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Key Concepts and Terms

Asset Tree

A hierarchical representation of the solution’s real-time data variables, composed of tags and nodes.

Element 

Any item in the Tree, whatever is a node or a final branch.

Asset Folder

Nodes in the tree that are containers for other objects or partial paths for TagNames.

RootTags Folder

Pre-defined node holding all tags not in any Asset Folder, helping manage large solutions.

Linked Folder 

A folder dynamically linked to data from a TagProvider Connection.

Understanding the Asset Tree

The Asset Tree is the main centralized location for configuring your Unified Namespace, tags, and assets organization. In this interface, you can create AssetFolders, new tags, move elements within the tree, and create TagProvider Connections.

When the solution is running and the Designer is connected to the runtime, the Asset Tree also displays the current values for the tree elements.

Asset Tree User Interface

• Left Side: Shows the Asset Tree with a toolbar for localized actions.
• Right Side: Displays detailed information about the selected Node and its children

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UNS →  Tutorial | Concept | How-to Guide | ISA-95 | Reference

Key Concepts

• Asset Tree: Hierarchical representation of real-time data variables
• Asset Folder: Container nodes for organizing tags and sub-folders
• RootTags Folder: System folder containing unorganized tags
• Linked Folder: Folder dynamically connected to TagProvider data
• Element: Any item in the tree (folder or tag)

User Interface

Layout

• Left Panel: Tree structure with toolbar
• Right Panel: Details of selected node and children

Toolbar Actions

Configuration Workflow

Creating Folders

1. Navigate to Unified Namespace → Asset Tree
2. Options to create:
   • Click New AssetFolder toolbar icon
   • Right-click existing folder
   • Right-click root level

Adding Tags

1. Select target folder
2. Options to add:
   • Click New Tag toolbar icon
   • Right-click folder → New Tag
   • Use main toolbar New Tag button
3. Configure tag properties
4. Tag appears in selected folder

<ac:structured-macro ac:name="info"> ac:rich-text-body Tags created without selecting a folder are placed in the RootTags folder. You cannot create sub-folders within RootTags. </ac:rich-text-body> </ac:structured-macro>

Working with Elements

Common Operations

Moving Tags:

• Drag from source to destination folder
• Cut/paste using context menu
• Maintains all tag configurations

Copying Elements:

• Copy entire folders or individual tags
• Preserves alarm, historian, device settings
• Paste to any valid location

Renaming:

• Right-click → Rename
• Updates all references automatically
• Maintains data connections

Deleting:

• Right-click → Delete
• Removes tag and configurations
• Cannot be undone

Tag Access Methods

Direct Tag Syntax

csharp

// Full path including folders
@Tag.Area1/Line1/Temperature
@Tag.Plant/Boiler1/Pressure

Asset() Function

csharp

// Dynamic path resolution
Asset("Area1/Line1/Temperature")

// Relative path
Asset(@Client.Context.AssetPath + "/Temperature")

// TagProvider access
Asset("/OPCServer/Device1/Status")

TagProvider Integration

Linking External Data

1. Create TagProvider Connection
2. Folder auto-created in Asset Tree
3. Right-click folder → Insert from TagProvider
4. Select data to import
5. Browse real-time values

Customizing Linked Folders

Right-click linked folder → Edit Asset Folder:

• Alias: Custom display name
• Visibility: Control tag exposure
• Access: Read/Write permissions

Runtime Features

Value Monitoring

When solution running and Designer connected:

• Values display in right panel
• Real-time updates
• Quality indicators
• Timestamp information

Display Integration

Add AssetTree Control to displays:

1. Go to Displays → Draw
2. Find AssetTree under Modules
3. Drop onto display
4. Configure properties

Asset Folder Properties

Best Practices

1. Plan hierarchy - Mirror physical/logical structure
2. Use meaningful names - Clear identification
3. Group related tags - Logical organization
4. Limit depth - 3-5 levels maximum
5. Document folders - Add descriptions
6. Regular cleanup - Remove unused elements
7. Consistent naming - Follow conventions

Example Structures

By Location

/Plant
  /Area1
    /Line1
      /Motor1
      /Sensor1
    /Line2
      /Motor2
      /Sensor2
  /Area2
    /Tank1
    /Pump1

By Function

/Production
  /Mixing
    /Ingredients
    /Temperature
  /Packaging
    /Counter
    /Weight
/Utilities
  /Power
  /Water

By Equipment

/Motors
  /Motor001
  /Motor002
/Pumps
  /Pump001
  /Pump002
/Valves
  /Valve001
  /Valve002

Troubleshooting

Tree not updating:

• Click Refresh button
• Check runtime connection
• Verify tag creation
• Review folder permissions

Cannot move tags:

• Check source/destination validity
• Verify not moving to RootTags subfolder
• Confirm user permissions
• Check if tag is locked

TagProvider data missing:

• Verify connection active
• Refresh tree structure
• Check provider configuration
• Review access rights

Display not showing tree:

• Confirm AssetTree control added
• Check control bindings
• Verify runtime active
• Review display security

In this section...

Configuring the Asset Tree

Configuration Workflow

The Asset Tree configuration is located at Unified Namespace / Asset Tree.

The Asset Tree has a pre-defined folder called "RootTags," which contains all local tags not placed in any other folders. For system integrity reasons, it is not possible to create new asset folders inside the RootTags folder; this is the only exception in the software.

The image below describes an example of a solution's hierarchy.

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Adding New Asset Folders

1. Click the "Add Asset Folder" icon on the toolbar of the Asset Tree
2. Right-click on the RootTags folder on the Asset Tree.
3. Right-click on a created Asset folder on the Asset Tree.

Adding New Tags

1. Click the "New Tag" icon on the toolbar of the Asset Tree
2. Right-click on the RootTags folder on the Asset Tree.
3. Right-click on a created Asset folder on the Asset Tree.
4. Use the "New Tag" button in the main toolbar.

If you don't specify a folder, the new tag will be placed in the 'RootTags' section of the tree.

Working with the Asset Tree

Showing the Asset Tree on displays

At Displays / Draw, under the Modules components, you can find the AssetTree Control. Simply drop this control onto your display, and the Asset Tree will be available in Runtime Displays for operators.

→ Go to AssetTree Control for more information.

Accessing Variables on the AssetTree

Tag Syntax

Access a tag directly using its full name, including folders.

Example: Tag.Area1/Line1/state

Asset Path Syntax

Use the Asset keyword to dynamically show the selected tag’s path.

Example: Asset("Area1/Line1/State1")

Useful for dynamic mapping or accessing values from TagProviders.

Example: Asset(client.Context.AssetPath + "State1")

In this example, the expression combines the selected folder with “State1” to display the corresponding State1 element from the Asset Tree.

Customizing the Alias for a Selected Node

After creating a TagProvider Connection, it will create and map a folder on the Assets Tree. To customize the Alias, right-click on the selected node and select the Edit Asset Folder option to open the configuration dialog.

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Customizing the Visibility for a Selected Node

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In this section: