What is a diagram?

Definition

A diagram provides a graphical view of a section of the monitored process. A diagram typically consists of a static background picture , a number of static process objects and connectors and, most importantly, the dynamic process components represented as symbols. Each diagram belongs to one parent area. Depending on the complexity of the process, an area may be subdivided into a number of diagrams each representing a section of the process.

Use

A diagram gives the operator a quick overview of the monitored process and clear visual indication if there are any alarms. A diagram defined in IGSS Definition is exactly the same diagram that the operator sees during supervision.

If an area contains several diagrams, you may find it useful to create an overview diagram with references to the other diagrams. By doing this, the operator can supervise the whole area from one diagram, because an alarm will cause the field or button representing the affected diagram to blink

Static diagrams or OLE diagrams

There are two types of diagrams:

A static diagram has a fixed background color or a background picture in one of the supported graphics formats, for example, Bitmap file (*.bmp), Windows metafile (*.wmf), Enhanced metafile (*.emf), Graphics Interchange Format (*.gif).
An OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) Embedded Diagram contains an object from an OLE-compliant program which is embedded in or linked to the diagram window. You can, for example, embed a new Microsoft Word document or link the diagram window to an existing document. Note that the menus and functions available will reflect the functionality of the source program. Click here for further information.

Diagram menu

The Diagram menu shows all available diagrams in the active area provided that the Name to Menu option is selected for each diagram in the Diagram Properties dialog box. A checkmark beside the diagram name means that the diagram is open. You open a diagram by selecting it in the menu.

Diagram properties

When you create a diagram, you specify a number of properties in the Diagram Properties dialog box. The properties can be changed at any time. The most important ones are:

This property…	Allows you to …
Window elements	specify which diagram window elements you want the operator to see, for example, title bar, minimize and maximize buttons, etc.
Background color or background picture	specify a fixed background color for the diagram or a background picture in either of the supported formats.
Function keys	specify function keys that the operator can use to access other IGSS objects, send commands, etc.
Name to Menu option	show the diagram name in the Diagram menu to facilitate easy access for the operator.
Keep Window option	ensure that this diagram window is kept open. This option is relevant if the operator opens multiple diagrams, because only six diagram windows can be open simultaneously. If you check this option, the diagram is never closed automatically.

For an explanation of the remaining properties, open the Diagram Properties dialog box, click the $images\ico_help.gif$ in the upper right hand corner of the dialog box, then click the item you want information about.