Visualization Element ‘Polygon’, ‘Polyline’, ‘Bézier curve’

Symbol:

Label: Basic

The elements polygon, polyline, and Bézier curve are the same element type. They can be converted into another type by changing the Element type property.

Elements can be dragged and dropped to the editor. The element is then drawn with five points: [0] to [4].

Other positions are added as follows: Move the mouse pointer over a corner point; the mouse pointer changes shape. Now if you press and hold Ctrl and click the left mouse button, another point is created. You can delete a point by pressing and holding Shift+Ctrl and click the selected point.

As an alternative, you can select the element in the toolbox area and in the editor click multiple times. At the same time, a connecting line is drawn from one point to the other. End by double-clicking the element or right-clicking it one time.

Element properties

Element name	Optional. Tip: Assign individual names for elements so that they are found faster in the element list. Example: Workpiece_1
Element type	Polygon Polyline Bézier curve

Element property ‘Position’

The following properties define the position of the corner points in the visualization window. These are based on the Cartesian coordinate system. The origin is located at the upper left corner of the window. The positive horizontal x-axis runs to the right. The positive vertical y-axis runs downwards.

Dots

[0]..[n]: Coordinates of the corner points Specified in pixels You can also change the values by dragging the box symbols ( ) to other positions in the editor.

Angle

Static angle of rotation (in degrees). Example: 35 The element is displayed rotated in the editor. The point of rotation is the center of the element. A positive value rotates clockwise. Tip: You can change the value in the editor by focusing the element to the handle. When the cursor is displayed as a rotating arrow , you can rotate the element about its center as a handle. (1): Handle Note: If a dynamic angle of rotation is also configured in the property Absolute movement ‣ Internal rotation, then the static and dynamic angles of rotation are added in runtime mode. The static angle of rotation acts as an offset.

See also

• Designing Visualizations with Elements

Element property ‘Center’

The properties contain fixed values for the coordinates of the point of rotation. This point of rotation is shown as the symbol. The point is used as the center for rotating and scaling.

X	X-coordinate of the point of rotation
Y	Y-coordinate of the point of rotation

Note

You can also change the values by dragging the symbols ( ) to other positions in the editor.

Element property ‘Colors’

Normal state	The normal state is in effect if the variable in Color variables ‣ Toggle color is not defined or it has the value FALSE.
Frame color	Frame and fill color for the corresponding state of the variable.
Fill color
Transparency	Transparency value (0 to 255) for defining the transparency of the selected color. Example: 255: The color is opaque. 0: The color is completely transparent.
Alarm state	The alarm state is in effect if the variable in Color variables ‣ Toggle color has the value TRUE.
Use gradient color	: The element is displayed with a gradient of two colors.
Gradient setting	The Gradient editor dialog box opens.

See also

• Dialog ‘Gradient editor’

Use gradient color	: Element is displayed with a gradient.
Gradient setting	Opens the Gradient editor dialog. Here you define the colors and direction of the gradient.

See also

• Dialog ‘Gradient editor’

Element property ‘Appearance’

The properties contain fixed values for setting the look of the element.

Line width	Value in pixels Example: 2 Note: The values 0 and 1 both result in a line weight of 1 pixel. If no line should be displayed, then the Line style property must be set to the option Invisible.
Fill attributes	The way in which the element is filled. Filled:The element is filled with the color from property Colors ‣ Fill color. Invisible: The fill color is invisible.
Line style	Type of line representation Solid Dashes Dots Dash Dot Dash Dot Dot not visible

Note

You can assign variables in the Appearance variables property for controlling the appearance dynamically. The fixed values here are overwritten.

See also

• <no title>

Element property ‘Texts’

The properties contains character strings for labeling the element. The character string can also contain a placeholder with a format definition. In runtime mode, the placeholder is replaced by the current value in the specified format.

CODESYS accepts the specified texts automatically into the GlobalTextList text list. Therefore, these texts can be localized.

Text	Character string (without single straight quotation marks) for the labeling the element. Example: Accesses: %i The variable that contains the current value for the placeholder is specified in the property Text variable ‣ Text.
Tooltip	Character string (without single straight quotation marks) that is displayed as the tooltip of an element. Example: Number of valid accesses. The variable that contains the current value for the placeholder is specified in the property Text variable ‣ Tooltip.

See also

• <no title>
• Designing Visualizations with Elements
• Placeholders with Format Definition in the Output Text

Element property ‘Text properties’

The properties contain fixed values for the text properties.

Horizontal alignment	Horizontal alignment of the text within the element.
Vertical alignment	Vertical alignment of the text within the element.
Text format	Definition for displaying texts that are too long Default: The long text is truncated. Line break: The text is split into parts. Ellipsis: The visible text ends with “…” indicating that it is not complete.
Font	Example: Default : The Font dialog box opens. : Drop-down list with style fonts.
Font color	Example: Black : The Color dialog box opens. : Drop-down list with style colors.
Transparency	Whole number (value range from 0 to 255). This determines the transparency of the respective color. Example: 255: The color is opaque. 0: The color is completely transparent. Please note: If the color is a style color and already has a transparency value, then this property is write-protected.

Element property ‘Absolute movement’

The properties contain IEC variables for controlling the position of the element dynamically. The reference point is the upper left corner of the element. In runtime mode, the entire element is moved.

Movement
X	Variable (numeric data type). Defines the X position (in pixels). Example: PLC_PRG.iPos_X. Increasing this value in runtime mode moves the element to the right.
Y	Variable (numeric data type). Defines the Y position (in pixels). Example: PLC_PRG.iPos_Y. Increasing this value in runtime mode moves the element downwards.
Rotation	Variable (numeric data type). Defines the angle of rotation (in pixels). Example: PLC_PRG.iAngle1. The midpoint of the element rotates at the Center point. This rotation point is shown as the symbol. in runtime mode, the alignment of the element remains the same with respect to the coordinate system of the visualization. Increasing the value rotates the element to the right.
Scaling	Variable (integer data type). Causes centric stretching. Example: PLC_PRG.iScaling. The reference point is the Center property. The value 1 shrinks the element by a factor of 0.001. The value 1000 returns the element to its original size.
Internal rotation	Variable (numeric data type). Defines the angle of rotation (in pixels). Example: PLC_PRG.iAngle2. In runtime mode, the element rotates about the point of rotation specified in Center according to the value of the variable. In addition, the alignment of the element rotates according to the coordinate system of the visualization. Increasing the value in the code rotates clockwise. The rotation point is shown as the symbol. Note: If a static angle of rotation is specified in the property Position ‣ Angle, then the static angle of rotation is added to the variable angle of rotation (offset) when the visualization is executed.
Use REAL values	Note: Only available if the device supports the use of REAL coordinates. : The properties of the absolute movement are interpreted as REAL values. The values are not rounded. The option allows for the individual fine-tuning of drawing the element, for example for the visualization of a smoother rotation. Tip: If a horizontal or vertical line is drawn blurry on a specific visualization platform, then this can be corrected by an offset of 0.5px in the direction of the line thickness.

Note

You can link the variables to a unit conversion.

See also

• Unit conversion: cds_unit_conversion

Element property ‘Dynamic points’

Array of points

Variable (POINTER TO). Points to an array of the structure VisuElems.VisuStructPoint. The elements iX and iY of VisuStructPoint contain the xy-coordinates of a point The current number of array elements implicitly contains the variable in the property Number of points. The variable that is assigned to the property Number of points contains the number of array elements and therefore the number of corner points. Example: pPoints : POINTER TO ARRAY[0..100] OF VisuElems.VisuStructPoint;

Number of points

Variable (integer data type): Contains the number of array elements and therefore the number of corner points for displaying the element. Example: PLC_PRG.iNumberOfPoints := 24; In the example, the element has 24 points. This definition is necessary because the individual points are defined by a pointer and this does not allow control over the number of points. Note: In this way, it is possible to adapt the display of the element dynamically by updating the number of corner points.

Element property ‘Text variables’

These properties are variables with contents that replace a format definition.

Text variable

Variable (data type compliant with the format definition). It contains what is printed instead of the format definition. Example: PLC_PRG.iAccesses Note: The format definition is part of the text in the property Texts ‣ Text. Note: If you specify a variable of type enumeration with text list support, then the name of the enumeration data type is added automatically in angle brackets after the variable name. Example: PLC_PRG.enVar <myEnum>. Then the symbolic value of the enumeration component is printed instead of the numeric value when text is printed. Refer to the help page for the DUT object.

Tooltip variable

Variable (data type compliant with the format definition). It contains what is printed instead of the format definition. Example: PLC_PRG.iAccessesInTooltip Note: The format definition is part of the text in the property Texts ‣ Tooltip.

See also

• Placeholders with Format Definition in the Output Text
• <no title>
• Unit Conversion: Unit Conversion

Element property ‘Dynamic texts’

The properties contain references to the texts of a text list.

Text list	Variable (string) or name of the text list as a fixed string in single straight quotation marks. Example: 'Errorlist' : Drop-down list with the dialogs available in the text lists.
Text index	Text list ID. This refers to the desired output text. As fixed string with the ID in single straight quotation marks. Example: '1' As a variable (STRING) for dynamically controlling the text output. Example: strTextID Sample assignment: PLC_PRG.strTextID := '1';
Tooltip index	Text list ID. This refers to the desired output text. As fixed string with the ID in single straight quotation marks. Example: '2' As a variable (STRING) for dynamically controlling the text output. Example: strToolTipID Sample assignment: PLC_PRG.strToolTipID := '2';

See also

• Text list: Textlist

Element property ‘Font variables’

The variables allow for dynamic control of the text display.

Font name	Variable (STRING). Includes the font of the text. Example: PLC_PRG.stFontVar := 'Arial'; The selection of fonts corresponds to the default Font dialog box.
Size	Variable (numeric data type). Contains the font size (in pixels or points). The applied unit is specified in brackets after the variable name. <pt> : Points (default) Example: PLC_PRG.iFontHeight <pt> Code: iFontHeight : INT := 12; <px> : Pixels Example: PLC_PRG.iFontHeight <px> Code: iFontHeight : INT := 19; : If you click in the value field, a drop-down list opens on the right for setting the unit. Tip: The font size is specified in points (example: Arial 12). Use points when the variable font size should match a font, for example if a font is set in the property Text property ‣ Font.
Flags	Variable (DWORD). Contains the flags for displaying fonts. Flags: 1: Italics 2: Bold 4: Underline 8: Strikethrough Note: You can combine the font displays by adding the coding of the flags. For example, a bold and underlined text: PLC_PRG.dwFontType := 6;
character set	Variable (DWORD). Contains a character set number for the font. The selection of character set numbers corresponds to the Script setting of the standard Font dialog box.
Color	Variable (DWORD). Includes the color of the text. Example: PLC_PRG.dwColorFont:= 16#FF000000;
Flags for text alignment	Variable (integer data type). Contains the coding for text alignment. Example: PLC_PRG.dwTextAlignment. Coding: 0: Top left 1: Horizontal center 2: Right 4: Vertical center 8: Bottom Note: You can combine the text alignments by adding the coding of the flags. For example, a vertical and horizontal centered text: PLC_PRG.dwFontType := 5;

Note

Fixed values for displaying texts are set in Text properties.

See also

• <no title>

Element properties ‘Color variables’

The properties contains variables for dynamically controlling variables.

Toggle color	Dynamic control of toggle color With variable (BOOL) Example: prgA.bIsAlarm FALSE: Element is displayed with the color defined in the Color property. TRUE: Element is displayed with the color defined in the Alarm color property. With placeholder <toggle/tap variable> Then the toggle color is no longer controlled with a separate variable, but the an existing variable provided as a control variable of the property Input configuration ‣ Tap or the property Input configuration ‣ Toggle. Requirement: A variable is assigned in one of these properties. If a variable is assigned in both properties, then the variable in Input configuration ‣ Tap used. You can remove the placeholder by selecting it and pressing Del. Then the symbol appears in the value field. : Click the command icon to insert the placeholder <toggle/tap variable>.
Normal state	The normal state is in effect if the variable in Color variables ‣ Toggle color is not defined or it has the value FALSE.
Frame color	Variable (DWORD) for the frame color Example: PLC_PRG.dwBorderColor
Fill color	Variable (DWORD) for the fill color Example: PLC_PRG.dwFillColor
Alarm state	The alarm state is in effect if the variable in Color variables ‣ Toggle color has the value TRUE.

See also

• Animating a Color Display

Element property ‘Appearance variables’

The properties contain IEC variables for controlling the appearance of the element dynamically.

Line width	Variable (integer data type). Contains the line weight (in pixels).
Fill attributes	Variable (DWORD). Controls whether the fill color of the element is visible. Variable value = 0: Filled Variable value > 0: Invisible; no fill color
Line style	Variable (DWORD). Controls the line style. Coding: 0: Solid line 1: Dashed line 2: Dotted line 3: Line type “Dash Dot” 3: Line type “Dash Dot Dot” 8: Invisible; no line

Note

Fixed values can be set in the Appearance property. These values can be overwritten by dynamic variables at runtime.

See also

• <no title>

Element property ‘State variables’

The variables control the element behavior dynamically.

Invisible	Variable (BOOL). Toggles the visibility of the element. TRUE: The element is not visible at runtime.
Deactivate inputs	Variable (BOOL). Toggles the operability of the element. TRUE: User inputs do not have any effect in runtime more. The element is shown as deactivated.

Element property ‘Input configuration’

The properties contain the configurations for the user input when using the mouse or keyboard. A user input defines an event and one or more actions that are executed when an event occurs.

The Configure button opens the Input configuration dialog box for creating or modifying a user input. Configured user inputs are briefly listed below the events. They each include the action that is triggered and the setting in short form. Example: Execute ST code: PLC_PRG.i_x := 0;
OnDialogClosed	Input event: The user closes the dialog box.
OnMouseClick	Input event: The user clicks the mouse button completely. The mouse button is clicked and released.
OnMouseDown	Input event: The user clicks down on the mouse button.
OnMouseEnter	Input event: The user drags the mouse pointer to the element.
OnMouseLeave	Input event: The user drags the mouse pointer away from the element.
OnMouseMove	Input event: The user moves the mouse pointer over the element area.
OnMouseUp	Input event: The user releases the mouse button over the element area.

Tap	When a mouse click event occurs, the variable defined in Variable is described in the application. The coding depends on the options Tap FALSE and Tap on enter if captured.
Variable	Variable (BOOL) that is set on mouse click. Example: PLC_PRG.bIsTapped TRUE: A mouse click event exists. It lasts while the user presses the mouse button over the element. It ends when the button is released. FALSE: A mouse click event does not exist. Requirement: The Tap FALSE option is not activated.
Tap FALSE	: The mouse click event leads to a complementary value in Variable. TRUE: A mouse click event does not exist. FALSE: While the mouse click event exists.
Tap on enter if captured	: During user input, it is also taken into consideration whether the mouse pointer is dragged within the element area or not while the mouse button is pressed. TRUE: While the mouse click event exists and the mouse pointer is moved over the element area. FALSE: A mouse click event does not exist. Or the user moves the mouse pointer outside of the element area while the mouse button is pressed. The value is TRUE again as soon as the user moves the pointer back to the element area. The mouse is then captured.

Shift	With the onset of a mouse click event, the variable is set; when the mouse click event is completed, the variable is reset.
Variable	Variable (BOOL). Its value toggled when the mouse click event is ended. This is when the user releases the mouse button while the mouse pointer is over the element area. If the user releases the mouse button while the mouse pointer is outside of the element area, then the mouse click event is not ended and the value is not toggled. Tip: The user can cancel a started toggle input by dragging the mouse pointer out of the element area.
Toggle on up if captured	: The value toggles regardless of where the mouse pointer is when the mouse button is released. The mouse is then captured.

Keyboard shortcuts	Keyboard shortcut on the element for triggering specific input actions. When the keyboard shortcut event occurs, the input actions in the Event(s) property are triggered. In this way, it is not the input action itself that leads to this input action, but the mouse input action.
Key	Key pressed for input action. Example: T Note: The following properties appear when a key is selected.
Event(s)	None Mouse down: Pressing the key triggers the input actions that are configured in the OnMouseDown property. Mouse up: Releasing the key triggers the input actions that are configured in the OnMouseUp property. Mouse down/up: Pressing and releasing the key triggers the input actions that are configured in the OnMouseDown property and the OnMouseUp property.
Shift	: Combination with the Shift key Example: Shift+T.
Control	: Combination with the Ctrl key Example: Ctrl+T.
Alt	: Combination with the Alt key Example: Alt+T.

Note

All keyboard shortcuts and their actions that are configured in the visualization are listed in the Keyboard configuration tab.

See also

• Command ‘Keyboard configuration’
• Dialog ‘Input Configuration’

Element property ‘Access rights’

Requirement: User management is set up for the visualization.

Access rights

Opens the Access rights dialog box for changing the access rights for the element. Status messages: Not set. All rights.: Access rights for all user groups : operable Rights are assigned: limited rights: Access is restricted for at least one group.

See also

• Dialog Box ‘Access rights’

See also

• Designing Visualizations with Elements