iFIX lets you insert a variety of OLE objects into your pictures. In Classic iew, to insert an OLE object, click the OLE Object button on the Shapes toolbar. In Ribbon view, you may also add an OLE object from the Insert tab, in the Objects/Links group, in the Objects/Links list, by clicking OLE Object. If you have the Toolbox enabled, click the button on the Toolbox.
You have three choices on the Insert dialog box for inserting an OLE object: Create New, Create from File, and Create Control.
Creating New OLE Objects
The Create New option button allows you to select from a list of objects registered on the local node. To add a specific object, double-click it from the Object Type list box. For more information on adding controls, refer to the Create a Control for an OLE Object section that follows.
Creating an OLE Object from a File
The Create from File option button lets you insert the contents of a file into a new object in your picture. You can either select a file from the File field or click the Browse button to select a file from any available directory.
Creating a Control for an OLE Object
The Create Control option button allows you to add an ActiveX Control (OCX) to a new object in your picture. Click Add Control to display a browse dialog where you can select an OCX installed on the local node. When you select the file, a new object is inserted into your picture with the specified control. When you switch to the run-time environment, you activate the object with the control you selected.
If the "Application Data Control" appears in the list of OLE objects you can insert into a picture, be aware that you cannot use this control in a picture. This control is actually a control panel applet and is not insertable. Do not use this control.
Adding a Third-Party Control
When adding third-party controls to a iFIX picture, some controls may display a message similar to the following:
<OCX name>: License file for custom control not found...
The reason you get this message is because you are adding a control that you do not have the license for. We recommend that you delete the control from your picture or install the license for this control and re-insert the control.
Animating the String Property of an OLE Control
To animate the String property of an OLE Control, you must ensure that the data source is of a string type by doing one of the following:
- Connecting directly to an A_field.
- Using a Format object to convert a F_field to a string format.
List Box Example
To add a Microsoft list box to an iFIX picture in configure mode, use the OLE Object named Microsoft Forms 2.0 ListBox. The steps below describe how to do this.
To add a list box object to your
iFIX picture:
- In Classic view, from the iFIX WorkSpace, on the Insert menu, click OLE Object.
-Or-
In Ribbon View, on the Insert tab, in the Objects/Links group, click Objects/Links, and then click OLE Object.
- In the Object Type list, select the Microsoft Forms 2.0 ListBox.
- Click OK.
Combo Box Example
To add a Microsoft combo box to an iFIX picture in configure mode, use the OLE Object named Microsoft Forms 2.0 ComboBox. The steps below describe how to do this.
To add a combo box object to your
iFIX picture:
- In Classic view, from the iFIX WorkSpace, on the Insert menu, click OLE Object.
-Or-
In Ribbon View, on the Insert tab, in the Objects/Links group, click Objects/Links, and then click OLE Object.
- In the Object Type list, select the Microsoft Forms 2.0 ComboBox.
- Click OK.
