Visualization Element 'Path3D'
Tag: Special controls
The visualization element Path3D graphically displays the curves of two independent records as a 3D path. It is specially designed for use with CODESYS SoftMotion CNC in order to display the trajectory of a machine tool or a robot. The programmed path (path) and the path actually traveled (track) is visualized.
Although the visualization element is designed for use with CODESYS SoftMotion CNC, it can also be used to display any other record. In this case the application must provide the path data. The sample application 3D Path Generator, which is available in the CODESYS Store, shows how these data can be generated.
If the element is used together with SoftMotion CNC, then function blocks from the library SM3_CNC_Visu help to generate the data from the path and track. These function blocks are used by the sample project CNC_File_3DPath, which is stored in the installation directory of CODESYS.
SMC_PathCopier
SMC_PathCopierCompleteQueue
SMC_PathCopierFile
SMC_PositionTracker
A description of the function blocks can be found in the Library Manager in the SM3_CNC_Visu library.
Note
The element does not work with the CODESYS HMI display variant.
See also
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Element name |
Example: GenElemInst_1 |
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Type of element |
Path3D |
The position defines the location and size of the element in the visualization window. These are based on the Cartesian coordinate system. The origin is located at the upper left corner of the window. The positive horizontal x-axis runs to the right. The positive vertical y-axis runs downwards.
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X |
X coordinate of the upper left corner of the element Specified in pixels. Example: 10. |
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Y |
Y coordinate of the upper left corner of the element Specified in pixels. Example: 10. |
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Width |
Specified in pixels. Example: 150 |
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Height |
Specified in pixels. Example: 30 |
Note
You can also change the values by dragging the box symbols (
) to other positions in the editor.
See also
|
Path data (VisuStruct3DTrack) |
Variable of the type VisuStruct3DTrack, which is declared in the IEC code. Example: PLC_PRG.pc.vs3dt. A description of the structure can be found in the library manager in the library VisuElem3DPath.library. The data structure describes a path or track through a certain number of points. The points are determined and buffered by the application. The track typically displays the last n positions, so that only a certain part of them is ever displayed at any one time. VisuStruct3DTrack.pProjection is a variable that is set by the visualization element and contains information about the path/track projection. It can be read (only) by the application. In addition, the methods Projection.Apply or .ApplyV can be used in order to see whether the transformed position lies inside or outside the visualization display area, which is defined by Projection.ElementRect. |
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Path color |
Color of the path drawn |
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Path line width |
Path line width in pixels, e.g.: "2" |
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Style of boundary points |
Display of the points between two successive objects in the path
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The track data are structured in exactly the same way as the path data: VisuStruct3DTrack
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Track data (VisuStruct3DTrack) |
Variable of the type VisuStruct3DTrack, which is declared in the IEC code. Example: PLC_PRG.pc.vs3dt. A description of the structure can be found in the library manager in the library VisuElem3DPath.library. |
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Track color |
Color of the track drawn |
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Track line width |
Track line width in pixels, e.g.: "2" |
The camera position for the 3D mode is controlled with a reference to the external data structure. This structure allows the following operations:
Shifting to the left/to the right/upwards/downwards
Rotation around the X/Y/Z axis
Resetting of the view at X/Y, Y/Z or Z/X level, so that the path and the track are completely visible.
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Control data (VisuStruct3DControl) |
Variable of the type VisuStruct3DControl, which is declared in the IEC code. Example: PLC_PRG.pc.vs3dc. A description of the structure can be found in the library manager in the library VisuElem3DPath. The values can be set via the application itself or via the visualization element ControlPanel. The library VisuElem3DPath contains ready-to-use visualization frames that provide a possible user interface for these data. |
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Coordinate system |
|
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Grid |
|
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Grid color |
Color of the grid lines |
Individual parts of the path can be visually highlighted. This is typically used to mark the already processed part of a track with a different color. Each point in the path is given a unique ID, which in the case of a CNC editor is linked with the object ID on which the point lies. This ID ("highlight ID") can be specified via the application so that dynamic elements/parts of the track can be highlighted.
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Highlight mode |
Select one of the following highlight modes:
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Variable |
Project variable that specifies the ID of an element. Example: PLC_PRG.iVarElementID. This "highlight ID" is taken into account for the setting of the highlight mode. The variable must be set in the IEC application. |
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Highlight color |
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Frame line width |
Width of the frame around the element, in pixels, for example: "1" |
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Frame line style |
Select one of these style types for the frame line:
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Transparent background |
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Background color |
These properties are available only when you select the Preview: Support client animations and overlay of native elements option in the Visualization Manager.
You can animate a movement, a rotation, and the visibility of a visualization element.
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Animation time |
Time that the element executes an animation (in milliseconds) Example: 500 |
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Move to the foreground |
Property value (BOOL) TRUE: At runtime, the element is displayed in the foreground. FALSE: At runtime, the element is displayed in the layer where it was inserted in the visualization editor. |
See also
Element property 'Access rights'
Requirement: User management is set up for the visualization.
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Access rights |
Opens the Access rights dialog. There you can edit the access privileges for the element. Status messages:
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See also
: The coordinate system is displayed
: The background of the element is displayed in the defined background color.