Designer (Concept) is the unified configuration workspace where you build and test complete FrameworX solutions. This powerful environment provides:- Single interface for all module configuration
- IntelliSense everywhere for faster, error-free development
- Multi-user support enabling team collaboration
- .NET Object model: built-in methods and properties
- Rename/Refactor anytime
- Even while solution is running
In this page:
Overview → Architecture | Technology | Differentiators | Solution | Pillars | Editions
Solution Lifecycle → Solution Center | Designer | Runtime
Workspace Organization
Visual Layout
| |
| (Last open documents) |
| (Search) | (Main toolbar) |
| Solution / Settings (Selected Page) |
Workspace Selected Page UI | |
| Tatsoft FrameworX 10.1 | [Output] [Find Results] <profile> |
How It Fits in the Solution Lifecycle
Designer is the configuration workspace in the Solution Lifecycle:
- Solution Center - Create and manage solutions
- Designer ← You are here (Configure all modules)
- Runtime - Execute and monitor
Designer produces the configuration that Runtime executes. Execution Profiles let you validate behavior before publishing to production.
Key Concepts
| Term | Description | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Unified Workspace | Single environment for all configuration | No need to switch between tools |
| Object Model | .NET-based classes with inherited properties | Access methods without custom code |
| IntelliSense | Context-aware auto-completion everywhere | Faster, error-free configuration |
| Execution Profiles | Runtime modes for different environments | Development, Validation, or Production |
| Modular Architecture | Isolated module changes | Changes won't break other modules |
| Multi-User Support | Concurrent engineering capability | Team collaboration on same solution |
What Designer Does
| Configuration | Development Tools | Testing & Validation |
|---|---|---|
| Define tags and data models | IntelliSense everywhere | Execution Profiles |
| Configure field devices | Real-time validation | Online configuration |
| Setup alarms and historian | Cross-reference tracking | Simulation tools |
| Create scripts and logic | Refactoring support | Error checking |
| Design displays and UI | Import/export capabilities | Performance monitoring |
| Manage security settings | Version control ready | Build validation |
Solution Development Workflow
Following the Four Pillars methodology, Designer guides you through a structured configuration process:
Configuration Flow Diagram
P1: Foundation
| → | P2: Industrial Operations
| → | P3: Business Operations
| → | P4: User Interaction
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| ↑ ______________________________________________________↑ | ||||||
Development Phases
| Phase | Pillar | Configuration Tasks | Designer Modules |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Foundation | P1: Foundation | • Create tags<br>• Define UserTypes<br>• Build Asset Tree | UNS → Tags, Templates, Assets |
| 2. Industrial Operations | P2: Process | • Setup devices<br>• Configure alarms<br>• Enable historian | Devices, Alarms, Historian |
| 3. Business Operations | P3: Application | • Setup datasets<br>• Build reports<br>• Create scripts | Datasets, Reports, Scripts |
| 4. User Interaction | P4: Operator UI | • Design displays<br>• Create symbols<br>• Configure clients | Displays, Symbols, Layouts |
Module Organization by Four Pillars
Pillar Structure
| Module Organization by Four Pillars | |
|---|---|
Pillar 1: UNS Foundation | Pillar 2: Process Modules |
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| Pillar 3: Application Modules | Pillar 4: Operator UI |
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Object Model Power
All configured objects inherit from .NET classes, providing native functionality without custom coding:
Built-in Intelligence Examples
DateTime Tag Operations:
csharp
Tag.DateTimeExample.Value.DayOfWeek // Returns Monday, Tuesday, etc.
Tag.DateTimeExample.Value.AddDays(7) // Date arithmetic
Tag.DateTimeExample.Value.ToString("yyyy-MM-dd") // FormattingScript Performance Monitoring:
csharp
Script.Task.Example1.LastCPUTime // CPU usage tracking
Script.Task.Example1.LastExecutionTime // Performance metrics
Script.Task.Example1.ExecutionCount // Execution statisticsAutomatic Methods Available:
- String manipulation (Substring, Replace, Trim)
- Mathematical operations (Min, Max, Round)
- Collection handling (Count, First, Last)
- Data conversion (ToInt32, ToDouble)
This means you get hundreds of methods and properties automatically - no coding required!
Feature Highlights
Development Productivity
- IntelliSense everywhere - Auto-completion for tags, objects, properties
- Real-time validation - Red borders and tooltips for errors
- Refactoring support - Rename with automatic reference updates
- Cross-reference tools - Find all uses instantly
- Keyboard shortcuts - Standard editing (Ctrl+S, F5, etc.)
- Search and replace - Global changes across solution
Unified Configuration
- Single environment - All modules in one interface
- Consistent UI patterns - Same experience across modules
- Context menus - Right-click relevant operations
- Drag-drop support - Between panels and modules
- Quick navigation - Jump to Home, Tags, Draw, Runtime
- Dockable panels - Customize workspace layout
Testing and Validation
- Execution Profiles - Run in Development, Validation, or Production modes
- Online configuration - Modify running solutions
- Simulation tools - Test without field devices
- Build validation - Automatic error checking
- Performance monitoring - Real-time resource usage
- Breakpoint debugging - Script development tools
Collaboration Features
- Multi-user editing - Teams work simultaneously
- Change tracking - See who modified what
- Version comparison - Track configuration evolution
- Module locking - Prevent conflicts
- Comment system - Document decisions
In this section...