Overview
Symbols in the context of engineering solutions are graphical representations that serve as a standardized language across various industries to depict SmartSymbols are vector-based graphical elements representing components within engineering solutions. Their purpose is to visually represent devices, processes, or functions within a system.
High Performance Graphics
High Performance Graphics (HPG) are a set of pre-designed symbols that follow best practices for design, ensuring clear and efficient communication of information to operators. Users can customize these symbols to match their specific solution requirements, ensuring a consistent and effective visual language across their solutions.
HPG uses color schemes, symbols, and layout strategies to present data in a clear, concise, and easily understandable manner. Instead of bombarding operators with raw data and complex visuals, HPG presents data in context, focusing on what's most important for the operator's tasks.
and functions, facilitating understanding and communication. Symbols act as graphical stand-ins for real-world components, dynamically reflecting system states by mapping to data points within a display.
To use symbols, integrate them into display panels via Displays / Draw or manage them through Displays / Symbols for creating, renaming, or deletingIn terms of operator response time, studies have shown that HPG can reduce response times by up to 41%, making operators more efficient at handling abnormal situations. For further information refer the the child page High Performance Graphics.
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Understanding Symbols
Symbols, especially when smart and synchronized, improve efficiency by updating universally across all instances where they appear, ensuring that changes do not need to be made manually in each display. Their vector-based nature ensures that they maintain clarity at any scale, which for displays that might be viewed on different devices and resolutions. The support for .NET and HTML5 ensures compatibility across different platforms, making them versatile tools for UI design in engineering solutions.
Definition
Symbols are vector-based graphical elements that represent various components within engineering solutions. They are part of a digital library and can be smart, dynamic, and capable of automatic updates across multiple displays.
Purpose
The primary purpose of Symbols is to provide a visual representation of devices, processes, and functions to facilitate understanding and communication among professionals. They serve as a centralized repository of User Interface (UI) gadgets for creating displays.
Function
Symbols function as graphical stand-ins for real-world components, allowing for the abstraction of complex systems into understandable diagrams. They can represent various data points or parameters and change dynamically to reflect the state of the system they are monitoring or controlling.
Operation
Symbols operate by mapping directly to tags or data points within a display. They adjust their appearance based on the data they receive, such as changing color or indicating different states. This mapping ensures that symbols provide real-time feedback on the system's performance or status.
Application
Symbols find application across diverse industries where there is a need to visualize and control engineering processes. This includes manufacturing, energy production, building management systems, and any other domain that relies on process visualization for operation and monitoring.
Usage
The use of Symbols involves integrating them into display panels or control interfaces where monitoring and interaction with various system components are necessary. They provide a consistent and scalable way to represent different elements, ensuring clarity and uniformity across different displays and devices. To use or customize symbols navigate to Displays → Draw. To manage symbols navigate to Displays → Symbols. To create, rename, delete symbols you can use both.
Configuring Symbols
Symbols parameters
Linking Tags and Symbols
Mapping a Symbol to a Tag Template
Working with Symbols
Creating new Symbols
Using Symbols on Displays
SmartSymbols Libraries And Collections
Collections comprise graphical elements for software interfaces. The Local Symbols Library allows symbol creation and management. The Symbol Factory Library offers a range of symbols for use. HMI Collections provide symbols for Human-Machine Interfaces, and HPG Collections deliver graphics for advanced visualizations. These resources support interface development with dynamic, data-responsive features.
The Symbols Library is composed of nearly 2000 Symbols organized in the following collections.
Local Solution
The Local Solution library stores user-defined and default symbols, reflecting the Smart Symbols concept. It allows users to create symbols with dynamic properties and tag mappings, tailored for specific software solutions. Any change to these symbols impacts all solutions on the computer, highlighting their adaptability and system-wide integration.
HMI Collection
The HMI Collections consist of graphical elements for Human-Machine Interface systems. These collections include symbols and controls for building displays in industrial and automation control environments. They are organized into categories that match equipment and components like blowers, conveyors, and pumps. Each category breaks down into subcategories for specific equipment types, enabling detailed customization. These symbols help represent machinery states and conditions and provide an interface for controlling and monitoring industrial processes. The HMI Collections support interface development to enhance operational efficiency and safety while adapting to different industrial application requirements.
HPG Collection
The HPG Symbols Collections offer graphical elements optimized for high-performance displays in line with the ISA 101 HMI Design Standard. These symbols include a range of visuals for alarms, motors, and valves, which are essential for clear and efficient operator interfaces. Organized into specific categories, they enable consistency and standardization across HMI systems. HPG Symbols allow for varying levels of detail, accommodating the ISA 101 emphasis on effective information hierarchy. They aid in developing displays that improve operational control, safety, and adaptability to the unique demands of industrial environments.
For more information on High-Performance HMI Graphics, see High Performance HMI
Displays Symbols Table
This table can be used to check and change Symbol properties. It can also be used to export Symbols to the library, or to save them as image files.
Displays Symbols Table |
Properties Reference
Symbols properties
The following table provides a reference for the Symbols properties.
Symbols Properties | |
ID | Identifies the symbol uniquely. |
VersionID | Marks the symbol's version. |
Name | Names the symbol. |
Preview | Shows the symbol's appearance. |
Version | Indicates the symbol's release number. |
Size | Specifies the symbol's dimensions. |
Length | Measures the symbol in units or represents data size. |
AllowBreak | Determines if the symbol can split. |
HasDynamics | Indicates dynamic behavior presence. |
EditSecurity | Sets permissions for symbol editing. |
Engine | Processes or renders the symbol. |
Level | Places the symbol within a hierarchy. |
Category | Groups the symbol with others. |
LockState | Shows if the symbol is editable. |
LockOwner | Identifies who has locked the symbol. |
DateCreated | Records when someone created the symbol. |
DateModified | Records when someone last modified the symbol. |
Description | Explains the symbol's purpose and usage. |
→ See Smart Symbols for more information.
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