I am currently setting up a global object within FTView SE 13. The objective is to extract a string from the PLC and present it on the screen, specifically the tagname. For example, by placing the string on a rectangle and grouping them, I can create the desired global object. Using Objects -> Numeric and String -> String Display allows me to configure properties like {[BOP]HMI_TAGs[#3]}, where I can substitute #3 with the array dimension number successfully, although formatting options are limited. However, if I utilize Drawing -> Text instead, I can incorporate variables such as /*S:0 {[BOP]HMI_TAGs[#3]}*/, without encountering errors. Yet, when combining this with a rectangle and pasting it as a global object into a graphic, the tag substitution function does not display upon right-clicking. During testing, a parameter popup appears, prompting a value for parameter #3. It seems that while String Display enables tag substitution but lacks text formatting capabilities, Text allows text customization but faces issues with pre-runtime tag substitution visibility. Have you encountered this dilemma and found a solution?
If you right-click on String Display, accessing Properties will provide you with a range of formatting options to choose from. This feature allows you to customize the appearance of your display according to your preferences.
Glennz suggested that accessing the right-click menu and selecting "Properties" should provide the formatting options required. However, upon attempting this, the desired options were not found.
After reviewing the instructions, cjjeeper confirmed: "I see it now." To ensure the Property Panel is visible, right-click and make sure to click on it. The Property Panel should then appear on the right side of the screen if it is Docked. This panel provides access to various properties, including font settings. Make sure to adjust these properties as needed for a better user experience.
Glennz confirmed that the Property Panel can be accessed by right-clicking and ensuring it is exposed. This panel, which contains font and other properties, can be found on the far right assuming it is Docked. If you have closed the panel, you can use the object explorer to navigate back to it. Thanks for the tip!
I absolutely understand the situation you're in. FTView indeed limits some flexibility in text formatting when using the String Display. On the other hand, Text doesn't behave as expected with pre-runtime tag substitution, although it's supposed to accommodate these variables. Here's a workaround I've used - rather than using the Text object for strictly displaying your tag, you could use it as a 'space holder'. Create an invisible, non-trending expression tag in the PLC with the necessary formatting, and update this expression tag with the tag value you want to display before loading the screen that has this Text object. This way, the Text object shows the formatted string from the newly updated/NON-trending PLC tag. It may not be a 'direct' solution, but I hope it helps!
I've gone through a similar conundrum with FTView SE 13 before. The issue appears to lie in the lack of tag substitution capabilities within the drawing text feature, rather than the global object function. I experimented with creating a string within the PLC containing both the tag value and the needed formatting, then used that tag in the String Display option. This way, the formatting was done prior to the display and the FTView could simply act as a pass-through. This workaround could possibly fit your situation. However, a feature allowing both tag substitution and custom formatting would indeed be nice to have in future versions.
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Answer: - You can achieve this by creating a global object and utilizing Objects -> Numeric and String -> String Display options to configure properties like {[BOP]HMI_TAGs[3]}.
Answer: - While formatting options are limited in the String Display properties, you can still substitute array dimension numbers successfully.
Answer: - When incorporating variables such as /S:0 {[BOP]HMI_TAGs[3]}/, you might encounter issues with tag substitution visibility in Text objects when used in combination with rectangles as global objects.
Answer: - String Display enables tag substitution but lacks text formatting capabilities, while Text allows for text customization but faces issues with pre-runtime tag substitution visibility.
Answer: - If you encounter tag substitution visibility issues with Text objects in global objects, you may need to investigate further or seek support from the FTView SE 13 community for a solution
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