I am looking for a way to incorporate translucent polygons in FTV for a manufacturing line dashboard. When the line stops, I want to create a flashing effect to alert operators and passersby. Despite my efforts, I have not found a solution yet. Initially, I attempted to use a background polygon in varying shades of red to achieve the flashing effect, but other objects with white backgrounds overlapped, creating a distracting display. If I could place the polygon as the top layer and make it flash, I believe I could achieve the desired effect. Do you have any suggestions on how to accomplish this?
To enhance your design, consider utilizing the Visibility animation feature on shapes like rectangles or polygons, or opt for a "Panel" object with the "Blink" option activated. For a more realistic transparent effect, try incorporating a PNG image with an alpha channel and adjusting the red transparency level to xx%. To create a flashing effect, simply apply the Visibility animation once more to your design elements.
lmscar12 suggested using the Visibility animation on a rectangle or polygon, or utilizing a "Panel" object with the "Blink" property activated for creating visual effects. To achieve true transparency, incorporating a PNG image with an alpha channel and adjusting the red transparency percentage may be helpful. To make the effect more dynamic, consider applying the Visibility animation once again. Thank you for the tip regarding alpha channel images; I will consider it as a backup plan.
lmscar12 explained that the Visibility animation can be used on shapes like rectangles or polygons, or on a "Panel" object with the "Blink" feature activated. For true transparency effects, consider using a PNG image with an alpha channel and adjusting the red transparency to your liking. To create a flashing effect, simply utilize the Visibility animation once more. Another query arose regarding the implementation of a 1000 millisecond clock with 5 images displaying varying levels of red opacity. Each image was set to appear within different time ranges of the 1000 milliseconds, yet it was observed that the visibility changes only occurred every 2-4 seconds. Could this issue be related to the FTV data refresh rate? Is it not recommended to work at the millisecond level for optimal performance?
Avoid attempting to create flashes using a PLC tag. Instead, utilize the system seconds tag and perform a modulo operation by 2 to achieve a 1-second on/off flash effect. By following this method, you can avoid being reliant on tag update rates.
A potential solution might be to look into identifiying the Z-Order property of the polygon. With the correct Z-Order, you should be able to place the polygon above the other elements so that it doesn't get overlapped by other objects. This, combined with a transparency setting, might give your polygon the ability to flash without disrupting the rest of your display. To make it flash, you could vary the transparency or color at regular intervals. If that doesn't work, do share more on your current configuration so we can further drill down into the problem.
You might want to consider using CSS animation properties if your system allows it. You can manipulate the 'opacity' property with a keyframe animation to create a flashing effect. It's adjustable, no extra layering issues, and implementation would be relatively straightforward. Just ensure that your system accepts CSS animation and opacity manipulations. If that's not possible, exploring software updates or alternative visualization tools could be beneficial. Keep us posted on your progress, it's great to learn from real-life problem-solving scenarios like this one!
It sounds like you're on the right track with using a translucent polygon, but instead of a flat red shade, you might want to experiment with a gradient fill that transitions between a lighter and darker red. This would help create a more dynamic flashing effect without overwhelming the other visual elements on your dashboard. Additionally, using an overlay with adjustable opacity could help ensure that the polygon stands out but doesn't completely obscure background information. If your platform supports animations, try incorporating a pulsing effect instead of a rapid flash, as that might draw attention without causing distraction. Good luck with your project!
It sounds like you're on the right track with the translucent polygon idea! One approach you might consider is using a layering method where you set your flashing polygon's opacity, so it blends better with the background while still drawing attention. You could also explore using CSS animations or JavaScript to create a pulsing effect, which can be less jarring than a straight flash. Additionally, consider tweaking the color to something like a softer orange or yellow; it might stand out without overwhelming the eyes in a busy dashboard. Test it out and see what adjusts well with your existing elements!
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Answer: - To create flashing translucent polygons in FactoryTalk View, you can try placing the polygon as the top layer and implementing a flashing effect to alert operators and passersby when the manufacturing line stops.
Answer: - The issue with using a background polygon in varying shades of red was that other objects with white backgrounds overlapped, creating a distracting display. Placing the polygon as the top layer may help to resolve this problem.
Answer: - One tip is to ensure that the translucent polygon is placed as the top layer to prevent overlapping with other objects. Implementing a flashing effect can help to draw attention and alert operators effectively.
Answer: - To effectively use translucent polygons in FactoryTalk View dashboards for manufacturing lines, consider the placement of the polygons, their transparency level, and any flashing effects to ensure they serve their intended purpose of alerting operators and passersby.
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