The Layout files are used for multiple monitor workstations, workstations with widescreen monitors, workstations with high resolution 1080p monitors, and operator keyboards.
The Layout files are similar to .ini files and can be edited with a text editor such as Notepad. The files are located in the DVData\Graphics-iFIX\Local folder. Refer to the note in Editing and Saving the Layout Files for the location of Layout files created on a remote workstation. Like the User_Ref template, the Layout files can be saved and edited for system-wide and/or workstation-specific settings. Files saved with workstation-specific settings must follow the naming conventions outlined in The User_Ref and UserSettings Pictures topic.
|
Resolution |
Monitor arrangement |
DeltaV Upgrade Picture dialog, Template Selection |
User Settings dialog, Bypass checkbox |
User actions |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1024x768 or 1280x1024 |
All |
Full screen |
na |
na |
System wide use: Rename DeltaVPicture.Template to DeltaVPicture.Layout Workstation specific use: Rename DeltaVPicture.Template to workstationname_Picture.Layout |
|
1680x1050 |
Four horizontal |
Split screen |
Main1280 |
Bypass 16:10 unchecked |
System wide use: Use DefaultHorizontal_1680x1050.Layout Workstation specific use: Rename DefaultHorizontal_1680x1050.Layout to workstationname_Picture.Layout |
|
1680x1050 |
Four horizontal |
Full screen |
Main1680 |
Bypass 16:10 checked |
Use Usersettings.grf |
|
1680x1050 |
Two horizontal |
Split screen |
Main1280 |
Bypass 16:10 unchecked |
System wide use: Use DefaultHorizontal_1680x1050.Layout Workstation specific use: Rename DefaultHorizontal_1680x1050.Layout to workstationname_Picture.Layout |
|
1680x1050 |
Two horizontal |
Full screen |
Main1680 |
Bypass 16:10 checked |
Use Usersettings.grf |
|
1680x1050 |
Four square |
Split screen |
Main1280 |
Bypass 16:10 unchecked |
System wide use: Use DefaultSquare_1680x1050.Layout Workstation specific use: Rename DefaultSquare_1680x1050.Layout to workstationname_Picture.Layout |
|
1680x1050 |
Four square |
Full screen |
Main1680 |
Bypass 16:10 checked |
Use Usersettings.grf |
|
1680x1050 |
Two vertical |
Split screen |
Main1280 |
Bypass 16:10 unchecked |
System wide use: Use DefaultVertical_1680x1050.Layout Workstation specific use: Rename DefaultVertical_1680x1050.Layout to workstationname_Picture.Layout |
|
1680x1050 |
Two vertical |
Full screen |
Main1680 |
Bypass 16:10 checked |
Use Usersettings.grf |
|
1920x1080 |
Four horizontal |
Split screen |
Main1024 |
Bypass 16:9 unchecked |
System wide use: Rename Main1024_1920x1080_Horizontal.Layout to DefaultHorizontal_1920x1080.Layout Workstation specific use: Rename Main1024_1920x1080_Horizontal.Layout to workstationname_Picture.Layout |
|
1920x1080 |
Four horizontal |
Split screen |
Main1280 |
Bypass 16:9 unchecked |
System wide use: Rename Main1280_1920x1080_Horizontal.Layout to DefaultHorizontal_1920x1080.Layout Workstation specific use: Rename Main1280_1920x1080_Horizontal.Layout to workstationname_Picture.Layout |
|
1920x1080 |
Four horizontal |
Split screen |
Main1680 |
Bypass 16:9 unchecked |
System wide use: Rename Main1680_1920x1080_Horizontal.Layout to DefaultHorizontal_1920x1080.Layout Workstation specific use: Rename Main1680_1920x1080_Horizontal.Layout to workstationname_Picture.Layout |
|
1920x1080 |
Four horizontal |
Full screen |
Main1920 |
Bypass 16:9 checked |
Use Usersettings.grf |
|
1920x1080 |
Two horizontal |
Split screen |
Main1024 |
Bypass 16:9 unchecked |
System wide use: Rename Main1024_1920x1080_Horizontal_Dual.Layout to DefaultHorizontal_1920x1080_Dual.Layout Workstation specific use: Rename Main1024_1920x1080_Horizontal_Dual.Layout to workstationname_Picture.Layout |
|
1920x1080 |
Two horizontal |
Split screen |
Main1280 |
Bypass 16:9 unchecked |
System wide use: Rename Main1280_1920x1080_Horizontal_Dual.Layout to DefaultHorizontal_1920x1080_Dual.Layout Workstation specific use: Rename Main1280_1920x1080_Horizontal_Dual.Layout to workstationname_Picture.Layout |
|
1920x1080 |
Two horizontal |
Split screen |
Main1680 |
Bypass 16:9 unchecked |
System wide use: Rename Main1680_1920x1080_Horizontal_Dual.Layout to DefaultHorizontal_1920x1080.Layout Workstation specific use: Rename Main1680_1920x1080_Horizontal_Dual.Layout to workstationname_Picture.Layout |
|
1920x1080 |
Two horizontal |
Full screen |
Main1920 |
Bypass 16:9 checked |
Use Usersettings.grf |
|
1920x1080 |
Four square |
Split screen |
Main1024 |
Bypass 16:9 unchecked |
System wide use: Rename Main1024_1920x1080_Square.Layout to DefaultSquare_1920x1080.Layout Workstation specific use: Rename Main1024_1920x1080_Square.Layout to workstationname_Picture.Layout |
|
1920x1080 |
Four square |
Split screen |
Main1280 |
Bypass 16:9 unchecked |
System wide use: Rename Main1280_1920x1080_Square.Layout to DefaultSquare_1920x1080.Layout Workstation specific use: Rename Main1280_1920x1080_Square.Layout to workstationname_Picture.Layout |
|
1920x1080 |
Four square |
Split screen |
Main1680 |
Bypass 16:9 unchecked |
System wide use: Rename Main1680_1920x1080_Square.Layout to DefaultSquare_1920x1080.Layout Workstation specific use: Rename Main1680_1920x1080_Square.Layout to workstationname_Picture.Layout |
|
1920x1080 |
Four square |
Full screen |
Main1920 |
Bypass 16:9 checked |
Use Usersettings.grf |
|
1920x1080 |
Two vertical |
Split screen |
Main1024 |
Bypass 16:9 unchecked |
System wide use: Rename Main1024_1920x1080_Vertical.Layout to DefaultVertical_1920x1080.Layout Workstation specific use: Rename Main1024_1920x1080_Vertical.Layout to workstationname_Picture.Layout |
|
1920x1080 |
Two vertical |
Split screen |
Main1280 |
Bypass 16:9 unchecked |
System wide use: Rename Main1280_1920x1080_Vertical.Layout to DefaultVertical_1920x1080.Layout Workstation specific use: Rename Main1280_1920x1080_Vertical.Layout to workstationname_Picture.Layout |
|
1920x1080 |
Two vertical |
Split screen |
Main1680 |
Bypass 16:9 unchecked |
System wide use: Rename Main1680_1920x1080_Vertical.Layout to DefaultSquare_1920x1080.Layout Workstation specific use: Rename Main1680_1920x1080_Vertical.Layout to workstationname_Picture.Layout |
|
1920x1080 |
Two vertical |
Full screen |
Main1920 |
Bypass 16:9 checked |
Use Usersettings.grf |
1. The split screen layout includes navigation panels on the right side. The full screen layout does not include navigation panels.
|
Layout or template name |
Usage |
|---|---|
|
DeltaVPicture.Template |
Template used to create a Layout file for a workstation of one or more monitors with a 4:3 aspect ratio. |
|
DeltaVSquare_OK_Picture_1920x1080.Layout |
Layout file for an Operator Keyboard system of multiple high definition 1080p monitors with a 16:9 aspect ratio arranged in a 2×2 configuration. The screen resolution of each monitor should be set to 1920x1080. |
|
DeltaV_OK_Picture.Template |
Template used to create a Layout file for an Operator Keyboard system of multiple monitors with a 4:3 aspect ratio. |
|
DeltaV_OK_Picture.Layout |
Layout file created from DeltaV_OK_Picture.Template. |
|
DeltaV_OK_Picture_1680x1050.Layout |
Layout file for an Operator Keyboard system of multiple widescreen monitors with a 16:10 aspect ratio. The screen resolution of each monitor should be set to 1680×1050. |
When editing the Layout file, you can leave the file open in Notepad and have DeltaV Operate in run mode. Save the Layout file after making a change (but still leaving it open) and click Reset Layout on the picture in DeltaV Operate. This will reload the picture reading the new Layout file. You can see your changes right away without restarting DeltaV Operate.
In general, where the User_Ref file can be used to completely customize the look of your operating environment, the Layout files are best used to modify the picture layout and to change the default allocation of DeltaV screens to hardware monitors. For example, a Layout file can be used to define a specific height and width in pixels for your pictures or to define a specific left (X) and top (Y) position in pixels for your pictures. The Layout files contain a section on assigning DeltaV screens to monitors. Be aware that a monitor number, as determined by the physical arrangement of the monitors, does not equate to a DeltaV screen number. Refer to the Installing and Configuring the Hardware topic for the supported monitor arrangements. The Layout files contain comments and instructions. We strongly suggest that you carefully read the files before editing and using them. The DeltaV system does not validate the settings you make in these files. It is up to you to carefully consider their use.
If the picture fails to open, or open in the location you are expecting the reason could be recorded in the trace picture. The trace picture can be accessed by clicking the hammer icon on the main toolbar. Additional information can be found in the workstation's event viewer log.
Using Both Layout Files and UserSettings Files
The UserSettings and Layout files can be used together or individually. However, if you are making changes to the same picture (your alarm banner, for example) you must make all changes regarding that picture in the Layout file and not use the UserSettings file. This means if you want the alarm banner to be something other than the default picture AND you want to position the height and width of the new alarm banner picture, you must use the Layout file to do both things (name of file and height/width settings).
While it is possible to use a UserSettings file together with a Layout file, it is recommended that whenever possible, you try to make all modifications in either the UserSettings file or a Layout file. If you are configuring multiple monitor workstations, use the Layout files. This ensures that a setting made in one file is not overwritten by a setting made in another file. Remember that the UserSettings file provides some features not available in the Layout files. Among other things, it allows you to reserve pictures for fast call-up times, pre-populate a main display history list, specify how the Process History View application is launched, and open the Scheduler.
Define the Alarm Banner, Toolbar, and Main pictures in either a Layout file or the UserSettings file; not in both files. If a Layout file is found and these pictures are defined in any way in the Layout file, the system uses the definitions in the Layout file (ignoring anything set in the UserSettings.grf file with respect to those files) at startup and when the Reset Layout toolbar button is clicked.
Before editing a Layout file, it is highly recommended that you spend some time planning the look of your operator interface and consider:
What is the resolution, in pixels, of the screens?
Will your pictures use a menu bar, title bar, or toolbar? These items add to the overall picture height.
What is the total number of pictures that will open on startup?
What are the picture names?
Which screen will each picture open on?
What are the pictures' X and Y positions on the screen?
If an Operator Interface display is used, how is it used?
Some restrictions apply to the Operator Keyboard Layout file. These restrictions are outlined in the About Operator Keyboard topic. Also, both layout templates contain a section called [Default Pictures]. Carefully read the comments in this section. Each picture defined in the [Default Pictures] section must have a section under Picture Definition in which the layout for the picture defined is [Default Pictures] is specified. For example, if the [Default Pictures] section contains the picture Samplant, the Picture Definition section must contain the section [Samplant] in which the layout for the Samplant picture is defined. If a picture defined in the [Default Pictures] section does not have its own section, the layout will not load when the DeltaV system starts.
Using a basic text editor such as Notepad, edit the Layout file and save it in the DVData\Graphics-iFIX\Local folder as <WorkstationName>_Picture.Layout or <Workstationname>_ OK_Picture.Layout to customize the Layout file to a specific workstation or save it as DeltaVPicture.Layout or DeltaV_OK_Picture.Layout and copy it to all workstations to use the same settings system-wide. We suggest that you create a backup copy of the Layout files for safekeeping before editing them.
On a remote workstation, save the Layout files in
DVData\RemoteSystems\{GUID}\Graphics-iFIX\Local
where GUID is a 16-byte globally unique identifier.
To set the following variables (size related), you must use the Layout files. To do this, find the corresponding section in the Layout file where these settings are made and change the value there.
gn_titlebar_height
gn_tb_h (where tb = Toolbar)
gn_tb_w
gn_tb_x
gn_tb_x2
gn_tb_y
gn_tb_y2
gn__main_h (where main = main picture)
gn_main_w
gn_main_x
gn__main_x2
gn_main_y
gn__main_y2
gn_ab_h (where ab = alarm banner)
gn_ ab_w
gn_ab_x
gn_ab_x2
gn_ab_y
gn_ab_y2
The way in which the system applies the UserSettings and Layout files is controlled by how you save and name the files:
|
A file named: |
is applied to: |
|---|---|
|
UserSettings.grf |
all workstations system-wide that are configured to receive downloaded files |
|
<Workstationname>_UserSettings.grf |
the named workstation |
|
DeltaVPicture.Layout |
all workstations system-wide that are configured to receive downloaded files |
|
<Workstationname>_Picture.Layout |
the named workstation |
|
DeltaV_OK_Picture.Layout |
all workstations system-wide (in an Operator Keyboard system) that are configured to receive downloaded files |
|
<Workstationname>_ OK_Picture.Layout |
the named workstation in an Operator Keyboard system |