I am using View Designer to program a PanelView 5510 HMI and currently working on creating a recipe selector. The recipe array has a size of 512 and contains part numbers along with their configuration details. I am utilizing a recipePointer tag to indirectly reference various locations in the PLC. On the HMI, my goal is to create a ListBoxSelector or ListBoxIndicator that displays the part number. When a part number is selected, it should send an integer value to the RecipePointer. In FactoryTalk, it was easy to have separate captions and values for list items, but in View Designer, the caption is also the value. As a result, the closest solution I can achieve is to display a list of integers ranging from 1 to 512. However, this setup makes it difficult for users to identify the selected item before making a selection. I am wondering if there is a way to separate the value and caption in the control, or if this limitation is inherent in View Designer.
Can anyone provide a solution to this ongoing issue? I am reposting in the hopes of getting a response, as this is a long-standing unresolved problem. I am experiencing the same issue currently and would greatly appreciate any help or advice.
To customize the list box in the selector property "item," simply add a number within parentheses after the text you want to display to the user. For instance, you can enter "Selection A(1), Selection B(2), ..." to create a list with numbered options. This allows for an organized and visually appealing way for users to make selections.
I need to transfer the string recipe from the PLC. While I am able to make one tag work, I am having trouble retrieving multiple tags from an array.
To showcase product names from an array, the code extracts them as follows: LC\Recipe_Library[1].Product_Name+"(1)"+"," LC\Recipe_Library[2].Product_Name+"(2)"+"," LC\Recipe_Library[3].Product_Name+"(3)". This procedure can be replicated for each array element that needs to be shown.
I understand your conundrum - the confusion that the View Designer's limitation could bring to end users is a real concern. Based on my experience, View Designer, as of now, does not seem to support separate values and captions in the ListBoxSelector or ListBoxIndicator, which is indeed a drawback compared to FactoryTalk. However, as a workaround, you might consider creating a separate array that aligns with the "recipe array". This array could hold part numbers as strings. Then, you could use this array for the ListBox display. That way, operators would see part numbers instead of numerical indices. Although it may require a bit of extra work to maintain consistency between the two arrays, this method should provide the functionality you're aiming for.
Although it might seem like a limitation considering your FactoryTalk experience, there's a workaround in View Designer that could help you achieve what you're aiming for. One option is creating a layer of indirection with the PLC. You can maintain a parallel array to your recipe array, which holds the "display string" for each recipe. The PLC would then cross reference the selected index with the actual recipe array. In this case, the ListBoxSelector would display the parallel array, and when a user selects a part number, it would return the array index that is tied to the value in your recipe array via the PLC. It's an indirect way, but it will work to keep part numbers visible for users.
You’re right; the limitation of not being able to separate the display caption and the value in View Designer can be frustrating. One workaround I've found is to create a separate data structure that holds both the part number and its corresponding index. Then you can display the part numbers in a text field while using the ListBox to display the index values. When the user makes a selection, you can map the index back to the part number as needed. It’s not as straightforward as having separate fields, but it could help maintain clarity for the users. Hope that helps!
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Answer: Answer: Currently, in View Designer, the caption is also the value in the ListBoxSelector or ListBoxIndicator. However, alternative solutions or workarounds may exist to achieve the desired functionality.
Answer: Answer: One approach could be to create a mapping system where each part number corresponds to a specific integer value, allowing users to select part numbers while sending the associated integer values to the RecipePointer.
Answer: Answer: Using integer values for selection in a ListBoxSelector may make it difficult for users to identify the selected item before making a selection, as the values do not directly correspond to part numbers. Consider exploring methods to improve user experience and clarity in item selection.
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