Adding Dynamic Animations (How-to Guide)

Understanding Symbol Libraries

Two-Level Library System

Product Symbol Library:

• Thousands of pre-built symbols installed with software
• Stored in Library.dbsln file
• Located in \Users\Public\Public Documents\<productName>\Templates
• Can be customized by opening as a solution

Solution Local Library:

• Symbols copied from Product Library when used
• Stored within solution file
• Ensures solution independence and portability
• Listed under "In Solution" in Components Panel

Using Existing Symbols

Finding and Inserting Symbols

1. Navigate to Displays → Draw
2. In Components Panel, expand Symbols folder:
   • Library - Global product symbols
   • In Solution - Symbols already in your solution
3. Check "with Dynamics" to filter symbols with behavior
4. Insert symbol using either method:
   • Click symbol, then click in drawing area
   • Drag and drop from panel

Symbol Wizards

The first five symbols in the library have wizards for quick customization:

• Blower
• Motor
• Pump
• Tank
• Valve

These wizards guide you through appearance options (horizontal/vertical, color schemes, etc.) before placing the symbol.

Configuring Symbol Instances

Symbol Configuration Dialog

Double-click any symbol to open configuration:

Mapping Parameters

Symbol parameters use simple binding:

1. Double-click symbol to open configuration
2. In Symbol Links section, find parameters
3. Map each parameter to tags or expressions:
   • Type tag name directly (with IntelliSense)
   • Click ... button to browse tags
   • Enter expressions or constants

Common wizard symbol parameters:

• #State: 0=HPGOff, 1=HPGOn, 2+=HPGDefault colors
• #Rotate: 0=static, 1=rotating
• #Speed: RPM when rotating
• #Level: Tank fill level (with #Min/#Max)

Creating Custom Symbols

From Basic Shapes

1. Draw your symbol:
   • Use drawing tools (Rectangle, Ellipse, Polygon, Polyline)
   • Combine shapes with toolbar commands
   • Apply colors, gradients, shadows
2. Add Dynamic Behavior:
   • Select element
   • Double-click to open properties
   • Add dynamics (FillColor, Visibility, Rotate, etc.)
3. Create Parameters: Use hashtag syntax in expressions:

   #STATE:Client.SimulationDigital
   #VALUE:Tag.PlaceHolder.DoubleTag
   #MIN:0
   #MAX:100

   • Text before : becomes parameter name
   • Text after : is default value
4. Save as Symbol:
   • Select all elements
   • Right-click → "Make a new symbol"
   • Enter Name, Folder, Description
   • Symbol appears in "In Solution" library

Example: Tank Level Symbol

Create a simple tank with level indicator:

1. Draw rectangle (tank body)
2. Add Bargraph dynamic:
   • Expression: #TagValue:Client.Second
   • Min: #Min:0
   • Max: #Max:100
3. Add TextBox for value display:
   • LinkedValue: #TagValue:Client.Second
4. Select both → Create Symbol
5. Result: Symbol with three parameters (TagValue, Min, Max)

Advanced Symbol Features

Linking Symbols to Tag Types

Automatically use symbols when dropping tags:

1. Go to Unified Namespace → Tags
2. Select tag
3. Click Map To Symbol button
4. Choose symbol from library
5. Now dragging this tag creates the symbol

Symbols for DataTemplates

Create symbols that bind to DataTemplate members:

For DataTemplate "PID" with Setpoint, PV, CV:

Expression: #TagValue:(Tag.Loop1).Setpoint
Expression: #TagValue:(Tag.Loop1).PV
Expression: #TagValue:(Tag.Loop1).CV

Using parentheses replaces only the tag name, keeping member references.

Default Symbol Mapping

• Name symbol same as DataTemplate for automatic mapping
• Or use Map to Symbol button in DataTemplates
• Default types (Integer, Digital, etc.) have built-in text I/O

Using PlaceHolder Tags

Best practice for portable symbols:

#TagName:Tag.PlaceHolder.IntegerTag
#TagName:(Tag.PlaceHolder.DoubleTag).Quality

Benefits:

• Solution-independent symbols
• Clear type expectations
• IntelliSense support

Customizing Wizard Symbols

Editing Wizard Symbols

1. Select symbol on display
2. Click Edit Selected Symbol in toolbar
3. Environment title changes to "SYMBOL EDITOR"
4. Make modifications (add labels, values, etc.)
5. Save with toolbar icon or cancel

Note: After customization, wizard no longer applies to that symbol.

Breaking Apart Symbols

To modify without library link:

1. Select symbol
2. Click Break Apart button
3. Elements become individual objects
4. Modify as needed
5. Optionally recreate as new symbol

Managing Solution Symbols

Symbol Management Page

Navigate to Displays → Symbols to:

• View all solution symbols
• Check size and descriptions
• Export symbols
• Delete unused symbols

Operations

Save as Image:

• Creates PNG preview file

Export to Library:

• Saves to global Library.dbsln
• Available to all solutions on computer

Delete Symbols:

• Select rows
• Click delete (X) icon

Best Practices

Performance

? Reuse symbols from "In Solution" instead of Library ? Link to library for consistent updates ? Use parametersinstead of fixed values ? Test symbols with PlaceHolder tags first

Organization

? Create folders to organize symbols ? Use descriptive names for symbols and parameters ? Document complex symbol behavior ? Version control important symbols

Design Guidelines

? Keep symbols simple - combine for complex displays ? Expose key parameters only ? Use consistent parameter naming (#State, #Value) ? Provide defaults for all parameters

Common Symbol Patterns

Status Indicator

Rectangle with:
- FillColor: #State:0 (0=Gray, 1=Green, 2=Red)
- Visibility: #Enable:1
- Action: OpenPopup(#DetailDisplay:"Details")

Value Display with Units

TextBox group with:
- Value: #Tag:Tag.PlaceHolder.DoubleTag
- Format: #Format:"N2"
- Units: #Units:"°C"

Control Button

Button with:
- Action: SetValue
- Target: #ControlTag:Tag.Command
- Value: #CommandValue:1
- Security: #Permission:"Operator"

Troubleshooting

Symbol not updating in displays

• Check "Is Linked With Library" setting
• Save symbol in library after changes
• Refresh displays

Parameters not working

• Verify hashtag syntax: #Name:Default
• Check for typos in parameter names
• Ensure consistent parameter use

Symbol appears broken

• Verify all internal tag references exist
• Check dynamic expressions for errors
• Test with known good tags

Can't edit wizard symbol

• Editing removes wizard capability
• Create copy first if preserving original
• Use "Break Apart" for one-time edit

This guide covered creating, configuring, and managing Symbols in your solution, from using pre-built library symbols to creating custom reusable components with dynamic behavior and parameter-based configuration.