Steps to Build a Test Picture

Overview

Use the steps below to create an iFIX picture, and insert two data links that point to the real-time tags:

  • A DI tag named Fix32.fix.pump_stat.a_cv, associated with the Simulation Examples.Functions.User3 I/O address.
  • An AI tag named Fix32.fix.pump_speed.f_cv, associated with the Simulation Examples.Functions.User2 I/O address.

After you insert the data links, the steps that follow describe how to insert a Trend chart to display the historical data for one of the tags.

Insert the First Datalink (DI tag) into a Picture

Insert the Second Datalink (AI Tag) into a Picture

Insert a Line Multiline Chart and View Data

Insert the First Datalink (DI tag) into a Picture

To insert the first data link in the test picture:

  1. Log on to Windows as an Administrator (if you are not already logged in).
  2. If iFIX is not running, start iFIX from the desktop icon. By default, this also automatically starts the iFIX WorkSpace.

  3. In the iFIX WorkSpace, select Insert, Object/Links, and then Datalink Stamper.

    The Datalink dialog box appears, as shown in the following figure.

  4. In the Source field, enter Fix32.fix.pump_stat.a_cv and click OK. You are prompted to create a new tag.

  5. Click Create. Another dialog box appears requesting a tag type.

  6. Select DI (Digital Input). Another dialog box appears.

  7. From the Addressing area, in the Driver field, select IGS Industrial Gateway Server from the drop-down list.

  8. Next to the I/O Address field, click Browse.

    The Browse I/O Address field appears.

  9. Browse and select Simulation Examples.Functions.User3, and click OK. You return to the Digital Input dialog box.

  10. In the Labels area, change the Open and Close labels to STOPPED and RUNNING.

  11. Click the Historian tab.

  12. In the Collection Options area, select the Enabled option.

  13. Click Add. Another message appears about putting the block on scan.

  14. Click Yes to continue.
  15. Click where you want the datalink to appear in the picture.

Insert the Second Datalink (AI Tag) into a Picture

To insert the second data link in the test picture:

  1. In the iFIX WorkSpace, select Insert, Object/Links, and then Datalink Stamper. The Datalink dialog box appears again, as shown in the following figure.

  2. In the Source field, enter Fix32.fix.pump_speed.f_cv and click OK. You are prompted to create a new tag.

  3. Click Create. Another dialog box appears requesting a tag type.

  4. Select AI (Analog Input). Another dialog box appears.

  5. From the Addressing area, in the Driver field, select IGS Industrial Gateway Server from the drop-down list.
  6. Next to the I/O Address field, click Browse. The Browse I/O Address field appears.

  7. Browse and select Simulation Examples.Functions.User2, and click OK. You return to the Analog Input dialog box.
  8. Click the Historian tab.

  9. In the Collection Options area, select the Enabled option and then click Add.

    Another message appears about putting the block on scan.

  10. Click Yes to continue.
  11. Click where you want the datalink to appear in the picture.

Insert a Line Multiline Chart and View Data

  1. With your picture open in the iFIX WorkSpace, click the Insert tab.
  2. Select Line Multiline Chart. The cursor again turns into a cross-hair.
  3. Draw a rectangle where you want the chart to appear in the picture.
  4. Double-click the chart. The Line Chart Customization dialog box appears.

  5. On the General tab, set the Duration Time to 10 minutes.
    Tip: If you want to see the line move on the chart when the picture appears in the run mode, try changing the Historical Update Rate to 5 seconds, for example. Otherwise, be aware that the chart will appear as a snapshot in time.
  6. Click the Data Sources tab.
  7. In the Data Sources area, click the button to add a data source.

  8. Next, click the browse (…) button to open the Expression Builder.
  9. From the Expression Builder, click the Historian tab. If it does not show up, click the drop-down in the far right of the tab areas and select Historian there.

  10. Select the Historian server name, add then select the PUMP_SPEED.F_CV tag and then click OK.

    You return to the Data Sources tab on Line Chart Customization dialog box, with the historical data source you just selected, appearing in the list.

  11. With the data source selected, press Enter. (This releases the focus so that fields on the Time tab can be edited.)
  12. On the Data Sources tab, click the Time tab.
  13. In the Start Time area, change the Duration Before Now to 10 minutes.

  14. Click OK to return to the iFIX picture.
  15. Press Ctrl+S to save your picture. From the dialog box that appears, provide a name for the picture and then click Save.
  16. On the Home tab, click Switch to run to confirm that you can view the real-time and historical data with changing values.

    Tip: Ctrl+W toggles between Configure and Run mode.
    The following example shows a picture in run mode with changing values.

    Congratulations, you completed your quick start!