Engineering: The VisiWin Development Environment

VisiWin IDE Develop Environment

To create a functioning process visualization, ideas and drafts must first be implemented. The VisiWin development environment is where implementation takes place.

The basic components of an application are screen masks, the logic, and definitions of various types. VisiWin users edit their projects in an modern environment with docking windows and menu bars. A powerful graphical editor, property pages, document outline views and a code editor for C#, VB, and XAML are included.

And that’s not all. The VisiWin development environment and the projects created with it are compatible with the Microsoft development tools Visual Studio and Blend for Visual Studio. Just start your project in Visual Studio or Blend from VisiWin and give free rein to your creativity.

Which process values do you want to be displayed by your visualization? Which will trigger an alarm? Which will be displayed in a trend chart? These and other questions are important when determining how process data are to be interpreted. The VisiWin Project Explorer provides a structured view on the project and a quick access to the parameters of the selected objects.
The principle of openness also applies here. Any definition can be exported and imported into a tool of your choice using the clipboard.
You would rather copy the variable definitions directly from the PLC program? You can do so using the VisiWin variables browser for all established PLCs.

As the term “visualization” already suggests, screen masks and visual representations are the heart of any process visualization system. The toolbox of the VisiWin graphical editor contains elements that you can drag to a view and then parameterize. The WISYWIG editor also provides tools for an easy alignment of the elements. With the search and sort functions, the right parameter is quickly found. VisiWin Classic and Modern UI user interface types provide specific parameters to meet different visualization requirements.

One project – three tools. Choose your favorite.

Perfect Design with Blend.
How about applying your corporate design to your HMI? With customized buttons, navigation elements and high-quality images? There is a tool specializing in UI design: Blend for Microsoft Visual Studio. Even designers use it. Blend specializes in creating user interfaces with all the extras. UI elements with a customized look and behavior, complex animations and even 3D images are but a few of the many features of Blend.

Visual Studio for Sophisticated Logic.
Statistics, databases, mathematical operations, integration of third-party components, or even specific interactions with the user interface – the list of technical requirements for modern user interfaces is quite long. To face the challenge, another champion joins the team: Microsoft Visual Studio. Developers worldwide use this tool for any kind of programming task in Windows application development. The debugger alone will convince anyone who once searched for errors in scripts.

VisiWin for Perfect Results.
Seamless integration with VisiWin is possible since all three tools use the same project with identical files and folders. Just pick the best tool for each task and edit your project with the selected tool directly from VisiWin.

Collaborative Engineering Concept in Process Visualization

Large companies in particular often face the task of making collaboration on different levels as effient as possible. However, small mechanical engineering companies developing their HMIs together with engineering firms can benefit from the cooperative engineering concept of VisiWin, too.

The engineering concept is split up into two separate stages involving different experts working with the tool of their choice.

STAGE 1
The software engineer develops individual components in Visual Studio, where logic and design are highly customizable. The pre-built components are then loaded into the VisiWin components library.

STAGE 2
The HMI developer has access to the custom components included in the components library of the VisiWin designer and can use them along with the standard VisiWin components to create a high-quality user interface in accordance with the styleguide.

THE ADVANTAGES
- Takes teamwork to a higher level
- Both experts work in the environment that suits their skills
- Styling according to styleguide

In search of the right tool?

We don’t have screwdrivers. But we do have a powerful HMI/SCADA tool that combines total openness with numerous system functions.

You need more information and have specific questions? Attend our online presentation and discuss your individual task with our tech-savvy VisiWin experts.

It’s easy, uncomplicated and without any obligation!

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