Selector Switch Drawing Method
Available in all applications
Used by: Selector Switch Tags
The Selector Switch drawing method is used to add a Hand-Off-Auto or other 3 position switch to your application.
The drawing method is composed of several user-configurable parts: The base image, the switch image (i.e. the knob) and the labels. Additionally, you can change the switch angle. Any value from 0 to 120 is permitted, but angles less than 20 degrees will be difficult for operators to use. The labels will be relocated to match the new switch positions.
The selector switch has built-in mechanisms to provide feedback to the operator. If an alarm occurs due to a mismatch between expected and actual feedback values, the text in the currently selected position will glow red. In the event of a mismatch between the requested and actual switch position, visual feedback will be provided by the switch blinking between the current position in solid shades and the requested position as semi-transparent. (see the following image:)
(Click title to expand text)
The Tag field displays the name and description of the tag that is currently associated with this drawing method. You can use this to select a different tag or parameter to use as the data source for this drawing method.
The Tag field is only present when editing a completed drawing method object
Any bitmap may be chosen for the base image, but three in particular are provided with VTS (see example at the beginning of this topic). The base image provides a background for the switch and the labels.
Any bitmap may be chosen for the switch image. This provides a control and indicator knob that will appear on the base image background. Variations of the image shown above can be found in the Selector Switches group of the bitmaps library and you are free to add your own images.
Any angle from 0 to 120 may be set for the switch positions. As shown in the following images, an angle that is too small (5 deg, shown on the left) will be difficult to use, while an angle that is larger (120 deg, sown on the right) may cause the labels to be displayed outside the area of the base image.
The underlying selector switch tag will have three positions (position 0, position 1 and position 2) that match the three positions of the switch. When drawing the switch, you are free to locate these three tag positions at any of the left, middle and right visual locations. Thus, if position 0 of the tag indicates "Hand", the switch could be drawn with Hand at the top or the right instead of to the left.
Position labels provide the text that appears at each switch position.
[Optional step] Select one of the font tags (or parameter linked to a font tag) that you wish to use to display the text. The display will use the default system font if you do not select a font tag.
The parameters button is enabled only if the tag is drawn on a page that includes a font parameter, or if the tag is part of a drawing method and the associated drawing method editor is open.
Opens the Select Color Dialog from which you can select the color of the text.
The confirmation dialog checkbox can be selected if you wish the user to be prompted for confirmation of the new value being set.