section 14.2.6.

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5.2.2. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a toggle switch.

The above is an example of the General page of the Toggle Switch property sheet.
The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique within the
screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for toggle switches is TSnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.
For details about the following properties, see Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of an Object..

Shape settings
Picture Shape,
External Label

, VFTA,

, Border Color, Pattern, FG Color, BG Color

Check this option if you want the object to have an external label. Set up the external label in the
External Label page.

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Property

Description
Click this button to change the object state to 1 (On) so you can view and set the
object appearance for state 1 (On).
Click this button to change the object state to 0 (Off) so you can view and set the
object appearance for state 0 (Off).
Write Address

Specifies the bit variable to be operated.
Click this icon to bring up the Address Input Keypad and specify a bit address for the
Write Address field.

Write
Address

Click this icon to bring up the Select Tag dialog box and select a bit tag for the Write
Address field.
Monitor Address identical to
Write Address
Monitor Address
Monitor
Address

Specifies that the Monitor Address is identical to the Write Address. With this item
checked, you don’t need to specify the Monitor Address again. This item is available
when the option Monitor is checked.
Specifies the bit variable to be monitored.
Click this icon to bring up the Address Input Keypad and specify a bit address for the
Monitor Address field.
Click this icon to bring up the Select Tag dialog box and select a bit tag for the Monitor
Address field.

ON Macro

Check this option if you want the button to have an ON macro. Specify and edit the
ON macro in the ON Macro page.

OFF Macro

Check this option if you want the button to have an OFF macro. Specify and edit the
OFF macro in the OFF Macro page.

Key

The hard key that is used to operate the object. This item is available only when the
target panel has hard keys.

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5.3. Changing Screen Using Screen Buttons
You can touch a screen button to open or close a screen.

5.3.1. Basic Operations
A screen button can be configured to perform one of the following screen switching operations:
Operation

Description

Open Screen

Opens the specified screen.

Previous Screen

Closes the current main screen and opens the previous main screen.
Note: The panel can display many window screens but only one normal screen at a time so a
normal screen is also called a main screen. The panel can remember up to 32 previously
opened main screens.

Close & Open Screen

Closes the window screen where the screen button is on and opens the specified screen.

Close Screen

Closes the window screen where the screen button is on.

5.3.2. Operation Options
The following operation options can be selected for a screen button to make it more informative, secure, and useful. You
need to select and set those options in the Screen Button property sheet.
Options

Description

Change User Level

The button can be configured to change the current user level.

Acknowledge Alarm

The button can be configured to acknowledge the associated alarm of the screen where it is
on. You can configure an alarm to display an (alarm) screen and the associated alarm of a
screen is the alarm that displays the screen.

Indicate Screen
Already Opened

The button can be configured to indicate that the specified screen is opened. The indication is
done by exchanging the button’s FG color with its text color.

Macro

You can specify a macro that will be run when the screen button is activated to perform its
operation. Select this option in the General page. Specify and edit the macro in the Macro
page.
Note: The screen switching operation will not be performed until the macro is completely
executed. So it is important to keep the macro as short as possible to not delay the operation.

Touch Operation
Control

The touch operation can be enabled or disabled either by a specified bit or by the current user
level. Select and set this option in the Advanced page.

Minimum Hold Time

The touch operation of the button will not be activated until the button is pressed and held
down for the specified time period (Minimum Hold Time). Select and set this option in the
Advanced page.

Notification

The screen button can be configured to notify a bit of the completion of the screen switching
operation. Select and set this option in the Advanced page.

Operation Logging

Each touch operation of the button can be recorded in the operation log. Select and set this
option in the Advanced page.

Invisible

The button can be invisible and still touch operable. Select this option in the Visibility page.

Visibility Control

The button can be shown or hidden either by a specified bit or by the current user level. Select
and set this option in the Visibility page.

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5.3.3. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a screen button in the Screen Button property sheet. This sheet contains the following
six pages. Some of the pages appear only when they are needed.

General
Described in Section 5.3.4.

Label
Described in Section 4.3.5.

Advanced
Described in Section 4.4.5.

Visibility
Described in Section 4.4.6.

External Label
Described in Section 4.3.8.

Macro
Described in Section 14.2.6.

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5.3.4. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a screen button.

The above is an example of the General page of the Screen Button dialog box.

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The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique
within the screen where the object is on and is unchangeable. The format of the ID’s for
screen buttons is SB####.

Note

You can type a note for the object.
For details about the following properties, see Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of an

Shape settings

Object. Picture Shape,
BG Color

, VFTA,

, Border Color, Pattern, FG Color,

External Label

Check this option if you want the object to have an external label. Set up the external label
in the External Label page.

Operation

Specifies the operation that you want the screen button to perform. There are four choices:
Open Screen, Previous Screen, Close and Open Screen, and Close Screen. For details,
see Section 5.3.1 Basic Operations.

Screen

Specifies the screen to be opened.

Change
User Level

& lt; Check
Box & gt;

Check this option if you want the button to change the current user level.

New
User
Level

The new user level to replace the current user level.

Acknowledge Alarm

Check this option if you want the button to acknowledge the associated alarm of the screen
where the button is on.

Indicate Screen Already
Opened

Check this option if you want the button to indicate the specified screen is already open.

Macro

Check this option if you want the button to have a macro. Specify and edit the macro in the
Macro page.

Activation

Key

Button
Down

Specifies that the touch operation is activated when the button is pushed.

Button
Up

Specifies that the touch operation is activated when the button is released.

The hard key that is used to operate the object. This item is available only when the target panel has
hard keys.

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Property

Description

Menu
Screen
Position

Select one of the following 6 positions for the specified menu screen to show up. This field will be showed
up only when the specified screen is a menu screen.
Position

Description

Screen
Left Side

Screen
Right Side

The menu screen slides into the view
horizontally from the right side of the screen.

Button Left
Side &
Downward

The menu screen appears by the left side of
the button and slides downward into the
view.

Button Left
Side &
Upward

The menu screen appears by the left side of
the button and slides upward into the view.

Button
Right Side
&
Downward

The menu screen appears by the right side
of the button and slides downward into the
view.

Button
Right Side
& Upward

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The menu screen slides into the view
horizontally from the left side of the screen.

The menu screen appears by the right side
of the button and slides upward into the
view.

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5.4. Performing Built-in Function Using Function Buttons
You can touch a function button to perform the specified built-in function provided by the target panel.

5.4.1. Basic Operations
Category
Setting up
Panel

Operation
Increase
Brightness/Contrast
Decrease
Brightness/Contrast
Save
Brightness/Contrast
Enter Panel Setup
Mode
End Transparent
Communication
Show Real Time
Clock
Turn Backlight Off

Setting up
Application

Log In
Log Out
Show Password
Table
Acknowledge Alarm
Change Language
Show File Selection
Box

Description
Increases either the brightness or the contrast of the display depending on the
PM model. Not all PM models support this operation. Check the hardware
manual for details.
Decreases either the brightness or the contrast of the display depending on
the PM model. Not all PM models support this operation. Check the hardware
manual for details.
Saves the setting of either the brightness or the contrast of the display
depending on the PM model. Not all PM models support this operation. Check
the hardware manual for details.
Exits the application and enters the panel setup mode.
Ends the transparent communication.
Displays the settings of Real Time Clock so you can change the settings.
Turns off the backlight of the display. To turn on the backlight, touch the
screen. Not all PM models support this operation. Check the hardware manual
for details.
Displays the password keypad so you can enter a password to change the
current user level.
Changes the current user level to 0.
Displays the password table so you can change the passwords. The password
table only lists the passwords whose user level is equal to or less than the
current user level.
Acknowledges the associated alarm of the screen that the button is on.
Change the current language to the specified language.
Displays the File Selection box for the specified purpose. The following table
lists the five purposes:
Purpose
Description
Open to
Open the specified file for reading. The file must exist.
Read
(Note)
Open/create
Open the specified file for reading. A new file is created
to Write
when the specified file does not exist. If the specified file
exists, it will be over written. (Note)
Open/create
Open the specified file for appending data. A new file is
to Append
created when the specified file does not exist. (Note)
Delete
Delete the specified file.
Rename
Rename the specified file.
You can specify the File Extension Name that will limit the File Selection Box
to list only the files of the specified type. The specified extension name can
only have ASCII characters and at most 3 characters.
Note: You need to specify the File I/O Control Block Address which is an
internal variable that receives the result of the file open operation. You can
specify a macro that will be run when the specified file is opened successfully.
It is important to close an opened file by the macro command CLOSE_FILE
when you finish the operation on it, or the file data will be lost.
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Continued
Category

Operation

Saving Data
to File

Description

Saves the data of the specified recipe block in a file using the PRD format.
The file can be read by the PM RecipeEditor and the target panel.

Save Logged Data
(.txt file)

Saves the data collected by the specified data logger in a text file. The file
can be read by any text editor, Microsoft Excel, and the target panel.

Save Logged Data
(.ldf file)

Saves the data collected by the specified data logger in an LDF file. The file
can be read by the target panel only.

Save Alarm History
(.txt file)

Saves the alarm history in a text file. The file can be read by any text editor,
Microsoft Excel, and the target panel.

Save Alarm Counts
(.txt file)

Saves the alarm counts in a text file. The file can be read by any text editor,
Microsoft Excel, and the target panel.

Save Operation
History (.txt file)

Saves the operation history in a text file. The file can be read by any text
editor, Microsoft Excel, and the target panel.

Save Line Chart Data
(.txt file)

Saves the data collected by the specified line chart in a text file. The file can
be read by any text editor, Microsoft Excel, and the target panel.

Save Scatter Chart
Data (.txt file)

Saves the data collected by the specified scatter chart in a text file. The file
can be read by any text editor, Microsoft Excel, and the target panel.

Save Application
Configuration Data
(.plf file)

Saves the application configuration data that was downloaded to the target
panel before in a PLF file. The file can be used by Astraada HMI CFG.

Save System and
Application to File
(.prp file)

Saves the system programs and the application runtime data in a PRP file.
The file can be used by Astraada HMI CFG and compatible PM panels.

Load Recipe Data
(.txt file)

Loads the data of the specified recipe block from a text file.

Load Recipe Data
(.prd file)

Loads the data of the specified recipe block from a PRD file.

Load Logged Data
(.ldf file)

Loads the data of the specified data logger from a LDF file.

Load Line Chart Data
(.txt file)

Loads the data of the specified line chart from a text file.

Load Scatter Chart
Data (.txt file)

Loads the data of the specified scatter chart from a text file.

Write Recipe to
Controller

Writes the current recipe, which is determined by the current recipe block and
the current recipe number, to the specified controller. The controller and the
destination address are specified in the settings of the recipe block.

Read Recipe from
Controller

Updates the current recipe, which is determined by the current recipe block
and the current recipe number, by reading a recipe from the specified
controller. The controller and the source address are specified in the settings
of the recipe block.

Save Recipe Data to
Flash ROM

Saves the data of the specified recipe block to the target panel’s flash ROM.
The option “Need space in flash ROM to save backup” must be selected in
the settings of the recipe block to make this operation available.

Load Recipe Data
from Flash ROM

Transferring
Data

Saves the data of the specified recipe block in a text file. The file can be read
by any text editor, Microsoft Excel, and the target panel.

Save Recipe Data
(.prd file)

Loading
Data from
File

Save Recipe Data
(.txt file)

Loads the data of the specified recipe block from the target panel’s flash
ROM. The option “Need space in flash ROM to save backup” must be
selected in the settings of the recipe block to make this operation available.

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Category
Printing
Screen

Operation

Description

Print Screen to File
(.jpg)

Scrolling
Content

Clears the data of the specified data logger.

Clear Logged Data
(All)
Clear Alarm History

Clears the data of all the data loggers.

Resets the alarm counts to 0.

Clear Operation
History
Restart Application

Clears the operation history.

Update System and
Application From File
(.prp)
Boot from File (.prp)

Updates the system programs and the application runtime data from a PRP
file. The original system programs and the application runtime data are
replaced by the new ones.
Load-and-runs the system programs and the application runtime data from a
PRP file. The original system programs and runtime data are intact. The
loaded system programs and the runtime data will be lost after power off.

Play Sound

Plays the specified sound file.
Stops playing the current sound file

Take Picture
Adjusting
Viewing
Range

Clear Logged Data

Stop Playing Sound

Multimedia

Prints the screen where the button is on to a file with the BMP format of 256
colors. The printed area is specified in the settings of the screen properties.
Prints the screen where the button is on to a file with the BMP format of 64K
colors. The printed area is specified in the settings of the screen properties.
Prints the screen where the button is on to a file with the BMP format. The
color resolution is the same as the target panel’s display. The printed area is
specified in the settings of the screen properties.
Prints the screen where the button is on to a file with the JPG format. The
printed area is specified in the settings of the screen properties.

Clear Alarm Counts

Running
Application

Prints the screen where the button is on. The printed area is specified in the
settings of the screen properties.

Print Screen to File
(256-color .bmp)
Print Screen to File
(64K-color .bmp)
Print Screen to File
(True-color .bmp)

Clearing
Data

Print Screen

Takes a picture from the specified USB camera.

Zoom In

Makes the viewing range of the associated object one half smaller so the
object shows less content with more detail.
Makes the viewing range of the associated object twice larger so the object
shows more content with less detail.
Restores the viewing range to the original setting.

Zoom Out
Restore to Normal
View
Scroll Left

Clears the alarm history.

Restarts the application.

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the left.

Scroll Right

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the right.

Scroll Up

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the top.

Scroll Down

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the bottom.

Scroll Page Left

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the left by one page.

Scroll Page Right

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the right by one
page.

Scroll Page Up

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the top by one
page.

Scroll Page Down
Scroll to Left End

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the bottom by one
page.
Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the left end.

Scroll to Right End

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the right end.

Scroll to Bottom End

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the bottom end.

Scroll to Top End

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the top end.

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Category

Operation

Changing
Data

Description

Select Next Data
Entry Object

Selects the next data entry object on the screen where the button is on.

Select Previous Data
Entry Object

Selects the previous data entry object on the screen where the button is on.

Increase Value by
One

Activates the selected data entry object to set its specified variable to the
value that is obtained by increasing the value of its monitored variable by
one.
The operation is available for multi-state buttons whose property “Activation”
is set to “Indirect”. The operation is available for numeric entries whose
property “Data Entry” is set to “On-screen Keypad and/or Function Keys”.

Decrease Value by
One

Activates the selected data entry object to set its specified variable to the
value that is obtained by decreasing the value of its monitored variable by
one.
The operation is available for multi-state buttons whose property “Activation”
is set to “Indirect”. The operation is available for numeric entries whose
property “Data Entry” is set to “On-screen Keypad and/or Function Keys”.

5.4.2. Operation Options
The following operation options can be added to a function button to make it more informative, secure, and useful. You
need to select and set these options in the Function Button property sheet.
Options

Description

Macro

You can specify a macro that will be run when a file is successfully opened. Select this
option in the General page. Specify and edit the macro in the Macro page.

Touch Operation Control

The touch operation can be enabled and disabled either by a specified bit or by the current
user level. Select and set this option in the Advanced page.

Minimum Hold Time

The touch operation of the button will not be activated until the button is pressed and held
down for the specified time period (Minimum Hold Time). Set this option in the Advanced
page.

Operator Confirmation

The Confirmation box will display when the button is touched. If the operator selects “Yes”
in the Confirmation box, the button will proceed to perform its operation. If the operator
selects “No” or the operator does not respond within the specified time period (Maximum
Waiting Time), the button will stop performing its operation.
Select and set this option in the Advanced page.

Notification

The button can be configured to notify a bit when the specified operation is performed
successfully. Select and set this option in the Advanced page.

Operation Logging

Each touch operation of the button can be recorded in the operation log. Select and set this
option in the Advanced page.

Invisible

The button can be invisible and still touch operable. Select this option in the Visibility page.

Visibility Control

The button can be shown or hidden either by a specified bit or by the current user level.
Select and set this option in the Visibility page.

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5.4.3. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a function button in the Function Button property sheet. This sheet contains the
following five pages. Some of the pages appear only when they are needed.

General
Described in Section 5.4.4.

Label
Described in Section 4.3.5.

Advanced
Described in Section 4.4.5.

Visibility
Described in Section 4.4.6.

Macro
Described in Section 14.2.6.

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5.4.4. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a function button.

The above are an example of the General page of the Function Button dialog box.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is
unique within the screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for
function buttons is FBnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, see Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape
of an Object. Picture Shape,
Pattern, FG Color, BG Color

, VFTA,

, Border Color,

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Property

Description

External Label

Check this option if you want the object to have an external label. Set up the external
label in the External Label page.

Operation

Specifies the operation that you want the function button to perform. About the
available operations, see Section 5.4.1 Basic Operation.

ID,
Purpose,
or
Language

The ID of the object associated with the selected operation.

Data Logger

The ID of the data logger associated with the selected operation.

Line Chart

The ID of the line chart associated with the selected operation.

Recipe Block

The ID of the recipe block associated with the selected operation.

Scatter Chart

The ID of the scatter chart associated with the selected operation.

Purpose

The purpose for the Show File Selection Box operation.

Language

The language for the Change Language operation.

Sound

The ID of the sound for the Play Sound operation.

Camera ID &
Picture Type

The camera ID and the picture file type for the Take Picture operation.

Default
Filename

The default filename for the selected operation. The name can only have ASCII
characters and at most 80 characters.

File Extension
Name

The file extension name for the selected operation. The name can only have ASCII
characters and at most 3 characters.

Method

Filename,
Extension
name,
Method

Associated
Object ID

The method for the Play Sound operation.

Filename Selectable

Check this item so the File Selection box will display for the operator to select a file.
The selected file will be used for the selected operation.

File
I/O
Control
Block
Address

Specifies the internal variable to receive the result of the file open operation. The
memory block requires 44 words.
Word

Description

0,1

A 32-bit word to store the handle of an opened file

2,3

A 32-bit word to store the size (in byte) of the file

4~43

& lt; Edit Box & gt;

A byte array to store the filename and the extension name of the opened
file; the maximum length of the filename and the extension name is 80
characters

Click this icon to bring up the Address Input Keypad and specify an internal address
for this property.
Click this icon to bring up the Select Tag dialog box and select an internal tag for this
property.
Macro

Check this option if you want the button to have a macro. Specify and edit the macro in
the Macro page.

Key

The hard key that is used to operate the object. This item is available only when the
target panel has hard keys.

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5.5. Selecting Word Value Using Slide Switches
You can touch the knob of a slide switch and move the knob to select a desired value. The selected value is written to the
specified variable when you release the knob.

5.5.1. Basic Operations
Selected Value

Knob
Scale

The above are two examples of slide switches. The right one shows a slide switch whose knob is being touched.
You specify the variable to be controlled, the minimum of the variable, and the maximum of the variable for a slide switch.
The variable is monitored and its value combined with the specified minimum and maximum determines the knob position
of the slide switch. You can touch and move the knob to select a desired value. The selected value is shown when the knob
is being held. When you release the knob, the selected value is written to the specified variable.
You can choose one of the following four directions for a slide switch:
Direction

Description

Upward

The knob can move vertically. The knob is at the top end when the variable value is equal to or greater
than the specified maximum. The knob is at the bottom end when the variable value is equal to or less
than the specified minimum. When the variable value is between the maximum and minimum, the knob is
at a proportional position between the top end and the bottom end.

Downward

The knob can move vertically. The knob is at the bottom end when the variable value is equal to or
greater than the specified maximum. The knob is at the top end when the variable value is equal to or
less than the specified minimum. When the variable value is between the maximum and minimum, the
knob is at a proportional position between the bottom end and the top end.

Leftward

The knob can move horizontally. The knob is at the left end when the variable value is equal to or greater
than the specified maximum. The knob is at the right end when the variable value is equal to or less than
the specified minimum. When the variable value is between the maximum and minimum, the knob is at a
proportional position between the left end and the right end.

Rightward

The knob can move horizontally. The knob is at the right end when the variable value is equal to or
greater than the specified maximum. The knob is at the left end when the variable value is equal to or
less than the specified minimum. When the variable value is between the maximum and minimum, the
knob is at a proportional position between the right end and the left end.

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5.5.2. Operation Options
The following operation options can be added to a slide switch to make it more informative, secure, and useful. You need to
select and set these options in the Slide Switch dialog box.
Options

Description

Scale

The switch can have a scale. Select and set this option in the Scale page.

Touch Operation
Control

The touch operation can be enabled and disabled either by a specified bit or by the current
user level. Select and set this option in the Advanced page.

Notification

The switch can be configured to notify a bit when a change to the specified variable is
performed. Select and set this option in the Advanced page.

Operation Logging

Each change to the specified variable can be recorded in the operation log. Select and set
this option in the Advanced page.

Visibility Control

The switch can be shown or hidden either by a specified bit or by the current user level.
Select and set this option in the Visibility page.

5.5.3. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a slide switch in the Slide Switch dialog box. This dialog box contains the following five
pages. Some of the pages appear only when they are needed.

General
Described in Section 5.5.4.

Scale
Described in Section 4.4.4.

Advanced
Described in Section 4.4.5.

Visibility
Described in Section 4.4.6.

External Label
Described in Section 4.3.8.

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5.5.4. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a slide switch.

The above is an example of the General page of the Slide Switch dialog box.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique
within the screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for slide switches is
SWnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, see Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of an
Object.

, Border Color, BG Color

External Label

Check this option if you want the object to have an external label. Set up the external
label in the External Label page.

Direction

Specifies the direction of the slide switch. For details, see 5.5.1 Basic Operation.

Data Type

The data type of the variable to be controlled by the object.

Write
Address

Write Address

Specifies the variable to be controlled by the object.
Click this icon to bring up the Address Input Keypad and specify an address for this field.
Click this icon to bring up the Select Tag dialog box and select a tag for this field.

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Property
Dynamic
Range

Description

Dynamic Range

Check this option so the minimum and the maximum of the variable will be specified at
runtime. When this option is selected, the minimum and maximum of the marks for the
scale of the slide switch can be specified at runtime too. The data that specifies the
above two ranges should be set and arranged correctly in a memory block called the
dynamic range parameter block. You need to specify the dynamic range parameter
block for the slide switch in the Dynamic Range Parameter Block field.

Dynamic Range
Parameter
Block

Specifies the variable that stores the dynamic range parameter block for the slide
switch when the Dynamic Range is selected.
to enter an address for this field. Click
to select a tag for this field.
Click
The following table shows the data arrangement of the parameter block when the data
type is 16-bit and the scale of the slide switch is not dynamic.
Word

Parameter

0

The minimum of the variable

1

The maximum of the variable

The following table shows the data arrangement of the parameter block when the data
type is 16-bit and the scale of the slide switch is dynamic.
Word

Parameter

0

The minimum of the variable

1

The maximum of the variable

2, 3

The minimum of the mark for the scale; 32-bit integer number

4, 5

The maximum of the mark for the scale; 32-bit integer number

The following table shows the data arrangement of the parameter block when the data
type is 32-bit and the scale of the slide switch is not dynamic.
Word

Parameter

0, 1

The minimum of the variable

2, 3

The maximum of the variable

The following table shows the data arrangement of the parameter block when the data
type is 32-bit and the scale of the slide switch is dynamic.
Word

Parameter

0, 1

The minimum of the variable

2, 3

The maximum of the variable

4, 5

The minimum of the mark for the scale; 32-bit integer number

6, 7

The maximum of the mark for the scale; 32-bit integer number

Minimum

The minimum of the variable to be controlled.

Maximum

The maximum of the variable to be controlled.

Knob

Border Color

The border color of the knob. To specify the color, click the corresponding Color icon
and select a color from the Color palette.

BG Color

The color inside the border. To specify the color, click the corresponding Color icon and
select a color from the Color palette.

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5.6. Setting Word Value Using Word Buttons
You can touch a word button to set a value to the specified variable.

5.6.1. Basic Operations
A word button can be configured to perform one of the following operations:
Operation

Description

Set Constant

Writes the specified constant to the specified variable.

Enter Value

Allows you to enter a value to change the specified variable.
The Numeric Keypad displays when the button is pressed and released. After a value is entered with
the keypad, the buttons checks if the value is within the range of the specified minimum and
maximum. If the value is valid, the button writes the entered value to the specified variable. If the
value is invalid, the operator has to enter another value or quit the operation.

Enter
Password

Allows you to enter a value to change the specified variable. The keypad shows the input with a string
of asterisk so others can not know the input value.
The Numeric Keypad displays when the button is pressed and released. The keypad shows the
operator input with a string of asterisk so others do not know the input value. After a value is entered
with the keypad, the buttons checks if the value is within the range of the specified minimum and
maximum. If the value is valid, the button writes the entered value to the specified variable. If the
value is invalid, the operator has to enter another value or quit the operation.

Add

Increases the specified variable by the specified constant. If the result of the increase is greater than
the specified maximum, the variable is set to the maximum.

Subtract

Decreases the specified variable by the specified constant. If the result of the decrease is less than
the specified minimum, the variable is set to the minimum.

5.6.2. Operation Options
The following operation options can be added to a word button to make it more informative, secure, and useful. You need
to select and set these options in the Word Button dialog box.
Options

Description

Touch Operation
Control

The touch operation can be enabled or disabled either by a specified bit or by the current
user level. Select and set this option in the Advanced page.

Minimum Hold Time

The touch operation of the button will not be activated until the button is pressed and held
down for the specified time period (Minimum Hold Time). Set this option in the Advanced
page.

Operator Confirmation

The Confirmation box will display when the button is touched. If the operator selects “Yes” in
the Confirmation box, the button will proceed to perform its operation. If the operator selects
“No” or the operator does not respond within the specified time period (Maximum Waiting
Time), the button will stop performing its operation.
Select and set this option in the Advanced page.
Note that this option is not available for the Enter Password operation.

Notification

The button can be configured to notify a bit of the completion of the specified operation.
Select and set this option in the Advanced page.

Operation Logging

Each touch operation of the button can be recorded in the operation log. Select and set this
option in the Advanced page.

Invisible

The button can be invisible and still touch operable. Select this option in the Visibility page.

Visibility Control

The button can be shown or hidden either by a specified bit or by the current user level.
Select and set this option in the Visibility page.

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5.6.3. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a word button in the Word Button property sheet. This sheet contains the following five
pages. Some of the pages appear only when they are needed.

General
Described in Section 5.6.4.

Label
Described in Section 4.3.5.

Advanced
Described in Section 4.4.5.

Visibility
Described in Section 4.4.6.

External Label
Described in Section 4.3.8.

5.6.4. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a word button.

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The above is an example of the General page of the Word Button property sheet.
The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique
within the screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for word buttons is
WBnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the word button.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, see Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of an
Object. Picture Shape,
Color, BG Color.

, VFTA,

, Border Color, Pattern, FG

External Label

Check this option if you want the word button to have an external label. Set up the
external label in the External Label page.

Operation

Specifies the operation that the word button performs. For details, see Section 5.6.1
Basic Operations.

Data Type

The data type of the variable to be controlled.

Write
Address

Write Address

Specifies the variable to be controlled.
Click this icon to bring up the Address Input Keypad and specify an address for this
property.
Click this icon to bring up the Select Tag dialog box and select a tag for this property.

Constant

The constant for the specified operation.

Minimum

The minimum for the specified operation.

Maximum

The maximum for the specified operation.

Total Digits

The number of digits to be displayed for the Minimum and the Maximum on the numeric
keypad.

Fractional Digits

When the Data Type is 32-bit Floating Point, this property specifies the number of
fractional digits to be displayed for the Minimum and the Maximum on the numeric
keypad.
When the Data Type is not 32-bit Floating Point, this property specifies not only the
number of fractional digits to be displayed but also the number of least significant digits
to be displayed as the fractional part. With this feature, an integer can be shown and
entered as a fixed point number. When the Fractional Digits is nonzero, say N, the
entered value will be converted to an integer according to the following formula before
being output.
OutputValue = EnteredValue * (Nth power of 10)
Example:
Display Type

Total
Digits

Fractional
Digits

Entered
Value

Output
Value

32-bit Floating Point

2

12.34

12.34

32-bit Floating Point

4

2

123.4

Error!

16-bit
Decimal

Signed

5

2

123.45

12345

16-bit
Decimal

Signed

5

2

-0.05

-5

16-bit
Decimal
Activation

4

Signed

5

2

3

300

Button Down

Select this item so the touch operation will be activated when the button is touched.

Button Up

Select this item so the touch operation will be activated when the button is released.

Key

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The hard key that is used to operate the word button. This item is available when the
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5.7. Selecting Work Value Using Multi-state Switches
You can use a multi-state switch to change the state of the specified variable.

5.7.1. Basic Operations
A multi-state switch can be configured to perform as one of the following types of controls:
Control Type

Description

Button

The multi-state switch is a push button. It changes the state of the specified variable to the next state
when it is touched. Note that the next state is not necessarily the current state plus one.

List

The multi-state switch is a list box. It lists the text of all the states of
the switch one state per line starting from state 0 as shown in the
right example.
The text of the current state is highlighted. If the desired state is not in
the view, you can use the scroll bar attached to the right side of the
list box to scroll the text. When you select a desired state by touching
its text, the list box writes the value of the selected state to the
specified variable.

Drop-down
List

The multi-state switch is a drop-down list. It displays the text of the current state and a button with the
down arrow symbol as shown in the following example.

When the button is touched, the switch list displays a list box beneath itself as shown in the following
example.

The list box lists the text of all states of the switch one state per line starting from state 0. The text of
the current state is highlighted. If the desired state is not in the view, you can use the scroll bar
attached to the right side of the list to scroll the text. When you select a desired state by touching its
text, the switch writes the value of the selected state to the specified variable and closes the list box.

If you want to cancel the operation when the list box is showing, touch anywhere other than the text in
the list box.
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Continued
Control Type

Description

Throw-up List

The multi-state switch is a throw-up list. It displays the text of the current state and a button with the
up arrow symbol as shown in the following example.

When the button is touched, the switch list displays a list box above itself as shown in the following
example.

The list box lists the text of all states of the switch one state per line starting from state 0. The text of
the current state is highlighted. If the desired state is not in the view, you can use the scroll bar
attached to the right side of the list to scroll the text. When you select a desired state by touching its
text, the switch writes the value of the selected state to the specified variable and closes the list box.

If you want to cancel the operation when the list box is showing, touch anywhere other than the text in
the list box.

5.7.2. Operation Options
The following operation options can be added to a multi-state switch to make it more informative, secure, and useful. You
need to select and set these options in the Multi-state Switch dialog box.
Options

Description

Touch Operation
Control

The touch operation can be enabled and disabled either by a specified bit or by the current
user level. Select and set this option in the Advanced page.

Minimum Hold Time

The touch operation of the switch will not be activated until the switch is pressed and held
down for the specified time period (Minimum Hold Time). Set this option in the Advanced
page.

Notification

The switch can be configured to notify a bit of the completion of the specified operation.
Select and set this option in the Advanced page.

Operation Logging

Each data change performed by the switch can be recorded in the operation log. Select and
set this option in the Advanced page.

Invisible

The switch can be invisible and still touch operable. Select this option in the Visibility page.

Visibility Control

The switch can be shown or hidden either by a specified bit or by the current user level.
Select and set this option in the Visibility page.

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5.7.3. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a multi-state switch in the Multi-state Switch dialog box. This dialog box contains the
following six pages. Some of the pages appear only when they are needed.

General
Described in Section 5.7.4.

Text
Described in Section 4.3.6.

Picture
Described in Section 4.3.7.

Advanced
Described in Section 4.4.5.

Visibility
Described in Section 4.4.6.

External Label
Described in Section 4.3.8.

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5.7.4. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a multi-state switch. The following is an example of the
General page of the Multi-state Switch property sheet.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique within
the screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for multi-state switch is MSnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the multi-state switch.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, see Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of an Object.
Picture Shape,

External Label

, VFTA,

, Border Color, Pattern, FG Color, BG Color

Check this option if you want the multi-state switch to have an external label. Set up the
external label in the External Label page.

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Property

Description

State

The current state of the multi-state switch that you can view and set the object appearance
for.

State Type

The state type of the monitored variable. There are two options: Value and LSB. For details,
see Section 4.4.1.1 State Types

Control Type

Specifies the control type that the multi-state switch will perform as. There are three types
you can choose: Button, List, and Drop-down List, Throw-up List. For details, see Section
5.7.1 Basic Operations

Data Type

The data type of the variables specified in this page.

Write
Address

Write
Address

Specifies the variable to be controlled.
Click this icon to bring up the Address Input Keypad and specify an address for this
property.
Click this icon to bring up the Select Tag dialog box and select a tag for this property.

Total States

Specifies the number of valid states that the monitored variable has.
Note: The last state is state N-1 when the Total States is N.

Next
State

Specifies the method of calculating the next state for the Button control type.
+1
(Wrap)

The next state is the current state plus one when the current state is not the last state.
When the current state is the last state, the next state is state 0.

-1 (Wrap)

The next state is the current state minus one when the current state is not state 0. When the
current state is state 0, the next state is the last state.

+1/-1
(Retreat)

With this method, the switch is either in the increasing mode or in the decreasing mode for
the next state calculation. The switch is in the increasing mode initially.
Assume the total states of the switch is N. When the switch is in the increasing mode, the
next state is the current state plus one if the current state is not the last state, i.e. state N-1.
If the current state is the last state, the switch changes its mode to the decreasing mode
and the next state is the current state minus one, i.e. state N-2. When the switch is in the
decreasing mode, the next state is the current state minus one if the current state is not
state 0. If the current state is state 0, the switch changes its mode to the increasing mode
and the next state is the current state plus one, i.e. state 1.

Activation

Specifies how the multi-state switch is activated for the Button control type.
Direct

The multi-state switch is activated when the button is touched.

Indirect

The multi-state switch is activated when it is selected and a function button on the same
screen with the operation of “Increase Value By One” or “Decrease Value y One” is
touched.

Monitor Address
identical to Write
Address
Monitor
Address

Monitor
Address

Specifies that the Monitor Address is identical to the Write Address. With this item checked,
you don’t need to specify the same variable for the Monitor Address field.
Specifies the variable to be monitored.
Click this icon to bring up the Address Input Keypad and specify an address for the Monitor
Address field.
Click this icon to bring up the Select Tag dialog box and select a tag for the Monitor Address
field.

Key

The hard key that is used to operate the multi-state switch. This item is available when the
target panel has hard keys.

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5.8. Setting Word State Using Radio Button Groups
You can press a button of a radio button group to change the state of the controlled variable.

5.8.1. Basic Operations
A radio button group has as many radio buttons as the number of states it has. Each radio button corresponds to a state.
When a radio button is pressed, the value of that button’s associated state is written to the controlled variable. The state of
a radio button group is determined by the state of the controlled variable. A radio button is highlighted when that button’s
associated state is the current state.

5.8.2. Operation Options
The following operation options can be added to a radio button group to make it more informative, secure, and useful. You
need to select and set these options in the Radio Button Group dialog box.
Options

Description

Touch Operation
Control

The touch operation of the radio button group can be enabled and disabled either by a
specified bit or by the current user level. Select and set this option in the Advanced page.

Minimum Hold Time

The touch operation will not be activated until a button of the radio button group is pressed
and held down for the specified time period (Minimum Hold Time). Set this option in the
Advanced page.

Operation Logging

Each data change performed by the radio button group can be recorded in the operation log.
Select and set this option in the Advanced page.

Visibility Control

The radio button group can be shown or hidden either by a specified bit or by the current user
level. Select and set this option in the Visibility page.

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5.8.3. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a radio button group in the Radio Button Group dialog box. This dialog box contains
the following six pages. Some of the pages appear only when they are needed.

General
Described in Section 5.8.4.

Text
Described in Section 4.3.6.

Picture
Described in Section 4.3.7.

Advanced
Described in Section 4.4.5.

Visibility
Described in Section 4.4.6.

External Label
Described in Section 4.3.8.

5.8.4. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a radio button group. The following is an example of the
General page of the Radio Button Group property sheet.

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The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique within
the screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for radio button groups is RBnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the radio button group.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of an Object.
Picture Shape,

, VFTA,

, Border Color, BG Color

External Label

Check this option if you want the radio button group to have an external label. Set up the
external label in the External Label page.

State

Specifies the current state of the radio button group. You can set the appearance of the button
associated with the current state.
Note: Although you can set the appearance for the button of the current state, you can not view
all the changes right away. This is because the button is highlighted with the BG color and the
text color set for the Current State. You can change the current state so the button is shown with
new settings instead of being highlighted.

State Type

The state type of the controlled variable. There are three options: Value, LSB, and Custom. For
details, see Section 4.4.1.1 State Types.

State Order

Specifies how to arrange the radio buttons. There are four kinds of order:
State Order

Description

Left To Right
Right To Left

The buttons are arranged in a column orderly with the button of state
0 at the top position.

Bottom To Top

Write
Address

The buttons are arranged in a row orderly with the button of state 0 at
the right most position.

Top To Bottom

Data Type

The buttons are arranged in a row orderly with the button of state 0 at
the left most position.

The buttons are arranged in a column orderly with the button of state
0 at the bottom position.

The data type of the variables specified in this page.
Write
Address

Specifies the variable to be controlled.
Click this icon to bring up the Address Input Keypad and specify an address for this property.
Click this icon to bring up the Select Tag dialog box and select a tag for this property.

Total States

Specifies the number of valid states that the controlled variable has.

Current
State

The settings to highlight the button of the current state.
BG
Color

The color to replace the shape’s BG color for highlighting.

Text
Color

The color to replace the text color for highlighting.

Button Spacing

The distance in pixels between two adjacent radio buttons.

Custom State Value

Click this button to define the state value for each state when the State Type is Custom. For
details, see Section 4.4.1.2 Setting the Custom States of an Object.

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5.9. Customizing Keypad Using Keypad Buttons
A keypad button inputs a character to the keypad buffer or issues a command to the keypad buffer when it is pressed. You
can use keypad buttons to create your own keypads.

5.9.1. Operation Options
The following operation options can be added to a keypad button to make it more useful. You need to select and set these
options in the Keypad Button dialog box.
Options

Description

Macro

The keypad button can have a macro to execute when being pressed. Specify and edit the macro
in the Macro page.

Visibility Control

The keypad button can be shown or hidden either by a specified bit or by the current user level.
Select and set this option in the Visibility page.

5.9.2. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a keypad button in the Keypad Button dialog box. This dialog box contains the
following four pages. Some of the pages appear only when they are needed.


General

Described in Section 5.9.4.


Label

Described in Section 4.3.5.


Visibility

Described in Section 4.4.6.


Macro

Described in Section 14.2.6.

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5.9.3. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a keypad button. The following is an example of the General
page of the Keypad Button property sheet.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique within the screen
where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for the keypad buttons is KBnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the keypad button group.

Shape
settings

For details about the following properties, see Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of an Object.
Picture Shape,

, VFTA,

, Border Color, Pattern Color, FG Color, BG Color

Enter
Character

Select this item if the button is used to input the specified character to the keypad buffer.

Character

Available when the Enter Character is selected. Specifies the character to be entered in the keypad
buffer.

Enter
Command

Select this item if the button is used to issue the specified command to the keypad buffer.

Command

Available when the Enter Command is selected. Specifies the command to be issued to the keypad
buffer. There are four commands available:
Command

Description

Enter
Escape

Clears the keypad buffer.

Backspace

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Cancels the data entry operation.

Clear

Key

Completes the data entry and sends the input string to the associated object or the
system.

Removes the last character in the keypad buffer.

The hard key that is used to operate the keypad button. This item is available only when the target panel
has hard keys.

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Macro

Check this option if you want the button to have a macro. Specify and edit the macro in the Macro page.

5.9.4. Creating your own keypads
You can create your own keypads using keypad buttons as the custom keypads for your application. The following is an
example of a custom numeric keypad.
Window Screen with a title bar and a close button

Keypad Display

Allowable input range display

Keypad Buttons

To create your own keypads, please do the follows:
1. Creating a window screen, please see Section 3.9.2 Creating and Opening Screens for details.
2. Creating a Character Display with the following settings to display characters when the keypad button is pressed.

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3.

Creating a Character Display with the following settings to display an allowable input range.

Note:
Monitor Address:

$S230

Total Characters:

24 (or less)

Font:

Any font

Alignment:

Any (Center recommended)

Character Set:

ASCII code (7 bits)

Code Size:

Byte

4.

Creating keypad buttons to customize the keypad.

5.

Setting up the Custom page of the General Setup dialog box to use the custom keypad instead of the built-in keypad.
Please see Section 3.1.2 Custom Settings for details.

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5.10. Scrolling Object Content Using Scroll Button Groups
You can use buttons of a scroll button group to scroll the content displayed by the associated object.

5.10.1. Basic Operations
A scroll button group with the horizontal button alignment can have the following buttons:
Button

Example

Description

Scroll To Right End

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the right end.

Scroll Page Right

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the right by one page.

Scroll Right

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the right.

Scroll Left

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the left.

Scroll Page Left

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the left by one page.

Scroll To Left End

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the left end.

Pause

This is a toggle switch. It stops the auto-scrolling of the content displayed by the
associated object when it is touched. When you touch it again, it resumes the
auto-scrolling operation.

A scroll button group with the vertical button alignment can have the following buttons:
Button

Example

Description

Scroll To Top End

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the top end.

Scroll Page Up

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the top by one page.

Scroll Up

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the top.

Scroll Down

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the bottom.

Scroll Page Down

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the bottom by one
page.

Scroll
End

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the bottom end.

Pause

To

Bottom

This is a toggle switch. It stops the auto-scrolling of the content displayed by the
associated object when it is touched. When you touch it again, it resumes the
auto-scrolling operation.

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5.10.2. Operation Options
The following operation option can be added to a scroll button group. You need to select and set this option in the Scroll
Button Group dialog box.
Options
Visibility Control

Description
The scroll button group can be shown or hidden either by a specified bit or by the current
user level. Select and set this option in the Visibility page.

5.10.3. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a scroll button group in the Scroll Button Group dialog box. This dialog box contains
the following two pages.


General

Described in Section 5.10.4.


Visibility

Described in Section 4.4.6.

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5.10.4. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a scroll button group. The following is an example of the
General page of the Scroll Button Group property sheet.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique
within the screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for the scroll button
groups is SBNnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the scroll button group.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of an
Object.

Legend Color
Button
Alignment

, Border Color, BG Color

The color of the legend for every button of the scroll button group.
Horizontal

The buttons of the scroll button group are aligned in a row.

Vertical

The buttons of the scroll button group are aligned in a column.

Associated Object ID

The ID of the object that you will use the scroll button group to scroll its content. You can
select the associated object from this drop-down list which shows the ID’s of the objects
on the same screen that support the scroll operation.

Start/End buttons

Check this item when you want the scroll button group to include the buttons that scroll
the content to the start or to the end.

Scroll Page buttons

Check this item when you want the scroll button group to include the buttons that scroll
the content each time by one page.

Pause button

Check this item when you want the scroll button group to include the Pause button.

Button Spacing

The distance in pixels between two adjacent buttons.

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5.11. Scrolling Object Content Using Scroll Bars
You can use a scroll bar to scroll the content displayed by the associated object. The associated objects include Historic
Data Display, Historic Message Display, Historic Trend Display, Operation Log Display, Alarm Display, Recipe Table, and
Sub-link Table.

5.11.1. Basic Operations

A horizontal scroll bar has the following buttons:
Button

Description

Scroll Right

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the right.

Scroll Page Right

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the right by one page.

Slide Bar

You can push and move the slide bar to scroll the content displayed by the associated object. The
content is scrolled to the same direction as you move the slide bar. The amount of the scrolling is
proportional to the displacement of the slide bar. The position of the slide bar in the scroll bar
indicates the position of the viewable part of the content. The height of the slide bar indicates how
much of the content is viewable.

Scroll Page Left

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the left by one page.

Scroll Left

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the left.

A vertical scroll bar has the following buttons:
Button

Description

Scroll Up

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the top.

Scroll Page Up

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the top by one page.

Slide Bar

You can push and move the slide bar to scroll the content displayed by the associated object. The
content is scrolled to the same direction as you move the slide bar. The amount of the scrolling is
proportional to the displacement of the slide bar. The position of the slide bar in the scroll bar
indicates the position of the viewable part of the content. The width of the slide bar indicates how
much of the content is viewable.

Scroll Page Down

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the bottom by one page.

Scroll Down

Scrolls the content displayed by the associated object to the bottom.

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5.11.2. Operation Options
The following operation option can be added to a scroll bar. You need to select and set this option in the Scroll Bar property
sheet.
Options

Description

Visibility Control

The scroll bar can be shown or hidden either by a specified bit or by the current user level.
Select and set this option in the Visibility page.

5.11.3. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a scroll bar in the Scroll Bar property sheet. This sheet contains the following two
pages.


General

Described in Section 5.11.4.


Visibility

Described in Section 4.4.6.

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5.11.4. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a scroll bar. The following is an example of the General page
of the Scroll Bar property sheet.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique
within the screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for the scroll bars is
SBRnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the scroll button group.

Type

The type of the scroll bar. There are two types; horizontal and vertical.

Associated Object ID

The ID of the object that you will use the scroll bar to scroll its content. You can select
the associated object from this drop-down list which shows the ID’s of the objects on the
same screen that support the scroll operation.

Bar Color

The color of the scroll bar.

Legend Color

The color of the legend for the buttons of the scroll bar.

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5.12. Stepping Through Word State Using Step Buttons
You can press a step button to writes the value of the button’s next state to the specified variable.

5.12.1. Basic Operations
Unlike most kinds of objects, a step button displays all the states at once with the current state highlighted instead of
displaying just the current state. A step button can let the operators know all the available states and what the next state
will be when they touch it.

The state of a step button is determined by the value of the specified variable and the specified state type. When a step
button is pressed, it calculates the value of the next state and writes that value to the specified variable. The next state is
the current state plus one when the current state is not the last state. When the current state is the last state, the next state
is state 0.

5.12.2. Operation Options
The following operation options can be added to a step button to make it more informative, secure, and useful. You need to
select and set these options in the Step Button property sheet.
Options

Description

Touch Operation
Control

The touch operation of the step button can be enabled and disabled either by a specified bit
or by the current user level. Select and set this option in the Advanced page.

Minimum Hold Time

The touch operation will not be activated until the step button is pressed and held down for
the specified time period (Minimum Hold Time). Set this option in the Advanced page.

Operation Logging

Each data change performed by the step button can be recorded in the operation log. Select
and set this option in the Advanced page.

Visibility Control

The step button can be shown or hidden either by a specified bit or by the current user level.
Select and set this option in the Visibility page.

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5.12.3. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a step button in the Step Button property sheet. This sheet contains the following six
pages. Some of the pages appear only when they are needed.

General
Described in Section 5.12.4.

Text
Described in Section 4.3.6.

Picture
Described in Section 4.3.7.

Advanced
Described in Section 4.4.5.

Visibility
Described in Section 4.4.6.

External Label
Described in Section 4.3.8.

5.12.4. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a step button. The following is an example of the General
page of the Step Button property sheet.

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The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique within
the screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for the step buttons is STBnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for this object.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of an Object.
, VFTA,

, Border Color, BG Color

External Label

Check this option if you want the object to have an external label. Set up the external label in the
External Label page.

State

Select a state as the current state so you can set the BG Color for that state. You can also see
how the step button looks when the selected state is highlighted.
Note: The current state is always highlighted by the settings defined in the Highlight Current
State group, so you can not see the change of the BG color you made for the current state right
away. To see the change, select another state as the current state.

State Type

The state type of the step button. The supported types are: Value, LSB, and Custom. For
details, see Section 4.4.1.1 State Types

State Order

Specifies how to arrange the states on the step button. There are four kinds of order:
State Order

Example

Left To Right

Right To Left

Top To Bottom

Bottom To Top

Data Type

The data type for the variable in the Write Address field. The supported types are: 16-bit
Unsigned Integer, 16-bit BCD, 32-bit Unsigned Integer, and 32-bit BCD.

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Property
Write
Address

Write
Address

Description
Specifies the variable to be controlled by the step button. This variable will also be monitored
to decide the state of the step button.
Click this icon to bring up the Address Input Keypad and specify an address for this property.
Click this icon to bring up the Select Tag dialog box and select a tag for this property.

Total States

Specifies the number of states that the step button can display and process.

Separator Color

The color of the lines that are drawn between two states.

Highlight
Current
State

The settings to highlight the text of the current state.
BG Color

The color to replace the BG color of the current state.

Text
Color

The color to replace the text color of the current state.

Custom State
Value…

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Click this button to define the state value for each state of the step button when the State Type
is Custom. For details, see Section 4.4.1.2 Setting the Custom States of an Object.

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5.13. Displaying Window Screen as Information Page Using Page Selectors
In a page selector, you can press a tab to view the associated page (window screen).

5.13.1. Basic Operations
You can configure a page selector to contain up to 8 window screens. Each of the specified window screens is a page and
each page has an associated tab. You can specify the text and picture for each tab. At runtime, a page selector shows one
of the specified pages in its viewing area. You can select a desired page to view by pressing the associated tab.

5.13.2. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a page selector in the Page Selector property sheet. This sheet contains the following
three pages.


General

Described in Section 5.13.3.


Text

Described in Section 4.3.6.


Picture

Described in Section 4.3.7.

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5.13.3. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a page selector. The following is an example of the General
page of the Page Selector property sheet.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique
within the screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for the page selectors is
PSnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for this object.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of an Object.
Picture Shape,

Tab

, VFTA,

, Border Color, BG Color

Select a tab as the current tab so you can set the BG Color for that tab. You can also see
how the tabs look when the selected tab is highlighted.
Note: The current tab is always highlighted by the settings defined in the Highlight Current
Tab group, so you can not see the change of the BG color you made for the current tab
right away. To see the change, select another tab as the current tab.

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Property

Description

Tab Position

You can select Top/Bottom/Left/Right for the location of tab.

Number of Pages

Specifies the number of window screens this page selector contains.

Specify Page…

Click this button to open the Specify Page dialog box. You can specify the window screen
for each page in this dialog box.

Highlight
Current
Tab

The settings to highlight the text of the current tab.
BG Color

The color to replace the BG color of the current tab.

Text Color

The color to replace the text color of the current tab.

Tab Height

The height of each tab.

Viewing
Area Size

Specifies the size of the viewing area.
Note: None of the specified window screens can be larger than the viewing area.
Width

The width of the viewing area.

Height

The height of the viewing area.

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LAMPS

6.1.Displaying Bit State Using Bit Lamps .............................................................. 1

6.1.1.
6.1.2.
6.1.3.
6.1.4.

6.2.

Displaying Word State Using Multi-state Lamps......................................... 4

6.2.1.
6.2.2.
6.2.3.
6.2.4.

6.3.

Basic Operations ............................................................................................................ 1
Operation Options.......................................................................................................... 1
Settings .......................................................................................................................... 1
General Settings............................................................................................................. 2

Basic Operations ............................................................................................................ 4
Operation Options.......................................................................................................... 4
Settings .......................................................................................................................... 5
General Settings............................................................................................................. 6

Displaying Text Information Using Message Displays ................................ 7

6.3.1.
6.3.2.
6.3.3.
6.3.4.

Basic Operations ............................................................................................................ 7
Operation Options.......................................................................................................... 7
Settings .......................................................................................................................... 8
General Settings............................................................................................................. 8

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6.1.Displaying Bit State Using Bit Lamps

6.1.1. Basic Operations
You can use a bit to control the appearance of a bit lamp.
A bit lamp has two states, i.e. state 0 (Off) and state 1 (On). You can set the appearance of a bit lamp for each of the two
states. At runtime, a bit lamp displays with the appearance settings corresponding to the state of the monitored bit.

6.1.2. Operation Options
The following operation option can be added to a bit lamp. You need to select and set this option in the Bit Lamp property
sheet.
Options
Visibility Control

Description
The object can be shown or hidden either by a specified bit or by the current user level. Select
and set this option in the Visibility page.

6.1.3. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a bit lamp in the Bit Lamp property sheet. This sheet contains the following four pages.
Some of the pages appear only when they are needed.

General
Described in Section 6.1.4.

Label
Described in Section 4.3.5.

Visibility
Described in Section 4.4.6.

External Label
Described in Section 4.3.8.

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6.1.4. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a bit lamp.

The above is an example of the General page of the Bit Lamp dialog box.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique
within the screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for the bit lamps is BLnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, see Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of an
Object. Picture Shape,

External Label

, Border Color, Pattern, FG Color, BG Color

Check this option if you want the bit lamp to have an external label. Set up the external
label in the External Label page.

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Property

Description
Click this button to change the object state to 1 (On) so you can view and set the object
appearance for state 1 (On).
Click this button to change the object state to 0 (Off) so you can view and set the object
appearance for state 0 (Off).

Monitor
Address

Address
Type

Specifies the type of variable in the Monitor Address field. The bit lamps support the
following three variable types:
Variable Type

Description

Bit
Word

The variable is a word variable. You need to specify which bit of
the word variable that is to be monitored. Specify the bit number
(0~15) in the Bit Number field.

Double-word

Monitor
Address

The variable is a bit variable.

The variable is a double-word variable. You need to specify
which bit of the double-word variable that is to be monitored.
Specify the bit number (0~31) in the Bit Number field.

Specifies the bit variable to be monitored when the Address Type is Bit.
Specifies the word variable that contains the bit to be monitored when the Address Type
is Word.
Specifies the double-word variable that contains the bit to be monitored when the Address
Type is Double-word.
Click this icon to bring up the Address Input Keypad and specify the desired address for
the Monitor Address field.
Click this icon to bring up the Select Tag dialog box and select the desired tag for the
Monitor Address field.

Bit Number

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Specifies which bit of the variable specified in the Monitor Address field is to be
monitored.

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6.2. Displaying Word State Using Multi-state Lamps
6.2.1. Basic Operations
You can use a variable to control the appearance of a multi-state lamp.
A multi-state lamp can have up to 256 states. The maximum number of states that a multi-state lamp can have is
determined by the state type and the data type of the monitored variable. The following table shows the maximum in each
case.
16-bit Variable
State
Type

32-bit variable

Bit

2

2

Value

256

256

LSB

16

33

You need to specify the number of states for a multi-state lamp and the number must not exceed the allowed maximum.
You can set the appearance of a multi-state lamp for each of its states. At runtime, a multi-state lamp displays with the
appearance settings corresponding to the state of the monitored variable. The state of the monitored variable is
determined by the state type and value of the variable.

6.2.2. Operation Options
The following operation option can be added to a multi-state lamp. You need to select and set this option in the Multi-state
Lamp property sheet.
Options
Visibility Control

Description
The object can be shown or hidden either by a specified bit or by the current user level.
Select and set this option in the Visibility page.

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6.2.3. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a multi-state lamp in the Multi-state Lamp property sheet. This dialog box contains the
following five pages. Some of the pages appear only when they are needed.

General
Described in Section 6.2.4.

Text
Described in Section 4.3.6.

Picture
Described in Section 4.3.7.

Visibility
Described in Section 4.4.6.

External Label
Described in Section 4.3.8.

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6.2.4. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a multi-state lamp. The following is an example of the General
page of the Multi-state Lamp property sheet.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique
within the screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for the multi-state lamps is
MLnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, see Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of an
Object, Picture Shape,

, Border Color, Pattern, FG Color, BG Color

External Label

Check this option if you want the multi-state lamp to have an external label. Set up the
external label in the External Label page.

State

Select a state as the current state of the multi-state lamp so you can view and set the
object appearance for that state.

Data Type

The data type of the monitored variable. The supported data types include: 16-bit Unsigned
Integer, 16-bit BCD, 32-bit Unsigned Integer, and 32-bit BCD.

Monitor
Address

Monitor
Address

Specifies the variable to be monitored.
Click this icon to bring up the Address Input Keypad and specify an address for the Monitor
Address field.
Click this icon to bring up the Select Tag dialog box and select a tag for the Monitor
Address field.

Total States

Specifies the number of states that the multi-state lamp can display.

State Type

The state type to decide the state of the monitored variable. The supported state types
include Value and LSB. For details, see Section 4.4.1.1 State Types

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6.3. Displaying Text Information Using Message Displays
6.3.1. Basic Operations
You can use a variable to select and display a predefined message with a message display.
A message display can have up to 256 states. Each state can have a predefined message. The maximum number of
states that a message display can have is determined by the state type and the data type of the monitored variable. The
following table shows the maximum in each case.
Type of Variable
Bit

Bit

2

Value

16-bit

256

32-bit

256

16-bit

17

32-bit

State
Type

Maximum

33

LSB

You need to specify the number of states for a message display and the number must not exceed the allowed maximum.
You can set the text (message) for each state. At runtime, a message display shows the message corresponding to the
state of the monitored variable. The state of the monitored variable is determined by the state type and value of the
variable.
Note: The differences between Message Display and Lamps are:
The lamps can display either text or picture or both of them, but message display can only display text. Both of the
message display and lamps can display predefined text by changing the value of the monitored variable. But only the
message display can perform as a marquee controlled by the value of the monitored variable and the specified running
speed.

6.3.2. Operation Options
The following operation option can be added to a message display. You need to select and set this option in the Message
Display dialog box.
Options

Description

Marquee

The displayed message scrolls automatically in the specified direction. When the displayed
message is not long enough to cover the whole display area, the message is duplicated to fill
the uncovered area in sequence.

Visibility Control

The object can be shown or hidden either by a specified bit or by the current user level. Select
and set this option in the Visibility page.

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6.3.3. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a message display in the Message Display dialog box. This dialog box contains the
following four pages. Some of the pages appear only when they are needed.


General

Described in Section 7.9.4.


Text

Described in Section 4.3.6.


Visibility

Described in Section 4.4.6.


External Label

Described in Section 4.3.8.

6.3.4. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a message display. The following is an example of the
General page of the Message Display property sheet.

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The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is
unique within the screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for the
message displays is MDnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of an
Object.

, Border Color, Pattern, FG Color, BG Color

External Label

Check this option if you want the message display to have an external label. Set
up the external label in the External Label page.

State

Select a state as the current state of the message display so you can view and set
the Pattern, FG Color, BG Color for that state.

State Type

The state type of the variable that controls the message display. The supported
state types include Bit, Value and LSB. For details, see Section 4.4.1.1 State
Types

Data Type

The data type of the variable that controls the message display. The supported
data types include: Bit, 16-bit Unsigned Integer, 16-bit BCD, 32-bit Unsigned
Integer, and 32-bit BCD.

Monitor Address

Specifies the variable that controls the message display.
Click

Total States
Marquee

to enter an address for this field. Click

to select a tag for this field.

Specifies the number of states of the message display.
Marquee

Select this item if you want the displayed message scrolls automatically.

Running Speed

The speed of scrolling. Select from 1 to 10; The speed of I is the slowest and the
speed of 10 is the fastest.

Direction

The direction of scrolling. The supported directions include Leftward, Rightward,
and Upward.

Text can be scrolled by the
vertical scroll bar or button

Select this option so you can scroll the content of the message display vertically
using the associated scroll buttons or scroll bar.

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LAMPS

CHAPTER 7

DISPLAYING AND
INPUTTING DATA
7.1.

Numeric Entries..................................................................................................... 1
7.1.1.
7.1.2.
7.1.3.
7.1.4.

7.2.

Numeric Displays................................................................................................... 8
7.2.1.
7.2.2.
7.2.3.
7.2.4.

7.3.

Settings ........................................................................................................................ 25

Date Displays........................................................................................................ 26
7.7.1.

7.8.

Operation Options........................................................................................................ 23
Settings ........................................................................................................................ 23
General Settings........................................................................................................... 24

Time Displays....................................................................................................... 25
7.6.1.

7.7.

Operation Options........................................................................................................ 18
Settings ........................................................................................................................ 18
General Settings........................................................................................................... 19
Advanced Settings ....................................................................................................... 21

Character Displays .............................................................................................. 23
7.5.1.
7.5.2.
7.5.3.

7.6.

Advanced Features....................................................................................................... 12
Operation Options........................................................................................................ 12
Settings ........................................................................................................................ 13
General Settings........................................................................................................... 13
Range Settings ............................................................................................................. 16

Character Entries ................................................................................................ 18
7.4.1.
7.4.2.
7.4.3.
7.4.4.

7.5.

Operation Options.......................................................................................................... 8
Settings .......................................................................................................................... 8
General Settings............................................................................................................. 9
Advanced Settings ....................................................................................................... 11

Advanced Numeric Displays .............................................................................. 12
7.3.1.
7.3.2.
7.3.3.
7.3.4.
7.3.5.

7.4.

Operation Options.......................................................................................................... 1
Settings .......................................................................................................................... 2
General Settings............................................................................................................. 2
Advanced Settings for Numeric Entries ........................................................................ 5

Settings ........................................................................................................................ 26

Day-of-week Displays.......................................................................................... 27
7.8.1.
7.8.2.

Settings ........................................................................................................................ 27
General Settings........................................................................................................... 27

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7.1. Numeric Entries
You can enter a value and change the specified variable using a numeric entry.

7.1.1. Operation Options
The following operation options can be added to a numeric entry. Select and set up the options in the Numeric Entry
property sheet.
Options

Description

Scaling

The value of the monitored variable will be displayed in a scaled manner. The following is the
scaling formula.
DisplayedValue = MonitoredValue * Gain + Offset
If the option is selected, the entered value will be scaled by the following formula with the
same coefficients (Gain and Offset) before it is output.
OutputValue = (EnteredValue – Offset) / Gain
Select and set this option in the Advanced page.
Note: The Gain and Offset are 32-bit floating point numbers. They have at most 6 significant
digits. The rounding and truncation errors may happen.

Range Check

The numeric entry will verify the entered value according to the specified maximum and
minimum. If the entered value is not within the allowable range, the value will not be output.
Select and set this option in the Advanced page.
Note 1: When the scaling option is selected, the output value instead of the entered value is
verified.
OutputValue = (EnteredValue – Offset) / Gain
Note 2: When the scaling option is selected, the allowable maximum and minimum shown on
the numeric keypad are the scaled version of the specified maximum and minimum.
ScaledMaximum = Maximum * Gain + Offset
ScaledMinimum = Minimum * Gain + Offset

Touch Operation
Control

You can enable or disable the touch operation of the object by the specified bit or by the
current user level. Select and set up this option in the Advanced page.

Timeout

If the keypad for the data entry receives no input for the specified time period, the data entry
operation will be cancelled.

Notification

The Object will notify the specified bit of a successful data entry operation. Select and set up
this option in the Advanced page.

Operator Confirmation

When a value is entered by the operator, the Confirmation box will display for the operator
confirmation. If the operator selects “Yes”, the object will write the entered data to the
specified variable. If the operator selects “No” or the operator does not respond within the
specified time period (Maximum Waiting Time), the data entry operation will be cancelled.
Select and set up this option in the Advanced page.

Operation Logging

The entered value and the time of the data entry will be recorded. Select and set up this
option in the Advanced page.

Visibility Control

You can show or hide the object by the specified bit or by the current user level. Select and
set up this option in the Visibility page.

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7.1.2. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a numeric entry in the Numeric Entry property sheet. This sheet contains the following
four pages. Some of the pages appear only when they are needed.


General

Described in Section 7.1.3.


Advanced

Described in Section 7.1.4.


Visibility

Described in Section 4.4.6.


External Label

Described in Section 4.3.8.

7.1.3. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a numeric entry. The following is an example of the General
page of the Numeric Entry property sheet.

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The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique within the
screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for the numeric entries is NEnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Transparent
Background

Select this option if you want the object to have a transparent background.

Shape
settings

For details about the following properties, see Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of an Object.

External
Label

Check this option if you want the object to have an external label. Set up the external label in the
External Label page.

Data Type

The data type of the destination variable and the monitored variable. The supported data types
include: 16-Bit Unsigned Integer, 32-Bit Unsigned Integer, 16-Bit Signed Integer, 32-Bit Signed
Integer, 16-Bit BCD, 32-Bit BCD, 32-Bit Floating Point, 16-Bit Signed BCD (LMB), 32-Bit Signed BCD
(LMB), 16-Bit Signed BCD (LMD), and 32-Bit Signed BCD (LMD).

Display Type

The display type for the value of the monitored variable. The following table shows the available
display types for each data type.

, Border Color, BG Color.

Data Type

Available Display Types

16-Bit Unsigned Integer
32-Bit Unsigned Integer

32-Bit Unsigned Decimal, 32-Bit Hexadecimal, 32-Bit Octal,
Password

16-Bit Signed Integer

16-Bit Signed Decimal

32-Bit Signed Integer

32-Bit Signed Decimal

16-Bit BCD

16-Bit Unsigned Decimal

32-Bit BCD

32-Bit Unsigned Decimal

32-Bit Floating Point

32-Bit Floating Point

16-Bit Signed BCD (LMB)

16-Bit Signed Decimal

32-Bit Signed BCD (LMB)

32-Bit Signed Decimal

16-Bit Signed BCD (LMD)

16-Bit Signed Decimal

32-Bit Signed BCD (LMD)
Write Address

16-Bit Unsigned Decimal, 16-Bit Hexadecimal, 16-Bit Octal

32-Bit Signed Decimal

Specifies the destination variable where the entered value will be written to.
Click

to enter an address for this field. Click

to select a tag for this field.

Monitor
Address
identical to
Write Address

Specifies that the monitored variable is the same as the destination variable. With this item checked,
you don’t need to specify the monitored variable in the Monitor Address field.

Monitor
Address

Specifies the monitored variable.

Font

The font of the displayed value.

Text Color

The color of the displayed value.

Total Digits

The number of digits to be displayed.
Note: This property applies to the display of the initial value, the allowable minimum, and the
allowable maximum on the numeric keypad.

Click

to enter an address for this field. Click

to select a tag for this field.

Continued

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Property
Fractional
Digits

Description
When the Display Type is 32-bit Floating Point, this property specifies the number of fractional digits
to be displayed.
When the Display Type is not 32-bit Floating Point, this property specifies not only the number of
fractional digits to be displayed but also the number of least significant digits to be displayed as the
fractional part. With this feature, an integer can be shown and entered as a fixed point number. When
the Fractional Digits is nonzero, say N, the entered value will be converted to an integer according to
the following formula before being output.
OutputValue = EnteredValue * (Nth power of 10)
Example 1:
Total
Digits

Fractional
Digits

32-bit Floating Point

4

2

32-bit Floating Point

4

16-bit Signed Decimal
16-bit Signed Decimal

Display Type

Monitored
Value

Displayed
Value

Zero Suppress

12.34

12.34

2

Zero Suppress

123.4

23.40

5

2

Zero Suppress

12345

123.45

5

2

Zero Suppress

-5

-0.05

Justification

Example 2:
Total
Digits

Fractional
Digits

Entered
Value

32-bit Floating Point

4

2

12.34

12.34

32-bit Floating Point

4

2

123.4

Error!

16-bit Signed Decimal

5

2

123.45

12345

16-bit Signed Decimal

5

2

-0.05

-5

16-bit Signed Decimal

5

2

3

300

Display Type

Output
Value

Note: This property applies to the display of the initial value, the allowable minimum, and the
allowable maximum on the numeric keypad.
Alignment

The alignment of the displayed value. There are three types of alignment: Left, Center, and Right.

Justification

The justification of the displayed value. There are three types of justification:
Option

Description

Zero Suppress
Leading Zeros

All digits will display.

Leading Spaces
Data Entry

The leading digits will not display when they are 0.
The leading digits will display as blank character when they are 0.

Specifies how to enter a value for the numeric entry at runtime. There are two options:
Option

Description

Pop-up Keypad

You can bring up the keypad by pressing the numeric entry and enter
a value with the keypad.

On-screen Keypad
and/or Function Keys

You can move the cursor by using the function buttons with the
operation of Select Next Data Entry Object or Select Previous Data
Entry Object to select the numeric entry. If there is an on-screen
keypad you can enter a value for the numeric entry right away. You
can also use the function buttons with the operation of Increase Value
By One or Decrease Value By One to change the value of the
destination variable.

Note: When On-screen Keypad and/or Function Keys option is selected, you can only enter a value for
the numeric entry with the input focus. To set the input focus on the corresponding object, you need to
click the object first.

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7.1.4. Advanced Settings for Numeric Entries
This section describes how to define the advanced settings for the numeric entries. The following is an example of the
Advanced page of the Numeric Entry property sheet.

The following table describes each property in the Advanced page.
Property
Scaling

Description
Check this option if you want the value of the monitored variable to be displayed in a
scaled manner. The following is the scaling formula.
DisplayedValue = MonitoredValue * Gain + Offset
If this option is selected, the entered value will be scaled by the following formula with
the same coefficients (Gain and Offset) before it is output.
OutputValue = (EnteredValue – Offset) / Gain
Note: The Gain and Offset are 32-bit floating point numbers. They have at most 6
significant digits. The rounding and truncation errors may happen.

Gain

The Gain of the scaling formulas.

Offset

7-5

Scaling

The Offset of the scaling formulas.

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Property
Range
Check

Description

Range
Check

Check this option if you want the numeric entry to verify the entered value according to
the specified minimum and maximum. If the entered value is not within the allowable
range, the entered value will not be output.
Note 1: When the scaling option is selected, the output value instead of the entered
value is verified.
OutputValue = (EnteredValue – Offset) / Gain
Note 2: When the scaling option is selected, the allowable maximum and minimum
shown on the keypad are the scaled version of the specified maximum and minimum.
ScaledMaximum = Maximum * Gain + Offset
ScaledMinimum = Minimum * Gain + Offset

Variable
Range

Check this option if the minimum and maximum are specified by the designated
variables at runtime.

Min.

Specifies the minimum when the Variable Range is not selected.
When the Variable Range is selected, this property specifies the variable that stores the
minimum at runtime. Click

Max.

to select a tag.

Specifies the maximum when the Variable Range is not selected.
When the Variable Range is selected, this property specifies the variable that stores the
maximum at runtime. Click

Touch
Operation
Control

to enter an address. Click

to enter an address. Click

to select a tag.

Enabled by
Bit

Check this option so the touch operation of the numeric entry will be enabled and
disabled by the specified bit.

Control Bit

Specifies the bit that enables and disables the touch operation.
Click

to enter a bit address. Click

to select a bit tag.

Enabling
State
Enabled by
User Level

Specifies the lowest user level that is required to enable the touch operation.

Show
Disabled
Sign

Check this option so the touch operation disabled sign will be shown on the numeric
entry when the touch operation is disabled.

Timeout

Check this option so the data entry will be cancelled if the numeric keypad does not
receive any input within the specified time.

Timeout
Time
Notification

Check this item so the touch operation of the numeric entry will be enabled and
disabled by the current user level.

Lowest
Enabling
User Level

Timeout

Specifies the state (On or Off) that enables the touch operation.

Specifies the maximum time that the numeric keypad will wait to get a new input. If
there is no input within the specified time, the numeric keypad will be closed and the
data entry will be cancelled.

Notification

Check this option so the numeric entry will notify the specified bit after it finishes
outputting the entered value to the destination variable.

Signal

Select one of the following signal for the notification:
Signal

Description

Level

Set the specified bit to the specified state.

Pulse

Send a positive pulse to the specified bit.

Bit

Specifies the bit that receives the notification.

State

Specifies the state (On or Off) that is used for the notification.

Continued

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Property
Operator
Confirmation

Description
Check this option if you want the operator to confirm what he/she enters for the
numeric entry. The Confirmation box will be displayed when a value is entered for the
numeric entry. If the operator selects “Yes” in the Confirmation box, the numeric entry
will write the entered value to the specified variable. If the operator selects “No” or the
operator does not respond within the specified time period (Maximum Waiting Time),
the numeric entry will cancel the data entry operation.

Maximum
Waiting Time

Specifies the maximum time that the numeric entry will wait for the operator’s
confirmation. The data entry will be cancelled if the operator does not respond within
this time.

Operation
Logging

Check this option so the following three items will be recorded in the operation log
when the numeric entry outputs the entered value.
There are three recorded items:
1) The time when the operation is performed
2) The entered value
3) The predefined operation message

Message

Operation
Logging

Operator
Confirmation

Enter the operation message of the first language here.
Click this button to bring up the Operation Message dialog box that you can edit the
operation message for all the languages.

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7.2. Numeric Displays
You can use a numeric display to show the value of the specified variable.

7.2.1. Operation Options
The following operation options can be added to a numeric display. Select and set up the options in the Numeric Display
property sheet.
Options

Description

Scaling

The value of the monitored variable will be scaled by the following formula before it is
displayed.
DisplayedValue = MonitoredValue * Gain + Offset
Select and set this option in the Advanced page.
Note: The Gain and Offset are 32-bit floating point numbers. They have at most 6 significant
digits. The rounding and truncation errors may happen.

Range Display

You can specify a low limit and a high limit for the numeric display. The limits can be
constants or variables. At runtime, when the value of the monitored variable is below the low
limit, the numeric display shows the value with the text color and the BG color set for the low
limit. When the value of the monitored variable is over the high limit, the numeric display
shows the value with the text color and the BG color set for the high limit.

Visibility Control

You can show and hide the numeric display by the specified bit or the current user level.
Select and set this option in the Visibility page.

7.2.2. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a numeric display in the Numeric Display property sheet. This sheet contains the
following four pages. Some of the pages appear only when they are needed.


General

Described in Section 7.2.3.


Advanced

Described in Section 7.2.4.


Visibility

Described in Section 4.4.6.


External Label

Described in Section 4.3.8.

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7.2.3. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a numeric display. The following is an example of the General
page of the Numeric Display property sheet.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique within
the screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for the numeric displays is NDnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Transparent
Background

Select this option if you want the object to have a transparent background.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, see Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of an Object..
, Border Color, BG Color

External Label

Check this option if you want the object to have an external label. Set up the external label in the
External Label page.

Data Type

The data type of the monitored variable. The supported data types include: 16-Bit Unsigned
Integer, 32-Bit Unsigned Integer, 16-Bit Signed Integer, 32-Bit Signed Integer, 16-Bit BCD, 32-Bit
BCD, 32-Bit Floating Point, 16-Bit Signed BCD (LMB), 32-Bit Signed BCD (LMB), 16-Bit Signed
BCD (LMD), and 32-Bit Signed BCD (LMD).

Continued

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Property
Display Type

Description
The display type for the value of the monitored variable. The following table shows the available
display types for each data type.
Data Type

Available Display Types

16-Bit Unsigned Integer
32-Bit Unsigned Integer

32-Bit Unsigned Decimal, 32-Bit Hexadecimal, 32-Bit Octal

16-Bit Signed Integer

16-Bit Signed Decimal

32-Bit Signed Integer

32-Bit Signed Decimal

16-Bit BCD

16-Bit Unsigned Decimal

32-Bit BCD

32-Bit Unsigned Decimal

32-Bit Floating Point

32-Bit Floating Point

16-Bit Signed BCD (LMB)

16-Bit Signed Decimal

32-Bit Signed BCD (LMB)

32-Bit Signed Decimal

16-Bit Signed BCD (LMD)

16-Bit Signed Decimal

32-Bit Signed BCD (LMD)
Monitor Address

16-Bit Unsigned Decimal, 16-Bit Hexadecimal, 16-Bit Octal

32-Bit Signed Decimal

Specifies the monitored variable.
Click

to enter an address for this field. Click

to select a tag for this field.

Font

The font of the displayed value.

Text Color

The color of the displayed value.

Total Digits

The number of digits to be displayed.

Fractional Digits

When the Display Type is 32-bit Floating Point, this property specifies the number of fractional
digits to be displayed.
When the Display Type is not 32-bit Floating Point, this property specifies not only the number of
fractional digits to be displayed but also the number of least significant digits to be displayed as
the fractional part. With this feature, an integer can be shown as a fixed point number.
Example:
Total
Digits

Fractional
Digits

32-bit Floating Point

4

2

32-bit Floating Point

4

16-bit
Decimal

Signed

16-bit
Decimal

Signed

Display Type

Monitored
Value

Displayed
Value

Zero Suppress

12.34

12.34

2

Zero Suppress

123.4

23.40

5

2

Zero Suppress

12345

123.45

5

2

Zero Suppress

-5

-0.05

Justification

Alignment

The alignment of the displayed value. There are three types of alignment: Left, Center, and Right.

Justification

The justification of the displayed value. There are three types of justification:
Option

Description

Zero Suppress

The leading digits will not display when they are 0.

Leading Zeros

All digits will display.

Leading Spaces

The leading digits will display as blank character when they are 0.

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7.2.4. Advanced Settings
This section describes how to define the advanced settings for a numeric display. The following is an example of the
Advanced page of the Numeric Display property sheet.

The following table describes each property in the Advanced page.
Property
Scaling

Description
Check this option if you want the value of the monitored variable to be displayed in a
scaled manner. The following is the scaling formula.
Displayed Value = Monitored Value * Gain + Offset
Note: The Gain and Offset are 32-bit floating point numbers. They have at most 6
significant digits. The rounding and truncation may happen.

Gain

The Gain of the scaling formula.

Offset

The Offset of the scaling formula.

& lt; Check Box & gt;

Check this option if you want the numeric display to display the value with different
color when the value is below the specified low limit or over the specified high limit.

Variable Range

Check this option if the low limit and high limit are specified by the designated
variables at runtime.

Low Limit

Range
Display

& lt; Check Box & gt;

Specifies the low limit when the Variable Range is not selected.
When the Variable Range is selected, this property specifies the variable that stores
the low limit at runtime. Click

High Limit

to enter an address. Click

Specifies the high limit when the Variable Range is not selected.
When the Variable Range is selected, this property specifies the variable that stores
the high limit at runtime. Click

to enter an address. Click

High
Color

Text Color

The text color for the high limit.

BG Color

The shape’s BG color for the high limit.

Low
Color

7-11

Text Color

The text color for the low limit.

BG Color

The shape’s BG color for the low limit.

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7.3. Advanced Numeric Displays
7.3.1. Advanced Features
An advanced numeric display provides the following advanced features:
1) You can specify an arithmetic expression or a macro for the object to calculate the display value.
2) You can specify an arithmetic expression or a macro for the object to convert the operator entered value to the output
value.
3) You can specify up to 10 ranges for the object to display.

7.3.2. Operation Options
The following operation options can be added to an advanced numeric display. Select and set the options in the Advanced
Numeric Display property sheet.
Options

Description

Range Display

The advanced numeric display can support up to 10 fixed ranges or 3 variable ranges. You
can define the text color, the BG color, and the lower bound for each range. At runtime, the
advanced numeric display uses the color settings for the range to which the value belongs to
display the value.

Range Check

The advanced numeric display will verify the entered value according to the specified
maximum and minimum. If the entered value is not within the allowable range, the value will
not be output. Select and set this option in the Range page.
Note: If the output expression or the output macro is defined, the converted value stored in
the variable $W instead of the entered value is verified.

Touch Operation
Control

You can enable and disable the touch operation of the advanced numeric display by the
specified bit or the current user level. Select and set this option in the Advanced page.

Timeout

The keypad displayed for the advanced numeric display will be closed and the data entry
operation will be cancelled after the keypad receives no input for the specified time period.

Notification

The advanced numeric display will notify the specified bit when it finishes outputting the
entered value. Select and set this option in the Advanced page.

Operator Confirmation

The Confirmation box will be displayed when a value is entered for the advanced numeric
display. If the operator selects “Yes” in the Confirmation box, the advanced numeric display
will write the entered value to the specified variable. If the operator selects “No” or the
operator does not respond within the specified time period (Maximum Waiting Time), the
advanced numeric display will cancel the data entry operation.
Select and set this option in the Advanced page.

Operation Logging

The time, the entered value, and the predefined operation message will be recorded when
the advanced numeric display outputs the entered value. Select and set this option in the
Advanced page.

Visibility Control

You can show and hide the advanced numeric display by the specified bit or the current user
level. Select and set this option in the Visibility page.

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7.3.3. Settings
You can complete all the settings of an advanced numeric display in the Advanced Numeric Display property sheet. This
sheet contains the following seven pages. Some of the pages appear only when they are needed.


General

Described in Section 7.3.4.


Range

Described in Section 7.3.5


Advanced

Described in Section 4.4.5.


Visibility

Described in Section 4.4.6.


External Label

Described in Section 4.3.8.


Display Macro

Described in Section 14.2.6.


Output Macro

Described in Section 14.2.6.

7.3.4. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for an advanced numeric display. The following is an example of
the General page of the Advanced Numeric Display property sheet.

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The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique
within the screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for the advanced numeric
displays is ANDnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Transparent Background

Select this option if you want the object to have a transparent background.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, see Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of an
Object,

, Border Color, BG Color

External Label

Check this option if you want the object to have an external label. Set up the external label
in the External Label page.

Data Type

The data type for the variables, arithmetic expressions, macros of the advanced numeric
display. The supported data types include: 16-Bit Unsigned Integer, 32-Bit Unsigned
Integer, 16-Bit Signed Integer, 32-Bit Signed Integer, 16-Bit BCD, 32-Bit BCD, 32-Bit
Floating Point, 16-Bit Signed BCD (LMB), 32-Bit Signed BCD (LMB), 16-Bit Signed BCD
(LMD), and 32-Bit Signed BCD (LMD).

Display Type

The display type for the advanced numeric display. The following table shows the available
display types for each data type.
Data Type

Available Display Types

16-Bit Unsigned Integer

32-Bit Unsigned Integer

16-Bit Signed Decimal

32-Bit Signed Integer

32-Bit Signed Decimal

16-Bit BCD

16-Bit Unsigned Decimal

32-Bit BCD

32-Bit Unsigned Decimal

32-Bit Floating Point

32-Bit Floating Point

16-Bit Signed BCD (LMB)

16-Bit Signed Decimal

32-Bit Signed BCD (LMB)

32-Bit Signed Decimal

16-Bit Signed BCD (LMD)

16-Bit Signed Decimal

32-Bit Signed BCD (LMD)
Monitor
Address

32-Bit Unsigned Decimal,
32-Bit Hexadecimal,
32-Bit Octal

16-Bit Signed Integer

Display

16-Bit Unsigned Decimal,
16-Bit Hexadecimal,
16-Bit Octal

32-Bit Signed Decimal

Select this option so the advanced numeric display will monitor the variable specified in the
Monitor Address field and display its value. When this option is selected, you need to
specify the monitored variable.
Click

Expression

Operator Input

to select a tag for this field.

Select this option so the advanced numeric display will display the result of the arithmetic
expression specified in the Expression field. When this option is selected, you need to
specify the arithmetic expression that calculates the value to be displayed.
Click

Macro

to enter an address for this field. Click

to enter an address for this field. Click

to select a tag for this field.

Select this option so the advanced numeric display will run the macro defined in the Display
Macro page before displaying the value of the internal variable $D. The macro can decide
the value to be displayed by saving the desired value in the internal variable $D.
Select this option so the advanced numeric display will allow the operator to enter values for
it.

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Property
Write Address

Description
Specifies the destination variable where the entered value will be written to when the Operator
Input is selected. Click

Output

to enter an address for this field. Click

to select a tag for this field.

Direct

Select this option so the advanced numeric display will write the entered value to the destination
variable specified in the Write Address field directly.

Expression

Select this option so the advanced numeric display will write the result of the arithmetic expression
specified in the Expression field. When this option is selected, you need to specify the arithmetic
expression that calculates the value to be output. To use the entered value as an operand in the
expression, specify the internal variable $K for the entered value.
Click

Macro

to enter an address for this field. Click

to select a tag for this field.

Select this option so the advanced numeric display will run the macro defined in the Output Macro
page before writing the value of the internal variable $W to the destination variable. The macro can
decide the value to be output by saving the desired value in the internal variable $W. To use the
entered value in macro commands as a parameter, specify the internal variable $K for the entered
value.

Font

The font of the displayed value.

Text Color

The color of the displayed value.

Total Digits

The number of digits to be displayed.
Note: This property applies to the display of the initial value, the allowable minimum, and the
allowable maximum on the numeric keypad.

Fractional Digits

When the Display Type is 32-bit Floating Point, this property specifies the number of fractional
digits to be displayed.
When the Display Type is not 32-bit Floating Point, this property specifies not only the number of
fractional digits to be displayed but also the number of least significant digits to be displayed as the
fractional part. With this feature, an integer can be shown and entered as a fixed point number.
When the Fractional Digits is nonzero, say N, the entered value will be converted to an integer
according to the following formula before being output.
Output Value = Entered Value * (Nth power of 10)
Example 1:
Display Type

Total
Digits

Fractional
Digits

Justification

Monitored
Value

Displayed
Value

32-bit Floating Point

4

2

Zero Suppress

12.34

12.34

32-bit Floating Point

4

2

Zero Suppress

123.4

23.40

16-bit Signed Decimal

5

2

Zero Suppress

12345

123.45

16-bit Signed Decimal

5

2

Zero Suppress

-5

-0.05

Example 2:
Display Type

Total
Digits

Fractional
Digits

Entered
Value

Output
Value

32-bit Floating Point

4

2

12.34

12.34

32-bit Floating Point

4

2

123.4

Error!

16-bit Signed Decimal

5

2

123.45

12345

16-bit Signed Decimal

5

2

-0.05

-5

16-bit Signed Decimal

5

2

3

300

Note: This property applies to the display of the initial value, the allowable minimum, and the
allowable maximum on the numeric keypad.

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Property

Description

Alignment

The alignment of the displayed value. There are three types of alignment: Left, Center, and Right.

Justification

The justification of the displayed value. There are three types of justification:
Option

Description

Zero Suppress

The leading digits will not display when they are 0.

Leading Zeros

All digits will display.

Leading Spaces

The leading digits will display as blank character when they are 0.

7.3.5. Range Settings
This section describes how to define the range settings for an advanced numeric display. The following is an example of
the Range page of the Advanced Numeric Display property sheet.

The following table describes each property in the Range page.

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Property
Range
Display

Description

Range Display

Check this option if you want the advanced numeric display to support the range
display. The advanced numeric display can support up to 10 fixed ranges or 3
variable ranges. You can define the text color, the BG color, and the lower bound
for each range. At runtime, the monitored value will be displayed with the color
setting for the range that the monitored value belongs.

Variable Bound
(3 ranges)

Check this option so the lower bounds of range 1 and range 2 will be determined
at runtime by the variables specified in the Lower Bound fields for Range 1 and
Range 2. The advanced numeric display supports 3 ranges when the Variable
Bound is selected.
When the Variable Bound is not selected, the advanced numeric display can
support up to 10 ranges. You need to specify the lower bounds for every range
except the lowest range.

Number of Ranges

The number of ranges that the advanced numeric display supports.

Range 1
(Highest)

Specifies the lower bound of range 1 when the Variable Bound is not selected.
When the Variable Bound is selected, this property specifies the variable whose
value will be the lower bound of range 1 at runtime.

Lower
Bound

Click

to enter an address for this field. Click

to select a tag for this field.

Text Color
BG Color

The shape’s BG color for range 1.

Blink
Range 2

The text color for range 1.
Check the item when you want the display blinks for range 1.

Lower
Bound

Specifies the lower bound of range 2 when the Variable Bound is not selected.
When the Variable Bound is selected, this property specifies the variable whose
value will be the lower bound of range 2 at runtime.
Click

to enter an address for this field. Click

to select a tag for this field.

Text Color
BG Color

Check the item when you want the display blinks for range 2.

Lower
Bound

Specifies the lower bound of the corresponding range when the range is not the
lowest range.

Text Color

The text color for the corresponding range.

BG Color

The shape’s BG color for the corresponding range.

Blink
Range
Check

The shape’s BG color for range 2.

Blink
Range 3
to Range
10

The text color for range 2.

Check the item when you want the display blinks for the corresponding range

Range Check

Check this option if you want the advanced numeric display to verify the entered
value according to the specified minimum and maximum. If the entered value is
not within the allowable range, the entered value will not be output.
Note: If the output expression or the output macro is defined, the converted
value stored in the variable $W instead of the entered value is verified.

Variable Range

Check this option so the minimum and maximum will be determined at runtime
by the variables specified in the Minimum and Maximum fields.

Min.

Specifies the minimum when the Variable Range is not selected.
When the Variable Range is selected, this property specifies the variable whose
value is the minimum.
Click

Max.

CHAPTER 7

to select a tag for this field.

Specifies the maximum when the Variable Range is not selected.
When the Variable Range is selected, this property specifies the variable whose
value is the maximum.
Click

7-17

to enter an address for this field. Click

to enter an address for this field. Click

DISPLAYING AND INPUTTING DATA

to select a tag for this field.

Astraada HMI CFG Operation Manual

7.4. Character Entries
You can enter a string for a variable using a character entry. If the target panel is a PC, you can also use this object to enter
a Unicode string.

7.4.1. Operation Options
The following operation options can be added to a character entry. Select and set up the options in the Character Entry
property sheet.
Option

Description

Touch Operation
Control

You can enable or disable the touch operation of the object by the specified bit or by the
current user level. Select and set up this option in the Advanced page.

Timeout

If the keypad for the data entry receives no input for the specified time period, the data entry
operation will be cancelled.

Notification

The Object will notify the specified bit of a successful data entry operation. Select and set up
this option in the Advanced page.

Operator Confirmation

When a character string is entered by the operator, the Confirmation box will display for the
operator confirmation. If the operator selects “Yes”, the object will write the entered data to
the specified variable. If the operator selects “No” or the operator does not respond within the
specified time period (Maximum Waiting Time), the data entry operation will be cancelled.
Select and set up this option in the Advanced page.

Operation Logging

The entered character string and the time of the data entry will be recorded. Select and set
up this option in the Advanced page.

Visibility Control

You can show or hide the object by the specified bit or by the current user level. Select and
set up this option in the Visibility page.

7.4.2. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a character entry in the Character Entry property sheet. This sheet contains the
following four pages. Some of the pages appear only when they are needed.

General
Described in Section 7.4.3.

Advanced
Described in Section 7.4.4.

Visibility
Described in Section 4.4.6.

External Label
Described in Section 4.3.8.

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7.4.3. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for the character entries. The following is an example of the
General page of the Character Entry property sheet.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique
within the screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for the Character entries is
TEnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, see Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of an
Object.

External Label

, Border Color, BG Color

Check this option if you want the object to have an external label. Set up the external label in
the External Label page.

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Property
Character Set

Description
Select one of the following three character sets to encode characters into a steam of code
units
Character Set

Description

ASCII (US)
ISO-8859-1
(Western European)

Covers mostly Western European languages. And uses 8 or 16
bits per character.

Unicode
Write Address

Defines 128 characters. And uses 8 or 16 bits per character.

Available only when the target panel is a PC. Each character
occupies one word and the code is Unicode.

Specifies the destination variable where the entered character string will be written to.
Click

to enter an address for this field. Click

to select a tag for this field.

Total Characters

Specifies the number of characters that the Character entry can display and the destination
variable can receive.

Append a null
character

Check this option so the Character entry will always append a null character to the entered
character string before outputting it.

Monitor Address
identical to Write
Address

Specifies that the monitored variable is the same as the destination variable. With this item
checked, you don’t need to specify the monitored variable in the Monitor Address field.

Monitor Address

Specifies the monitored variable.
Click

to enter an address for this field. Click

to select a tag for this field.

Font

The font of the displayed string.

Text Color

The color of the displayed string.

Alignment

The alignment of the displayed value. There are three types of alignment: Left, Center, and
Right.

Code Type

Select one of the following two code types.
Type

Description

Byte

Each character occupies one byte.

Word

Each character occupies one word.

Available only when the character set is ASCII (US) or ISO-8859-1 (Western European).
Data Entry

Specifies how to enter a character string for the Character entry at runtime. There are two
options:
Option

Description

Pop-up Keypad

You can bring up the keypad by pressing the Character entry and
enter a character string with the keypad.

On-screen Keypad
and/or Function
Keys

You can move the cursor by using the function buttons with the
operation of Select Next Data Entry Object or Select Previous
Data Entry Object to select the Character entry. If there is an
on-screen keypad you can enter a character string for the
Character entry with that keypad.

Note: When On-screen Keypad and/or Function Keys option is selected, you can only enter a
character string for the Character entry with the input focus. To set the input focus on the
corresponding object, you need to click the object first.

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7.4.4. Advanced Settings
This section describes how to define the advanced settings for the character entries. The following is an example of the
Advanced page.

The following table describes each property in the Advanced page.
Property
Touch
Operation
Control

Description

Enabled by
Bit

Check this option so the touch operation of the Character entry will be enabled and
disabled by the specified bit.

Control Bit

Specifies the bit that enables and disables the touch operation.
Click

to enter a bit address. Click

to select a bit tag.

Enabling
State
Enabled by
User Level

Check this item so the touch operation of the Character entry will be enabled and
disabled by the current user level.

Lowest
Enabling
User Level

Specifies the lowest user level that is required to enable the touch operation.

Show
Disabled
Sign

Check this option so the touch operation disabled sign will be shown on the Character
entry when the touch operation is disabled.

Timeout

Check this option so the data entry will be cancelled if the numeric keypad does not
receive any input within the specified time.

Timeout
Time

Timeout

Specifies the state (On or Off) that enables the touch operation.

Specifies the maximum time that the numeric keypad will wait to get a new input. If
there is no input within the specified time, the Character keypad will be closed and the
data entry will be cancelled.

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Property
Notification

Description

Notification

Check this option so the Character entry will notify the specified bit after it finishes
outputting the entered value to the destination variable.

Signal

Select one of the following signal for the notification:
Signal

Description

Level

Set the specified bit to the specified state.

Pulse

Send a positive pulse to the specified bit.

Bit
State

Operation
Logging

Specifies the state (On or Off) that is used for the notification.

Operator
Confirmation

Check this option if you want the operator to confirm what he/she enters for the
numeric entry. The Confirmation box will be displayed when a value is entered for
the Character entry. If the operator selects “Yes” in the Confirmation box, the
numeric entry will write the entered value to the specified variable. If the operator
selects “No” or the operator does not respond within the specified time period
(Maximum Waiting Time), the Character entry will cancel the data entry operation.

Maximum
Waiting Time

Operator
Confirmation

Specifies the bit that receives the notification.

Specifies the maximum time that the Character entry will wait for the operator’s
confirmation. The data entry will be cancelled if the operator does not respond within
this time.

Operation
Logging

Check this option so the following three items will be recorded in the operation log
when the Character entry outputs the entered value.
There are three recorded items:
1) The time when the operation is performed
2) The entered Character
3) The predefined operation message

Message

Enter the operation message of the first language here.
Click this button to bring up the Operation Message dialog box that you can edit the
operation message for all the languages.

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7.5. Character Displays
You can use a character display to display the string stored in a variable. This object can display Unicode string if the target
panel is a PC.
Note:

The difference between a character display and a text object is:

A character display is used to either display text, to request text, or to do both. The text of the Character display is not
allowed to be set at design time but can easily be done at run time. You can specify the text by changing its defined
variable.
A text object can be used to create a label at design time which is a short text that accompanies other control to indicate
what it is used for. It can not be changed at run time.

7.5.1. Operation Options
The following operation option can be added to a character display. Select and set up the option in the Character Display
property sheet.
Options
Visibility Control

Description
You can show or hide the Character display by the specified bit or by the current user level.
Select and set up this option in the Visibility page.

7.5.2. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a character display in the Character Display property sheet. This sheet contains the
following three pages. Some of the pages appear only when they are needed.


General

Described in Section 7.5.3.


Visibility

Described in Section 4.4.6.


External Label

Described in Section 4.3.8.

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7.5.3. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for the character displays. The following is an example of the
General page of the Character Display property sheet.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique within the
screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for the Character displays is TDnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, see Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of an Object.
, Border Color, BG Color

External Label

Check this option if you want the object to have an external label. Set up the external label in the
External Label page.

Character Set

The types of character code of the string in the monitored variable. You can select ASCII(US) code
or ISO-8859-1(Western European). If the target panel is a PC, the Unicode is also an option.

Used for keypad
display

Check this option if the character display is used to display the input for a custom keypad.

Monitor Address

Specifies the monitored variable.
Click

to enter an address for this field. Click

to select a tag for this field.

Total Characters

Specifies the number of characters that the Character display can display.

Font

The font of the displayed string.

Text Color

The color of the displayed string.

Alignment

The alignment of the displayed value. There are three types of alignment: Left, Center, and Right.

Code Size

The size of each character. You can select Byte or Word.

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7.6. Time Displays
You can use a time display to show the time of the panel.

7.6.1. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a time display in the Time Display property sheet. The following is an example of the
sheet.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique within the
screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for the time displays is TDnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, see Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of an Object.
, Border Color, BG Color

Format

The format of how the time is displayed. There are two kinds of format available.
Format

Description

HH:MM

HH: 00~23 (hour); MM: 00~59 (minute)

HH:MM:SS

HH: 00~23 (hour); MM: 00~59 (minute); SS: 00~59
(second)

Font

The font of the text.

Text Color

The color of the text.

Alignment

The alignment of the text in the object. There are three kinds of alignment available: Left, Center,
and Right.

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7.7. Date Displays
You can use a date display to show the date of the panel.

7.7.1. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a date display in the Date Display property sheet. The following is an example of the
sheet.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique within
the screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for the date displays is DDnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, see Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of an Object.
, Border Color, BG Color

Format

The format of how the date is displayed. There are 12 kinds of format available: dd/mm/yy,
mm/dd/yy, yy/mm/dd, dd.mm.yy, mm.dd.yy, yy.mm.dd, dd-mm-yy, mm-dd-yy, yy-mm-dd,
dd-MMM-yy, MMM-dd-yy, and yy-MMM-dd. To change the date display format, choose one from
the drop-down table.
Note: dd: 01~31 (day); mm: 01~12 (month); yy: 00~99 (year); MMM: JAN~DEC (month)

Font

The font of the text.

Text Color

The color of the text.

Alignment

The alignment of the text in the object. There are three kinds of alignment available: Left, Center,
and Right.

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7.8. Day-of-week Displays
You can use a day-of-week display to show the day-of-week of the panel.

7.8.1. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a day-of-week display in the Day-of-week Display property sheet. This sheet contains
the following two pages.

General
Described in Section 7.8.2.

Text
Described in Section 4.3.6.

Note: When using the Text page to specify the text for each day, note that state 0 corresponds to Sunday, state 1
corresponds to Monday, and so on.

7.8.2. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a day-of-week display. The following is an example of the
General page of the Day-of-week property sheet.

The following table describes each property in the General
page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated
when the object is created. The identifier
is unique within the screen where the
object is on. The format of the ID’s for the
day-of-week displays is DWnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Shape
settings

For details about the following properties,
see Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of
an Object.
, Border Color,
Pattern, FG Color, BG Color

Day

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Select a day from 0 to 6 so you can view
and set the Pattern, FG Color, and BG
Color for that day. Day 0 corresponds to
Sunday; day 1 corresponds to Monday,
and so on.

CHAPTER 8

GRAPHS AND CHARTS
8.1.

Bar Graphs.................................................................................................... 1

8.1.1.
8.1.2.
8.1.3.
8.1.4.
8.1.5.
8.1.6.

8.2.

Meters ............................................................................................................ 9

8.2.1.
8.2.2.
8.2.3.
8.2.4.
8.2.5.

8.3.

Basic Operations .......................................................................................................... 15
Operation Options........................................................................................................ 16
Settings ........................................................................................................................ 16
General Settings........................................................................................................... 17

Line Charts.................................................................................................. 19

8.4.1.
8.4.2.
8.4.3.
8.4.4.
8.4.5.
8.4.6.

8.5.

Basic Operations ............................................................................................................ 9
Operation Options........................................................................................................ 10
Settings ........................................................................................................................ 10
General Settings........................................................................................................... 11
Range Settings ............................................................................................................. 14

Circular Bar Graphs .................................................................................. 15

8.3.1.
8.3.2.
8.3.3.
8.3.4.

8.4.

Basic Operations ............................................................................................................ 1
Operation Options.......................................................................................................... 2
Settings .......................................................................................................................... 3
General Settings............................................................................................................. 4
Forward and Backward Marker Settings ....................................................................... 6
Advanced Settings ......................................................................................................... 7

Basic Operations .......................................................................................................... 19
Operation Options........................................................................................................ 20
Settings ........................................................................................................................ 20
General Settings........................................................................................................... 21
Pen Settings ................................................................................................................. 26
Axis Settings................................................................................................................ 27

Scatter Charts ............................................................................................. 29

8.5.1.
8.5.2.
8.5.3.
8.5.4.
8.5.5.

Basic Operations .......................................................................................................... 29
Operation Options........................................................................................................ 29
Settings ........................................................................................................................ 30
General Settings........................................................................................................... 31
Pen Settings ................................................................................................................. 35

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8.1. Bar Graphs
8.1.1. Basic Operations
A bar graph shows the value of a monitored variable by displaying a bar with variable length. When the value of the
variable increases or decreases, the length of the bar increases or decreases accordingly. A bar graph can have a scale
and the scale enables you to measure the length of the bar and read the current value for the monitored variable.
There are two bar types that a bar graph can have: a polar bar and a bipolar bar. The polar bar can only move one end, but
the bipolar bar can move both ends. The bar and the scale can be displayed in any of the following four directions:
Type

Upward

Downward

Leftward

Rightward

Polar Bar
( Monitored Value = 60 )

Bipolar Bar
( Monitored Value = 60
Middle Point = 50 )

A bar graph can also have scale, forward markers, backward markers and percentage display.
Major Ticks

Forward Markers

Backward Markers

Axis

Sub Divisions

Percentage

Marks

Note:
The bar graph with bipolar bar does not have forward and backward markers.
If the bar graph is upward or downward, the scale and forward/backward markers will locate on the left or on the
right.
If the bar graph is leftward or rightward, the scale and forward/backward markers will locate on the top or on the
bottom.

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8.1.2. Operation Options
The following operation options can be added to a bar graph to make it more informative. You need to select and set these
options in the Bar Graph property sheet.
Options
Bipolar
Bar

Description
A bar graph can be configured to display the difference between the monitored value and a specified
value which is called the middle point. The bar can move both ends, so it is called bipolar bar.

Monitored Value
Select and set this option in the General page.
Scale

A bar graph can have a scale. Select and set this option in the Scale page.

Forward /
Backward
Marker

The forward/ backward marker of a bar graph can have up 12 marks. You may select equilateral triangle,
triangle, diamond and cone as the marker. The actual number of marks and the value of each mark are
specified at runtime by the forward/ backward marker control block. The position of a mark is determined
by that mark’s value. The color of a mark is determined by the comparison result between the monitored
value and that mark’s value.
Monitored Value = 60
The color of a mark:
LT Color = Light Red
EQ Color = Yellow
GT Color = Light Green
Mark’s Value
Select and set Forward Marker option in the F. Marker page.
Select and set Backward Marker option in the B. Marker page.

Range
Display

You can specify a low limit and a high limit for a bar graph. The limits can be constants or variables. At
runtime, when the monitored value is equal to or below the low limit, the bar graph shows the bar with the
FG color and the BG color set for the low limit. When the monitored value is equal to or over the high limit,
the bar graph shows the bar with the FG color and the BG color set for the high limit.
Low Limit = 20
High Limit = 80
Low BG Color = Light Blue
High BG Color = Light red

Monitored Value
Select and set this option in the Advanced page.
Continued

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Options
Percentage
Display

Description
A bar graph can show the percentage of the current bar length versus the full bar length.
Type

Percentage

Polar Bar

D / L x 100%

Bipolar Bar

Value & lt; Middle Point

– D / L x 100%

Value & gt; Middle Point

D / L x 100%

Select and set this option in the Advanced page.
Visibility
Control

A bar graph can be shown or hidden either by a specified bit or by the current user level. Select and set
this option in the Visibility page.

8.1.3. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a bar graph in the Bar Graph property sheet. This sheet contains the following four
pages.

General
Described in Section 8.1.4.

Scale
Described in Section 4.3.2.

F. Marker
Described in Section 8.1.5.

B. Marker
Described in Section 8.1.5.

Advanced
Described in Section 8.1.6.

Visibility
Described in Section 4.3.4.

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8.1.4. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a bar graph.

The above is an example of the General page of the Bar Graph dialog box.
The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique within the
screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for the bar graphs is BGnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Shape
settings

For details about the following properties, see Section 4.3.1.4 Setting up the Shape of an Object,

External
Label

Check this option if you want the object to have an external label. Set up the external label in the
External Label page.

Direction

Specifies the bar direction for the bar graph.

Data Type

The data type of the monitored variable. The supported data types include: 16-Bit Unsigned Integer,
32-Bit Unsigned Integer, 16-Bit Signed Integer, 32-Bit Signed Integer, 16-Bit BCD, 32-Bit BCD, 32-Bit
Floating Point, 16-Bit Signed BCD (LMB), 32-Bit Signed BCD (LMB), 16-Bit Signed BCD (LMD), and
32-Bit Signed BCD (LMD)

, Border Color, BG Color

Continued

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Property

Description

Monitor
Address

Specifies the variable to be monitored.

Dynamic
Range

Check this option so the minimum and the maximum of the monitored variable will be specified at
runtime. When this option is selected, the minimum and maximum of the marks for the scale of the bar
graph can be specified at runtime too. The data that specifies the above two ranges should be set and
arranged correctly in a memory block called the dynamic range parameter block. You need to specify
the dynamic range parameter block for the bar graph in the Dynamic Range Parameter Block field.

Dynamic
Range
Parameter
Block

Specifies the variable that stores the dynamic range parameter block for the bar graph when the

Click

to enter an address for this field. Click

to select a tag for this field.

Dynamic Range is selected. Click
to enter an address for this field. Click
to select a tag for
this field.
The following table shows the data arrangement of the parameter block when the data type is 16-bit
and the scale of the bar graph is not dynamic.
Word

Parameter

0

The minimum of the monitored variable

1

The maximum of the monitored variable

The following table shows the data arrangement of the parameter block when the data type is 16-bit
and the scale of the bar graph is dynamic.
Word

Parameter

0

The minimum of the monitored variable

1

The maximum of the monitored variable

2, 3

The minimum of the mark for the scale; 32-bit integer number

4, 5

The maximum of the mark for the scale; 32-bit integer number

The following table shows the data arrangement of the parameter block when the data type is 32-bit
and the scale of the bar graph is not dynamic.
Word

Parameter

0, 1

The minimum of the monitored variable

2, 3

The maximum of the monitored variable

The following table shows the data arrangement of the parameter block when the data type is 32-bit
and the scale of the bar graph is dynamic.
Word

Parameter

0, 1

The minimum of the monitored variable

2, 3

The maximum of the monitored variable

4, 5

The minimum of the mark for the scale; 32-bit integer number

6, 7

The maximum of the mark for the scale; 32-bit integer number

Min.

Specifies the minimum of the monitored variable when the Dynamic Range is not selected.

Max.

Specifies the maximum of the monitored variable when the Dynamic Range is not selected.

Bipolar Bar

Check this option so the bar graph will display the difference between the monitored value and the
value specified in the Middle Point field.

Middle Point

Specifies the reference value/point for the bipolar bar.

Pie Pattern

Select a pattern for the bar graph. The pattern will be used to fill the bar. When the pattern is filled in
the bar, the black part of the pattern is painted with the color specified in the Bar FG Color field and the
white part of the pattern is painted with the color specified in the Bar BG Color field.

Pie FG Color

Select a color for painting the black part of the specified pattern.

Pie BG Color

Select a color for painting the white part of the specified pattern.

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8.1.5. Forward and Backward Marker Settings
This section describes how to define the forward marker and the backward marker settings for a bar graph. The following is
an example of the Forward Marker page.

The following table describes each property in the Forward Marker page and the Backward Marker page.
Property

Description

Number of Marks

Specifies the maximum number of marks this marker can support.

Location

Select Up or Down for the location of the marker when the bar direction is Leftward or
Rightward. Select Left or Right for the location of the marker when the bar direction is Upward or
Downward.

Forward/Backward
Marker Control
Block

Specifies the variable that stores the marker control block.
Click
to enter an address for this field. Click
to select a tag for this field.
The following table shows the data arrangement of the marker control block when the data type
is 16-bit.
Word

Description

0

Specifies the actual number of marks that the marker will display.

1

The value of mark 1.

2

The value of mark 2





12

The value of mark 12

The following table shows the data arrangement of the marker control block when the data type
is 32-bit.
Word

Description

0,1

Specifies the actual number of marks that the marker will display.

2,3

The value of mark 1.

4,5

The value of mark 2





24,25

The value of mark 12

Note: The data format of the mark values should be the same as that of the monitored variable.

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Continued
Property
Mark
No. 1 ~
No. 12

Description

Style

Specifies the mark style. There are four mark styles:

Border Color

The border color of the mark.

LT Color

The fill color of the mark when the monitored value is less than the mark’s value.

EQ Color

The fill color of the mark when the monitored value is equal to the mark’s value.

GT Color

The fill color of the mark when the monitored value is greater than the mark’s value.

8.1.6. Advanced Settings
This section describes how to define the advanced settings for the bar graphs and circular bar graphs with the Advanced
page. The following is an example of the Advanced page.

The following table describes each property in the Advanced page.
Property
Range
Display

Description

Range Display

Check this option if you want the object to display the monitored value with different
color when the monitored value is below the specified low limit or over the specified
high limit.

Variable Range

Check this option if the low limit and high limit are specified at runtime by the
designated variables.

Low Limit

Specifies the low limit when the Variable Range is not selected. When the Variable
Range is selected, this property specifies the variable whose value is the low limit.
Click

High Limit

to enter an address. Click

Specifies the high limit when the Variable Range is not selected. When the Variable
Range is selected, this property specifies the variable whose value is the high limit.
Click

to enter an address. Click

High
Color

FG Color
BG Color

The bar BG color for the high limit.

FG Color

The bar FG color for the low limit.

BG Color

to select a tag.

The bar FG color for the high limit.

Low
Color
Percentage
Display

to select a tag.

The bar BG color for the low limit.

Percentage
Display

Check this option so the object will display the percentage that is calculated by the
following formula:
Percentage = (Value - Min.) / (Max. - Min.) * 100%
If the bipolar bar is used, the percentage formula when Value & gt; Middle Point is:

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Percentage = (Value – Middle Point) / (Max. - Middle Point) * 100%
the percentage formula when Value & lt; Middle Point is:
Percentage = -(Middle Point - Value) / (Middle Point - Min.) * 100%

The Value is the current value of the monitored variable. The Max. and Min. defines
the value range of the monitored variable and are defined in the General page of
the property sheet.
Text Color

Select a color for the percentage display.

Font

Select a fixed size font for the percentage display.

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8.2. Meters
8.2.1. Basic Operations
A meter shows the value of a monitored variable by rotating its needle to the appropriate place. When the value of the
variable increases or decreases the rotation angle of the needle increases or decreases accordingly. A meter can have an
arc/circle scale and the scale enables you to measure the rotation angle of the needle and read the current value for the
monitored variable. A meter can be configured to perform one of the following swing types:
Span and Origin

360° & 90°

360° & 0°

360° & 270°

360° & 180°

270° & 45°

270° & 315°

270° & 225°

270° & 135°

180° & 90°

180° & 0°

180° & 270°

180° & 180°

90° & 90°

90° & 0°

90° & 270°

90° & 180°

90° & 45°

90° & 315°

90° & 225°

90° & 135°

Example

Span and Origin
Example

Span and Origin
Example

Span and Origin
Example

Span and Origin
Example

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8.2.2. Operation Options
The following operation options can be added to a meter to make it more informative. You need to select and set these
options in the Meter property sheet.
Options

Description

Range Display

The meter can display the low range mark and the high range mark along its swing path.. The limits
for range marks can be specified at runtime by the designated variables. Select and set this option
in the Range page.
Scale

The meter can have a scale. Select and set this option in the Scale page.
Visibility Control

The meter can be shown or hidden either by a specified bit or by the current user level. Select and
set this option in the Visibility page.

8.2.3. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a meter in the Meter property sheet. This sheet contains the following four pages.


General

Described in Section 8.2.4.


Range

Described in Section 8.2.5.


Scale

Described in Section 4.3.2.


Visibility

Described in Section 4.3.4.

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8.2.4. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a meter.

The above is an example of the General page of the Meter property sheet.

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The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique
within the screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for the meters is Mnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Picture
Shape

Picture
Shape

Check this option if you want to use a picture for the meter’s shape. You can use a picture
to customize your own meter. For example:

+

=

Note: If the Picture Shape is checked, Shape…,Border Color and BG Color field are not
available to be used.
& lt; Drop-down
List & gt;

The name of the picture. You can use the drop-down list to select a picture from the picture
database.
Click this icon to select a picture file. After the selection, the picture of the selected file is
imported and saved in the picture database.
Click this icon to bring up the Select/Import from Library dialog box. Select a picture from a
picture library file. After the selection, the selected picture is imported and saved in the
picture database.

Graphical shape
settings

For details about the following properties, Section 4.3.1.4 Setting up the Shape of an

Swing

Specifies the types of swing. For details, see Section 8.2.1 Basic Operation.
The swing styles on the left are more
spacing saving because their needle can be
located outside the shape by changing the
position of Center X or Center Y.

Direction

Specifies the direction that the needle moves. Now only the Clockwise is available.

Data Type

The data type of the monitored variable. The supported data types include: 16-Bit Unsigned
Integer, 32-Bit Unsigned Integer, 16-Bit Signed Integer, 32-Bit Signed Integer, 16-Bit BCD,
32-Bit BCD, 32-Bit Floating Point, 16-Bit Signed BCD (LMB), 32-Bit Signed BCD (LMB),
16-Bit Signed BCD (LMD), and 32-Bit Signed BCD (LMD).

Monitor Address

Specifies the variable to be monitored.

Object.

Click

, Border Color, BG Color

to enter an address for this field. Click

to select a tag for this field.

Continued

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Property
Dynamic
Range

Description

Dynamic
Range

Check this option so the minimum and the maximum of the monitored variable will be
specified at runtime. When this option is selected, the minimum and maximum of the marks
for the scale of the meter can be specified at runtime too. The data that specifies the above
two ranges should be set and arranged correctly in a memory block called the dynamic
range parameter block. You need to specify the dynamic range parameter block for the
meter in the Dynamic Range Parameter Block field.

Dynamic
Range
Parameter
Block

Specifies the variable that stores the dynamic range parameter block for the meter when the
Dynamic Range is selected. Click
to enter an address for this field. Click
to select
a tag for this field. The following table shows the content of the parameter block when the
data type is 16-bit and the scale of the meter is not dynamic.
Word

Parameter

0

The minimum of the monitored variable

1

The maximum of the monitored variable

The following table shows the content of the parameter block when the data type is 16-bit
and the scale of the meter is dynamic.
Word

Parameter

0

The minimum of the monitored variable

1

The maximum of the monitored variable

2, 3

The minimum of the mark for the scale; 32-bit integer number

4, 5

The maximum of the mark for the scale; 32-bit integer number

The following table shows the content of the parameter block when the data type is 32-bit
and the scale of the meter is not dynamic.
Word

Parameter

0, 1

The minimum of the monitored variable

2, 3

The maximum of the monitored variable

The following table shows the content of the parameter block when the data type is 32-bit
and the scale of the meter is dynamic.
Word

Parameter

0, 1

The minimum of the monitored variable

2, 3

The maximum of the monitored variable

4, 5

The minimum of the mark for the scale; 32-bit integer number

6, 7

The maximum of the mark for the scale; 32-bit integer number

Min.

Specifies the minimum of the monitored variable when the Dynamic Range is not selected.

Max.

Specifies the maximum of the monitored variable when the Dynamic Range is not selected.

Needle Color

Select a color for the needle.

Swing
Adjustment

You can adjust the radius for the swing of the needle. This field specifies the offset to be
added to the default radius.

Angle

You can adjust the span for the swing of the needle. This field specifies the offset to be
added to the default span.

Center X

You can adjust the horizontal position for the pivot of the needle. This field specifies the
offset to be added to the default horizontal position.

Center Y

8-13

Radius

You can adjust the vertical position for the pivot of the needle. This field specifies the offset
to be added to the default vertical position.

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8.2.5. Range Settings
This section describes how to define the range settings for a meter. The following is an example of the Range page of the
Meter property sheet.

The following table describes each property in the Range page.
Property

Description

Range Display

Check this option if you want the meter to display the range marks along its swing path.

Variable Range

Check this option so the low limit and high limit for the range marks will be specified at runtime by
the designated variables.

Low Limit

Specifies the low limit for the low range mark when the Variable Range is not selected.
When the Variable Range is selected, this property specifies the variable whose value is the low
limit for the low range mark at runtime. Click
select a tag for this field.

High Limit

to enter an address for this field. Click

to

Specifies the high limit for the high range mark when the Variable Range is not selected.
When the Variable Range is selected, this property specifies the variable whose value is the high
limit for the high rage mark at runtime. Click
select a tag for this field.

Low Color

to

The color of the low range mark.

High Color

to enter an address for this field. Click

The color of the high range mark.

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8.3. Circular Bar Graphs
8.3.1. Basic Operations
A circular bar graph shows the value of a monitored variable by displaying a circular bar with variable length. When the
value of the variable increases or decreases, the length of the circular bar increases or decreases accordingly. A circular
bar graph can have a circular scale and the scale enables you to measure the length of the bar and read the current value
for the monitored variable. The following table lists the supported styles for the circular bar graphs.
Span and Origin

360° & 90°

360° & 0°

360° & 270°

360° & 180°

270° & 45°

270° & 315°

270° & 225°

270° & 135°

180° & 90°

180° & 0°

180° & 270°

180° & 180°

90° & 90°

90° & 0°

90° & 270°

90° & 180°

90° & 45°

90° & 315°

90° & 225°

90° & 135°

Example

Span and Origin
Example

Span and Origin
Example

Span and Origin
Example

Span and Origin
Example

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8.3.2. Operation Options
The following operation options can be added to a circular bar graph to make it more informative. You need to select and
set up these options in the Circular Bar Graph property sheet.
Options

Description

Range Display

You can specify a low limit and a high limit for the object. The limits can be constants or variables.
At runtime, when the monitored value is below the low limit, the object shows the bar with the FG
color and the BG color set for the low limit. When the monitored value is over the high limit, the
object shows the bar with the FG color and the BG color set for the high limit.

Percentage
Display

The object can show the percentage of the current bar length versus the full bar length.

Select and set up this option in the Advanced page.
Scale

The circular bar graph can have a circular scale. Select and set up this option in the Scale page.

Visibility Control

The object can be shown or hidden either by a specified bit or by the current user level. Select
and set up this option in the Visibility page.

8.3.3. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a circular bar graph in the Circular Bar Graph property sheet. This sheet contains the
following four pages.


General

Described in Section 8.3.4.


Scale

Described in Section 4.3.2.


Advanced

Described in Section 4.3.3.


Visibility

Described in Section 4.3.4.

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8.3.4. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a circular bar graph.

The above is an example of the General page of the Circular Bar Graph property sheet.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique within the
screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for the circular bar graphs is PGnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, Section 4.3.1.4 Setting up the Shape of an Object.
, Border Color, BG Color

Style

Specifies the style of the circular bar graph. For details, see ?, ?.

Direction

Specifies the progress direction of the circular bar graph. Now only the Clockwise is available.

Data Type

The data type of the monitored variable. The supported data types include: 16-Bit Unsigned Integer,
32-Bit Unsigned Integer, 16-Bit Signed Integer, 32-Bit Signed Integer, 16-Bit BCD, 32-Bit BCD, and
32-Bit Floating Point.

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Continued
Property

Description

Monitor
Address

Specifies the variable to be monitored.

Dynamic
Range

Check this option so the minimum and the maximum of the monitored variable will be specified at
runtime. When this option is selected, the minimum and maximum of the marks for the scale of the
circular bar graph can be specified at runtime too. The data that specifies the above two ranges
should be set and arranged correctly in a memory block called the dynamic range parameter block.
You need to specify the dynamic range parameter block for the circular bar graph in the Dynamic
Range Parameter Block field.

Dynamic
Range
Parameter
Block

Specifies the variable that stores the dynamic range parameter block for the circular bar graph when

Click

to enter an address for this field. Click

to select a tag for this field.

the Dynamic Range is selected. Click
to enter an address for this field. Click
to select a tag
for this field.
The following table shows the content of the parameter block when the data type is 16-bit and the
scale of the circular bar graph is not dynamic.
Word

Parameter

0

The minimum of the monitored variable

1

The maximum of the monitored variable

The following table shows the content of the parameter block when the data type is 16-bit and the
scale of the circular bar graph is dynamic.
Word

Parameter

0

The minimum of the monitored variable

1

The maximum of the monitored variable

2, 3

The minimum of the mark for the scale; 32-bit integer number

4, 5

The maximum of the mark for the scale; 32-bit integer number

The following table shows the content of the parameter block when the data type is 32-bit and the
scale of the circular bar graph is not dynamic.
Word

Parameter

0, 1

The minimum of the monitored variable

2, 3

The maximum of the monitored variable

The following table shows the content of the parameter block when the data type is 32-bit and the
scale of the circular bar graph is dynamic.
Word

Parameter

0, 1

The minimum of the monitored variable

2, 3

The maximum of the monitored variable

4, 5

The minimum of the mark for the scale; 32-bit integer number

6, 7

The maximum of the mark for the scale; 32-bit integer number

Min.

Specifies the minimum of the monitored variable when the Dynamic Range is not selected.

Max.

Specifies the maximum of the monitored variable when the Dynamic Range is not selected.

Bar Pattern

Select a pattern for the circular bar graph. The pattern will be used to fill the arc/circular strip of the
circular bar graph. When the pattern is filled in the circular bar graph, the black part of the pattern is
painted with the color specified in the Bar FG Color field and the white part of the pattern is painted
with the color specified in the Bar BG Color field.

Bar FG Color

Select a color for painting the black part of the specified pattern.

Bar BG Color

Select a color for painting the white part of the specified pattern.

Back Color

Select a color as the background color for the arc/circular strip of the circular bar graph.

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8.4. Line Charts
8.4.1. Basic Operations
A line chart displays a set of data by drawing a data point for each datum and drawing a line that connects all the data
points in sequence. The vertical position of a data point is determined by the value of the associated datum. The horizontal
position of a data point is determined by the order of the associated datum in the data set.

A line chart can display up to 8 sets of data. The following example shows a line chart that displays 3 sets of data.

A line chart can provide a cursor for you to select desired data points. The cursor of the line chart is a vertical line segment.
The user can move the cursor horizontally within a line chart to the desired data point(s). The values of the selected data
points can be displayed and output to an internal variable called Cursor Data Receiving Buffer.

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8.4.2. Operation Options
The following operation option can be added to a line chart. Select and set the option in the Line Chart dialog box.
Options

Description

Visibility Control

You can show and hide a line chart by a specified bit or the current user level. Select and set this
option in the Visibility page.

8.4.3. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a line chart in the Line Chart dialog box. This dialog box contains the following four
pages.


General

Described in Section 8.4.4.


Pen

Described in Section 8.4.5.


XY Axis

Described in Section 8.4.6.


Visibility

Described in Section 4.3.4.

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8.4.4. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a line chart. The following is an example of the General page
of the Line Chart property sheet.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique
within the screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for the line charts is LCnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, see Section 4.3.1.4 Setting up the Shape of an
Object.

, Border Color, BG Color

Chart BG Color

Select a color for the background of the chart.

Data Type

The type of the data that the line chart will display. The supported data types include: 16-Bit
Unsigned Integer, 32-Bit Unsigned Integer, 16-Bit Signed Integer, 32-Bit Signed Integer,
16-Bit BCD, 32-Bit BCD, 32-Bit Floating Point, 16-Bit Signed BCD (LMB), 32-Bit Signed BCD
(LMB), 16-Bit Signed BCD (LMD), and 32-Bit Signed BCD (LMD).

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Continued
Property
Read Trigger

Description
The bit variable that will trigger the line chart to read and display data. The bit variable triggers
to enter an address for this

the line chart when its state changes from off to on. Click
field. Click
Read Address

to select a tag for this field.

The variable whose data is to be read and displayed. Click

to enter an address for this

field. Click
to select a tag for this field.
The following tables show the data arrangements of the variable.
Data Type: 16-bit; Number of Data Sets: 1
Word

Description

0

Actual number of data points

1

Data point 0

2

Data point 1





n+1

Data point n

Data Type: 16-bit; Number of Data Sets: 2
Word

Description

0

Actual number of data points

1

Data point 0; Data set 1

2

Data point 0; Data set 2

3

Data point 1; Data set 1

4

Data point 1; Data set 2





2n+1

Data point n; Data set 1

2n+2

Data point n; Data set 2

Data Type: 16-bit; Number of Data Sets: 8
Word

Description

0

Actual number of data points

1

Data point 0; Data set 1

2

Data point 0; Data set 2

3

Data point 0; Data set 3

4

Data point 0; Data set 4

5

Data point 0; Data set 5

6

Data point 0; Data set 6

7

Data point 0; Data set 7

8

Data point 0; Data set 8

9

Data point 1; Data set 1

10

Data point 1; Data set 2





8n+7

Data point n; Data set 7

8n+8

Data point n; Data set 8

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Continued
Property
Read Address

Description
Data Type: 32-bit; Number of Data Sets: 1
Word

Description

0,1

Actual number of data points

2,3

Data point 0

4,5

Data point 1





2n+2, 2n+3

Data point n

Data Type: 32-bit; Number of Data Sets: 2
Word

Description

0,1

Actual number of data points

2,3

Data point 0; Data set 1

4,5

Data point 0; Data set 2

6,7

Data point 1; Data set 1

8,9

Data point 1; Data set 2





4n+2, 4n+3

Data point n; Data set 1

4n+4, 4n+5

Data point n; Data set 2

Data Type: 32-bit; Number of Data Sets: 8
Word

Description

0,1

Actual number of data points

2,3

Data point 0; Data set 1

4,5

Data point 0; Data set 2

6,7

Data point 0; Data set 3

8,9

Data point 0; Data set 4

10,11

Data point 0; Data set 5

12,13

Data point 0; Data set 6

14,15

Data point 0; Data set 7

16,17

Data point 0; Data set 8

18,19

Data point 1; Data set 1

20,21

Data point 1; Data set 2





16n+14, 16n+15

Data point n; Data set 7

16n+16, 16n+17

Data point n; Data set 8

Number of Data Sets

Specifies how many data sets that the line chart will read. The line chart displays one line for
each data set. A line chart can display up to 8 lines.

Maximum Number of
Data Points Per Data
Set

Specifies the maximum number of data points that the line chart will read for every data set. A
line chart can display up to 255 data points for one data set.
Note: The actual number of data points for every data set must be specified at runtime. The
actual number must not exceed the maximum number.

Continued

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Property
Point Distribution

Description
Select one of the following method to distribute the data points of a data set:
Method

Description

Maximum Points

The data points of a data set are evenly distributed across the X
axis of the line chart based on the maximum number of data
points for every data set. Therefore the space between two
adjacent data points is fixed.

Actual Points

The data points of a data set are evenly distributed across the X
axis of the line chart based on the actual number of data points.
When the number of actual data points decreases, the space
between two adjacent data points increases.

Direction

Specifies the direction that the line chart draws the data points.

Show Mark

Check this option so the line chart will put a square mark on every data point.

Show Line

Check this option so the line chart will display a line connecting all the data points of a data
set in sequence.

Clear Trigger

The bit variable that will trigger the line chart to clear its content when its state changes from
off to on. Click

Cursor

to enter an address for this field. Click

to select a tag for this field.

Show
Cursor

Check this option so the line chart will display a cursor. You can touch and drag the cursor to
the data point(s) that you want to select.

Cursor
Color

Select a color for the cursor.

Value
Display
Font

Select a font for displaying the values of the selected data point(s).

Cursor
Data
Receiving
Buffer

The variable that will receive the value(s) of the selected data point(s). It must be a piece of
the internal memory.
Click
to enter an address for this field. Click
to select a tag for this field.
The following table shows the data arrangement of the buffer when the data type is 16-bit.
Word

Description

0

The sequence number of the cursor selected data in the data set

1

The value of the selected data point of data set 1.

2

The value of the selected data point of data set 2.





8

The value of the selected data point of data set 8.

The following table shows the data arrangement of the buffer when the data type is 32-bit.
Word

Description

0~1

The sequence number of the cursor selected data in the data set

2,3

The value of the selected data point of data set 1.

4,5

The value of the selected data point of data set 2.





16,17

The value of the selected data point of data set 8.

Continued

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Property
Dynamic
Range

Description

Dynamic
Range

Check this option so the minimum and the maximum of the pen for each data set will be
specified at runtime. When this option is selected, the minimum and maximum of the marks
for the X axis and Y axis can be specified at runtime too. The data that specifies the above
two ranges should be set and arranged correctly in a memory block called the dynamic range
parameter block. You need to specify the dynamic range parameter block in the Dynamic
Range Parameter Block field.

Dynamic
Range
Parameter
Block

Specifies the variable that stores the dynamic range parameter block for the line chart when
the Dynamic Range is selected. Click
to enter an address for this field. Click
to
select a tag for this field.
The following table shows the data arrangement of the parameter block when the data type is
16-bit.
Word

Description

0,1

The minimum of the mark for the X axis; 32-bit integer number

2,3

The maximum of the mark for the X axis; 32-bit integer number

4,5

The minimum of the mark for the Y axis; 32-bit integer number

6,7

The maximum of the mark for the Y axis; 32-bit integer number

8

The minimum for pen #1; 16-bit integer number or 16-bit unsigned integer number

9

The maximum for pen #1; (Same as above)

10

The minimum for pen #2; (Same as above)

11

The maximum for pen #2; (Same as above)





22

The minimum for pen #8; (Same as above)

23

The maximum for pen #8; (Same as above)

The following table shows the data arrangement of the parameter block when the data type is
32-bit.
Word
0,1

The maximum of the mark for the X axis; 32-bit integer number

4,5

The minimum of the mark for the Y axis; 32-bit integer number

6,7

The maximum of the mark for the Y axis; 32-bit integer number

8,9

The minimum for pen #1; 32-bit integer number, 32-bit unsigned integer number, or
32-bit floating point number

10,11

The maximum for pen #1; (Same as above)

12,13

The minimum for pen #2; (Same as above)

14,15

The maximum for pen #2; (Same as above)





36,37

The minimum for pen #8; (Same as above)

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The minimum of the mark for the X axis; 32-bit integer number

2,3

8-25

Description

The maximum for pen #8; (Same as above)

GRAPHS AND CHARTS

Astraada HMI CFG Operation Manual

8.4.5. Pen Settings
This section describes how to define the pens for the line charts. The following is an example of the Pen page.

The following table describes each property in the Pen page. Note that pen #1 is for data set 1; pen #2 is for data set 2;
and so on.
Property
Pen #1
~ Pen
#8

Description

Dynamic
Range

Check this option so the minimum and the maximum of the associated data set will be
specified at runtime. This option is available when the Dynamic Range option in the
General page is selected.

Min.

The minimum of the associated data set. This property is available when the Dynamic
Range option is not selected.

Max.

The maximum of the associated data set. This property is available when the Dynamic
Range option is not selected.

Mark Size

Select a size for the data point mark. The selection is valid when the Show Mark option in
the General page is selected.

Line Style

Select a style for the connecting lines. The selection is valid when the Show Line option in
the General page is selected.

Color

Select a color for the connecting lines.

Show Value

Select one of the following methods for displaying the selected data point value.
Show Value

Description

(None)

Does not display the data point value.

Original

Displays the data point value without modification.

Scaled

Displays the corresponding Y axis value of the data point.

The selection is valid when the Show Cursor option in the General page is selected.

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8.4.6. Axis Settings
This section describes how to define the X axis and the Y axis for the line charts and the scatter charts.

The following is an example of the Axis page.

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The following table describes each property in the Axis page.
Property
X
Axis

Description
Select this option if you want the X axis to have vertical grids.
Select a color for the X axis and its ticks.
Select a color for the vertical grids.

Number of Major
Divisions

The number of major divisions for the X axis. The minimum you can specify is one.

Number of
Sub-divisions

The number of divisions between two adjacent major ticks. The minimum you can
specify is one.

Show Marks

Check this option if you want the major ticks to have marks.

Font

The font of the marks.

Dynamic Range

Check this option if you want the minimum and maximum of the marks to be controlled
by the dynamic range parameter block of the associated object at runtime.

Min.

The minimum of the marks. It is a 32-bit integer.

Max.

The maximum of the marks. It is a 32-bit integer.

Total Digits

The total digits to be displayed for the marks.

Fractional Digits

The number of fractional digits for the marks. For example, when the Maximum is
5000, the Total Digits is 4, and the Fractional Digits is 2, the mark for the Maximum will
be 50.00.

Show Ticks

Check this option if you want the Y axis to have ticks.

Show X-axis Grid

Select this option if you want the Y axis to have horizontal grids.

Axis/Tick Color

Select a color for the Y axis and its ticks.

Grid Color

Select a color for the horizontal grids.

Number of Major
Divisions

The number of major divisions for the Y axis. The minimum you can specify is one.

Number of
Sub-divisions
Mark

Show Y-axis Grid
Grid Color

Y
Axis

Check this option if you want the X axis to have ticks.

Axis/Tick Color

Mark

Show Ticks

The number of divisions between two adjacent major ticks. The minimum you can
specify is one.

Show Marks

Check this option if you want the major ticks to have marks.

Font

The font of the marks.

Dynamic Range

Check this option if you want the minimum and maximum of the marks to be controlled
by the dynamic range parameter block of the associated object at runtime.

Min.

The minimum of the marks. You can specify a 32-bit signed integer.

Max.

The maximum of the marks. You can specify a 32-bit signed integer.

Total Digits

The total digits to be displayed for the marks.

Fractional Digits

The number of fractional digits for the marks. For example, when the Maximum is
5000, the Total Digits is 4, and the Fractional Digits is 2, the mark for the Maximum will
be 50.00.

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8.5. Scatter Charts
8.5.1. Basic Operations
A scatter chart displays a set of data by drawing a data point for each datum and drawing a line that connects all the data
points in sequence. Each datum is a coordinate that contains an X value and a Y value. The vertical position of a data point
is determined by the X value of the associated datum. The horizontal position of a data point is determined by the Y value
of the associated datum.

A scatter chart can display up to 8 sets of data. The following example shows a scatter chart that displays 3 sets of data.

8.5.2. Operation Options
The following operation option can be added to a scatter chart. Select and set the option in the Scatter Chart dialog box.
Options

Description

Visibility Control

You can show and hide a scatter chart by a specified bit or the current user level. Select and set this
option in the Visibility page.

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8.5.3. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a scatter chart in the Scatter Chart dialog box. This dialog box contains the following
four pages.

General
Described in Section 8.5.4.

Pen
Described in Section 8.5.5.

XY Axis
Described in Section 8.4.6.

Visibility
Described in Section 4.3.4.

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8.5.4. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a scatter chart. The following is an example of the General
page of the Scatter Chart property sheet.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique
within the screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for the scatter charts is
SCnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, see Section 4.3.1.4 Setting up the Shape of an
Object.

, Border Color, BG Color

Chart BG Color

Select a color for the background of the char.

Data Type

The type of the data that the scatter chart will display. The supported data types include:
16-Bit Unsigned Integer, 32-Bit Unsigned Integer, 16-Bit Signed Integer, 32-Bit Signed
Integer, 16-Bit BCD, 32-Bit BCD, 32-Bit Floating Point, 16-Bit Signed BCD (LMB), 32-Bit
Signed BCD (LMB), 16-Bit Signed BCD (LMD), and 32-Bit Signed BCD (LMD).

Read Trigger

The bit variable that will trigger the scatter chart to read and display data. The bit variable
triggers the scatter chart when its state changes from off to on. Click
for this field. Click

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to select a tag for this field.

GRAPHS AND CHARTS

to enter an address

Astraada HMI CFG Operation Manual
Property
Read Address

Description
The variable whose data is to be read and displayed. Click

to enter an address for this field. Click

to select a tag for this field.
The following tables show the data arrangements of the variable.
Data Type: 16-bit; Number of Data Sets: 1
Word

Description

0

Actual number of data points

1

X value of data point 0

2

Y value of data point 0

3

X value of data point 1

4

Y value of data point 1





2n+1

X value of data point n

2n+2

Y value of data point n

Data Type: 16-bit; Number of Data Sets: 2
Word

Description

0

Actual number of data points

1

X value of data point 0; Data set 1

2

Y value of data point 0; Data set 1

3

X value of data point 0; Data set 2

4

Y value of data point 0; Data set 2

5

X value of data point 1; Data set 1

6

Y value of data point 1; Data set 1

7

X value of data point 1; Data set 2

8

Y value of data point 1; Data set 2





4n+3

X value of data point n; Data set 2

4n+4

Y value of data point n; Data set 2

Data Type: 16-bit; Number of Data Sets: 8
Word

Description

Word

Description

0

Actual number of data points

11

X value of data point 0; Data set 6

1

X value of data point 0; Data set 1

12

Y value of data point 0; Data set 6

2

Y value of data point 0; Data set 1

13

X value of data point 0; Data set 7

3

X value of data point 0; Data set 2

14

Y value of data point 0; Data set 7

4

Y value of data point 0; Data set 2

15

X value of data point 0; Data set 8

5

X value of data point 0; Data set 3

16

Y value of data point 0; Data set 8

6

Y value of data point 0; Data set 3

17

X value of data point 1; Data set 1

7

X value of data point 0; Data set 4

18

Y value of data point 1; Data set 1

8

Y value of data point 0; Data set 4





9

X value of data point 0; Data set 5

16n+15

X value of data point n; Data set 8

10

Y value of data point 0; Data set 5

16n+16

Y value of data point n; Data set 8

Continued

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Property
Read Address

Description
Data Type: 32-bit; Number of Data Sets: 1
Word

Description

Word

Description

0,1

Actual number of data points

8,9

Y value of data point 1

2,3

X value of data point 0





4,5

Y value of data point 0

4n+2, 4n+3

X value of data point n

6,7

X value of data point 1

4n+4, 4n+5

Y value of data point n

Word

Description

Data Type: 32-bit; Number of Data Sets: 2
Word

Description

0,1

Actual number of data points

12,13

Y value of data point 1; Data set 1

2,3

X value of data point 0; Data set 1

14,15

X value of data point 1; Data set 2

4,5

Y value of data point 0; Data set 1

16,17

Y value of data point 1; Data set 2

6,7

X value of data point 0; Data set 2





8,9

Y value of data point 0; Data set 2

8n+6,
8n+7

X value of data point n; Data set 2

10,11

X value of data point 1; Data set 1

8n+8,
8n+9

Y value of data point n; Data set 2

Data Type: 32-bit; Number of Data Sets: 8
Word

Description

Word

Description

0,1

Actual number of data points

22,23

X value of data point 0; Data set 6

2,3

X value of data point 0; Data set 1

24,25

Y value of data point 0; Data set 6

4,5

Y value of data point 0; Data set 1

26,27

X value of data point 0; Data set 7

6,7

X value of data point 0; Data set 2

28,29

Y value of data point 0; Data set 7

8,9

Y value of data point 0; Data set 2

30,31

X value of data point 0; Data set 8

10,11

X value of data point 0; Data set 3

32,33

Y value of data point 0; Data set 8

12,13

Y value of data point 0; Data set 3

34,35

X value of data point 1; Data set 1

14,15

X value of data point 0; Data set 4

36,37

Y value of data point 1; Data set 1

16,17

Y value of data point 0; Data set 4





18,19

X value of data point 0; Data set 5

32n+30,
32n+31

X value of data point n; Data set 8

20,21

Y value of data point 0; Data set 5

32n+32,
32n+33

Y value of data point n; Data set 8

Number of
Data Sets

Specifies how many data sets that the scatter chart will display. A scatter chart can display up to 8
sets of data.

Maximum
Number of
Data Points
Per Data Set

Specifies the maximum number of data points that the scatter chart will display for every data set. A
scatter chart can display up to 255 data points for one data set.
Note: The actual number of data points for every data set is specified at runtime. The actual number
must not exceed the maximum number.

Show Mark

Check this option so the scatter chart will show a square mark on every data point.

Show Line

Check this option so the scatter chart will display a line between two adjacent data points of a data
set.

Clear Trigger

The bit variable that triggers the scatter chart to clear its content when its state changes from off to
on. Click

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to enter an address for this field. Click

GRAPHS AND CHARTS

to select a tag for this field.

Astraada HMI CFG Operation Manual
Continued
Property
Cursor

Description
Check this option so the scatter chart will display a cursor. You can touch and drag the
cursor within the chart.

Cursor Color
Dynamic
Range

Show Cursor

Select a color for the cursor.

Dynamic
Range

Check this option so the minimum and the maximum for the X and Y values of each data
set can be specified at runtime. When this option is selected, the minimum and maximum
of the marks for the X axis and Y axis can be specified at runtime too. The data that
specifies the above two ranges should be set and arranged correctly in a memory block
called the dynamic range parameter block. You need to specify the dynamic range
parameter block in the Dynamic Range Parameter Block field.

Dynamic
Range
Parameter
Block

Specifies the variable that stores the dynamic range parameter block for the line chart
when the Dynamic Range is selected.
to enter an address for this field. Click
to select a tag for this field.
Click
The following table shows the data arrangement of the parameter block when the data
type is 16-bit.
Word

Description

0,1

The minimum of the mark for the X axis; 32-bit integer number

2,3

The maximum of the mark for the X axis; 32-bit integer number

4,5

The minimum of the mark for the Y axis; 32-bit integer number

6,7

The maximum of the mark for the Y axis; 32-bit integer number

8

The minimum of X values for pen #1; 16-bit integer number or 16-bit
unsigned integer number

9

The maximum of X values for pen #1; (Same as above)

10

The minimum of Y values for pen #1; (Same as above)

11

The maximum of Y values for pen #1; (Same as above)

12

The minimum of X values for pen #2; (Same as above)

13

The maximum of X values for pen #2; (Same as above)





38

The minimum of Y values for pen #8; (Same as above)

39

The maximum of Y values for pen #8; (Same as above)

The following table shows the data arrangement of the parameter block when the data
type is 32-bit.
Word

Description

0,1

The minimum of the mark for the X axis; 32-bit integer number

2,3

The maximum of the mark for the X axis; 32-bit integer number

4,5

The minimum of the mark for the Y axis; 32-bit integer number

6,7

The maximum of the mark for the Y axis; 32-bit integer number

8,9

The minimum of X values for pen #1; 32-bit integer number, 32-bit
unsigned integer number, or 32-bit floating point number

10,11

The maximum of X values for pen #1; (Same as above)

12,13

The minimum of Y values for pen #1; (Same as above)

14,15

The maximum of Y values for pen #1; (Same as above)





64,65

The minimum of X values for pen #8; (Same as above)

66,67

The maximum of X values for pen #8; (Same as above)

68,69

The minimum of Y values for pen #8; (Same as above)

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70,71

The maximum of Y values for pen #8; (Same as above)

8.5.5. Pen Settings
This section describes how to define the pens for the scatter charts. The following is an example of the Pen page.

The following table describes each property in the Pen page. Note that pen #1 is for data set 1; pen #2 is for data set 2;
and so on.
Property
Pen #1
~ Pen
#8

Description
Check this option so the minimum and the maximum for the X and Y values of the
associated data set will be specified at runtime. This option is available when the Dynamic
Range option in the General page is selected.

X Min.

The X minimum of the associated data set. This property is available when the Dynamic
Range option is not selected.

X Max.

The X maximum of the data value of the associated data set. This property is available when
the Dynamic Range option is not selected.

Y Min.

The Y minimum of the associated data set. This property is available when the Dynamic
Range option is not selected.

Y Max.

The Y minimum of the associated data set. This property is available when the Dynamic
Range option is not selected.

Mark Size

Select a size for the data point mark. The selection is valid when the Show Mark option in the
General page is selected.

Line Style

Select a style for the connecting lines. The selection is valid when the Show Line option in
the General page is selected.

Color

8-35

Dynamic
Range

Select a color for the connecting lines.

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CHAPTER 9

ANIMATED OBJECTS
9.1.
Pipelines......................................................................................................... 1
9.1.1.
9.1.2.
9.1.3.
9.1.4.
9.1.5.

9.2.

Dynamic Circles............................................................................................ 7

9.2.1.
9.2.2.
9.2.3.
9.2.4.

9.3.

Operation Options........................................................................................................ 16
Settings ........................................................................................................................ 16
General Settings........................................................................................................... 17

Picture Displays .......................................................................................... 19

9.5.1.
9.5.2.
9.5.3.
9.5.4.

9.6.

Operation Options........................................................................................................ 12
Settings ........................................................................................................................ 12
General Settings........................................................................................................... 13

GIF Displays................................................................................................ 16

9.4.1.
9.4.2.
9.4.3.

9.5.

Operation Options.......................................................................................................... 7
Settings .......................................................................................................................... 7
General Settings............................................................................................................. 8
Specifying Colors for Dynamic Rectangles and Circles ............................................. 10

Dynamic Rectangles ................................................................................... 12

9.3.1.
9.3.2.
9.3.3.

9.4.

Basic Operations ............................................................................................................ 1
Operation Options.......................................................................................................... 3
Settings .......................................................................................................................... 3
General Settings............................................................................................................. 3
Pipe Settings .................................................................................................................. 6

Basic Operations .......................................................................................................... 19
Operation Options........................................................................................................ 19
Settings ........................................................................................................................ 19
General Settings........................................................................................................... 20

Animated Graphics .................................................................................... 21

9.6.1.
9.6.2.
9.6.3.
9.6.4.
9.6.5.

Operation Options........................................................................................................ 21
Settings ........................................................................................................................ 21
General Settings........................................................................................................... 22
GIF Settings ................................................................................................................. 29
Path Settings ................................................................................................................ 30

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9.1. Pipelines
9.1.1. Basic Operations
A pipeline is composed of L/T/Cross connectors and pipes. By Astraada HMI CFG, you can create a pipeline easily and
efficiently. You can also control a pipeline to change color, blink, and/or show the flow effect dynamically at runtime.
The following is a sample of pipeline with flow effect:
Flow Effect

Up T Connector

Left T Connector

L Connector

Cross Connector

Pipe

To draw a pipeline, you need to do the followings:
to draw a pipeline.

1.

In the Object menu or Object toolbar, click Pipeline

2.

Move the cursor onto the screen where you want to draw a pipeline and click the position where you want the start
point of the pipeline to be at.

3.

Continue clicking on the screen to place as many L connectors needed for pipe in the pipeline.

4.

Right-click to complete the pipeline.

5.

Drag one blue handle on the boundary of the pipeline at a time to resize the pipeline.

6.

Drag one blue or black handle on the pipeline at a time to adjust the position and length of the selected pipe of the
pipeline. The pipe or connector with black handles represents the selected pipe or connector.

Boundary

The picture on the left shows the handles of a pipeline.
The blue handles on the boundary of the pipeline are for
resizing the pipeline. The blue or black handles on the
pipeline are for moving the vertices of the selected pipe.
Position the mouse pointer over one of the handles.
When the cursor turns to be
or
or
or
, drag
the handle until the pipeline is the shape and size you
want.

Selected Pipe

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7. Right-click anywhere on the pipeline and use the Insert Connector command on the object popup menu to insert a
new T/ Cross connector for the pipeline. Or right-click the existing connector or pipe of the pipeline and use the Delete
Pipe Segment command on the object popup menu to delete the connector and its connected pipe.
Popup menu

Description
Add a Up/Down T or Cross connector to the specified position on the horizontal pipe.

Insert Connector

Add a Left/Right T or Cross connector to the specified position on the vertical pipe

Delete a selected pipe segment and its successor.

Delete Pipe
Segment

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9.1.2. Operation Options
The following operation option can be added to a pipeline. Select and set up the option in the Pipeline property sheet.
Options

Description

Visibility
Control

You can show and hide a pipeline by a specified bit or the current user level. Select and set up this
option in the Visibility page.

9.1.3. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a pipeline in the Pipeline property sheet. This sheet contains the following three pages.


General

Described in Section 9.1.4.


Pipe

Described in Section 9.1.5.


Visibility

Described in Section 4.3.4.

9.1.4. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for the pipelines. The following is an example of the General
page of the Pipeline property sheet.

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The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is
unique within the screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for the
pipelines is PLnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Type

The type of the pipeline. There are five types available:
Type

Example

2D Type 1

2D Type 2

2D Type 3

3D Type 1

3D Type 2

Shading

Select a shading method when the Type is “3D Type 1” or “3D Type 2”. There are
three shading methods available:

Diameter

Specifies the diameter of the pipeline.

Border Color

Specifies the border color of the pipeline.

Body/Content Color

Specifies the body or content color of the pipeline.

Flow Effect On/Off Control

Check this option if you want to enable and disable the flow effect for the pipeline at
runtime. The flow effect will be enabled when bit 3 of the control word is on.

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Property
Body/Content
Color
Changeable

Description

& lt; Check Box & gt;

Check this option if you want to control the body/content color of the pipeline at
runtime. The variable that controls the pipeline is called the control word and is
specified in the Address field.

View Color

Select a color so you can view the pipeline painted with that color.
View Color

Painted With

0

Body/Content Color

1

Body/Content Color #2

2

Body/Content Color #3

Body/Content
Color #2
Body/Content
Color #3

Select a color as the third body/content color for the pipeline. This color will be used
to paint the pipeline when bit 1 of the control word is on.

Blink On/Off
Control

Check this option if you want the pipeline to blink at runtime. The pipeline will blink
when bit 2 of the control word is on.

Size

Select Word or Double Word for the size of the control word.

Address

Control Word

Select a color as the second body/content color for the pipeline. This color will be
used to paint the pipeline when bit 0 of the control word is on.

Specifies the variable that controls the pipeline.
Click
to enter an address for this field. Click
to select a tag for this field.
The following table shows the bit assignment data of the variable:
Bit

Assignment

0
1

Blinks when this bit is on

3
Default
Symbols

Shows body/content color #3 when this bit is on

2

Flow Effect

Shows body/content color #2 when this bit is on

Shows the flow effect when this bit is on

Select a set of symbols as the default symbols for the flow effect. There are 12
available sets:

Click
to make all pipes of the pipeline use the default
symbols for the follow effect.
Default Color

Select a color as the default color for the flow symbols.
Click
the follow symbols.

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to make all pipes of the pipeline use the default color for

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9.1.5. Pipe Settings
This section describes how to define the pipes for the pipelines. The following is an example of the Pipe page.

Select a pipe here by clicking it

View and edit the property of
the selected pipe here

The following table describes each property in the Pipe page.
Property
Pipe

Description
Specifies the type of the selected pipe.

X1

The horizontal coordinate of the upper-left corner of the selected pipe.

Y1

The vertical coordinate of the upper-left corner of the selected pipe.

X2

The horizontal coordinate of the lower-right corner of the selected pipe.

Y2
Flow
Effect

Type

The vertical coordinate of the lower-right corner of the selected pipe.

& lt; Check Box & gt;

Select this option if you want the selected pipe to show the flow effect.

Symbol

Select a symbol for the flow effect.

Color

Select a color for the flow symbol

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9.2. Dynamic Circles
You can change the size, position, and/or color of a dynamic circle at runtime.

9.2.1. Operation Options
The following operation option can be added to a dynamic circle. Select and set up the option in the Dynamic Circle
property sheet.
Options
Visibility Control

Description
You can show and hide a dynamic circle by a specified bit or the current user level. Select
and set up this option in the Visibility page.

9.2.2. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a dynamic circle in the Dynamic Circle property sheet. This sheet contains the
following two pages.


General

Described in Section 9.2.3.


Visibility

Described in Section 4.3.4.

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9.2.3. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for the dynamic circles. The following is an example of the
General page of the Dynamic Circle property sheet.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is
unique within the screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for the
dynamic circles is DCnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Data Type

The data type of the variable that controls the dynamic circle. The supported data
types include: 16-Bit Unsigned Integer, 32-Bit Unsigned Integer, 16-Bit Signed
Integer, 32-Bit Signed Integer, 16-Bit BCD, and 32-Bit BCD.

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Property

Description

Monitor Address

Specifies the variable that controls the dynamic circle.
to enter an address for this field. Click
to select a tag for this field.
Click
The following table shows the data arrangement of the variable.
Data Type
Controllable

16-Bit Unsigned Int.
16-Bit Signed Int.
16-Bit BCD

32-Bit Unsigned Int.
32-Bit Signed Int.
32-Bit BCD

Center
W0

FG Color

W0,1

FG Color

W0

Radius

W0,1

Radius

W0

Radius

W0,1

Radius

W1

FG Color

W2,3

FG Color

W0

X

W0,1

X

W1

Y

W2,3

Y

Center

W0

X

W0,1

X

Radius

W1

Y

W2,3

Y

FG Color

W2

FG Color

W4,5

FG Color

Center

W0

X

W0,1

X

Radius

W1

Y

W2,3

Y

FG Color

W2

Radius

W4,5

Radius

W0

X

W0,1

X

W1

Y

W2,3

Y

W2

Radius

W4,5

Radius

W3

FG Color

W6,7

FG Color

Radius
FG Color
Center
Radius
FG Color
Center
Radius
FG Color
Center
Radius
FG Color

Center
Radius
FG Color

Note: About the color values, see Section 9.2.4.
Controllable

& lt; Check Box & gt;

Check this option if you want the dynamic circle to be filled with the selected
pattern.
Select a pattern for filling the dynamic circle.

FG Color

Select a color for painting the black part of the pattern. This item is available when
the Pattern is not solid white.

BG Color

Select a color for painting the white part of the pattern.

& lt; Check Box & gt;

Check this option if you want the dynamic circle to have a border.

Border Color

9-9

Check this option when you want to control the FG color. This option is available
when the Circle is Solid and the Pattern is not the solid white.

Pattern

Border

Check this option when you want to control the radius.

FG Color
Solid

Check this option when you want to control the center.

Radius

Circle

Center

The border color.

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9.2.4. Specifying Colors for Dynamic Rectangles and Circles
9.2.4.1. 64K-color Models
The 64K-color HMI models, such as PV080, PV084, PV104 and PV121, use one word to specify a color. The color word
contains the three color components: red, green, and blue. The format to store the three color components of a color is
described below.
Bit 0~4: 5 bits to store the blue component
Bit 5~10: 6 bits to store the green component
Bit 11~15: 5 bits to store the red component
Example
Color

Red

Green

Blue

Hex. Value

Decimal Value

Black

0

0

0

0000H

0

Blue

0

0

16

0010H

16

Green

0

32

0

0400H

1024

Cyan

0

32

16

0410H

1040

Red

16

0

0

8000H

32768

Magenta

16

0

16

8010H

32784

Brown

16

32

0

8400H

33792

Dark gray

16

32

16

8410H

33808

Gray

24

48

24

C618H

50712

Light blue

0

0

31

001FH

31

Light green

0

63

0

07E0H

2016

Light cyan

0

63

31

07FFH

2047

Light red

31

0

0

F800H

63488

Light magenta

31

0

31

F81FH

63519

Yellow

31

63

0

FFE0H

65504

White

31

63

31

FFFFH

65535

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9.2.4.2. 256-color Models
The following table lists the color index values used by the 256-color HMI models, such as PV035-TST and PV057-TST.
You can use the color index values to specify the desired colors for your application.
Color
Index
Value

Color
Index
Value

Color

Color

Color
Index
Value

Color

0

Black

84

Autumn Orange

159

Chalk

1

Blue; 53% Blue

85

Light Orange

166

Deep Blue

2

Red; 53% Red

88

Deep Navy Blue

172

Deep River

3

Green; 53% Green

91

Grass Green

174

Twilight Blue

4

Magenta; 53% Magenta

94

Deep Purple

177

Turquoise

5

Cyan; 53% Cyan

96

Moss Green

178

Purple

6

Brown; 53% Yellow

97

Kentucky Green

179

Majestic Purple

7

Light blue

103

Army Green

180

Twilight Violet

8

Gray; 50% Black

107

Crimson

182

Light Blue Green

9

Light red

109

Khaki

186

Violet

10

Light green

110

Dull Green

187

Pale Purple

11

Light magenta

113

Regal red

189

Ghost Green

12

Light gray; 20% Black

117

Moon Green

193

Pink

13

Light cyan

118

Neon Red

194

Faded Pink

14

Yellow

120

Tropical Pink

195

Pale Yellow

15

White

121

Peach

200

Sky Blue

23

Murky Green

123

Light Yellow

209

Deep Azure

29

Walnut

125

Navy Blue

210

Electric Blue

34

Ruby red

130

Storm Blue

211

Baby Blue

39

Chartreuse

132

Desert Blue

214

Blue Purple

41

Brick Red

134

Sea Green

216

Blue Violet

48

Orange

137

Grape

217

Pastel Blue

50

Deep Yellow

139

Ocean Green

219

Ice Blue

54

Forest Green

142

Deep Violet

221

Neon Purple

62

Spring Green

144

Dusty Plum

222

Light Purple

65

Dark Brown

146

Faded Green

223

Easter Purple

66

Olive Drab

147

Mint Green

224

Powder Blue

67

Avocado Green

149

Deep Rose

229

Light Violet

73

Olive

150

Dusty Rose

74

Martian Green

155

Hot Pink

78

Red Brown

156

Deep Pink

79

Gold

157

Soft Pink

80

Banana Yellow

158

Sand

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9.3. Dynamic Rectangles
You can change the size, position, and/or color of a dynamic rectangle at runtime.

9.3.1. Operation Options
The following operation option can be added to a dynamic rectangle. Select and set up the option in the Dynamic
Rectangle property sheet.
Options
Visibility Control

Description
You can show and hide a dynamic rectangle by a specified bit or the current user level. Select
and set up this option in the Visibility page.

9.3.2. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a dynamic rectangle in the Dynamic Rectangle property sheet. This sheet contains the
following two pages.


General

Described in Section 9.3.3.


Visibility

Described in Section 4.3.4.

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9.3.3. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for the dynamic rectangles. The following is an example of the
General page of the Dynamic Rectangle property sheet.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique within
the screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for the dynamic rectangles is DRnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Data Type

The data type of the variable that controls the dynamic rectangle. The supported data types
include: 16-Bit Unsigned Integer, 32-Bit Unsigned Integer, 16-Bit Signed Integer, 32-Bit Signed
Integer, 16-Bit BCD, and 32-Bit BCD.

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Property

Description

Monitor Address

Specifies the variable that controls the dynamic rectangle.
to enter an address for this field. Click
to select a tag for this
Click
field.
The following table shows the data arrangement of the monitored variable.
Data Type
Controllable

16-Bit Unsigned Int.
16-Bit Signed Int.
16-Bit BCD

32-Bit Unsigned Int.
32-Bit Signed Int.
32-Bit BCD

Position
W0

FG Color

W0,1

FG Color

W0

Width

W0,1

Width

W1

Height

W2,3

Height

Position

W0

Width

W0,1

Width

Size

W1

Height

W2,3

Height

FG Color

W2

FG Color

W4,5

FG Color

W0

X

W0,1

X

W1

Y

W2,3

Y

Position

W0

X

W0,1

X

Size

W1

Y

W2,3

Y

FG Color

W2

FG Color

W4,5

FG Color

W0

X

W0,1

X

W1

Y

W2,3

Y

W2

Width

W4,5

Width

W3

Height

W6,7

Height

W0

X

W0,1

X

Position

W1

Y

W2,3

Y

Size

W2

Width

W4,5

Width

FG Color

W3

Height

W6,7

Height

W4

FG Color

W8,9

FG Color

Size
FG Color
Position
Size
FG Color

Position
Size
FG Color

Position
Size
FG Color

Note: About the color values, see Section 9.2.4.
Controllable

Position

Check this option when you want to control the position.

Size

Check this option when you want to control the size.

FG Color

Check this option when you want to control the FG color. This option is available
when the Rectangle is Solid and the Pattern is not the solid white.

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Property

Description

Anchor Point

Rectangle

Select one of the following our corners of the dynamic rectangle that will not
move when its size changes: Upper Left, Upper Right, Lower Left, and Lower
Right. This item is available when the Size is controllable but the Position is not
controllable.
Solid

Select a color for painting the black part of the pattern. This item is available
when the Pattern is not solid white.

BG Color

Select a color for painting the white part of the pattern.

Border

Check this option if you want the dynamic rectangle to have a border.

Border
Color

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Select a pattern for filling the dynamic rectangle.

FG Color

9-15

Check this option if you want the dynamic rectangle to be filled with the
selected pattern.

Pattern

Border

Solid

The border color.

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9.4. GIF Displays
You can use a GIF display to show a GIF image and control the animation of that image.

9.4.1. Operation Options
The following operation option can be added to a GIF display. Select and set up the option in the GIF Display property
sheet.
Options
Visibility Control

Description
You can show or hide a GIF display by a specified bit or the current user level. Select and set
up this option in the Visibility page.

9.4.2. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a GIF display in the GIF Display property sheet. This sheet contains the following two
pages.


General

Described in Section 9.4.3.


Visibility

Described in Section 4.3.4.

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9.4.3. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for the GIF displays. The following is an example of the General
page of the GIF Display property sheet.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique within the
screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for the GIF displays is GDnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Graphic

Select a GIF image for the GIF display. You can use the drop-down list to select a GIF image from the
picture database. You can click
to select a GIF image from a file. You can click
to select a GIF
image from a library file. If the selected GIF image is not from the picture database, it is imported and
saved in the picture database.

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Property

Description

Keep Graphic Size

Check this option so the size of the selected graphic will not change with the object’s size.

Animation

Check this option so the animation will be enabled by the specified bit variable.

Enabled
By Bit

Specifies the bit variable that enables the animation.
to enter an address for this field. Click
to select a tag for this field.
Click
The animation is enabled when the state of the variable is on.

Speed
Controlled
By Word

Check this option so the speed of the animation will be controlled by the specified word
variable.
Specifies the variable that controls the speed of the animation.
Click
to enter an address for this field. Click
to select a tag for this field.
The value of the variable can be from 0 to 10. The lowest speed is 1 and the highest speed
is 10. The value 0 disables the animation.

Speed

Select a speed from 1 to 10 for the animation. The lowest speed is 1 and the highest speed
is 10.
Click this button to see the animation of the GIF display with the current settings on the
screen.

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9.5. Picture Displays
9.5.1. Basic Operations
You can use a variable to select and display a predefined picture with a picture display.
A picture display can have up to 256 states. Each state can have a predefined picture. The maximum number of states that
a picture display can have is determined by the state type and the data type of the monitored variable. The following table
shows the maximum in each case.
State Type

Type of Variable

Bit

Bit

2

Value

16-bit

256

32-bit

256

16-bit

17

32-bit

33

Bit

256
Note: This is a special state type that is unique to the picture displays. The bit
variable is used to control the animation. When the bit is on, the animation is
enabled. When the bit is off, the animation is disabled. The animation is
performed by showing the picture of each state one by one at a specified
change frequency.

LSB
Animation

Maximum

You need to specify the number of states for a picture display and the number must not exceed the allowable maximum.
You can define a picture for each state. At runtime, a picture display shows the picture corresponding to the state of the
monitored variable. The state of the monitored variable is determined by the state type and value of the variable.

9.5.2. Operation Options
The following operation option can be added to a picture display. Select and set up the option in the Picture Display
property sheet.
Options

Description

Visibility Control

You can show or hide a picture display by a specified bit or the current user level. Select and set up
this option in the Visibility page.

9.5.3. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a picture display in the Picture Display property sheet. This sheet contains the
following three pages.


General

Described in Section 9.5.4.


Picture

Described in Section 4.3.1.7.


Visibility

Described in Section 4.3.4.

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9.5.4. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for the picture displays. The following is an example of the
General page of the Picture Display property sheet.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique within the
screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for the picture displays is PDnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Shape

Shape

Check this option if you want the picture display to have a frame.

Shape
settings

For details about the following properties, see Section 4.3.1.4 Setting up the Shape of an Object.
, Border Color, Pattern, FG Color, BG Color

External Label

Check this option if you want the picture display to have an external label. Set up the external
label in the External Label page.

State

Select a state as the current state of the picture display so you can view and set the Pattern, FG
Color, BG Color for that state.

State Type

The state type of the variable that controls the picture display. There are four state types you can
select from: Bit, Value, LSB, and Bit For Enabling Animation. For details, see Section 9.5.1 Basic
Operations.

Data Type

The data type of the variable that controls the picture display. The supported data types include:
Bit, 16-bit Unsigned Integer, 16-bit BCD, 32-bit Unsigned Integer, and 32-bit BCD.

Monitor Address

Specifies the variable that controls the picture display.
Click

to enter an address for this field. Click

Total State

The number of states for the picture display.

Animation
Frequency (Hz)

to select a tag for this field.

The rate to change the picture.

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9.6. Animated Graphics
An animated graphic can change its image and move along a specified path automatically. You can also change the
position and image of an animated graphic at runtime by a specified variable. You can use BMP/JPG/GIF/Object Group for
the animated graphics.

9.6.1. Operation Options
The following operation option can be added to an animated graphic. Select and set up the option in the Animated Graphic
property sheet.
Options
Visibility Control

Description
You can show or hide an animated graphic by a specified bit or the current user level. Select and
set up this option in the Visibility page.

9.6.2. Settings
You can complete all the settings of an animated graphic in the Animated Graphic property sheet. This sheet contains the
following five pages. Some of the pages appear only when they are needed.


General

Described in Section 9.3.3.


Picture

Described in Section 4.3.1.7.


GIF

Described in Section 9.3.4.


Path

Described in Section 9.3.5.


Visibility

Described in Section 4.3.4.

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9.6.3. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for the animated graphics. The following is an example of the
General page of the Animated Graphic property sheet.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is
unique within the screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for the
animated graphics is AGnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

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Property
Graphic

Description

Type

Select one of the following graphic types for the animated graphic:
Type

Description

Bitmap/JPEG/Object
Group

You can configure the animated graphic to have up to
256 pictures. The pictures can be bitmap images,
JPEG images, or object groups. Define the pictures
in the Picture page. For details, see Section 4.3.7
Picture Settings.

GIF

The animated graphic can have one GIF image.
Define the GIF image in the GIF page. The speed of
the animation for the GIF image is specified in the
Change Rate field.

Total States

The number of graphic states. You can specify a picture for each state. The
animated graphic displays the associated picture for the current state.

State Control

Select one of the following methods to control the state of the animated graphic.
State Control

Description

Automatic

The animated graphic changes the state in sequence
starting from state 0 at a rate specified in the Change Rate
field. When the current state is the last state, it will change
back to state 0.

Position

The state is determined by where the animated graphic is.
In the Path page, you can define the associated state for
each path point. For details, see Section 9.6.5 Path
Settings.

Dynamic

The state is determined at run time by the variable specified
in the Monitor Address field.

The animated graphic displays the associated picture for the current state.
Change Rate (Hz)

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Select a rate when the State Control is Automatic or the Graphic Type is GIF.
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Property
Movement

Description
Path
Type

There are six path types: Still/ Horizontal Line / Vertical Line/ Connected Lines/ Dynamic and
Dynamic; Predefined Positions.
Select one of the following path types for the animated graphic:
Path Type

Description

Still

The animated graphic does not move.

Horizontal
Line

The animated graphic moves along with a horizontal line.

Vertical
Line

The animated graphic moves along with a vertical line.
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Property
Movement

Path
Type

Description
Path Type

Description

Connected
Lines

The animated graphic moves along with a set of connected lines.
Tips: You can right-click anywhere on the connected line and use the Insert
Point command on the popup menu to insert a new point for the connected line.
Or right-click the existing point and use the Delete Point command to delete the
point.

You can also position the mouse pointer over one of the points. When the cursor
turns to be , drag the point to the position you want.

Dynamic

The position of the animated graphic is determined at runtime by the variable
specified in the Monitor Address field. The data elements of the variable that
specify the position are X and Y. They specify the coordinate of the position.

$U100: State
$U101: X
$U102: Y

Dynamic;
Predefined
Positions

The position of the animated graphic is determined at runtime by the variable
specified in the Monitor Address field. The data element of the variable that
specifies the position is Point. It specifies which point of the predefined path that
the animated graphic should move to.

Continued

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Property
Effect

Description

Marquee

Check this option if you want the current picture of the animated graphic to scroll into
both ends of its path. This option is available when the Path Type is Horizontal Line or
Vertical Line.

Duplicate
Picture

Check this option so the current picture of the animated graphic will be duplicated by a
specified number of times. All the copies will display and move together. This option is
available when the Marquee option is selected.

Number of
Copies

Specifies how many copies should be made for the Duplicate Picture option.

Monitor Address

Specifies the variable that controls the animated graphic.
to enter an address for this field. Click
to select a tag for this field.
Click
The following table shows the data arrangement of the variable:
Data Type
Settings
State Control = Dynamic

16-Bit Unsigned Int.
16-Bit Signed Int.
16-Bit BCD

32-Bit Unsigned Int.
32-Bit Signed Int.
32-Bit BCD

State Control = Dynamic
Path Type = Dynamic
State Control = Dynamic
Path Type =
Dynamic; Predefined Positions
Data Type

W0,1

State

W0

X

W0,1

X

W1

Y

W2,2

Y

W0

Point

W0,1

Point

State

W0,1

State

W1

X

W2,3

X

W2

Path Type =
Dynamic; Predefined Positions

State

W0

Path Type = Dynamic

W0

Y

W4,5

Y

W0

State

W0,1

State

W1

Point

W2,3

Point

The data type of the variable that controls the animated graphic. The supported data
types include: 16-bit Unsigned Integer, 32-bit Unsigned Integer, 16-bit Signed Integer,
32-bit Signed Integer, 16-bit BCD, and 32-bit BCD.

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9.6.3.1. Using Object Group for Animated Graphics
You can use an object group for the animated graphic.
To create an object group, you can first group the selected objects and then save the group into the object library.
To use the object group, you can click the
button in the Picture page to bring up the Copy Object from Object Library
dialog box. In the dialog, you can pick up an existing object group for the animated graphic.
Any modifications such as moving the group, resizing the group, deleting the group… will be applied to the objects of the
icon
group at the same time. However, each object in the group can have its own properties. You can double click the
to bring up the properties dialog box of the corresponding object and then define the settings of object.
The following is an example shown you how to edit the object group for the animated graphic. The object group includes a
numeric entry, a numeric display and a picture object. They will move along with a set of connected lines. At the same
time, the value of numeric entry and the numeric display will be changed.
1.

Set up the animated graphic with the object group as its graphic.

2.

Set up the picture object

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3.

Set up the numeric entry

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9.6.4. GIF Settings
This section describes how to define the GIF image for the animated graphics. The following is an example of the GIF
page.

The following table describes each property in the GIF page.
Property
GIF

Description
Select a GIF image for the animated graphic. You can use the drop-down list to
select a GIF image from the picture database. You can click

to select a GIF

image from a file. You can click
to select a GIF image from a library file. If the
selected GIF image is not from the picture database, it is imported and saved in
the picture database.
Keep Graphic Size

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Check this option so the size of the selected GIF image will not change with the
object’s size.

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9.6.5. Path Settings
This section describes how to define the path settings for the animated graphics. You can define the path of an animated
graphic in the editing window easily. To edit the path of an animated graphic, click it to display the path as shown in the
following example.
Animated graphic

End point
Start point

Path

Path point

To modify the path, drag path points to desired positions. You can insert a path point by right-clicking at the desired position
on the path and clicking Insert Point on the popped up menu. To delete a path point, right-click at the path point and click
Delete Point on the popped up menu. Use the Path page to define all the properties of the path.
The following is an example of the Path page.

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The following table describes each property in the Path page.
Property

Description

X

The horizontal coordinate of the selected path point.

Y

The vertical coordinate of the selected path point.

Picture for
Forward
Movement
Picture for
Backward
Movement

9-31

State

The associated state of the selected path point for the forward movement.

Name

The associated picture name of the selected state. It is also the associated picture name
of the selected path point for the backward movement.

State

The associated state of the selected path point for the backward movement.

Name

The associated picture name of the selected state. It is also the associated picture name
of the selected path point for the backward movement.

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ANIMATED OBJECTS

CHAPTER 10

RECIPES AND RECIPES
OBJECTS
10.1. Recipes.................................................................................................................. 1
10.2. Recipe Data Flow and Memory Allocation ....................................................... 2
10.3. Working with Recipes ......................................................................................... 3
10.4. Transferring Recipes........................................................................................... 4
10.4.1.
10.4.2.
10.4.3.
10.4.4.

Between PC and PM (HMI) .......................................................................................... 4
Between PM (HMI) and USB Memory Stick/Micro SD Card...................................... 4
Between battery backed memory and flash ROM ......................................................... 4
Between PM (HMI) and PLC/Controller ...................................................................... 5

10.5. Setting up Recipe Blocks..................................................................................... 6
10.5.1. General Settings............................................................................................................. 6
10.5.2. Data Item Settings.......................................................................................................... 9

10.6. Selecting a Recipe Using Recipe Selectors .......................................................11
10.6.1.
10.6.2.
10.6.3.
10.6.4.

Basic Operations .......................................................................................................... 11
Operation Options........................................................................................................ 12
Settings ........................................................................................................................ 12
General Settings........................................................................................................... 12

10.7. Displaying and Modifying Recipe Data Using Recipe Tables ....................... 14
10.7.1.
10.7.2.
10.7.3.
10.7.4.
10.7.5.

Basic Operations .......................................................................................................... 14
Operation Options........................................................................................................ 15
Settings ........................................................................................................................ 15
General Settings........................................................................................................... 15
Data Item Settings........................................................................................................ 17

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In this chapter we will explain how recipes in Astraada HMI CFG can be set up, stored and transferred. We also describe
how to configure the basic functions and recipe objects (recipe selector and recipe table) used for recipes.

10.1. Recipes

Recipe Block
A recipe block is a memory block stored recipe data as a two dimensional array in the panel. The memory size of each
recipe block is the product of the size of a recipe by number of recipes in word. You can create up to 16 recipe blocks for
your application. Each recipe block can contain at most 65535 recipes. Each recipe can have as many as 4096 words of
data.

Recipe
A recipe is a group of data items. You can use a recipe number or a recipe name to index a recipe in the corresponding
recipe block.
The recipe number is a sequence number between 0 and number of recipes. It is unique among all recipes of the recipe
block. The current recipe number of the recipe block m is saved in the current recipe number register $RNm (m: The recipe
block ID).
The recipe name can be represented by a specified ASCII or Unicode String data item of the recipe. To specify an ASCII or
Unicode String data item as the recipe name, you need to open the dialog box of a recipe block and set the data type of the
related data item into ASCII String or Unicode String in the data item page. For details about recipe data item settings,
please see Section 10.5.2.

Recipe Data Item
A data item is a word or words of data used to represent an application related data or a machine setup parameter used in
process and production control. You can specify the format such as name, data type, size, scaling and range check for
each data item in recipe block dialog box.
The following is a sample of a recipe block with 3 recipes and each recipe has 8 data items.
A recipe block

Recipe Number
A data item used to
represent the recipe
name
A recipe

A data Item



Recipe Data

There are two types of recipe data: TXT Data and PRD Data. These recipes can be transferred between PC and HMI or
between HMI and USB Memory Stick/Micro SD card directly.
Recipe Data

Description

TXT Data

Can be created and edited in Microsoft Excel or text editor software (e.g., Notepad)

PRD Data

Binary Data created in Astraada HMI CFG
Can be edited in RecipeEditor

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10.2. Recipe Data Flow and Memory Allocation
Assume there are two recipe blocks (Recipe Block 0 and Recipe Block 9) in an application.
Recipe Block 0 has 3 recipes and each recipe has 4 data items named A,B,C and D.
Recipe Block 9 has 2 recipes and each recipe has 3 data items named E,F and G.
The following illustration gives an overview of recipe data flow and recipe memory allocation.
Recipe Data flow

Memory allocation
Recipe Block 0

Recipe 2

Recipe Block 9
Addr. Data Item
Recipe 1
Recipe 1
Addr. R0:8 Item A
Data
Recipe 0
Addr. Data Item
R0:9
B
R0:4
A
Addr. Data Item R0:10
R9:3
E
C
R0:5
B
R9:4
F
R0:0
A
R0:11
D
R0:6
C
Recipe 0
R9:5
G
R0:1
B
Addr. Data Item
R0:7
D
R0:2
C
R9:0
E
R0:3
D
R9:1
F
R9:2
G

PC

.TXT/.PRD file by DTH (

)

Battery backed recipe memory
Recipe Block 0

By FB ( ) or
Macro ( )

Recipe Block 9
Addr. Data Item
Recipe 1
Recipe 1
Addr. R0:8 Item A
Data
Recipe 0
Addr. Data Item
R0:9
B
A
Addr. DataR0:4 R0:10
Item
R9:3
E
C
R0:5
B
R9:4
F
R0:0
A
R0:11
D
R0:6
C
Recipe 0
R9:5
G
R0:1
B
Addr. Data Item
R0:7
D
R0:2
C
R9:0
E
R0:3
D
R9:1
F
R9:2
G

Flash
ROM
PM
(HMI)
By FB (
)
(Function Button)

Recipe 2

By FB (
) or
CB and SW ( )

Current Recipe

Recipe Block 9
Recipe 1
Addr.

Data Item

CR9:0
CR9:1
CR9:2
5

Set recipe block
number to 9

E
F

.TXT/.PRD file

$RN9
m

G

Set current recipe
number to 1

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USB Memory Stick

PLC / Controller

MicroSD Card

10.3. Working with Recipes
To work with recipes, you may needs to do the followings:


Create and set up a recipe block

To create a recipe block, you may do one of the followings:
1) In the Astraada HMI CFG's Project Manager tool window, right-click the Recipes node of the concerned panel
application
and select Add Recipe Block.
2)

In the Astraada HMI CFG's menu bar, click Panel to bring up the Panel sub-menu. Click Recipe Block in the Panel
sub-menu to bring up the Recipe Block pop-up menu. Select Add in the pop-up menu.

For details about how to set up a recipe block, please see Section 10.5.


View and edit recipe data on PC

On PC, you can use RecipeEditor to view and edit recipe data saved in *.prd file. The following is an example of
RecipeEditor.
To run the RecipeEditor, choose
Start & gt; Programs & gt; Astraada HMI
CFG & gt;
RecipeEditor.
To edit recipe data directly in the
cell, right click the cell and key in
the value you want. Note that any
value unmatched the predefined
format will cause an error when
using the recipe at the runtime.



View and edit recipe data on PM (HMI)

On PM (HMI), you can use a recipe table to view and edit recipe data. For details about how to create and set up a recipe
table for an application, please see Section 10.7.


Select a recipe on PM (HMI)

On PM (HMI), you can select a recipe by using recipe selector. For details about how to create and set up a recipe selector
for an application, please see Section 10.6.


Transfer recipes

Described in Section 10.4

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10.4. Transferring Recipes
10.4.1. Between PC and PM (HMI)

By using Data Transfer Helper (DTH) (
)
You can use DTH to download recipe data in *.prd/*.txt file from PC to HMI. By DTH, you can also get recipe data from
HMI and save the data in *.prd/*.txt file on PC. The following is an example of Data Transfer Helper (DTH) used to get or
update recipe data.

Recipe related functions

To run the DTH, choose Start & gt; Programs & gt; Astraada HMI CFG & gt;

Data Transfer Helper (DTH).

10.4.2. Between PM (HMI) and USB Memory Stick/Micro SD Card

By using Function Button (
)
You can use a function button to save recipe data of the specified recipe block in a .txt\.prd file; load recipe data of the
specified recipe block from a .txt\.prd file. For details, please see Section 5.4.1 Basic Operations of function buttons

10.4.3. Between battery backed memory and flash ROM

By using Macro Command (
)
You can use RB2ROM to save the data of the specified recipe block to flash ROM, and use ROM2RB to load recipe data
from flash ROM. For details, please see Section 5.4.1 Basic Operations of Macro command

By using Function Button (
)
You can use a function button to save recipe data to flash ROM, and load recipe data from flash ROM. For details, please
see Section 5.4.1 Basic Operations of function buttons

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10.4.4. Between PM (HMI) and PLC/Controller

By using Command Block and Status Words (
)
You can use command flag setting in Command Block to request the panel to set the current recipe number, read recipe
from PLC or write recipe to PLC. You can also receive current recipe block ID or current recipe number by checking the
related status word and specifying the word variable in Status Words. For details, please see Section 3.5.1 Command
Block and Status Words.
To change current recipe number, the PLC first sets the Parameter Two Register to the desired recipe block and the
Parameter One Register to the desired recipe number, then turns on the Set Current Recipe Number (#2) command flag.
Also $RNm (Current Recipe Number Register, m: Recipe Block ID) of the panel can be changed by the PLC.
To update a recipe in the panel, the PLC first sets the Parameter Two Register to the desired recipe block and the
Parameter One Register to the desired recipe number, then turns on the Read Recipe From PLC (#3) command flag. The
panel reads data in Recipe Block to update the specified recipe in the panel.
To receive a recipe, the PLC first sets the Parameter Two Register to the desired recipe block and Parameter One
Register to the desired recipe number, then turns on the Write Recipe To PLC (#4) command flag. The panel sends the
specified recipe data to the Recipe Block in PLC.
Note: You do not need to specify the recipe block if the application has only one recipe block.
Note: To make the above operation work, the specified recipe block must exist, or the panel ignores the request. And
the specified recipe number in the Parameter One Register must be between 0 and the maximum recipe number - 1.If
the Parameter One Register is greater than or equal to the maximum recipe number, the panel ignores the request.

By using Function Button (
)
You can use a function button to write the current recipe to controller, or update current recipe by reading the recipe from
controller. For details, please see Section 5.4.1 Basic Operations of function buttons

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10.5. Setting up Recipe Blocks
You can set up a recipe block with the Recipe Block dialog box. There are two ways to open the dialog box of a recipe
block:
1) In the Astraada HMI CFG's Project Manager window, right-click the node of the desired Recipe Block and select
Properties.
2) In the Astraada HMI CFG's menu bar, click Panel to bring up the Panel sub-menu. Click Recipes in the Panel sub-menu
to bring up the Recipe Block pop-up menu. Select Properties in the pop-up menu to bring up the recipe block list of the
current panel application. Select the recipe block in the list.
The Recipe Block dialog box contains the following two pages:


General

Described in Section 10.5.1.


Data Item

Described in Section 10.5.2.

10.5.1. General Settings
Use the General page to define the general settings for a recipe block. The following is an example of the General page.

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The table below describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

Name

The recipe block's name. The maximum length of the name is 48 characters.

ID

The recipe block's ID number. Select a number between 0 and 15. The number is
unique among all recipe blocks of the panel application.

Recipe Size

Specifies the data size that each recipe contains. The unit is word

Number of Recipes

Specifies the maximum number of recipes that the recipe memory can hold.

Memory Required

The size of the recipe memory. The unit is word. The formula to calculate the size is
the size is: Memory Required = Recipe Size * Number of Recipes

Write Recipe To PLC

Check the option if you want to write the recipe to PLC

Write Address

Available when the Write Recipe To PLC is checked. Specifies the variable that is the
starting address of the Recipe Block in your PLC.
to enter an address for this field. Click
to select a tag for this field.
Click
The size of the recipes to be written is specified in the Read/Write Size field.

Notification

Check the option if you want the recipe to set the bit specified in the Bit Field to On
when finishing writing recipe to PLC.

Bit

Available when the Notification field is checked. Specifies the bit for the operation
done notification. Click
for this field.

to enter an address for this field. Click

to select a tag

Read Recipe From PLC

Check this option if you want to read recipes from PLC.

Read Address Identical To
Write Address

Specifies that the Read Address is identical to the Write Address. With this item
checked, you don’t need to specify the Read Address again. This item is available
when the option Read Recipe From PLC is checked.

Read Address

Available when the Read Recipe From PLC is checked. Specifies the variable
representing the starting address of the recipe block in your PLC.
Click
to enter an address for this field. Click
to select a tag for this field. The
size of the recipes to be read is specified in the Read/Write Size field.

Notification

Check the option if you want the recipe to set the bit specified in the Bit Field to On
when finishing reading recipe from PLC.

Bit

Available when the Notification field is checked. Specifies the bit for the operation
done notification. Click
for this field.

to enter an address for this field. Click

to select a tag

Read/Write Size

The size of recipe for reading and writing.

Reverse the order of the high
word and low word of 32-bit
data

Check this option if the Write Address or the Read Address belongs to a controller that
stores data in big-endian byte order and if there are 32-bit data items, such as 32-bit
signed integers and 32-bit floating point numbers, defined in the recipe block.

Recipe Memory

The address range of the internal memory in the panel that the overall recipe block
locates.
Range Type

Address Format

Description

Bit Address Range

$Rm:n.b
b: 0~f

Each bit address in the range
refers to a bit of a recipe word in
specified recipe block.

Word Address Range

$Rm:n

Each word address in the range
refers to a recipe word

Legend: m = Recipe Block ID; n = The Number of Recipe Word, b = Bit Number;

Continued

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Property
Current Recipe

Description
The address range of the internal memory in the panel that the current recipe locates.
Range Type

Address Format

Description

Bit Address Range

$CRm:n.b
b: 0~f

Each bit address in the range
refers to a bit of a recipe word in
the current recipe of the specified
recipe block.

Word Address Range

$CRm:n

Each word address in the range
refers to a recipe word in the
current recipe of the specified
recipe block.

Current Recipe
Number Register

$RNm

An internal register of the panel
that specifies the current recipe
number of the specified recipe
block.

Legend: m = Recipe Block ID; n = The Number of Recipe Word, b = Bit Number;
Need space in flash ROM to
save backup

Check this option if you need the space in flash ROM to save the backup recipes.

Do not use battery backed
RAM

Check this option so the memory of the recipes will be located in ordinary RAM and
the recipe memory will be cleared whenever the target panel is powered up. If this
option is not selected, the memory of the recipes will be located in the battery backed
RAM. The recipe data will not be lost after power down if the battery backed RAM is
used for the recipes.

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10.5.2. Data Item Settings
Use the Data Item page to define the data items of the data for a recipe. The following is an example of the Data Item
page.

The Data Item page contains two parts. The left part is the data item list that shows the address and name of each data
item in a row. The right part shows the properties of the selected data item. To select a data item, click the row of that data
item in the data item list. The following table describes each property of the data item.
Property

Description

Address

You can use the address shown here to refer to the latest value of the data item.

Name

Specifies the name of the data item for the language specified in the Language field.

Language

Select a language so you can view and edit the name of the data item for that language.

Data Type

The data type of the data item. The supported data types include: 16-Bit Unsigned Integer,
32-Bit Unsigned Integer, 16-Bit Signed Integer, 32-Bit Signed Integer, 16-Bit BCD, 32-Bit
BCD, 32-Bit Floating Point, ASCII String, and Unicode String.
Note that Unicode String is supported for PanelExpress only.

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Continued
Property
Display Type

Description
The display type for the value of the data item. The following table shows the available display
types for each data type.
Data Type

Available Display Types

16-Bit Unsigned Integer

16-Bit Unsigned Decimal, 16-Bit Hexadecimal, 16-Bit Octal

32-Bit Unsigned Integer

32-Bit Unsigned Decimal, 32-Bit Hexadecimal, 32-Bit Octal

16-Bit Signed Integer

16-Bit Signed Decimal

32-Bit Signed Integer

32-Bit Signed Decimal

16-Bit BCD

16-Bit Unsigned Decimal

32-Bit BCD

32-Bit Unsigned Decimal

32-Bit Floating Point

32-Bit Floating Point

ASCII String

ASCII String

Unicode String

Unicode String

Total Digits

Specifies the number of digits to be displayed for the value of the data item.

Fractional Digits

Specifies how to display the fractional part for the value of the data item. When the Display
Type is 32-bit Floating Point, this property specifies the number of fractional digits to be
displayed. When the Display Type is not 32-bit Floating Point, this property specifies not only
the number of fractional digits to be displayed but also the number of least significant digits to
be displayed as the fractional part. With this feature, an integer can be shown as a fixed point
number.
Example:
Display Type

Total
Digits

Fractional
Digits

Sampled
Value

Displayed
Value

32-bit Floating Point

4

2

12.34

12.34

32-bit Floating Point

4

2

123.4

23.40

16-bit Signed Decimal

5

2

12345

123.45

16-bit Signed Decimal

5

2

-5

-0.05

Scaling

Check this option if you want the value of the data item to be displayed in a scaled manner.
The following is the scaling formula:
DisplayedValue = SampledValue * Gain + Offset
Note: The Gain and Offset are 32-bit floating point numbers. They have at most 6 significant
digits. The rounding and truncation errors may happen.

Gain

Available when the Scaling option is checked. Specifies the Gain used in the scaling formula.

Offset

Available when the Scaling option is checked. Specifies the Offset used in the scaling
formula.

Range Check

Check this option if you want the data item to verify the entered value according to the
specified minimum and maximum. If the entered value is not within the allowable range, the
entered value will not be output.

Min

Specifies the minimum value.

Max

Specifies the maximum value.

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10.6. Selecting a Recipe Using Recipe Selectors
10.6.1. Basic Operations
A recipe selector can be configured to perform as one of the following types of controls:
Type
List

Description
The recipe selector is a list box. It displays a list of index
strings of the recipes in the specified recipe block. The
index string’s format is recipe name(recipe number). One
recipe index string per line.
The index string of the current recipe is highlighted. If the
desired recipe is not in the view, you can scroll the list by
the scroll bar attached to the right side of the list box. When
you select a desired recipe by touching its index string, the
recipe selector writes the recipe number of the selected
recipe to current recipe number register.

Drop-down
List

The recipe selector is a drop-down list. It displays the index string of the current recipe and a button
with the down arrow symbol as shown in the following example.

When the button is touched, the recipe selector displays a list box beneath itself as shown in the
following example.

The list box lists the index strings of all recipes of the recipe block. One index string per line. The
index string of the current recipe is highlighted. If the desired recipe is not in the view, you can use
the scroll bar attached to the right side of the list to scroll the index string. When you select a desired
recipe by touching its index string, the recipe selector writes the recipe number of the selected recipe
to current recipe number register and closes the list box.

If you want to cancel the operation when the list box is showing, touch anywhere other than the index
string in the list box.

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10.6.2. Operation Options
The following operation option can be added to a recipe selector. Select and set up the option in the recipe selector
property sheet.
Options
Visibility Control

Description
You can show or hide a recipe selector by a specified bit or the current user level. Select and
set up this option in the Visibility page.

10.6.3. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a recipe selector in the Recipe Selector property sheet. This sheet contains the
following three pages.


General

Described in Section 10.6.4.


Advanced

Described in Section 4.4.5.


Visibility

Described in Section 4.4.6.

10.6.4. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a recipe selector. The following is an example of the General
page.

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The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created and is
unchangeable. The identifier is unique within the screen where the object is on.
The format of the ID’s for the recipe selectors is RSnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of
an Object.

Type

, Border Color, BG Color

Select one of the following types for the recipe selector:
Type

Description

List

The list box is displayed at all times.

Drop-down List

The list box is not displayed unless the user clicks the
down arrow icon next to the static-text control.

Recipe Block

Select the recipe block whose recipe is to be selected by the Recipe Selector
object.

Recipe Name

Select a data item from the list as the recipe name. You can select any data items
with ASCII String data type as the name of the recipe from the drop down list.

Sort by Recipe Name

Check this option to automatically sort all recipe names added to the list box.

Font

The font of the displayed string.

Text Color

The color of the displayed string.

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10.7. Displaying and Modifying Recipe Data Using Recipe Tables
10.7.1. Basic Operations
There are three types of recipe tables.
Type
Horizontal
View

Description
Displays the recipes row by row and recipe data items column by column.

The above is an example of the recipe table with horizontal view. The first row displays the data item
name of each column. The other rows display one recipe per row. The first column displays recipe
number. You can create scroll button groups or scroll bars to scroll the contents.
Vertical
View

Displays the recipes column by column and recipe data items row by row.

The above is an example of the recipe table with vertical view. The first column displays the data item
name of each row. The other columns display one recipe per column. The first row displays the recipe
number. You can create scroll button groups or scroll bars to scroll the contents.
Current
Recipe

Displays the recipe data items of the current recipe row by row.

The above is an example of the current recipe. The first column displays the data item name of each row.
The other column displays the current recipe. You can create scroll button groups or scroll bars to scroll
the contents.

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10.7.2. Operation Options
The following operation option can be added to a recipe table. Select and set up the option in the recipe table property
sheet.
Options
Visibility Control

Description
You can show or hide a recipe table by a specified bit or the current user level. Select and set
up this option in the Visibility page.

10.7.3. Settings
You can complete all the settings of a recipe table in the Recipe Table property sheet. This sheet contains the following
three pages.


General

Described in Section 10.7.4.


Data Item

Described in Section 10.7.5.


Visibility

Described in Section 4.4.6.

10.7.4. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a recipe table. The following is an example of the General
page.

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The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created and is
unchangeable. The identifier is unique within the screen where the object is on.
The format of the ID’s for the recipe tables is RTnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of

Type

Select one of the following types for the recipe table:

an Object.

, Border Color, BG Color

Type

Description

Horizontal View

Displays the recipes row by row and recipe data items
column by column.

Vertical View

Displays the recipes column by column and recipe
data items row by row.

Current Recipe

Displays the recipe data items of the current recipe row
by row.

Allows operator input

Check this option if you allow the operator to update the value of the recipe data
item.

Recipe Block

Select the recipe whose collected data is to be displayed by the object.

Title

Select a color for the title text.

Background Color

Select a color for the background of the title row.

Recipe Number

Specifies the title for the recipe number column.

Vertical

Check this option if you want the object to have vertical grids.

Horizontal

Check this option if you want the object to have horizontal grids.

Color

Select a color for the grids.

Font

Select a font for displaying data.

Default Color

Select a color as the default color for displaying data.

Set Default Color to
All Data Items
Recipe
Number

Select a font for the title text.

Color

Data

Select a language so you can view and edit the settings of the title row for that
language.

Font

Grid

Language

Click this button to set the colors of all the data items to the Default Color.

Color

Select a color for the recipe number.

Line Spacing

Specifies the extra space in pixels for two adjacent rows in the table.

Item Spacing

Specifies the extra space for every column in the table.

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10.7.5. Data Item Settings
This section describes how to define the display format for the values of each data item. The following is an example of the
Data Item page.

The following table describes each property in the Data Item page.
Property
Language
Row #n
of the
property
table

Description
Select a language so you can view and edit the settings for that language.

Name

The name of data item #n. The data item names are defined in the Data Item page of the
Data Logger dialog box.

Display

Check this option if you want the object to display data item #n.

Color

Select a color for displaying data item #n.

Alignment

The alignment for displaying data item #n. There are three types of alignment: Left, Center,
and Right.

Justification

The justification for displaying data item #n. There are three types of justification:
Option

Description

Zero Suppress

The leading digits will not display when they are 0.

Leading Zeros

All digits will display.

Leading Spaces

The leading digits will display as blank character when they are 0.

Move Up

Click the button to move the selected data item before the previous data item. The Move Up
button will help you to reorder the display sequence of the data items It will not be available
when multiple rows are selected or no row is selected.

Move Down

Click the button to move the selected data item after the next data item. The Move Down
button will help you to reorder the display sequence of the data items It will not be available
when multiple rows are selected or no row is selected.

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CHAPTER 11

ALARMS AND
ALARM DISPLAYS
11.1. Using Alarms........................................................................................................ 1
11.2. Setting Up Alarm Processing.............................................................................. 2
11.3. Working with Alarm Blocks ............................................................................... 4
11.3.1.
11.3.2.
11.3.3.
11.3.4.

Creating an alarm block................................................................................................. 4
Importing and exporting an alarm block ....................................................................... 4
Deleting an alarm block................................................................................................. 4
Embedding Variable in the Appended Text of Alarm Message ..................................... 5

11.4. Discrete Alarm Blocks......................................................................................... 6
11.4.1. Settings .......................................................................................................................... 6

11.5. Analog Alarm Blocks .......................................................................................... 9
11.5.1. Settings .......................................................................................................................... 9

11.6. Alarm Displays .................................................................................................. 13
11.6.1.
11.6.2.
11.6.3.
11.6.4.

Basic Operations .......................................................................................................... 13
Operation Options........................................................................................................ 15
Settings ........................................................................................................................ 15
General Settings........................................................................................................... 16

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In order to use alarm display for your application, you need to set up alarm processing first and then define an alarm block.
This chapter describes how to set up the alarm processing and alarm block. It also describes how to configure the alarm
display to show alarm history, alarm count, active alarm and alarm marquee.

11.1. Using Alarms
To use an alarm in your application, please follow the procedure as below:
1.

Setting up alarm processing
Described in Section 11.2

2.

Creating and configuring discrete alarm blocks or analog alarm blocks
Described in Section 11.3 and Section 11.4

3.

Creating and configuring alarm displays
Described in Section 11.5

You can use command flag setting in command block or function button to request the panel to clear alarm history or clear
alarm count.

To know how to set up the command flag in command block, please see Section 3.5.1 Command Block and Status Words.
To know how to define a function button, please see Section 5.4.1 Basic Operations of function buttons.

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11.2. Setting Up Alarm Processing
You can set up the alarm processing with the Alarm Properties dialog box. In this dialog, you can determine the required
memory for alarm logging buffer, choose default color and font for the alarm message, specify how to save the alarm
history records to a text file and configure the global alarm marquee if you want to show it on the screen. To open the
dialog box of alarm processing, please double click the node named Alarms in the Astraada HMI CFG's Project Manager
tool window. The following is an example of the Alarm Properties dialog box.

The table below describes each property in the Alarm Properties dialog.
Property
Alarm Logging
Buffer

Description

Size

The maximum number of records that the alarm logging buffer can hold. For
st
st
example, 100 means when the 101 alarm happens, the 1 record will be
overwritten.

Required
non-volatile
memory

The size of the alarm logging buffer. The unit is byte. The formula to calculate the
size is: Alarm Logging Buffer Size = Number of Records * 20 + 16
Continued

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Property
Save alarm
history to File

Description

Save alarm
history to file

Check this option so the newly alarm history record will be written to a specified file
periodically. Each time when performing this operation, the panel writes only the
record that are not saved to a file before.

File Name

The filename or the prefix of the filename of the file to save the alarm record. The
alarm records are saved in text format and the file extension name must be “.txt”.
You can use any text editor and Microsoft Excel to view the alarm records directly.
This item is available when the option Save alarm history to file is checked.

Time to
Save

Specifies the period to save the alarm history records. This item is available when
the option Save alarm history to file is checked. There are nine kinds of period
available: Every hour on the hour ; Every 8 hours (00:00, 08:00, 16:00) ; Every 12
hours (00:00, 12:00) Every day at 00:00; Every day at 08:00; Every day at 12:00;
Every Sunday at 00:00; Every Monday at 00:00; Every month's first day at 00:00.

Default Alarm
Message Color

Level 1,
Level 2…
Level 8

Select a default color for alarm level 1,2…8. The alarm display will show an alarm
message with this color if that alarm is defined as a level 1,2…8 alarm.

Default Alarm
Message Font

Language

Select a default language so you can view and edit the language dependent
settings in the Text group for that language. The language dependent properties in
the Text group include Font and Alarm Status Abbreviation.

Font

Select a default font for the text of the alarm message.

Show when
there is any
alarm

Check this option if you want to show global alarm marquee on the current screen
when there is any alarm.

Position

Select one of the following 3 positions for the global alarm marquee to show up.

Global Alarm
Marquee

Position
Top

Description
The global alarm marquee shows
up on the top of the screen.

Alarm Marquee

Screen

Center

The global alarm marquee shows
up in the center of the screen.

Screen
Alarm Marquee

Bottom

The global alarm marquee shows
up at the bottom of the screen.

Screen
Alarm Marquee

Properties

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Click the button to bring up the Alarm Display dialog box to set up the properties of
the global alarm marquee. Please see Section 11.4.4 for details.

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11.3. Working with Alarm Blocks
11.3.1. Creating an alarm block
To create a discrete alarm block, you may do one of the followings:
1) In the Astraada HMI CFG's Project Manager tool window, right-click the Alarms node of the concerned panel
application and
select Add Discrete Alarm Block.
2) In the Astraada HMI CFG's menu bar, click Panel to bring up the Panel sub-menu. Click Discrete Alarm Block in the
Panel
sub-menu to bring up the pop-up menu. Select Add in the pop-up menu.
To create an analog alarm block, you may do one of the followings:
1) In the Astraada HMI CFG's Project Manager tool window, right-click the Alarms node of the concerned panel
application and
select Add Analog Alarm Block.
2) In the Astraada HMI CFG's menu bar, click Panel to bring up the Panel sub-menu. Click Analog Alarm Block in the
Panel
sub-menu to bring up the pop-up menu. Select Add in the pop-up menu.

11.3.2. Importing and exporting an alarm block
To import an alarm block, right-click the Alarms node and then select Import Alarm Block…in the Astraada HMI CFG's
Project Manager window. Select *.alm file in the Open file dialog and then click Open.
To export a discrete alarm block, right-click the node of the desired discrete alarm block and then select Export Alarm
Block…. in the Astraada HMI CFG's Project Manager window.
To export an analog alarm block, right-click the node of the desired analog alarm block and then select Export Alarm
Block…. in the Astraada HMI CFG's Project Manager window.

11.3.3. Deleting an alarm block
To delete a discrete alarm block, you may do one of the followings:
1)

In the Astraada HMI CFG's Project Manager window, right-click the node of the desired discrete alarm block and
then select Delete.

2)

In the Astraada HMI CFG's menu bar, click Panel to bring up the Panel sub-menu. Click Discrete Alarm Block in the
Panel
sub-menu to bring up the Discrete Alarm Block pop-up menu. Select Delete in the pop-up menu to bring up the
discrete alarm block list of the current panel application. Select the desired discrete alarm block in the list.

To delete an analog alarm block, you may do one of the followings:
1)
2)

In the Astraada HMI CFG's Project Manager window, right-click the node of the desired analog alarm block and
then select Delete.
In the Astraada HMI CFG's menu bar, click Panel to bring up the Panel sub-menu. Click Analog Alarm Block in the
Panel
sub-menu to bring up the Analog Alarm Block pop-up menu. Select Delete in the pop-up menu to bring up the analog
alarm block list of the current panel application. Select the desired analog alarm block in the list.

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11.3.4. Embedding Variable in the Appended Text of Alarm Message
1. The appended text can have one embedded variable.
2. Use the following format to specify an embedded variable:
@@ read_address & lt; display_format & gt;
For example, the following embedded variable in the appended text will display the 32-bit floating point number
stored in W300 with the format of 4 total digits and 1 fractional digit.
(Current temperature: @@W300 & lt; F4.1 & gt; °
C)
If the value of W300 is 123.456 when the alarm occurs, the following text will be appended to its alarm message:
(Current temperature: 123.4 °
C)
3. The read_address can be any valid word address.
4. The display_format has the following format:
Dt.f
The D is a one-letter or two-letter code to specify the data type.
The t is a number to specify the total number of digits to be displayed.
The f is a number to specify the total number of fractional digits to be displayed.
The following table shows the rule of specifying the display_format.
Data Type

D (Data Type)

t (Total Digits)

f (Fractional Digits)

16-bit Unsigned Integer

U

1~5

t & gt; = f & gt; = 0

16-bit Signed Integer

S

1~5

t & gt; = f & gt; = 0

16-bit BCD Integer

D

1~4

t & gt; = f & gt; = 0

32-bit Unsigned Integer

UD

1~10

t & gt; = f & gt; = 0

32-bit Signed Integer

SD

1~10

t & gt; = f & gt; = 0

32-bit BCD Integer

DD

1~8

t & gt; = f & gt; = 0

32-bit Floating Point Number

F

1~10

t & gt; = f & gt; = 0

5. Note that the embedded variable specified in the appended text of the first language will be used in the appended text
of all other languages no matter what embedded variables are specified in those appended text.

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11.4. Discrete Alarm Blocks
You can set up a discrete alarm block with the Discrete Alarm Block dialog box. There are two ways to open the dialog box:
1) In the Astraada HMI CFG's Project Manager window, move the mouse to the node of the desired discrete alarm block
and
double click the node or right-click the node and then select Properties.
2) In the Astraada HMI CFG's menu bar, click Panel to bring up the Panel sub-menu. Click Discrete Alarm Block in the
Panel
sub-menu to bring up the Discrete Alarm Block pop-up menu. Select Properties in the pop-up menu to bring up the
discrete alarm block list of the current panel application. Select the desired discrete alarm block in the list.

11.4.1. Settings
Use the dialog box to define all the settings for a discrete alarm block. The following is an example of the discrete alarm
block dialog.

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The table below describes some properties in the dialog.
Property

Description

Block Name

The discrete alarm block's name. The maximum length of the name is 20 characters.

Block ID

The discrete alarm block’s ID number. Select a number between 0 and 15. The number is unique
among all discrete alarm blocks of the panel application.

Type

Specifies the memory type which is used to allocate the discrete alarm block. There are four types:
Type

Description

Bits

Select Bits to create a discrete alarm block starting from the bit device
M with N continuous bits

Bits of Word Device

Select Bits of Word Device to create a discrete alarm block starting
from the bit 0 of the word device M with N continuous bits of the word
device.

Word Value

Select Word Value to create a discrete alarm block at word device M.
An alarm will occur if the value of M is between 0 and N.

Random Bits

Select Random Bits to create a discrete alarm block with N specified
random bits.

Legend: M: An address specified in Read Address field
field.
Read Address

Specifies the starting address of an alarm block to monitor the status of alarms.
Click

Block Size /
Maximum

N: A size specified in Block Size/Maximum

to enter an address for this field. Click

to select a tag for this field.

Specifies the block size of an alarm block. The unit is bit. The maximum block size or maximum value
you can specify depends on the type you select. The following table lists the limitation of each type:
Type

Maximum block size/value

Bits
Bits of Word Device

256

Word Value

0-511

Random Bits

Read Interval

256

64

Specifies the period between 1 to 3600 seconds that the panel reads Alarm Block and checks the
state of every bit in the block. The shorter the Read Interval is, the faster the alarm display object will
be refreshed, but it will make other objects refresh slower.

To specify all discrete alarms, you need to do the setting on the discrete alarm list and discrete alarm properties field. The
discrete alarm list located on the bottom-left part of the dialog shows all the discrete alarms in the alarm block. The discrete
alarm properties field located on the right of the list shows all the properties of the selected discrete alarm.
The following table describes each column in the discrete alarm list.
Column

Description

No.

The number of the discrete alarm in the alarm block.

Address/Bit No./Value

If the type is Bits or Random Bits, the column shows the address of the discrete alarm;
If the type is Bits of Word Device, the column shows the bit no of the discrete alarm. If
the type is Word Value, the column shows the value of the discrete alarm.

Use

Check this option if you want to use discrete alarm #n.

Message

Displays specified alarm message in selected language.

You need to make selection before editing the discrete alarm. To select a discrete alarm, click the row of that alarm in the
list. To select multiple rows, click the row on its header column and use Ctrl + Click to add a row to the selection.
If multiple rows are selected, any modification on the common properties such as Level, Record alarm, Sound Buzzer,
Display message, Display screen, Required Acknowledgement, Record ACK, Notification, Tip Screen…will apply to all
selected discrete alarms

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The following table describes each property for the selected discrete alarm.
Property
Address/Bit No./Value

Description
Indicates the status of its corresponding alarm. The meaning of the field depends on the
selected type.
Field Name

Type

Description

Address

Shows the address of the selected discrete alarm

Bit No.

Bits of Word
Device

Shows the bit no of the selected discrete alarm

Value

Word Value

Shows the value of the selected discrete alarm

Address

Alarm State

Bits

Random
Bits

Specifies the bit variable of the selected discrete
alarm. Click
select a tag.

to enter an address. Click

to

Level

Specify the alarm state to indicate the corresponding alarm is active. If 1(On) is
selected, a bit with high (on) state indicates the corresponding alarm is active. And a
bit with low (off) state indicates the corresponding alarm is clear.
Select a level for the alarm between 1 and 8.

ID

Specifies the alarm ID The maximum length of the ID is 6 characters.

Message

Language

Select an existing language that you are setting the message for.

Import All…

Click the button to import the texts of *.csv file and saves the texts as the alarm
messages for the current language.

Export All…

Click the button to export all the messages for selected language to *.csv file.

Text

Specifies the text for the current language. The text will be shown when the alarm is
active.

Appended
Text

Specifies the appended text for the current language. For details, please see Section
11.3.4 Embedding Variable in the Appended Text of Alarm Message.

Record alarm

Check this option if you want to record the alarm in the alarm display object.

Sound Buzzer

Check this option if you want the panel to play sound buzzer when the alarm is active or
clear.

Display message

Check this option if you want the panel to display message automatically when the
alarm is active or clear. This field can be checked only when the Display screen is
unchecked.

Display
screen

Check this option if you want the panel to display a window screen automatically when
the alarm is active or clear. This field can be checked only when the Display message
is unchecked.

& lt; Check
Box & gt;

Select a window screen to display when the alarm is active or clear. The field is
available when the Display Screen is selected. Note that only Window Screens will be
available for selecting. Please see ?.? to create a window screen.
Required
& lt; Check
Acknowledge- Box & gt;
ment

Check this option if you want the operator to acknowledge an alarm. When an alarm
become active, the panel display alarm message or screen with ACK button if Required
Acknowledgement is selected. The operator should press the ACK button to
acknowledge the alarm and have the panel start to refresh the current screen again.
This field is available when either Display message or Display screen is selected.

Record ACK
Notification

Check this option if you want to notify the specified bit when the ACK button is clicked.

Bit
Tip Screen

Check this option if you want to record ACK in the alarm display object
Specifies the bit that receives the notification.

& lt; Check
Box & gt;

Check this option if you want to display a screen when you select the corresponding
alarm on the alarm display object.
Select a window screen as the tip screen

Play multimedia

Check this option if you want the panel to play multimedia when the alarm is active or
clear.

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File Name

Specifies the file name of the multimedia

11.5. Analog Alarm Blocks
You can set up an analog alarm block with the Analog Alarm Block dialog box. There are two ways to open the dialog box:
1) In the Astraada HMI CFG's Project Manager window, move the mouse to the node of the desired analog alarm block
and
double click the node or right-click the node and then select Properties.
2) In the Astraada HMI CFG's menu bar, click Panel to bring up the Panel sub-menu. Click Analog Alarm Block in the
Panel
sub-menu to bring up the Analog Alarm Block pop-up menu. Select Properties in the pop-up menu to bring up the
analog alarm block list of the current panel application. Select the desired analog alarm block in the list.

11.5.1. Settings
Use the dialog box to define all the settings for an analog alarm block. The following is an example of the analog alarm
block dialog.

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The table below describes each property in the dialog.
Property

Description

Block Name

The analog alarm block's name. The maximum length of the name is 20 characters.

Block ID

The analog alarm block’s ID number. Select a number between 64 and 79. The number is unique
among all analog alarm blocks of the panel application.

Type

Specifies the type of the analog alarm block. There are two types:
Type

Description

Continuous Words

Select Continuous Words to create an analog alarm block starting from
the word device M with N continuous words

Random Words

Select Random Words to create an analog alarm block with N specified
random words.

Legend: M: An address specified in Read Address field

N: A size specified in Block Size.

Read
Address

Specifies the starting address of an alarm block to monitor the status of alarms.

Block Size

Specifies the block size of an alarm block. The unit is word. The maximum block size you can specify
depends on the type you select.

Click

to enter an address for this field. Click

Type

Maximum block size

Continuous Words

16

Random Words
Read Interval

to select a tag for this field.

64

Specifies the period between 1 to 3600 seconds that the panel reads Alarm Block and checks the
state of every bit in the block. The shorter the Read Interval is, the faster the alarm display object will
be refreshed, but it will make other objects refresh slower.

To specify all analog alarms, you need to do the setting on the analog alarm list and analog alarm properties field. The
analog alarm list located on the bottom-left part of the dialog shows all the analog alarms in the alarm block. The analog
alarm properties field located on the right of the list shows all the properties of the selected analog alarm.
The following table describes each column in the analog alarm list.
Column

Description

No.

The number of the analog alarm in the alarm block.

Address

Shows the address of the analog alarm.

Use

Check this option if you want to use analog alarm #n.

Message

Displays specified alarm message in selected language.

You need to make selection before editing the analog alarm. To select an analog alarm, click the row of that alarm in the list.
To select multiple rows, click the row on its header column and use Ctrl + Click to add a row to the selection.
If multiple rows are selected, any modification on the common properties such as Level, Record alarm, Sound Buzzer,
Display message, Display screen, Required Acknowledgement, Record ACK, Notification, Tip Screen…will apply to all
selected analog alarms

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The following table describes each column in the analog alarm list.
Property

Description

Alarm Type

There are four types of the analog alarm:
Type

Description

Low Low

An alarm will occur if the value of the destination variable is
lower than or equal to the Low Low Limit.

Low

An alarm will occur if the value of the destination variable is
equal to Low Limit or between Low Limit and Low Low Limit.

High

An alarm will occur if the value of the destination variable is
equal to High Limit or between High Limit and High High
Limit.

High High

An alarm will occur if the value of the destination variable is
higher than or equal to the High High Limit.

Data Type

The data type of the destination variable. The supported data types include: 16-Bit
Unsigned Integer, 32-Bit Unsigned Integer, 16-Bit Signed Integer, 32-Bit Signed
Integer, 16-Bit BCD, 32-Bit BCD, 32-Bit Floating Point.

Address

Indicates the status of its corresponding alarm.
Type

Description

Continuous Words

Shows the address of the selected analog alarm.

Random Words

Specifies the word variable of the selected analog alarm.
Click

to enter an address. Click

to select a tag.

Limit

Set a limit for the alarm. The value range of the limit depends on the specified data
type.

Hysteresis

Set the difference between the value where the alarm turns ON from turning OFF
and the value where it turns OFF from turning ON.
If the alarm type is Low Low or Low, the range is between the Limit and Limit +
Limit * Hysteresis/100. If the alarm type is High High or High, the range is between
the Limit and Limit - Limit * Hysteresis/100.

Level

Select a level for the alarm between 1 and 8.

ID

Specifies the alarm ID The maximum length of the ID is 6 characters.

Message

Language

Select an existing language that you are setting the message for.

Import All…

Click the button to import the texts of *.csv file and saves the texts as the alarm
messages for the current language.

Export All…

Click the button to export all the messages for selected language to *.csv file.

Text

Specifies the text for the current language. The text will be shown when the alarm
is active.

Appended
Text

Specifies the appended text for the current language. For details, please see
Section 11.3.4 Embedding Variable in the Appended Text of Alarm Message.

Record alarm

Check this option if you want to record the alarm in the alarm display object.

Sound Buzzer

Check this option if you want the panel to play sound buzzer when the alarm is
active or clear.

Display alarm message

Check this option if you want the panel to display message automatically when the
alarm is active or clear. This field can be checked only when the Display screen is
unchecked.

Display screen

Check this option if you want the panel to display a window screen automatically
when the alarm is active or clear. This field can be checked only when the Display
message is unchecked.

& lt; Check Box & gt;

Select a window screen to display when the alarm is active or clear. The field is
available when the Display Screen is selected. Note that only Window Screens
will be available for selecting. Please see ?.? to create a window screen.

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Continued
Property
Required
Acknowledgement

Description
Check this option if you want the operator to acknowledge an alarm. When an
alarm become active, the panel display alarm message or screen with ACK button
if Required Acknowledgement is selected. The operator should press the ACK
button to acknowledge the alarm and have the panel start to refresh the current
screen again. This field is available when either Display message or Display
screen is selected.

Record ACK

Check this option if you want to record ACK in the alarm display object

Notification

Check this option if you want to notify the specified bit when the ACK button is
clicked.

Bit
Tip Screen

& lt; Check Box & gt;

Specifies the bit that receives the notification.

& lt; Check Box & gt;

Check this option if you want to display a screen when you select the
corresponding alarm on the alarm display object.
Select a window screen as the tip screen

Play multimedia

Check this option if you want the panel to play multimedia when the alarm is active
or clear.

File Name

Specifies the file name of the multimedia

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11.6. Alarm Displays
11.6.1. Basic Operations
There are four types of alarm displays.
Type
Alarm
History

Description
You can display a list of alarm records by using an alarm history display.

The above is an example of the alarm history display. The first row is the title row. It displays the title of
each column. The other rows display one alarm record per row. You can create scroll button groups or
scroll bars to scroll the contents. An alarm history display can have seven columns. The following table
describes the content of each column for an alarm record.
Column

Description

Date

The date when the record is created. This column is optional.

Time

The time when the record is created. This column is optional.

Alarm Block ID

The ID of the alarm block in which the associated alarm is defined. This column is
optional.

Alarm Level

The level of the associated alarm. This column is optional.

Alarm ID

The ID of the associated alarm. This column is optional.

Alarm Status

The type of the alarm record. There are three types of alarm records.
Type

Description

Active
ACK

An ACK record is created when an alarm is acknowledged.

CLR
Alarm
Message

An Active record is created when an alarm is activated.
A CLR record is created when an alarm is cleared.

The message of the associated alarm. This column is optional.

The text color of a row is determined by the type of the alarm record.

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Type
Alarm
Count

11

Description
You can display a list of the number of occurrences for each alarm by using an alarm count display.

The above is an example of an alarm count display. The first row is the title row. It displays the title of
each column. The other rows display one alarm per row. You can create scroll button groups or scroll
bars to scroll the contents. An alarm count display can have five columns. The following table describes
the content of each column for an alarm.
Column

Description

Alarm Block ID

The ID of the alarm block in which the alarm is defined. This column is optional.

Alarm Level

The level of the alarm. This column is optional.

Alarm ID

The ID of the alarm. This column is optional.

Alarm Count

The number of occurrences of the alarm.

Alarm
Message

The message of the alarm. This column is optional.

The text color of a row is determined by the level of the alarm.
Active
Alarm

You can display a list of active alarms by using an active alarm display.

The above is an example of an active alarm display. The first row is the title row. It displays the title of
each column. The other rows display one active alarm per row. You can create scroll button groups or
scroll bars to scroll the contents. An active alarm display can have six columns. The following table
describes the content of each column for an active alarm.
Column

Description

Date

The date when the alarm is activated.

Time

The time when the alarm is activated.

Alarm Block ID

The ID of the alarm block in which the alarm is defined. This column is optional.

Alarm Level

The level of the alarm. This column is optional.

Alarm ID

The ID of the alarm. This column is optional.

Alarm
Message

The message of the alarm. This column is optional.

The text color of a row is determined by the level of the alarm.

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Type
Alarm
Marquee

Description
You can display and scroll the messages of the active alarms by using an alarm marquee.

The above is an example of an alarm marquee. You can place the following texts in front of the alarm
messages.
Text

Description

Alarm Block ID

The ID of the alarm block in which the alarm is defined.

Alarm Level

The level of the alarm.

Alarm ID

The ID of the alarm.

The text color for an alarm is determined by the level of that alarm.
Note: You can sort the list of an alarm display at runtime by touching the title of the column that you want it to be the sort
field. Touching the same title again changes the sort order from the ascending order to the descending order or vice versa.
The columns that can be a sort field include: Date, Time, Alarm Block ID, Alarm Level, Alarm ID, Alarm Status, and Alarm
Count.

11.6.2. Operation Options
The following operation option can be added to an alarm display. Select and set the option in the Alarm Display dialog box.
Options

Description

Visibility
Control

You can show and hide an alarm display by a specified bit or the current user level. Select and set
this option in the Visibility page.

11.6.3. Settings
You can complete all the settings of an alarm display in the Alarm Display dialog box. This dialog box contains the
following two pages.


General

Described in Section 11.4.3.


Visibility

Described in Section 4.4.6.

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11.6.4. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for an alarm display. The following is an example of the General
page of the Alarm Display dialog box.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique within the
screen where the object is on and is unchangeable. The format of the ID’s for the alarm displays is
AD####.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Shape
settings

For details about the following properties, see Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of an Object..
, Border Color, BG Color

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Property

Description

Type

Specifies the type of the alarm display. There are four types:
Type

Description

Alarm History

The alarm history display lists the alarm records.

Alarm Count

The alarm count display lists the number of occurrences of
each alarm.

Active Alarm

The active alarm display lists the active alarms.

Alarm Marquee

The alarm marquee scrolls the messages of the active alarms
horizontally.

Scrolling Speed

Select a speed for the alarm display when the Type is Alarm Marquee.

Direction

Select Leftward or Rightward for the alarm display when the Type is Alarm Marquee.

Grid

Vertical

Select this option if you want the alarm display to have vertical grids.

Horizontal

Select this option if you want the alarm display to have horizontal grids.

Color

Select a color for the grids.

Alarm Block
Title

Select an alarm block that the alarm display will show the alarms defined in that alarm
block only. Select All if you want the alarm display to show all the alarms.
& lt; Check Box & gt;

Select this option if you want the alarm display to have a title row to show the title for
each column of the displayed list when the Type is Alarm History, Alarm Count, or
Current Alarm.

Language

Select a language so you can view and edit the settings of the title row for that
language.

Font

Select a font for the title text.

Color

Select a color for the text.

BG Color

Select a color for the title row.

Date

Specifies the title for the Date column. This field is available when the Type is Alarm
History or Current Alarm.

Time

Specifies the title for the Time column. This field is available when the Type is Alarm
History or Current Alarm.

Alarm Block ID

Specifies the title for the Alarm Block ID column.

Alarm Level

Specifies the title for the Alarm Level column.

Alarm ID

Specifies the title for the Alarm ID column.

Alarm Status

Specifies the title for the Alarm Status column. This field is available when the Type is
Alarm History.

Alarm Count

Specifies the title for the Alarm Count column. This field is available when the Type is
Alarm Count.

Alarm Message

Specifies the title for the Alarm Message column.

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Property
Text

11

Description

Sort Type

Specifies how the alarm display sorts its list initially. This field is available when
the Type is not Alarm Marquee.
Note: When you want an alarm display to sort its list by the contents of a
column at runtime, simply touch the title of that column and the alarm display
will sort its list right away.

Language

Select a language so you can view and edit the language dependent settings
in the Text group for that language. The language dependent properties in the
Text group include Font and Alarm Status Abbreviation.

Font

Select a font for the text.

Date

& lt; Check Box & gt;

Check this option if you want the alarm display to have the Date column. This
field is available when the Type is Alarm History.

& lt; Drop-down List & gt; Select a format for displaying the date
Time

& lt; Check Box & gt;

Check this option if you want the alarm display to have the Time column. This
field is available when the Type is Alarm History.

& lt; Drop-down List & gt; Select a format for displaying the time
Alarm Block ID

Check this option if you want the alarm display to have the Alarm Block ID
column.

Alarm Level

Check this option if you want the alarm display to have the Alarm Level column.

Alarm ID

Check this option if you want the alarm display to have the Alarm ID column.

Alarm Message

Check this option if you want the alarm display to have the Alarm Message
column.

Cleared Alarms

Check this option so the alarm display will show the records of cleared alarms.
This field is available when the Type is Alarm History.

Alarm ACK

Check this option so the alarm display will show the records of acknowledged
alarms. This field is available when the Type is Alarm History.

Alarm
Status
Abbreviation

Active

Enter up to 3 characters that will be shown in the Alarm Status column for the
alarm records that record when an alarm occurs. This field is available when
the Type is Alarm History.

Cleared

Enter up to 3 characters that will be shown in the Alarm Status column for the
alarm records that record when an alarm is cleared. This field is available
when the Type is Alarm History.

ACK

Enter up to 3 characters that will be shown in the Alarm Status column for the
alarm records that record when an alarm is acknowledged. This field is
available when the Type is Alarm History.

Line Spacing

Specifies the extra space in pixels for two adjacent rows of the alarm display.
This field is available when the Type is not Alarm Marquee.

Item Spacing

Specifies the extra space for every column of the alarm display. This field is
available when the Type is not Alarm Marquee.

Alarm
Message
Color

Click the button to replace the selections of the L1 to L8 fields by the default
alarm message colors defined in the Alarm Properties dialog box. . This button
is available when the Type is not Alarm History.
L1,L2 … L8

Select a color for alarm level 1,2…8. The alarm display will show an alarm
message with this color if that alarm is defined as a level 1,2…8 alarm. This
field is available when the Type is not Alarm History.

Active

Select a color for displaying the alarm records that record when an alarm
occurs. This field is available when the Type is Alarm History.

Cleared

Select a color for displaying the alarm records that record when an alarm is
cleared. This field is available when the Type is Alarm History.

ACK

Select a color for displaying the alarm records that record when an alarm is
acknowledged. This field is available when the Type is Alarm History.

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CHAPTER 12

DATA COLLECTION
AND HISTORIC
DISPLAYS
12.1. Data Logger................................................................................................... 1
12.1.1.
12.1.2.
12.1.3.
12.1.4.

Settings .......................................................................................................................... 1
General Settings............................................................................................................. 2
Data Item Settings.......................................................................................................... 5
Using LDF File to Save Logged Data ........................................................................... 7

12.2. Displaying Logged Data Values Using Historic Data Tables................... 8
12.2.1.
12.2.2.
12.2.3.
12.2.4.
12.2.5.

Basic Operations ............................................................................................................ 8
Operation Options.......................................................................................................... 8
Settings .......................................................................................................................... 8
General Settings............................................................................................................. 9
Data Item Settings........................................................................................................ 11

12.3. Displaying Logged Data Trend Using Historic Trend Graph ............... 12
12.3.1.
12.3.2.
12.3.3.
12.3.4.
12.3.5.
12.3.6.

Basic Operations .......................................................................................................... 12
Operation Options........................................................................................................ 12
Settings ........................................................................................................................ 12
General Settings........................................................................................................... 13
Curve Settings.............................................................................................................. 15
Axis Settings................................................................................................................ 16

12.4. Displaying History of Predefined Events Using Historic Event Tables 18
12.4.1.
12.4.2.
12.4.3.
12.4.4.
12.4.5.

Basic Operations .......................................................................................................... 18
Operation Options........................................................................................................ 18
Settings ........................................................................................................................ 19
General Settings........................................................................................................... 20
Message Settings ......................................................................................................... 22

12.5. Displaying Time Slice Data Profile Using Single Record Line Charts . 23
12.5.1.
12.5.2.
12.5.3.
12.5.4.
12.5.5.
12.5.6.

Basic Operations .......................................................................................................... 23
Operation Options........................................................................................................ 24
Settings ........................................................................................................................ 24
General Settings........................................................................................................... 25
Pen Settings ................................................................................................................. 27
Axis Settings................................................................................................................ 29

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This chapter describes how to set up the data loggers for your application to collect data and how to configure the historic
display objects to display the collected data.

12.1. Data Logger
A data logger can collect and store the values of a data block. You can specify what data block you want to log, determine
the frequency of data sampling, choose the type of memory to save the logged data, and specify how to save the logged
data to files.
You can create up to 16 data loggers for your application. The maximum size of the data block that can be sampled by a
data logger is 128 words.
You can use function button to request the panel to clear logged data or save/load logged data (.ldf/.txt file).
To know how to define a function button, please see Section 5.4.1 Basic Operations of function buttons.
To create a data logger, you may do one of the followings:
1) In the Astraada HMI CFG's Project Manager tool window, right-click the Data Loggers node of the concerned panel
application and select Add Data Logger.
2) In the Astraada HMI CFG's menu bar, click Panel to bring up the Panel sub-menu. Click Data Logger in the Panel
sub-menu to bring up the Data Logger pop-up menu. Select Add in the pop-up menu.

12.1.1. Settings
You can set up a data logger with the Data Logger dialog box. There are two ways to open the dialog box of a data logger:
1) In the Astraada HMI CFG's Project Manager window, right-click the node of the desired data logger and select
Properties.
2) In the Astraada HMI CFG's menu bar, click Panel to bring up the Panel sub-menu. Click Data Logger in the Panel
sub-menu to bring up the Data Logger pop-up menu. Select Properties in the pop-up menu to bring up the data logger list
of the current panel application. Select the data logger in the list.
The Data Logger dialog box contains the following two pages:


General

Described in Section 12.1.2.


Data Item

Described in Section 12.1.3.

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12.1.2. General Settings
Use the General page to define the general settings for a data logger. The following is an example of the General page.

The table below describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

Name

The data logger's name. The maximum length of the name is 48 characters.

ID

The data logger's ID number. Select a number between 1 and 16. The number is
unique among all data loggers of the panel application.

Use battery backed RAM

Check this option so the logging buffer of the data logger will be located in the battery
backed RAM. The logged data will not be lost after power down if the battery backed
RAM is used for the logging buffer. If this option is not selected, the logging buffer will
be located in ordinary RAM and the data logger will clear the logging buffer whenever
the target panel is powered up.

Sample Size

The size of the data to be sampled. The unit is word.

Number of Samples

Specifies the maximum number of samples that the logging buffer of the data logger
can hold.

Logging Buffer Size

The size of the logging buffer. The unit is word. The formula to calculate the size is:
Logging Buffer Size = Number of Samples * (Sample Size + 5)

Latest Sampled
Data
Read Address

Word
Address

You can use the addresses shown here to refer to the latest sampled data of the data
logger for configuring screen objects and writing macros.
Specifies the variable representing the data block to be sampled.
Click
to enter an address for this field. Click
to select a tag for this field. The
size of the data block is specified in the Sample Size field.

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Continued
Property
Sampling
Method

Description

Timed

The data logger samples data periodically at a rate specified in the Interval field. You
can specify an interval between 1 second and 65535 seconds for the Interval field.
For example, if you want the data logger to sample data every 5 seconds, specify 5
for the Interval field.

Triggered

The data logger samples data once whenever the trigger bit specified in the Trigger
Bit field changes from Off to On.

Clocked

The data logger samples data at fixed moments specified in the At Each field. There
are six sets of fixed moments available for the At Each field.
At Each

Fixed Moments

1x

Every minute at 0 second

5x

The following moments of every hour: 00:00, 05:00, 10:00, 15:00,
20:00, 25:00, 30:00, 35:00, 40:00, 45:00, 50:00, 55;00

10x

The following moments of every hour: 00:00, 10:00, 20:00, 30:00,
40:00, 50:00

15x

The following moments of every hour:

00:00, 15:00, 30:00, 45:00

30x

The following moments of every hour:

00:00, 30:00

60x

Every hour on the hour

Timed
(sub-second)

The data logger samples data periodically at a rate specified in the Interval field. You
can select an interval between 0.1 second and 0.9 second for the Interval field. For
example, if you want the data logger to sample data every 0.5 second, select 0.5 for
the Interval field.
The sub-second sampling requires high data acquisition performance. As there are
many factors that can affect the performance, it is not guaranteed that the specified
sampling rate can be attained.

Load from .LDF
File

The data logger does not sample data. It receives the data loaded from an LDF file.

Sample Full Stop Sampling
Processing

Check the option if you want the data logger to stop sampling data when the logging
buffer is full.

Notify

Check the option if you want the data logger to set the bit specified in the Bit field to
On when the number of collected samples exceeds the limit specified in the Full Limit
field.

Bit

Available when the Notify field is checked. Specifies the bit for the sample full
notification. Click
field.

to enter an address for this field. Click

to select a tag for this

Full Limit

Clear Buffer

Check this option so the data logger can be controlled to clear its logging buffer by the
trigger bit specified in the Trigger Bit field.

Trigger Bit

Available when the Clear Buffer option is checked. Select a trigger bit that will control
the data logger to clear its logging buffer. The data logger clears its logging buffer
when the trigger bit changes from Off to On.

Enable
Sampling

Check this option so the data logger can be enabled and disabled by the enabling bit
specified in the Enabling Bit field.

Enabling Bit

External
Control

Available when the Notify field is checked. Select a percentage as the full limit. When
the ratio of collected samples to the maximum samples specified in the Number of
Samples field exceeds the percentage, the data logger sets the bit specified in the Bit
field to On.

Available when the Enable Sampling option is checked. Select an enabling bit that
will enable and disable the data logger. The data logger is enabled when the enabling
bit is On.

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Property
Save Data
to File

Description

Save Data to
File

Check this option so the data logger will write the newly collected data to a specified
file periodically. Each time when the data logger performs this operation, it writes only
the data that are not saved to a file before.

File Type

The type of file to save the logged data.
File Type
.CSV/.TXT

The logged data are saved in CSV or text format. You can use any
text editor to view the logged data. Most importantly you can use
Microsoft Excel to import the logged data from such files directly.

.LDF

Operation Type

Description

The logged data are saved in a binary format than can only be used
by a data logger that has exactly the same data definition. This file
type allows you to view and operate historic data loaded from files.

Specifies how to open a file to save the logged data.
Operation Type

Description

Create
Append or
Create

Time to Save

Creates a new file with the specified filename to save the
logged data.
If the specified file exists, appends the logged data to that file;
otherwise creates a new file with the specified filename to
save the logged data.

Specifies the period to save the logged data. There are nine kinds of period available:
Available Period
Every hour on the hour
Every 8 hours (00:00, 08:00, 16:00)
Every 12 hours (00:00, 12:00)
Every day at 00:00
Every day at 08:00
Every day at 12:00
Every Sunday at 00:00
Every Monday at 00:00
Every month's first day at 00:00

Filename

The filename or the prefix of the filename of the file to save the logged data. The
extension name must be " txt " when the File Type is " .TXT " . The extension name must
be " ldf " when the File Type is " .LDF " .

Filename Suffix

Available when the Operation Type is Create. This property guarantees that the
created file has a unique name and no existing file will be overwritten. There are four
kinds of filename suffix available as shown in the following table.
Filename Suffix

Description

Example

_YYMMDD_hhmmss

YY: year (00~99)
MM: month (01~12)
DD: day (01~31)
hh: hour (00~23)
mm: minute (00~59)
ss: second (00~59)

Log_090423_102358
(Assume that the specified
Filename is " Log " , the current
date is April 23, 2009, and the
current time is 10:23:58.)

_YYMMDD_hhmm

See above

Log_090423_1023

_YYMMDD_hh

See above

Log_090423_10

_YYMMDD

See above

Log_090423

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12.1.3. Data Item Settings
Use the Data Item page to define the data items of the sampled data for a data logger. The following is an example of the
Data Item page.

The Data Item page contains two parts. The left part is the data item list that shows the address and name of each data
item in a row. The right part shows the properties of the selected data item. To select a data item, click the row of that data
item in the data item list. The following table describes each property of the data item.
Property

Description

Address

You can use the address shown here to refer to the latest sampled value of the data item.

Name

Specifies the name of the data item for the language specified in the Language field.

Language

Select a language so you can view and edit the name of the data item for that language.

Data Type

The data type of the data item. The supported data types include: 16-Bit Unsigned Integer,
32-Bit Unsigned Integer, 16-Bit Signed Integer, 32-Bit Signed Integer, 16-Bit BCD, 32-Bit
BCD, 32-Bit Floating Point, ASCII String, and Unicode String. Note that Unicode String is
supported for PanelExpress only.

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Property
Display Type

Description
The display type for the value of the data item. The following table shows the available display
types for each data type.
Data Type

Available Display Types

16-Bit Unsigned Integer

16-Bit Unsigned Decimal, 16-Bit Hexadecimal, 16-Bit Octal

32-Bit Unsigned Integer

32-Bit Unsigned Decimal, 32-Bit Hexadecimal, 32-Bit Octal

16-Bit Signed Integer

16-Bit Signed Decimal

32-Bit Signed Integer

32-Bit Signed Decimal

16-Bit BCD

16-Bit Unsigned Decimal

32-Bit BCD

32-Bit Unsigned Decimal

32-Bit Floating Point

32-Bit Floating Point

ASCII String

ASCII String

Unicode String

Unicode String

Total Digits

Specifies the number of digits to be displayed for the value of the data item.

Fractional Digits

Specifies how to display the fractional part for the value of the data item. When the Display
Type is 32-bit Floating Point, this property specifies the number of fractional digits to be
displayed. When the Display Type is not 32-bit Floating Point, this property specifies not only
the number of fractional digits to be displayed but also the number of least significant digits to
be displayed as the fractional part. With this feature, an integer can be shown as a fixed point
number.
Example:
Display Type

Total
Digits

Fractional
Digits

Sampled
Value

Displayed
Value

32-bit Floating Point

4

2

12.34

12.34

32-bit Floating Point

4

2

123.4

23.40

16-bit Signed Decimal

5

2

12345

123.45

16-bit Signed Decimal

5

2

-5

-0.05

Scaling

Check this option if you want the value of the data item to be displayed in a scaled manner.
The following is the scaling formula:
DisplayedValue = SampledValue * Gain + Offset
Note: The Gain and Offset are 32-bit floating point numbers. They have at most 6 significant
digits. The rounding and truncation errors may happen.

Gain

Available when the Scaling option is checked. Specifies the Gain used in the scaling formula.

Offset

Available when the Scaling option is checked. Specifies the Offset used in the scaling
formula.

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12.1.4. Using LDF File to Save Logged Data
The LDF files allow you to save logged data in files and view the data later. Hence the size of battery backed RAM or the
buffer sizes of the data loggers will not limit the size of historical data you want to collect.
There are three ways to write the logged data of a data logger to an LDF file:
1) You can use a function button to perform “Copy Logged Data To .LDF File”. The button writes all the logged data of the
specified data logged to an LDF file.
2) You can use the Command Block to request this operation.
3) You can configure a data logger to write its collected data to an LDF file automatically with preset time interval.
To view the logged data of an LDF file, you need to load the data of that LDF file into a data logger first. A data logger is
able to receive the data from an LDF file only when:
1) The definitions of the data items of the LDF file and the data logger are identical, and
2) The number of samples of the LDF file is not greater than the number of samples of the data logger.
The viewing objects for an LDF file should be configured for the data logger that is able to receive the data from that LDF
file.

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12.2. Displaying Logged Data Values Using Historic Data Tables
12.2.1. Basic Operations
Use the following steps to create a historic data table:
1) Click Historic Data Table icon in the Object toolbar, or select Historic Data Table in the Object sub-menu.
2) Move the cursor to the screen on which you want to create the object.
3) Click at the desired position on the screen to place the new object.
You can use a historic data table to list the values of the data collected by a data logger.

The above is an example of the historic data table. The first row is the title row. It displays the title of each column. The
other rows display one data record per row. You can create scroll button groups or scroll bars to scroll the contents. The
titles of data columns are the names of data items defined in the Data Item page of the Data Logger dialog box.

12.2.2. Operation Options
The following operation option can be added to a historic data table. Select and set the option in the Historic Data Table
dialog box.
Options
Visibility
Control

Description
You can show and hide a historic data table by a specified bit or the current user level. Select and set
this option in the Visibility page.

12.2.3. Settings
You can set up a historic data table with the Historic Data Table dialog box. There are three ways to open the dialog box of
an object:
1) Double-click the object.
2) Right-click the object to bring up the Object pop-up menu. Select Properties in the pop-up menu.
3) In the Object List window, double-click the row that shows the information of the object.
You can complete all the settings of a historic data table in the Historic Data Table dialog box. This dialog box contains the
following three pages.


General

Described in Section 12.2.4.


Data Item

Described in Section 12.2.5.


Visibility

Described in Section 4.4.6.

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12.2.4. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a historic data table. The following is an example of the
General page.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created and is
unchangeable. The identifier is unique within the screen where the object is on.
The format of the ID’s for the historic data tables is HDDnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of
an Object.

, Border Color, BG Color

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Property

Description

Associated Data Logger

Select the data logger whose collected data is to be displayed by the object.

Data Source

Select data logger or file as the source of the collected data.
This new feature allows you to display historic data that are stored in files.
There are two data sources you can select for Historic Trend Graphs, Historic
Data Tables, and Single Record Line Charts.
When " Data Logger " is selected as the data source for an object of such kinds,
that object displays the sampled data stored in the logging buffer of the
associated data logger.
When " File " is selected as the data source for an object of such kinds, that
object displays the sampled data stored in the specified file buffer.
One HMI can have up to 16 file buffers and each file buffer is identified by an
unique number between 0 and 15.
You can create a function button to load the sampled data stored in a file.
1) Select " Load Logged Data From File " as the operation of that function button.
2) Select the file extension type. Both CSV and TXT are supported now.
3) Specify the associated data logger.
4) Specify the file buffer to save the loaded data.
5) Specify the size of the file buffer. The size is the maximum number of samples
that the file buffer can hold.

File Buffer ID

Title

Specify the File Buffer ID if the data source is a file. To specify a file buffer ID for a
file, you can use Load Logged Data From File operation of the function button.
Please see Section 5.4 Performing Built-in Function Using Function Buttons for
details.

Select a font for the title text.

Color

Select a color for the title text.

Date

Specifies the title for the Date column.

Time

Specifies the title for the Time column.

Background Color

Select a color for the background of the title row.

Vertical

Check this option if you want the object to have vertical grids.

Horizontal

Check this option if you want the object to have horizontal grids.

Color

Select a color for the grids.

Font

Select a font for displaying data.

Default Color

Select a color as the default color for displaying data.

Set Default Color to
All Data Items

Click this button to set the colors of all the data items to the Default Color.

Date

Check this option if you want the object to display the Date column. You need to
select a format for displaying the date.

Time

Check this option if you want the object to display the Time column. You need to
select a format for displaying the time.

Color

Select a color to displaying Time/Date.

Display Relative
Time

Time/Date
Display

Select a language so you can view and edit the settings of the title row for that
language.

Font

Data

Select this option if you want the object to display a title row.

Language

Grid

Title

Check this option if you want the object to display a relative measure of time.

Line Spacing

Specifies the extra space in pixels for two adjacent rows in the table.

Item Spacing

Specifies the extra space for every column in the table.

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12.2.5. Data Item Settings
This section describes how to define the display format for the sampled values of each data item. The following is an
example of the Data Item page.

The following table describes each property in the Data Item page.
Property
Language
Row #n
of the
property
table

Description
Select a language so you can view and edit the settings for that language.

Name

The name of data item #n. The data item names are defined in the Data Item page of the
Data Logger dialog box.

Display

Check this option if you want the object to display data item #n.

Color

Select a color for displaying data item #n.

Alignment

The alignment for displaying data item #n. There are three types of alignment: Left, Center,
and Right.

Justification

The justification for displaying data item #n. There are three types of justification:
Option

Description

Zero Suppress
Leading Zeros

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All digits will display.

Leading Spaces

12-11

The leading digits will not display when they are 0.
The leading digits will display as blank character when they are 0.

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12.3. Displaying Logged Data Trend Using Historic Trend Graph
12.3.1. Basic Operations
Follow the steps below to create a historic trend graph:
1) Click Historic Trend Graph icon in the Object toolbar, or select Historic Trend Graph in the Object sub-menu.
2) Move the cursor to the screen on which you want to create the object.
3) Click at the desired position on the screen to place the new object.
You can use a Historic Trend Graph to display the values of the data collected by a data logger as a trend graph.
Cursor

A historic trend graph can display up to 16 curves. The above is an example of the historic trend graph with two curves. A
historic trend graph can provide a cursor for you to estimate the value in the desired time

12.3.2. Operation Options
The following operation option can be added to a historic trend graph. Select and set the option in the Historic Trend Graph
dialog box.
Options
Visibility
Control

Description
You can show and hide a historic trend graph by a specified bit or the current user level. Select and
set this option in the Visibility page.

12.3.3. Settings
You can set up a historic trend graph with the Historic Trend Graph dialog box. There are three ways to open the dialog
box of an object:
1) Double-click the object.
2) Right-click the object to bring up the Object pop-up menu. Select Properties in the pop-up menu.
3) In the Object List window, double-click the row that shows the information of the object.
The Historic Trend Graph dialog box contains the following four pages:

General
Described in Section 12.3.4.

Curve
Described in Section 12.3.5.

Axis
Described in Section 12.3.6.


Visibility

Described in Section 4.4.6.

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12.3.4. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a historic trend graph. The following is an example of the
General page of the Historic Trend Graph property sheet.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created and is unchangeable.
The identifier is unique within the screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for
the historic trend graph is HTDnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, see Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of an
Object.

, Border Color, BG Color.

Graph BG color

Select a color for the background of the graph.

Associated Data Logger

Specifies the associated data logger.
Continued

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Property

12

Description

Data Source

Select data logger or file as the source of the collected data.

File Buffer ID

Specify the File Buffer ID if the data source is a file. To specify a file buffer ID for a file,
you can use Load Logged Data From File operation of the function button. Please see
Section 5.4 Performing Built-in Function Using Function Buttons for details.

Number of Curves

Specifies the number of curves.

Cursor

& lt; Check box & gt;

Check this option so the historic trend graph will display a cursor. You can touch and
drag the cursor to the data point(s) that you want to select.

Cursor Color

Select a color for the cursor.

Value Display
Font

Select a font for displaying the values of the selected data point(s).

Date

Check this option if you want to display date on the left top of the historic trend graph
object. You need to select a format for displaying the date.
The format of how the date is displayed. There are 12 kinds of format available:
dd/mm/yy, mm/dd/yy, yy/mm/dd, dd.mm.yy, mm.dd.yy, yy.mm.dd, dd-mm-yy, mm-dd-yy,
yy-mm-dd, dd-MMM-yy, MMM-dd-yy, and yy-MMM-dd.
Note: dd: 01~31 (day); mm: 01~12 (month); yy: 00~99 (year); MMM: JAN~DEC (month)

Time

Check this option if you want the object to display the Time on the left top corner. You
need to select a format for displaying the time.

Time/Date
Color

Select a color to displaying Time/Date.

Dynamic
Range

When this option is selected, the following three ranges can be specified at runtime:
The minimum and the maximum for the Y values of each curve
The maximum time duration for X axis
The minimum and maximum of the marks for the Y axis
The data that specifies the above three ranges should be set and arranged correctly in a
memory block called the dynamic range parameter block. You need to specify the
dynamic range parameter block in the Dynamic Range Parameter Block field.

Dynamic
Range
Parameter
Block

Specifies the variable that stores the dynamic range parameter block for the historic
trend graph when the Dynamic Range is selected.

Dynamic
Range

Click
to enter an address for this field. Click
to select a tag for this field.
The following table shows the data arrangement of the parameter block.
Word

Description

0,1

The maximum time duration for time axis(X axis)

2,3

The number of major division for the time axis(X axis); 32-bit integer
number. The minimum value is 1.

4,5

The number of sub-division for the time axis(X axis); 32-bit integer
number. The minimum value is 1.

6,7

The minimum of the mark for the Y axis

8,9

The maximum of the mark for the Y axis

10,11

The minimum of Y values for curve #1

12,13

The maximum of Y values for curve #1

14,15

The minimum of Y values for curve #2

16,17

The maximum of Y values for curve #2





70,71

The minimum of Y values for curve #16

72,73

The maximum of Y values for curve #16
Continued

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Property

Description

Support Zoom

Check this option so zoom option will be supported at the runtime. You may use the
function button to zoom in or zoom out the historic trend graph at the runtime. This field
is available only when the Dynamic Range field is not checked.

Display Relative Time

Check this option if you want the object to display a relative measure of time.

12.3.5. Curve Settings
This section describes how to define the pens for the historic trend graph. The following is an example of the Pen page.

The following table describes each property in the Curve page.
Property

Description

Data Item

Select a data item in the associated data logger for the curve.

Range

Check this option so the minimum and the maximum for the Y values of the associated curve will be
specified at runtime. This option is available only when the Dynamic Range option in the General page
is checked.

Minimum

The Y minimum of the data value of the associated curve. This property is available when the Dynamic
Range option is not selected.

Maximum

The Y maximum of the data value of the associated curve. This property is available when the Dynamic
Range option is not selected.

Style

Select a style for the trending curve.

Color

Select a color for the trending curve.

Show Value

Select one of the following methods for displaying the selected data point value.
Show Value

Description

(None)
Original

Displays the data point value without modification.

Scaled

12-15

Does not display the data point value.
Displays the corresponding Y axis value of the data point.

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12.3.6. Axis Settings
This section describes how to define the Time axis (X axis) and the Y axis for the historic trend graph.

The following table describes each property in the Axis page.
Property
Time Axis
(X Axis) –
Time
Range

Description

Dynamic Range

Check this option if you want the maximum time duration to be controlled
by the dynamic range parameter block of the associated object at runtime.
This option is available only when the Dynamic Range option in the
General page is checked.

Unit

Select a unit for dynamic range. The field is only available when the
Dynamic Range is checked.

Day/Hour/Minute/Second

If the Dynamic Range is not checked in both general page and axis page,
you need specify maximum time duration.

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Property
Time Axis
(X Axis)

Description

Number of Major
Divisions

The number of major divisions for the X axis. The minimum you can specify is
one.

Number of
Sub-divisions

The number of divisions between two adjacent major ticks. The minimum you
can specify is one.

Show Ticks

Check this option if you want the X axis to have ticks.

Show Y-axis Grid

Select this option if you want the X axis to have vertical grids.

Grid Color

Select a color for the vertical grids.

Show Time

Check this option if you want to display time. You need to select a format for
displaying the time.

Time Format

The format of how the time is displayed. There are two kinds of format
available.
Format

Description

HH:MM

HH: 00~23 (hour); MM: 00~59 (minute)

HH:MM:SS

HH: 00~23 (hour); MM: 00~59 (minute); SS: 00~59
(second)

Time/Date/Tick Color

The number of divisions between two adjacent major ticks. The minimum you
can specify is one.
Check this option if you want the Y axis to have ticks.

Show X-axis Grid

Select this option if you want the Y axis to have horizontal grids.

Grid Color

Select a color for the horizontal grids.

Show Marks

Check this option if you want the major ticks to have marks.

Font

The font of the marks.

Dynamic Range

Check this option if you want the minimum and maximum of the marks to be
controlled by the dynamic range parameter block of the associated object at
runtime.

Minimum

The minimum of the marks. You can specify a 32-bit signed integer.

Maximum

The maximum of the marks. You can specify a 32-bit signed integer.

Total Digits

The total digits to be displayed for the marks.

Fractional Digits

The number of fractional digits for the marks. For example, when the Maximum
is 5000, the Total Digits is 4, and the Fractional Digits is 2, the mark for the
Maximum will be 50.00.

Position

Select a position to locate the scale. The scale can be displayed on the left or
on the right or on the both side.

Mark/Tick Color

12-17

The number of major divisions for the Y axis. The minimum you can specify is
one.

Show Ticks

Y Axis
Mark

Number of Major
Divisions
Number of
Sub-divisions

Y Axis

Select a color for the X axis and its ticks.

Select a color for the marks and ticks.

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12.4. Displaying History of Predefined Events Using Historic Event Tables
12.4.1. Basic Operations
Follow the steps below to create a historic event table:
1) Click Historic Event Table icon in the Object toolbar, or select Historic Event Table in the Object sub-menu.
2) Move the cursor to the screen on which you want to create the object.
3) Click at the desired position on the screen to place the new object.
You can number the predefined events of your application, use a word in the controller or the target panel to store the
number of the current event at runtime, and have a data logger in the target panel to collect the value of that word. This is a
way to record the events of your application. You can use the historic event table to display the event history. Each
message defined for the historic event table is associated with an event by the message/event number.

In the above example, the historic data table and the historic event table display the same historic data in different ways.

12.4.2. Operation Options
The following operation option can be added to a historic event table. Select and set the option in the Historic Event Table
dialog box.
Options

Description

Visibility Control

You can show and hide a historic event table by a specified bit or the current user level. Select and
set this option in the Visibility page.

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12.4.3. Settings
You can set up a historic event table with the Historic Event Table dialog box. There are three ways to open the dialog box
of an object:
1) Double-click the object.
2) Right-click the object to bring up the Object pop-up menu. Select Properties in the pop-up menu.
3) In the Object List window, double-click the row that displays the information of the object.
You can complete all the settings of a historic event table in the Historic Event Table dialog box. This dialog box contains
the following three pages.


General

Described in Section 12.4.4.


Message

Described in Section 12.4.5.


Visibility

Described in Section 4.4.6.

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12.4.4. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for a historic event table. The following is an example of the
General page.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created and is unchangeable.
The identifier is unique within the screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for
the historic event tables is HMDnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, see Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of an
Object.

, Border Color, BG Color

Data Logger

Specifies the associated data logger. The object will take a specified word in each of the
data records collected by the data logger as the event number and displays a
corresponding message for that number.

Word

Specifies the number of the word in each of the data records that stores the event
number.

Number of messages

Specifies the number of event messages.

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Continued
Property
Title

Description

Title
Language

Select a color for the text.

Date

Specifies the title for the Date column.

Time

Specifies the title for the Time column.

Message

Specifies the title for the Message column.

Background
Color

Select a color for the background of the title row.

Vertical

Check this option if you want the object to display vertical grids.

Horizontal

Check this option if you want the object to display horizontal grids.

Color

Select a color for the grids.

Font

Select a font for displaying messages.

Default
Color

Select a color as the default message color.

Set Default
Color To All
Messages

Click this button to set the colors of all the messages to the Default Color.

Date

Check this option if you want the object to display the Date column. You need to select a
format for displaying the date.

Time

Date/Time
Display

Select a font for the title text.

Color

Message

Select a language so you can view and edit the settings of the title row for that language.

Font

Grid

Select this option if you want to have a title row.

Check this option if you want the object to display the Time column. You need to select a
format for displaying the time.

Line Spacing

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Specifies the extra space in pixels for two adjacent rows in the table.

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12.4.5. Message Settings
This section describes how to define the messages of the historic event table. The following is an example of the Message
page.

The following table describes each property in the Message page.
Property

Description

Language

Select a language so you can view and edit the settings for that language.

Font

Select a font for displaying the messages.

No.
1~
N

Color

Select a color for displaying the message of the associated event.

Message

Define the text message for the associated event.

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12.5. Displaying Time Slice Data Profile Using Single Record Line Charts
12.5.1. Basic Operations
Use the following steps to create a single record line chart:
1) Click Single Record Line Chart icon in the Object toolbar, or select Single Record Line Chart in the Object sub-menu.
2) Move the cursor to the screen on which you want to create the object.
3) Click at the desired position on the screen to place the new object.
You can use a single record line chart to display the values of the data collected by a data logger as a line chart.
Cursor

Data Point Marker
Reference line
Connected line

A single record line chart can display up to 255 data points. The above is an example of the single record line chart with 8
data points. A single record line chart can provide a cursor for you to estimate the value in the desired pointer.

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12.5.2. Operation Options
The following operation option can be added to a historic trend graph. Select and set the option in the Historic Trend Graph
dialog box.
Options
Visibility
Control

Description
You can show and hide a historic trend graph by a specified bit or the current user level. Select and
set this option in the Visibility page.

12.5.3. Settings
You can set up a single record line chart with the Single Record Line Chart dialog box. There are three ways to open the
dialog box of an object:
1) Double-click the object.
2) Right-click the object to bring up the Object pop-up menu. Select Properties in the pop-up menu.
3) In the Object List window, double-click the row that displays the information of the object.
The Single Record Line Chart dialog box contains the following four pages:

General

Described in Section 12.5.2.


Pen

Described in Section 12.5.3.


Axis

Described in Section 12.5.4.


Visibility

Described in Section 4.3.6.

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12.5.4. General Settings

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created and is unchangeable.
The identifier is unique within the screen where the object is on. The format of the ID’s for
the Single Record Line Charts is HLCnnnn.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, see Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of an
Object.

, Border Color, BG Color

Associated Data Logger

Specifies the associated data logger.

Data Source

Select data logger or file as the source of the collected data.

File Buffer ID

Specify the File Buffer ID if the data source is a file. To specify a file buffer ID for a file, you
can use Load Logged Data From File operation of the function button. Please see Section
5.4 Performing Built-in Function Using Function Buttons.for details.

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Continued
Property

Description

Number of Data Points

Specifies the number of data points.

Data Type

The data type of the data logger. The supported data types include: 16-Bit Unsigned
Integer, 32-Bit Unsigned Integer, 16-Bit Signed Integer, 32-Bit Signed Integer, 16-Bit
BCD, 32-Bit BCD, 32-Bit Floating Point, 16-Bit Signed BCD (LMB), 32-Bit Signed BCD
(LMB), 16-Bit Signed BCD (LMD), and 32-Bit Signed BCD (LMD).

Show Data Point Markers

Check this option so the single record line chart will display all the data point markers.

Show Connected Lines

Check this option so the single record line chart will display the connected lines.

Time/Date
Display

Date

Check this option if you want the object to display the Date column. You need to select a
format for displaying the date.

Time

Check this option if you want the object to display the Time column. You need to select a
format for displaying the time.

Color

Select a color for the text.

Font

Select a font for the title text.

Display
Relative
Time

Check this option if you want the object to display a relative measure of time.

& lt; Check Box & gt;

Check this option so the single record line chart will display a cursor. You can touch and
drag the cursor to the data point(s) that you want to select.

Cursor Color

Select a color for the cursor.

Value
Display Font

Select a font for displaying the values of the selected data point(s).

Cursor Data
Receiving
Buffer

The variable whose data is to be read and displayed the cursor data.
Click

& lt; Check Box & gt;

Check this option so the single record line chart will display a reference line.

Reference
Line Data
Block

The variable whose data is to be read and displayed the reference data.

Show/Hide
Controlled By
Bit

Check this option if you want to show or hide the reference line controlled by the
specified bit.

Show/Hide
Control Bit

Specifies the bit that controls the reference line show/hide.

Show
Cursor

Reference
Line

Click

Click

to enter an address for this field. Click

to enter the word address. Click

to enter the bit address. Click

to select a tag for this field.

to enter the word tag.

to enter the bit tag.

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12.5.5. Pen Settings
This section describes how to define the pens for the line charts. The following is an example of the Pen page.

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The following table describes each property in the Pen page.
Property
Historic
Data Pen

Description

Min.

The minimum of the associated data set. This property is available when the Dynamic
Range option is not selected.

Max.

The maximum of the associated data set. This property is available when the Dynamic
Range option is not selected.

Mark Size

Select a size for the data point mark. The selection is valid when the Show Mark option in
the General page is selected.

Line Style

Select a style for the connecting lines. The selection is valid when the Show Line option in
the General page is selected.

Color

Select a color for the connecting lines.

Show Value

Select one of the following methods for displaying the selected data point value.
Show Value

Description

(None)

Does not display the data point value.

Original

Displays the data point value without modification.

Scaled

Displays the corresponding Y axis value of the data point.

The selection is valid when the Show Cursor option in the General page is selected.
Reference
Data Pen

Min.

The minimum of the associated data set. This property is available when the Dynamic
Range option is not selected.

Max.

The maximum of the associated data set. This property is available when the Dynamic
Range option is not selected.

Mark Size

Select a size for the data point mark. The selection is valid when the Show Mark option in
the General page is selected.

Line Style

Select a style for the connecting lines. The selection is valid when the Show Line option in
the General page is selected.

Color

Select a color for the connecting lines.

Show Value

Select one of the following methods for displaying the selected data point value.
Show Value

Description

(None)

Does not display the data point value.

Original

Displays the data point value without modification.

Scaled

Displays the corresponding Y axis value of the data point.

The selection is valid when the Show Cursor option in the General page is selected.
Line segment color
selectable individually

Check this option to set the line segment color individually in the following list window.
The list window has three columns. The first column is line segment number. The second
column is color setting for the data line. The third column is the color setting for reference
line.

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12.5.6. Axis Settings
This section describes how to define the X axis and the Y axis for the single record line charts.
The following is an example of the Axis page.

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The following table describes each property in the Axis page.
Property
X
Axis

Description
Select this option if you want the X axis to have vertical grids.
Select a color for the X axis and its ticks.
Select a color for the vertical grids.

Number of Major
Divisions

The number of major divisions for the X axis. The minimum you can specify is one.

Number of
Sub-divisions

The number of divisions between two adjacent major ticks. The minimum you can
specify is one.

Show Marks

Check this option if you want the major ticks to have marks.

Font

The font of the marks.

Dynamic Range

Check this option if you want the minimum and maximum of the marks to be controlled
by the dynamic range parameter block of the associated object at runtime.

Min.

The minimum of the marks. It is a 32-bit integer.

Max.

The maximum of the marks. It is a 32-bit integer.

Total Digits

The total digits to be displayed for the marks.

Fractional Digits

The number of fractional digits for the marks. For example, when the Maximum is
5000, the Total Digits is 4, and the Fractional Digits is 2, the mark for the Maximum will
be 50.00.

Show Ticks

Check this option if you want the Y axis to have ticks.

Show X-axis Grid

Select this option if you want the Y axis to have horizontal grids.

Axis/Tick Color

Select a color for the X axis and its ticks.

Grid Color

Select a color for the horizontal grids.

Number of Major
Divisions

The number of major divisions for the Y axis. The minimum you can specify is one.

Number of
Sub-divisions
Mark

Show Y-axis Grid
Grid Color

Y
Axis

Check this option if you want the X axis to have ticks.

Axis/Tick Color

Mark

Show Ticks

The number of divisions between two adjacent major ticks. The minimum you can
specify is one.

Show Marks

Check this option if you want the major ticks to have marks.

Font

The font of the marks.

Dynamic Range

Check this option if you want the minimum and maximum of the marks to be controlled
by the dynamic range parameter block of the associated object at runtime.

Min.

The minimum of the marks. You can specify a 32-bit signed integer.

Max.

The maximum of the marks. You can specify a 32-bit signed integer.

Total Digits

The total digits to be displayed for the marks.

Fractional Digits

The number of fractional digits for the marks. For example, when the Maximum is
5000, the Total Digits is 4, and the Fractional Digits is 2, the mark for the Maximum will
be 50.00.

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CHAPTER 13

OPERATION LOGGING

13.1. Using Operation Logging............................................................................. 1
13.2. Setting up Operation Logging..................................................................... 2
13.3. Setting up Operation Log Displays............................................................. 3
13.3.1.
13.3.2.
13.3.3.
13.3.4.

Basic Operations ............................................................................................................ 3
Operation Options.......................................................................................................... 3
Settings .......................................................................................................................... 3
General Settings............................................................................................................. 4

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This chapter describes how to set up the operation logging and configure the operation log display to show the operation
loggers.

13.1. Using Operation Logging
To use an operation logging in your application, please do the followings:
1.

Setting up Operation Logging
Described in Section 13.2

2.

Adding custom operation message in the Advanced page of the related object
Described in Section 4.4.5

Enter the operation message of the first language.

Click the button to bring up the Operation
Message dialog box that you can edit the
operation message for all the languages.

3.

Creating and configuring Operation Log Displays
Described in Section 13.3

Astraada HMI CFG also lets user clear the operation logging buffer by the function button. To know how to define a
function button to clear the operation history, please see Section 5.4.1 Basic Operations of function buttons.

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13.2. Setting up Operation Logging
You can set up the operation logging with the Operation Logging dialog box. In this dialog, you can determine the required
memory for operation logging buffer, specify how to save the operation logs to a text file. To open the dialog box, please
double click the node named Operation Logging in the Astraada HMI CFG’s Project Manager tool window or use Operation
Logging… command on the Panel menu. The following is an example of the Operation logging dialog box.

The table below describes each property in the Operation Logging Properties dialog.
Property
Enable
operation
logging

Description
Check this option to enable the operation logging.

Buffer Size

The size of operation logging buffer. The unit is K words. The buffer size can be
specified between 1 and 512 K words.

Approximate number
of operations can be
logged
Save
Data to
File

& lt; Check Box & gt;

The maximum number of operation loggers that the operation logging buffer can
hold. The formula to calculate the approximate number is: Number = Buffer Size
* 1024 * 2 / 64

& lt; Check Box & gt;

Check this option so the newly operation loggers will be written to a specified file
periodically. Each time when performing the saving, the panel writes only the
operation loggers that are not saved to a file before.

File Name

The filename or the prefix of the filename of the file to save the operation loggers.
The operation loggers are saved in text format and the file extension name must
be “.txt”. You can use any text editor and Microsoft Excel to view the operation
loggers directly. This item is available when the option Save Data to File is
checked.

Time to Save

Specifies the period to save the operation loggers. This item is available when
the option Save Data to File is checked. There are nine kinds of period available:
Every hour on the hour ; Every 8 hours (00:00, 08:00, 16:00) ; Every 12 hours
(00:00, 12:00) Every day at 00:00; Every day at 08:00; Every day at 12:00; Every
Sunday at 00:00; Every Monday at 00:00; Every month's first day at 00:00.

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13.3. Setting up Operation Log Displays
13.3.1. Basic Operations
You can display a list of operation logs by using an operation log display.

The above is an example of the operation log display. The first row is the title row. It displays the title of each column. The
other rows display one operation per row. You can create scroll button groups or scroll bars to scroll the contents. An
operation log display can have three columns. The following table describes the content of each column for an operation
log display.
Column

Description

Date

The date when the record is created. This column is optional.

Time

The time when the record is created. This column is optional.

Message

The message of the associated operation. This column is optional.

The text color and font of a row is determined by the settings in the General Page.

13.3.2. Operation Options
The following operation option can be added to an alarm display. Select and set the option in the Operation Log Display
dialog box.
Options
Visibility
Control

Description
You can show and hide an operation log display by a specified bit or the current user level. Select
and set this option in the Visibility page.

13.3.3. Settings
You can complete all the settings of an operation log display in the Operation Log Display dialog box. This dialog box
contains the following two pages.

General
Described in Section 13.3.3.

Visibility
Described in Section 4.4.6.

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13.3.4. General Settings
This section describes how to define the general settings for an operation log display. The following is an example of the
General page of the Operation Log Display dialog box.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property

Description

ID

The object’s identifier. It is generated when the object is created. The identifier is unique within the
screen where the object is on and is unchangeable. The format of the ID’s for the operation log
display is HOD####.

Note

You can type a note for the object.

Shape settings

For details about the following properties, see Section 4.3.4 Setting up the Shape of an Object..
, Border Color, BG Color

Language

Select a language so you can view and edit the language dependent settings in the Title group and
Message group for that language. The language dependent properties in the Title group include
Font and Message; in the Message group include Font.

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Property
Title

Description
Select this option if you want the operation log display to have a title row to
show the title for each column of the displayed list.

Font

Select a font for the title text.

Color

Select a color for the text.

Date

Specifies the title for the Date column.

Time

Specifies the title for the Time column.

Message

Specifies the title for the Message column.

Background Color
Grid

& lt; Check Box & gt;

Select a background color for the title row.

Horizontal

Select this option if you want the operation log display to have horizontal
grids.

Vertical

Select this option if you want the operation log display to have vertical grids.

Color

Select a color for the grids.

Font

Select a font for the message.

Color

Message

Select a color for displaying the predefined message.

Date

Select a format for displaying the date

& lt; Check Box & gt;

Check this option if you want the operation log display to have the Time
column.

& lt; Drop-down List & gt;

Time

Check this option if you want the operation log display to have the Date
column.

& lt; Drop-down List & gt;
Date/Time
Display

& lt; Check Box & gt;

Select a format for displaying the time

Color

Select a color for Date/Time.

Line Spacing

Specifies the extra space in pixels for two adjacent rows of the operation log
display.

Item Spacing

Specifies the extra space for every column of the operation log display.

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CHAPTER 14

USING MACROS

14.1. Types of Macros ............................................................................................ 1
14.2. Working with Macros................................................................................... 3
14.2.1.
14.2.2.
14.2.3.
14.2.4.
14.2.5.
14.2.6.

Creating Macros............................................................................................................. 3
Opening and Closing Macros ........................................................................................ 3
Naming a macro............................................................................................................. 4
Deleting a macro............................................................................................................ 4
Saving and Exporting Macros ....................................................................................... 4
Macro Settings in the Dialog ......................................................................................... 5

14.3. Writing Macros............................................................................................. 7
14.3.1. Macro Editor Window ................................................................................................... 7
14.3.2. Macro Command Properties Tool Window ................................................................... 9

14.4. Macro Commands and Examples ............................................................. 10
14.4.1. Macro Notations and Terminology .............................................................................. 10
14.4.2. Data Transfer ............................................................................................................... 12
14.4.3. Arithmetic Operation ................................................................................................... 13
14.4.4. Logical Operation ........................................................................................................ 14
14.4.5. Calculation................................................................................................................... 16
14.4.6. Data Conversion .......................................................................................................... 18
14.4.7. Conditional Operation ................................................................................................. 21
14.4.8. Program Control .......................................................................................................... 25
14.4.9. Timer Operation........................................................................................................... 28
14.4.10. Keypad Operation ........................................................................................................ 29
14.4.11. Recipe Operation ......................................................................................................... 30
14.4.12. Communication Operation........................................................................................... 31
14.4.13. System Service............................................................................................................. 32
14.4.14. Screen Operation ......................................................................................................... 33
14.4.15. File Operation .............................................................................................................. 34
14.4.16. Comparison.................................................................................................................. 39
14.4.17. String Operation........................................................................................................... 40
14.4.18. Run Operation.............................................................................................................. 45
14.4.19. Print Operation............................................................................................................. 46

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This chapter explains how you can write macros to perform operations on the PM. A macro contains a sequence of macro
commands and acts as a simple computer program when it is run by the PM. With macros, some tasks such as scheduling,
data exchanges, conditional operations, and sequential operations that are hard to be performed by the objects can be
easily achieved.
Note: Do not use macros to control systems that can cause life-threatening and serious injury.
Note: The real-time OS in PM (HMI) needs to manage multiple tasks at the same time when the application is running. In
order not to affect the whole performance, please keep the macro as short as possible.
Note: The macros execute individually and are unaware of the other macros. When sharing common variables between
macros, your application might have possible conflicts. Consider an application where the cycle macro updates the
value of an address which is used by the event macro. If the event macro alters the address value before the cycle
macro uses that address, the result of the cycle macro will be incorrect.

14.1. Types of Macros
■ Global Macro
A global macro is a macro that can be used by all panel applications in the same project. With global macros, the panel
applications in the same projects can share the common functions without having to keep and maintain the same set of
macros locally.
You can set up a password in Project Information & Protection dialog box to protect the global macros. If the global macros
are under protection, you need to enter password to get off the protection before using them in your application.
Note that only internal variables can be used in global macros.
■ Local Macro
A local macro is a macro that can be only used by the panel application which the macro is located in.
■ Sub-macro
A sub-macro is a macro that other macros can run it by using CALL command. When the PM encounters a CALL
command while running a macro, it stops running that macro and starts to run the called sub-macro. The last command of
a sub-macro must be a RET command which terminates the sub-macro and returns the control to the calling macro. You
can also place RET commands at any locations as you want. The PM will resume the execution of the calling macro
starting from the command following the CALL command when the called sub-macro terminates and returns.
By implementing common functions in sub-macros for other macros to use, your macros can be modularized, sharable,
easy to read, and easy to maintain.
■ Startup Macro, Main Macro, Event Macro, Time Macro for the application
■ Open Macro, Cycle Macro, Close Macro for the screen
■ On Macro, Off Macro, Object Macro for the object
Select the macro that works best for the occasion you want the macro to run, and for the purpose you want the macro to
do.
Run the Macro:

Use:

When the application starts

Startup Macro
This macro is run only once when the application starts. The PM will not display the
start-up screen until the macro terminates. You can use Startup Macro to initialize
global data and settings for your application. Specify Startup Macro in Panel General
Setup dialog box.

While the application is
running

Main Macro
This macro is run all the time while the application is running. The PM runs Main
Macro cyclically, i.e. it will run Main Macro starting from the first command again each
time after it completes the processing of the last command of the macro or when it
encounters an END command in the middle of the macro. Specify Main Macro in
Panel General Setup dialog box.

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Run the Macro:

Use:

When a specific trigger bit
changes from 0 to 1

Event Macro
An Event Macro is run whenever the associated trigger bit changes from 0 (off) to 1
(on). An application can have up to four Event Macros which are numbered from 1 to
4. Specify Event Macros in Panel General Setup dialog box.

Periodically with a preset time
interval

Time Macro
A Time Macro is run periodically with a preset time interval. An application can have
up to four Time Macros which are numbered from 1 to 4. Each Time Macro has a
different set of time interval options you can choose to specify how often you want it to
be run. Specify Time Macros in Panel General Setup dialog box.

When a specific screen is
being opened

Open Macro
An Open Macro is run once when the associated screen is being opened. The PM will
not display the screen until the Open Macro terminates. Specify the Open Macro of a
screen in Screen Properties dialog box.

While a specific screen is
open

Cycle Macro
A Cycle Macro is run all the time while the associated screen is open. The PM runs
Cycle Macros cyclically, i.e. it will run a Cycle Macro starting from the first command
again each time after it completes the processing of the last command of the macro or
when it encounters an END command in the middle of the macro. And the cycle
macro terminates immediately if the screen is closed. Specify the Cycle Macro of a
screen in Screen Properties dialog box.

When a specific screen is
being closed

Close Macro
A Close Macro is run once when the associated screen is being closed. The PM will
not erase the screen until the Close Macro terminates. Specify the Close Macro of a
screen in Screen Properties dialog box.

When a specific button is
pressed or released to set a
bit to on

On Macro
An On Macro is run once when the associated button is pressed or released to set a
bit to 1 (on). The setting of the bit will not be performed until the On Macro terminates.
So it is important to keep the On Macro as short as possible in order not to delay the
setting of the bit. Both the Bit Buttons and the Toggle Switches can have an On
Macro. Specify the On Macro of a button in that button’s configuration dialog box.

When a specific button is
pressed or released to set a
bit to off

Off Macro
An Off Macro is run once when the associated button is pressed or released to set a
bit to 0 (off). The setting of the bit will not be performed until the Off Macro terminates.
So it is important to keep the Off Macro as short as possible in order not to delay the
setting of the bit. Both the Bit Buttons and the Toggle Switches can have an Off
Macro. Specify the Off Macro of a button in that button’s configuration dialog box.

When a specific object is
activated to perform a specific
operation

Object Macro
An Object Macro is run once when the associated object is activated to perform a
specific operation. Whether the macro is run before or after the operation is
performed depends on the type of that operation. The objects that can have an Object
Macro include Screen Buttons, Function Buttons, and Keypad Buttons. Specify the
Object Macro of an object in that object’s configuration dialog box.

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14.2. Working with Macros
14.2.1. Creating Macros
■ Creating a new and blank macro
1)

2)

To create a global macro, use the Add… command on the Project & gt; Global Macro menu, or right-click the Global & gt;
Global Macros item in the Project Manager tool window to bring out the popup menu and then use the Add Macro…
command on the popup menu.
To create a local macro, use the Add… command on the Panel & gt; Macro menu, or right-click the panel application & gt;
Macros item in the Project Manager tool window to bring out the popup menu and then use the Add Macro…
command on the popup menu, or
In New Macro dialog box, type the name you want, and hit the ENTER key or click the OK button to validate your
choice.

■ Importing an existing macro as a copy macro
1)

To import a macro as a global macro, right-click the Global & gt; Global Macros item in the Project Manager tool window
to bring out the popup menu and then use the Import Macro… command on the popup menu.

To import a macro as a local macro, right-click the panel application & gt; Macros item in the Project Manager tool
window to bring out the popup menu and then use the Import Macro… command on the popup menu
2) Click the *.mcr or *.txt file you want to create a new macro from. If you want to open a macro that was saved in a
different folder, locate and open the folder first.
3) Click Open.
Note: The macro is created that contains the macro in the file.

14.2.2. Opening and Closing Macros
■ Opening an existing macro
To open a global macro, select the macro you want to open on Project & gt; Global Macro & gt; Edit menu, or double click the
macro in Global & gt; Global Macros item in the Project Manager tool window, or in Macro settings of the object configuration
dialog, select the macro that is located after " --------------Global----------- " item in the drop-down list.
To open a local macro, select the macro you want to open on Panel & gt; Macro & gt; Edit menu, or double click the macro in the
panel application & gt; Macros item in the Project Manager tool window, or in Macro settings of the object configuration dialog,
if global macros exist, select the macro that is located from the beginning to " --------------Global----------- " item in the
drop-down list or select the macro in the drop-down list.
■ Opening a *.txt or *.mcr file within the macro editor window:
You may do the drag-and-drop operation:
1) Open macro editor window by clicking any of the existing macro
2) Drag a selection of *.mcr file or *.txt file into the macro editor window and drop it.
Note: All the macros in the macro editor window will be replaced by macros from the source file.
■ Closing Macro Editor Windows:
To close a single window, select the window and click the close button.
To close all windows, choose Windows... on the Window menu, select all the macro editor windows you want to close in
the window dialog and then click Close Window(s) button.
Note: The Macro Command Properties Window will be closed automatically when the macro editor window is closed. Even
if the macro editor window is closed, all the changes will be saved unless Astraada HMI CFG exits without saving the file.
■ Closing Macro Command Properties Window:

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To close the macro command properties window, click the close button on the Macro Command Properties window or
check/uncheck the Macro Command Properties command on the View menu

14.2.3. Naming a macro
When adding a new macro for global using or for the panel application, you need to specify the macro name by the
following dialog.

Specify the macro name here. The
maximum length for a macro name is 256
characters. And the macro names are case
insensitive. For example, consider the
names TURN ON, turn on to be the same.

When importing a file as the macro, the file name will be the macro name as default.
In each panel application, the local macro name has to be unique, but a local macro name can be the same as a global
macro name.
■ Renaming a macro from Project Manager:
1) Locate the macro you would like to rename
2) Right-click on the macro to display the macro item's popup menu; and then click Rename, the second menu item.
3) The macro name will become selected, simply type the new name over the selected text, and then press the ENTER
key.

14.2.4. Deleting a macro
■ Deleting a macro from Project Manager tool widow:
1) Locate the macro you would like to delete
2) Right-click on the macro to display the macro item's " popup menu " ; and then click Delete, the third menu item.
■ Deleting a macro by menu
To delete a global macro, choose Project menu, click Global Macro sub-menu, and select the macro you want to delete on
the Delete sub-menu
To delete a local macro, choose Panel menu, click Macro sub-menu, and select the macro you want to delete on the
Delete sub-menu
Note: You can only select one macro to delete at one time. If the macro you want to delete is used by the application or
the object, you will be asked to confirm the deleting operation.

14.2.5. Saving and Exporting Macros
If you have macro you want to reuse in another application panel, you can export the macro as a .txt file or a .mcr file. You
may do the following:
1) Locate the macro you would like to export
2) Right-click on the macro to display the macro item's " popup menu " ; and then click Export Macro..., the fourth menu
item.
3) If you want to save a macro in a different folder, locate and open the folder first. then click Save.

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14.2.6. Macro Settings in the Dialog
You can open and edit a specified macro or create a new macro in the configuration dialog that contains the macro page.
The following is an example of the Macro page in Bit Button configuration dialog.

The following table describes each property in the General page.
Property
Macro Name

Description
Select an existing local macros or global macros from the drop-down list. The following is a
sample in the dropdown list
Local Macros

Global Macros
New…

A separator that is used to
separate the local macros
and global macros. It shows
only when the global macros
exist.

Click the button to bring out the New Macro dialog box to create a new and blank local macro.

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Property
Macro Editor
Window

Description
Write and edit the macros here. For details, see Section 14.3.1. If the editor window is too
small, you may drag out the window and resize it. To drag and move the window, left-click
anywhere on the window frame and hold down the button, and then drag the mouse to move
the window outside to another area. It will “float” over the rest of the dialog, allowing you to
position it wherever you want it to be. Release the mouse button to let go of the window. Click
on the resized tabs located at the right-down corners of the window to resize the window. Press
close button to dock the window back into the dialog. The following is a sample of the floating
macro editor window.

Click anywhere on
the window frame to
drag out the window.

Click the close button
to dock the window
back into the dialog.

Click here to resize
the window.

Properties

A floating dialog allows you specify the macro command. For details, see Section 14.3.2. The
macro command properties dialog can be moved to anywhere and resized to any size you
want. But it can’t be closed until the dialog is closed.

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14.3. Writing Macros
In Astraada HMI CFG, all the macros can be written in the macro development environment that is composed of two
elements: Macro Editor Window and Macro Command Properties Tool Window.
You will see the following sample of the Macro Development Environment when opening a macro from Project Manager,
Macro Editor Window

Macro Command
Properties Tool Window

14.3.1. Macro Editor Window
The macro editor is a text-based editor with syntax coloring and line numbering. Line numbering in the left margin of the
page helps you refer to the specific position of the macro. Syntax coloring gives you visual cues about the structure by
using different colors for various elements, such as keywords in black, comments in green, addresses in blue and
constants in red.
■ Editing Macro
With the macro editor, you can cut, copy, and paste selected text using menu commands, key combination or
drag-and-drop operations. You can also undo and redo selected editing actions.
You can right-click to display a popup menu of editing commands. The editing commands available depend on what the
pointer is pointing to.

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The macro editor allows the following editing actions:
• Cutting, copying, pasting, and deleting selection of lines, multiple lines or text
• Undoing and redoing editing actions
• Using drag-and-drop editing to move or copy selection of text within one macro editor window, or between macro
editor windows.
The following table shows the supported editing commands.
Menu Command

Key Combination

Description

Cut

CTRL+X

Removes selected text from the active macro editor window.

Copy

CTRL+C

Duplicates selected text in the active macro editor window.

Paste

CTRL+V

Pastes cut or copied text into an active macro editor window.

DELETE

Deletes text without copying it to the Clipboard.

Undo

CTRL+Z

Reverses the last editing action.

Redo

CTRL+Y

Reapplies the prior editing that have been undone.

CTRL+A

Selects all texts in the active macro editor

Note that all editing commands require a selection in order to work. Some commands can make a selection based on the
current cursor location.
■ Using Comments in Macros
Comments are notes to be ignored when running the macro commands. Macro supports both single-line comments and
block comments. Single-line comments begin with two forward slashes (//) and run to the end of the line.
The following is an example of a macro command followed by a single-line comment.
IF $U0.0 (B) // Key Down
Block comments begin with an opening delimiter (/*) and run to a closing delimiter (*/). Comments do not nest.
The following is an example of a block comment.
/* $N1001=WH2021
$N1010=$N1001 */
■ Specifying Constants in Macros
To specify a hexadecimal number, use either the h or H suffix. For example, 12abH and 3ABh are valid hexadecimal
numbers. You can also use either the “0x” or “0X” prefix. For example, 0x1278abc and 0XFFFF0000 are valid hexadecimal
numbers.
To specify a binary number, use either b or B suffix. For example, 001100111b and 11110000B are valid binary numbers.
For decimal numbers, in most cases, you just type the numbers as they are to specify the constants. However, the
ambiguity exists when a constant is the same as a valid external variable. For example, if a panel application has a link to a
Modicon ModBus slave device, it is impossible to tell whether the number 40001 is a constant or a word address of the
controller. To avoid this kind of ambiguity, use the following methods to explicitly declare that a number is a constant:
1) Use K, k, D, or d suffix for an integer number. For example, -123K and -123d are valid specifications of constant -123.
2) Use either the f or F suffix for a decimal number with decimal point. For example, -12.3F and -12.3f are valid
specifications of constant -12.3.

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14.3.2. Macro Command Properties Tool Window
The Macro Command Properties Tool Window help you add and modify a macro command quickly and easily.
If you open a macro from Project Manager or Menu Item, the Macro Properties Tool Window will be opened as a docking
window. You can easily configure the dockable tool window to show or hide automatically or tab link with other tool
windows or dock against the edges, or float over. When the Macro Editor is opened, you can also choose to open or close
the Macro Command Properties Tool Window by clicking the [Macro Command Properties] menu item under [View] menu.
If you open the macro from object's configuration dialog box, the Macro Properties Tool Window will float besides the
Macro Editor and it can be moved to anywhere but can't be closed.
The following table describes each property in the macro command properties tool window.
Property

Description

Command

Clicks the dropdown list box to bring up the macro command selection dialog, In the dialog,
navigates the keyword of macro commands through tabs and sections by moving the
mouse and then clicks the selection. The format of the selected macro command will be
shown in the dropdown list after the dialog is closed. To cancel the operation, click
anywhere outside the macro command selection dialog.

Data Type

Selects the data type for the macro command from the dropdown list. Different macro
command supports different data types. The supported data types for each macro
command are some of the followings: (S) 16-bit Signed, (U) 16-bit Unsigned, (SD) 32-bit
Signed, (UD) 32-bit Unsigned, (F) 32-bit Floating Point, (B) Bit.

Parameter

& lt; Edit
Box & gt;

Specifies the bit variable when the Data Type is (B).
Specifies the word variable when the Data Type is (U)/(S).
Specifies the double-word variable when the Data Type is (UD)/(SD)/(F).
Clicks this icon to bring up the Address Input Keypad and specify the desired address for
the Variable field.
Clicks this icon to bring up the Select Tag dialog box and select the desired tag for the
Variable field.

Macro Command Help

Shows the operation, parameter type of the selected macro command.

Note that any modification in the dialog will change the current macro command in the Macro Editor.

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14.4. Macro Commands and Examples
14.4.1. Macro Notations and Terminology
The following notations and terminology will be used in the Macro Commands and Examples sections.
■ Notations
1)
2)

P1, P2, P3, P4, P5: Parameters of macro commands.
I, E, C, A, CS, M, AE, CE: Used for indicating the types of parameter a macro command can accept for a specific
command parameter.

Abbreviation

Parameter Type

I

Internal Variable

E

External Variable

C

Constant

A

ASCII character string

CS

Character string of the program label

M

Sub-macro name

AE

Arithmetic expression

CE

Comparison expression

3)

U, S, UD, SD, F, B: Used for indicating the types of data a macro command can support.

Abbreviation

Data Type

U

16-bit Unsigned Integer

S

16-bit Signed Integer

UD

32-bit Unsigned Integer

SD

32-bit Signed Integer

F

32-bit Floating Point

B

Bit

■ Terminology
Terminology

Definition

Internal memory

The memory space in the PM that can be accessed by the panel application. For example, the
user memory $U, the non-volatile memory $N, the system memory $S, and the recipe
memory $R are all parts of the internal memory.

Internal variable

An address or a tag referring to an address of a space in the internal memory.

Internal bit variable

An internal variable that refers to a bit in the internal memory.
For easy to read, we usually use “internal variable” instead of “internal bit variable” when
referring to a bit if there is no ambiguity.

Internal word variable

An internal variable that refers to a word in the internal memory.
The variables can also be used to refer to a double-word, a block of bytes (byte array), a block
of words (word array), and a block of double-words (double-word array).
For easy to read, we usually use “internal variable” instead of “internal word variable” when
referring to a word or a block of memory space if there is no ambiguity,

External memory

The memory spaces or the collections of addressable devices in the controllers that can be
accessed by the panel application through communication links.

Continued

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Terminology

Definition

External variable

An address or a tag referring to an address of a space in the external memory.

External bit variable

An external variable that refers to a bit in the external memory.
For easy to read, we usually use “external variable” instead of “external bit variable” when
referring to a bit if there is no ambiguity.

External word
variable

An external variable that refers to a word in the external memory.
The variables can also be used to refer to a double-word, a block of bytes (byte array), a block
of words (word array), and a block of double-words (double-word array) if the access unit of
the associated addresses is word. If the access unit is double-word, you can only use the
variable to refer to a double-word or a block of memory space with a length of a multiple of 4
(bytes).
For easy to read, we usually use “external variable” instead of “external word variable” when
referring to a word or a block of memory space if there is no ambiguity,

Expression
Type

Abbreviation

Description

Arithmetic
Expression

AE

Sequences of operators and parameters that are
used for computing a value from the parameters.

Comparison
Expression

CE

Sequences of operators and parameters that are
used for comparing value from the parameters.

Astraada HMI CFG provides the following types of operators for macro expressions:
Operators

Name or Meaning

Grouping

Used for

()

Parentheses

Left to right

AE/CE

*

Multiplication

Left to right

AE

/

Division

Left to right

%

Modulus

Left to right

+

Addition

Left to right

-

Subtraction

Left to right

& lt; & lt;

Left shift

Left to right

& gt; & gt;

Right shift

Left to right

& lt;

Less than

Left to right

& gt;

Greater than

Left to right

& lt; =

Less than or equal to

Left to right

& gt; =

Greater than or equal to

Left to right

==

Equality

Left to right

!=

Inequality

Left to right

&

Bitwise AND

Left to right

^

Bitwise exclusive OR

Left to right

|

Bitwise inclusive OR

Left to right

& &

Logical AND

Left to right

CE

||

Logical OR

Left to right

CE

=

Assignment

Right to left

AE/CE

CE

AE

Note: The above table lists the operators in order of precedence (from highest to lowest
precedence). Operators in the same segment of the table have equal precedence and are
evaluated in the given order in an expression unless explicitly forced by parentheses.

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14.4.2. Data Transfer
Assignment ( = )
Format

P1 = P2

Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F/B

Function

Assigns the value of P2 to P1.

P1 (I/E)

The destination.

P2 (I/E/C/AE)

The source.

Example 1

$U2 = 123.45 (F) /* Assign 123.45 to $U2 (and $U3) */

Example 2

$U100.f = 1 (B) /* Turn on the specified bit */

Example 3

W60 = ($U30 + $W50 - 1000) / 2 (SD) /* Write the result of the arithmetic expression to W60. */

Example 4

V0.0 = 2\M0 (B) /* Assign the bit value of M0 of link 2 to the bit V0.0 of link 1*/

Logical NOT ( = ! )
Format

P1 = ! P2

Data Type

Function

Reverses P2 and saves the result in P1.

P1 (I/E)

The location to save the result.

P2 (I/E)

The operand.

Example 1

B

$U2.3 = !$U3.4 (B) /* If $U3.4 is 1 (On), $U2.3 is 0 (Off) */

" "
Format

P1 = " P2 "

Function

Copies the quoted ASCII character string P2 to P1. Note that the string is a null terminated string.
If the length of the string is N then N+1 bytes will be copied to P1 and the last byte is 0.

P1 (I)

The location to save the result.

P2 (A)

The quoted ASCII character string.

Example 1

$U60 = " TEST " /* The null character (00h) will be moved to the low byte of $U62 */

Example 2

$U20 = " ABCDE " /* The null character (00h) will be moved to the high byte of $U22 */

MOV
Format

P1 = MOV(P2,P3)

Data Type

U

Function

Copies P3 words of P2 to P1.

P1 (I/E)

The starting location of the memory to receive the copy.

P2 (I/E)

The starting location of the memory to be copied.

P3 (I/C)

The number of words to be copied.

Example 1

$U100 = MOV($U200, 16) /* Copy the 16 words starting from $U200 to $U100 */

Example 2

W60 = MOV($U200, $U2) /* Copy the word array starting from $U200 with the size specified in
$U2 to W60.*/

Example 3

$U10 = MOV(2\D100,10) /* Copy D100 ~ D109 of link 2 to $U10 ~ $U19.*/

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SETM
Format

P1 = SETM(P2,P3)

Data Type

U

Function

Sets P3 words of P1 to word value P2.

P1 (I/E)

The starting location of the memory to be set.

P2 (I/C)

The set value or the location that holds the set value.

P3 (I/C)

The number of words to be set.

Example 1

$U100 = SETM(0, 16) /* Set the 16 words starting from $U100 to 0. */

Example 2

W60 = SETM($U200, $U2) /* Set the words of the word array starting from W60 with the size
specified in $U2 to the value of $U200.*/

14.4.3. Arithmetic Operation
Addition ( + )
Format

P1 = P2 + P3

Function

Adds P2 and P3 and saves the result in P1.

P1 (I/E)

The location to save the result.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

Example 1

$U100 = $U101 + $U102 (U)

Example 2

Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

W100 = 0.3*$U0 + 0.1*$U2 + 0.6*$U4 (F)

Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

Subtraction ( - )
Format

P1 = P2 - P3

Function

Subtracts P3 from P2 and saves the result in P1.

P1 (I/E)

The location to save the result.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

Example 1

$U100 = $U101 - $U102 (U)

Example 2

W100 = 0.3*$U0 - 10.75 (F)

Multiplication ( * )
Format

P1 = P2 * P3

Function

Multiplies P2 by P3 and saves the product in P1.

P1 (I/E)

The location to save the product. If the product is overflow, the higher bits exceeding the limit will
be truncated and the remaining bits will be stored in P1.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

Example 1

$U100 = $U102 * 0x192

Example 2

W100 = ($U0 + $U2) * ($U4 + $U6) (F)

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Division ( / )
Format

P1 = P2 / P3

Function

Divides P2 by P3 and saves the quotient in P1.

P1 (I/E)

The location to save the result.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

Example 1

$U100 = $U101 / $U102 (U)

Example 2

Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

W100 = ($U0 + $U2) / ($U4 + $U6) (F)

Data Type

U/S/UD/SD

Data Type

U/UD/B

Modulus ( % )
Format

P1 = P2 % P3

Function

Divides P2 by P3 and saves the remainder in P1.

P1 (I/E)

The location to save the result.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

Example 1

$U100 = $U30 % 16(U)

Example 2

W100 = $U200 % ($U402 + $U106) (SD)

14.4.4. Logical Operation
Bitwise Inclusive OR ( | )
Format

P1 = P2 | P3

Function

Performs bitwise Inclusive OR operation of P2 and P3 and saves the results in P1.

P1 (I/E)

The location to save the result.

P2,P3 (I/E/C)

The operands

Example 1

W60 = 1111000000001111b
$U100 = 0000111100001111b | W60 (U) /* The value of $U100 is 1111111100001111b */

Example 2

B15 = $U1.2 | B14 (B) /* If either $U1.2 or B14 has a value of 1(On), B15 has the value 1(On).
Otherwise, B15 has the value 0(Off)*/

Bitwise AND ( & )
Format

P1 = P2 & P3

Data Type

U/UD/B

Function

Performs bitwise AND operation of P2 and P3 and saves the results in P1.

P1 (I/E)

The location to save the result.

P2,P3 (I/E/C)

The operands

Example 1

W60 = 1111000000001111b
$U100 = 0000111100001111b & W60 (U) /* The value of $U100 is 0000000000001111b */

Example 2

B15 = $U1.2 & B14 (B) /* If both $U1.2 and B14 are 1(On), B15 is set to 1(On). Otherwise B15 is
set to 0(Off) */

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Bitwise Exclusive OR ( ^ )
Format

P1 = P2 ^ P3

Data Type

U/UD/B

Function

Performs bitwise Exclusive OR operation of P2 and P3 and saves the results in P1.

P1 (I/E)

The location to save the result.

P2,P3 (I/E/C)

The operands

Example 1

W60 = 1111000000001111b
$U100 = 0000111100001111b ^ W60 (U) /* The value of $U100 is 1111111100000000b.*/

Example 2

B15 = $U1.2 ^ B14 (B) /*If both $U1.2 and B14 are 1(On) or 0(Off), the B15 is set to 0(Off).
Otherwise B15 is set to 1(On)*/

Left Shift ( & lt; & lt; )
Format

P1 = P2 & lt; & lt; P3

Data Type

U/UD

Function

Shifts P2 to the left by P3 bits and saves the results in P1. The operation supports the logic shift
only.

P1 (I/E)

The location to save the result.

P2 (I/E/C)

The value or the location that holds the value to be shifted.

P3 (I/E/C)

The number of bits to be shifted.

Example 1

$U100 = $U101 & lt; & lt; 8 (U)

Example 2

W200 = W100 & lt; & lt; $U10 (UD)

Right Shift ( & gt; & gt; )
Format

P1 = P2 & gt; & gt; P3

Data Type

U/UD

Function

Shifts P2 to the right by P3 bits and saves the results in P1. The operation supports the logic shift
only.

P1 (I/E)

The location to save the result.

P2 (I/E/C)

The value or the location that holds the value to be shifted.

P3 (I/E/C)

The number of bits to be shifted.

Example 1

$U100 = $U101 & gt; & gt; 8 (U)

Example 2

W200 = W100 & gt; & gt; $U10 (UD)

Logical AND ( & & )
Format

P1 = P2 & & P3

Function

Saves 1 in P1 if both P2 and P3 are 1, otherwise saves 0 in P1.

P1 (I/E)

The bit to save the result.

P2,P3(I/E/C)

The operands.

Example 1

$U100.0 = $U101.0 & & $U101.1 (B)

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Logical OR ( || )
Format

P1 = P2 || P3

Data Type

Function

Saves 1 in P1 if either or both P2 and P3 are 1, otherwise saves 0 in P1.

P1 (I/E)

The bit to save the result.

P2,P3(I/E/C)

The operands.

Example 1

B

$U100.0 = $U101.0 || $U101.1 (B)

14.4.5. Calculation
MAX
Format

P1 = MAX(P2,P3)

Function

Sets P1 to the larger value of P2 and P3.

P1 (I/E)

The location to save the result.

P2,P3(I/E/C)

The operands.

Example 1

Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

$U100 = MAX(100, 200) /* Set $U100 to 200 */

Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

MIN
Format

P1 = MIN(P2,P3)

Function

Sets P1 to the smaller value of P2 and P3.

P1 (I/E)

The location to save the result.

P2,P3(I/E/C)

The operands.

Example 1

$U100 = MIN(100, 200) /* Set $U100 to 100 */

BMAX
Format

P1 = BMAX(P2,P3)

Function

Finds the maximum in an array starting from P2 with P3 elements and saves the result in P1.

P1 (I)

The location to save the result.

P2 (I)

The starting location of the array.

P3 (I/C)

The size of the array.

Example 1

$U100 = BMAX($U200, 16) (F) /* Find the maximum among 16 floating point numbers starting
from $U200 and save the result in $U100 */

BMIN
Format

P1 = BMIN(P2,P3)

Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

Function

Finds the minimum in an array starting from P2 with P3 elements and saves the result in P1.

P1 (I)

The location to save the result.

P2 (I)

The starting location of the array.

P3 (I/C)

The size of the array.

Example 1

$U100 = BMIN($U200, 60) (F) /* Find the minimum among 60 floating point numbers starting from
$U200 and save the result in $U100 */

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SUM
Format

P1 = SUM(P2,P3)

Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

Function

Calculates the sum of the value in an array starting from P2 with P3 elements and saves the
result in P1.

P1 (I)

The location to save the result.

P2 (I)

The starting location of the array.

P3 (I/C)

The size of the array.

Example 1

$U100 = SUM($U200, 16) (F) /* Calculate the sum of 16 floating point numbers starting from
$U200 and save the result in $U100 */

XSUM
Format

P1 = XSUM(P2,P3)

Data Type

U/UD

Function

Calculates one element XOR (Bitwise Exclusive OR) sum of all the P3 elements in an array
starting from P2 and saves the result in P1.

P1 (I)

The location to save the result.

P2 (I)

The starting location of the array.

P3 (I/C)

The size of the array.

Example 1

$U100 = XSUM($U200, 5) (UD) /* Perform XOR sum of 5 32-bit unsigned numbers starting from
$U200 and save the result in $U100. Another expression of XOR sum is $U100 = $U200 ^
$U202 ^ $U204 ^ $U206 ^ $U208 (UD) */
$U100 =1001B
$U101 =1100B
$U102 =0110B
$U120 = XSUM($U100,3) /* $U120=0011B */

SWAP
Format

SWAP(P1,P2)

Function

Swaps the low byte and high byte of every word in a word array starting from P1 with P2 words.

P1 (I)

The starting location of the array.

P2 (I/C)

The size of the array.

Example 1

$U120=1111111100000000B
$U121=1000000100000000B
SWAP($U120, 2) /* The value of $U120 will be 0000000011111111B, The value of $U121 will
be 000000010000001B */

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14.4.6. Data Conversion
BCD
Format

P1 = BCD(P2)

Data Type

Function

Converts binary number P2 to a BCD number and saves the result in P1.

P1 (I/E)

The location to save the result.

P2 (I/E/C)

The binary number to be converted.

Example 1

U/UD

$U100 = BCD(0x1234) (U) /* The value of $U100 will be 1234. */

BIN
Format

P1 = BIN(P2)

Data Type

Function

Converts BCD number P2 to a binary number and saves the result in P1.

P1 (I/E)

The location to save the result.

P2 (I/E/C)

The BCD number to be converted.

Example 1

U/UD

$U100 = BIN(1234) (U) /* The value of $U100 will be 0x1234. */

DW
Format

P1 = DW(P2)

Data Type

U/S

Function

Converts 16-bit number P2 to a 32-bit number and saves the result in P1.

P1 (I/E)

The location to save the result.

P2 (I/E/C)

The 16-bit number to be converted.

Example 1

$U100 = DW(12345) (S) /* The value of $U100 will be 12345 and the value of $U101 will be 0. */

Example 2

$U200 = DW(-12345) (S) /* The value of $U200 will be -12345 and the value of $U201 will be
0xFFFF. */

W
Format

P1 = W(P2)

Data Type

UD/SD

Function

Converts 32-bit number P2 to a 16-bit number and saves the result in P1. The truncation error
may occur.

P1 (I/E)

The location to save the result.

P2 (I/E/C)

The 32-bit number to be converted.

Example 1

$U100 = W(0x12345678) (UD) /* The value of $U100 will be 0x5678 */

Example 2

$U200 = W(-12345) (SD) /* The value of $U200 will be -12345 */

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B2W
Format

P1 = B2W(P2,P3)

Data Type

U

Function

Converts P3-byte array starting from P2 to a P3-word array and saves the result in P1. All the high
bytes of the word array are set to 0.

P1 (I)

The location (or the word array) to save the result.

P2 (I)

The byte array to be converted.

P3 (I/C)

The size of the byte array.

Example 1

$U200 = 0x45FA
$U201 = 0xEB29
$U100 = B2W($U200, 3) /* Convert 3 bytes starting from $U200 to 3 words starting from $U100,
$U100 will be 0xFA, $U101 will be 0x45 and $U102 will be 0x29. */

W2B
Format

P1 = W2B(P2,P3)

Data Type

U

Function

Converts a word array P2 with P3 elements to a byte array and saves the result in the byte array
P1. The conversion discards the high byte of every element of the word array to form a byte array
with the same number of elements. The array size can not exceed 256.

P1 (I)

The location (or the word array) to save the result.

P2 (I)

The word array to be converted.

P3 (I/C)

The size of the word array.

Example 1

$U200 = 0x45FA
$U201 = 0xEB29
$U202 = 0xC781
$U100 = W2B($U200, 3) /* Convert 3 words starting from $U200 to 3 bytes starting from
$U100, $U100 will be 0x29FA and the low byte of $U101 will be 0x81*/

A2X
Format

P1 = A2X(P2)

Function

Converts a 4-digit hex number in ASCII character form to a binary number and saves the result in
P1. The character of the fourth digit is in the first word of the word array P2 and the characters of
the other digits are in the following words in sequence.

P1 (I)

The location to save the result.

P2 (I)

The word array that contains the characters to be converted.

Example 1

$U20 = 49 // '1'
$U21 = 50 // '2'
$U22 = 69 // 'E'
$U23 = 70 // 'F'
$U100 = A2X($U20) /* The value of $U100 will be 0x12EF. */

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Data Type

U

Astraada HMI CFG Operation Manual

X2A
Format

P1 = X2A(P2)

Data Type

U

Function

Converts 16-bit number P2 to a 4-digit hex number in ASCII character form and saves the result
in word array P1. The character of the fourth digit is saved in the first word of P1 and the
characters of the other digits are saved in the following words in sequence.

P1 (I)

The location (or the word array) to save the result.

P2 (I/C)

The number to be converted.

Example 1

$U10 = X2A(0x34AB) /*The 4 words starting from $U10 will be: 51('3'), 52('4'), 65('A'), 66('B') */

W2F
Format

P1 = W2F(P2)

Data Type

U/S

Function

Converts 16-bit number P2 to a floating point number and saves the result in P1.

P1 (I/E)

The location to save the result.

P2 (I/E/C)

The 16-bit number to be converted.

Example 1

$U200 = W2F($U10) (S)

D2F
Format

P1 = D2F(P2)

Data Type

UD/SD

Function

Converts 32-bit number P2 to a floating point number and saves the result in P1.

P1 (I/E)

The location to save the result.

P2 (I/E/C)

The 32-bit number to be converted.

Example 1

$U200 = D2F($U10) (SD)

F2W
Format

P1 = F2W(P2)

Data Type

F

Function

Converts floating point number P2 to a 16-bit number and saves the result in P1.

P1 (I/E)

The location to save the result.

P2 (I/E/C)

The floating point number to be converted.

Example 1

$U200 = F2W($U10) (F)

F2D
Format

P1 = F2D(P2)

Data Type

F

Function

Converts floating point number P2 to a 32-bit number and saves the result in P1.

P1 (I/E)

The location to save the result.

P2 (I/E/C)

The floating point number to be converted.

Example 1

$U200 = F2D($U10) (F)

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EXTRACT_BIT
Format

P1 = EXTRACT_BIT(P2,P3)

Data Type

U/UD

Function

Extracts bit P3 from P2 and saves the result in P1.

P1 (I)

The bit to save the result.

P2 (I)

The location to extract the bit.

P3 (I/C)

The number of the bit to be extracted.

Example 1

$U2.0 = EXTRACT_BIT($U10, 31) (UD) /* Extract bit 31 of the double word $U10 and save the
result in $U2.0 */

14.4.7. Conditional Operation
IF ==
Format

IF P2 == P3

Function

Executes the commands in the command block following this IF command when P2 is equal to
P3.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

IF !=
Format

IF P2 != P3

Function

Executes the commands in the command block following this IF command when P2 is not equal
to P3.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

IF & gt;
Format

IF P2 & gt; P3

Function

Executes the commands in the command block following this IF command when P2 is greater
than P3.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

IF & gt; =
Format

IF P2 & gt; = P3

Function

Executes the commands in the command block following this IF command when P2 is greater
than or equal to P3.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

IF & lt;
Format

IF P2 & lt; P3

Function

Executes the commands in the command block following this IF command when P2 is less than
P3.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

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Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

Astraada HMI CFG Operation Manual
IF & lt; =
Format

IF P2 & lt; = P3

Function

Executes the commands in the command block following this IF command when P2 is less than
or equal to P3.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

IF &
Format

IF P2 & P3

Function

Executes the commands in the command block following this IF command when the result of
Bitwise AND between P2 and P3 is non-zero.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

Data Type

U/UD

IF ! &
Format

IF !(P2 & P3)

Function

Executes the commands in the command block following this IF command when the result of
Bitwise AND between P2 and P3 is zero.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

Data Type

U/UD

IF & lt; bit & gt;
Format

IF P2

Function

Executes the commands in the command block following this IF command if the condition P2 is
true (1/On).

P2 (I/E/CE)

The condition.

Data Type

B

IF ! & lt; bit & gt;
Format

IF !P2

Function

Executes the commands in the command block following this IF command if the condition P2 is
false (0/Off).

P2 (I/E/CE)

The condition.

Data Type

B

ELIF ==
Format

ELIF P2 == P3

Function

Executes the commands in the command block following this ELIF command when P2 is equal
to P3.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

ELIF !=
Format

ELIF P2 != P3

Function

Executes the commands in the command block following this ELIF command when P2 is not
equal to P3.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

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ELIF & gt;
Format

ELIF P2 & gt; P3

Function

Executes the commands in the command block following this ELIF command when P2 is greater
than P3.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

ELIF & gt; =
Format

ELIF P2 & gt; = P3

Function

Executes the commands in the command block following this ELIF command when P2 is greater
than or equal to P3.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

ELIF & lt;
Format

ELIF P2 & lt; P3

Function

Executes the commands in the command block following this ELIF command when P2 is less
than P3.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

ELIF & lt; =
Format

ELIF P2 & lt; = P3

Function

Executes the commands in the command block following this ELIF command when P2 is less
than or equal to P3.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

ELIF &
Format

ELIF P2 & P3

Function

Executes the commands in the command block following this ELIF command when the result of
Bitwise AND between P2 and P3 is non-zero.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

Data Type

U/UD

ELIF ! &
Format

ELIF !(P2 & P3)

Function

Executes the commands in the command block following this ELIF command when the result of
Bitwise AND between P2 and P3 is zero.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

Data Type

U/UD

ELIF & lt; bit & gt;
Format

ELIF P2

Function

Executes the commands in the command block following this ELIF command if the condition P2
is true (1/On).

P2 (I/E/CE)

The condition.

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Data Type

B

Astraada HMI CFG Operation Manual
ELIF ! & lt; bit & gt;
Format

ELIF !P2

Function

Executes the commands in the command block following this ELIF command if the condition P2
is false (0/Off).

P2 (I/E/CE)

The condition.

Data Type

B

ELSE
Format

ELSE

Function

This command specifies the begin of the default command block that will be executed if none of
the conditions in the preceding IF and/or ELIF commands is true. This is not an executable
command.

ENDIF
Format

ENDIF

Function

This command specifies the end of a command block, which begins at the command following
the matching IF, ELIF, or ELSE command. This is not an executable command.

Example

IF-Command Structures:
Commands and
Structures
IF & lt; condition & gt;

ENDIF

Description
Runs the command block between IF and ENDIF when the
condition is true, otherwise ignores the command block.

IF & lt; condition & gt;
Runs the command block between IF and ELSE when the
condition is true, otherwise runs the command block between

ELSE and ENDIF.
ELSE

ENDIF
IF & lt; condition & gt;
Runs the command block between IF and the first ELIF and
ignores all the following commands in the structure when

condition 1 is true, otherwise examines condition 2. Runs the
ELIF & lt; condition_2 & gt;
command block between the first ELIF and the second ELIF and

ignores all the following commands in the structure when
ELIF & lt; condition_3 & gt;
condition 2 is true, otherwise checks condition 3. Repeats the
.
same operation until condition N is processed. If none of the
.
conditions are true, no command block in this structure is run.
.
ELIF & lt; condition_N & gt;

ENDIF
IF & lt; condition & gt;
Runs the command block between IF and the first ELIF and
ignores all the following commands in the structure when

condition 1 is true, otherwise examines condition 2. Runs the
ELIF & lt; condition_2 & gt;
commands block between the first ELIF and the second ELIF and

ignores all the following commands in the structure when
ELIF & lt; condition_3 & gt;
condition 2 is true, otherwise checks condition 3. Repeats the
.
same operation until condition N is processed. Runs the
.
command block between ELSE and ENDIF if none of the
ELIF & lt; condition_N & gt;
conditions are true.

ELSE

ENDIF
Note that there can be up to 20 nested IF-command structures.

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14.4.8. Program Control
JMP
Format

JMP P1

Function

Unconditionally jumps to the program point specified by label P1.

P1 (CS)

The label of the program point.

Example 1

IF $U10 == 0
JMP SKIP /* Skip the command " $U20 = $U10 / 2 " . */
ENDIF
$U20 = $U10 / 2
SKIP:
$U10 = 1

& lt; label & gt;
Format

P1:

Function

This is not an executable command. The P1 is the label of the program point where it is
positioned.

P1 (CS)

The character string as the label of the program point. Remember to have the character ':' after
the label.

Example 1

IF $U10 == 0
JMP SKIP /* Skip the command " $U20 = $U10 / 2 " */
ENDIF
$U20 = $U10 / 2
SKIP:
$U10 = 1

JMP ==
Format

JMP(P1,P2 == P3)

Data Type

Function

Jumps to the program point specified by label P1 when P2 is equal to P3.

P1 (CS)

The label of the program point.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

U/S/UD/SD/F

The operands.

JMP !=
Format

JMP(P1,P2 != P3)

Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

Function

Jumps to the program point specified by label P1 when P2 is not equal to P3.

P1 (CS)

The label of the program point.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

JMP & gt;
Format

JMP(P1,P2 & gt; P3)

Function

Jumps to the program point specified by label P1 when P2 is greater than P3.

P1 (CS)

The label of the program point.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

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Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

Astraada HMI CFG Operation Manual

JMP & gt; =
Format

JMP(P1,P2 & gt; = P3)

Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

Function

Jumps to the program point specified by label P1 when P2 is greater than or equal to P3.

P1 (CS)

The label of the program point.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

JMP & lt;
Format

JMP(P1,P2 & lt; P3)

Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

Function

Jumps to the program point specified by label P1 when P2 is less than P3.

P1 (CS)

The label of the program point.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

JMP & lt; =
Format

JMP(P1,P2 & lt; = P3)

Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

Function

Jumps to the program point specified by label P1 when P2 is less than or equal to P3.

P1 (CS)

The label of the program point.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

JMP &
Format

JMP(P1,P2 & P3)

Data Type

U/UD

Function

Jumps to the program point specified by label P1 when the result of Bitwise AND between P2
and P3 is non-zero.

P1 (CS)

The label of the program point.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

JMP ! &
Format

JMP(P1,!(P2 & P3))

Data Type

U/UD

Function

Jumps to the program point specified by label P1 when the result of Bitwise AND between P2
and P3 is zero.

P1 (CS)

The label of the program point.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

JMP & lt; bit & gt;
Format

JMP(P1,P2)

Data Type

B

Function

Jumps to the program point specified by label P1 if the condition P2 is true (1/On).

P1 (CS)

The label of the program point.

P2,P3 (I/E/CE)

The operands.

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JMP ! & lt; bit & gt;
Format

JMP(P1,!P2)

Data Type

B

Function

Jumps to the program point specified by label P1 if the condition P2 is false (0/Off).

P1 (CS)

The label of the program point.

P2,P3 (I/E/CE)

The operands.

CALL
Format

CALL P1

Function

Goes to sub-macro P1.

P1 (Sub-macro
name)

The sub-macro to be called.

Example 1

CALL CommonFunction_01 /* Go to sub-macro named CommonFuncation_01 */

RET
Format

RET

Function

Returns to the calling macro. This command can only be used in sub-macros.

FOR
Format

FOR P2

Data Type

U

Function

Runs the commands within the FOR loop by P1 times. A FOR loop is enclosed by a matching
pair of FOR and NEXT commands. There can be up to 20 nested FOR loops.

P1 (I/C)

Total times to run the FOR loop

Example 1

FOR 10
$U100 = $U100 + 1 /* This command will be executed 10 times */
FOR 12
$U200 = $U200 + 1 /* This command will be executed 120 times */
NEXT
NEXT

NEXT
Format

NEXT

Function

This command indicates the end of a FOR loop. It is not an executable command.

Example 1

Example:
$U1 = 10
$U2 = 12
FOR $U1
$U100 = $U100 + 1 /* This command will be executed 10 times. */
FOR $U2
$U200 = $U200 + 1 /* This command will be executed 120 times. */
NEXT
NEXT

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STOP
Format

STOP

Function

Stops the macro immediately. If the macro is a Cycle macro, it will be run again starting from the
first command when the associated window is opened again. If the macro is Main macro, it will
be run again starting from the first command when restarting the application.
This command can not be used in sub-macros.

END
Format

END

Function

Indicates the end of macro and stops the macro in the current cycle. It can be put anywhere in a
macro to stop the macro at any point. If the macro is a cyclic macro, such as the Main macro and
the Cycle macros, it is stopped just in the current cycle and will be run again starting from the
first command in the next cycle.
This command can not be used in sub-macros.

14.4.9. Timer Operation
SET_T
Format

SET_T(P1,P2)

Function

Starts the timer P1 using the timer control block in P2.

P1 (C)

The ID of the timer. There are 8 timers available and the IDs are 0 to 7.

P2 (I)

The starting location of the memory block (or word array) that is used as a Timer Control Block for the
timer. The structure of the Timer Control Block is shown below:
Word No.

Data Type

U

Data Item

Description

0

Type of operation

0: One-shot; 1: Square-wave

1

Current timer value

The timer increases the value of this word by 1 every
100ms.

2

Timer limit

When the current timer value reaches the timer limit, the
timer will perform one of the following operations according
to the type of operation:
1) If the type of operation is One-shot (0), sets the time-up
flag to 1, resets the current timer value to 0, and stops itself.
2) If the type of operation is Square-wave (1), toggles the
time-up flag, resets the current timer value to 0, and
continues the timing operation.

3

Time-up flag

This word will be set to 0 or 1 when the current timer value is
equal to the timer limit.

The timer will use the associated Timer Control Block as its private memory, so do not use any words in
the block for other purposes.
A Timer Control Block requires 4 words.
Example 1

$U100 = 1 /* Type of operation is Square-wave. */
$U101 = 0 /* Initialize the current timer value to 0. */
$U102 = 5 /* Timer limit is 0.5 second (5*100ms). */
$U103 = 0 /* Initialize the time-up flag to 0. */
SET_T(3, $U100) /* Use timer #3 to generate a 1 Hz square wave on $U103.0 */

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STOP_T
Format

STOP_T(P1)

Function

Stops the timer P1.

P1 (C)

The ID of the timer.

Example 1

Data Type

U

STOP_T(1) /* Stop timer #1 */

Data Type

U

WAIT_T
Format

WAIT_T(P1)

Function

Waits for the time-up of timer P1. The macro command following this one will not be executed
until the timer reaches its limit.

P1 (C)

The ID of the timer.

Example 1

$U100 = 0 /* Type of operation is One-shot. */
$U101 = 0 /* Initialize the current timer value to 0. */
$U102 = 5 /* Timer limit is 0.5 second (5*100ms). */
$U103 = 0 /* Initialize the time-up flag to 0. */
SET_T(7, $U100) /* Starts timer #7 as a 0.5 second timer. */
WAIT_T(7) /* Wait 0.5 second */

14.4.10. Keypad Operation
KB_MCR
Format

KB_MCR(P1)

Data Type

U

Function

Accepts or ignores the character/command currently input by the associated keypad button. This
command must be used only in a macro that is run by a keypad button. A keypad button runs the
specified macro when it is pressed. You can use this command in a keypad button macro to
accept or ignore the current input of that button.

P1 (I/C)

The value or the location that holds the value to determine the acceptance of the keypad button
input. If the value is 0, the input will be accepted; Otherwise the input will be ignored.

Example 1

KB_MCR(1) /* Ignore the current input */

KPD_TEXT
Format

KPD_TEXT(P1)

Function

The memory block (or byte array) that contains the null-terminated ASCII character string to be
used to initialize the keypad display and buffer.

P1 (I)

The memory block (or byte array) that contains the null-terminated ASCII character string to be
used to initialize the keypad display and buffer.

Example 1

$U100 = " initial text "
KPD_TEXT($U100) /* Initialize the keypad display and buffer using the string " initial text " . */

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Data Type

U

Astraada HMI CFG Operation Manual

14.4.11. Recipe Operation
RB2ROM
Format

P1 = RB2ROM(P2 )

Function

Saves the data of recipe block P2 to the flash ROM and saves the completion code in P1.

P1 (I)

The word to receive the completion code. If the completion code is 0, the operation succeeded;
Otherwise the operation failed.

P2 (I/C)

The ID of the recipe block to be saved. The option " Need space in flash ROM to save backup "
must be selected for the recipe block.

Example 1

$U10 = RB2ROM(3) /* Save recipe block #3 to the flash ROM. */

Data Type

U

ROM2RB
Format

P1 = ROM2RB(P2 )

Function

Restores the data of recipe block P2 from the flash ROM and saves the completion code in P1.

P1 (I)

The word to receive the completion code. If the completion code is 0, the operation succeeded;
Otherwise the operation failed.

P2 (I/C)

The ID of the recipe block to be restored. The option " Need space in flash ROM to save backup "
must be selected for the recipe block.

Example 1

$U10 = ROM2RB(3) /* Restore recipe block #3 from the flash ROM. */

Data Type

U

REF_RCP_OBJ
Format

REF_RCP_OBJ(P1 )

Function

Refreshes the recipe objects associated with the specified recipe block P1. The recipe objects
include recipe selectors and recipe tables. You can use this command to update the display of
associated objects after changing the data of a recipe block in a macro program.

P1 (I/C)

The ID of the associated recipe block.

Example 1

REF_RCP_OBJ(3) /* Refresh the recipe objects associated with recipe block #3 */

Data Type

U

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14.4.12. Communication Operation
EN_LINK
Format

EN_LINK(P1,P2,P3)

Function

Enables communication link P1 or sub-link P2 of communication link P1 when P3 is 1. Disables
the specified communication link or sub-link when P3 is 0.

P1 (I/C)

The number of the communication link to be enabled or disabled.

P2 (I/C)

The node address of the sub-link to be enabled or disabled. If the specified communication link
has no sub-link, this parameter is ignored. If the specified communication link has sub-links and
you want to enable or disable the link itself, set this parameter to 0.

P3 (I/C)

To enable the specified communication link or sub-link, set this parameter to 1. To disable the
specified communication link or sub-link, set this parameter to 0.

Example 1

ENABLE_LINK(1, 20, 0) /* Disable the sub-link, whose node address is 20, of communication
link 1. */

Data Type

U

LINK_STS
Format

P1 = LINK_STS(P2,P3 )

Data Type

U

Function

Gets the status of communication link P2 or the sub-link P3 of communication link P2 and saves
the result in P1.

P1 (I/C)

The word to receive the status of the specified communication link or sub-link. The status is a
16-bit value. The following table lists the meaning of each status value.
Status Value

Meaning

Status Value

Meaning

0

OK

14

Device busy

1

Overrun error

15

Unknown error

2

Break error

16

Link disabled

3

Parity error

17

Initialization failure

4

Framing error

18

Failed to send data

5

No response

19

Failed to receive data

6

Unrecognized
response

20

Failed to open connection

7

Timeout

21

Connection not ready

8

Inactive CTS

22

Invalid sub-link

9

Checksum error

23

Invalid COM port

10

Command rejected

24

Error

11

Invalid address

255

Condition uncertain

12

Invalid range

65535

Failed to get status

13

Invalid request

P2 (I/C)

The number of the communication link.

P3 (I/C)

The node address of the sub-link. If the specified communication link has no sub-link, this
parameter is ignored.

Example 1

$U100 = LINK_STS(2, 0) /* Get the status of communication link 2 and save it to $U100. */

Example 2

$U12 = LINK_STS(1, 128) /* Get the status of the sub-link, whose node address is 128, of
communication link 1 and save it to $U12. */

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14.4.13. System Service
GET_RTC
Format

GET_RTC(P1 )

Data Type

U

Function

Gets the data of the real time clock and saves the result in P1.

P1 (I)

The starting location of the memory block that is used as an RTC data block to receive the
operation result. The structure of the RTC data block is shown below:
Data Item

Data Type/Size

Word No.

Second

16-bit Unsigned Integer

0

Minute

16-bit Unsigned Integer

1

Hour

16-bit Unsigned Integer

2

RTC adjustment

16-bit Signed Integer

3

Day

16-bit Unsigned Integer

4

Month

16-bit Unsigned Integer

5

Year

16-bit Unsigned Integer

6

Day of week

16-bit Unsigned Integer

7

Second: 0~59; Minute: 0~59; Hour: 0~23; RTC adjustment: -63~63; Day: 1~31; Month: 1~12;
Year: 0(2000)~99(2099); Day of week: 0(Sunday)~6(Saturday)
An RTC data block requires 8 words.
Example 1

GET_RTC($U100) /* Get the data of the real time clock. The second will be in $U100 and the
day-of-week will be in $U107. */

SET_RTC
Format

SET_RTC(P1 )

Data Type

U

Function

Sets the real time clock using the data in P1.

P1 (I)

The starting location of the memory block that is used as an RTC data block to contain the new
settings for the real time clock. See the description of GET_RTC to know the structure of the
RTC data block.

Example 1

$U100 = 0 // Second
$U101 = 30 // Minute
$U102 = 8 // Hour
$U103 = 0 // Adjustment
$U104 = 1 // Day
$U105 = 7 // July
$U106 = 10 // Year 2010
$U107 = 4 // Thursday
SET_RTC($U100) /* Set the real time clock to 8:30:00 July 1st 2010 Thursday */

SYS
Format

SYS(P1,P2,P3)

Data Type

U

Function

Requests system service P1 with the arguments P2 and P3. This command is reserved for
system use.

P1 (I)

The code of the system service.

P2,P3 (I/C)

The arguments of the system service.

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14.4.14. Screen Operation
OPEN_WS
Format

OPEN_WS P1

Data Type

U

Function

The number of the window screen to be opened. This command will not open the specified
screen if it is a normal screen or menu screen. The macro commands following this command
will not be executed until the opened window screen is closed. Also, when a screen's Cycle
macro is waiting for the closing of the window screen opened by this command, that screen can
not be closed or switched by any means.

P1 (I/C)

The number of the window screen to be opened. If the screen number indicates to normal
screen or menu screen, no screen will be opened.

CLOSE_WS
Format

CLOSE_WS

Function

Closes the window screen that was opened by the macro command OPEN_WS.

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14.4.15. File Operation
FILE_IO
Format

P1 = FILE_IO(P2,P3 )

Data Type

U

Function

Performs the file operation specified by P2 and P3 using default filename and saves the completion code
in P1.

P1 (I)

The word to receive the completion code of the operation. If the completion code is 0, the operation
succeeded; otherwise the operation failed.

P2,P3
(I/C)

P2 specifies the type of file operation. P3 specifies the ID of the data source. The following table describes
how to set P2 and P3.
File Operation

P2

P3

Default Filename Format

Save Logged Data (.txt)

1

Data logger ID (0~15)

DL & lt; ID & gt; _ & lt; Date & gt; _ & lt; Time & gt; .txt

Save Logged Data (.csv)

14

Save Logged Alarms (.txt)

2

Save Logged Alarms (.csv)

15

Save Alarm Counts (.txt)

3

Save Alarm Counts (.csv)

16

Save Recipe Data (.txt)

4

Save Recipe Data (.csv)

17

Save Recipe Data (.prd)

5

Print Screen to File
(256-color .bmp)

6

Print Screen to File
(64K-color .bmp)

7

Save Logged Operations (.txt)

9

0

OL_ & lt; Date & gt; _ & lt; Time & gt; .txt

Save Logged Operations (.csv)

18

0

OL_ & lt; Date & gt; _ & lt; Time & gt; .csv

Save Logged Data (.ldf)

10

Data logger ID (0~15)

DL & lt; ID & gt; _ & lt; Date & gt; _ & lt; Time & gt; .ldf

Take Picture (.bmp)

12

USB camera ID (0~3)

CAM & lt; ID & gt; _ & lt; Date & gt; _ & lt; Time & gt; .bmp

Take Picture (.jpg)

13

DL & lt; ID & gt; _ & lt; Date & gt; _ & lt; Time & gt; .csv
0

AL_ & lt; Date & gt; _ & lt; Time & gt; .txt
AL_ & lt; Date & gt; _ & lt; Time & gt; .csv

0

AC_ & lt; Date & gt; _ & lt; Time & gt; .txt
AC_ & lt; Date & gt; _ & lt; Time & gt; .csv

Recipe block ID
(0~15)

RB & lt; ID & gt; .txt
RB & lt; ID & gt; .csv
RB & lt; ID & gt; .prd

Screen number
(1~7999)

S & lt; ID & gt; _ & lt; Date & gt; _ & lt; Time & gt; .bmp
S & lt; ID & gt; _ & lt; Date & gt; _ & lt; Time & gt; .bmp

CAM & lt; ID & gt; _ & lt; Date & gt; _ & lt; Time & gt; .jpg

Note:
& lt; ID & gt; : ID of the data logger, ID of the recipe block, ID of the USB camera, or number of the screen
& lt; Date & gt; : The date when saving the data. & lt; Time & gt; : The time when saving the data.
You can select the formats of & lt; Date & gt; and & lt; Time & gt; on the Custom page in the General Setup dialog box.

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FILE_IO_N
Format

P1 = FILE_IO_N(P2,P3,P4)

Data Type

U

Function

Performs the file operation specified by P2 and P3 using filename P4 and saves the completion
code in P1.

P1 (I)

The word to receive the completion code of the operation. If the completion code is 0, the
operation succeeded; otherwise the operation failed.

P2,P3 (I/C)

P2 specifies the type of file operation. P3 specifies the ID of the data source. The following table
describes how to set P2 and P3.
File Operation

P2

P3

Save Logged Data (.csv/.txt)

31

Data logger ID (0~15)

Save Logged Alarms (.txt)

0

33

0

Save Recipe Data (.csv/.txt)

34

Recipe block ID (0~15)

Save Recipe Data (.prd)

35

Recipe block ID (0~15)

Print Screen to File (256-color .bmp)

36

Screen number (1~7999)

Print Screen to File (64K-color .bmp)

37

Screen number (1~7999)

Save Logged Operations (.txt)

39

0

Save Logged Data (.ldf)

40

Data logger ID (0~15)

Take Picture (.bmp)

42

USB camera ID (0~3)

Take Picture (.jpg)
P4 (I)

32

Save Alarm Counts (.txt)

43

USB camera ID (0~3)

The byte array that contains the specified filename or full pathname. The name must be a valid
Windows pathname with ASCII characters only. The character string must be null terminated
and each character occupies one byte. The maximum length of the string is 127. All the folders
stated in the full pathname must already exist or the file operation will fail.

MKDIR
Format

P1 = MKDIR(P2 )

Function

Creates a new directory with the specified name P2 and saves the result to P1.

P1 (I)

The word to receive the completion code of the operation. If the completion code is 0, the
operation succeeded; otherwise the operation failed.

P2 (I)

The byte array that contains the name of the new directory. The name must be a valid directory
name with or without pathname and has only ASCII characters in it.

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OPEN_FILE
Format

P1 = OPEN_FILE(P2,P3 )

Data Type

U

Function

Creates or opens a file.

P1 (I)

The starting location of the memory block that is used as a File Information Block to receive the
operation result. The structure of the File Information Block is shown below:
Data Item
Data Type/Size
Word No.
File handle

32-bit Unsigned Integer

0 and 1

File size

32 bit Unsigned Integer

2 and 3

Filename

Byte array with 81 elements

4 through 44

The file handle is zero if the operation failed.
The file size is zero for a newly created file.
The filename is a null-terminated character string. The maximum allowable size is 80. It is set
when the file is successfully opened.
A File Information Block requires 45 words.
P2 (I)

The byte array that contains the filename or the full pathname of the file to be opened. The name
is a null-terminated string and has only ASCII characters in it.

P3 (I/C)

Specifies the purpose of opening the file.
Purpose
Value
Read
Write

1

Append
Example 1

0
3

$U10 = “test.txt”
$U100 = OPEN_FILE($U10, 0) /* Open the file “test.txt” for the read operation. The double word
$100 will contain the file handle. The double word $102 will contain the file size. The byte array
$104 will contain the filename. */

READ_FILE
Format

P1 = READ_FILE(P2,P3,P4 )

Data Type

U

Function

Reads P4 bytes from file P2 to buffer P3 and saves the result in P1.

P1 (I)

The word to receive the number of bytes that were actually read. If the operation failed, the
number is 65535 (0xFFFF).

P2 (I)

The file handle of the file to be read.

P3 (I)

The memory block to receive the data read from the file.

P4 (I/C)

Number of bytes to be read from the file. The maximum you can specify is 32767(0x7FFF).

Example 1

$U200 = READ_FILE($U100,$U150,20) /* Read 20 bytes from the file specified by the file
handle in $U100 and saves the data in the memory block starting from $U150. */

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WRITE_FILE
Format

P1 = WRITE_FILE(P2,P3,P4 )

Function

Writes P4 bytes of data in P3 to file P2 and saves the completion code in P1.

P1 (I)

The word to receive the completion code of the operation. If the completion code is 0, the
operation succeeded; Otherwise the operation failed.

P2 (I)

The file handle of the file.

P3 (I)

The memory block (or byte array) that stores the data to be written to the file.

P4 (I/C)

Number of bytes to be written to the file.

Example 1

Data Type

U

$U200=WRITE_FILE($U100,$U150,30) /* Write 30 bytes of data stored in the memory block
starting from $U150 to the file specified by the file handle in $U100. */

CLOSE_FILE
Format

P1 = CLOSE_FILE(P2,P3 )

Data Type

U

Function

Closes an opened file P2 and saves the completion code in P1.

P1 (I)

The word to receive the completion code of the operation. If the completion code is 0, the
operation succeeded; Otherwise the operation failed.

P2 (I)

The file handle of the file to be closed.

Example 1

$U200=CLOSE_FILE($U100) /* Close the file specified by the file handle in $U100. */

DELETE_FILE
Format

P1 = DELETE_FILE(P2 )

Function

Data Type

U

Deletes a file named P2 and saves the completion code in P1.

P1 (I)

The word to receive the completion code of the operation. If the completion code is 0, the
operation succeeded; Otherwise the operation failed.

P2 (I)

The byte array that contains the filename or the full pathname of the file to be deleted. The name
is a null-terminated string and has only ASCII characters in it.

Example 1

$U10 = “test.txt”
$U200 = DELETE_FILE($U10) /* Delete the file “test.txt”. */

RENAME_FILE
Format

P1 = RENAME_FILE(P2,P3 )

Function

Renames file P2 with new name P3 and saves the completion code in P1.

P1 (I)

The word to receive the completion code of the operation. If the completion code is 0, the
operation succeeded; Otherwise the operation failed.

P2 (I)

The byte array that contains the filename or the full pathname of the file to be renamed. The
name is a null-terminated string and has only ASCII characters in it.

P3 (I)

The byte array that contains the new filename. The name is a null-terminated string and has only
ASCII characters in it.

Example 1

$U10 = “test.txt”
$U50 = “new.txt”
$U200 = RENAME_FILE($U10, $U50) /* Rename the file “test.txt” to “new.txt”. */

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Data Type

U

Astraada HMI CFG Operation Manual

GET_VOL_INFO
Format

P1 = GET_VOL_INFO(P2,P3 )

Function

Gets the information of volume P2 and saves the result in P3. The completion code is saved in
P1.

P1 (I)

The word to receive the completion code of the operation. If the completion code is 0, the
operation succeeded; Otherwise the operation failed.

P2 (I/C)

The drive ID.
ID

U

Drive

0

Current drive

3

Drive C

4

Drive D

5
P3 (I)

Data Type

Drive E

The starting location of the memory block that is used as a Volume Information Block to receive
the operation result. The structure of the Volume Information Block is shown below:
Data Item
Data Type/Size
Word No.
Volume name

Byte array with 32 elements

0 through 15

Volume size

32-bit Unsigned Integer

16 and 17

Free size

32-bit Unsigned Integer

18 and 19

Drive ID

16-bit Unsigned Integer

20

The volume name is a null-terminated character string. The maximum allowable size is 31
characters.
Both the unit of volume size and the unit of free size are 1024 bytes.
A Volume Information Block requires 21 words.
Example 1

$U100 = GET_VOL_INFO(0, $U0) /* Get the volume information of the current drive. The
volume name will be stored in $U0 through $U15. The size of the drive will be stored in $U16 and
$U17. The free size of the drive will be stored in $U18 and $U19. The ID of the current drive will
be stored in $U20. */

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14.4.16. Comparison
==
Format

P1 = P2 == P3

Data Type

Function

Sets bit P1 to 1 if P2 is equal to P3, otherwise sets P1 to 0.

P1 (I/E)

The bit location to save the result.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

Example 1

U/S/UD/SD/F/B

$U3.3 = ($U10 + $U20) == 25.75 (F)

!=
Format

P1 = P2 != P3

Data Type

Function

Sets bit P1 to 1 if P2 is not equal to P3, otherwise sets P1 to 0.

P1 (I/E)

The bit location to save the result.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

Example 1

$U3.3 = ($U10 + $U20) != -700 (S)

Format

P1 = P2 & gt; P3

Function

Sets bit P1 to 1 if P2 is greater than P3, otherwise sets P1 to 0.

P1 (I/E)

The bit location to save the result.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

Example 1

U/S/UD/SD/F/B

$U3.3 = ($U10 + $U20) & gt; $U30 (UD)

& gt;
Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

& gt; =
Format

P1 = P2 & gt; = P3

Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

Function

Sets bit P1 to 1 if P2 is greater than or equal to P3, otherwise sets P1 to 0.

P1 (I/E)

The bit location to save the result.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

Example 1

$U3.3 = ($U10 + $U20) & gt; = 25.75 (F)

& lt;
Format

P1 = P2 & lt; P3

Data Type

Function

Sets bit P1 to 1 if P2 is less than P3, otherwise sets P1 to 0.

P1 (I/E)

The bit location to save the result.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

Example 1

U/S/UD/SD/F

$U3.3 = ($U10 + $U20) & lt; 25.75 (F)

& lt; =
Format

P1 = P2 & lt; = P3

Function

Sets bit P1 to 1 if P2 is less than or equal to P3, otherwise sets P1 to 0.

P1 (I/E)

The bit location to save the result.

P2,P3 (I/E/C/AE)

The operands.

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Data Type

U/S/UD/SD/F

Astraada HMI CFG Operation Manual
Example 1

$U3.3 = ($U10 + $U20) & lt; = 25.75 (F)

14.4.17. String Operation
STRCPY
Format

STRCPY(P1, P2 )

Function

Copies the string in P2 to P1.

P1 (I)

The byte array that receives a copy of the string in P2. The byte array must be large enough to
hold the string and the null terminator.

P2 (I)

The source, i.e. the byte array that contains the null-terminated string to be copied.

Example 1

$U10 = “ABCDE”
STRCPY($U20, $U10)
After the command STRCPY is executed, the byte array $U20 contains the string “ABCDE” and
the memory content is like the following:
Word

High Byte

$U20

'A'

'B'

$U21

'C'

'D'

$U22
Example 2

Low Byte

'E'

0

$U10 = “12”
STRCPY($U20, $U10)
After the command STRCPY is executed, the byte array $U20 contains the string “12” and the
memory content is like the following:
Word

Low Byte

High Byte

$U20

'1'

'2'

$U21

0

Undefined

STRCAT
Format

STRCAT(P1, P2 )

Function

Appends string in P2 to string in P1.

P1 (I)

The byte array that contains a null-terminated string to which the command appends P2. The byte
array must be large enough to hold both strings and the null terminator.

P2 (I)

The byte array that contains a null-terminated string to be appended to the string in P1.

Example 1

$U10 = “ABC”
$U20 = “12345”
STRCAT($U10, $U20) /* After this command is executed, the byte array $U10 contains
“ABC12345” */

Example 2

$U100 = “C:\MyFolder\”
$U130 = “Test”
$U140 = “.txt“
STRCAT($U100, $U130)
STRCAT($U100, $U140) /* After this command is executed, the byte array $U100 contains
“C:\MyFolder\Test.txt” */

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STRLEN
Format

P1 = STRLEN(P2 )

Function

Gets the length of string P2 and saves the result in P1.

P1 (I)

The word to receive the result.

P2 (I)

The byte array that stores the null-terminated string.

Example 1

$U10 = “ABC”
$U20 = STRLEN($U10) /* After this command is executed, the value of $U20 is 3. */

NUM2STR
Format

P1 = NUM2STR(P2,P3 )

Data Type

U/UD

Function

Converts the number in P2 to a string with P3 characters and saves the result in P1.

P1 (I)

The byte array that stores the result.

P2 (I/C)

The number or the location that holds the number to be converted.

P3 (I/C)

Specifies the exact number of characters that the result should have. If the number of digits of P2
is less than P3, the result is padded on the left with zeros. If the number of digits of P2 exceeds
P3, the higher digits are truncated. If P3 is 0, there is no limitation on the length of the result.

Example 1

$U120 = 123
$U100 = NUM2STR($U120, 0) (U) /* After this command is executed, the byte array $U100
contains “123”. */

Example 2

$U120 = 1234567 (UD)
$U100 = NUM2STR($U120, 10) (UD) /* After this command is executed, the byte array $U100
contains “0001234567”. */

Example 3

$U120 = 1234567 (UD)
$U100 = NUM2STR($U120, 5) (UD) /* After this command is executed, the byte array $U100
contains “34567”. */

TIME2STR
Format

P1 = TIME2STR(P2 )

Data Type

U

Function

Converts the current system time to a string using the format specified by P2 and saves the result
in P1.

P1 (I)

The byte array that stores the result.

P2 (I/C)

Specifies the desired conversion format.
Format

0

hh: hour(00~23); mm: minute(00~59); ss: second(00~59)

hhmm

14-41

Remark

hhmmss

Example 1

P2 Value
1

hh, mm: same as above

$U10 = TIME2STR(0) /* Assume that the current system time is 12:30:59. After this command is
executed, the byte array $U10 contains “123059”. */

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DATE2STR
Format

P1 = DATE2STR(P2 )

Data Type

U

Function

Converts the current system date to a string using the format specified by P2 and saves the result
in P1.

P1 (I)

The byte array that stores the result.

P2 (I/C)

Specifies the desired conversion format.
Format

P2 Value

Remark

YYMMDD

0

YY: year (00~99); MM: month(01~12); DD: day(01~31)

YYMM

1

YY, MM: same as above

YYMMMDD

2

YY: year (00~99); MMM: month(JAN~DEC); DD: day(01~31)

YYMMM

3

YY, MMM: same as above

Example 1

$U10 = DATE2STR(0) /* Assume that the current system date is December 7, 2008. After this
command is executed, the byte array $U10 contains “081207”. */

Example 2

$U20 = DATE2STR(3) /* Assume that the current system date is December 31, 2008. After this
command is executed, the byte array $U20 contains “08DEC”. */

TD2STR
Format

P1 = TD2STR(P2 )

Data Type

U

Function

Converts the current system time and date to a string using the format specified by P2 and saves
the result in P1.

P1 (I)

The byte array that stores the result.

P2 (I/C)

Specifies the desired conversion format.
Format

P2
Value

YYMMDD_hhmmss

0

YY: year (00~99); MM: month(01~12); DD: day(01~31)
hh: hour(00~23); mm: minute(00~59) ; ss: second(00~59)

YYMMMDD_hhmmss

1

YY, DD, hh, mm, ss: same as above
MMM: month(JAN~DEC)

YYMMDD_hhmm

2

YY, DD, hh, mm: same as above; MM: month(01~12)

YYMMMDD_hhmm

3

YY, DD, hh, mm: same as above;
MMM: month(JAN~DEC)

Remark

Example 1

$U10 = TD2STR(0) /* Assume that the current system date is December 7, 2008 and the current
system time is 15:18:30. After this command is executed, the byte array $U10 contains
“081207_151830 " . */

Example 2

$U20 = TD2STR(3) /* Assume that the current system date is December 31, 2008 and the current
system time is 13:30:00. After this command is executed, the byte array $U20 contains
“08DEC31_1330”. */

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I2A
Format

P1 = I2A(P2,P3 )

Data Type

U/S/UD/SD

Function

Converts the integer number in P2 to a string and saves the result in P1. The string is generated
according to the format specified by P3 and P4.

P1 (I)

The byte array that stores the result. The result is a null terminated string.

P2 (I/C)

The integer number or the location that holds the integer number to be converted.

P3 (I/C)

Specifies the maximum number of digits the string can have.

P4 (I/C)

Specifies where to insert a decimal point in the string. A decimal point is inserted to the left of the
nth digit when P4 is n. No decimal point is inserted when P4 is 0.

Example 1

$U120 = 123
$U100 = I2A($U120, 5, 0) /* After this command is executed, the byte array $U100 contains
“123”. */

Example 2

$U120 = 1234567 (UD)
$U100 = I2A($U120, 6, 2) (UD) /* After this command is executed, the byte array $U100 contains
“2345.67”. */

Example 3

$U120 = -12345 (S)
$U100 = I2A($U120, 5, 1) (UD) /* After this command is executed, the byte array $U100 contains
“-1234.5”. */

A2I
Format

P1 = A2I(P2,P3,P4 )

Function

Converts the string P2 to an integer value and saves the result in P1.

P1 (I)

The location that stores the result. The result is 0 when there is any conversion error.

P2 (I)

The byte array that holds the string to be converted.

P3 (I/C)

Specifies the length of the string. It is allowed to specify 0 for P3. When P3 is 0, the string must be
a null terminated string.

P4 (I/C)

Specifies how many fractional digits in the string are to be converted.

Example 1

$U120 = “123”
$U100 = A2I($U120, 0, 0) /* After this command is executed, the value in word $U100 is 123. */

Example 2

$U120 = “1234567”
$U100 = A2I($U120, 6, 0) (UD) /* After this command is executed, the value in double word
$U100 is 123456. */

Example 3

$U120 = “-123.45”
$U100 = A2I($U120, 0, 2) (S) /* After this command is executed, the value in word $U100 is
-12345. */

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Data Type

U/S/UD/SD

Astraada HMI CFG Operation Manual
F2A
Format

P1 = F2A(P2,P3 )

Data Type

F

Function

Converts the floating point number in P2 to a string and saves the result in P1. The string is
generated according to the format specified by P3 and P4.

P1 (I)

The byte array that stores the result. The result is a null terminated string.

P2 (I/C)

The floating point number or the location that holds the floating point number to be converted.

P3 (I/C)

Specifies the number of integral digits the string can have.

P4 (I/C)

Specifies the number of fractional digits the string can have.

Example 1

$U120 = 123.45 (F)
$U100 = F2A($U120, 5, 2) /* After this command is executed, the byte array $U100 contains
“123.45”. */

Example 2

$U120 = 1234 (F)
$U100 = F2A($U120, 6, 2) (UD) /* After this command is executed, the byte array $U100 contains
“1234.00”. */

Example 3

$U120 = -1234.5 (S)
$U100 = F2A($U120, 5, 1) (UD) /* After this command is executed, the byte array $U100 contains
“-1234.5”. */

A2F
Format

P1 = A2F(P2,P3 )

Data Type

F

Function

Converts the string P2 to a floating point number and saves the result in P1.

P1 (I)

The location that stores the result. The result is 0 when there is any conversion error.

P2 (I)

The byte array that holds the string to be converted.

P3 (I/C)

Specifies the length of the string. It is allowed to specify 0 for P3. When P3 is 0, the string must be
a null terminated string.

Example 1

$U120 = “123.4”
$U100 = A2F($U120, 0) /*The value of the floating point number in double word $U100 is 123.4. */

Example 2

$U120 = “1234567”
$U100 = A2F($U120, 6) (UD) /* The value of the floating point number in double word $U100 is
123456. */

Example 3

$U120 = “-123.45”
$U100 = A2F($U120, 0) (S) /* The value of the floating point number in double word $U100 is
-123.45. */

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Astraada HMI CFG Operation Manual

14.4.18. Run Operation
RUN
Format

RUN(P1)

Data Type

Function

Runs the executable P1 which is on the same PC. This command is available for PanelExpress
only.

P1 (I/A)

The name of the executable to be run.

Example 1

RUN " ABC.exe " /* Run the program ABC */

Example 2

$U10 = " XYZ.bat "
RUN $U10 /* Run the batch file XYZ */

-

RUNW
Format

P1 = RUNW(P2)

Function

Runs the executable P2 which is on the same PC and saves the result in P1. Note that the macro
command following this one will not be executed until the program is closed. This command is
available for PanelExpress only.

P1 (I)

The word to receive the result.

P2 (I/A)

The name of the executable to be run.

Example 1

$U10 = RUNW " ABC.exe " /* Run the program ABC and use $U10 to get the result. */
IF $U10 == 0 /* If the result is 0 then run the batch file XYZ. */
$U20 = " XYZ.bat "
$U11 = RUNW $U20 /* Run the batch file XYZ. */
ENDIF

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Data Type

-

Astraada HMI CFG Operation Manual
14.4.19. Print Operation
PRINT
Format

P1 = PRINT(P2,P3 )

Function

Sends P3 bytes of data stored in byte array P2 to the printer and saves the completion code in P1.

P1 (I)

The word to receive the completion code of the operation. The following table describes the meanings
of the completion codes.
Code

Succeeded

1

Printer not ready

3

System error

4

Printer busy

7

U

Description

0

Data Type

No printer specified

P2 (I)

The starting location of the byte array that stores the data to be sent to the printer.

P3 (I/C)

The length in byte of the data to be sent to the printer.

Example 1

$U10 = " This is a test. "
$U20 = PRINT($U10, 15) /* Send the string “This is a test.” to the printer. */
$U10 = 10
$U20 = PRINT($U10, 1) /* Send the line-feed character to the printer */
$U10 = 12
$U20 = PRINT($U10, 1) /* Send the form-feed character to the printer */

Example 2

$U10 = 0x401b /* ESC, '@' */
$U20 = PRINT($U10, 2) /* Send the initialization command to the EPSON printer */

PRINT_SCREEN
Format

P1 = PRINT_SCREEN(P2,P3 )

Function

Prints screen P2 and saves the result in P1.

P1 (I)

The word to receive the completion code of the operation. The following table describes the meanings
of the completion codes.
Code

Succeeded

1

Printer not ready

2

Invalid screen number

3

System error

4

Printer busy

5

System busy

6

Improper use of this command (See Note)

7

U

Description

0

Data Type

No printer specified

Note: This command can only be used in the following types of macros: Main Macro, Event Macro,
Time Macro, and Cycle Macro.
P2 (I/C)

The number of the screen to be printed. The printed area is specified in the Screen Properties dialog
box.

P3 (I/C)

Reserved for future use. Must be 0.

Example 1

$U0 = PRINT_SCREEN(28, 0) /* Print screen #28*/

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