The Visualization Editor provides means to work with variables. This allows you to reuse visualization elements in a parameterized way. Variables will significantly shorten your visualization development efforts.
Basically there are two major types of a variable that differ in the point of time when the variable is substituted by a specific value:
- design-time substitution: The variable is used in a block that is added to a library. When the block is used, that is, it is dragged from the library listing onto the visualization page, then the user is prompted to provide specific values for the used block variables. This is useful e.g. to prepare a lighting control block in the library. When the block is instantiated on a page then specific parts of ItemIDs are replaced while other properties remain constant.
- run-time substitution: The variable is used in a visualization element. When the element is displayed the variable is substituted by it specific value. Variables of this kind can be defined for layers, pages, groups and other visual elements.
Variables for design-time substitution
| Code | Syntax | Description |
|---|---|---|
| BK | {BK:<var name>} | Definies a block variable. |
Block variables are replaced during design-time when a library element is instantiated on a visualization page.
- Set up the library-element-to-be and insert the variable syntax when needed, e.g. as part of an item ID.
- Add the element to the library
- Use the library element by dragging it onto the page. You will be prompted to enter specific values for the used block variables:
- All occurences of variables in the inserted block are replaced by the provided values.
Variables for run-time substitution
Click menu Views / Variables to trigger visibility of the Variables pane. It contains a list of variables available to the current selection. Following varibles types are available:
| Code | Syntax | Description |
|---|---|---|
| MA | {MA:<var name>} | Variable of parent object (sequence: GR/LA/PG/WS) |
| GR | {GR:<var name>} | Variable of a group object |
| LA | {LA:<var name>} | Variable of a layer object |
| PG | {PG:<var name>} | Variable of a page object |
| WS | {WS:<var name>} | Variable of a workspace object |
| OB | {OB:<var name>} | Variable of the current graphic object |
| OV | {OV:<graphic object id>.<var name>}{OV:this.<var name>} | Object variable of the graphic object with the given ID. The referenced object has to be on the same visualization page as the referencing object. Use this for the graphic object id to get properties of the current object. |
| IV | {IV:<Item ID>}{IV:this} | Item value this uses the value of the last item ID written to the control |
| IP | {IP:<Item ID>.<Property Nr>}{IP:this.<Property Nr>} | Value of an item’s property (e.g. {IP:"NETx\VIRTUAL\Simulation\Device\Fassade".3 } yields the value of property ID 3 (i.e. Quality) of the item) this uses the last item written to the control |
| CH | {CH:<character code>} | Special character. Possible character codes are
|
| SV | {SV:<var name>} | System variable. Possible variable names are
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