C-more Micro HMI Indicators from AutomationDirect

Indicators simply show the contents of TAGs. In this example we have a TAG controlling the regular indicator and another TAG controlling these four indicators down here. When the PLC modifies a TAG, the indicator responds by changing state. And when we modify the Graphic Indicator TAG, all of those change because all four of those are monitoring the same TAG. This is a great way for users to monitor what is going on down at the PLC. When the PLC modifies a tag, the user sees the indicator associated with that tag light up or change. The regular indicator has Text, the graphic indicators all use canned graphics. Let’s see how to set up indicators. First the regular Indicator light: Double click or drag it onto the screen, OR if you see one you like in the parts list, you can just drag that on to the screen and save yourself some time setting things up. Once the dialog is open .. all you need to do is specify a TAG that this indicator is going to monitor. We’ll use the LIGHTS TAG in this example – you can also format it however you want – check out the video on ” How To Use Common Object Features” for more information on that. Just say OK. Re-size and reposition the switch to wherever you want it… and you are ready to go. Let’s do a Graphic Indicator –again, just Double Click or Drag it onto the screen (or if you see one in the parts list you like you can drag that onto the screen). The Graphic indicator is identical to the regular indicator, except instead of entering text, you just choose an appropriate graphic. We had picked the lock out of the parts list, but there’s no reason we can’t change that to something else – how about a smiley face? Remember – you can always test it in the little simulator built-in here – you see the little smiley face changing and you can see it here on the screen. Just like the regular indicator we need to specify a TAG for this to monitor … we’ll have this one monitor the furnace Tag. Say OK, re-position, place it on the screen, hit simulate … save the project and up pops our simulator with our two new indicator lights. Again, if I click on these nothing happens – they are just indicators they are not push buttons .. . BUT if the PLC modifies the TAG … then sure enough, the indicator reflects that. What if you want to create your own custom graphic for the indicator? Then check out the video on “How To Use Dynamic Bitmaps.” It’s exactly the same as this, except you can use your OWN custom graphics for the indicator! That’s it for this video – be sure to check out all of the other videos in this series. And as always, please send us any topics you would like to see covered – or - any other comments for that matter – we appreciate the feedback!