A coulple questions about GUI design...

[murphy625]

First,
I created an entire menu system in my Operator interface by using the LISTSETUP commands..
The user clicks on a choice and that pops up another list with more options for the users choice.
Anyone ever do something like this? Is this normal?

2nd.
When using the SLEEP command, does this command stop all code from running or just the current code being executed? And what about if a user clicks on something while the code is still processing the sleep timer?

3rd.
PICTURE command. I can not seem to get more than 1 picture to be placed on the screen with this command. I can change the picture, but it will only let me place 1 bmp file at a time. Am I doing something wrong or is this normal?

4th.
I am creating my own graphics (wife making me buttons) for use in the camsoft interface. She has made buttons (2 of each for Up and Down) positions. When a user clicks the button, I want the button to depress when the user clicks on it, and then pop back out. IE: ButtonUp.bmp and ButtonDwn.bmp. But how do I get it to do this smoothly?? Any suggestions? I tried using the sleep command but its not smooth.

Thanks for all the help..!! When I get the GUI finished, I will post screen shots of it!

Murphy

[Al_The_Man]

Did you download the extra BMP buttons that Camsoft posted?
Al

[Jim Cooper]

Murphy,

The first assumption is correct. The list box should pop up when you issue LISTPICK and wait until the user picks from the list. The selection will be stored in a variable.

I had to try several logic routines using the SLEEP command. I got mixed results in performance. It does seem to be waiting or sleeping the amount of time issued until the next command runs. However I found some logic on the Camsoft CD that used SLEEP and it works okay. But what I found that really worked while other stuff like buttons were running was this instead of SLEEP.
IF test THEN GOTO :LOOP
your logic here
:LOOP

The PICTURE command does only show 1 picture but Camsoft just answered my email to them today the latest version has the ability to tell the user the X,Y location of were you clicked on the picture which means you can have one picture that shows a row of images and you would be able to tell which image the user clicked on. I thought I was the only one that worked on Saturday.

I didn't have a chance to ask about what Al just said about downloading bitmaps but I have never been able to find a page to download them. I have got them before in a zip file.

I know that you are using the $495 factory automation software version and I have the CNC versions but the latest installation CD has more bitmaps every time I get an update. I have also made my own bitmaps of buttons and lights from photos I took of two of my other Allen Bradley and Fanuc controllers.

Jim C.

[murphy625]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Man Did you download the extra BMP buttons that Camsoft posted? Al

AL, thanks for the file.. However, I find most of the stock Camsoft graphics to be less than desireable. Some of them look very nice, and I plan on using the nice one's, but most look funky to me. (I am not into the cartoon look as I would describe it) I like the graphics that are an actual photo the best..

Besides, my wife is a webmaster, graphics expert and photoshop god. I just tell her what I want and she makes it.. (Lucky eh? LOL)

Thanks!!!
Murphy

[murphy625]

Originally Posted by Jim Cooper Murphy, The first assumption is correct. The list box should pop up when you issue LISTPICK and wait until the user picks from the list. The selection will be stored in a variable. I had to try several logic routines using the SLEEP command. I got mixed results in performance. It does seem to be waiting or sleeping the amount of time issued until the next command runs. However I found some logic on the Camsoft CD that used SLEEP and it works okay. But what I found that really worked while other stuff like buttons were running was this instead of SLEEP. IF test THEN GOTO :LOOP your logic here :LOOP The PICTURE command does only show 1 picture but Camsoft just answered my email to them today the latest version has the ability to tell the user the X,Y location of were you clicked on the picture which means you can have one picture that shows a row of images and you would be able to tell which image the user clicked on. I thought I was the only one that worked on Saturday. Jim C.

My LISTSETUP works perfectly... Did you know the following line can be used?

!LISTADD TIME \34

This will display the word TIME and then the variable \34 next to it within your selection list! I ran a loop so that the list updates with the timer file at 1 second. Now I can click a process that activates the LISTSETUP and put all the current process parameters into the list and have them updated by the timer.fil. (This command rocks)

I solved my Picture problem by using buttons as pictures and changing the bmp file that represents the button. 14 buttons to represent each of my 14 processes and when the user clicks the button, the ListSetup runs and displays all of the parameters for that process.

When I figued this all out and made it work, I was dancing around I was so happy..

Thanks for all the help.. I will play with the loop idea instead of the SLEEP command and let you know how it works out..

Murphy

[Al_The_Man]

Originally Posted by murphy625 AL, thanks for the file.. However, I find most of the stock Camsoft graphics to be less than desireable. Some of them look very nice, and I plan on using the nice one's, but most look funky to me. (I am not into the cartoon look as I would describe it)

Yeah, I am with you there, I don't like the 'Video Game' look alot of their graphics has. I prefer a more professional look, screens similar to alot of the off-the-shelf systems. Clean & functional
Al

[murphy625]

AL,

Would you happen to have a screen shot of one of those off the shelf, clean and functional interfaces?

I've never seen one before.. It would be nice to get a reference.

Thanks,
Murphy

[Al_The_Man]

I will try and post a couple.
Al