2 Visual Components Manuals

Input Fields
Output Fields
Touch−Operated
Fields
is changed. This isn't true, however, for elements which use status variables or variables for
active color assignment. Details about controlling colors can be found in the Setting Color
section of the User's Manual.
Static picture elements can be placed on different layers with the editor. The layer displayed
can be changed using ''Bring Forward'' and ''Send Backward'' in the object's shortcut menu
(see Overlapping Objects). This overlap is then converted into a character sequence for the
target system.
Input fields allow information to be entered into process variables in various forms. The type
of input field determines the different ways that this information is used. Most input fields
accept the entry of numeric and alphanumeric characters.
When numeric and alphanumeric characters are entered on systems with touch screen
displays, Visual Components automatically adjusts the input fields on the touch screen to an
appropriate display size. This happens automatically and does not have to be configured or
programmed.
When numeric and alphanumeric characters are entered using operator panel keys, the
desired characters must first be configured on the panel keys depending on the needs of the
application. There are several key levels provided as an option for doing so (max. 4).
Visual Components provides input fields for all usual data types of process variables which
can be entered into a visualization application.
Output fields are used to represent information on the visualization device. Data shown
comes from process variables from the control application. As a rule, output fields cannot be
controlled or influenced by the user.
Since no user interaction takes place, output fields function in the same way on touch screen
systems as they do on other systems.
Visual Components provides output fields for all usual data types of process variables used
in a control application. Some data types can be displayed in different ways. Because of this,
the user is able to choose the best suited representation for each application.
Touch−operated fields either partially or completely replace operator panel key functions on
systems with graphic touch screens. These include all touch screens with QVGA, VGA, or
larger displays which are connected to the IPC2001 and IPC5000 families.
Touch−operated fields are operated exclusively through the touch of correspondingly
configured surfaces on the touch screen. Simultaneous operation using panel keys can be
achieved by having a function key configured at the same time for the same action.
3.2.1 Static Picture Elements − Reference
Introduction to Visual Components 2.3
Static picture elements are used to create the framework for a picture. As a rule, static elements do not
represent any information, nor do they allow any input. Instead, they are usually used to label, group, and
arrange active picture elements.
Static picture elements are only drawn once when the picture is changed. After that, they are no longer updated.
Because of this, they only load the system down the first time the picture is changed. This isn't true, however, for
elements which use status variables or variables for active color assignment. Details about controlling colors can
be found in the Setting Color section of the User's Manual.
Static picture elements can be placed on different layers with the editor. The layer displayed can be changed
using ''Bring Forward'' and ''Send Backward'' in the object's shortcut menu (see Overlapping Objects). This
overlap is then converted into a character sequence for the target system.
The number of static picture elements available depends on the type of panel used. The documentation for each
individual picture element contains details about it's availability on various target systems.
In general, static picture elements are reached using the toolbar in the Visual Components editor. They can also
be found under the 'Tools' menu when the editor is active.
8 3.2.1 Static Picture Elements − Reference