Visualization Element: Trace

Symbol:

Category: Special Controls

The element displays the graphical curve of variable values. In addition, variables can be configured to control the view.

Tip

The Trace visualization element cannot be inserted into a visualization in the POU pool.

Note

Kann auch veraltet sein Sample project for a visualization with Trace

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: `Velocity` Assign individual names for elements so that they are found faster in the element list.
Data source	Location where the trace data is buffered : <local application> The trace sampling is executed below the local application. The visualization that contains the trace is located below this application. When the application is downloaded, the trace configuration is downloaded to the local device. During execution, the data is stored locally in the trace buffer. <data source name>: Data source which identifies the remote device where the trace sample is created When the local application is downloaded with the visualization, the trace configuration is downloaded to the remote device. During execution, the trace buffer is filled, and the trace data is transferred and then displayed in the local visualization as HMI. Example: `DataSoure_PLC_A` The trace buffer is filled only if the remote application is being executed. The data sampling is started when the local visualization is started.
Application	Application where data was recorded. : Lists all applications that are present below the data source Requirement: A remote data source (not <local application>) is referenced in the Data source property.
Type of element	Trace
Trace	<name of trace configuration>: Opens the Trace Configuration dialog where you can modify the trace configuration

Show cursor	: A cursor (vertical line) is displayed at the mouse position. The trigger and variable values where the cursor points are displayed as a tooltip.
Overwrite existing trace on PLC	: If a trace with the same name is already stored on the PLC, then this trace will be overwritten with the configuration defined here during the download.
Number format	Numerical format of values in the tooltip in printf syntax (example: `%d`, `%5.2f`)

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

Control variables

The control variables are assigned automatically when you click Insert Elements for Controlling Trace.

Reset trigger	Variable (`BOOL`) Standard control variable: `bResetTrigger` `TRUE`: Resets the triggering. After the action is executed, the variable is set automatically to `FALSE`.
Start trace	Variable (`BOOL`) Standard control variable: `bStart` `TRUE`: Starts the trace The graph continues and the new values are added. After the action is executed, the variable is set automatically to `FALSE`.
Stop trace	Variable (`BOOL`) Standard control variable: `bStop` `TRUE`: Stops the trace The graph is halted and does not display any new values. This variable is evaluated only when the trace with the active visualization is displayed because the trace is still running before that. After the action is executed, the variable is set automatically to `FALSE`. Hint: Alternatively, use the Stop trace initially setting
Stop trace initially	: The trace is initially halted and does not display any values. The display only starts again with the Start trace command. The values are displayed from this point on.
Save trace to a file
Save trace	Variable (`BOOL`) Standard control variable: `bStore` `TRUE`: Saves the current trace configuration and the data that is stored in the development system to a file. When the action is ended, the variable is set automatically to `FALSE`.
File name	Variable (`STRING`) that contains the file name of the file to be saved. Standard control variable: `sStoreFilename`
Load trace from a file
Load trace	Variable (`BOOL`) Standard control variable: `bRestore` `TRUE`: Reads the file specified below and loads its contents into the trace editor. The file contains a trace configuration and possibly also trace data. To do this, the stored trace configuration must match the application where the trace configuration is located. When the action is ended, the variable is set automatically to `FALSE`. Note A trace configuration can be loaded from a file only under special circumstances. The file must have been created with exactly the same (running) application with which it will then be loaded. The consequence of changing the running application (for example by downloading again) is that a file which was previously created from the application cannot no longer be read into the application. Even external manual changes to the file can cause this. You should edit only those configuration settings that have an effect on displaying the variables. If you change variable definitions directly in the file (for example by replacing variable x with v y), then the file cannot be loaded.
File name	Variable (`STRING`) that contains the file name of the file to be read. Standard variable: `sRestoreFilename`

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 can be assigned to 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.
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.

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

Access Rights

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.