RSVIEW32 USER S GUIDE

VW32-UM001D-EN-E

5/1/07

4:12 PM

Page 1

RSView 32
®

USER’S GUIDE
PUBLICATION VW32-UM001D-EN-E–August 2007
Supersedes Publication VW32-UM001C-EN-E


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© 2007 Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in USA.
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Contents
Preface
About the documentation ............................................................................ P-1
Technical support services ........................................................................ P-2

When you call ............................................................................................................... P-2

Chapter 1

Working with projects
What is a project? ............................................................................................. 1-1

Project files ................................................................................................................... 1-2
Working in the Project Manager ............................................................. 1-3

Component ................................................................................................................... 1-4
Viewing component locations ................................................................................... 1-4
Adding components to a project ............................................................ 1-5
Renaming, removing, and deleting components ......................... 1-6

Renaming a component .............................................................................................. 1-7
Removing a component.............................................................................................. 1-8
Deleting a component and file................................................................................... 1-8
Naming files........................................................................................................... 1-8
Printing ...................................................................................................................... 1-9

Selecting a printer ...................................................................................................... 1-10
Selecting printer setup options ................................................................................ 1-10
Selecting a network printer....................................................................................... 1-11
Printing at runtime..................................................................................................... 1-11
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Chapter 2

Setting up direct driver communications
Overview of direct driver communications .....................................2-1

Communication channel..............................................................................................2-2
Communication device ................................................................................................2-2
Communication driver.................................................................................................2-3
Node (control device) ..................................................................................................2-3
Setting up direct driver communication to
programmable controllers............................................................................2-3

Setting up communications without hardware or software ...................................2-4
Summary of steps .........................................................................................................2-4
Configuring RSLinx drivers ..........................................................................2-5

Using the drivers...........................................................................................................2-6
Selecting a driver in RSView32...................................................................................2-6
Configuring channels .......................................................................................2-7

Changing the channel configuration....................................................................... 2-11

Switching communication drivers at runtime ............................ 2-11

Commands for switching drivers ............................................................................ 2-12
Switching drivers automatically .............................................................................. 2-12
Switching drivers manually....................................................................................... 2-13
Creating a node ................................................................................................ 2-13
Changing node information at runtime ............................................ 2-17
Scanning for new tag values ................................................................... 2-17

RSView32 scan classes .............................................................................................. 2-18
Guidelines for configuring scan classes ................................................................. 2-18
Monitoring communications .................................................................... 2-20
Developing your project without a communication
network................................................................................................................... 2-22

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Chapter 3

Setting up OPC and DDE communications
Overview of OPC communications ........................................................ 3-3
Overview of DDE communications ........................................................ 3-4
Summary of steps.............................................................................................. 3-5
Creating an OPC node .................................................................................... 3-5
Creating a DDE node ..................................................................................... 3-12

Changing node information at runtime ............................................ 3-16
Scanning for new tag values ................................................................... 3-17

Chapter 4

Creating tags
Tags and the tag database ......................................................................... 4-1
Tag types ................................................................................................................. 4-2
Data sources ......................................................................................................... 4-3

Device............................................................................................................................ 4-3
Memory ......................................................................................................................... 4-3
Organizing tags ................................................................................................... 4-3

Naming tags.................................................................................................................. 4-4
Using folders to group tags ........................................................................................ 4-4
The tag database editor ............................................................................... 4-5

Using the Accept and Discard buttons .................................................................... 4-6
Using the form ..................................................................................................... 4-6
Using the query box ......................................................................................... 4-6
Using the folder hierarchy .......................................................................... 4-7

Creating a folder........................................................................................................... 4-7
Opening a folder .......................................................................................................... 4-8
Adding tags to a folder................................................................................................ 4-9
Nesting a folder............................................................................................................ 4-9
Duplicating a folder................................................................................................... 4-10
Deleting a folder ........................................................................................................ 4-11
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Using the spreadsheet................................................................................. 4-11

Moving through the spreadsheet............................................................................. 4-11
Resizing columns and rows...................................................................................... 4-11
Adding a tag................................................................................................................ 4-12
Duplicating a tag ........................................................................................................ 4-12
Editing a tag................................................................................................................ 4-12
Deleting a tag.............................................................................................................. 4-13
Configuring tag type ...................................................................................... 4-13

Configuring an analog tag......................................................................................... 4-13
Configuring a digital tag............................................................................................ 4-17
Configuring a string tag ............................................................................................ 4-18
Specifying a data source ........................................................................... 4-19

Specifying device as the data source ....................................................................... 4-20
Specifying memory as the data source.................................................................... 4-21
Other methods for creating tags .......................................................... 4-22

Creating tags in a third–party application .............................................................. 4-22
Creating tags as needed in other RSView32 editors............................................. 4-23
Using the Tag Browser ........................................................................................... 4-24
Importing tags from a PLC database...................................................................... 4-25
Importing ControlLogix tags ................................................................................... 4-27

Using the Database Import & Export Wizard...................................................... 4-27
Creating tags using the RSView32 Object Model and VBA............................... 4-28
Adding alarms to tags .................................................................................. 4-28
Logging tag values ......................................................................................... 4-29
Using the tag monitor .................................................................................. 4-29

Creating a tag monitor object .................................................................................. 4-30
Creating a tag monitor file........................................................................................ 4-31
Selecting tags .............................................................................................................. 4-31
Understanding what you see .................................................................................... 4-34
Changing what you see ............................................................................................. 4-35
Viewing details ........................................................................................................... 4-37

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Chapter 5

Creating derived tags
How to use derived tags............................................................................... 5-1
How to use multiple derived tag files ................................................. 5-2
Summary of steps.............................................................................................. 5-2
The Derived Tags editor ............................................................................... 5-3

Using the Accept and Discard buttons .................................................................... 5-3
Setting up the evaluation interval ......................................................... 5-4

Creating derived tags ..................................................................................... 5-5
Editing derived tags ......................................................................................... 5-6
Starting and stopping derived tag processing ............................. 5-7

Ways to start derived tag processing......................................................................... 5-7
Ways to stop derived tag processing......................................................................... 5-8

Chapter 6

Configuring alarms
Summary of features ....................................................................................... 6-1
Key concepts ........................................................................................................ 6-2

Alarms for analog tags ................................................................................................ 6-2
Alarms for digital tags ................................................................................................. 6-7
Alarm severity............................................................................................................... 6-7
Alarm messages............................................................................................................ 6-8
Alarm log file ................................................................................................................ 6-8
Alarm displays .............................................................................................................. 6-9
Alarm system tags ...................................................................................................... 6-11
Alarm acknowledgment ............................................................................................ 6-12
Alarm suppression ..................................................................................................... 6-13
Running commands, macros, or VBA programs in response to alarms........... 6-13
Alarm expressions...................................................................................................... 6-15
Acknowledge bit (globally acknowledging alarms) ............................................... 6-17
Handshake bit............................................................................................................. 6-18
Alarm events............................................................................................................... 6-19
Summary of steps............................................................................................ 6-22
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The Alarm Setup editor ............................................................................... 6-23
Specifying where to store alarm log files ...................................... 6-24
Creating log files.............................................................................................. 6-25

Monitoring disk space............................................................................................... 6-26
Creating files periodically.......................................................................................... 6-27
Creating files at specified times ............................................................................... 6-27
Creating files when a particular event occurs........................................................ 6-28
Never creating new files ........................................................................................... 6-29
Deleting log files .............................................................................................. 6-29
About alarm log files ..................................................................................... 6-31

How log files are named ........................................................................................... 6-31
Exporting alarm log files to ODBC format ..................................... 6-32
Configuring alarm severity ....................................................................... 6-33
Configuring alarm messages................................................................... 6-36

Types of messages ..................................................................................................... 6-36
Defining the content of the message...................................................................... 6-36
Adding remarks to the alarm log file at runtime ....................... 6-40
Specifying alarm conditions for analog and digital tags .... 6-41

When can I configure an alarm for a tag?.............................................................. 6-42
Configuring alarms for analog tags .................................................... 6-43

Alarm thresholds........................................................................................................ 6-43
Alarm messages.......................................................................................................... 6-45
Advanced .................................................................................................................... 6-46
Configuring alarms for digital tags ..................................................... 6-48

Alarm states ................................................................................................................ 6-48
Alarm messages.......................................................................................................... 6-50
Advanced .................................................................................................................... 6-51
Viewing the alarm log file ......................................................................... 6-53

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Creating an alarm summary ..................................................................... 6-54

Creating an alarm summary file ............................................................................... 6-55
Creating an alarm summary object.......................................................................... 6-55
The parts of an alarm summary............................................................................... 6-56
Inserting headings...................................................................................................... 6-57
Choosing fonts ........................................................................................................... 6-59
Choosing colors and blink styles ............................................................................. 6-59
Formatting buttons.................................................................................................... 6-61
Choosing data............................................................................................................. 6-64
Filtering data ............................................................................................................... 6-64
Sorting data ................................................................................................................. 6-67
Using alarm data with commands ........................................................................... 6-68

Suppressing alarm printing ...................................................................... 6-70
Suppressing alarm monitoring ............................................................... 6-71

Suppressing alarm monitoring for tags................................................................... 6-71
Viewing suppressed tags ........................................................................................... 6-72
Using the Suppressed List ........................................................................................ 6-72
More RSView32 commands..................................................................................... 6-73
Starting and stopping alarm monitoring ......................................... 6-73

Ways to start alarm monitoring ............................................................................... 6-73
Ways to stop alarm monitoring ............................................................................... 6-74

Chapter 7

Configuring data logging
What is a model? ................................................................................................ 7-1

How to use multiple data log models ....................................................................... 7-2
Summary of steps.............................................................................................. 7-2
About data log storage formats .............................................................. 7-2
The .dbf file format ........................................................................................... 7-3

Narrow .dbf file format .............................................................................................. 7-3
Wide .dbf file format ................................................................................................... 7-3
Choosing between narrow and wide .dbf file formats ........................................... 7-4
How .dbf log files are named..................................................................................... 7-5
Long file names ............................................................................................................ 7-5
Short file names............................................................................................................ 7-6
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Example of short file names for narrow .dbf format .............................................7-7
Example of short file names for wide .dbf format..................................................7-8
The ODBC storage format ............................................................................7-8

How ODBC tables are named....................................................................................7-9
Using an existing ODBC data source........................................................................7-9
Creating a new ODBC data source......................................................................... 7-10
The Data Log Setup editor ........................................................................ 7-11
Setting up a model ......................................................................................... 7-11
Setting up logging paths ............................................................................ 7-20

Switching logging paths ............................................................................................ 7-20
Specifying logging paths ........................................................................................... 7-22
Using the DataLogSwitchBack command to switch
logging paths ...................................................................................................... 7-25
Using the DataLogMergeToPrimary command to move
secondary files to the primary path ................................................... 7-26
Creating .dbf log files ................................................................................... 7-27

Monitoring disk space............................................................................................... 7-27
Creating files periodically.......................................................................................... 7-28
Creating files at specified times ............................................................................... 7-29
Creating files when a particular event occurs........................................................ 7-30
Never creating new files ........................................................................................... 7-30
Using the DataLogNewFile command to create files ........... 7-31

Deleting ODBC database records and .dbf log files ............... 7-32
Specifying when to log data .................................................................... 7-35

Logging periodically .................................................................................................. 7-36
Logging on change .................................................................................................... 7-36
Logging on demand................................................................................................... 7-37
Using the DataLogSnapshot command ................................................................. 7-38
Combining logging .................................................................................................... 7-39
Providing operators with a way to log on demand............................................... 7-39
Choosing the data to log ............................................................................ 7-40

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Editing the data log model ........................................................................ 7-41

Changing logging paths using RSView32 Runtime .............................................. 7-41
Changing logging paths using the DataLogPath command................................ 7-42
Making runtime changes without editing the data log
model ........................................................................................................................ 7-43

Changing the log rate for periodic logging ............................................................ 7-43
Changing the log file identifier string ..................................................................... 7-44
Displaying data in a trend ......................................................................... 7-44
Starting and stopping data logging .................................................... 7-44

Ways to start data logging......................................................................................... 7-45
Ways to stop data logging......................................................................................... 7-45

Chapter 8

Configuring activity logging
Which activities can be logged? ............................................................. 8-1
Summary of steps.............................................................................................. 8-2
The Activity Log Setup editor ................................................................... 8-2
Specifying where to store activity log files .................................... 8-4
Creating log files ................................................................................................ 8-5

Monitoring disk space ................................................................................................. 8-6
Creating files periodically............................................................................................ 8-6
Creating files at specified times ................................................................................. 8-7
Creating files when a particular event occurs .......................................................... 8-8
Never creating new files.............................................................................................. 8-8
Deleting log files ................................................................................................ 8-9
About activity log files ................................................................................. 8-10

How log files are named ........................................................................................... 8-10
Exporting activity log files to ODBC format ................................. 8-11
Specifying which activities to log ....................................................... 8-13
Editing activity log setup ........................................................................... 8-15
Using the activity bar ................................................................................... 8-15

Hiding, showing, and moving the activity bar....................................................... 8-15
Messages in the activity bar ...................................................................................... 8-17
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Using the Activity Log Viewer ............................................................... 8-17

Selecting a record....................................................................................................... 8-18
Understanding records.............................................................................................. 8-19
Tracking system usage .............................................................................................. 8-19
Starting and stopping activity logging ............................................. 8-20

Ways to start activity logging ................................................................................... 8-20
Ways to stop activity logging ................................................................................... 8-20

Chapter 9

Configuring events
How to use multiple event files ...............................................................9-1
Summary of steps ..............................................................................................9-2
The Events editor ...............................................................................................9-2

Using the Accept and Discard buttons .....................................................................9-3
Setting up the evaluation interval ..........................................................9-3
Creating events ...................................................................................................9-4
Editing events .......................................................................................................9-6
Starting and stopping event processing ............................................9-6

Ways to start event processing ...................................................................................9-6
Ways to stop event processing ...................................................................................9-7

Chapter 10

Adding security
About security ................................................................................................... 10-1

Users and security codes........................................................................................... 10-1
Security function ........................................................................................................ 10-2
Electronic signatures ................................................................................................. 10-2
Security Monitor utility ............................................................................................. 10-2
Summary of steps for setting up security codes ...................... 10-3
Before you begin .............................................................................................. 10-4

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Configuring security codes....................................................................... 10-4

Security codes ............................................................................................................. 10-5
The default .................................................................................................................. 10-5
Setting up security by inclusion ............................................................................... 10-6
Setting up security by exclusion............................................................................... 10-6
Preventing access to the Security Codes and User Accounts editors ................ 10-7
Using strict security ...................................................................................... 10-7

Turning off strict security ......................................................................................... 10-8

Assigning security to a graphic display .......................................... 10-9
Assigning security to an OLE object ............................................... 10-10
Assigning security to a tag..................................................................... 10-11
Configuring user accounts ...................................................................... 10-12

About the default user............................................................................................. 10-13
Ensuring you always have access........................................................................... 10-13
Creating user accounts ............................................................................................ 10-13
Login and logout macros .......................................................................... 10-17
Using electronic signatures to prevent unauthorized
actions ................................................................................................................... 10-17
Securing the Project Manager.............................................................. 10-17
Preventing users from going out of the
RSView32 project .......................................................................................... 10-18
Logging in at runtime.................................................................................. 10-19
Changing passwords at runtime ......................................................... 10-19

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Chapter 11

Creating graphic displays
About graphic displays and graphic objects ............................... 11-1
The Graphic Display editor ....................................................................... 11-2

The editor’s main components................................................................................ 11-2
Mastering basic techniques .................................................................... 11-3

Using the context menu............................................................................................ 11-3
Switching between normal and test modes ........................................................... 11-4
Using the toolbars...................................................................................................... 11-4
Selecting a drawing tool ............................................................................................ 11-6
Selecting colors .......................................................................................................... 11-7
Selecting and deselecting objects............................................................................. 11-8
Using the grid ............................................................................................................. 11-8
Using the Rotate tool ................................................................................................ 11-9
Zooming in and out ................................................................................................ 11-11
Correcting mistakes ................................................................................................. 11-11
Setting up the display ................................................................................ 11-12

Saving the display settings ...................................................................................... 11-12
Creating a default..................................................................................................... 11-13
Using the Display Settings dialog box .................................................................. 11-13
Specifying the display type ..................................................................................... 11-14
Allowing multiple running copies ......................................................................... 11-15
Specifying caching ................................................................................................... 11-16
Specifying the title bar and other display attributes ........................................... 11-17
Preventing scroll bars on the RSView32 main window..................................... 11-19
Specifying display size ............................................................................................. 11-20
Specifying resize behavior ...................................................................................... 11-20
Specifying display position ..................................................................................... 11-21
Specifying a security code....................................................................................... 11-22
Specifying background color.................................................................................. 11-22
Specifying startup and shutdown commands...................................................... 11-23
Specifying colors for input fields........................................................................... 11-24

Specifying the behavior of interactive objects..................................................... 11-24
Specifying the behavior of objects with input focus .......................................... 11-25
Displaying the on–screen keyboard...................................................................... 11-26

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Displaying graphics more quickly...................................................... 11-27

Removing displays from the cache ....................................................................... 11-28
Types of graphic objects .......................................................................... 11-28
Creating simple objects ............................................................................ 11-29

Drawing a rounded rectangle................................................................................. 11-29
Drawing a rectangle or square ............................................................................... 11-30
Drawing an ellipse or circle .................................................................................... 11-30
Drawing a line .......................................................................................................... 11-30
Drawing a polyline or polygon .............................................................................. 11-31
Drawing a freehand object ..................................................................................... 11-32
Drawing an arc or wedge........................................................................................ 11-32
Creating text.............................................................................................................. 11-33
Font substitution at runtime .................................................................................. 11-34
Reshaping simple objects ....................................................................... 11-35
Creating advanced objects..................................................................... 11-36

Objects described in other chapters...................................................................... 11-36

Using tag names ....................................................................................................... 11-36
Using tag placeholders ............................................................................................ 11-37
Using a parameter file to replace tag placeholders ............................................. 11-38
Listing tag names to replace tag placeholders ..................................................... 11-40
Creating numeric and string input fields .............................................................. 11-42
Using input fields at runtime ................................................................. 11-46

Continuously updating tag values.......................................................................... 11-47
Keys ........................................................................................................................... 11-48
RSView32 commands ............................................................................................. 11-48
Using the on–screen keyboard............................................................................... 11-49
Creating numeric and string display fields ........................................................... 11-50
Creating labels .......................................................................................................... 11-54
Creating arrows ........................................................................................................ 11-55
Creating buttons....................................................................................................... 11-57
Editing a button object ........................................................................................... 11-61
Reshaping a button object...................................................................................... 11-61
Creating a recipe field.............................................................................................. 11-61
Creating a recipe file ................................................................................................ 11-62
Using a recipe at runtime........................................................................................ 11-65
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Replacing text associated with objects ....................................... 11-67
Creating and editing OLE objects ...................................................... 11-69

Other methods for inserting OLE objects .......................................................... 11-71
Converting OLE objects ........................................................................................ 11-71
Creating and editing ActiveX objects ............................................. 11-73

Using the ActiveX Property Panel ........................................................................ 11-75
Using the ActiveX Toolbox ................................................................................... 11-76
Recording and authorizing run-time changes
using electronic signatures ................................................................... 11-79

Securing tag writes and commands....................................................................... 11-79
Tracking changes with activity logging................................................................. 11-80
Creating signature buttons .................................................................... 11-80

Specifying a caption for the signature button ..................................................... 11-81
Setting up the runtime behavior of the signature button .................................. 11-82
Specifying colors for the signature button........................................................... 11-85
Naming graphic objects............................................................................ 11-86
Working with objects .................................................................................. 11-87

Moving objects......................................................................................................... 11-87
Copying objects........................................................................................................ 11-88
Duplicating objects.................................................................................................. 11-90
Resizing objects........................................................................................................ 11-91
Arranging objects .......................................................................................... 11-92

Grouping and ungrouping objects........................................................................ 11-93
Performing group editing ....................................................................................... 11-94
Stacking objects........................................................................................................ 11-95
Aligning objects ....................................................................................................... 11-97
Spacing objects......................................................................................................... 11-99

Flipping objects...................................................................................................... 11-100
Applying colors ............................................................................................. 11-101
Applying fill patterns ................................................................................. 11-102

Selecting fill patterns ............................................................................................. 11-102
Applying fill patterns............................................................................................. 11-102
How colors and patterns work ............................................................................ 11-103
Changing line properties ........................................................................ 11-103

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Peeking at objects ...................................................................................... 11-105
Creating a background for your display ...................................... 11-107

Objects that cannot be converted ....................................................................... 11-107
Importing graphic files from third–party applications ...... 11-108

Transparent backgrounds for image files........................................................... 11-109
Converting imported objects to RSView32 native objects.............................. 11-109
Using bitmaps ................................................................................................ 11-110

When could a bitmap help?.................................................................................. 11-111
Using graphic libraries ............................................................................ 11-112

Location of library files ......................................................................................... 11-112

Printing displays at runtime ................................................................. 11-113

Chapter 12

Animating graphic objects
Types of animation ......................................................................................... 12-1

Which objects can have animation? ........................................................................ 12-2
Using the Animation dialog box ............................................................ 12-2

About the Animation dialog box............................................................................. 12-4
Using Object Smart Path to visually set animation .............................................. 12-6
Testing animation ........................................................................................... 12-6
Using tag names and tag placeholders ........................................... 12-6

Tag names ................................................................................................................... 12-7
Tag placeholders ........................................................................................................ 12-7
Using commands and macros ................................................................ 12-7
Using expressions........................................................................................... 12-8
Setting minimum and maximum values .......................................... 12-8

Why specify minimum and maximum values? ...................................................... 12-8
Defining a range of motion........................................................................ 12-9

Objects that do not have a range of motion.......................................................... 12-9
Using OSP (Object Smart Path).............................................................................. 12-9
Configuring visibility animation .......................................................... 12-12
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Configuring color animation .................................................................. 12-13

The parts of the list box ......................................................................................... 12-14
Configuring fill animation ........................................................................ 12-18
Configuring horizontal position animation .................................. 12-20
Configuring vertical position animation ........................................ 12-21
Configuring width animation ................................................................. 12-22
Configuring height animation ............................................................... 12-24
Configuring rotation animation ........................................................... 12-25
Configuring touch animation ................................................................. 12-28
Configuring horizontal slider animation ........................................ 12-30
Configuring vertical slider animation ............................................. 12-31
Configuring OLE verb animation ......................................................... 12-32

Attaching other types of animation to OLE objects.......................................... 12-33
Configuring ActiveX control .................................................................. 12-33

The object’s properties versus RSView32 animation......................................... 12-34
Naming an ActiveX object..................................................................................... 12-35
Attaching ActiveX control properties .................................................................. 12-36
Attaching ActiveX control events ...................................................................... 12-38
Viewing ActiveX control methods ....................................................................... 12-39
Using the Invoke command to call an ActiveX method................................... 12-40
Associating objects and displays with keys ............................. 12-42
Creating object keys ................................................................................... 12-42
Using index numbers .................................................................................. 12-45

How index numbers are used ................................................................................ 12-45
Checking an object’s index number...................................................................... 12-46
Changing index numbers........................................................................................ 12-46
Creating a tab sequence .......................................................................................... 12-47
Using the Current [Tag] parameter .................................................. 12-48

Summary of steps .................................................................................................... 12-49
Examples................................................................................................................... 12-50
Creating display keys ................................................................................. 12-54

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Editing display and object keys .......................................................... 12-56

Modifying a key ........................................................................................................ 12-57
Removing a key ........................................................................................................ 12-57
Removing all keys .................................................................................................... 12-57
Viewing the key list at runtime ........................................................... 12-58

Disabling the key list ............................................................................................... 12-58
Applying animation to groups ............................................................... 12-59
Checking the animation on objects ................................................. 12-59

Using the Animation menu and the Animation dialog box .............................. 12-59

Using Peek ................................................................................................................ 12-61
Changing the animation on objects ................................................. 12-63
Copying or duplicating objects with animation ....................... 12-63
Copying animation without copying objects ............................. 12-64

Chapter 13

Configuring trends
About trends ........................................................................................................ 13-1
Key concepts ...................................................................................................... 13-2

Trend object ............................................................................................................... 13-2
Trend dialog box........................................................................................................ 13-2
Data source ................................................................................................................. 13-3
Pens.............................................................................................................................. 13-3
Shading ........................................................................................................................ 13-4
Legend ......................................................................................................................... 13-4
Control tags ................................................................................................................ 13-4
Summary of steps............................................................................................ 13-5
Creating a trend object ............................................................................... 13-5
Working in the Trend dialog box ........................................................... 13-6
Trend configuration ....................................................................................... 13-7

Configuring the time axis.......................................................................................... 13-7
Configuring the vertical axis................................................................................... 13-12
Choosing a data source ........................................................................................... 13-13
Configuring control ................................................................................................. 13-15
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Creating a legend...................................................................................................... 13-16
Pen configuration .......................................................................................... 13-18

Configuring the tag or value .................................................................................. 13-18
Configuring pen style .............................................................................................. 13-19
Configuring pen scale.............................................................................................. 13-21
Configuring shading ................................................................................................ 13-22
Creating a legend...................................................................................................... 13-25
Ensuring real-time trends have data ............................................... 13-26
Comparing real-time and historical data ...................................... 13-27
Creating control for a trend ................................................................... 13-27

Trend control tags ................................................................................................... 13-28
How the trend control tags work.......................................................................... 13-30
Creating objects to animate a trend ...................................................................... 13-31
Masking pens............................................................................................................ 13-32
Specifying a start time ............................................................................................. 13-34
Using the Trends graphic library........................................................ 13-35

Setting the name of the Control Tag folder ........................................................ 13-36
Choosing fonts, colors, and lines ....................................................... 13-37
Using the trend at runtime ..................................................................... 13-39

Selecting pens ........................................................................................................... 13-39
Selecting points ........................................................................................................ 13-40
Changing the marker’s color .................................................................................. 13-41

Editing a trend ................................................................................................. 13-41

Editing the trend object.......................................................................................... 13-41
Editing the trend configuration............................................................................. 13-42

Chapter 14

Creating expressions
About expressions .......................................................................................... 14-1

Expression components ........................................................................................... 14-1
Where you can use expressions ........................................................... 14-2

Using expressions in a command............................................................................ 14-2

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Creating expressions .................................................................................... 14-3

Expression buttons.................................................................................................... 14-4
Cutting, copying, and pasting expressions................................... 14-4
Formatting expressions .............................................................................. 14-6
Using the = (Equal) command................................................................. 14-6
Using tag names and tag placeholders ........................................... 14-8

Using tag placeholders instead of tag names ......................................................... 14-9
Constants .............................................................................................................. 14-9
Arithmetic operators ................................................................................... 14-10

String operands ........................................................................................................ 14-10
Relational operators .................................................................................... 14-11

How string operands are evaluated....................................................................... 14-11
Logical operators........................................................................................... 14-12
Bitwise operators .......................................................................................... 14-12
Built–in functions ........................................................................................... 14-14

Tag functions............................................................................................................ 14-15
Time functions ......................................................................................................... 14-16
File functions ............................................................................................................ 14-20
Math functions ......................................................................................................... 14-21
Security function ...................................................................................................... 14-22
Evaluation order of operators ............................................................... 14-22
If–then–else ........................................................................................................ 14-24

Nested if–then–else structure ................................................................................ 14-25

Chapter 15

Setting up navigation
Developing a hierarchy of displays ..................................................... 15-1
Methods for moving among displays ................................................. 15-2

Commands for moving among displays................................................................. 15-3
Reducing display call–up time.................................................................................. 15-4

Where to use RSView32 commands....................................................................... 15-4
Example of navigation methods ........................................................... 15-5
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The tools ................................................................................................................ 15-7

Precedence .................................................................................................................. 15-7
Creating macros ............................................................................................... 15-7

Using parameters ..................................................................................................... 15-10
Nesting macros ........................................................................................................ 15-10
Creating a macro that starts when a project starts.............................................. 15-11
Creating symbols ........................................................................................... 15-11

Important guidelines ............................................................................................... 15-12
Key definitions ................................................................................................ 15-13

General rules about precedence ............................................................................ 15-14
Precedence and the F1 key..................................................................................... 15-15
Precedence and embedded ActiveX objects ....................................................... 15-15
Precedence and embedded OLE objects............................................................. 15-16
Reserved keys ........................................................................................................... 15-17
Tips for using keys................................................................................................... 15-19
Creating global keys ................................................................................... 15-19
Running global key files ........................................................................... 15-22

Chapter 16

Sharing data with other
Windows applications
Methods for sharing data ........................................................................... 16-1
Retrieving historical data .......................................................................... 16-3

Retrieving tag names from data log files................................................................ 16-4
Bringing logged dBASE IV data into Microsoft Excel ............ 16-4
Understanding the content of the log files ................................... 16-6

Activity log files ......................................................................................................... 16-7
Activity log—ODBC format ................................................................................... 16-8
Alarm log files ............................................................................................................ 16-9
Alarm log files—ODBC format............................................................................ 16-11
Data log files—narrow .dbf format ...................................................................... 16-13
Data log files—wide .dbf format .......................................................................... 16-15
Data log—ODBC format ...................................................................................... 16-17

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Creating a pivot table in Microsoft Excel .................................... 16-19

Starting the PivotTable Wizard.............................................................................. 16-20

Selecting the data source......................................................................................... 16-20
Joining tables and selecting data ............................................................................ 16-22
Organizing the pivot table...................................................................................... 16-24
Creating a chart ........................................................................................................ 16-25
Sharing tag values locally ....................................................................... 16-26
Providing tag values to local OPC or DDE clients .................. 16-26

Enabling RSView32 as a server ............................................................................. 16-26
Setting up a local OPC client application............................................................. 16-26
Setting up a local DDE client application............................................................ 16-27
Getting tag values from servers ......................................................... 16-28

Setting up RSView32 as the client......................................................................... 16-28
Enabling RSView32 for tag writes ..................................................... 16-29
Sending DDEExecute commands to other applications .... 16-30

Chapter 17

Using networks
Sharing project components during development and
runtime .................................................................................................................... 17-1

Sharing components during development ............................................................. 17-1
Sharing components at runtime............................................................................... 17-2
How to share components ....................................................................................... 17-3
Using OPC for peer–to–peer network communications........ 17-5

Identifying the RSView32 server computer........................................................... 17-6
Enabling an RSView32 OPC server for reading and writing.............................. 17-6
Configuring the RSView32 OPC client application ............................................. 17-6

Connecting to RSLinx Gateway as a remote OPC server ... 17-9

Configuring RSLinx Gateway .................................................................................. 17-9
Configuring RSView32 for use with RSLinx Gateway ...................................... 17-10
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Chapter 18

Running your project
Summary of steps ........................................................................................... 18-1
Specifying startup settings ...................................................................... 18-1

Preferences.................................................................................................................. 18-3
Startup ......................................................................................................................... 18-6
Setting up a project in a new location ............................................. 18-8
Setting the project path ............................................................................. 18-8

Changing application paths .................................................................................... 18-10
Changing the database path ................................................................................... 18-12
Specifying time, date, and number formats ............................... 18-12
Running a project .......................................................................................... 18-13

Running a project automatically ............................................................................ 18-14
Monitoring disk space ................................................................................ 18-14
Stopping a project ........................................................................................ 18-15

When a project stops............................................................................................... 18-15

Appendix A

RSView32 commands
Using RSView32 commands ......................................................................A-1

Where to use commands ............................................................................................A-1
How to use commands ...............................................................................................A-1
Using placeholders in commands .............................................................................A-2
Precedence ....................................................................................................................A-4
Using the command line ...............................................................................A-5
Using the Command Wizard .......................................................................A-5

Building a command string ........................................................................................A-6
The RSView32 commands, listed alphabetically .......................A-8

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Appendix B

System tags
Alarms ........................................................................................................................B-1
Communications ................................................................................................B-2

Graphics ...................................................................................................................B-4
Time ............................................................................................................................B-5
Trends ........................................................................................................................B-5
User .............................................................................................................................B-8
Windows memory resources .....................................................................B-8

Appendix C

Differences between RSView32
and ControlView
Importing ControlView projects ..............................................................C-1
Activity log .............................................................................................................C-1
Alarms ........................................................................................................................C-2

Alarm banner and alarm status display.....................................................................C-2
Alarm log.......................................................................................................................C-2
Alarm summary............................................................................................................C-2
Commands ..............................................................................................................C-3

Obsolete commands....................................................................................................C-3
Renamed commands ...................................................................................................C-4
Data log ....................................................................................................................C-5
Derived tags ..........................................................................................................C-5
Events ........................................................................................................................C-5
Global keys.............................................................................................................C-6
Graphics ...................................................................................................................C-6
Scan classes .........................................................................................................C-7
SLC addressing syntax ..................................................................................C-7
Tag database ........................................................................................................C-8
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