11.6 Using the Image Change Tag Drawing Method to Display the Status of the Dry Chemical Feeder

Earlier in this tutorial, you used the Image Change tag drawing method to display the status of the compressor and the booster pump. In this exercise, you will again use the Image Change tag drawing method to display the value of a tag, but you will do so in a completely different manner, thus demonstrating the versatility of the tag drawing methods.

 

The Image Change drawing method works with any graphic objects that have been drawn using the "Active Orange 241" color. This shade of orange is a reserved color based on the RGB values R=255, G=160, and B=0 that has been set aside in VTS specifically to be used with the Image Change tag drawing method.

 

The Tag Browser should remain open from the last exercise. If it is not currently open, open it now.

 

1.  Select Digital Input from the Types drop-down list. The Tag Browser filters to display the digital input tags for the application.

2.  Select "DI40_1 Dry Chemical Feeder Status" from the Tag Browser.

3.  Click the Draw button. The Digital Input dialog opens and displays the tag drawing methods applicable to digital input tags.

4.  Click the Image Change button.  A dashed rectangle attaches itself to the cursor. Place this around the motor as shown in Figure 148.  You should see the orange box in the motor change to either red or green as the dashed rectangle goes around it.

Figure 148

5.  The Image Change graphic editor dialog opens as shown in Figure 149.

Figure 149

You are configuring the Image Change object to change the color of the active orange area representing the dry chemical feeder on the Chlorination Unit application page's background image. We therefore do not require any bitmaps to portray the value of the tag. The default colors are correct for this application.

 

6.  Select the "Bitmap Not Req'd" checkboxes to the right of each of the "State 'x' Bitmap" buttons.

7.  Click the OK button. The Image Change Style dialog closes.

 

The Image Change object affects only the area it covers that uses the "Active Orange" color; the surrounding areas maintain their color and appearance. The dotted line surrounding the Image Change object will not be displayed when the application is in operation mode. You may resize the Image Change object so that it is closer in size to the area represented by the "Active Orange" color if you choose.