Graphic Editor

Help Contents

Introduction

The Graphic Editor allows you to construct SCADA and HMI Graphic pages using any of the following:

Shapes
Text
Images
Color
Symbols
Animations

The Graphic Page is used to convey information about equipment or a process. For example:

The Graphic Page Tutorial describes in detail the steps you can use to build the above page.

Graphic Editor Items

The Graphic Editor provides these items to build SCADA and HMI graphic pages:

Item	Explanation
Text	Text is used to show: Static information Live data about a process, equipment, or plant Text is added to the canvas using the Add Text Tool.
Shapes	A Shape is a line, triangle, rectangle, ellipses, or complex shape. Shapes can be drawn to represent equipment, for example: Pumps, Pipes and Valves. Simple shapes are drawn using one of the Add Shape Tools. More complex shapes are drawn using the Pen Tool.
Bitmap Images	A Bitmap Image is a picture made from a matrix of dots. A Bitmap Image is used to show: An icon A picture of equipment or a location A Bitmap Image is added to the drawing canvas using the Import File Tool.
Dynamic Images	A Dynamic Image is a bitmap image linked to a Bitmap Image Tag stored on the Fernhill SCADA Server. When the image stored on the Fernhill SCADA Server changes, the Dynamic Image displays the updated image in the Graphic Page.
Graphic Symbols	A Graphic Symbol is a collection of graphic items that you wish to draw once and use multiple times. A Graphic Symbol is added to the canvas using the Add Graphic Tool.
Plot	A Plot displays a graph in a region of a graphic page. A Plot is added to the drawing canvas using the Add Plot Tool.
SQL List	An SQL List displays the results of an SQL Command in a Table on the Graphic Page. An SQL List is added to the drawing canvas using the Add SQL List Tool.
Alarm List	An Alarm List displays a list of alarms in a Table on the Graphic Page. An Alarm List is added to the drawing canvas using the Add Alarm List Tool.
Group	A Group is collections of items that behave as a single item. To create a Group: Select one or more items on the drawing canvas. Use the Make Group command on the Editor Menu.

Use the Drawing Wizard to quickly draw complex shapes from a symbol library.

Setting up Dynamic Content

The Graphic Editor provides these tools to link graphic items to tags in the SCADA database:

Data Bindings	A mechanism to bind the visual appearance of graphic elements to tag value(s). For example: Text showing an analog measured value or digital state. A shape where the color indicates the state of a piece of equipment. The position of a fill level indicator. Rotation of turbine blades in a pump.
Operator Actions	Areas of the graphic page that respond to operator interaction. For example, an operator might click an item to: Navigate to another graphic page Open a dialog to enter a new set point Open or close a valve Display events associated with a tag View alarms associated with a logical area of the tag database Acknowledge an alarm
Graphic Item Functions	Functions to read or write Data Bindings from an Operator Actions. Using these functions you can: Display or hide items on a page, for example a pop-up window. Change text. Set the text displayed in the tooltip when the user moves the mouse over an item. Allow or prevent a user from interacting with an item.
Global Bindings	You can declare common code and variables in a Global Bindings area. Data Bindings and Operator Actions can reference common code and variables declared in the Global Bindings area.

Creating and Editing Graphic Pages

Graphic pages are stored as tags in the tag database.

To create a new graphic page you create a new Graphic Page Tag:

In the Tags Window, select the target folder where you want to create the Graphic Page.
Right-click and select Add New Tag, followed by Core, followed by Graphic.
Note: A unique tag name will be automatically generated. You can change the tag name by typing in a new name and then pressing Return.

To edit a graphic page:

In the Tags Window, select the Graphic Page you want to edit.
Right-click and select Edit Graphic. The Graphic Editor will open.
Use these features to edit the content of the graphic page:
- Graphic Editor Toolbar to select an editing tool to work with.
- Selection Methods and Tools to select existing items to edit.
- Properties Window to change the Properties of selected items.
- Graphic Editor Menu to edit items directly.
- Status Bar Indicators for position feedback when drawing.
To learn about editing graphic pages follow the steps in the Graphic Editor Tutorials.

Graphic Editor Multiple Views

Using Graphic Editor Multiple Views you can create content that best fits different display aspect ratios and orientations. For example:

A normal monitor (16:9)
An extra wide monitor (21:9)
A smart phone held in portrait orientation

When the Operator Interface loads a Graphic Page, the view that best fits the display orientation is shown to the user.

Further Information

Graphic Editor Tutorials

To learn about the steps in creating graphic pages.

Graphic Editor Toolbar

For the different tools available to edit graphic pages.

Keyboard Shortcuts

For a complete list of keyboard shortcuts.

Configuration Tool

For an overview of the configuration tools for Fernhill SCADA.

Glossary

For the meaning of terms used in Fernhill SCADA.