Displays and Visualization

Purpose and Key Concepts

Display

Definition. Purpose. Função. Funcionamento. Application. Usage

Client

Definition. Purpose. Função. Funcionamento. Application. Usage

Redering engine

Definition. Purpose. Função. Funcionamento. Application. Usage. 

Panel types

Definition. Purpose. Função. Funcionamento. Application. Usage

Understanding Displays

FrameworX technology stack includes a compete set of tools to create and deploy real-time displays for advanced process control and visualization.

Display Technologies and Client Types

HTML5 Client

Runs directly from the Web-Browser with no installation of any software required (nor any active-x controls!). The partial-trust security guarantees it runs in a completely isolated secure environment.

.NET Client

The .NET displays are created using WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation) and can only be used in Windows Computers. There are two ways to access those displays: RichClient and SmartClient.

Rich clients: runs as a desktop application, allows blocking the Windows task-switch. This is ideal for process control applications that need high performance and enhanced security.

Smart clients: uses Click-Once technology. Installs and updates on remote clients with a single click from a browser and is automatically updated on the remote clients when it is updated on the server. It uses all the power of the remote computer yet retains the advantages of a centralized installation. The same displays created on Windows computers are automatically rendered to run natively on iPads or iPhones, combining the rich user experience and security of a native app with the benefits of having only one project configuration.

Remote Server technologies

Runs using remote desktop connection or Terminal server or other thin client technology. Currently, this option is less used and not included in the installation, but our software platform is still compatible with third-party tools enabling that technology.

Check Displays Client Type for additional information.

Web and Mobile

FrameworX and a easy to use layout designer, which allows to define your Desktop and Mobile views form the same interface.

That features expedites the creation of responsive and device dependente application, which will automatically open the best option based on the form factor from the requesting user. 

Dashboards and Process screens

A dashboard is a visual representation of data that provides an overview of key performance indicators (KPIs) and other important information. It is typically used to monitor real-time data, keep an eye on the trends, and track progress toward specific goals. Dashboards often use charts, graphs, tables, and other visual elements to display data in a clear and concise manner. So, on this software framework, a Dashboard refers to a responsive and dynamic User Interface where the UI components are placed on a grid, according to the size of the Container window. Check Responsive Dashboards for additional information.

• Implementing responsive design principles

• Working with grid layouts to create adaptable and flexible user interfaces

Responsive Dashboard Pages enable users to create displays that automatically adjust their layout and appearance based on the display size and resolution. This ensures that solutions maintain a consistent and professional appearance across various devices and screen sizes, facilitating accessibility and ease of use.

In modern industrial environments, operators often need to interact with HMI SCADA systems from a variety of devices and environments. They may use a desktop computer in a control room, or a tablet on the factory floor, or while they are off-site. This demands responsive design for applications with the software platform.

Responsive design ensures that the application interface dynamically adjusts based on the screen size, resolution, and orientation of the device being used. This helps to maintain a consistent and professional appearance across multiple devices, ensuring that operators can effectively interact with the application, regardless of their device or location.

A Process Screen represent a process diagram. When resize the elements keep their relative position.

Configuring Displays

List

The List interface allows managing and organizing displays, fine-tuning for compatibility with native Windows or HTML5, and enabling users to access and customize display properties. Read more by checking the Displays List.

Draw

The Draw interface provides features for graphic design and coding the solution displays. It offers several tools to implement the logic and the visual, speeding up building intuitive user interfaces. For more information, please visit Draw workspace.

Layouts

The Layouts interface designs the page presentations on various devices. They allow customization for different screen sizes, ensuring displays are responsive and adaptable. This feature optimizes user interfaces across desktop and mobile platforms. For more details, visit Layouts.

Client Settings

Client Settings offers global and platform-specific customization for display behavior and appearance. These settings include Portable Settings for all clients and specific options for Windows WPF clients, ensuring a consistent user experience across different client types. For details, refer to Client Settings.

Images

The Images data grid works as a repository for managing image files used in displays into solutions for importing and applying images as icons, backgrounds, or dynamic elements. For a complete reference, please visit Images.

Symbols

Smart Symbols offer versatile and dynamic capabilities for display creation. These symbols include a library of over 500 pre-designed symbols tailored for the software platform, which also supports a user-created library. A key feature is their synchronization capability: changes made to a symbol in the library automatically update across all displays using that symbol. Local Symbols with dynamic properties can be directly mapped to tags in displays and set as default graphical representations for these tags.

All symbols are vector-based, ensuring they resize intelligently across various displays. This design supports both .NET and HTML5 displays, guaranteeing a consistent user experience. Additionally, symbols can hold multiple data references or input parameters, enhancing their utility. This feature allows for easy replication and application in different contexts while seamlessly linking to data-driven actions like color changes or state indications. Read more by visiting Symbols.

Themes

Theme colors enable the creation of pages and objects with custom visuals based on the selected theme. In the Draw environment, the Brush Editor offers the option to utilize theme colors. The runtime theme is determined by the @Client.Theme property. For more details, visit Themes.

Localization

Localization table enables operators using remote displays to interact with the interface in their chosen language. Translations can be defined through this configuration and the selected language applied on the client side using either the @Client.Localization property or the SetLocalization method. Localization tailors the content on the display to accommodate different languages and regional preferences. For more information, please visit Localization.

Units Conversion

The Units Conversion feature allows for the creation of automatic systems that adjust the engineering units displayed based on the operator's preference or requirement. By accessing the @Client.Units property, the operator can switch the displayed measurement units, such as from the Imperial to the Metric system. For instance, a project can be developed using the US measurement system (Imperial units), but the operator has the ability to input and view values in the Metric system. This automates the measurement conversion process, making it easier to operate across different unit standards without the need for manual calculations or external tools. For more information, please visit Units Conversion.

Working with Displays

Drawing the User Interfaces

The software platform technology stack includes several features and tools to create and deploy real-time displays for advanced process control and visualization. Explore how to do it by checking Draw the User Interface.

Enabling Multi-Monitor Support

The multiple monitor feature enhances solutions to support various screens, useful for enterprise Network Operations Centers and Operations Control Rooms. To activate this feature, navigate to Displays → Client Settings and select 'Enable MultipleMonitor', available exclusively for Rich Clients. For read more about the feature, refer to Client Settings.

Troubleshooting and Best Practices

Common #Issues and Solutions

Content

Best Practices and #Recommendations

Use Responsive Dashboards on designing responsive interfaces for client displays, ensuring that the HMI and dashboard components adapt to different screen sizes, resolutions, and orientations. It will cover design principles and best practices for creating responsive layouts, such as using flexible grids, scalable images, and media queries. The focus will be on ensuring that the FactoryStudio application delivers an optimal user experience across various devices, including desktops, tablets, and mobile phones, with platform-specific considerations and recommendations for different client types.

In this section: