The Designer provides a unified configuration workspace for all FrameworX solution development. It delivers an integrated environment for design, development, testing, validation, and deployment across all functional modules, organized through the Four Pillars methodology that structures data flow from field connectivity to user visualization.
Key Capabilities:
- Configure all modules in one workspace
- Test solutions without deployment
- Support multi-user collaboration
- Provide IntelliSense and validation
- Enable offline and online editing
Key Concepts
| Concept | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Test Mode | In-Designer runtime execution | Validate without deployment |
| Modular Architecture | Isolated module changes | Changes won't break other modules |
| Multi-User Support | Concurrent engineering capability | Team collaboration on same solution |
In this section...
What Designer Does
| Configuration | Development Tools | Testing & Validation |
|---|---|---|
Define tags and data models Configure field devices Setup alarms and historian Create scripts and logic Design displays and UI Manage security settings | IntelliSense everywhere Real-time validation Cross-reference tracking Refactoring support Import/export capabilities Version control | Execution Profiles Online configuration Simulation tools Error checking Performance monitoring Build validation |
Workspace Layout
??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ? Menu Bar [File][Edit][View][Tools][Help] ? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ? ? ? ? ? Navigation ? Design Canvas ? Properties ? ? Tree ? ? Panel ? ? ? (Context-Sensitive) ? ? ? ? Solution ? ? Tag: Temperature ? ? ? UNS ? ? Type: Float ? ? • Tags ? ? Min: 0 ? ? ? Devices ? ? Max: 100 ? ? ? Displays ? ? Units: °C ? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ? Output Window [Build][Errors][Cross-Reference] ? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Solution Development Workflow
Following the Four Pillars methodology, Designer guides you through a structured configuration process:
| Phase | Pillar | Configuration Tasks | Designer Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Foundation | P1: UNS | • Create tags • Define UserTypes • Build Asset Tree | UNS → Tags, Templates, Assets |
| 2. Integration | P2: Process | • Setup devices • Configure alarms • Enable historian | Devices, Alarms, Historian |
| 3. Logic | P3: Application | • Create scripts • Setup datasets • Build reports | Scripts, Datasets, Reports |
| 4. Visualization | P4: Operator UI | • Design displays • Create symbols • Configure clients | Displays, Symbols, Layouts |
| Module Organization by Four Pillars | |
|---|---|
Pillar 1: UNS Foundation - Define Your Data | Pillar 2: Process Modules |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Pillar 3: Application Modules | Pillar 4: Operator UI |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Object Model Power
All configured objects inherit from .NET classes, providing native functionality without custom coding:
Examples of Built-in Intelligence
Tag.DateTimeExample.Value.DayOfWeek // Returns Monday, Tuesday, etc. Tag.DateTimeExample.Value.AddDays(7) // Date arithmetic
Script.Task.Example1.LastCPUTime // CPU usage tracking Script.Task.Example1.LastExecutionTime // Performance metrics
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.)
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
Testing and Validation
- Test Mode - Run without leaving Designer
- Online configuration - Modify running solutions
- Simulation tools - Test without field devices
- Build validation - Automatic error checking
- Performance monitoring - Real-time resource usage
How It Fits in the Solution Lifecycle
Designer
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. Test Mode lets you validate behavior before publishing to production.
Next Steps
Continue Learning
- [Runtime (Concept) →] - Understand solution execution
- [P1: UNS Foundation →] - Start building your solution
- [The Four Pillars →] - Learn the methodology
Practical Guides
- [Designer How-to Guide] - Step-by-step instructions
- [Module Configuration] - Detailed module guides
- [Test Mode Tutorial] - Testing best practices
In this section...