Using Global Object Parameters
Reference Object Properties
Modifying a global object, and view the changes in a display
Design recommendations for working with global objects
Global Objects
FactoryTalk View global objects allow you to link the appearance and behavior of one graphic object to multiple references of that object in the same application.
Global objects are created on global object displays. In FactoryTalk View Studio, you create global object displays in the Global Objects folder, the same way you create standard graphic displays in the Displays folder.
Changes you make to the base object are reflected in all of the reference objects linked to it the next time a display containing the reference objects are opened, or refreshed by closing and reopening them.
Global Object Parameters
Global object parameters let you customize each reference global object instance with a specific tag(s) for that instance without having to break the link to the base object's tags and expressions. This means each reference object can have a unique data source(s), and still be able to be updated with changes to other aspects of the base global object.
Parameter passing is dynamic, meaning it happens at runtime on the client. Global object parameters give you an alternative way of using parameter passing at design time.
Create Multiple Reference Objects
In Section 2 – Animation – Object Explorer of this lab, you saw that the TankOverview display had one touch animation on the TankCoolingTemp_Group that opened two Logix_PIDE display for different loops. The Logix_PIDE display contains reference objects to the Logix_PIDE base global object.
In this section of the lab, you will create a new display and use the base Logix_PIDE global object to create two reference objects on that display. You will use the parameter values to specify which PIDE loops you want to view and animate. You will then change the touch animation in the Tank Overview display to call the new display and then run the client to test your work.
Create New Display
1. From the Explorer, create a new display – Right-click on Displays, select the New context menu item.
2. Open the Logix_PIDE global object - Expand the Global Objects folder in the Explorer, Double-click on Logix_PIDE
3. Create a reference object on your new display – Single-click on the global object to select the faceplate, drag and drop it on the new display.
4. Minimize the Logix_PIDE global object.
5. Position the reference object in the upper left corner of the new display.
6. Duplicate the 1st reference object – Right-click on the reference object and select the Duplicate context menu item OR perform a copy and paste.
7. Position the 2nd reference object next to the first one.
9. Open the Global Object Parameters dialog on the 1st reference object - Right-click on the 1st reference object and select the Global Object Parameter Values context menu item.
The Global Object Parameter Values dialog is opened.
Notice that there is a description for the #1 and #2 parameters. You will be looking for structured tags of type PIDE and the PIDE_Autotune. The PIDE_Autotune is not required.
10. Assign structured tags for #1 - Click on the … button under the Tag column for #1.
When the Tab Browser opens navigate to ::[SoftLogix]Program:Tank101.ProductTempLoop
Click the OK button
11. Repeat the above step for #2 using ::[SoftLogix]Program:Tank101.ProductTempAtune Notice that this time when the tag browser is opened you are positioned at the tag you previously selected (::[SoftLogix]Program:Tank101.ProductTempLoop). This help you navigate more quickly.
12. The #1 and #2 parameter values should be entered for the Tank101 - ProductTempLoop
13. Click the OK button on the Global Object Parameter Values dialog.
14. Repeat the 5 previous steps, steps 9 – 13 for the 2nd reference object. Assign these structure tags
#1 is assigned ::[SoftLogix]Program:Tank101.JacketTempLoop
#2 is assigned ::[SoftLogix]Program:Tank101.JacketTempAtune
15. Configure Display Settings with all the defaults except for these:
Display Type use On Top
type the text ‘Temp Loops for Tank101 Product’ for the Title Bar
Notice the Insert Variable… button under the title bar text.
Parameter Enhancements
Added parameter enhancements that provide support for embedded variables in tooltips and title bars;
literal numbers and strings in the embedded variable syntax; and display of right-most characters in embedded string variables.
Feeling adventurous? Try using this to show the loop names in the title bar like the Logix_PIDE display. Remember there are 2 loops in your display.
16. Save the Display
17. When prompted for a component name type ‘Tank101TempLoops ‘
18. Perform a Test Display. What happens? Lots of failed to resolve messages.
You can use the test display mode to test global objects. However, this global object uses parameter placeholders and even though we set the values they are ignored. Remember, not all FactoryTalk View commands work in test display mode and parameter placeholders are ignored.
19. Close the Tank101TempLoops display.
Now you will have to test the display in the client. But first you need to launch the display.
Change Touch Animation
Let’s change the touch animation on the Tank Overview display to open the new one you created.
1. Open the TankOverview display 2. Open the Object Explorer
3. Find the TankCoolingTemp_Group object in the Object Explorer and Open the Touch Animation Properties.
4. Remove the release action and click on the … button to open the Command Wizard.
5. Step 1 of Command Wizard, Select the Display command, click the Next button.
6. Step 2 of Command Wizard, Select the Tank101TempLoops display, check the /X and type ‘10’, check the /Y and type ‘20’ which is where the first display was opening. Click the Finish button.
\ 7. Verify the release action looks like this
8. Click the Apply button on the Animation dialog.
9. Click the Close button on the Animation dialog.
10. Save and Close the display.
We can’t test the touch animation here. Let’s go to the client.
Test New Display
1. Go to the AF07 Client
2. Click the Close Displays button.
3. Click the Tank Overview button.
4. Mouse over the temperature and click for the touch animation.