Studio 5000 View Designer

Summary

This video tutorial provides an in-depth guide on configuring and animating objects within a PanelView system. It covers the use of state and color tables for animating properties like text size and color, aligning objects, and creating interactive elements such as buttons and indicators. The tutorial also demonstrates how to embed and navigate PDFs on the panel, emulate the project for testing, and manage downloads and uploads with RSLinx Classic. With clear instructions and practical examples, this video is a comprehensive resource for those working with Rockwell Automation's PanelView system.

Takeaways

• 😀 **State Tables and Animations**: Use state tables for managing multiple properties like color, font size, and text changes, which allows for more complex animations in your project.
• 😀 **Using Color Tables for Simple Animations**: For quick color animations, the color table is a good option, as it allows changes to fill color, border color, and other properties.
• 😀 **Customizing UI Elements**: Objects such as buttons and indicators can be customized using state tables to change properties like text, color, and size based on different conditions (e.g., running vs. stopped).
• 😀 **Conditional Expressions**: Use expressions with multiple conditions (e.g., checking if a motor timer is active or if a command is not zero) to control the behavior of elements in your project.
• 😀 **Grouping Objects**: Group related UI elements (like indicators and buttons) together for easier management and alignment, especially when creating things like a faceplate.
• 😀 **PDF Viewer Integration**: Embed PDF documents into your control panel, allowing users to view and navigate PDF files directly within the interface.
• 😀 **Advanced PDF Viewer**: The advanced PDF viewer offers more features like zooming, page navigation, and changing document sizes, providing better control over the display of PDFs.
• 😀 **Emulation for Testing**: Use the emulation tool to test the functionality of your project before deploying it. This includes verifying animations, inputs, and PDF navigation.
• 😀 **Downloading to Hardware**: Once the project is ready, download it to the panel view hardware using the download button or through the communication settings. Ensure firmware compatibility.
• 😀 **Uploading from Panel View**: If you don’t have the original project file, you can upload the project from the panel view to your software, using RSLinx Classic for successful uploads.
• 😀 **Ensure Firmware Compatibility**: Always check that the firmware on the hardware matches the software version of the project to avoid errors during download or emulation.

Q & A

What is the difference between a color table and a state table in FactoryTalk View Designer?

A color table allows for quick animation of color properties, useful for simple changes like button color. A state table, however, is more powerful and allows you to modify multiple properties, such as fill color, border color, and font size, all at once, making it ideal for complex animations and state-based changes.

How do you configure a multi-state indicator in FactoryTalk View Designer?

A multi-state indicator can be configured by setting different states, such as 'running' and 'stopped.' You can then specify properties for each state, such as changing text, font size, or color based on the system's status.

Why is it important to use parentheses when creating complex expressions in FactoryTalk View Designer?

Parentheses are used in complex expressions to ensure proper order of operations. They group conditions together, ensuring that comparisons are performed correctly before combining with other conditions using logical operators like 'or'. This helps avoid logical conflicts.

What is the purpose of the 'Emulate Project' feature in FactoryTalk View Designer?

The 'Emulate Project' feature allows you to simulate the project on your computer before deploying it to hardware. It helps verify functionality, test animations, and check the behavior of objects like buttons and indicators in a controlled environment.

How does the PDF document viewer in FactoryTalk View Designer work?

The PDF document viewer allows you to embed PDFs in your FactoryTalk project. You can navigate through pages, zoom in and out, and use tags to control the displayed page number. This is particularly useful for displaying manuals or instructions directly on the HMI screen.

What are the steps to download a project to hardware from FactoryTalk View Designer?

To download a project to hardware, select the 'Download' option from the toolbar or use the 'Communications' menu. Ensure that the correct software version matches the firmware of the hardware. Once the project is downloaded, it will be stored in the panel and ready for use.

What should you do if your FactoryTalk View Designer project has a different software version than the panel's firmware?

If the software version in your FactoryTalk View Designer project does not match the firmware on the panel, you will receive an error. You must update the software to match the firmware before proceeding with the download.

How do you upload a project from a panel to FactoryTalk View Designer?

To upload a project from a panel, go to the 'Communications' menu and select 'Upload'. You can browse the device and select the panel you wish to upload from. If necessary, you may need to update or install the appropriate EDS files for recognition.

What happens when you upload a project from a panel view to FactoryTalk View Designer?

When you upload a project, FactoryTalk View Designer automatically retrieves the project, including security screens and other settings, and populates them in the software. This allows you to modify and edit the project based on the uploaded configuration.

How do you manage the navigation menu in FactoryTalk View Designer?

The navigation menu in FactoryTalk View Designer is managed through the Project Explorer. You can add, modify, or change the screens that users can access by setting up menu buttons and linking them to specific screens or actions within the project.