oi manual

Automation IG OI Builder

Contents

1. Introduction

1.1 Preface

1.2 Software Overview

2. The different screens of OI Builder

2.1 Configuration screen

2.2 Builder screen

Starting OI Builder

3. OI Builder screen basics

3.1 Menus

3.2 Configuring the tool bar

4. Working with Applications

4.1 Creating new applications

4.2 Opening existing applications

4.3 Changing application names and descriptions

4.4 Adjusting application settings

4.5 Saving applications created on the OI to internal

4.6 Saving applications to OI via FTP

4.7 Saving applications to a flash drive

4.8 Closing applications and exiting OI builder

4.9 Setting up OI Builder preferences

5. Working with Components

5.1.1 General Component Features

5.1.2 Resizing components

5.1.3 Moving components

5.1.4 Layering components

5.1.5 Copying, cutting and pasting components

5.1.6 Other features of the edit menu

5.2.1 Creating indicators

5.2.2 Editing multistate indicator properties and states

5.2.3 Editing numeric output indicator properties


5.2.4 Editing list box properties and states

5.3.1 Creating Buttons

5.3.2 Editing push button properties

5.3.3 Editing push button states

5.4.1 Creating Screen Selectors

5.4.2 Types of Screen Selector

5.4.3 Editing Screen Selector properties

5.5.1 Creating inputs

5.5.2 Editing numeric input properties

5.5.3 Editing list box input properties

5.5.4 Editing list box states

5.6.1 Static text

5.6.2 Editing static text graphics properties

5.6.3 Images

5.6.4 Editing image properties

5.6.5 Shapes

5.6.6 Editing shape properties

5.6.7 Lines

5.6.8 Editing line properties

5.7.1 Using graphs

5.7.2 Editing graph properties

5.8.1 Creating PDF viewers

5.8.2 Editing PDF viewer properties

5.8.3 Creating message viewers

5.8.4 Editing message viewer properties

5.9.1 Creating WM non- visuals

5.9.2 Editing weld monitor non- visual properties

5.9.3 Creating tag copy non visuals

5.9.4 Editing tag copy non visual properties

5.10.1 Creating wm database query

5.10.2 Editing wm database query properties

6. Working with different screens

6.1 Creating a new screen

6.2 Creating a duplicate screen

6.3 Hiding and changing between specific screens

6.4 Deleting screens

6.5 Editing screen properties


7. Working with tags

7.1 Entering tags

7.2 Using the tag editor

7.3 Tag editor field

7.4 Tag editor commands

7.5 Communication protocols

7.6 Copying, cutting and pasting tags

7.7 Deleting tags

7.8 Assigning tags

8. Setting up communications

8.1 Communications setup using OI Builder Software

8.2 Types of available communication

8.3 Adding and removing adapters

8.4 I/O Blocks

8.5 Installed adapter settings

8.6 Adjusting the OI terminal's parameters for communication

9. Running and transferring Applications/ terminal configuration

9.1 Flash drive functions

9.2 Transferring applications

9.3 Running Applications

9.4 Transferring PDFs

9.5 Upgrading firmware

9.6 Configuring TCP/IP

9.7 Adjusting date/ time

9.8 Configuring screensavers

1.1 Preface

This manual is intended to be used in reference to the Operator Interface Builder software. The procedures described in this manual require the prior installation of a Automation IG Operator Interface terminal. The installation instructions for the terminal is a separate document and is not included in this manual.

The intended user of this manual should be the person responsible for


assigning particular applications to specific procedures that are intended to be performed with the use of the terminal.

As the Operator Interface Builder software runs in conjunction with the Linux or Windows environments, the manual requires a basic understanding of these operating systems. The user should also be familiar with the following abbreviations and terms;

OI Operator Interface USB Universal serial bus FTP File transfer protocol PLC Programmable logic controller PDF Portable document format TCP Transmission control protocol IP Internet protocol I/O Input/Output operation or device

Tags Parameters that define a controller's address Firmware Programming that is inserted into programmable

read only memory (ROM) thus becoming a permanent part of a computing device Flash drive A portable storage device that stores data in its built-

in flash memory

1.2 Software Overview

OI Builder

The OI Builder is a software program designed to create, edit and document applications on the Operator Interface terminal. The software is intended for use on the terminal so that it is exactly configured and prepared for individual projects and applications.To make the use of the software as straightforward as possible, the OI Builder uses standard Linux and Windows menu and tool functions.

Applications


An OI Builder application can consist of a single or number of screens that can be set to contain created buttons, graphics, graphs, alarms, indicators, viewers, inputs and selectors. When completed, these applications are assigned to 'run mode' on the terminal, and can then be used interactively in order to monitor or control a specific process.

OI Builder can be used to create applications either on a PC or on the touchscreen itself. The software is preinstalled on the OI terminal and can also be installed to a computer, the details of which will be explained later in the manual. Applications can then be transferred between the two using either serial communication, ethernet connection, or a USB flash drive.

In the same way in which it is run on the touchscreen console when completed, an OI Builder application can be also be created using the touchscreen itself. When creating and editing applications on the touchscreen console, a keyboard will be required to enter text and data. Using a mouse with the touchscreen when creating OI Builder applications is also recommended. If not using a mouse with the touchscreen, almost all actions described in this manual as 'left mouse clicks' can be performed as single touches.

2. OI Builder Basics - different screens of the OI

2.1 Configuration Screen- accessing OI Builder on the terminal

When power is applied to the OI terminal, the first screen that appears is the configuration screen. From this screen, applications can be transferred or selected and communication and hardware may be configured.

Select existing

applications

Transferring

applications to and

from flash drive

Transferring

PDF files to

and from

flash drive

Set date and time

manually

Set screensavers

Set TCP/IP addresses

Save all adjustments to

internal memory


This screen also allows for adjustments to the setup of the terminal and provides access to the primary functions of the touchscreen; the button marked 'OI Builder' opens the software for creating and editing applications and the 'Run Mode' button opens the running mode screen (the practical use of OI builder applications in a project). For details on using the configuration screen, refer to 'Transferring Applications and Terminal Configuration'.

2.2 OI Builder screen and starting OI Builder

When the OI Builder button on the configuration screen is selected, the terminal will open the OI builder software according to the current 'Selected Application' in the config screen (for more details refer to 'Running and transferring applications'). Below is a typical OI builder screen with a sample application design.

Application nameand software typeMenu bar

Tool bar

Select between application screens

Sample components

Scroll horizontally

Select between application screens

Adjust view size

Minimize view

Close

Maximize and restore view

Imported image

Scroll vertically

Configure

communication

and hardware

Upgrade terminal

firmware via USB

flash drive

Run mode

screen

OI Builder

screen

Reboot

terminal


3.1 The menu bar

The menu bar allows access to all features of OI builder. In the 'file' menu you can open new and existing applications, save applications and exit the OI Builder. The 'edit' menu allows you to alter the presence of any components created. In the menu labelled 'components' you can create the physical features of an application (for example buttons, graphs, images, etc.). The 'screen' menu covers all features of modifying the screens used in an application. You can modify the names, settings and communication of individual applications in the menu marked 'application' . Finally, the 'tools' menu allows you to alter the properties, states and tags of components and screens. Below is a list of some of the simple features of the menus in the menu bar, along with an example and a brief explanation of each.

3.2 Configuring the Tool bar

The tool bar is a feature of OI Builder that allows quick and easy visual access to specific commands in the menu bar, effectively laying out the tools of the software in a simplified row across the top of the screen. The tool bar can be configured to display desired features of the menu

Adjust view size

A check tick next to a text command

Key arrangement next to a text command

Faded text

An arrow to the side ofa text command

Activating or deactivating on/off toggle. When off, no tick is present

Combination of keys that creates a shortcut for a command

Unavailable command

Opens a submenu for a particular command


bar. To do this, point the mouse anywhere on the menu or tool bars and right click. The following dialogue box should appear;

The 'main' tool selection displays features of the file and edit menus. The 'components' selection shows pictorial representations of each available component, and the 'screen selector' provides a selectable list of application screens. Each of these toolboxes can be moved by clicking and dragging the mouse on the left side of each toolbox. The 'line up' feature realigns moved toolboxes.

4. Working with Applications

There are a number of steps to follow in the use of applications;

1) Predetermining and documenting the purpose and layout of an application

2) Creating an application using OI Builder, which includes

creating and editing components adjusting communication parameters setting tag addresses

3) Downloading the created application either from a PC to the terminal or selecting from the terminal itself.

4) Setting terminal to 'run mode' and running the desired application. Alarm trigger levels can be established during the running of applications.

4.1 Creating new applications

One of the most important features of creating a new application is preparation. It is a good idea to ensure that you have taken into account; the purpose of the application, safety considerations, preparation of data, preparation of component addresses, and a predetermined number of screen designs.


There are a number of different ways to create a new application on OI Builder. Every time OI Builder is opened, it is set by default to assume a new application is being created, so a new screen will be displayed automatically.

If a new application is needed while OI Builder is running, one can be created by selecting 'new' from the file menu or tool bar (if the 'Main' tool bar is selected). In both cases, the new application option is marked with the icon;

4.2 Opening existing applications

To edit or view existing applications in OI builder, select either 'open' in the file menu or the corresponding option from the tool bar. Both selections are marked by the icon;

Alternatively, you can open an existing application by making a selection from a number of applications that were used last. To choose from this list, select the file menu and click on the arrow marked 'recent files'.

A box will open displaying a comprehensive history of the most recently created and opened applications. Drag the mouse to a chosen application and release the left button to open it.

4.3 Changing application names and descriptions


When using OI Builder, it is useful to assign a name and a brief description of the application's intended use for reference. Application names and descriptions can be assigned while the application is open.

Select the menu bar labelled 'Application' and click on 'Description'. A dialogue box will open with separate text areas for an application name and an application description. Clicking anywhere within each of these text boxes will initiate a flashing cursor. Type text from the keyboard to these boxes correspondingly.

If you right click anywhere within the dialogue box, an editing box appears that allows you to copy and paste text to and from other applications. When the name and description is completed, select 'OK' to assign your text to the application, or 'cancel' to delete it.

4.4 Adjusting application settings

There are a number of settings that must be configured for an application in order to create an individual identity in terms of communication between the touchscreen and a PLC.

To adjust these settings, select the 'Applications' menu in the menu bar. Drag the mouse down to the command labelled 'Settings' and click on the mouse. The following screen will appear;

Resolution adjust and startup screen

In the 'screen' section of the settings box, the screen resolution and Startup screen can be assigned. There are three options for screen


resolution that determines the number of pixels present on screen when using and running OI Builder applications. These can be adjusted by clicking on the arrow to the right of the text box. Drag the mouse to a chosen resolution and click to select. OI Builder presets a default pixel level, but the resolution can also be set to 1024 x 768 and 800 x 600 pixels.

This section also allows you to set a startup screen for the application. By selecting a startup screen, you are telling the OI which screen of an application should appear first when that application is opened to run. You can adjust the startup screen in two ways. Either click on the data box for a flashing cursor to appear (the desired screen can then be entered via the keyboard) or use the up/ down buttons to the right of the data box to move up and down screen numbers. To apply a selected screen resolution and startup screen to the application, click 'OK'.

Status Tags

The status tags screen refers to the PLC reading and monitoring the current screen number or the time and date- establishing a defined set of addresses and time states to correspond between the OI terminal and the controller. To access this screen within application settings, click on the tab labelled 'status tags'.

This dialogue box enables a set of status tags for each application screen. Select a particular screen by clicking on the down arrow to the right of the text box labelled 'screen number'. When selected, it is also possible to access the tag editor for the chosen screen by clicking on the 'edit tags' button. Using the arrows adjacent to the rows marked Year, Month, Day, Hour, Minute, and Second will make the information sent to the PLC identifiable and unique to this specific application. Apply these settings to the application by clicking 'OK' at the bottom of the status tags screen.

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Control Tags

The 'control tags' dialogue box sets a different function- these are used to change and override the screen being displayed or the date and time of the terminal. Access the appropriate dialogue box by selecting the 'control tags' tab at the top of the Applications Settings window.

Assign the screen number and values for year, month, day, hour, minute and second as described above. The control tags box also presents the option of hiding the screen saver if the number exceeds the level assigned in the 'hide screen saver' data box. These tag settings can be applied to the application by clicking 'OK'. Clicking 'OK' or 'Cancel' at any point when adjusting the settings will automatically close the Application Settings window.

4.5 Saving Applications to the OI

When editing OI Builder applications on a touchscreen, you can save directly to the OI by selecting 'Save' from the file menu or clicking the save icon from the tool bar. This automatically overwrites a previous version of the application.

The 'Save as' command from the file menu allows you to save the amended or edited application as well as retaining the original. When selecting this command, the 'Save as' dialogue box will open. The edited application requires a different name to prevent it overwriting the

2


original.

When saving an application for the first time, the 'save as' command will override the 'save' command. All OI Builder applications have the file type .oi. Select a location for the new application file via the 'Look in:' search box and the file and folder display window. Click the 'Save' button to assign the new application to a specified location.

4.6 Saving Applications from a PC to the OI

When editing or creating OI Builder applications on a PC, the applications can be saved to the OI across a network via ethernet. The OI Builder uses FTP (File Transfer Protocol) to send applications directly to the OI across a network. This process requires the configuration of the terminal's TCP/IP addresses and an ethernet connection to the RJ45 port on the underside of the OI terminal (refer to terminal configuration). Saving applications in this way can also used to transfer files from one terminal to another if both are connected to a network.

Save applications in this way by selecting the file menu and dragging the mouse to the 'Save to' command. The arrow to the right of this command opens another menu. From this menu, click 'Save to OI via FTP'.

Connect

Save to Oi via FTP not connected

Delete

Store to the OI internal memory after change

Name Size

OI Address:

Ftp://

Username: Password:

Application Name

List of Applications in OI:


Type in the IP address of the OI terminal that you want to save the application to in the directory beginning 'ftp://'. If a username and password has been set for the destination IP address, enter these in the appropriate spaces and click 'Connect'. If the connection is successful, the title bar display will read as 'connected to ...', and the large text box will display a list of saved applications from the OI. After creating a name, click 'Save' to add the application to those on the destination OI.

4.7 Saving Applications to a USB flash drive

Another way of saving applications is to save them to a flash drive. The flash drive is a portable device that stores data in its built- in flash memory and accompanies the Automation IGOperator Interface terminal. The flash drive connects to a USB port and can be used to save files from a PC or an OI terminal.

To save applications to a flash drive, ensure that the drive is mounted and correctly inserted into a USB port on a PC or on the underside of the terminal. Select the file menu and drag the mouse to the 'Save to' command. The arrow to the right of this command opens another menu. From this menu, click 'Save to USB Flash Disk'. When OI Builder confirms that the application has been fully written to the flash drive, it can be removed and transferred between consoles. For further information on using a flash drive, refer to 'transferring applications'.


4.8 Closing applications and exiting OI Builder

When you have finished creating, editing and saving applications, close OI Builder by selecting the file menu and click 'Exit'. Alternatively, clicking the close symbol at the top right of the control menu performs the same function. This quits the OI Builder and returns to the desktop. All open applications will close.

4.9 Setting up OI Builder Preferences

There are a number of adjustable preferences that apply to all OI Builder applications. Note that these preferences apply only to editing applications using OI Builder and not to running and using applications on a terminal. To access these features, click on 'Tools' in the menu bar and select 'Preferences'. The following window will open.

The 'USB Mount Point' describes the directory where removable media (connected at a USB port) will be mounted. This saves time in mounting, for example, a flash drive every time it is inserted into a USB port.

The first tick box activates the feature that all images used in conjunction with an application will be saved with its name as part of their file name. When this feature is activated, all images associated with an application will have an application name, followed by three underscores, then the image name and type (for example, 'test___image1.jpg'). When activated, the second tick box feature automatically saves all files associated with an application (as described

Close


in the file names above) when the 'Save' command is selected from the 'File' menu. The third tick box specifies whether one or all screens tabs are visible when opening OI Builder applications. When the tick box is empty, OI Builder will open all applications with only the first screen in a sequence visible. To make all screens visible during editing, choose 'Show all Screens' from the 'Screen' menu.

'Show Grid' controls whether or not the screen grid will be visible when opening and editing any OI Builder application. The grid is still present even if it is not visible; components can still only be resized and moved in relation to the size of the grid squares.

5. Working with Components

The term 'component' refers to an object created on any screen of an OI Builder application. The components of OI Builder can be compiled into the following groups; graphics, controls, indicators, displays and list keys.

All components have one of two defining characteristics; whether they are dynamic or static. 'Dynamic objects' refers to those that are linked to a controller data table. These components require the use of write and read tags in order to interact with a PLC address. 'Static objects' refers to components that do not require the use of a controller address.

There are certain guidelines to remember when working with components;

All components should occupy at least one touch cell on an

application screen, and the number and size of available components is limited only by the size of the screen they are created on.

Avoid placing important dynamic components in the center of a

screen as they may become obscured or blocked by messages.

Avoid placing objects too close together. If multiple components are

'squashed' together, the wrong button may be touched, or two may be touched simultaneously (the touchscreen is designed for touching one object at a time).

Never place controls that are essential to the safety considerations of

a process on a screen (for example, emergency stop buttons).

As each type of component performs a different function in an application, the properties it has will be equally varied. It is necessary, therefore, to consider each object type and its properties individually in order to reach a full understanding of OI Builder components.


5.1 General Component Features

This section describes how to edit components as movable objects and the location of components on the screen in relation to each other.

5.1.2 Resizing components

To change the size of a component once it has been created, click once on the object to select it. Notice the editing grid that appears around the edges of the component.

Using the grid markers (denoted by small blue squares), click and drag an edge of the component to alter its size. Using the grid marker A allows you to adjust only the height of a component. Using the grid marker B allows you to adjust only the width of a component. The grid marker C can alter the width and height of an object simultaneously. Note that two values appear alongside the component when resizing. These values will increase or decrease to correspond with the size of the object. These values display the width and height of a component in pixels.

The size of a component may also be altered by numeric values using the 'geometry' feature in the property editor for each type of object. To resize a component in this way, refer to 'Setting Component Properties'.

5.1.3 Moving Components

To move a component within a screen click on it once to select it. Click and hold anywhere inside the component (do not click and hold the grid markers as this will alter the size of the object) and drag the object anywhere on the screen to a new location. When you move the component in this way, notice that two values appear alongside the object. These values refer to the y and x coordinates of the top left grid marker of the component in relation to its location on the screen grid.To move multiple components simultaneously, select an object by clicking it and then hold the shift key while clicking any other object.

A

B

C


This will temporarily group the objects and they can be moved simultaneously as if you were moving a single object. To move all components on a screen, click on the 'edit' menu and choose 'Select All'. This will highlight every available component.

5.1.4 Layering Components

In order to fully utilize screen space, components can overlap and be placed on top of one another. In doing this, certain components must be allocated priority as to which objects remain fully visible, etc. A component's place within a layer of multiple objects can be determined by clicking on an object to select it and choosing the 'Arrange' feature from the 'Edit' menu;

The arrange feature allows for layering of components by raising or lowering an object within a layer. The same feature allows you to assign a component either directly to the front ('Move to Top') or the back ('Send to Back') of a layer.

5.1.5 Copying,cutting and pasting components

It is possible to copy components between screens and duplicate components to the same screen. Copy components to the notepad by clicking on an object to select it and choosing 'copy' from the 'edit' menu (or click the copy icon in the toolbar). To apply a copied component to the same or a different screen, select 'Paste' from the 'edit' menu (or click the paste icon in the toolbar). A duplicate of the original component will appear which can be resized or moved as

described above. Using the 'Cut' feature from the 'edit' menu also allows you to paste the object elsewhere, although the original will be removed from its previous location. To erase a component altogether, click once to select it and choose 'Delete' from the 'edit' menu.


5.1.6 Other features of the edit menu

The 'undo' feature allows you to revert back to the last state a component was in before an edit was made. To 'undo' an edit in this way, select the chosen component by clicking it and choose 'undo' from the 'edit' menu. If you are dissatisfied with an undo, the 'redo' feature will revert back to the original edit.

The edit menu also allows you to skip between states when working with a component that displays more than one state when an OI Builder application is running. To use this feature, click once on a multistate component to select it and choose either 'Next State' or 'Previous State' from the edit menu.

5.2 Indicators

Indicators are the means by which the workings of a process are displayed on an OI screen. There are three types of indicators available in OI Builder; multistate indicators, numeric outputs and list boxes. Indicators are dynamic components.


5.2.1 Creating Indicators

Indicators are created by selecting the 'Components' menu and clicking on 'Indicators'. Another menu opens with choices for types of indicator. Click on the desired indicator type or select the specific indicator tool from the tool bar. Move the pointer into the screen until it becomes a crosshair. Click and hold the mouse in a desired location, and drag the crosshair away from the point of origin until the indicator reaches the required size.

5.2.2 Multistate Indicators

Multistate indicators display a difference in physical appearance (for example, colour or text) to indicate a change to a specified part of a process. They can display over 2000 different states. A PLC initiates a different state when a tag has a particular value.

Setting multistate indicator properties

To assign properties to a multistate indicator, either double click on the object, or select the object and click on 'Property Editor' in the 'Tools' menu. This will open the property editor window.

Adjust the property settings by clicking a desired row under either the 'Property' or 'Value' columns. To assign a name and description to a multistate indicator, type these via the keyboard. If a longer description


is required, clicking the box marked with three consecutive periods (...) will open a large text box. When assigning a name to the multistate indicator, please note that this does not refer to the text displayed on the object. Assigning a name and description to the indicator in the property editor is for differentiation and reference purposes.

The type of tag used by a multistate indicator is a read tag. In this column, the name of the tag address that produces a different state is specified. Clicking the box marked with an arrow in the 'read tag' row will display the available tag options. If none are available, tags must be set using the tag editor.

The row marked 'Geometry' provides another way of numerically adjusting the dimensions of the indicator in relation to the screen. These can be adjusted individually by clicking the plus sign to the left of the text. This breaks down the geometric settings of the indicator.

The first two figures refer to the coordinates of the indicator on the screen (x determining the horizontal location of the object and y determining the vertical). The last two figures refer to the size of the object. In both cases, the numbers used refer to the number of pixels the component occupies. Adjust these figures either directly using the keyboard to enter figures, or in consecutive numeric order using the up/down buttons of the data table.

The command buttons at the bottom of the property editor provide a direct route to either the state editor, the tag editor, or a method of closing the property editor. These commands also have 'F' key shortcut

routes.

Assigning and editing multistate indicator states

If you are not accessing the state editor from the property editor as described above, the state editor can be opened via the tools menu.Alternatively, right click on the component to open a menu and select 'States'.


The default state when creating a multistate indicator is an 'Error State'. To assign new states to an indicator, use the 'Append' command button at the bottom of the state editor. Each time this button is used, one new state will be assigned to the object. This new state will be created as a duplicate of the previous state. Each time the 'Delete' command button is used, the state editor will remove a selected state.

Assigning a tag value identifies each state with a particular controller address. In the example above, there are only three states (New State 0, New State 1 and Error State). This means that the data type needed is single bit (having a value of either one or zero). The error state has no assigned tag value.

The column marked 'text' allows you to assign text to each state. Clicking the appropriate text box creates a text cursor, or alternatively, double clicking creates a box marked '...'. Clicking this box will open a larger text box for assigning longer text. Adjust the size of the text by double clicking on 'text size'. Use the up/down buttons or use the keyboard to type in a new text size.

The 'foreColor' box refers to the color of the assigned text. The 'backColor' refers to the color of the component behind the text. To alter these colors, click once on either box. Either use the button marked with a down arrow to choose a preset color, or select the button marked with three periods to create a custom color.

'ForeBlink' and 'backBlink' are used to make either the text, the object, or both blink repeatedly, making a fault or change in state more visually apparent. Assign the blink function by clicking on either box for the chosen state. Use the button marked with a down arrow to select either 'True' (to turn blink on) or 'False' (turns blink off).

You can also assign images to components. To open the image directory, click once on the text box for the chosen state under the 'image' column. Click on the box marked '...' to open the image directory.

To append an image, click the 'Add' button. A directory will open allowing access to images from the hard drive or the flash disk. When selected, clicking 'OK' will apply an image to the indicator. To remove


an image from the collection, click to select a chosen graphic and then click the 'Delete' button.

To create a border for the indicator, double click the 'border width' column of the state editor. Use the up/down arrows to select a border size. The number corresponds to the width of the border in pixels.

You may wish to create a state in which the component is not visibly present on the screen. To do this, click on the column marked 'hidden' and then click on the button marked with a down arrow. Select 'True' to hide the object in a selected state. For the duration of the editing process, OI builder makes the presence of the object apparent by marking it with the text 'hidden state'.

Similarly to the property editor, there are large command buttons at the bottom of the state editor. These allow direct access to the property editor and a method for closing the state editor. These commands also have 'F' key shortcut routes.

5.2.3 Numeric Output Indicators

Numeric outputs provide data displays of values stored at a PLC address. These data outputs can display up to twelve figure readouts, all of which have the preset figure # (this representing a numeric inconstant).

Setting numeric output properties

To edit the properties of a numeric output, double click the created component. Alternatively, you can select the indicator by clicking it once and open 'Property Editor' in the 'Tools' menu.

Assign a name and description to the numeric output by clicking the appropriate adjacent text boxes. A cursor will appear to type via the keyboard. When creating a description, clicking the button marked '...' will open a larger description box.


The read tag entry will specify the address at which the numeric data is located at the controller. Select a read tag value by clicking the appropriate text box and using the down arrow. If none are available, these must be established using the tag editor (refer to working with tags).

The geometry of an numeric output describes the size of the object in pixels and its location on the application screen. Click on the plus sign to the left of the row marked 'Geometry' to separate the figures into horizontal (x), vertical (y), height and width values. Click on each value to start a cursor flashing or use the up/down buttons to the right of each value.

Adjust the forecolor (colour of data readout) and backcolor (component color) by selecting the corresponding boxes for each. Note that colors are assigned in the property editor here rather than the state editor. The reason for this is that numeric output indicators are fixed state components- the object will therefore have no state editor. Click the down arrow to choose a preset color or click the button marked with three periods to create a custom color. Selecting the plus sign to the left of the text will break a color down into its red, blue and green constituents. This allows for more accurate color customization.

Change the text size and border width by clicking on the corresponding row in the property editor to start a cursor flashing or to use the up/down buttons. Text size here refers to the size of the numeric readout. Border width is measured in pixels.

The rows marked 'hAlignment' and 'vAlignment' refer to the horizontal and vertical locations of the numeric display within the indicator. Click the down arrow alongside each setting to adjust readout alignment.

When using numeric output indicators, you have the option to take away an object's shape and fill, leaving only the numeric readout visibly present on the screen. Do this by selecting the row marked 'transparent' and clicking the button marked with a down arrow. Selecting 'True' will make the component transparent.

'Fieldwidth' defines the number of characters in the data display. A numeric output indicator can accommodate up to a twelve character readout. The default fieldwidth when creating a numeric output is 10. Click on the row marked 'fieldwidth' and use either a flashing cursor to edit the figure, or click the up/down arrows to select a new fieldwidth in numeric order.

Center data on a vertcial axis

Center data across a horizontal axis


For accuracy of readout there is the option of setting a decimal point position in the property editor. This function is also useful when scaling an integer value to display it as a decimal. Click the row marked 'decimalPointPosition' and use the up/down arrows to select a decimal setting. A value of 0 will display no decimal point. Ascending position values will move the decimal point one digit left at a time.

It is unavoidable that certain values in a running application will not fill the number of characters assigned in the fieldwidth. You can make the fieldwidth visually consistent by assigning zeros to the remaining characters. Select 'fillWithZeroes' and click the button marked with a down arrow. Highlight 'True' to activate this function.

Scaling is used when it is necessary to the adjust an integer value from the PLC so that it represents a different value when displayed on the terminal. When setting a scale to a numeric output, the value from the PLC will be multiplied by the value of that scale. When applying an offset to a numeric output, the value from the controller will be added to the value specified in the offset.

Where 'scale' has the value x and 'offset' has the value y,

b = xa + y

Scales can also have decimal values and offsets can also have negative values. To alter the scale or offset of a numeric display, click the appropriate box in the property editor and adjust the value via the keyboard. The default is set to a scale of 1 and an offset of zero. This means that the value at a controller address will be multiplied by one and added to zero (effectively disabling the scale and offset).

When setting a scale that is seven or more characters in length, that scale will automatically be converted to a shorter form. For example,

applying a scale of 3650000 = 3.65e + 06 or applying a scale of 10000000 = 1e + 07

The command buttons at the bottom of the property editor provide access to the tag editor and a means for closing the property editor. These commands also have 'F' key shortcut routes.


5.2.4 List Box Indicators

List boxes are used to simultaneously display a series of states, and to highlight the current state indicated by information from a controller. The number of states containing in the list can be greater than the component they occupy.

Setting list box properties

List box properties can be edited either by double clicking the created object or by selecting the object and opening the 'Property Editor' in the 'Tools' menu.

To assign a name and description to a list box, select the labelled box and type these via the keyboard. If a longer description is required, clicking the box marked with '...' will open a large text box.

The type of tag used by a list box indicator is a read tag. The read tag specifies the address from which to extrapolate data at a PLC. These are assigned in the tag editor (refer to working with tags).

'Geometry' provides a method for adjusting the dimensions of the indicator in relation to its position on the screen. These can be adjusted individually by clicking the plus sign to the left of the text. This breaks down the settings of the indicator into its geometric constituents. Click on each of these to start a cursor flashing or use the up/down buttons to the right of each value.

'ForeColor' and 'backColor' assign color to the text and background of the non- highlighted area of the list. To alter these colors, click once on either


box. Use the button marked with a down arrow to choose a preset color, or select the plus sign alongside the text to break a color down into red, green and blue bases to create a custom color.

'HighlightForeColor' and 'HighlightBackColor' set the color for the text and background of the current state being displayed. Assign these as described above. It is important that the current state being displayed in the list box provides a visual contrast to the other states.

You can edit text size and border width in the property editor. To assign these, click on either box to start a cursor flashing or to use the small up/down buttons.

Assigning and editing list box states

Access the state editor for list box indicators from the property editor by using the large command button labelled 'F1 States'. If you are not working in the property editor, click on the 'Tools' menu and select 'State Editor'.

A state will be triggered by a value at a controller address. In the case of the indicator above, there are only two possible states. This means that a change in state will be triggered by single bit data (a 1 or a 0). Assign text to each state triggered. Using a basic example, an indicator is created to monitor the state of a particular speed during a process, and a specific sensor (defined by a PLC address) has a bit value of 0 when off. If the same sensor indicates that part of a process is at half speed when off, the tag value should be entered as 0 and the text should be entered as ' speed'.

Add new states to the indicator by pressing the 'F2 Insert' button. One new state will be appended every time this button is pressed. To remove states from the list box, click on the state you wish to delete and press the command button marked 'F3 Delete'.

Add a tag value to a state by clicking the corresponding text box to start a cursor flashing. Add text to a state by clicking a chosen text box. Press the button marked with three periods to open a larger text box.

5.2.5 Text Output Indicator


A text output component is an indicator that displays designated text when triggered by a change at a defined controller address. This type of object may be used as a system for one-way messaging.

Creating Text Outputs

Create a text output component by clicking on the components menu in the menu bar and scroll down to 'Indicators'. When a sub menu opens, click on 'Text Output'. Another way to access the tool for creating a text output is to click the icon for that component type in the tool bar.

Setting Text Output Properties

Adjust properties for text output components by clicking on the 'Tools' menu and select 'Property Editor'. Another way to access the property editor is to double click the component or right click the component and choose 'Property Editor'.


A text output component employs a read tag from which it will display data sent from the PLC. The read tag specifies the controller address from which to extrapolate data . This tag is defined in the tag editor and assigned to the component in the 'readTag' field of the property editor (refer to working with tags).

To alter settings for component border width and the size of the text displayed, click on either field to start a cursor flashing or to use the small up/down buttons. The border width value refers to the size of the border in pixels.

The rows in the property editorlabelled 'hAlignment' and 'vAlignment' control the location of the text within the component. Click on either row and use the down arrow that appears alongside the text to select either left, right or center for horizontal alignment/ top, bottom, or center for vertical alignment.

5.3 Push Buttons


Push buttons created on a screen in an application of OI builder are designed to function in a similar way to mechanical push buttons. A push button can be assigned different states to represent closed or open contacts. These different states can be made to contain text or graphics. Push buttons are a type of dynamic component.

5.3.1 Creating Push Buttons

Push buttons can be created in one of two ways. Click on the components menu and select 'Buttons'. Another menu will then open. Highlight and click the area labelled 'Push button'. Alternatively, click on the push button icon in the toolbar. Moving down to the the OI builder screen will turn the mouse pointer into a crosshair. Select a starting location for the button then click and hold the left mouse button. Drag the crosshair away from its point of origin and release when the component reaches a desired size. The size of the button in pixels is shown in a variable display as it is being created.

To make another push button of the same type, move the crosshair to a different area of a screen and click again. If you wish to make a duplicate of a recently created button, click on the chosen component and select 'copy' in the edit menu. Then select 'paste' in the edit menu.

5.3.2 Setting Push Button Properties

To edit the properties of a push button, double click the created component. Alternatively, you can select the button by clicking it once and opening 'Property Editor' in the 'Tools' menu.


A name and description can be assigned to the button by left clicking the mouse pointer over either text box labelled 'name' or 'description'. If a longer description is required, click on the button marked '...' to open a larger text box.

'Read tag' refers to the address tag at the controller that data will be read from. 'Write tag' specifies the PLC address that the use of the component will write to. These tags should be assigned in the tag editor (refer to working with tags).

'Push value' and 'release value' assign specified integers that indicate a particular state when a button is being pressed or released. For example, contacts that are usually closed will have a logic value of 0 on a mechanical button. Pressing the button will change the value to 1. In the same sense, touchscreen buttons need a defined value to recognise which state a push button displays. To alter these values (default is set to a push value of 1 and a release value of 0) click on either box to start a cursor flashing. Type in a value for each via the keyboard.

'Geometry' describes the size of the push button in pixels and its location on the application screen. Click on the plus sign to the left of the row marked 'Geometry' to separate the figures into horizontal (x), vertical (y), height and width values. Click on each value to start a cursor flashing or use the up/down buttons to the right of each value.

'HoldTime' refers to the length of time that a button will stay in a particular state after it has been pressed and released. The holdTime for a push button is measured in milliseconds and is set to a default of 0. A typical holdtime setting is around 500 milliseconds. Adjust this feature by clicking on the row in the property editor labelled 'HoldTime'. Enter a time in milliseconds using a keyboard or click the up/down buttons to select a figure in numeric order.

The autorepeat sets a push button to be automatically pressed between and for a specified length of time. The amount of time (in milliseconds) between button presses is defined as the repeat delay. The amount of time for which a button push is recognized is referred to as the repeat


period.

Activate the automatic repeat by clicking the 'autorepeat' row. Use the small down arrow to set the auto repeat to 'True'. Set the amount of time (in milliseconds) between button presses in the 'autorepeatDelay' row. Set the amount of time for which the button should be pressed in the 'autorepeatPeriod' row.

The property editor for push buttons has a number of large command buttons. These are located at the bottom of the editor and each has its own 'F' key shortcut route. Clicking these buttons allows

Direct access to the push button state editor

Direct access to the push button tag editor

A way of closing the property editor

5.3.3 Assigning and Editing Push Button States

Similarly to a multistate indicator, push buttons can be assigned a number of different states. The current state changes each time the button is pressed. When the button has reached the last state, it returns to the original selected state. The default state when creating a push button is an error state. Access the state editor from an OI Builder application screen by selecting 'state editor' from the tools menu. Alternatively, right click on the object and select 'state editor' from the popup menu.

Time (milliseconds)

Button pressed

Button released

Repeat period

Repeat delay


Add new states to the push button using the 'Insert' command button at the bottom of the state editor. Each time this button is pressed, one new state will be created. The new state will be identical to the previous state with the next available state number. Remove selected states from the push button using the 'Delete' command button.

Assigning a tag value identifies each state with a particular controller address. In the example above, there are only three states (New State 0, New State 1 and Error State). This means that the data type needed is single bit (having a value of either one or zero). The error state has no assigned tag value.

The 'text' column allows you to add text to a push button. This will normally convey the function of the component (the effect of the button when pressed). Click on a desired text box in this column to start a cursor flashing and add text via the keyboard.

Double click a selected box in the 'text size' column to alter the size of the text. Use the flashing cursor to type a figure via the keyboard or use the up/down keys that appear at the end of the text box. Remember that it is practical to assign large prominent text to more important buttons.

'ForeColor' and 'backColor' refer respectively to the colour of the text and the color of the component body when in a particular state. Set the text color by double clicking on the 'foreColor' column. Adjust the color of the component by double clicking on the 'backColor' column. For either selection, use the down arrow to select a preset color. To create custom colors, open the color palette by clicking the button marked '...'

Preset colors

Store customized

colors

Save and exit

color palette

Customized

collection

Adjust RGB

constituents

Adjust hue, saturation

and value

Move crosshair to

select color

Change level of

monotone


You can make important states more visually striking using the blink feature. Make the button text blink by clicking on the 'foreBlink' column in the state editor. Use the down arrow that appears to set the blink mode to 'True'. To set a component to blink in a desired state, carry out the same procedure for the 'backBlink' column.

An image can be applied to a push button instead of text. Click on the column labelled 'image' and select the button marked '...'. This will open the image collection window. To import an image to the collection click the button marked 'Add' and select an image from the directory. To remove an image from the collection, highlight a chosen image and click the 'Delete' button. To apply a selected image to a component, click 'OK'.

To apply a border to the push button, double click the 'border width' column of the state editor. Use the up/down arrows to select a border size. The value corresponds to the width of the border in pixels.

If a particular state does not need to be viewed on a screen, that state can be hidden while the component is still present. The default for hiding states is set to 'False'. Highlight a text box in the 'hidden' column and click on the down arrow to select 'True' (activating the hide function).

The large command buttons at the bottom of the state editor allow direct access to the property editor and a method for closing the state editor. These commands also have 'F' key shortcut routes.

5.4 Screen Selectors

Screen selectors are touch buttons that allow an operator to move between screens when running an OI Builder application on a OI terminal. Screen selectors are static components (they do not interact with a controller address).

5.4.1 Screen Selector Types

There are three different types of screen buttons you can use in OI Builder. These buttons should be used when screen space is limited.

'Go to' screen buttons are selectors that allow instant access from one screen to another when running an application. The screen number that the buttons opens must be specified in the property editor and displayed in text on the button itself.


'Go back' buttons revert back to the previous screen when pressed. When pressed more than once, a 'go back' button will not return to the startup screen, but will switch back and forth to the screen in which the button was originally pressed.

The 'config' button provides a direct route to the configuration screen for the terminal, allowing access to hardware configuration and application selection and transferals. It is recommended that there should be at least one 'config' screen selector in every OI Builder application.

5.4.2 Creating Screen Selectors

Create a screen selector button by clicking the 'components' menu and selecting 'selectors'. A sub menu will open displaying the types of available screen selectors. Click on the required selector type or click on the screen selector icons in the toolbar. You will notice the mouse pointer change to a crosshair when placed on the OI Builder screen. Move the crosshair to a desired location and click and hold the left mouse button. Drag the mouse away from the point of origin and release when the component reached the required size.

5.4.3 Setting Screen Selector Properties

To edit the properties for a screen selector, double click a created selector component. Alternatively, click once on a component and choose 'property editor' from the 'Tools' menu.


Change the name and description of the screen selector by clicking on the rows in the property editor labelled 'name' and 'description'. Type these in via the keyboard when a cursor begins to blink. For a longer description, click the button marked '...' to open a larger text box. Click 'OK' to apply a typed description.

When creating a 'go to' screen selector, you must specify in the property editor which screen the button provides a route to. Click on the row labelled 'goToScreenNum' and use the cursor to type in a screen number or click the up/down buttons to select a figure in numeric order.

The property editor also provides the option of restricting access to particular screens with a set of numeric passwords. Set these in the rows labelled 'password1' to 'password5'. Click the required password row to start a cursor flashing. Enter a password using the keyboard. When in run mode, clicking a 'go to' button that has active passwords will automatically ask for a valid password number. Leaving the 'password' boxes set at the default of zero will disable the password feature on a screen selector.

The row labelled 'Geometry' provides a method for adjusting the size of the selector in relation to its position on the screen. These can be adjusted individually by clicking the plus sign to the left of the text. This breaks down the settings of the indicator into its geometric constituents; horizontal (x), vertical (y), height and width. Click on each of these to start a cursor flashing or use the up/down buttons to the right of each value.

'ForeColor' allows you to change the color of the text displayed within the selector. 'BackColor' allows you to choose a color for the main body of the component. To alter these, click on either row in the property editor. Click the down arrow alongside the text box to choose from a list of preset colors. To create a more detailed custom color, click the button marked '...' to open the color palette, or click the plus sign to the left of the text box to enter color values separately for the red, green and blue components of a selected color.

Apply text to the selector by clicking the row marked text in the property


editor. A cursor will begin to flash in the text box, or click the button marked with '...' to add longer text or change the layout of the text. For example, typing text directly into a text box for a 'go to' selector for a fifth screen will appear as follows;

If, however, the required component size and shape is different to that shown above, clicking the button marked '...' allows access to a larger text box which enables you to change the structure of the applied text. OI Builder automatically centralizes text applied in this way;

Adjust the size of the text by double clicking on 'text size'. Click the up/down buttons to select a figure in numeric order, or alternatively use the keyboard to type in a new text size at the cursor.

You can apply an image or symbol to a screen selector instead of text. Click on the row in the property editor labelled 'image' and select the button marked '...' to access the image collection. Append an image by clicking the 'Add' button. When an image has been selected, click 'OK' to apply that image to the selector. To remove an image from the collection, click on a chosen graphic and then click the 'Delete' button.

The 'monoImage' feature allows you to reduce a selected image to a simplified black and white monochrome appearance. Enable this feature by clicking once on the row in the property editor labelled 'monoImage' and setting the down arrow from 'False' to 'True'.

The large command buttons at the bottom of the property editor provide access to the tag editor and a means for closing the property editor. These commands also have 'F' key shortcut routes.


5.5 Inputs

Inputs are used to configure or calibrate readings taken from a PLC and then write them back to the controller. Inputs are dynamic components and operate with write tags as well as read tags.

5.5.1 Creating Inputs

Create input objects in one of two ways. Click on the 'Components' menu and select 'Inputs'. Drag the mouse across to the sub menu that opens and click a required input type. Alternatively, click on the input tools in the toolbar. The mouse pointer will become a crosshair when moved into the application screen. Left click the mouse in a required location and drag the mouse until the component reaches a desired size. Release the mouse button to apply the component to the screen.Note that when creating numeric inputs, the size of the component specified is the size of the input readout only. Increase and decrease buttons are appended automatically in scale and alongside the input readout.

5.5.2 Numeric Inputs

Numeric inputs are used to read and write data in numeric form to and from a controller. They are made up of three objects; an entry display, an increase button and a decrease button. These are automatically appended when creating a single numeric input. They are then free to be moved around the screen as separate components, although their function in relation to each other will remain the same.


Setting Numeric Input Properties

Adjust the properties for numeric inputs by clicking on the input component and selecting 'Property Editor' from the 'Tools' menu. Another way to access the property editor is to double click on the component itself.

Assign a name and description to a numeric input using the appropriate text boxes. Click each one to start a cursor flashing and enter a name and description via the keyboard. A longer description can be stored here in the property editor by clicking on the '...' button that appears when selecting the 'description' row. This will open a larger text box. When an adequate description has been written, click 'OK' to apply this to the numeric input or click 'cancel' to delete it.

The numeric input operates in conjunction with both a read tag and a write tag. The read tag specifies the address from which to extrapolate data at a PLC, whereas the write tag defines the controller address it is sending values to. These are assigned in the tag editor (refer to working with tags).

'Keypad' refers to the popup numeric keypad that appears when touching a data input display when an application is running. The touch keypad allows you to instantly apply a figure to the input display as if you were using the keypad keys on a real keyboard at any point during the running of an OI Builder application.

7 8 9

4 5 6

1 2 3

00 . + / -

Entered data readout

Apply decimal point

Alter negative and positive values

Numeric entry keys


To allow access to a keypad from a data input display, click once on the row marked 'keypad' in the property editor and set the down arrow to 'True'.

As stated previously, the increase and decrease buttons are created automatically when making a new numeric input. There is the option, however, to erase these buttons after they have been created. Click on the row labelled 'incDecButtons', and use the down arrow to set the option from 'True' to 'False'. This will delete the increase and decrease buttons from the application screen.

The rows labelled 'minValue' and 'maxValue' set the parameters between which data can be entered into a numeric input. Click on either row and type in minimum and maximum input values at the flashing cursor.

'StepValue' refers to the value that the input data will increase/ decrease by every time a button is pressed when an application is running on a touchscreen. Adjust this interval for a numeric input by clicking on the row in the property editor labelled 'stepValue'. Type in an interval number via a keyboard when the cursor begins to flash.

Adjust the size and positioning of the input numerically using the row marked 'geometry'. Click the plus sign to the left of this row to break the geometry of the component down into width, height, y values and x values. The x and y values here refer respectively to the horizontal and vertical location of the numeric input on the screen's grid. Adjust the value for each by clicking once on the appropriate row and either type a value at the flashing cursor, or click the up/down buttons to select a figure in sequence.

Adjust the color of the text and the color of the component using the rows 'foreColor' and 'backColor'. Click the text box that displays a block color for each row. Use the down arrow to select a preset color, or click the button marked '...' to create a custom color using the color palette.

You can edit text size and border width in the property editor. To assign these, click on either box to start a cursor flashing or to use the small up/down buttons. The border width value refers to the size of the border in pixels.

It is possible to make the component body invisible, so that only the numeric display remains visible on a screen. To activate this feature, click

ClearClear Cancel Apply entered data and exit keypad

Cancel entered data and exit keypad

Delete all data from readout

Backspace delete


on the row in the property editor labelled 'transparent'. Set the down arrow in the text box from 'False' to 'True to make to component invisible (note that the 'transparent' feature is very much different to the 'hidden' feature- 'transparent' only makes the readout visible for visual purposes, whereas 'hidden' hides a component entirely to indicate a change in state).

'Fieldwidth' specifies the maximum number of digits that can be entered into a numeric input. The default when creating this type of component is 10 (including a decimal point). To change the fieldwidth to suit the type of data you are using, click once on the row marked 'fieldwidth'. Use the up/down buttons that appear alongside the text to increase or decrease the number of digits for a data input.

To adjust a readout for the type of data sent from a controller, there is the option of setting a decimal point position in the property editor. This function is also useful when scaling an integer value to display it as a decimal. Click the row marked 'decimalPointPosition' and use the up/down arrows to select a decimal setting. A value of 0 will display no decimal point. A value of -1 will replace a digit from the fieldwidth with a decimal point. Ascending position values will move the decimal point one digit left at a time.

The 'fillWithZeroes' function specifies whether unused digit spaces to the left of a value (and also to the right when using a decimal point) will be replaced with zeroes to indicate the potential fieldwidth at all times. To activate this feature, click on the row marked 'fillWithZeroes' and set the down arrow that appears in the text box from 'False' to 'True'.

Data that is entered by an operator into a numeric input may need to be scaled from (for example) engineering units to integers so that a controller can receive and recognise it as a control value. As we have seen before when using output components, the value from the PLC will be multiplied by the value of that scale. When applying an offset to an output, the value from the controller will be added to the value specified in the offset. We must rearrange this equation so that it is possible to determine the value for input data written to a controller. Let us assume that scale has the value x, offset has the value y. Where the controller data has the value a and the terminal data has the value b,

a = b y x

For example, let us assume that an operator enters an input of 40 units at a terminal, the scale used is 0.02 and the offset is 10. We can then determine the value received by the controller using the above equation,

a = 40 10 0.02

We now know that the controller value written to the PLC will be 1500. To apply a scale or an offset to a numeric input, click on the appropriate box in the property editor and use the keyboard to type a value at the flashing cursor. The default when creating numeric inputs is a scale of 1 and an offset of zero (thus having no effect on the data entered until specified).


Increase and Decrease Buttons

After being automatically created alongside the numeric input, the increase and decrease buttons are regarded as separate entities. Each can be moved separately from the input display by left clicking and holding on either one and dragging the mouse to relocate each button. Each button also has its own list of properties. These are accessed from the property editor for the numeric input. Click the plus sign to the left of the row labelled 'inc button' or 'dec button' to open a table of properties for each.

Edit properties for button geometry, colors and text size as described above for the numeric input. Add text to a button by clicking on the row labelled 'text'. Type text for the button using a keyboard at the cursor, or click the '...' button to change the layout of the text you want to apply. The default text for increase and decrease buttons are plus and minus signs.

Instead of text, you can apply an image to either button. To do this, click on the row marked 'image' and select the button marked '...'. This will open the image collection window. To append an image to the button, click 'Add'. A directory will open allowing access to images from the hard drive or the flash disk. When selected, clicking 'OK' will apply an image to the increase/ decrease button. To remove an image from the collection, click to select a chosen graphic and then click the 'Delete' button. Images applied to buttons will not be scaled.

Images applied to components can be reduced to a black and white appearance. To activate this feature, click on the row labelled 'monoImage'. Use the down arrow that appears in the text box to alter the monoImage' from 'False' to 'True'.

'Autorepeat' repeatedly presses an increase or decrease button for a specified length of time. Activate the automatic repeat by clicking the 'autorepeat' row. Use the down arrow that appears to set the auto repeat to 'True'. Set the amount of time (in milliseconds) between button presses in the 'autorepeatDelay' row. Set the amount of time for which the button should be pressed in the 'autorepeatPeriod' row.The large command buttons at the bottom of the property editor provide direct access to the tag editor and a way of closing the property editor. Each command has its own 'F' key shortcut. Note that numeric inputs


only have one state and therefore have no state editor.

5.5.3 List Box Inputs

List box inputs are used to select specific states using list form. The list box has up and down buttons which allow an operator to move through a list; these up and down buttons are automatically added when creating list boxes, making it a type of scrolling indicator. When assigning states to a list box input, note that text for each state cannot occupy more than one line.

Setting List Box Input Properties

Edit list box input properties either by double clicking the created object or by selecting the object and opening the 'Property Editor' in the 'Tools' menu.

To assign a name and description to a list box, select the labelled box and type these via the keyboard. If a longer description is required, clicking the box marked with '...' will open a large text box.

There are two types of tag used by a list box input; a read tag and a write tag. The read tag specifies the address from which to extrapolate data at a PLC. The write tag specifies the name of the tag address at the PLC to which data is sent. These are assigned in the tag editor (refer to working with tags).

The row labelled 'geometry' provides a method for adjusting the dimensions of the input in relation to its position on the screen. These can be adjusted individually by clicking the plus sign to the left of the text. This breaks down the settings of the input into its geometric constituents. To adjust these, click on each of these to start a cursor flashing or use the up/down buttons to the right of each value.

'ForeColor' allows you to change the color of the text displayed within the list box. 'BackColor' allows you to choose a color for the main body of the component. To alter these, click on either row in the property editor. Click the down arrow alongside the text box to choose from a list of preset


colors. To create a more detailed custom color, click the button marked '...' to open the color palette, or click the plus sign to the left of the text box to enter color values separately for the red, green and blue components of a selected color.

'The rows labelled 'highlightForeColor' and 'highlightBackColor' set the color for the text and background of the current state being displayed. Assign these as described above. It is important that the current state being displayed in the list box provides a visual contrast to the other states.

Edit text size and border width in the appropriate rows in the property editor. To assign these, click on either box to start a cursor flashing or to use the small up/down buttons.

Up and Down Buttons

The large up and down buttons at the bottom of the indicator allow for scrolling through the list of states. Similarly to numeric inputs, these up/down buttons are regarded as free moving components. Each can be moved separately from the input display by left clicking and holding on either one and dragging the mouse to relocate each button. These are components in themselves and so have their own submenu within the property editor. Access the properties for each button by clicking the plus sign alongside the text box labelled 'Up button' or 'Down button'.

Assign geometry, color, and text size to each button as described above. Each button can display either text or an image. The default for text on a button is either 'up' or 'down'. You can change these by clicking the row marked 'text' to start a cursor flashing. Alternatively, select an image from the image collection. Click the row labelled 'Image'. Then click the button marked '...' to access the image directory.

The row labelled 'monoImage' simplifies a selected image by displaying it in monochrome. Change an image to black and white by selecting 'True' in the monoImage row.

When activated, the 'auto repeat' function sets the selected button to be


automatically pressed between a specified length of time and keep doing so for a certain amount of time. Activate the automatic repeat by clicking the 'autorepeat' row. Use the small down arrow to set the auto repeat to 'True'. Set the amount of time (in milliseconds) between button presses in the 'autorepeatDelay' row. Set the amount of time for which the button should be pressed in the 'autorepeatPeriod' row.

The large command buttons at the bottom of the window provide direct routes to the state editor, the tag editor, and a 'close' button for the property editor. Each of these commands has its own 'F' key shortcut.

5.5.4 Editing and Assigning List Box Input States

Access the state editor for list box indicators from the property editor by using the large command button labelled 'F1 States'. If you are not working from the property editor, click on the 'Tools' menu and select 'State Editor'.

Each state represents one line in the list box. Scrolling through the list box with the up and down buttons will automatically send the data for a highlighted state to the appropriate controller address.

Append new states to a list box by pressing the 'F2 Insert' button. One new state will be appended every time this button is pressed. The default for created states is 'New State #' in ascending order. To remove states from the list box, click on the state you wish to delete and press the command button marked 'F3 Delete'.

Assigning a tag value identifies each state with a particular controller address. Add a tag value to a state by clicking the corresponding text box to start a cursor flashing. Add text to a state by clicking a chosen state text box. Press the button marked with three periods to open a larger text box.

The remaining large command buttons at the bottom of the state editor provide direct access to the property editor and a method for closing the state editor. Each command button also has its own 'F' key shortcut.


5.5.5 Text Input Component

A text input component may be used to relay text between devices. The object works in a similar way to a numeric input, although it allows the user to send text between interfaces (for example, an operator name is sent from a touchscreen to a PLC and then to a label printer). When touching a text input component during runtime operation, a touchscreen 'keyboard' window opens in order that text may be entered. Use the button marked with a large arrow to send text and close the 'keyboard' window.

Creating Text Input Components

Text inputs may be created by selecting the 'Components' menu and clicking on 'Inputs'. From the sub menu that opens, select 'Text Input'. Alternatively, select the component icon from the tool bar. Move the pointer into the screen until it becomes a crosshair. Click and hold the mouse in a desired location, dragging the crosshair away from the point of origin until the indicator reaches the required size.

Setting Text Input Properties

Open the property editor for a text input either by double clicking on the component itself, or click on the 'Tools' menu and select 'Property Editor'. All property fields for a text input component are displayed as follows.


A text input component operates in conjunction with both a read tag and a write tag. The read tag specifies the address from which to extrapolate data at a PLC, whereas the write tag defines the controller address it is sending values to. These are assigned in the tag editor (refer to working with tags).

Edit text size and border width in the property editor. To alter settings for these fields, click on either box to start a cursor flashing or to use the small up/down buttons. The border width value refers to the size of the border in pixels.

The fields labelled 'hAlignment' and 'vAlignment' control the location of the text within the component. There is a choice of nine different locations for the data inside the object, created using a combination of positions along horizontal and vertical alignments. Click on either row and use the down arrow that appears alongside the text to select either left, right or center alignment.


5.6 Graphics

This section explains how to use graphics in conjunction with OI Builder application screens. All graphics applied to an application are present on a screen solely for presentation and visual purposes. They are therefore static types of component and do not interact with a controller address. There are five graphic component types in OI Builder; static text, images, rectangles, ellipses and lines.

5.6.1 Static Text

Static text should be thought of as a method of labelling or conveying permanent information in an OI Builder application. Static text is exactly that- the text is constant and immovable when an application is running.

Creating Static Text

Create static text by clicking on the 'Components' menu in the menu bar. Drag the mouse down the list and select 'Graphics'. When the submenu opens, click on 'Static text'. Alternatively, click on the tool for static text in the tool bar. Move the pointer into the screen until it becomes a crosshair. Click and hold the mouse in a desired location, and drag the crosshair away from the point of origin until the text box reaches the required size.


5.6.2 Setting Static Text Properties

Access the property editor for a static text component either by double clicking on the created object, or clicking it once to select it and opening 'Property editor' from the 'Tools' menu.

Apply a name and description to a static text component by clicking the corresponding rows in the property editor. Type information via a keyboard at the flashing cursor, or for a longer description, click the button marked '...' to open a large text box. When you want to assign information from this text box to the description, click 'OK'.The 'geometry' row defines the component's size and location on the screen. Components can be moved manually, although this feature of the property editor allows for a higher level of accuracy. Click the plus sign to the left of this row to append new rows to the property editor that deconstruct the geometry into x and y coordinates, width and height. Adjust each value as required by typing values via a keyboard or using the up/down buttons to select a value sequentially.

The 'text' row defines the content of the static text component. To assign text, click the appropriate row and enter text at the flashing cursor via a keyboard. To adjust the structure of text, click the button marked '...' to open a larger text box. Using this box will automatically centralize all


text applied within an object.

Change the size of the static text using the row in the property editor labelled 'textsize'. Click the row and type a text size value at the flashing cursor. Alternatively, use the up and down buttons that appear in the text box to select a size sequentially.

Create a border for the indicator by clicking the 'border width' row in the property editor. Use the up and down arrows to select a border size. The value corresponds to the width of the border in pixels.

'hAlignment' and 'vAlignment' change the location of the text within a static text object. To move the text horizontally across the component, select 'hAlignment' and use the down arrow to set the text to left, right or horizontal center. To move the text on a vertical axis within the component, select 'vAlignment' and use the down arrow to choose from the options top, bottom or vertical center. The default for alignment when creating a static text object is 'HCenter' and 'VCenter'.

The 'filled' option in the property editor specifies whether an entire component is visible, or just the text itself is showing. The component area surrounding the text remains constant in either case.Make the 'fill' of the component invisible by clicking the 'filled' row and setting the down arrow that appears from 'True' to 'False'. Static text objects can overlap other components on an OI Builder screen whether filled or unfilled.

The 'color' row in the property editor refers to the color of the text (and, if applied, the color of the border). Alter text color by clicking in this row. Use the down arrow to select a preset color or click the '...' button to create a custom color from the palette. Another option for editing color is to click the plus sign to the left of the row. This allows you to edit the red, blue, and green constituents of a color separately.

The 'fillColour' row in the property editor refers to the color of the object that contains the text. Change the color of the object by clicking this row and using the the button marked '...' to create a custom color, or using the down arrow to choose a preset color.Alternatively, change the red, green and blue parts of a color by clicking the plus sign to the left of the row.

The large command buttons at the bottom of

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