Learning about DeltaV Live

Using the Graphics Configuration pane

Graphics Configuration pane tabs

Displays, layouts, GEM classes, and graphic elements have a collection of fixed properties that let you define the online appearance and behavior of each display, layout, GEM class, and element. These properties are configured in the Graphics Configuration pane. Each tab then divides the properties into property groups, such as Fill, Line, and Visibility. Some properties have a diamond next to them. Clicking the diamond opens a context menu from which you can animate the property or reference other configurations. A colored diamond indicates that the property currently contains an animation or reference.

The Graphics Configuration pane is divided into tabs, with each tab containing property groups that group similar properties. The most common tabs are:
The Basics tab

The Basics tab is included on all configurations and elements, and is where you define the metadata and general appearance and behavior of that configuration or element. This tab includes property groups such as Information, Fill, and Geometry.

The Text tab

The Text tab is included on any element that contains text, such as a text element, button, or data link, and is where you configure the font and alignment for that text. This tab includes property groups such as Alignment and Text.

The Interaction tab

The Interaction tab is included on layouts, displays, GEM classes, and certain elements. This tab is where you define how DeltaV Live users interact with graphics on a running display, including trigger actions, triggered behaviors, event scripts, and interaction regions (area). This tab includes property groups such as Interaction and Interaction Region.

The Variables tab

The Variables tab is included only on displays, contextual displays, layouts, GEM classes, GEMs, and groups. This tab is where you add and configure the variables you want available on one of these graphics configuration.

Some elements and graphics configuration have additional tabs that let you define a component on the element, such as a menu bar on a screen or a toolbar on an alarm list.

Property types

The type of property determines the possible values the property can accept as well as the method for configuring the property. The following list describes all of the property types:

Boolean
A two-state property, True or False. A Boolean value may be defined through one of the following means:
  • Literal value
  • Simple animation
  • Boolean-type library animation
  • Reference to a Boolean-type standard
  • Reference to Boolean-type graphics variable
Color
A value representing a solid, opaque color or the No color value. A color value can be defined through one of the following means:
  • Literal value
  • Blink animation
  • Color-type library animation
  • Reference to a color-type standard
  • Reference to color-type graphics variable
Control tag

A language-neutral string that holds the name of a DeltaV module/device/node. A control tag string provides for more precise configuration verification, use for "tags referenced" reports, and a specialized path-browsing experience.

A control tag is not animate-able.

Degree

A floating point value representing an angular measurement in degrees, ranging from -360 through 360.

The degree value can be defined through one of the following means:
  • Literal value
  • Reference to a degree-type standard
  • Reference to degree-type graphics variable
Display reference

A reference to a display. A display reference cannot reference contextual displays.

A display reference is not animate-able.

Floating point

A double precision number.

Font
A font property specifies these combined characteristics:
  • Font family name (string)
  • Size (measurement)
  • Bold (Boolean)
  • Italic (Boolean)
  • Underline (Boolean)
  • Strikethrough (Boolean)
Function block reference

A reference to a block in a DeltaV module/device/node. This reference is a language-neutral, partial-path string that provides more precise configuration verification and a specialized path-browsing experience.

A function block reference is not animate-able.

Graphics expression

A reference to a block in a DeltaV Module/Device/Node. This reference is a language-neutral, partial-path string that provides more precise configuration verification and a specialized path-browsing experience.

A graphics expression is not animate-able.

Image

A reference to an image-type standard.

An image reference is not animate-able.

Integer
A literal whole number used in graphic elements for various purposes. Its value constraints are determined by the specific property.
Measurement

A literal floating point value representing a linear measurement. Measurement values are automatically converted and displayed, or accepted as input, according to the measurement unit currently selected in Graphics Studio.

A measurement value can be defined through one of the following means:
  • Literal value
  • Simple animation
  • Measurement-type library animation
  • Reference to a measurement-type standard
  • Reference to measurement-type graphics variable
Multi–language string

A configured string that can hold a variation for each supported database language.

A multi-language string can be defined through one of the following means:
  • Literal string
  • Reference to a multi-language, string-type standard
  • Reference to multi-language, string-type graphics variable

Certain multi-language string-type properties, such as tooltips, can be configured with dynamically resolved substrings.

Parameter reference

A subset of a graphics expression-type property that resolves to a single DeltaV parameter.

Examples of a parameter reference: 
DLSYS["FIC-101/PID1/SP"]
DLSYS[Grp.ModuleName + "/PID1/OUT.CV"]

A parameter reference is not animate-able.

Percentage

A literal floating point value representing a percentage value ranging from 0.0 through 100.0.

A percentage value can be defined through one of the following means:
  • Literal value
  • Simple animation
  • Reference to a percentage-type standard
  • Reference to percentage-type graphics variable
Scale

A subset of a graphics expression-type property that resolves to a single DeltaV scaling parameter.

A scale property also contains a means to configure a default EU0 and EU100, as well as the engineering units and decimal point values to use if the scale path is not configured or cannot be read.

Examples of a scalar graphic expression: 
DLSYS["FIC-101/PID1/PV_SCALE"]
DLSYS[Grp.ModuleName + "/ALM1/IN_SCALE"]

A scale is not animate-able.

Selection

A drop-down list containing a pre-defined set of options from which the user can select.

A selection property is not animate-able.

String

A language-neutral string that does not hold variations for supported database languages.

Writable Variable reference

Either a subset of a parameter reference property or a language-neutral reference to a writable graphics variable.

A writable variable reference is not animate-able.

Diamond context menu

The context menu may include some or all of the following options, depending on the property type:

Static Value
 
Set to Static Value

This menu option is available on a property that is already configured as an animation or reference. Select this option to remove the animation or reference and return the property to a static value.

Animations
 
Animation
Select this option to create a simple animation for this property type. Simple animations can be created on Boolean, percent, measurement, degree, and font property types. For this type of animation, configure any of the following properties that apply to that property type:
Value / Fill
Enter the expression that resolves to the DeltaV parameter value to be animated.
Default value
Select the value to use when the animation logic is unable to resolve to a usable dynamic value.
Scale
Enter the path that resolves to the desired scaling parameter.
Default Scale
Enter the upper and lower scale values, engineering units, and number of decimals for the default scale. The default scale is used if the expression cannot be resolved.
Fill behavior
Select how you want the fill to behave on the element.
  • 0% to Fill%: Fills the element from the bottom of the element to the default fill percent.
  • Fill% to 100%: Fills the element from the default fill percent to the top of the element.
  • Fill1% to Fill2%: Fills the element from Fill value 1 to Fill value 2.
Start Point
Enter the measurement to be used when the value is at 0% of Scale.
End Point
Enter the measurement to be used when the value is at 100% of Scale.
Degree Bounds
Enter the degrees boundaries for the fill color.
Direction
Select whether you want the fill to move clockwise or counterclockwise.
Alternate Font
Select the font to use when the alternate font condition is true.
Alternate Font Condition

Enter an expression that defines the condition under which the text uses the alternate font.

When the expression is false or unresolvable, the default font is used.

Blink Animation
Select this option to create a blink animation on a color property. Configure the following properties:
Alternating Color Condition

Enter an expression that defines the condition under which the blinking behavior occurs. When the condition is true, the color alternates between the On Color and Off Color.

When the expression is false or unresolvable, the default color is used.

On Color
Select the color to use during the 'on time' duration of the blink style cycle.
Off Color
Select the color to use during the 'off time' duration of the blink style cycle.
Blink Style
Choose whether you want the element to use the Standard Blink Rate or the Alternate Blink Rate. The blink rate for each blink style is defined in a Layout's Styling tab.
The default for a standard blink rate is 500 milliseconds.
The default for an alternate blink rate is 125 milliseconds.
Default Color
Select the color to use when the alternating color condition is false or unresolvable.
Library Animation

Select this option to reference a library function of this property type. When you reference a library function, additional properties appear that let you override the default value (Default property value) and sometimes the input value (Value) in the referenced function. These override values apply only to that property on that element.

Standards
 
Browse for Standard

Select this option to reference an existing standard value.

After selecting this option, use the browser window to browse to the desired library and standard.
New Standard

Select this option to create a new standard of the same type. You can then reference the new standard from the Diamond context menu.

References
 
Variables
Select this option to reference a compatible variable existing on the containing graphics configuration.
GEM Configuration Properties
Select this option to reference a GEM configuration property. (Only custom properties can be selected.)
This option appears on the context menu only on elements nested inside a GEM class or GEM (linked or unlinked).

To reference an existing custom property, select GEM Configuration Properties → <GEM property>.

On GEM classes and unlinked GEMs only: To create and reference a new custom property, select GEM Configuration Properties → New Property.
After selecting New Property, a new property of the type from which it was created is added to the unlinked GEM's or GEM class's GEM Configuration Designer. Additionally, the property field automatically populates a reference to the new property.
On GEM classes, you can modify the default value of the new property in the GEM Configuration Designer. On unlinked GEMs, you can modify the value of the new property in the GEM's Basics tab.
Browse for Reference

Select this option to reference a variable existing on the containing display or GEM class, or on any GEMs or groups on the display or GEM class.

GEM Overrides
This section appears on the context menu only when this element is nested inside a linked GEM.
Override
Select this option to create an override on this property. When the property is overridden, it stops tracking the GEM class's value for this property and uses the override value instead.
When you create an override from the context menu, the value does not automatically change. You can still modify the value here or on the Overrides tab.
Remove Override
Select this option to remove the override on this property. When the override is removed, the property once again tracks the GEM class value.