Visualization Element: ActiveX

Symbol:

Category: Special Controls

The element is used to link an existing ActiveX control in the visualization. You can configure the method calls and their parameters in the element properties of the ActiveX element.

Element properties

Are all element properties available?

All properties are available only after you select the Advanced option or the All categories filter in Properties.

Element name	Example: `GenElemInst_1` Tip Assign individual names for elements so that they are found faster in the element list.
Element Type	ActiveX
Element	Installed ActiveX component that is linked to the visualization Tip Hint: To avoid typing errors, select the required ActiveX component by means of the Input Assistant.

Position

The position defines the location and size of the element in the visualization window. This is based on the Cartesian coordinate system. The origin is located in the upper left corner of the window. The positive horizontal X-axis runs to the right. The positive vertical Y-axis runs downwards.

X	The X-coordinate (in pixels) of the upper left corner of the element Example: `10`
Y	The Y-coordinate (in pixels) of the upper left corner of the element Example: `10`
Width	Specified in pixels Example: `150`
Height	Specified in pixels Example: `30`

Tip

You can change the values by dragging the box symbols to other positions in the editor.

Center

	The properties contain fixed values for the coordinates of the point of rotation. The rotation point is displayed in the editor as the symbol and is used as the center for rotation and scaling. Tip You can also change the values by dragging the symbol to another position in the editor.
X	X-coordinate of the point of rotation
Y	Y-coordinate of the point of rotation

Absolute movement

The properties contain IEC variables for controlling the position of the element dynamically. The reference point is the upper left corner of the element. At runtime, the entire element is moved.

Movement
X	Variable (numeric data type) for the X-position (in pixels) Example: `PLC_PRG.iPos_X`. Container variable: `Container.Width` For more information, see: Optimally Adjusting the Position and Size Increasing this value at runtime moves the element to the right.
Y	Variable (numeric data type) for the Y-position (in pixels) Example: `PLC_PRG.iPos_Y`. Container variable: `Container.Height` For more information, see: Optimally Adjusting the Position and Size Increasing this value at runtime moves the element downwards.
Rotation	Variable (numeric data type) for the angle of rotation (in degrees) Example: `PLC_PRG.iAngle1`. The midpoint of the element rotates at the Center point. This rotation point is shown as the symbol. At runtime, the alignment of the element remains the same with respect to the coordinate system of the visualization. Increasing the value rotates the element to the right.
Scaling	Variable (integer data type) to trigger a centric stretching Example: `PLC_PRG.iScaling` The reference point is the Center property. The value `1` shrinks the element by a factor of `0.001`. The value `1000` returns the element to its original size.
Interior rotation	Variable (numeric data type) for the angle of rotation (in degrees) Example: `PLC_PRG.iAngle2`. At runtime, the element rotates about the point of rotation specified in Center according to the value of the variable. In addition, the alignment of the element rotates according to the coordinate system of the visualization. Increasing the value in the code rotates clockwise. The rotation point is shown as the symbol. Note If a static angle of rotation is specified in the Position → Angle property, then the static angle of rotation is added to the variable angle of rotation (offset) when the visualization is executed.

Tip

You can combine the variables to a Unit conversion.

Tip

The X, Y, Rotation, and Interior rotation properties are supported by the "Client Animation" functionality.

State variables

The variables control the element behavior dynamically.

Invisible

Variable (BOOL) for toggling the visibility of the element

TRUE: The element is not visible at runtime.

Tip

The Invisible property is supported by the "Client Animation" functionality.

Initial calls

These method calls are executed during initialization. They are executed in the first cycle only.

Method calls

Button 'Create new'

Creates a subnode below Methods with parameters for the method call.

Methods

. [<number>]

Method: Name of the method
Parameter: Parameter passed at the method call
Result parameter: Optional variable for the return value of the method

Cyclic calls

These method calls are executed in every cycle. They are executed in the refresh rate of the visualization.

Method calls
Button 'Create new'	Creates a subnode below Methods for a method call and its parameters
Methods	. [<number>] Method: Name of the method Parameter: Parameter passed at the method call Result parameter: Optional variable for the return value of the method

Conditional calls

These method calls are executed in the refresh rate of the visualization. You define the call condition in the Methods → [<number>] → Call condition property.

Method calls

Button 'Create new'

Creates a subnode below Methods with a call condition and parameters for the method call

Methods

. [<number>]

Method: Name of the method
Call condition: Variable (BOOL)
A rising edge of this variable triggers the call of this method.
Parameter: Parameter passed at the method call
Result parameter: Optional variable for the return value of the method

Animation

Tip

These properties are available only when you have selected the Support client animations and overlay of native elements option in the Visualization Manager.

Animation duration

Variable for the duration (in milliseconds) in which the element runs an animation

Variable (integer value)
Example: Menu.tContent with VAR tContent : INT := 500; END_VAR
Integer literal
Example: 500

. Animatable properties

Absolute movement, Movement, X, Y
Absolute movement, Rotation
Absolute movement, Interior rotation
Absolute movement, Exterior rotation

The animated movement is executed when at least one value of an animatable property has changed. The movement then executed is not jerky, but is smooth within the specified animation duration. The visualization element travels to the specified position while rotating dynamically. The transitions are smooth.

Move to foreground

Variable (BOOL) for setting the element in the foreground

TRUE: At runtime, the visualization element is displayed in the foreground.

FALSE: At runtime, the visualization element is displayed in the layer where it was inserted in the visualization editor.

Example: bIsInForeground with VAR bIsInForeground : BOOL := FALSE; END_VAR

Permissions

Note

Available only when a user management is set up for visualization.

Access Rights button

Opens the Access Rights dialog. There you can edit the access privileges for the element.

. Status messages:

Not set. Full rights.: Access rights for all user groups : operable
Rights are set: Limited rights: Access is restricted for at least one group.