Proficy* HMI/SCADA - iFIX

TRENDING HISTORICAL DATA

Version 5.0
August 2008
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 Table of Contents
About This Guide ..............................................................................................................................1 
Reference Documents ..................................................................................................................1 
Introduction .......................................................................................................................................3 
How Historical Trending Works ....................................................................................................3 
Example of Historical Trending in Use .........................................................................................4 
Sample Application ...................................................................................................................4 
Interpreting Historical Data in the Sample ................................................................................6 
Getting Started..................................................................................................................................9 
Before You Begin..........................................................................................................................9 
Historical Data File Storage ..........................................................................................................9 
Historical Assign File Location..................................................................................................9 
Historical Collect File Location .................................................................................................9 
Using File Servers ..................................................................................................................10 
Starting and Stopping Data Collection .......................................................................................11 
Starting Historical Assign ........................................................................................................11 
Exiting Historical Assign .........................................................................................................12 
Starting Historical Collect .......................................................................................................12 
Stopping Collection .................................................................................................................12 
Enabling Historical Trending Security.........................................................................................13 
Overview Checklist .....................................................................................................................13 
Implementing Historical Trending ...................................................................................................15 
Assigning Blocks for Trending ....................................................................................................15 
Determine Which Blocks To Trend .........................................................................................15 
Application Example ...............................................................................................................15 
Creating a Collection Group .......................................................................................................18 
Defining a Collection Group........................................................................................................18 
Setting Historical Collect File Length ......................................................................................18 
Purging Historical Files ...........................................................................................................19 
Selecting a Node ....................................................................................................................19 
Selecting Tagnames for Trending ..........................................................................................20 
Entering a Qualifier Block for On/Off Collection State ............................................................20 
Entering a Data Collection Rate .............................................................................................20 
Phasing Data Collection .........................................................................................................21 
Entering a Deadband Limit for Data Collection ......................................................................23 

iii
 Suspending a Collection Group ..................................................................................................24 
Modifying a Collection Group .....................................................................................................24 
Deleting a Collection Group........................................................................................................25 
HTA Dialog Boxes ......................................................................................................................25 
Available Rate Phases Dialog Box .........................................................................................25 
Available Rate Values Dialog Box ..........................................................................................25 
Field Select Dialog Box ..........................................................................................................25 
Group Configuration Dialog Box .............................................................................................26 
Group Overlap Dialog Box ......................................................................................................28 
Node Select Dialog Box ..........................................................................................................28 
Tag Select Dialog Box ............................................................................................................29 
Tags Overlap Dialog Box ........................................................................................................30 
How Do I... ..................................................................................................................................30 
Accessing HTA .......................................................................................................................30 
Adding a New Collection Group .............................................................................................31 
Defining a Collection Group....................................................................................................31 
Selecting a SCADA Node to Communicate With ...................................................................31 
Selecting Tagnames for Trending ..........................................................................................32 
Adding a Qualifier Block .........................................................................................................32 
Entering a Data Collection Rate for the Selected Node .........................................................32 
Phasing a Data Collection Rate for the Selected Node..........................................................33 
Using Charts to Analyze Process Trends .......................................................................................35 
What is a Chart? .........................................................................................................................35 
Enhanced Charts ....................................................................................................................35 
Standard Charts......................................................................................................................35 
Adding Charts to Your Pictures ..............................................................................................35 
Comparing Standard Charts and Enhanced Charts ...................................................................36 
Plotting Different Types of Data..................................................................................................37 
Working with Standard Charts ....................................................................................................38 
Working with Standard Chart Properties ................................................................................38 
Defining General Standard Chart Properties ..........................................................................43 
Changing the Appearance of a Standard Chart .....................................................................47 
Animating Chart Properties ....................................................................................................54 
Working in the Run-time Environment ....................................................................................54 
Working with Enhanced Charts ..................................................................................................58 
Creating Statistical Process Control Charts ...........................................................................59 
Working with Enhanced Chart Properties ..............................................................................61 

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 Changing the Appearance of an Enhanced Chart..................................................................66 
Working in the Run-time Environment for Enhanced Charts .................................................73 
Performance Considerations and Limitations for Enhanced Charts ......................................77 
Exporting Data from an Enhanced Chart ...............................................................................77 
Displaying SQL Data ..................................................................................................................77 
Using the Chart Group Wizard .......................................................................................................79 
Displaying and Using the Chart Group Toolbar..........................................................................79 
Before You Begin Working with the Chart Group Wizard...........................................................80 
Understanding Charts and Pens ............................................................................................80 
Understanding Chart Group Files ...........................................................................................81 
Analyzing the Demonstration Picture .....................................................................................81 
Defining Pens in a Chart Group File ...........................................................................................82 
Adding, Modifying, Deleting, and Re-Ordering Pens..............................................................82 
Setting Pen Styles ..................................................................................................................83 
Setting Pen Properties ............................................................................................................84 
Historical Mode Options .........................................................................................................86 
Applying Changed Pen Configurations to a Chart..................................................................86 
How the Chart Group Wizard Works in Configuration Mode ......................................................86 
Applying the Chart Group Wizard to a Chart ..........................................................................87 
Configuring and Applying Chart Group Files ..............................................................................88 
Applying a Chart Group File to a Chart ..................................................................................88 
Applying a Default Chart Group File to a Chart ......................................................................89 
Displaying the Name of a Chart Group File ............................................................................90 
Preventing Run-time Changes to Chart Group Files ..............................................................90 
Saving Chart Group Files .......................................................................................................90 
How the Chart Group Wizard Works in Run Mode.....................................................................91 
Using Scripting with the Chart Group Wizard .............................................................................91 
Applying a Chart Group File Through Scripting......................................................................91 
Applying the Chart Group Wizard Through Scripting .............................................................92 
Properties Defined Through the Chart Group Wizard ............................................................92 
Examples of Using the Chart Group Wizard ..............................................................................93 
Example 1: Applying the Chart Group Wizard to a Chart .......................................................94 
Example 2: Modifying a Pen Definition ...................................................................................94 
Example 3: Applying a Chart Group File in Run Mode...........................................................95 
Example 4: Applying a Chart Group File on an Object's Click Event .....................................96 
Chart Group Wizard Dialog Boxes .............................................................................................96 
Apply Chart Group File Dialog Box.........................................................................................97 

v
 Apply Chart Group Wizard Dialog Box ...................................................................................98 
Chart Group Configuration Dialog Box ...................................................................................98 
Chart Group File Dialog Box.................................................................................................102 
How Do I... ................................................................................................................................102 
Getting Started......................................................................................................................102 
Working with Chart Group Files in Configuration Mode .......................................................105 
Working with the Chart Group Wizard in a Chart .................................................................108 
Working with Chart Group Files in Run Mode ......................................................................110 
Defining Pens .......................................................................................................................112 
Using Scripts with the Chart Group Wizard ..........................................................................114 
Troubleshooting ............................................................................................................................117 
Historical Assign and Historical Collect Messages...................................................................117 
ODBC Considerations ..............................................................................................................119 
Using ODBC Drivers to Query Historical Data .....................................................................119 
ODBC Access to Historical and Real-time Databases .........................................................120 

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About This Guide
The Trending Historical Data manual is intended for process control engineers and operators who are
responsible for analyzing real-time and historical data using iFIX®. The manual assumes knowledge
of the Microsoft Windows environment, and basic iFIX operations and concepts.

Reference Documents
For related information on iFIX, refer to the following manuals:
• Building a SCADA System
• Understanding iFIX
• Setting Up the Environment
• Creating Pictures

1
Introduction
Historical Trending provides an automatic, comprehensive, and long-term means of sampling, storing,
and displaying process data. Once data is collected from SCADA servers (or SCADA nodes), you can
examine the data in an object-oriented chart in the Proficy iFIX WorkSpace.
With Historical Trending set up to collect process data, you have a powerful tool to help you:
• Analyze process trends.
• Archive process variables to meet federal regulations.
• Monitor the efficiency of products.
• Maintain equipment.
• Analyze post-process data.
iFIX® lets you configure both historical and real-time pens in the same chart, and gives you the ability
to assign multiple time ranges for each pen. There is no limit to the number of pens you can add to
your charts.
Other features of charts include:
• Complete iFIX object color and style properties for each pen.
• Multiple X and Y axis configuration.
• Zoom capability in the run-time environment.
• Left-to-right and right-to-left scrolling of real-time data.
• Tool tips time cursor that shows the time and date of a point in a trend.
• The use of an expression as a data source for real-time pens.
• Configuration and property adjustment in the run-time environment.
The features cited in the above list are covered fully in the Using Charts to Analyze Process Trends
chapter.

How Historical Trending Works

Historical Trending consists of the following elements:
Historical Assign – defines your collection strategy. Here you define:

• The tagnames (or data sources) from which you want to collect data. The tagnames
are organized into collection groups.
• Collection parameters for each collection group (node, rate, phase, qualifier, status,
and tags).
• Length of the historical files in hours and how long the files are stored on the
collection server's hard disk.
Historical Collect – collects data on all tagnames assigned to each active collection group.

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Trending Historical Data

Chart – displays historical and real-time data as an iFIX object in the Proficy iFIX WorkSpace.

Historical Assign gathers process data from local and remote SCADA servers, configures the data for
collection at a specified rate, and stores the data in collection groups. Historical Collect then collects
the data and stores it in historical data files on SCADA servers running iFIX. The data is then retrieved
and displayed in a chart in the Proficy iFIX WorkSpace.

Example of Historical Trending in Use

The following is an example of how Historical Trending can be applied to collected data on a local
server and provide a process record:
• Sample Application
• Interpreting Historical Data in the Sample

Sample Application
If you want to monitor the temperature of a heated tank, the most crucial points of the application are
the I/O points that:
• Receive data from the sensor measuring the tank's current temperature.
• Monitor the setpoint value.
Refer to the following figure.

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 Trending Historical Data

Collecting Process Data

An Analog Input block, AI_TEMP, on the SCADA server monitoring a tank's temperature, receives
input from a sensor in the tank. AI_TEMP's current value is an important point to trend because it
provides a historical record of the tank's temperature.
An Analog Output block, AO_CNTL, sends setpoint values to the PLC that controls the tank's heater.
AO_CNTL's current value is an important I/O point to trend because Historical Trending can record
how closely the actual tank temperatures compare to the setpoint values that are sent to the PLC.
In a normal operation, the trend display for both AI_TEMP and AO_CNTL should be similar because
the input values for AI_TEMP will match the output values for AO_CNTL (thereby maintaining an
even temperature).
The following figure shows how data collected on these two blocks appears during normal operation.

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Trending Historical Data

Example of a Normal Process

If the heater in the tank failed, the setpoint value (sent to the PLC) from AO_CNTL would not change
the tank temperature to the desired temperature. The following figure shows how data collected by
Historical Trending may appear in this situation.

Example of an Abnormal Process

Interpreting Historical Data in the Sample

The display shown in the Sample Application section presents a situation where the input value
trended from AI_TEMP fell while AO_CNTL's setpoint value remained constant. While looking at this
data in a chart, you can determine if:
• There is a break in the communication between the PC to the PLC.
• The heater in the tank is defective and cannot maintain the temperature.
• An external factor is affecting the heater and needs to be examined.

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 Trending Historical Data

The important points illustrated in this example are that Historical Trending:
• Provides a permanent record of your process that you can use to track process inconsistencies.
• Allows you to compare process inconsistencies to product quality produced during the events.
• Allows you to display collected data from other processes with data collected from a similar
process.

7
Getting Started
This chapter details how to begin trending real-time and historical data. It also introduces the concepts
of historical data files and their storage. The sections in this chapter include:
• Before You Begin
• Historical Data File Storage
• Starting and Stopping Data Collection
• Enabling Historical Trending Security
• Overview Checklist

Before You Begin

Before you start to assign and collect data, you should consider the following:
• Have you installed iFIX and configured it correctly?
• Have you verified that your historical data paths in the SCU are correct?
• Have you configured your database so you can access data?
• Are you familiar with the Proficy iFIX WorkSpace and the nature of object-oriented graphics?
For more information on configuring and managing iFIX, refer to the Setting up the Environment and
Understanding iFIX manuals. For more information on database configuration, refer to the Building a
SCADA System manual.

Historical Data File Storage

Data collected by Historical Collect is stored in the historical data path defined in the SCU. Each node
that data is collected from has its own subdirectory beneath the historical data path.
Refer to the following sections for more information about historical data file storage:
• Historical Assign File Location
• Historical Collect File Location
• Using File Servers

Historical Assign File Location

Historical Assign creates a file for each collection group in the historical data path. The following is an
example of the format using the default system path:
C:\Program Files\GE Fanuc\Proficy iFIX\HTR\HTRGRP01.DAT

Historical Collect File Location

Historical Collect files reside in the Historical data path. The following is an example of the format

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Trending Historical Data

using the default system path:

C:\Program Files\GE Fanuc\Proficy iFIX\HTRDATA\nodename\YYMMDDHH.H04

where YY is the year, MM is the month, DD is the day, and HH is the hour (a four-hour file is shown
in this example).
Historical Collect can be configured to start automatically and run on any node. Refer to the Setting up
the Environment manual for more information on running Historical Collect automatically.

Using File Servers

An optional way to store Historical Collect files is to save them on a file server. Using a file server to
store historical data files requires a few adjustments to your configuration:
• Because each node running Historical Collect has a subdirectory named after it (in which it
stores its own historical collect data files), unique node names must be assigned to all nodes
running Historical Collect. Using different node names will prevent a node running Historical
Collect from overwriting another node's historical data files.
• A node must specify the path of the file server it needs to access in order to display historical
data in a chart. This historical data path is configured in the SCU. Refer to the Configuring
iFIX Using the SCU chapter in the Setting up the Environment manual to set up directory
paths in the SCU.

File Servers

In the previous example, the paths to the file server (F:) are set to separate directory paths.
Avoid specifying THISNODE as the data source node name in Historical Assignment when you
collect historical data on a file server. While iFIX can collect historical data from the local node when
THISNODE is used, the chart used to display the data cannot determine on which node the data
resides.
You can access your historical data files while Historical Collect is writing to them. For example, a
chart in a picture can access recently-collected data depending on how you configure the chart
properties. Likewise, the iFIX Backup and Restore Wizard can back up your historical data files while

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 Trending Historical Data

the Historical Collect is writing data to the file.

NOTE: We do not recommend backing up historical data files while data is being collected because
you may lose data or back up an old obsolete file. Instead, shut down iFIX prior to backing up your
historical data files.

Starting and Stopping Data Collection

Before you can start collecting data, you must assign specific database tags to trend using Historical
Assign. Refer to the Implementing Historical Trending chapter for more information on how to do this.
The follow sections show you the basics of starting and stopping Historical Assign and Historical
Collect:
• Starting Historical Assign
• Exiting Historical Assign
• Starting Historical Collect
• Stopping Collection

Starting Historical Assign

You can start Historical Assign by clicking the HTA button on the Application toolbar (Classic view),
or from the Proficy iFIX WorkSpace system tree, by opening the Historical Configuration folder and
selecting Historical Assignment. In the following example, the Historical Assign window has been
configured to include node COLLECT2, which has a collection rate of 30 seconds, a phase of 0
seconds, and an active status. All of the Historical Assign parameters are described later in this
chapter.

Historical Assign Window

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Trending Historical Data

Exiting Historical Assign

When you want to exit Historical Assign, select Exit from the File menu.
After you create a historical collection group with Historical Assign, you can start collecting data.
When you start Historical Collect, it retrieves data from the tags assigned in Historical Assign.
NOTE: If you add or delete a tag from a database that is currently being collected, Historical Collect
resolves all the links to that database. This can cause a gap in collected data for all tags being trended
in that database.

Starting Historical Collect

To start Historical Collect, select Mission Control from the Proficy iFIX WorkSpace and click the
HTC tab. Click Start to begin collecting data. The Historical Collect tabbed page displays the number
of overruns since collection started. Overruns are described later in this section.
You can also start Historical Collect automatically using the Task Configuration of the SCU. For more
information on configuring tasks, refer to the Configuring Startup Tasks section of the Setting up the
Environment manual.
If you want the Historical Collect application that you added to the task list to start as a service under
Windows, you must enable iFIX to run as a service. After you do this, if you log out of Windows,
Historical Collect will continue to collect data. For more information on configuring iFIX to run as a
service under Windows, refer to the Running iFIX as a Service section of the Setting up the
Environment manual.

Overruns

When Historical Collect cannot collect all of the data at the rate specified, a historical collect overrun
can occur. When an overrun occurs, values for some tagnames in the group are not collected at the
configured rate. Temporary conditions such as heavy network traffic, network upsets or off-line nodes
can cause overruns.
However, a repeated number of overruns may indicate that the phase value for the group needs
adjustment. You can prevent overruns by phasing the data collection rate. Refer to the Defining a
Collection Group section for information on phasing to prevent overruns.

Stopping Collection
To stop collection for all groups, click Stop on the HTC tabbed page in Mission Control.
NOTE: If you make any changes to a collection group in Historical Assign after you start Historical
Collect, you must stop and restart Historical Collect so that the system can read the new configuration.

System Shutdown

If you shut down iFIX, data is not collected or written to historical data files. Historical data files will
contain data before the shutdown, and collection will resume when you restart Historical Collect. You
can also continue to collect historical data after shutdown by running Historical Collect as a
background task. Refer to the Starting Historical Collect section for more service task information.

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 Trending Historical Data

Enabling Historical Trending Security

Depending on the account privileges assigned to a user, certain Historical Trending functions may be
disabled or enabled. User account privileges are configured in the Security Configuration program.
The Historical Trending application features that you can enable for a user account are described in the
following table.

Historical Trending Application Features

The application Allows the user to...

feature...

Historical Trend Assign Configure Historical Assign.

Background Task Exit Stop any background task, such as Historical Collect.

WorkSpace Configure Control a chart in the configuration environment.

WorkSpace Runtime View a chart in the run-time environment.

WorkSpace Runtime Exit Exit the run-time environment.

Task Switching Switch between Historical Assign and the Proficy iFIX
WorkSpace.

Refer to the Implementing Security manual for more information on applying security provisions using
iFIX.

Overview Checklist
The following list outlines the process for setting up and running Historical Trending.

To set up and run Historical Trending:

1. Configure the SCU and your database and historical paths.

2. Assign database blocks for trending and specify the parameters for collection.
3. Start historical collection.
4. Add a chart to the Proficy iFIX WorkSpace, and configure the chart to display the data you
collected.
5. Run the chart in the Proficy iFIX WorkSpace to view the collected data.

13
Implementing Historical Trending
This chapter helps you implement a strategy to effectively trend historical data using Historical Assign
and Historical Collect. It includes the following sections:
• Assigning Blocks for Trending
• Creating a Collection Group
• Defining a Collection Group
• Suspending a Collection Group
• Modifying a Collection Group
• Deleting a Collection Group

Assigning Blocks for Trending

The first step in implementing Historical Trending is selecting database blocks (or tags) with Historical
Assign. In Historical Assign you create a group of tagnames called a collection group. This group
identifies specific database blocks that contain process data that you want to trend. The following
sections show you how to:
• Select database blocks for a collection group.
• Use Historical Assign to set up the group to collect process data and store it in historical data
files.

Determine Which Blocks To Trend

To effectively configure Historical Assign, you must develop a group that collects meaningful process
data. If you assign blocks in Historical Assign that monitor critical process points, you can later create
charts that let you view useful trends of your process, either from one or multiple process areas.
You can also plot pens from different groups in the same chart. Therefore, review the database that
monitors your process to determine which blocks you need to trend.

Application Example
In the application example in the Introduction, both AI_TEMP and AO_CNTL are associated. They
contain, respectively, real-time data on the actual temperature of the tank and the setpoint values that
the SCADA node sent to the PLC to control the tank's temperature. In this example, trending data from
each block provided a meaningful process record when examining the history of a process. The
following figure illustrates this example.

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Trending Historical Data

Trending Data From One Process

In another application, suppose you have three tanks for which you want to collect process data. You
can collect data on all the Analog Input blocks that receive temperature input and the Analog Output
blocks that return setpoint values to the PLC to control the tanks' temperatures. The following figure
illustrates this setup.

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 Trending Historical Data

Trending Data From Multiple Processes

Once historical data is collected on a number of important database blocks, you can create charts that
allow you to analyze your process from a number of perspectives.
For example, using the information in the preceding figure, you can display historical data on how:
• Real-time input values from each tank compared to each tank's output value.
• Inputs varied from tank to tank.
• Outputs from the SCADA servers varied from tank to tank.
For detailed information on how to use charts, refer to the Using Charts to Analyze Process Trends
chapter.
Whatever you require from trending historical or real-time data, Historical Trending allows you to
assign, collect, display, and compare specific process trends to improve your process. It also gives you
control at all levels, from changing the collection length in Historical Assign to changing chart
properties at run-time.

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Trending Historical Data

Creating a Collection Group

The following is a summary of the tasks required to create a collection group.

To create a collection group:

1. In Historical Assign, on the Group menu, click Add, or double-click the next available group
number or row. The Group Configuration dialog box appears.
2. Select the node containing the blocks from which you want data collected.
3. Specify an optional qualifier block that determines when the data collection state for the
group is on or off.
4. Select a data collection rate for how often you want data collected.
5. Select a phase value to disperse the data collection load over time and prevent overruns.
6. Select the tagnames for data collection.
7. Enter a deadband limit to filter out process fluctuations.
8. Save the collection group.

Defining a Collection Group

You can create a new historical collection group by selecting Add from the Group menu. You can also
modify an existing group by double-clicking that group from the Historical Assign window.
The following sections detail the tasks involved in establishing a collection group file:
• Setting Historical Collect File Length
• Purging Historical Files
• Selecting a Node
• Selecting Tagnames for Trending
• Entering a Qualifier Block for On/Off Collection State
• Entering a Data Collection Rate
• Phasing Data Collection
• Entering a Deadband Limit for Data Collection

Setting Historical Collect File Length

You can specify the length of each historical data collection file for all collection groups.
The collection length button choices are based on a 24 hour clock:

For the collection length... New files start at...

4 Hour 0:00, 4:00, 8:00, 12:00, 16:00, and 20:00

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 Trending Historical Data

For the collection length... New files start at...

8 Hour 0:00, 8:00, and 16:00

24 Hour 0:00 (midnight)

NOTE: For very active process loops where values are rapidly changing, we recommend shorter
collection file lengths of 4 or 8 hours. Conversely, for process loops where values are not fluctuating
as often, set a 24-hour file length.

When you change the collection length, you must save the Historical Assign file for the changes to
take effect. Also, if you change the collection length while Historical Collect is running, you must stop
and restart Historical Collect so that the system can read the new setting and create files accordingly.
NOTE: When you start Historical Collect, the first data file only records data from the start time until
the end of the next data collection interval. For example, if you start historical collection at 12:25PM,
and enter a collection rate of 4 hours, a file is created for the 12:00 to 4:00 period, but the file only
contains data starting at 12:25PM.

Purging Historical Files

Often times you may have historical files on your local machine that you don't use any more, or that
are taking up extra disk space on your collection node. For this reason, you may want to prevent
unwanted files from storing on your machine by automatically purging them. Historical Assign lets
you do this with ease.
To purge old historical data files for all collection groups, select the Automatically Purge Data Files
After Days check box. In the Days field, enter the number of days you want data to be saved before it
is automatically purged. The valid entries for saving data are from 2 to 200 days. File purging occurs at
midnight, 00:00 hours, or when Historical Collect starts for the first time in a day.
If you deselect the Automatically Purge Data Files After Days check box, old data files are not purged
and remain on your collection node. When you change the purge setting, you must save the new setting
for the change to take effect. You must also stop and restart Historical Collect.
NOTE: Before historical data files are purged, you can remove the files from the collection node's
hard disk and copy them to a back-up disk for future use.

Selecting a Node
In order to begin collecting data, you must enter the SCADA node that contains the tagnames for the
collection group.

Using a Local Node Alias

The local node alias feature in Historical Trending allows you to enter the THISNODE placeholder for
the node portion of a tag, thereby permitting you to share historical collection groups among nodes.
To use this feature, select THISNODE from the list in the Node Select dialog box. When you select
this option, historical data is stored in a HTRDATA path in the local node's directory.
For examples of how local node alias works and a complete description of the feature, refer to the
Local Node Alias section of the Mastering iFIX manual.

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Trending Historical Data

Selecting Tagnames for Trending

You must also enter the tagnames that you want to trend from the selected node.
NOTE: Only floating point fields (F_) can be trended.

Entering a Qualifier Block for On/Off Collection State

You can specify an optional qualifier block to collect data for a specific interval when process data has
changed. For example, if your plant is temporarily down for maintenance, you can specify that data not
be collected for that period. In the Qualifier field, enter the tagname of the block that determines when
the data collection state for the group is on or off.
The Qualifier block is usually a Digital Input or Digital Output block. You cannot use a Digital
Register block as a qualifier block. When the digital block changes from Open to Close, data collection
starts for the group. When the digital block changes from Close to Open, data collection stops.
If the qualifier block is a block other than a digital block, then a value of 0 stops collection. Any value
other than 0 starts collection.
If a non-digital block is assigned as a qualifier, the following message appears:
The qualifier is not a digital point. Use anyway?

You must then choose either to create the block anyway, or cancel out of the message dialog box.
If a non-existent block is assigned as a qualifier, the following message appears:
This qualifier not found in database. Use anyway?

You must then choose either to create the block anyway, or cancel out of the message dialog box.
When you start Historical Collect, an operator message is generated warning that the qualifier is not
found.

Entering a Data Collection Rate

Using the Rate field, you can define how often values are to be collected for the tagnames in the
collection group.
The following table lists valid collection rates.

Valid Collection Rates

Rate Time

1s 1 Second

2s 2 Seconds

10s 10 Seconds

20s 20 Seconds

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 Trending Historical Data

Valid Collection Rates

Rate Time

30s 30 Seconds

1m 1 Minute

2m 2 Minutes

10m 10 Minutes

20m 20 Minutes

30m 30 Minutes

The Rate field has a default value of 30 seconds.

IMPORTANT: We recommend a minimum collection rate of ten seconds for remote nodes.

NOTE: The collection rate operates off the system's clock time rather than when Historical Collect is
started. That is, time increments (hours, minutes, and seconds) for clock time are maintained from
midnight (00:00:00) to the present. So no matter when you start Historical Collect, the rate function
runs off the system's clock and begins its collection process in relation to the clock's setting.

Phasing Data Collection

Phasing offsets the collection process for a group by a specified amount of time. When collection
starts, it waits for the phase period to elapse once. Thereafter, data is collected according to the rate
defined for the group.

Preventing Overruns

The main benefit of phasing collection rates when you collect data is to prevent overruns. An overrun
occurs when Historical Collect cannot collect all the data at the rate specified.

Phasing Examples

If you assign a phase time of 2 seconds and a rate time of 10 seconds, then once collection starts data
will be collected at 2 seconds, 12 seconds, 22 seconds, 32 seconds and every 10 seconds thereafter.

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Trending Historical Data

System Clock Showing Phasing

Here is another example of phasing used when collecting data from two nodes and four collection
groups:
A node is collecting data from a group of 80 tagnames on node A and a group of 80 tagnames on node
B. You can phase the collection to collect data on 60 tagnames from node A, and then 60 tagnames
from node B. You can then phase the collection to collect data on another 20 tagnames from node A
and node B. This phase configuration would be entered as follows:

Node Tags Time

Node A tags 1 - 60 phase 2 seconds

Node B tags 1 - 60 phase 4 seconds

Node A tags 61 - 80 phase 6 seconds

Node B tags 61 - 80 phase 8 seconds

In this example, the task of collecting data for all tagnames is distributed over a period of 8 seconds.
In iFIX, the phase value choices are in two-second increments from 0 to 58 seconds. The default value
is 0 seconds. The phase value you enter must always be smaller than that entered in the Rate field.
Historical Trending uses less CPU time to process one group containing 80 tagnames than it does to
process eight different groups with ten tagnames per group. Therefore, phasing can be an effective
strategy to save disk space and make data collection more efficient.

Enabling Phasing During the First Minute of Data Collection

To enable phasing during the first minute of data collection, you must create a new registry subkey.

To create a new registry subkey:

1. Click the Start button, and then click Run. The Run dialog box appears.
2. In the Open field, type regedit.
3. Click OK. The Registry Editor appears.

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 Trending Historical Data

4. Open the following key folder:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\FIX32\BrowseTree\Local Node\Historical Assignment

5. Create a new DWORD Value called initphase.

6. Double-click initphase.
7. In the Value data field, type 1.
8. Click OK.

Entering a Deadband Limit for Data Collection

Using a deadband limit is a convenient and powerful way to compress data. During times when
process values change by insignificant amounts, the deadband limit can improve system performance
and decrease the amount of disk space used by historical data files. It does so by controlling how much
the current value can deviate from the last recorded value before Historical Collect records the new
value in the historical data file.
For example, if a limit value for a specific tagname is 1.000, then a value change of 1.000 or greater is
required before Historical Collect saves the new value. Any new values less than 1.000 are not saved.
To limit the amount of data recorded by Historical Collect, enter a deadband limit in the Limit field.
The default value is 0.5.
NOTE: If the limit value is 0, the system saves every sample. Because of this, tagnames with a limit
value of 0 use the maximum amount of disk space.

The following figure illustrates how setting the Limit field reduces the amount of data collected by
Historical Collect. In this example the Limit field is set to 2.5. Of the 16 data points shown, only three
are recorded by Historical Collect. Data points within the shaded areas are not recorded because they
fall within the 2.5 deadband limit.

Deadband Limit Example

Let's take another look at the figure. The first recorded value shown is 50. Therefore, the next value
that Historical Collect records must be greater than or equal to 52.5, or less than or equal to 47.5.
The second value recorded is 54. The deadband limit now applies to the current value of 54. Therefore,
the third value that Historical Collect records must be greater than or equal to 56.5, or less than or
equal to 51.5.

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Trending Historical Data

Finally, the third value recorded is 51. The deadband limit now applies to the current recorded value of
51.

Estimating Required Disk Space

To obtain an estimate of how much disk space you will need to store historical data for a specific
number of collection groups, use the following formula:
File size in bytes = (3500 x A) + ((8 x B) x C)
A – the number of groups collected for the file.
B – the average number of tagnames per collection group.
C – the number of values written to the file for all collection groups.
For example, Historical Assign is configured to collect data on 2 groups at a rate of one minute, in 4-
hour files. One group consists of 80 tagnames and the other 20. In this case, the values for A, B, and C
are as follows:

Variable Value Calculation

A 2 2 groups collected per file.

B 50 Average = (80+20)/2=50

C 480 60 values/hour x 4 hours x 2 groups = 480

Insert these values into the file size formula to compute an estimate of how much disk space is required
to store the historical data:
(3500 x 2) + ((8 x 50) x 480) = 199,000 bytes
Therefore, this configuration uses approximately 200K for every 4-hour file.
NOTE: This formula assumes that the values exceed the tolerance at each scan period, and therefore
provides only rough estimates. Depending on your database configuration, the results may differ.

Suspending a Collection Group

In Historical Assign, you can suspend a collection group temporarily. For example, if current data is
unimportant to you, or the data is taking up too much disk space on your system, you may want to
make that data inactive. To suspend a collection group, select Deactivate from the Group menu and
restart Historical Collect.
To reactivate a group, select the group and then select Activate from the Group menu. Again, restart
Historical Collect.

Modifying a Collection Group

If you want to change the collection parameters for a group at a later date, select the group in Historical
Assign and double-click it or select Modify from the Group menu. Make changes to the group in the
Group Configuration dialog box.

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 Trending Historical Data

NOTE: If you make changes to a collection group in Historical Assign (such as adding new tags to a
group) after you have started Historical Collect, you must stop and restart Historical Collect so that
the system can read the new configuration.

Deleting a Collection Group

If you want to delete a group, select the group in Historical Assign and then select Delete from the
Group menu. The following message appears:
"Are you sure you want to delete this group?"

Click Yes to delete the collection group, or No to cancel the deletion.

HTA Dialog Boxes

The Historical Trend Assign (HTA) application includes the following dialog boxes (listed in
alphabetical order):
• Available Rate Phases Dialog Box
• Available Rate Values Dialog Box
• Field Select Dialog Box
• Group Configuration Dialog Box
• Group Overlap Dialog Box
• Node Select Dialog Box
• Tag Select Dialog Box
• Tags Overlap Dialog Box

Available Rate Phases Dialog Box

In the HTA application, the Available Rate Phases dialog box allows you to specify how often the
system distributes the data collection load. The list displays the available rate phase values that you can
choose from.
The default is 0 seconds.

Available Rate Values Dialog Box

In the HTA application, the Available Rate Values dialog box allows you to select how often you want
data collected for the block tagnames in the collection group. The list displays the available rate values
that you can choose from.
The default data collection rate is 30 seconds.

Field Select Dialog Box

Allows you to select a node, tag, and field combination. To select a node and tag, you can use one of
three methods:
• Select a node from the Node Selection list box, a tag from the Tag Selection list box, a field

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Trending Historical Data

from the Field Selection list box, and click OK.

• Type a node, tag, and field combination in the Selection field using the node:tag.field format.
• Use the asterisk wildcard character to filter through the network for a specific node, tag, and
field combination.
NOTE: Only nodes configured in the System Configuration Utility (SCU) appear in the Node
Selection list box.

The Field Select dialog box in HTA displays the following items:

Node, Tag, and Field Selection List Boxes

Displays the names of all valid fields for the selected node and tag. If you filter the list, the list box
displays all the fields that match the specified filter.

Filter Field

Allows you to search for a specific tagname in the Node, Tag, and Field Select dialog boxes.
Use the asterisk wildcard character in combination with the Filter button to search for a specific
selection quickly and easily. To search for a tagname, type the search specification in the Filter field
and select the Filter button.

Filter Button

Allows you to search for a specific tagname in the Node, Tag, and Field Select dialog boxes.
Use the asterisk wildcard character in combination with the Filter field to search for a specific tagname
quickly and easily. To search for a tagname, type the search specification in the Filter field and select
the Filter button.

Group Configuration Dialog Box

The Group Configuration dialog box in HTA displays the following items:

Node

Allows you to identify the node that contains the tagnames you want to trend. Select the browse (...)
button to choose from a list of nodes using the Node Select dialog box.

Rate

Allows you to select how often you want data collected for the block tagnames in the collection group.
The default data collection rate is 30 seconds. Select the browse (...) button to choose from a list of
available rate values.

Qualifier

Specifies an optional database block that determines when data collection for this group is on or off.
When the block's value is non-zero, data collection on. When the value is zero, data collection is off.
Select the browse (...) button to choose a tag using the Tag Select dialog box.

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 Trending Historical Data

Phase

Allows you to specify how often the system distributes the data collection load. The default is 0
seconds. Select the browse (...) button to choose from a list of available rate phases.

Add, Modify, and Delete Buttons

Allow you to manage the database block tagnames that this collection group uses during data
collection. Each is described below:

Button Description

Add Adds a new tagname to the Tagname list box. Type or select the appropriate tagname
in the Tagname field and select the Add button.

Modify Modifies an existing tagname. Select the tagname from the Tagname list box, make
the changes in the Tagname field, and select the Modify button to record the change.

Delete Removes a tagname from the Tagname list box. Select the tagname you want to
delete and select the Delete button.

Tagname List Box

Displays the tagnames of the database blocks that this collection group uses during data collection.

Tagname Edit Box

Displays the name of the currently selected tagname that you are adding, modifying, or deleting from
the Tagname list box. You can type tagnames into this field in the following format:
node:tag.field

where:
node is the name of the node that contains the database;
tag is the database block name; and
field is the specific field of the database block.
You can also click the browse (...) button to access the Field Select dialog box and search through the
network for a particular tagname.

Limit

Allows you to enter a deadband limit that compresses the amount of data recorded by Historical
Collect. The amount you enter in the Limit field determines by how much the current collection value
must deviate from the last recorded value for the system to record the value in the historical data file.
The default limit is within 0.5 of the last recorded value for each tag.

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Trending Historical Data

Group Overlap Dialog Box

In the HTA application, the Group Overlap dialog box allows you to replace, merge, or revert existing
group data when you open a new group.

Use New Group

Select this option to use the groups in your new .csv file.

Use Old Group

Select this option to use the groups in the .csv file that you had opened previously, instead of opening
the new .csv file.

Merge

Merge the new and old .csv files into a new file.

Use New Group Parameters

If you select this check box, the parameters from the new group apply to the merge.

Apply to All Groups

Select this check box to apply to all groups.

Node Select Dialog Box

Allows you to select a node from where data will be collected. To select a node, you can use one of
three methods:
• Select a node from the Node Selection list box and click OK.
• Type a node name in the Selection field.
• Use the asterisk wildcard character to search through the network for a specific node.
NOTE: Only nodes configured in the System Configuration Utility (SCU) appear in the Node
Select dialog box.

The Node Select dialog box in HTA displays the following items:

Filter

Allows you to search for a specific tagname in the Node, Tag, and Field Select dialog boxes.
Use the asterisk wildcard character in combination with the Filter button to search for a specific
selection quickly and easily. To search for a tagname, type the search specification in the Filter field
and select the Filter button.

Node List Box

Displays the names of all nodes configured in the System Configuration Utility (SCU). If you filter the
list, the list box displays all the nodes that match the specified filter.

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 Trending Historical Data

Filter Button

Allows you to search for a specific tagname in the Node, Tag, and Field Select dialog boxes.
Use the asterisk wildcard character in combination with the Filter field to search for a specific tagname
quickly and easily. To search for a tagname, type the search specification in the Filter field and select
the Filter button.

Selection

Displays the name of the selected node.

Tag Select Dialog Box

Allows you to select a node and tag combination. To select a node and tag, you can use one of three
methods:
• Select a node from the Node Selection list box, a tag from the Tag Selection list box, and
click OK.
• Type a node and tag combination in the Selection field.
• Use the asterisk wildcard character to search through the network for a specific node and tag
combination.
NOTE: Only nodes configured in the System Configuration Utility (SCU) appear in the Node
Selection list box.

The Tag Select dialog box in HTA displays the following items:

Filter Fields

Allows you to search for a specific tagname in the Node, Tag, and Field Select dialog boxes.
Use the asterisk wildcard character in combination with the Filter button to search for a specific
selection quickly and easily. To search for a tagname, type the search specification in the Filter field
and select the Filter button.

Node Selection List Box

Displays the names of all nodes configured in the System Configuration Utility (SCU). If you filter the
list, the list box displays all the nodes that match the specified filter.

Tag Selection List Box

Displays the names of all tags configured on the selected node. If you filter the list, the list box
displays all the tags that match the specified filter.

Filter Button

Allows you to search for a specific tagname in the Node, Tag, and Field Select dialog boxes.
Use the asterisk wildcard character in combination with the Filter field to search for a specific tagname
quickly and easily. To search for a tagname, type the search specification in the Filter field and select
the Filter button.

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Trending Historical Data

Selection

Displays the name of the selected tagname. To select a specific tagname without using the Filter
button, type the name in the Selection field and click OK.

Tags Overlap Dialog Box

In the HTA application, the Tags Overlap dialog box allows you to replace, merge, or revert existing
tags when you open a new group.

Use New Deadband Values

Select this option to replace old deadband values with newer ones.

Apply to All Groups

Select this check box to apply to all groups.

How Do I...
The following sections explain the steps that you can perform in the Historical Trend Assign (HTA)
program:
• Accessing HTA
• Adding a New Collection Group
• Defining a Collection Group File
• Selecting a SCADA Node to Communicate With
• Selecting Tagnames for Trending
• Adding a Qualifier Block
• Entering a Data Collection Rate for the Selected Node
• Phasing a Data Collection Rate for the Selected Node

Accessing HTA

To access HTA:

In Classic view, from the iFIX WorkSpace, on the toolbar, click the HTA button.

NOTE: HTA cannot be accessed from the Ribbon in Ribbon view. To access HTA, use one of
the following methods.

- Or -

From the iFIX WorkSpace system tree, open the Historical Configuration folder and selecting
Historical Assignment. Double-click the Historical Assignment item to open the HTA window.

- Or -

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 Trending Historical Data

From Draw, on the Apps menu, click Historical Assign.

Adding a New Collection Group

To add a new collection group:

1. In Historical Assign, on the Group menu, click Add, or double-click the next available group
number or row. The Group Configuration dialog box appears.
2. Select the node containing the block tagnames that you want data collected on.
3. Specify a qualifier block that determines when the data collection state for the group is on or
off.
4. Select a data collection rate for how often you want data collected.
5. Select a phase value to spread out the data collection load over time and prevent overruns.
6. Select the block tagnames for data collection.
7. Enter a deadband limit to filter out process fluctuations.
8. Click Save Changes to save the collection group configuration.

Defining a Collection Group

To define a collection group:

1. In the Historical Assign window, select the 4-hour, 8-hour, or 24-hour button to specify a
collection length for all defined collection groups.
2. Select the Automatically Purge Data check box to enable the automatic purge rate.
3. In the Days field, enter the amount of time that you want to store the historical data files
before they are purged.
Valid values range from 2 to 200 days. File purging occurs at midnight (0:00 hours), or when
Historical Collection is started for the first time in a day.

4. Save your changes.

Selecting a SCADA Node to Communicate With

To select a SCADA node to communicate with:

1. In Historical Assign, on the Group menu, click Add. The Group Configuration dialog box
appears.
2. Click the browse (...) button in the Node field. The Node Select dialog box appears.
3. In the Node Select dialog box, select a node from the list. The node is entered in the Selection
field.
• TIP: To search the node list for a particular node, enter characters in the Filter field. For
example, to search the list for all nodes that begin with the letter T, type T* and then click
Filter, or press ENTER.

4. Click OK. The node is entered in the Node field in the Group Configuration dialog box.

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Trending Historical Data

NOTE: All tagnames in a collection group must be located on the same node. You can assign
up to 80 tagnames to a collection group.

Selecting Tagnames for Trending

To select tagnames for trending:

1. In Historical Assign, on the Group menu, click Add. The Group Configuration dialog box
appears.
2. In the Tagname field, enter the tagname of the data source you want to trend.
To choose from a list, click the browse (...) button. The Field Select dialog box appears. To
search through the tag list for a specific tag and field, enter the beginning letters for a tag or
field in the Filter field. For example, if you type TT* and then click Filter, a list of tags
beginning with the letters TT displays.
3. Click OK. The tag you chose to trend is displayed in the Tagname field in the Group
Configuration dialog box.
4. Click Add to add the tag to the list of Tagnames for trending.

Adding a Qualifier Block

To add a qualifier block:

1. In Historical Assign, on the Group menu, click Add. The Group Configuration dialog box
appears.
2. In the Qualifier field, enter a qualifier block.
• To select from a list of tagnames, click the browse (...) button in the Qualifier field.
The Tag Select dialog box appears. It displays the tagnames for the node displayed in
the Node field.
• To search through a tag list for the node, enter the beginning letters for a tag in the
Filter field. For example, type TT*, and then click Filter to display a list of tags
beginning with the letters TT.
3. In the Tag Select dialog box, select a qualifier block from the list. The tag is entered in the
Selection field.
4. Click OK. The qualifier block is entered in the Qualifier field in the Group Configuration
dialog box.

Entering a Data Collection Rate for the Selected Node

To enter a data collection rate for the selected node:

1. In Historical Assign, on the Group menu, click Add. The Group Configuration dialog box
appears.
2. In the Rate field, click the browse (...) button. The Available Rate Values dialog box appears.
3. Select a data collection rate.
4. Click OK. The data rate is entered in the Rate field in the Group Configuration dialog box.

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 Trending Historical Data

Phasing a Data Collection Rate for the Selected Node

To phase a data collection rate for the selected node:

1. In Historical Assign, on the Group menu, click Add. The Group Configuration dialog box
appears.
2. In the Phase field, enter how many seconds you want to stagger collection.
Click the browse (...) button to display a list of available phase values. The Available Rate
Phases dialog box appears.

3. Click OK. The selected phase value is entered in the Phase field in the Group Configuration
dialog box.

33
Using Charts to Analyze Process Trends
Given the vast amount of data you can collect with iFIX, you need a way to present the information
and react to the results. Once you have collected the necessary data, you can display the data as process
trends in a chart. iFIX charts let you plot both real-time and historical data on the same chart, and gives
you easier access to the information you need.
Refer to the following sections for more information on charts:
• What is a Chart?
• Comparing Standard Charts and Enhanced Charts
• Plotting Different Types of Data
• Working with Standard Charts
• Working with Enhanced Charts
• Displaying SQL Data

What is a Chart?
Charts are an effective way to display trend data to users. They enable you to view specific sets of data
relative to other data, thereby allowing you to continually determine the status of your process.
Charts are objects, and as such contain properties, methods, and events, just like any other iFIX object
that you can add to your picture. This means you can animate a chart through VBA, or change the
chart's colors or other properties. The behavior of iFIX objects is fully documented in the Creating
Pictures manual.

Enhanced Charts
Beginning with iFIX 5.0, Enhanced Charts are available in addition to the Standard Charts always
available with iFIX. Enhanced Charts include SPC (Statistical Process Control) Charts, including X-
Bar, R-Bar, and S-Bar, as well as Histograms and Line/Multiline Charts. Enhanced Charts are highly
customizable; you can customize every aspect of a chart's appearance, from the color theme to the font
used for the title.

Standard Charts
iFIX Standard Charts are multi-pen, meaning that they allow you to configure multiple pens in one
chart. Multi-pen charts can plot an unlimited number of data sources, in any combination. There is no
limit to the number of pens you can add to your picture, you are only limited by the memory in your
system. You can set up each trend line with a different color and marker style, and different time
ranges. The Enhanced Line/Multiline Chart, functions in much the same way, allowing you to plot an
unlimited number of data sources, in any combination.

Adding Charts to Your Pictures

To add a chart to your picture, click the Chart button on the Shapes toolbar (Classic view) or on the
Insert tab, in the Charts group, click the desired chart style (Ribbon view). If the Toolbox is enabled,

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Trending Historical Data

click the button on the Toolbox. The cursor becomes a plus sign. Click and drag the mouse in an area
of the picture where you want to place the chart. When you initially add a chart to your picture, it is
created with a default name of Chart#, and the chart appear in the system tree in the Proficy iFIX
WorkSpace.
The following sections show you how to create a chart, and detail the many properties you can define
for the chart.

Comparing Standard Charts and Enhanced Charts

The following table details the features that are provided by Standard or Enhanced Charts.

Feature Standard Charts Enhanced Charts

Allows animation X

Allows selection of font face and type X

Auto time cursor tracking X

Automatic padding for data plotting X

Baseline data source subsets X

Data quality legend X

Data sources can be added or deleted in run X X

mode

Exports chart data X

Line/multiline charts: while in run mode, X

can be viewed as another type of chart

Line/multiline charts: can view subsets of X

data for comparison

Log scale X

Multiple data plotting styles X

Multiple X and Y axes X

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 Trending Historical Data

Feature Standard Charts Enhanced Charts

Provides histograms X

Provides line/multiline charts X X

Provides statistical process control charts X

Scrolling left to right X

Scrolling data source subsets X

Static Snapshot of chart X

Tag group substitution X X

Time duration applies only to selected data X

source

Time duration applies to entire chart X

(including mixed mode)

Uses bitmaps and gradient fills X

Uses chart groups X

Uses the chart group wizard X

Variable orientation of X axis labels X

Plotting Different Types of Data

iFIX charts plot three types of data:
• Real-time – Data that is current.
• Historical – Data obtained at a previous time by Historical Collect.
• T_Data – Data obtained from a trend block of a real-time data source.
The type of data plotted is determined by the data source you have selected. For Standard Charts, this
is referred to as the pen type. For Enhanced Charts, it is referred to as Data Sources. The pen type, or
data source, determines which properties are available in your chart. The following table lists some of

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Trending Historical Data

the common pen, or data source properties and their availability for each type.

Properties Based on Type

Property Historical Real-time (including T_Data)

Fixed Date Enabled Disabled

Fixed Time Enabled Disabled

Days Before Now Enabled Disabled

Duration Before Now Enabled Disabled

Interval Enabled Disabled

NOTE: If you are using a historical data source, the Tolerance, Deadband, and Refresh Rate fields
have no effect on data retrieval.

This section primarily focuses on how to set properties for historical data you want to plot in a chart.
For additional information on working with properties for real-time data, refer to the Adding a Chart
section in the Creating Pictures manual.

Working with Standard Charts

The following sections describe how to modify many of the properties of a Standard Chart:
• Working with Standard Chart Properties
• Defining General Standard Chart Properties
• Changing the Appearance of a Standard Chart
• Animating Standard Chart Properties
• Working in the Run-time Environment

Working with Standard Chart Properties

The Chart Configuration dialog box allows you to select and modify various properties for your charts.
This dialog box contains two tabs: General and Chart. Properties selected from the General tabbed
page apply to the entire chart. For example, you can enable run-time interaction in the entire chart (for
zooming and pen selection, for example) by selecting the Highlightable and Selectable options.
Properties accessed from the Chart tabbed page, on the other hand, are applied per pen, unless you
select the Apply to All Pens check box. The following section describes the methods of applying
properties to your chart.

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 Trending Historical Data

Applying Standard Chart Properties

There are several ways you can apply selected properties to your charts using the Chart Configuration
dialog box:
• Select a new pen in the Pen List.
• Click OK.
• Click Apply.
• Select the Apply to All Pens check box.
Each of these methods are described in the following table.

Methods of Applying Properties

Use this To...

method...

Select a new pen Automatically apply properties based on the selected data source. This
in the Pen List method takes precedence over other methods of applying properties: you do
not have to click OK or Apply to apply the pen property, and, if you click
Cancel after you have selected a pen, the properties are still applied.

Click OK Quickly apply selected properties to your chart and close the Chart
Configuration dialog box.
No matter which method you use to apply properties, you must click OK to
close the dialog box.

Click Apply View a property change immediately without closing the Chart Configuration
dialog box. For example, if you want to change the foreground color of a
chart from gray to white, change the color and click Apply. The color of the
chart will change while the Chart Configuration dialog box stays on your
screen.
You are not required to click Apply to apply properties to your chart.

Select the Apply Apply properties to all pens added to a chart. Refer to the Applying
to All Pens Properties to all Pens section below for more information.
check box

Applying Properties to all Pens

iFIX allows you to easily define time, X and Y axis, grid, and legend properties for every pen you add
to your chart. You can do this by simply selecting the Apply to All Pens check box on the Chart tabbed
page. For example, you may want all of the pens in your chart to have the same legend. To accomplish
this, click the Legend tab and select the properties you want. Next, select the Apply to All Pens check
box. Exit the dialog box by clicking OK.

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Trending Historical Data

Defining the Pen Type

One of the most dynamic features of charts is the integration of both real-time and historical data in the
same chart, which lets you easily view all types of data in the Proficy iFIX WorkSpace. You need to
define a pen for each data source you want to trend. Before you can add a pen to your chart, however,
you must specify a data source for that pen. The following sections show you how to select a data
source and configure additional pen properties.

Adding Pens to Your Chart

Each pen that you enter must be defined by a data source. At the top of the Chart tabbed page of the
Chart Configuration dialog box is the Data Source area, which lists the pen names in Data
Server.NODE.TAG.FIELD format. By default, a sample pen is displayed in the pen list with the
correct syntax you must use to address a data source.
There are two ways you can add a new pen to your chart:
1. Modify the existing sample pen by double-clicking it and entering the data source in the
syntax illustrated in the sample.
2. Delete the existing sample pen by double-clicking it, highlighting it and pressing <Delete>,
and do one of the following:
• Click the Add Pen button in the Pen List area, and enter a data source in the field that
appears.

• Double-click a blank field in the Pen list and enter a data source in the field.

You can also click the Browse button to the right of the field to display the Expression Builder, which
allows you to search for global data sources through a data source browser. To learn how to use the
Expression Builder and define data sources, refer to the Animating Object Properties chapter in the
Creating Pictures manual. For more information on data sources, refer to the System Architecture
section of the Understanding iFIX manual.
iFIX also gives you the ability to add pens to your chart in the run-time environment by writing a VBA
script. Refer to the Writing Scripts manual for more information.
NOTE: Whatever method you use to add pens to your charts, do not add more than 25 pens. Doing so
may cause your chart to disappear.

To modify an existing pen in the pen list, double-click the pen and enter an alternate data source. To
change the order of the pens in the chart's legend, click the pen you want to move in the Pen List area,
and then click either the up or down arrow.

40
 Trending Historical Data

To delete a pen, double-click the pen from the list and click the Delete button.

Defining Data Properties

To control how the data is presented by the configured pen(s), you can define data properties for each
pen in your chart. You can do this by simply selecting the properties you want on the Chart tabbed
page. The following properties can be defined:
• High Limit – Displays the high limit value defined for the selected data source.
• Low Limit – Displays the low limit value defined for the selected data source.
• Fetch Limits – At run-time, automatically retrieves the low and high limits assigned to the
selected data source.
• Maximum Display Points – Determines how many data points will be displayed in the chart
over a given span duration.
• Show Line – Displays the trend line for the selected data source.
• Constant Line – Displays a constant horizontal line at the current value of the pen.
• Show Gaps – Determines whether a blank space or a line is displayed to represent an area in
a plot where there is no data.
The following table illustrates some examples of data properties applied to a chart.

Data Property Examples

Use this To...

property...

High Limit Specify high and low limit values for trending. To do this, enter the low and
high limit values you want to trend for the selected data source in the Low
Low Limit
Limit and High Limit fields, respectively.

Fetch Limits Retrieve the limit range assigned to the data source at run-time. For example,
you may have a data source with limits that are unknown or prone to change
in the configuration environment.
By selecting Fetch Limits, you can set the pen's high and low limits equal to
that of the data source at run-time.

Maximum Determine how many data points displayed in the chart based on a set
Display Points duration.
For example, if the maximum points are 500, and the duration is 500 seconds,
then the maximum number of points that the chart will maintain is 1 per
second.

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Trending Historical Data

Selecting a Historical Display Mode

Pens displaying historical data offer additional flexibility in how the data is displayed by offering a
historical mode, available on the Pen tab of the Chart Configuration dialog box. Select a mode from
the Historical Mode drop-down list. The display mode determines how iFIX selects data from a
historical data source and displays it in the chart, and determines what each displayed value represents.
Historical modes are directly related to Span Interval and Span Duration properties for the time group.
The Span Interval determines the range of data that the display mode uses to calculate the point of data
that is trended. Time group properties are further described in the Defining Time Ranges section.
The following table shows the different historical modes you can choose from, and how trending
differs for each mode.

Historical Modes

If you select Then...

this mode...

Sample The last valid value found is trended, up to and including the start of the
interval.

Avg The average of all valid data found during the interval is trended, starting at
the beginning of the interval, 12:00:00.

High The highest valid data point value found during the interval is trended,
starting at the beginning of the interval, 12:00:00.

Low The lowest valid data point value found during the interval is trended, starting
at the beginning of the interval, 12:00:00

Interpolated The data is interpreted by assuming that the line between two values is a
straight line. All points along that line are estimated except the starting point
and the ending point. Available for Proficy Historian only.

Let's examine an example of a pen configured to display in sample mode. Assume that the following
data is available for a pen and the Interval is set to 10 minutes.

Time Data Value

12:00:00 0.0

12:01:00 1.00

12:02:00 2.00

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 Trending Historical Data

Time Data Value

12:03:00 3.00

12:04:00 4.00

12:05:00 5.00

12:06:00 6.00

12:07:00 7.00

12:08:00 8.00

12:09:00 9.00

Using the above chart, the values are trended as indicated:

Avg – 4.5 is trended from 12:00:00 to 12:10:00.

High – 9.0 is trended from 12:00:00 to 12:10:00.

Low – 0.0 is trended from 12:00:00 to 12:10:00.

The value, 0.0 at 12:00:00 (the start of the interval), is trended for the duration of the interval, from
12:00:00 up to 12:10:00. If 0.0 is not a valid point, then the last valid value found prior to the start of
the interval is trended.
You can enter a data source more than once to display data in different modes. For example, if you
trend an Analog Input block, you can enter the block twice in the Pens list box: once in Sample mode,
and again in Average mode.
NOTE: Sample mode is the fastest mode for displaying historical data. However, the average, high,
and low modes may provide more detailed data values for your application.

Defining General Standard Chart Properties

The General tab on the Chart Configuration dialog box lets you specify basic chart properties such as a
title and color, as well as scroll and display options. Properties selected from the General tab apply to
the entire chart.
The following sections describe these properties:
• Naming a Chart
• Entering a Chart Description
• Attributing a Help Context ID
• Scrolling a Chart

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Trending Historical Data

Naming a Standard Chart

The Name field allows you to enter a specific name for your chart. When you initially add a chart to
your picture, the default name appears as Chart1. To change the name, enter an alternate name in the
Name field.

Entering a Standard Chart Description

The Description field allows you add a description for your chart. This can be any name that will help
you identify the purpose of the chart.

Attributing a Help Context ID

If you have created your own help files, you can attribute a help context ID by entering a value in the
Help Context ID field. When you switch to the run-time environment, you can select the chart and
press F1 to get help on the chart.
For more information on creating help files, refer to the Creating the Help File section of the Mastering
iFIX manual.

Scrolling a Standard Chart

The first thing you must do in order to scroll a chart is determine the direction of the scroll. The scroll
direction determines whether the data on the chart plots left-to-right or right-to-left. You can specify a
scroll direction for the chart by selecting the appropriate option button in the Scroll Direction area of
the General tabbed page.
The following figure illustrates a chart configured with both a real-time and historical pen, with a
right-to-left scroll.

44
 Trending Historical Data

For a left-to-right scroll, you can also assign a reset value by entering a value in the Reset field. When
the data plot reaches the right edge of the chart, a reset occurs and the pen fetches new data. The data
and its time shifts according to the reset percentage. For example, if you enter a reset value of 50, the
data plot will shift back one-half of the chart's time axis when it hits the right edge.
To scroll the chart, use the Chart Dynamo, available in the Dynamo Sets folder in the Proficy iFIX
WorkSpace system tree. To use the Chart Dynamo, add the Dynamo to your picture and double-click
it. The Chart Configuration dialog box appears, which lets you make changes to the chart's properties.
Click the Left and Right arrows on the bottom-left and bottom-right of the chart to scroll the chart in a
particular direction.
NOTE: The Quick Dynamo Updater and Dynamo Updater Wizard are not available for the Chart
Dynamo, and other pre-canned Dynamos that were available before iFIX 4.5. This is because they are
not true Dynamo objects.

You can also configure AutoUpdate to scroll the chart forward automatically.
You can change the chart's scroll percentage using VBA scripts. For more information on using scripts
to scroll charts, refer to the Writing Scripts manual.

Plotting Ideal Curves

A chart's left-to-right scrolling functionality helps you easily determine how close your data is to a
desired value. It does so by letting you easily recognize ideal and actual curves in the same chart. An
ideal curve is an existing historical plot that represents an ideal condition in your process. The actual
curve is a real-time plot that represents current conditions. Depending on your process, it may be

45
Trending Historical Data

crucial that the actual curve come as close as possible, if not exactly match, the ideal curve.
For example, let's say you want to plot real-time data so that it shows the proper variation in
temperature of a process, determined by a plot collected previously. Using multiple pens and scrolling
in iFIX charts, you can view the real-time and historical data simultaneously to determine whether data
that is currently being fetched matches the ideal scenario.
First, configure both a real-time and a historical pen. Then, for example, assign a green color property
for the real-time pen, and a red color property for the historical pen. Then specify a left-to-right scroll
with a reset value of 50. When you switch to the run-time environment, you can watch the real-time
pen follow the ideal curve. When the data reaches the right edge of the chart, the data is reset and the
plot resumes in the middle of the graph. You do not have to manually position, change the shape of the
chart, or leave the run-time environment.
Thanks to the real-time monitoring of all types of data in a scrollable format, iFIX charts give you the
ability to monitor crucial fluctuations in data which, in many cases, can greatly impact your process.
The following figure illustrates a chart plotting both a real-time and historical pen with a left-to-right
scroll. Notice how easy it is to evaluate the ideal curve.

Scroll direction also appears in the Chart Preferences tabbed page of the User Preferences dialog box.
If you change the scroll direction in Chart Preferences, you change the default value for all new charts.
To access this dialog box, select User Preferences from the WorkSpace menu (Classic view) or on the
Home tab, in the WorkSpace group, in the Settings list, click User Preferences (Ribbon view), and
click the Chart Preferences tab. For more information on the User Preferences dialog box, refer to the
Setting User Preferences section of the Understanding iFIX manual.

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 Trending Historical Data

Changing the Appearance of a Standard Chart

You can easily change how a chart looks by selecting specific properties in the Chart Configuration
dialog box. These can include attributes such as color, refresh rate, and transparency, or pen styles such
as a marker type.
The following sections describe how to change the appearance of a chart by modifying many of the
available chart and pen properties:
• Changing a Chart's Foreground or Background Colors
• Changing the Refresh Rate
• Defining Pen Styles
• Defining Time Ranges
• Configuring the X and Y Axis
• Defining a Grid
• Configuring the Legend

Changing a Standard Chart's Foreground or Background Colors

A chart object is comprised of two rectangular areas: the chart area (where the trends are drawn), and
the area around the chart. You can select or change the color of the foreground or background colors
using the General tab on the Chart Configuration dialog box. To do this, click either the Foreground
Color or Background Color field in the Appearance area and select a color from the Select Color
dialog box.
We offer the following recommendations for choosing your colors:
• Use darker colors for the background and a lighter color for the foreground, so that the chart
data in the foreground is easier to read.
• Apply a dark pen line color that contrasts well with yellow, so that you can easily read the
data on a tool tip in the run-time environment. (The tool tip appears as a yellow box.) Refer to
the Displaying Time Cursors and Tool Tips section for information on the tool tip feature.
• Create a transparent chart. The following section shows you how to apply the transparency
property to your chart.
For more information on this dialog box and the different ways you can color objects, refer to the
Working with Color section in the Creating Pictures manual.

Making the Chart Transparent

A transparent chart is clear, allowing objects displayed behind the chart to be visible. By clicking the
Transparent check box in the Appearance area, you instantly create a gray-on-white transparent chart,
with a red legend, X and Y axes, data source, and description. The figure that follows illustrates a
transparent chart.

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Trending Historical Data

The Transparency property also appears in the Chart Preferences tabbed page of the User Preferences
dialog box. To enable or disable the Transparency property for all new charts, select or deselect the
Transparent check box. To access the Chart Preferences dialog box, select User Preferences from the
WorkSpace menu (Classic view) or on the Home tab, in the WorkSpace group, in the Settings list,
click User Preferences (Ribbon view), and click the Chart Preferences tab.

Changing the Refresh Rate

The refresh rate determines how quickly a chart updates the data plot in the run-time environment. The
faster the refresh rate, the slower your performance will be, as the chart needs to be redrawn each time
it is refreshed at the specified refresh rate.
You can specify a refresh rate for your chart by entering a rate, in seconds, in the Refresh Rate field.
The refresh rate can be from 0.1 seconds to a maximum of 1800 seconds, and can be entered in 0.1
second intervals.

Defining Pen Styles

iFIX lets you determine how the pens in your chart look, giving you complete control over the
appearance of your chart. On the Pen tabbed page of the Chart Configuration dialog box, you can
define the following pen styles:
• Line Style – Applies a style to the pen's plot line.
• Line Color – Applies a color to the pen's plot line.
• Line Width – Specifies the width of a pen's plot line.
• Marker Style – Applies a style to the pen's marker type.
Each of these styles are described in the following sections.

Applying Line Styles

With iFIX, you can use any line style that you use in any other object. To apply a line style, simple
select it from the Line Style drop-down list. Available line styles are:
• Solid – Applies a solid pen line style.
• Dash – Applies a dashed pen line style.

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 Trending Historical Data

• Dot – Applies a dotted pen line style.

• DashDot – Applies a dash-dot combination line style.
• DashDotDot – Applies a dash-dot-dot combination line style.
The following figure illustrates each of these line styles in a chart.

Selecting a Line Color

To select a line color for a pen, click the Line Color field and choose a color from the Select Color
dialog box. Line colors also apply to the X and Y axis and to the legend. For more information on
using this dialog box, refer to the Working with Color section of the Creating Pictures manual.

Selecting a Marker Style

In the Marker Style field, you can select a shape or character to represent the pen marker in your chart.
Markers are particularly useful for printing to a black and white printer. Using the drop-down menu,
you can select from the following marker styles:
• None – Applies a solid line marker to the pen.
• Rectangle – Applies a rectangle marker to the pen.
• Oval – Applies an oval marker to the pen.
• Diamond – Applies a diamond marker to the pen.
• Character – Applies a character to represent a pen marker. If you select this option, the
character field to the right of the Marker Style drop-down list is enabled. Enter any
alphanumeric keyboard character in the field.

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Trending Historical Data

Defining Time Ranges

Using the Time tab of the Chart Configuration dialog box, you can assign a time range to each pen in
the chart. This allows you to compare data from different time periods on the same chart, which in turn
aides in plotting ideal curves versus actual curves. You can specify one global time period for all pens
in a chart, or select a separate time period for each pen.
To define time ranges, click the Time tab and enter the time ranges in the appropriate fields on the
Time tabbed page. Refer to the following table for the correct entry and format for each field.

Time Range Fields and Formats

In the Enter... In the format...

field...

Fixed Date A specific date on which to start the display. MM/DD/YYYY

(month/day/year)

Days Before The number of days prior to today to start the 999 (maximum value)
Now display. For example, if you want to define a time
group to display data collected two days before the
current date, enter 2.

Fixed Time A specific time to start the display, based on a 24- HH:MM:SS
hour clock. For example, enter 14:00:00 for a (hour:minutes:seconds)
starting time of 2 P.M.

Lock Time Locks the current time, even if you change the time
zone in the DateTime Properties dialog box in the
Control Panel. This field is only available when
you designate a specific time to start the display
using the Fixed Time field.

Duration The duration prior to the current time to start the HH:MM:SS
Before Now display. The minimum duration for a display is 0
seconds; the maximum is 23 hours, 59 minutes,
and 59 seconds.

Time Zone The time zone to associate with the start time. You
can select an explicit time zone, the client time
zone, the server time zone, or the tag time zone.
The default time zone is that of the client machine.
This field is only available when Proficy Historian
is being used.

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 Trending Historical Data

Time Range Fields and Formats

In the Enter... In the format...

field...

Adjust for Adjusts the time when the zone you selected is
Daylight experiencing daylight saving if you selected the
Savings Automatically adjust clock for daylight saving
Time changes check box in the Control Panel. This field
is only available when Proficy Historian is being
used.
NOTE: Before allowing automatic Daylight
Saving Time to be used in a production
environment, you should test your application for
proper behavior.

Duration The duration for the display, which determines Days: DD

how much data to display on the X axis. The
Time: HH:MM:SS
minimum duration for a display is 1 second; the
maximum is 99 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes, and 59
seconds.
Using Proficy Historian, the minimum duration for
a display is 1 second; the maximum is 365 days, 23
hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds.
The span duration also appears in the Chart
Preferences tabbed page of the User Preferences
dialog box.
NOTE: The Duration must be evenly divisible by
the Interval or unpredictable results may occur in
the chart. The Chart tab does not allow you to
configure a duration that is not evenly divisible by
the Interval.

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Trending Historical Data

Time Range Fields and Formats

In the Enter... In the format...

field...

Span A time interval between the samples taken from Time: HH:MM:SS
Interval the Historical Collect data file. The interval cannot
Time (with milliseconds):
be greater than half the Duration value.
HH:MM:SS:MS
When the Span Interval is 0, the time interval
between data samplings is determined
automatically based on the span duration divided
by the maximum number of display points.
The span duration also appears in the Chart
Preferences tabbed page of the User Preferences
dialog box.
You can display milliseconds only if you are using
Proficy Historian.
NOTE: The Span Duration must be evenly
divisible by the Span Interval. Configuring a Span
Duration that is not evenly divisible by the Span
Interval can cause unpredictable results in the
chart.

You can also dynamically change the limits of the time axis using a VBA script that changes in the
Start Time and End Time properties of a chart. To enable this feature, select the Allow Reset of Axis
Limits check box on the X-Axis tab. When you select this control, you enable the time axis to be reset
after you right-click to zoom out in a chart. If you want to configure all charts to behave this way,
select the Allow Time Axis Reset check box in the WorkSpace's user preferences.
To apply a global time period to all pens in a chart, select the Apply to All Pens check box. For more
information on applying properties to all pens, refer to the Applying Properties to all Pens section.

Configuring the X and Y Axis

iFIX charts allow you to configure both the X (horizontal) and Y (vertical) axis so that you can
customize your display. For example, let's say you want to plot an Analog Input block, AI1, with
values ranging from 0 to 100 with a one-minute duration (represented as a red pen line with a rectangle
marker). You also want to plot another Analog Input block, AI2, with values from 0 to 200 with a two-
minute duration (represented as a blue pen line with an oval marker). You can view both plots at the
same time and, if the chart is selectable, you can switch between pens by either clicking the plot line or
by clicking the text in the legend. This is illustrated in the following figure.

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 Trending Historical Data

You can configure an axis by clicking the X-axis or Y-axis tab. On both tabs you can choose whether
to display the axis or axis labels, and you can specify the title name, the axis color, and the number of
labels and ticks. For the X axis, you can also select whether to display the date.
To specify a title name, enter a title of up to 255 characters in the Title field. To specify a color, click
the Label Color field and select a color from the Select Color dialog box.
To specify the number of labels in your chart, enter a number in the Number of Labels field. The
maximum number of labels you can have is 21. Similarly, to specify the number of ticks per axis, enter
a number in the Number of Ticks field. The maximum number of ticks you can have is 21.
The default values for ticks and labels appears in the Chart Preferences tabbed page of the User
Preferences dialog box.

Defining a Grid

The grid in your chart gives you a point of reference when data points move across the chart. iFIX
gives you precise control of both the horizontal and vertical axis of your grid. To define a grid, click
the Grid tab. Both the Show Horizontal Grid and Show Vertical Grid areas let you select whether to
display the grid, the number of lines in the grid, and the grid color and style. For the horizontal axis,
you can also select whether to scroll the grid when you select a scrolling option.
To select a number of lines for the grid, enter a number in the Number of Lines field. The maximum
number of lines you can have in your grid is 21. To select a color for your grid, click the Grid Color
field and select a color from the Select Color dialog box.
To select a grid style, select a style from the Grid Style drop-down list. You have the same types of
styles for your grid as you do for your pen line styles (Solid, Dashed, Dotted, Dash-Dot, and Dash-

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Trending Historical Data

Dot-Dot).

Configuring the Legend

The legend lets you quickly identify the information that the chart is plotting. The legend appears at the
bottom of the chart and provides collection and error information for each trended data source. Each
legend displays in the pen color assigned to the pen's data source. To configure a legend, click the
Legend tab on the Chart tabbed page of the Chart Configuration dialog box.
You can modify the legend to appear in various configurations. For example, if you want to change the
length of the data source description, select the Description check box in the Items area and enter the
number of characters that represents the length of the description. To change the order of the pens in
the chart's legend, click the pen you want to move in the Pen List area, and then click either the up or
down arrow.
To configure the legend, click the Legend tab and select or deselect the properties of the legend. The
Order area of the Legend tab lets you display the items you select in any order in the legend (left to
right).

Animating Chart Properties

Chart properties can be animated just like other iFIX objects. For example, you can animate the chart's
foreground color, pen color, and value axis. To animate chart properties, right-click the chart and select
Animations from the pop-up menu. The Animation dialog box lets you change property settings and
add animations to those properties. For more information on animating object properties, refer to the
Animating Object Properties chapter of the Creating Pictures manual.

Working in the Run-time Environment

To view the data in a chart, click the Switch to Run button on the Standard toolbar (Classic view) or on
the Home tab, in the WorkSpace group, click Switch to Run (Ribbon view). In order to control your
charts in the run-time environment, you must assign specific attributes in the configuration
environment.
These attributes are detailed in the following sections:
• Defining Run-time Attributes
• Zooming
• Displaying Multiple Values and Times
• Displaying Time Cursors and Tool Tips
• Understanding Chart Time
• Adjusting for Daylight Saving Time

Defining Run-time Attributes

You can assign certain attributes in the configuration environment to make the chart accessible when
you switch to the run-time environment. You can specify these attributes by selecting the appropriate

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 Trending Historical Data

check boxes on the General tabbed page of the Chart Configuration dialog box. Refer to the following
table:

Chart Attributes

By selecting the You activate the Which lets you...

check box... property...

Highlightable IsControllable Highlight the object at run-time so it can be

modified.
Example: Determine which object in a
picture can be selected or modified.

Selectable IsSelectable Select the object at run-time.

Examples: Zoom in on an area of the chart;
display a time cursor tool tip on a pen.

Modifiable IsModifiable Modify the object at run-time.

Example: Modify pen properties using the
Chart Configuration dialog box.

Zooming

When a chart is selectable, you can zoom to an area of the chart by placing the cursor within the chart
area and clicking an area, or enclosing an area in a rectangle selector. When the cursor is in the chart
area, it becomes a magnifying glass. You can zoom to the horizontal, vertical, or both axes in the chart
to view specific data. To zoom out on the chart, right-click the mouse while the cursor is in the chart
area.
Depending on the options you enabled, the chart is restored to its original magnification or to the
magnification set by the HiLimit and LoLimit properties (on the Y-axis) and the Start Time and End
Time properties (on the X-axis). The following table summarizes the options to set or clear to achieve
the effect you want.

To... Do this...

Restore the chart to its original Clear the following check boxes:
magnification.
• Allow Reset of Axis Limits (on the x-axis and y-
axis tabs of the Chart object).
• Allow Time Axis Reset (on the Chart
Preferences tab of the User Preferences dialog
box).
• Allow Value Axis Reset (on the Chart
Preferences tab of the User Preferences dialog
box).

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Trending Historical Data

To... Do this...

Reset the range of the time axis to the Select one of the following check boxes:
Start Time and End Time properties.
• The Allow Reset of Axis Limits check box (on
the x-axis tab of the Chart object).
• The Allow Time Axis Reset check box on the
Chart Preferences tab of the User Preferences
dialog box.

Reset the range of the value axis to Select one of the following check boxes:
the HiLimit and LoLimit properties.
• The Allow Reset of Axis Limits check box (on
the y-axis tab of the Chart object).
• The Allow Value Axis Reset check box on the
Chart Preferences tab of the User Preferences
dialog box.

Displaying Multiple Values and Times

In your chart, you may have pens with different high and low limits and time scales. You may want to
see these differences in the run-time environment. By default, iFIX lets you view a given pen's value
and time axis by clicking the pen line, clicking the pen's legend, or setting the current pen using VBA
scripts.
If you don't need to view the value of a specific pen, select the Show Multiple Values check box on the
General tabbed page. The chart will be displayed with all of the pen's axes in a stacked fashion.
Similarly, if you wish to view specific time scales for your pens, deselect the Show Multiple Times
check box. To view multiple time scales, select the Show Multiple Times check box.
The following figure illustrates a chart with two pens configured with different time and value ranges
and their axes.

Displaying Time Cursors and Tool Tips

In iFIX you can choose to display time cursors in the run-time environment. The time cursor appears
as a gray bar in the center of the chart that you move left and right by clicking the cursor and dragging
it with the mouse. The value of the time cursor is displayed in the legend. For historical pens, the value
at the point of the time cursor is displayed; for real-time pens, the current value is always displayed. To
display the time cursor in the run-time environment, select the Show Time Cursor check box on the
General tabbed page.
Another run-time feature of charts is the time cursor tool tip. When you click on a point in a pen line
where that line crosses the time cursor, the current time and value of that point is displayed in a
yellow-colored box. The tool tip is a convenient way to determine plot values in the run-time
environment. Every pen in the chart has its own tool tip. To display the tool tip in the run-time
environment, select the Show Time Cursor ToolTips check box on the General tabbed page.
NOTE: The chart must be selectable to view the time cursor and tool tip at run-time.

The following figure illustrates a chart configured with two real-time pens, a time cursor, and tool tip
for each pen.

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 Trending Historical Data

Understanding Standard Chart Time

The following fields affect the time displayed in the chart when you use a fixed start time and date:
• Lock Time
• Time Zone (Proficy Historian only)
• Adjust for Daylight Savings Time (Proficy Historian only)
iFIX charts save time as Coordinated Universal Time (or UTC time). When you switch to the run-time
environment, UTC time is read from the picture file containing the chart, and is then converted to local
time before the chart fetches data from the historical file. Therefore, when you configure a chart, time
is entered and displayed in local time. However, the time saved within the chart is in UTC time, which
allows the data to be displayed independently of specific time zones.
The following examples help explain the concept of using time zones and daylight saving.

Example 1: No Features Enabled

In this example, pictures are created and saved in Eastern Standard Time (EST). The Fixed Time is set
to 09:00:00, the Duration Before Now is set to 01:00:00, and Days Before now is set to 0. You get
these results when you open the picture in the indicated time zone:
EST – displays data from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.

CST – displays data from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. local time.

Example 2: Lock Time Feature is Enabled

In this example, pictures are created and saved in EST. The Fixed Time is set to 09:00:00, the Lock
Time is selected, the Duration Before Now is set to 01:00:00, and Days Before now is set to 0. You get
these results when you open the picture in the indicated time zone:
EST – displays data from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. local time.

CST – displays data from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. local time.

Example 3: Developing for Remote Deployment (Proficy Historian only)

When you use the Time Zone and Adjust for Daylight Savings Time fields, the pictures you create are
independent of the time zone in which you draw them. This independence gives you more control of
the behavior of a picture when it is opened.
In this example, pictures are created and saved in EST, but deployed to a computer in Pacific Standard
Time (PST). If you want the picture to show 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. PST when opened, you must
select the explicit PST time zone in the Chart tab and set the start time to 9:00 a.m. You must also
select Lock Time check box.
If your plant policy is to automatically adjust for Daylight Saving Time and you have selected
Automatically Adjust for DST in the Control Panel time settings, then you should select the Adjust for
Daylight Savings Time check box in Chart tab.

Example 4: Developing for Multiple Time Zone Deployment (Proficy Historian only)

You can share pictures across time zones by using the client time zone setting in the Chart tab.
In this example, pictures are created and saved in EST, but deployed to a computer in EST in the client

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time zone. The Lock Time is selected. When the picture is opened in CST, PST, or EST, it is always
displayed as 9:00 a.m. local time.

Example 5: Using Server Time Zone (Proficy Historian only)

A picture configured to use the server time zone can be opened on any client machine in any time zone
and will always show the same plot of data.

Example 6: Displaying Data from Other Time Zones (Proficy Historian only)

You are investigating an event that occurred at 3:30 Central Standard Time (CST) and your computer
is in PST. Rather than open a chart with a 1:30 start time in PST, you can select the explicit central
time from the Time Zone field and set the Fixed Time at 3:30

Example 7: Displaying Data from Multiple Time Zones (Proficy Historian only)

You have some points in the Proficy Historian archive that contain data from Mountain Standard Time
(MST) and some from PST. You want to create a chart to display the events that occurred in each time
zone at 10:00 a.m. Rather than being required to know the exact time zone location of each point and
then choosing explicit time zones, you can select the tag time in the Time Zone field and set the Fixed
Time at 10:00 a.m.
The UTC time feature of iFIX charts allows you to easily view and analyze a data plot, no matter
where you display the data.

Adjusting for Daylight Saving Time

If you are a Proficy Historian user, you have the option to adjust for daylight saving time. If you
choose to adjust for daylight saving time, you must:
1. Select the Automatically adjust clock for daylight saving changes check box in the Date/Time
section of the Control Panel on all Proficy Historian collector, Proficy Historian server, and
iFIX client computers.
2. Select the Adjust for Daylight Savings Time check box on the Time tab when you add an
historical pen to an iFIX chart.
Before allowing automatic Daylight Saving Time to be used in a production environment, you should
test your application under each of the following scenarios for proper behavior:
• While in Standard Time.
• While in Daylight Time.
• During the transition from Standard Time to Daylight Time.
• During the transition from Daylight Time to Standard Time.

Working with Enhanced Charts

The following sections describe how to modify many of the properties of an Enhanced Chart:
• Creating Statistical Process Control Charts
• Working with Enhanced Chart Properties
• Changing the Appearance of an Enhanced Chart

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• Working in the Run-time Environment for Enhanced Charts

• Performance Considerations and Limitations for Enhanced Charts
• Exporting Data from an Enhanced Chart

Creating Statistical Process Control Charts

Enhanced charts offer the ability to add statistical process control charts to your pictures. The charts
use the Statistical Data database block type SD and the Histogram database block type HS. These
blocks collect data according to how you configure them, and display the collected data in run mode.
The number of samples and other parameters are configured in the block, not through the WorkSpace.
Refer to the Database Block Reference for more information on configuring Statistical and Histogram
blocks.
When you configure a data source for a statistical process control chart, you can only use statistical
data or histogram tags. If you add a data source using the Expression Builder, only statistical data or
histogram tags are available for selection. Similarly, if you choose to enter your data source directly in
the Data Sources list of the expression editor and it is not a statistical data or histogram tag, you will
receive an error message.
The statistical charts provide graphical data of key Statistical Data and Histogram Data tag
calculations. There are four statistical charts, which are X-Bar, R-Bar, S-Bar, and Histogram.

Understanding X-Bar Charts

The X-Bar chart shows how the mean (or average) changes over time. This chart is used to analyze
central location; that is, the center of a set of sample data. The statistic used to describe the central
location is the mean.
Data for the X-Bar chart can be derived from subgroups of constant size or variable sizes.

iFIX SPC X-Bar Chart

The average over time

The Upper and Lower Warning Limits

The Upper and Lower Control Limits

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Understanding R-Bar Charts

An R-Bar chart shows the range of the data. When creating statistical data, R is the range of the data;
that is, the highest observed value minus the lowest. R-Bar is the average of the ranges for the
subgroups collected.

iFIX SPC R-Bar Chart

The average of the ranges of the data for all subgroups

The Upper and Lower Control Limits

Understanding S-Bar Charts

The S-Bar chart shows the standard deviation of the process, where S represents the standard deviation
of the process data, and the S-Bar represents the average of the standard deviations for the subgroups.

iFIX SPC S-Bar Chart

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The average of the standard deviations for all subgroups

The Upper and Lower Control Limits

Understanding Histograms

A Histogram chart (also referred to as a Normal chart), is a bar graph that shows the distribution of a
data set.
The Histogram graphically shows the following:
• Center of the data – which is measured by mean, median, and mode.

• Spread of the data – how different the values are from the each other and from the middle.

• Presence of outliers – outliers are points on a chart that do not fall into the pattern.

• Presence of multiple modes in the data – the shape of the histogram may reveal multiple
`peaks'.

iFIX SPC Histogram Chart

Working with Enhanced Chart Properties

The following sections describe how assign specific properties to Enhanced Charts:
• Applying Enhanced Chart Properties
• Naming an Enhanced Chart
• Entering an Enhanced Chart Description
• Defining Data Sources for Enhanced Charts

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Applying Enhanced Chart Properties

There are several ways you can apply selected properties to your charts using the Chart Customization
dialog box:
• Select a new data set in the Data Sources list.
• Click OK.
• Click Apply.
• Select the Apply to All Data Sources check box.
Each of these methods are described in the following table.

Methods of Applying Properties

Use this To...

method...

Select a new data Automatically apply properties based on the selected data source. This
source in the Data method takes precedence over other methods of applying properties: you do
Source list not have to click OK or Apply to apply the data source property, and, if you
click Cancel after you have selected a data source, the properties are still
applied.

Click OK Quickly apply selected properties to your chart and close the Chart
Customization dialog box.
No matter which method you use to apply properties, you must click OK to
close the dialog box.

Click Apply View a property change immediately without closing the Chart
Customization dialog box. For example, if you want to change the color of
a chart, change the color and click Apply. The color of the chart will change
while the Chart Configuration dialog box stays on your screen.
You are not required to click Apply to apply properties to your chart.

Select the Apply to Apply properties to all data sources added to a chart. Refer to the Applying
All Data Sources Properties to All Data Sources section below for more information.
check box
NOTE: The Apply to All Data Sources check box applies only during the
current configuration session. The default (that is, the check box is cleared)
is restored the next time you open the Chart Configuration dialog box.

Applying Properties to all Data Sources

iFIX allows you to easily define time, X and Y axis, grid, and legend properties for every data source
you add to your chart. You can do this by simply selecting the Apply to All Data Sources check box on
the Time tab on the Data Sources tab. For example, you may want all of the data sources in your chart
to have the same legend. To accomplish this, click the Legend tab and select the properties you want.

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Next, select the Apply to All Data Sources check box. Exit the dialog box by clicking OK.

Naming an Enhanced Chart

The Name field allows you to enter a specific name for your chart. To change the name, enter an
alternate name in the Name field.

Entering an Enhanced Chart Description

The Description field allows you add a description for your chart. The description is a VBA property
and can be any name that will help you identify the purpose of the chart.

Defining Data Sources for Enhanced Charts

One of the most dynamic features of charts is the integration of both real-time and historical data in the
same chart, which lets you easily view all types of data in the Proficy iFIX WorkSpace. You need to
define the data sources you want to trend. The following sections show you how to select a data source
and configure its properties.

Adding Data Sources to Your Chart

Each data source must be defined. At the top of the Data Sources tab of the Chart Customization dialog
box is the Data Sources List area, which lists the data sources in Data Server.NODE.TAG.FIELD
format.
NOTE: If you are adding a data source to an SPC (X-Bar, R-Bar, or S-Bar) Chart, you must use the
SD block. For a histogram, you must use the HS block.

There are many ways to add a new data source to your chart:
• Click Add in the Data Sources List area, and enter a data source in the field that appears.
• Double-click a blank field in the Data Sources List and enter a data source in the field.
• Click the Browse button to the right of the field to display the Expression Builder, which
allows you to search for global data sources through a data source browser. To learn how to
use the Expression Builder and define data sources, refer to the Animating Object Properties
chapter in the Creating Pictures manual. For more information on data sources, refer to the
System Architecture section of the Understanding iFIX manual.
• Write a VBA script. Refer to the Writing Scripts manual for more information.
To modify an existing data source in the Data Sources list, double-click the data source and enter an
alternate data source. To change the order of the data source in the chart's legend, click the data source
you want to move in the Data Sources List area, and then click either the up or down arrow.
To delete a data source, select the data source from the list and click the Delete button.

Defining Data Properties

To control how the data is presented by the configured data source(s), you can define the data
properties for your chart. You can do this by selecting the properties you want on the Data tab on the
Data Sources tab. The following properties can be defined:
• High Limit – Displays the high limit value defined for the selected data source.
• Low Limit – Displays the low limit value defined for the selected data source.

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• Fetch Limits – At run-time, automatically retrieves the low and high limits assigned to the
selected data source. If this option is selected, then the manually entered High and Low Limits
will not be considered.
• Maximum Display Points – Determines how many data points will be displayed for the data
source over a given span duration.
• Show Gaps – Determines whether a blank space or a line is displayed to represent an area in
a plot where there is no data.
The following table provides some examples of data properties applied to a chart.

Data Property Examples

Use this To...

property...

High Limit Specify high and low limit values for trending. To do this, enter the low and
high limit values you want to trend for the selected data source in the Low
Low Limit
Limit and High Limit fields, respectively.

Fetch Limits Retrieve the limit range assigned to the data source at run time. For example,
you may have a data source with limits that are unknown or prone to change
in the configuration environment.
By selecting Fetch Limits, you can set the data source's high and low limits
equal to that of the data source at run time.

Maximum Determine how many data points display for the data source in the chart
Display Points based on a set duration.
For example, if the maximum points are 500, and the duration is 500 seconds,
then the maximum number of points that the chart will maintain is 1 per
second.

Selecting a Historical Display Mode

Data sources displaying historical data offer additional flexibility in how the data is displayed by
offering a historical mode, available on the Data tab on the Data Sources tab. Select a mode from the
Historical Mode drop-down list. The display mode determines how iFIX selects data from a historical
data source and displays it in the chart, and determines what each displayed value represents.
Historical modes are directly related to Span Interval and Span Duration properties for the time group.
The Span Interval determines the range of data that the display mode uses to calculate the point of data
that is trended. Time group properties are further described in the Defining Time Ranges section.
The following table shows the different historical modes you can choose from, and how trending
differs for each mode.

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Historical Modes

If you select Then...

this mode...

Sample The last valid value found is trended, up to and including the start of the
interval.

Avg The average of all valid data found during the interval is trended, starting at
the beginning of the interval, 12:00:00.

High The highest valid data point value found during the interval is trended,
starting at the beginning of the interval, 12:00:00.

Low The lowest valid data point value found during the interval is trended, starting
at the beginning of the interval, 12:00:00

Interpolated The data is interpreted by assuming that the line between two values is a
straight line. All points along that line are estimated except the starting point
and the ending point. Available for Proficy Historian only.

Let's examine an example of a data source configured to display in sample mode. Assume that the
following data is available for a data source and the Interval is set to 10 minutes.

Time Data Value

12:00:00 0.0

12:01:00 1.00

12:02:00 2.00

12:03:00 3.00

12:04:00 4.00

12:05:00 5.00

12:06:00 6.00

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Time Data Value

12:07:00 7.00

12:08:00 8.00

12:09:00 9.00

Using the above chart, the values are trended as indicated:

Avg – 4.5 is trended from 12:00:00 to 12:10:00.

High – 9.0 is trended from 12:00:00 to 12:10:00.

Low – 0.0 is trended from 12:00:00 to 12:10:00.

The value, 0.0 at 12:00:00 (the start of the interval), is trended for the duration of the interval, from
12:00:00 up to 12:10:00. If 0.0 is not a valid point, then the last valid value found prior to the start of
the interval is trended.
You can enter a data source more than once to display data in different modes. For example, if you
trend an Analog Input block, you can enter the block twice in the Data Sources List: once in Sample
mode, and again in Average mode.
NOTE: Sample mode is the fastest mode for displaying historical data. However, the average, high,
and low modes may provide more detailed data values for your application.

Changing the Appearance of an Enhanced Chart

The following sections describe how to customize the appearance of an Enhanced Chart:
• Adding a Title to an Enhanced Chart
• Changing the Refresh Rate for an Enhanced Chart
• Understanding Refresh Rates for Enhanced Charts
• Configuring the Legends for an Enhanced Chart
• Choosing a Border Style for an Enhanced Chart
• Choosing the Format and Precision of Data to Display for Enhanced Charts
• Defining a Grid for an Enhanced Chart
• Defining Time Ranges for an Enhanced Chart
• Configuring the X and Y Axis for an Enhanced Chart
• Choosing Fonts for Enhanced Charts
• Changing the Color Scheme of an Enhanced Chart
• Defining the Plotting Style for Enhanced Charts

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Adding a Title to an Enhanced Chart

Adding a title to your chart will help you to see at a glance what type of information the chart contains.
The Title field allows you to enter a specific title for your chart. When you first add a chart to your
picture the default title that appears is Chart Type. For example, if you add an X-Bar chart to your
picture, the title will read X-Bar Chart. To change the name, enter the desired name in the Title field.
Additionally, you can add a subtitle to your chart, for further clarification of the chart information. To
add a subtitle, enter it in the Subtitle field on the General tab of the Chart Customization dialog box.

Changing the Chart Update Rate for an Enhanced Chart

The chart update rate determines how quickly a chart updates the data plot in the run-time
environment. The faster the chart refresh rate, the slower the performance will be, as the chart needs to
be redrawn each time it is refreshed at the specified refresh rate.
You can specify a chart refresh rate for your chart by entering a rate, in seconds, in the Chart Update
Rate field, in the Appearance area on the General tab of the Chart Customization dialog box. The
refresh rate can be from 0.1 seconds to a maximum of 2000 seconds, and can be entered in 0.1 second
intervals.

Understanding Refresh Rates for Enhanced Charts

There are a number of refresh rates that are involved with presenting data on a chart. In order to get the
best appearance from your charts, it is necessary to understand how the rates interact.

Type of Refresh Rate Definition

Block Scan Time The scan time, or the frequency of the interaction between
the PLC and the SCADA.

Real-time Data Refresh The frequency at which the database updates the information from the
Rate block. This rate should not be set to a higher value than the block scan
time value. This value is set on the Expression Builder dialog box.

Chart Update Rate The frequency at which the chart retrieves data from the database. This
rate should not be set to a higher value than the real-time data refresh
rate. Doing so may result in flat line areas in your chart, because the
chart is retrieving data faster than the database is receiving updates.
This value is set in the Appearance area of the General tab of the Chart
Customization dialog box.

Historical Update Rate The frequency at which the chart retrieves historical data from the
Historian. This value is completely independent of the other three
refresh rates, which are interdependent. Because the historical update
rate is independent of the other refresh rates, when historical data is
plotted on a chart with real-time data, it will not update in the same
way. Its plotting behavior is best exemplified on Standard Charts.

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Configuring the Legends for an Enhanced Chart

The legend lets you quickly identify the information that the chart is plotting. In iFIX 5.0 Enhanced
Charts, charts may display up to two legends, which include the plotting style and data source legends.
To determine which legends appear on your chart, select or clear the legend check boxes in the
Miscellaneous area on the Chart Style tab.

Plotting Style Legend

The plotting style legend, if enabled, appears at the top of the chart. For line/multiline charts, the
plotting style legend displays the color and point or line type for each data source. For SPC charts,
including X-bar, R-bar, and S-bar charts, the plotting style legend displays the color for the data
source, the upper and lower control limits, the upper and lower warning limits, and the bar value.

Data Source Legend

The data source legend, if enabled, appears at the bottom of the chart. For line/multiline charts, the
data source legend provides collection and error information for each data source. For SPC charts,
including X-bar, R-bar, and S-bar charts, in addition to the collection information, the upper and lower
control limits, the upper and lower warning limits, and the bar value also appear. To configure the data
source legend, click the Data Sources tab on the Legend tabbed page of the Chart Customization dialog
box.
You can modify the data source legend. You can add or remove items from the legend, as well as
change the order of the items that appear. To add or remove items from the chart's legend, click the
Legend tab and select or clear the property check boxes of the legend. The Order list of the Legend
Column Widths area on the Chart Style tab lets you display the items you select in any order in the
legend (left to right). To change the number of characters permitted for each legend description,
change the value in the corresponding field on the Chart Style tab in the Legend Column Widths area.

Choosing a Border Style for an Enhanced Chart

You can choose the type of border you want for your chart. Your selection is applied to both the graph
and table.
To choose a border style, make a selection in the Border Style area on the Chart Style tab on the Chart
Customization dialog box.
NOTE: Settings chosen on the Chart Style tab override the settings chosen on the Color tab.

Choosing the Format and Precision of Data to Display for Enhanced Charts

With Enhanced Charts, you can choose to display your data in a graph, a table, or both. How you plan
to use the data and who is looking at it will determine your choice of format for data display. You can
choose the format for your data in the Display area, on the Chart Style tab on the Chart Customization
dialog box.
You can also select a level of numeric precision, or the number of decimal points used for your chart.
However, decimal points do not appear on the chart, even if you specify a high level of precision
unless they are necessary. You can set the level of numeric precision in the Numeric Precision area, on
the Chart Style tab on the Chart Customization dialog box.

Defining a Grid for an Enhanced Chart

The grid in your chart gives you a point of reference when data points move across the chart. iFIX
gives you precise control of both the horizontal and vertical axis of your grid. You can select whether

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to display the grid, which axis to display, whether the grid is in front of the data, and the grid style.
To define a grid, click the Chart Style tab and select the desired options in the Grid Lines area.

Defining Time Ranges for an Enhanced Chart

For historical data sources only, you can assign a time range to data sources in the chart, using the
Time tab on the Data Sources tab on the Chart Customization dialog box. This allows you to examine
data from a specific period of time.
To define time ranges, click the Time tab on the Data Sources tab and enter the time ranges in the
appropriate fields.
NOTE: Time range selection is available only for Line/Multiline charts.

Configuring the X and Y Axis for an Enhanced Chart

You can configure an axis by clicking the Axis tab. There, you can specify the label for both axes.
For the Y axis, you can set the values including the minimum, maximum, or both, or have iFIX
automatically generate the Y axis range. If you choose to allow iFIX to auto generate the Y axis range,
you can enter a value in the padding field. This causes the chart to show values that exceeds the
maximum and minimum values, thus allowing some padding on either side of the range. The padding
is measured as a percentage of the total Y axis. For line charts only, you can choose to use either linear
or log values as the unit of measure. Optionally, you can choose to extend the Y axis tick marks on the
Chart Style tab.
For the X axis, on the Chart Style tab, you can select the label orientation. The X axis labels do not
reflect the actual time data stamp. Instead, they are labeled according to the currently selected data
source. The actual data time stamps appear in the Time Cursor Legend.

Choosing Fonts for Enhanced Charts

You can choose the font type and face to use for your charts. The font size selections you make are
applied to all chart items including the title, sub-title, subset, points, axis labels, and table data.
You can also choose the display size of the fonts. However, when choosing a size, keep in mind that
the total area available for your chart does not change, even if the font size does. Therefore, the size
you choose for the font impacts the available area for chart display. For example, in the following
table, the large size font provides much less space on the chart for actual data display, than does the
small size font.

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For the following chart... the font size selected

is...

small

medium

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For the following chart... the font size selected

is...

large

To make your font choices, double-click your chart, and on the Chart Customization dialog box, click
Font, and choose your font size, face, and style.

Font Selection Considerations

The following suggestions will make your chart easier to read:

• Use the same font face for all chart elements.
• Apply only one font style to each chart element. For example, use only bold or italic for the
title, rather than both.
• Limit use of the italic style.

Changing the Color Scheme of an Enhanced Chart

You can view your chart in color, monochrome, or in monochrome + symbols. If performance is an
issue, you will probably want to view your chart in monochrome because it is less taxing on the
system.
If you choose to view your chart in color, you can customize every color aspect of the chart's
appearance. The following illustration highlights each of the items you can customize, which include
titles, legends, and graphs.

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iFIX Enhanced Chart with Color Customization

Desk Desk Shadow Color

Foreground Background

Graph Graph Table Foreground

Foreground Background

Table
Background

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Using Pre-Set Styles

For easy color-customization of your chart, you can use a pre-set style. Pre-set styles provide
comprehensive color themes for your chart. There are twelve themes available in light, medium, or
dark color combinations. Additionally, you can easily add gradient shades to your chart. In the
following example, Dark Inset was selected as the pre-set style. By applying a bitmap or gradient style
to the Dark Inset, the chart on the right results.

Dark Inset Selected Bitmap / Gradient Styles and Dark Inset

Selected

iFIX Enhanced Charts with Pre-Set Color Styles Applied

To customize your chart's colors, double-click your chart, and on the Chart Customization dialog box,
click Color, and choose your viewing style, graph attributes and style.

Color Selection Considerations

We recommend keeping the following suggestions in mind when making your chart color selections:
• If performance is an issue, avoid using color. Instead, view your charts in monochrome.
• Avoid the use of too many bright colors. It can make your chart unpleasant to look at. Instead,
use bright colors to highlight specific information, thus drawing attention where you want it.

Defining the Plotting Style for Enhanced Charts

Defining the plotting style for an enhanced chart includes choosing the type of line you want to use to
plot your data, selecting the data point type, choosing the color for the line, labels and data points, and
adding shadows to the data points, if desired. For line/multiline charts, you may also select the type of
chart to use.
All plotting style choices can be selected on the Plotting Style tab of the Chart Customization dialog
box.

Working in the Run-time Environment for Enhanced Charts

The following sections describe how to configure Enhanced Charts for specific attributes in the run-
time environment:

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• Defining Run-time Attributes for an Enhanced Chart

• Zooming in an Enhanced Chart
• Displaying Time Cursors in an Enhanced Chart
• Understanding Chart Time for Enhanced Charts
• Adjusting for Daylight Savings Time for Enhanced Charts
• Choosing Subsets for Line/Multiline Graphs
• Marking Data Points in an Enhanced Chart

Defining Run-time Attributes for an Enhanced Chart

You can assign certain attributes in the configuration environment to make the chart accessible when
you switch to the run-time environment. You can specify these attributes by selecting the appropriate
check boxes on the General tab page of the Chart Customization dialog box. The following table
describes each attribute.

Selecting the check Lets you...

box...

Highlightable Highlight the object at run-time.

Selectable Select the object at run-time.

Example: Zoom in on an area of the chart.

Modifiable Modify the object at run-time.

Example: Modify chart properties using the Chart Configuration
dialog box.

Zooming in an Enhanced Chart

When a chart is selectable, you can zoom to an area of the chart by placing the cursor within the chart
area and clicking an area, or enclosing an area in a rectangle selector. When the cursor is in the chart
area, it becomes a magnifying glass. You can zoom to the horizontal, vertical, or both axes in the chart
to view specific data. To zoom out on the chart, press Z. Alternatively, you can use the right-click
menu. Select Chart Options and then Undo Zoom.
To enable zooming for your chart, on the General tab of the Chart Customization dialog box, select the
desired zooming capability.

Displaying Time Cursors in an Enhanced Chart

In iFIX you can choose to display time cursors in the run-time environment. The time cursor appears
as a crosshair, which moves as you move the mouse. The value of the time cursor is displayed in the
legend. For historical pens, the value at the point of the time cursor is displayed; for real-time pens, the
current value is always displayed. To display the time cursor in the run-time environment, select Show
Time Cursor on the General tab of the Chart Customization dialog box.

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Time Cursor

Time Cursor Values

iFIX Chart with Time Cursor

NOTE: The chart must be selectable to view the time cursor at run time.

Understanding Chart Time for Enhanced Charts

The relationship between the following fields must be considered when you use a fixed start time and
date in a chart:
• Lock Time
• Time Zone (Proficy Historian only)
• Adjust for Daylight Savings Time (Proficy Historian only)
iFIX charts save time as Coordinated Universal Time (or UTC time). When you switch to the run-time
environment, UTC time is read from the picture file containing the chart, and is then converted to local
time before the chart fetches data from the historical file. Therefore, when you configure a chart, time
is entered and displayed in local time. However, the time saved within the chart is in UTC time, which
allows the data to be displayed independently of specific time zones.
The following examples help explain the concept of using time zones and daylight saving.

Example 1: No Features Enabled

In this example, pictures are created and saved in Eastern Standard Time (EST). The Duration Before
Now is set to 01:00:00, Days Before now is set to 0, and the current time is 10:00 a.m.. You get these
results when you open the picture in the indicated time zone:
EST – displays data from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.

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CST – displays data from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. local time.

Example 2: Lock Time Feature is Enabled

In this example, pictures are created and saved in EST. The Lock Time is selected, the Duration Before
Now is set to 01:00:00, Days Before now is set to 0, and the current time is 10:00 a.m. You get these
results when you open the picture in the indicated time zone:
EST – displays data from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. local time.

Example 3: Using Server Time Zone (Proficy Historian only)

A picture configured to use the server time zone can be opened on any client machine in any time zone
and will always show the same plot of data.

Example 4: Displaying Data from Multiple Time Zones (Proficy Historian only)

You have some points in the Proficy Historian archive that contain data from Mountain Standard Time
(MST) and some from Pacific Standard Time (PST). You want to create a chart to display the events
that occurred in each time zone at 10:00 a.m. Rather than being required to know the exact time zone
location of each point and then choosing explicit time zones, you can select the tag time in the Time
Zone field and set the Fixed Time at 10:00 a.m.
The UTC time feature of iFIX charts allows you to easily view and analyze a data plot, no matter
where you display the data.

Adjusting for Daylight Savings Time for Enhanced Charts

If you are a Proficy Historian user, you have the option to adjust for daylight saving time. If you
choose to adjust for daylight saving time, verify that Adjust for Daylight Savings Time is selected on
the Time tab on the Data Sources tab when you add a data set to an iFIX Enhanced chart.
Before allowing automatic Daylight Saving Time to be used in a production environment, you should
test your application under each of the following scenarios for proper behavior:
• While in Standard Time.
• While in Daylight Time.
• During the transition from Standard Time to Daylight Time.
• During the transition from Daylight Time to Standard Time.

Choosing Subsets for Line/Multiline Graphs

On an Enhanced Line/Multiline Chart, you can analyze a subset of the data presented in the graph.
This is accomplished by selecting the number of data sources you want to analyze per graph from the
Scrolling Subsets area on the Subsets tab of the Chart Customization dialog box. You may also select a
data source, which will be present on all subset graphs by selecting it from the Baseline Subsets to
Graph area.
After you have configured your subsets, you can view the results in run mode, where you can scroll
through each of the subset graphs.

Marking Data Points in an Enhanced Chart

If you want a very precise depiction of the data, you can mark each of the data points. This way, in

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addition to viewing the data in a smoothed line, you can see each of the individual data points.
You can view the data points on an enhanced chart by selecting Mark Data Points in the Miscellaneous
area on the Chart Style tab of the Chart Customization dialog box.

Performance Considerations and Limitations for Enhanced Charts

We recommend the following measures to keep your system's performance acceptable:
• Limit your charts to no more than 10 data sources per chart.
• Limit your charts to no more than 5 charts per picture.
• Avoid using the Snapshot feature if you are using an older CPU or lower end graphics card. In
such a situation, the power necessary to create a full-screen Snapshot will cause other system
processes to have very limited access to resources and may limit their performance.
• As a last resort, use the Monochrome Viewing Style.

Exporting Data from an Enhanced Chart

Enhanced Charts allow you to export the data from a chart to a variety of formats. You can export the
data to either picture or text/data format. If you choose to export the chart data to a picture format, such
as EMF or JPG, you can choose the export size of the document, as well as the export location – the
clipboard, a printer, or a file. If you choose to export the chart data to a text/data format, you can
choose to export to the clipboard or a file.
When the data is exported, it can be used in a variety of ways and for multiple purposes, including
further statistical analysis in Excel or for PowerPoint presentations.
NOTE: Data exported from a trend chart, or a Line/Multiline chart, is interpolated. This is because
trend data is interpreted by assuming that the line between two values is a straight line. All points
along that line are estimated. The data shown on the chart is processed and not the raw
representation.

Displaying SQL Data

iFIX can retrieve data that is stored in a relational database and display the data in a chart. The term
SQL data encompasses any data that you want to display in a chart that is stored in a relational
database.
For example, you may perform quality tests on your products or processes and record data from these
tests. iFIX lets you view this data as charts, arrays, or single values. You can view numeric data from a
relational database provided that the database supports ODBC queries.
iFIX gives you full control over how you display and manipulate SQL data by letting you create and
edit VBA scripts. Refer to the Writing Scripts manual for detailed information on VBA scripts. For
more information on using SQL data sources, refer to the Using SQL manual.

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Using the Chart Group Wizard
The Chart Group Wizard™ is designed for users who create or work with charts to monitor processes.
The Chart Group Wizard offers you a flexible approach to charting data. You can use the Chart Group
Wizard to design and save multiple pen configurations in a chart group file. Operators can apply a
saved chart group file to a chart and track its data, and then apply a different chart group file to the
same chart and track different data. The Chart Group Wizard eliminates the need to clutter a picture
with multiple chart objects and re-configure pen definitions to monitor different data.
For example, a manufacturing process may have these three process types:
• Temperature-sensitive
• Flow-dependent
• Fill-dependent
Using the Chart Group Wizard, you might create these chart group files to accommodate this
manufacturing process: one that defines pens that track real-time and historical temperature-related
data; one that tracks flow-related data; and one that tracks fill-related data. You need only one chart to
display the data configured for each chart group file. You apply a chart group file to the chart to
display its data, and you then apply a different chart group file to monitor different data.

Displaying and Using the Chart Group Toolbar

Before using the Chart Group Wizard, you must import the Chart Group toolbar from the WorkSpace,
if it is not already visible in the WorkSpace.
NOTE: Although hidden by default, you can access and use toolbars in Ribbon view. To access a
toolbar in Ribbon view, on the Home tab, in the WorkSpace group, click Settings, and then click
Toolbars.

To display the Chart Group toolbar:

1. In the WorkSpace system tree, double-click the Project Toolbar Files folder, and then the
Toolbars folder.
2. Double-click the ChartGroupToolbar item to display the toolbar. The Chart Group toolbar
should now display in the WorkSpace.
After importing the toolbar, the Chart Group Toolbar appears when you open a picture. The toolbar
contains the three buttons shown in the following figure.

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Chart Group Toolbar

The following table describes the purpose of each button on the Chart Group toolbar.

Chart Group Toolbar Buttons

Use this Which can be accessed To...

button... in Ribbon view...

Apply Chart From the Tools tab, in the Apply or remove the ability to use the
Group Wizard To Charts group, click Chart Wizard on selected charts in run mode.
Chart Groups.

Apply Chart From the Tools tab, in the Apply a default chart group file to a chart
Group File Charts group, click Chart when a picture opens on an object's Click
Groups. event.

Configure Chart From the Tools tab, in the Invoke the Chart Group Wizard that you
Group Files Charts group, click Chart use to work with chart group files in
Groups. configuration and run mode.

Before You Begin Working with the Chart Group Wizard

This section provides information you need to know before working with the Chart Group Wizard. In
this section you'll learn about charts and pens and chart group files. You'll also be introduced to the
demonstration picture available to you when you import the Chart Group Wizard.
Refer to the following topics for more details:
• Understanding Charts and Pens
• Understanding Chart Group Files
• Analyzing the Demonstration Picture

Understanding Charts and Pens

You must understand the concept and use of charts and pens to fully understand how to effectively use
the Chart Group Wizard. A chart is an object that lets you display real-time and historical data. iFIX

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charts are multi-pen; they allow you to configure multiple pens in one chart to plot different data
trends. Each pen is defined by its data source and can be uniquely configured to draw a trend line with
its own color, line style, time range, marker style, and data limits.
A pen can plot three types of data:
• Real-time
• Historical
• T-data (data obtained from a trend block of a real-time data source)
The type of data you plot determines the pen type, which determines the appropriate properties for the
pen. For example, the Days Before Now property is appropriate for an Historical pen, but is not
appropriate for a real-time pen.
For more complete information on charts and pens, refer to the Using Charts to Analyze Process
Trends chapter.

Understanding Chart Group Files

A chart group file is a collection of pens configured in the Chart Group Wizard. When you use a chart
group file, you save your pen configurations as .CSV files in the C:\Program Files\GE Fanuc\Proficy
iFIX\HTR subdirectory. Each pen has its own data source and configurations, such as color, line style,
and limits. You can create a chart group file independently of a chart. You can extract pen
configurations from existing charts and create a chart group file from that configuration.
You can use chart group files in both configuration and run mode. In configuration mode, you can:
• Create, open, delete, and save chart group files.
• Apply a chart group file to a chart when a picture opens or when you click an object.
• Apply options that determine which functionality is available to you in run mode.
You can perform the same actions in run mode as in configuration mode. You can additionally perform
these actions in run mode:
• Apply or associate a chart group file with a chart.
• Apply a chart group configuration to a chart without associating a chart group file with the
chart.
You can open chart group files in other applications, such as Microsoft Excel™, to view and modify
the file contents.

Analyzing the Demonstration Picture

When you import the Chart Group Wizard, the demonstration picture ChartGroupDemo.grf appears
under the Pictures folder in the WorkSpace System Tree. This picture is provided to help you gain a
better understanding of working with the Chart Group Wizard.
Before you use this picture, you must enable the Local Node Alias in the System Configuration setup.

To enable the Local Node Alias:

1. Ensure that you are logged in as an Administrator.

2. Open the System Control Utility (SCU).
3. On the Configure menu, click Local Startup. The Local Startup Definition dialog box appears.

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4. Click the Local Node Alias check box.

5. Click OK.
Once you've enabled the Local Node alias, you can open the demo picture by double-clicking the
ChartGroupDemo, located in the Pictures system tree of the WorkSpace. The picture contains two
charts, Chart1 and Chart2. These charts are provided in the demonstration picture to illustrate the
versatility of using the Chart Group Wizard in run mode.
Use the following chart group files, located in the C:\Program Files\GE Fanuc\Proficy iFIX\HTR
directory, with Chart1 and Chart2:
ChartGroup1.csv – plots data from nine data sources.

ChartGroup2.csv – plots data from four data sources.

ChartGroup3.csv – plots data from two data sources.

Each of these chart group files contains different pen configurations and varying high limits and fetch
pen limits. The data sources for each are displayed when you apply a file to a chart.

Using the Demonstration Picture in Run Mode

In run mode, you can double-click Chart1 to invoke the Chart Group File dialog box, from which you
can create a new chart group file or open and modify existing ones, such as ChartGroup1.csv.
Chart2 does not have the Chart Group Wizard applied to it, which prevents you from selecting a chart
group file to apply to the chart. However, you can apply a chart group file to Chart2 by clicking one of
the three command buttons. The Click event of each command button is configured to use an exposed
Chart Group Wizard method (CGW_ApplyFileToChart) to apply a specific chart group file to Chart2.
The command buttons use ChartGroup1.csv, ChartGroup2.csv, and ChartGroup3.csv, respectively.

Defining Pens in a Chart Group File

To define a pen, you should know how to use the Expression Builder, understand what data sources
are, and know how to define them. Refer to the following sections for more details:
• Adding, Modifying, Deleting, and Re-Ordering Pens
• Setting Pen Styles
• Setting Pen Properties
• Historical Mode Options
• Applying Changed Pen Configurations to a Chart
For additional information, refer to the Creating Pictures and Understanding iFIX manuals.

Adding, Modifying, Deleting, and Re-Ordering Pens

The Pen List area displays the pen data sources. Use the four buttons on the Pen toolbar to add, delete,
and re-order the pen sequence in the list box. The Pen toolbar is shown in the following figure.

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Pen Toolbar

Adding and Editing Pens

To add a pen, you can perform any one of these actions:

• Click the Add button.
• Double-click the default pen syntax definition, Fix32.Node.Tag.Field.
• Double-click directly below the last pen in the Pen list.
To clear all pens from the Pen List before adding new pens, click New. If you have already modified
the existing pens, the Chart Group Wizard prompts you to save your changes before it clears the Pen
List. Double-click an existing pen to modify its data source.
The Expression Builder appears each time you add a pen. Click the down arrow to display a drop-
down list of the ten most-recently defined pens in your iFIX system. Click the Browse button to select
a new data source for the pen.

Deleting Pens

You can delete a pen, as long as at least one pen remains defined to a chart group file. If the file
contains only one pen, re-configure the pen or delete the file if the you no longer need the information.
To delete a pen from a Pen List, select the pen and then click the Delete button, located above the Pen
List.
The Chart Group Wizard does not prompt you to verify that you want to delete the pen; it removes the
pen from the Pen List. If you decide not to delete the pen, close the Chart Group Configuration dialog
box without saving your changes.

Reordering Pens

The order of the pens in the Pen List determines the order of pens listed in the chart key and the default
labels that appear on the X-axis and Y-axis of the chart in run mode.
After adding two or more pens to a chart group file, you may want to change the order of the pens in
the Pen List. To change the order of a pen in the Pen List, select the pen and then click the Up arrow to
move it up in the list or the Down arrow to move it down.

Setting Pen Styles

You can set individual line styles to distinguish each pen in your chart. The Pen Style area in the
Configure Chart Group dialog box contains these properties:
Line Style - determines what type of line to display, such as solid, dashed, or dotted. To choose a
line style, select one from the drop-down list box.

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Line Color - sets a color for the line. To select a color, click the Line Color field and select a color
from the Select Color dialog box. These colors also apply to the X- and Y-axis and legends
in the chart.

Marker Style - sets a shape or character that represents the pen marker in your chart. Markers are
convenient for discerning shapes and characters if you print your charts on a non-color
printer. To select a marker, choose one from the drop-down list box. If you choose the
Character option, enter a character in the Marker Character field.

Line Width - sets the width of the pen's plot line. The default line width is 1.

Setting Pen Properties

Once you add pens to the chart group file, you can set individual properties for each pen. For historical
pens, you can also select an option to use common time settings for each pen.

Setting Time-Related Pen Properties

The Time area of the Chart Group Configuration dialog box sets time-related properties for the
selected pen. These properties depend of the type of pen: Real-time or Historical.
The Duration pen property is the only property that you can set for Real-time pens. It also applies to
historical pens and is used by the Historical Mode property. The Duration property sets the time
duration for the chart. Enter a duration value in this format:
dd:hh:mm:ss

For historical pens, you can assign a time range to each pen or specify one global time period.
Applying different time ranges to the pens lets you compare data from different time periods, which
helps to plot ideal curves rather than actual curves.
The following table describes fields in the Time area that pertain to historical pens.

Historical Time Property Fields

Option Description

Apply Time to Applies a common time period to all historical pens. When you select this
All Historical option, you receive a message indicating that you are about to overwrite
Pens existing time properties for your historical pens.

Time Before Specifies the number of days and hours before the current time to start the
Now display. Select a value from the drop-down list or enter a value, in this
format:
dd:hh:mm:ss

where the variables represent the number of days, hours, minutes, and
seconds before the current time.

Fixed Start Time Specifies a specific date and time on which to start the display. Enter a date
and time, using this format:

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Historical Time Property Fields

Option Description

mm/dd/yy hh:mm:ss AM |PM

Duration The duration for the display, which determines how much data to display on
the X axis. The minimum duration for a display is 1 second; the maximum is
99 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds.
Using Proficy Historian, the minimum duration for a display is 1 second; the
maximum is 365 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds.
Enter a value in the following format:
dd:hh.mm.ss

Interval A time interval between the samples taken from the Historical Collect data
file. The interval cannot be greater than half the Duration value.
When the Span Interval is 0, the time interval between data samplings is
determined automatically based on the span duration divided by the
maximum number of display points.
Enter a value in the following format:
dd.hh.mm.ss

Display Allows you to enter milliseconds into the interval field. If you select this
milliseconds option, enter a value for the interval in the following format:
dd.hh.mm.ss.ms

Time Zone: The time zone to associate with the start time. You can select an explicit time
zone, the client time zone, the server time zone, or the tag time zone. The
default time zone is that of the client machine. This field is only available
when Proficy Historian is being used.

Adjust for Adjusts the time when the zone you selected is experiencing daylight saving
Daylight Saving if you selected the Automatically adjust clock for daylight saving changes
Time check box in the Control Panel. This field is only available when Proficy
Historian is being used.

Setting Properties Related to Data Limits

Data limit properties control how data is presented by the selected pen. The default, Fetch Limits,
automatically retrieves the low and high limits assigned to the data source. These assigned limits
appear as dim values in the High limit and Low limit boxes.
To override the default values, clear the Fetch Limits check box and enter high and low limit values in
the respective fields.

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Historical Mode Options

You use the Historical Mode options in conjunction with pens that display historical data. The display
mode determines how iFIX selects data from an historical data source, displays it in the chart, and
indicates what each displayed value represents.
The Historical Mode options are directly related to the Duration time property, as the duration
determines the range of data used to calculate the data point plotted for the interval. The options in the
Historical Mode drop-down list box are described in the following table.

Historical Mode Types

Option Description

Sample The pen plots the last valid value, up to and including the start of the interval.

Avg The pen plots the average of all valid data found during the interval, starting at the
beginning of the interval, 12:00:00.

High The pen plots the highest value found during the interval, starting at the beginning of
the interval, 12:00:00.

Low The pen plots the lowest value found during the interval, starting at the beginning of
the interval, 12:00:00.

Applying Changed Pen Configurations to a Chart

You can use the Apply button in the Chart Group Configuration dialog box to apply the pen
configurations displayed in the Pen List to the chart without associating a chart group file with the
chart. The Apply button applies the pens to the chart and closes both the Chart Group Configuration
dialog box and the Chart Group File dialog box, returning you directly to the WorkSpace in run mode.
To apply the current pen configurations without associating a chart group file with the chart, modify
the current Pen List and click Apply.
A chart without an associated chart group file displays <no file> in the Chart Group File field of the
Chart Group Configuration dialog box.
If you create a new chart group file and want to save the file as well as apply it to the selected chart,
click the Save As button.

How the Chart Group Wizard Works in Configuration Mode

The Chart Group Wizard provides many charting options in configuration mode. You can use any of
these three methods to create a chart group file:
• From inception.
• From an existing chart group configuration.
• From an existing chart group file.

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You can use the Chart Group Wizard in configuration mode to:
• Apply the Chart Group Wizard to one or more charts in a picture to enable the operator to
access the Wizard in run mode.
• Create, modify, save, and delete chart group files.
• Apply a default chart group file to a chart when a picture opens or on an object's Click event.
When you create a chart group file from an existing chart configuration, you can retain pen data
sources that you know work for your process environment. The ability to extract existing pen
configurations adds convenience when you implement the Chart Group Wizard in your iFIX
configuration.

Applying the Chart Group Wizard to a Chart

You must use configuration mode to apply the Chart Group Wizard to one or more charts in your
picture, or to remove it from one or more charts. If your picture contains multiple charts, you may want
to apply the Chart Group Wizard to all or a subset of the charts in one operation.
When you apply the Chart Group Wizard to a chart, you can then invoke it when you double-click the
chart in run mode. This enables you to use the Chart Group Wizard in run mode to:
• Select a chart group file to apply to the chart.
• Select a chart group file to apply pen configurations to the chart.
• Create and manage these chart group files.
NOTE: If you apply the Chart Group Wizard to a chart, be sure to clear the Modifiable check box on
the General tab of the Chart Configuration dialog box. By clearing this check box, the double-click
event invokes the Chart Group Wizard in run mode, rather than the Chart Configuration dialog box.

NOTE: If you do not select a chart, the Chart Group Wizard displays a message reminding you to first
select a chart before trying to apply or remove the Chart Group Wizard.

Considering When to Apply the Chart Group Wizard

You may want to consider which charts should have Chart Group Wizard functionality in run mode
before applying the Chart Group Wizard to all the charts in your picture. You may not know the best
pens to apply to a chart. The operator, who typically monitors the system, may have a better idea of
what to track to find problems. You may consider giving the operator the opportunity to choose a chart
group file to apply to a chart and the ability to modify and save chart group file configurations. If you
want tighter control on what is monitored in your system, you can implement security options, which
are described in Preventing Run-time Changes to Chart Group Files.
You may also want to add configuration properties to the chart that are only available through standard
configuration, in the Chart Configuration dialog box. For more information, see Applying Chart
Properties.
Determining if Chart Group Wizard is Applied to a Chart
Use either of these methods in configuration mode to determine if the Chart Group Wizard is applied
to a chart:
• Expand the system tree for the chart object. If the Chart Group Wizard is applied to the chart,
the variable string object, `FileName' exists.
• Edit the script for the chart object by selecting the chart object. Right-click and select Edit
Script. A chart that has the Chart Group Wizard applied contains the following script for the
Double-Click event:

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CGW_OpenChartGroupForm

To determine which charts have the Chart Group Wizard applied, double-click the chart in run mode.
The charts that have the Wizard applied display in the Chart Group File dialog box.

Configuring and Applying Chart Group Files

The steps that follow explain how to configure and apply chart group files.

To configure and apply chart group files:

1. In Classic view, in the iFIX WorkSpace, click the Configure Chart Group Files button on the
Chart Group toolbar.
-Or-
In Ribbon view, on the Tools tab, in the Charts group, click Chart Groups, and then click
Configure Chart Group Wizard.
2. Define a pen configuration that you want to save and apply to charts.
3. In the Chart Group Configuration dialog box, click Save.
4. Enter a file name.
5. Click OK.
6. Configure as many chart group files as needed.
7. Insert a chart in a picture. Ensure that the chart is selected.

Applying a Chart Group File to a Chart

When you switch from configuration to run mode, a chart that has the Chart Group Wizard applied
appears blank until you associate a chart group file with the chart. In some cases, the application
developer may have already defined a default chart group file for the chart; in this case, the chart may
automatically begin plotting data when you open the picture or when you click an object.
Use the following steps to apply the Chart Group Wizard to a chart in configuration mode, and then to
apply a chart group file to the chart in run mode.

To apply a chart group file:

1. Select a chart to apply the Chart Group Wizard to.

2. In Classic view, in the iFIX WorkSpace, click the Apply Chart Group Wizard to Chart button
on the Chart Group toolbar.
-Or-
In Ribbon view, on the Tools tab, in the Charts group, click Chart Groups, and then click Apply
Chart Group Wizard to Chart.
3. Click the Apply Chart Group Wizard to Chart option.
4. Click OK. This applies the Chart Group Wizard to the selected chart.
5. Switch to run mode and double-click the chart. The Chart Group File dialog box appears.
6. Select one of the chart group files you created.

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7. In the Chart Group File dialog box, click Apply. This applies the chart group file to the chart.

Creating and Managing Chart Group Files

You can create and manage chart group files from the Chart Group File dialog box, as indicated in the
following table.

Creating And Managing Chart Group File

Click... To...

New Create a new chart group file.

Add Folder Add a folder to the C:\Program Files\GE Fanuc\Proficy iFIX\HTR directory.

Delete File Delete a selected chart group file.

Edit File Modify an existing chart group file.

Save Save a new or modified chart group file.

Save and Apply Save a new or modified chart group file and apply it to the chart.

The New and Edit File button invokes the Chart Group Configuration dialog box, where you can add,
modify, and delete pens. You cannot modify and save existing chart group files if the application
developer set options in configuration mode that protect the files from any changes. Refer to Defining
Pens in a Chart Group File for more information about defining pens.

Applying a Default Chart Group File to a Chart

A chart group file is typically not associated with a chart until the operator applies the chart group file
in run mode. When you switch from configuration to run mode, a chart that has the Chart Group
Wizard applied appears blank until you associate a chart group file with the chart. If the application
developer has already defined a default chart group file for the chart, it may automatically begin
plotting data when you open the picture or when you click an object.
However, you may want to assign a default chart group file to a chart in configuration mode, which is
applied automatically in run mode. Assigning a chart group file ensures more control at run time. For
example, as an application developer, you can remove Chart Group Wizard functionality from a chart
and then assign a specific chart group file to the chart in run mode.
You can automatically apply a chart group file to a chart when:
• A picture opens.
• The operator clicks an object, including the chart itself
You can also let the operator make the chart and chart group selections at run time.

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Displaying the Name of a Chart Group File

You may want to display the name of the chart group file associated with a chart to allow operators to
determine which chart group file they applied.

To display the name of a chart group file without scripting:

1. Insert a chart in your picture and apply the Chart Group Wizard to it.
2. Insert a data link in your picture.
3. Enter the FileName variable object's InitialValue property as the data link's data source. For
example, MyPicture.Chart1.FileName1.InitialValue.
4. Switch to run mode and apply a chart group file to the chart with the Chart Group Wizard.
The name of the chart group file you applied appears in the data link.

To display the name of a chart group file with scripting:

1. Insert a chart in your picture and apply the Chart Group Wizard to it.
2. Insert a text object in your picture.
3. Position the cursor on the text object and click the right mouse.
4. Select Edit Script to register the text object in VBA.
5. Enter the following script below the CGW_OpenChartGroupForm on the chart's double click
event:
Text.Caption = FileNameX.InitialValue

where Text is the name of your text object and X is the number of the FileName variable.

Preventing Run-time Changes to Chart Group Files

The Chart Group Wizard allows operators to configure chart group files in run time. However, for
security reasons or to retain tighter control over process monitoring, you may want to limit which
activities operators perform against chart group files in run mode.
Specifically, you can allow operators to apply a chart group file to a chart in run mode, but limit their
ability to create a chart group file or modify and save existing chart group files.

Saving Chart Group Files

When you save a chart group file, you also save one or more pen configurations that you can apply in
run mode to track different aspects of your process environment. The system file is saved in the
C:\Program Files\GE Fanuc\Proficy iFIX\HTR directory as a .CSV file. You have the option of saving
the file in this directory or in a folder that you add to the directory. Use folders to organize your chart
group files logically.
The Chart Group Wizard also lets you create and save multiple chart group files in one session of the
Chart Group Configuration dialog box. When you click OK in the Chart Group File dialog box, the
Chart Group Configuration dialog box reappears. You can continue to create, edit, and save chart
group files before closing the dialog box.

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How the Chart Group Wizard Works in Run Mode

The Chart Group Wizard gives operators the flexibility to apply different chart group files and pen
configurations to charts. Depending on settings applied to a chart group file in configuration mode,
operators may also create, modify and delete chart group files.
To apply chart group files to a chart in run mode, the chart must have the Chart Group Wizard applied
to it in configure mode. Refer to Applying the Chart Group Wizard to a Chart to review how to create
charts and define pens.
Double-click a chart with the Chart Group Wizard applied to it to access the Chart Group Wizard. The
Chart Group File dialog box appears. You can select a chart group file to apply to a chart, and you can
apply the pen configurations without actually associating the chart with a chart group file.
Depending on how the applications developer configured the Chart Group Wizard, you can also create,
modify, save, and delete chart group files. These capabilities allow you to target and select only the
data you must monitor with the freedom to apply and save different pen configurations.

Using Scripting with the Chart Group Wizard

This section shows how you can use one exposed method to apply a chart group file to a chart and how
to use scripting with other exposed methods to perform various tasks, such as applying the Chart
Group Wizard to a double-click event. A list of properties used by the Chart Group Wizard and a series
of examples of using the Chart Group Wizard are also provided.
Refer to the following topics for more details:
• Applying a Chart Group File Through Scripting
• Applying the Chart Group Wizard Through Scripting
• Properties Defined Through the Chart Group Wizard

Applying a Chart Group File Through Scripting

The Chart Group Wizard lets you apply a chart group file to a chart through the following exposed
method:
CGW_ApplyFileToChart

For example, you might include push buttons in your picture, where the Click event for each button
applies a different chart group file to a chart. The demo picture, ChartGroupDemo, provides an
example of this.
You can also apply a chart group file to any event of an object. For example, you can use the
CGW_ApplyFileToChart method in a script for a rectangle's Mouse Down event. The Mouse Down
event can apply a chart group file to a chart that plots the fill percentage of the rectangle and causes an
alarm to sound when the value exceeds defined limits.
The following example shows code from the ChartGroupDemo picture for the first push button. This
script uses the CGW_ApplyFileToChart subroutine to apply the ChartGroup1.csv file to the Chart2
object.
'Procedure: CommandButton1_Click()

'Purpose: To initialize the variable strHTCPath to the FIX '

'iFIX HTC Path, then Apply the Chart Group

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'File "ChartGroup1.csv" to the Chart "Chart2"

'

Private Sub CommandButton1_Click()

Dim strMyChart As String

Dim strHTCPath As String

strHTCPath = System.FixPath(htc_path)

strMyChart = strHTCPath & "\ChartGroup1.csv"

CGW_ApplyFileToChart strMyChart, "Chart2"

End Sub

Applying the Chart Group Wizard Through Scripting

The Chart Group Wizard provides an exposed method that lets you apply the Chart Group Wizard to a
chart through scripting. The following code example applies the Chart Group Wizard to the Double-
click event of Chart1:
Private Sub Chart1_DblClick()

CGW_OpenChartGroupForm

End Sub

The CGW_OpenChartGroupForm method opens the Chart Group File form. This method has an
optional parameter for entering a chart name. If you want to apply a chart group file to a specific chart
on an object's Click event, you can enter the following code on the object's Click event; in this
example, the object is a command button:
Private Sub Commandbutton1_Click()

CGW_OpenChartGroupForm "Chart1"

End Sub

Properties Defined Through the Chart Group Wizard

The Chart Group Wizard reads pen data sources associated with existing charts and some pen
properties, which it can save in a chart group file. The Chart Group Wizard saves only those properties
defined through the Chart Group Wizard. These properties include pen styles, such as color and line
style, data limits, and time-related properties, as listed in the following table.

Properties Defined Through The Chart Group Wizard

Time Properties Data Properties Pen Properties

DaysBeforeNow Data source MarChar

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Properties Defined Through The Chart Group Wizard

Time Properties Data Properties Pen Properties

Duration HiLimit MarkerStyle

EndTime LoLimit PenLineColor

FixedDate HistoricalSampleType PenLineWidth

FixedTime FetchPenLimits

StartTime

TimeBeforeNow

You can configure properties for the chart that you cannot configure through the Chart Group Wizard.
To configure these properties, double-click the chart to open the Chart Configuration dialog box. You
can configure these chart properties:
• Properties on the General tab.
• Properties on the X-axis, Y-axis, Grid, and Legend tabs on the Chart tab.
• The Show Line, Constant Line, Show Gaps, and Maximum Display Points properties on the
Pen tab of the Chart tab.
Refer to Applying the Chart Group Wizard Through Scripting for a sample script of toggling between
the Chart Configuration dialog box and the dialog boxes invoked by the Chart Group Wizard.

Examples of Using the Chart Group Wizard

This section provides examples of how you can use the Chart Group Wizard to understand process
trends in the iFIX environment. The examples show how you can:
• Apply the Chart Group Wizard to a chart to use in run mode.
• Modify a pen definition and save it in a chart group file.
• Modify a chart group file in run mode, and then apply and save the changes.
• Apply a chart group file to a chart on an object's Click event.
Each of these examples is based on the sample picture, ChartGroupDemo.grf, provided when you
install iFIX.

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Example 1: Applying the Chart Group Wizard to a Chart

The Chart Group Wizard is applied to Chart1 in the ChartGroupDemo.grf demo picture.

To apply the Chart Group Wizard:

1. Select Chart1 in configuration mode.

2. In Classic view, in the iFIX WorkSpace, click the Apply Chart Group Wizard to Chart button
on the Chart Group toolbar.
-Or-
In Ribbon view, on the Tools tab, in the Charts group, click Chart Groups, and then click Apply
Chart Group Wizard to Chart.
3. Select the Apply Chart Group Wizard option.
4. Click OK.
Refer to Applying the Chart Group Wizard to a Chart for more details.

Example 2: Modifying a Pen Definition

The ChartGroupDemo.grf demo picture uses three chart group files:
• ChartGroup1.csv
• ChartGroup2.csv
• ChartGroup3.csv
You can modify these files in either configuration or run mode. Click the Configure Chart Group Files
button on the Chart Group toolbar (Classic view) or on the Tools tab, in the Chart Groups group, in the
Chart Groups list, click Configure Chart Group Wizard (Ribbon view). The Chart Group Configuration
dialog box appears, allowing you to create or modify chart group files.
To modify a chart group file in run mode, double-click Chart1, which has the Chart Group Wizard
applied to it. The Chart Group File dialog box appears, allowing you to apply, create, or edit a file.
Modify chart group files and their pen configurations in the Chart Group Configuration dialog box, as
shown in the following figure. In this example, the Marker Style for the second pen has been changed
to Rectangle Marker. ChartGroup1.csv is the open file and the Marker Style for the second pen has
been changed from a Rectangle to an Oval. Click Save to save your changes.
Select ChartGroup1.csv in the Chart Group File dialog box and click the Edit File button. The
ChartGroup Configuration dialog box opens.

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Modifying a Pen Definition

When you associate this chart group file with a chart in run mode, the marker style set here displays as
a rectangle.
You can make many other changes in this dialog box, including adding and deleting pen definitions
and saving the file under another name.

Example 3: Applying a Chart Group File in Run Mode

The Chart Group Wizard is applied to the ChartGroupDemo.grf demo picture. In run mode,
Chart1appears empty until you apply a chart group file to it. To apply a chart group file to a chart in
run mode, double-click the chart. The Chart Group File dialog box appears. Click Apply, and then
select a chart group file to apply to the chart.
The following figure shows the results of Chart1when you apply a chart group file to it. When you
click the first command button, the ChartGroup1.csv file is applied to it.

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Example 4: Applying a Chart Group File on an Object's Click Event

The Chart Group Wizard is not applied to Chart2 in the ChartGroupDemo.grf demo picture. This is
evident as the expanded System tree for the Chart2 object does not display the variable object
FileName.
However, Command buttons, 1, 2, and 3 are configured to apply a chart group file to Chart2 based on
their respective Click event. The Visual Basic script for each of these buttons uses the exposed Chart
Group Wizard method, CGW_ApplyFileToCha to automatically apply a file to a chart. Refer to
Applying a Chart Group File Through Scripting for more information on automatically applying a file
to a chart.
Before the chart can display detail, you must open the Chart Group Configuration dialog box, set the
Marker Style to Oval Marker for the second pen listed in the ChartGroup2.csv file, and then switch to
run mode.

Chart Group Wizard Dialog Boxes

The Chart Group Wizard includes the following dialog boxes (listed in alphabetical order):
• Apply Chart Group File Dialog Box
• Apply Chart Group Wizard Dialog Box
• Chart Group Configuration Dialog Box
• Chart Group File Dialog Box

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Apply Chart Group File Dialog Box

The Apply Chart Group File dialog box displays the following items:

Apply Chart Group File

Item Description

On Picture Applies a chart group file to the selected chart when the picture opens in run
Open mode. You can specify a chart group file or let the operator choose one in run
mode.

On Click of Applies a chart group file to the selected chart when the operator clicks the
Selected selected object. You can specify a chart group file or the operator can choose one
Object in run mode.

Chart

Item Description

Chart Name Enter the name of a chart on which to apply the chart group file when the picture
opens or when the operator clicks a selected object. You can use the drop-down
list box to view charts defined for the WorkSpace or the Browse button to browse
for a chart.

Get Chart Click this button if a chart is selected in the WorkSpace and you want to enter the
name of that chart in the Chart Name text box.

Select Chart Check this box to enable the operator to select a chart to apply to a chart group
in Run file when the picture opens or to apply to an object's Click event.

Chart Group File

Item Description

Chart Group Enter the name of the chart group file to apply to the selected chart. Click the
File Browse button to view a list of available chart group files.

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Item Description

Select Chart Check this box to enable the operator to select the chart group file to apply to a
Group File chart when the picture opens or to apply to an object's Click event.
in Run

Remove

Removes the Chart Group File functionality from the selected chart.

Apply Chart Group Wizard Dialog Box

The Apply Chart Group Wizard dialog box displays the following items:

Chart Name

Displays the chart group file to apply to the chart.

Apply Chart Group Wizard to Chart

Applies Chart Group Wizard functionality to the selected chart.

Remove Chart Group Wizard from Chart

Removes Chart Group Wizard functionality from the selected chart.

Chart Group Configuration Dialog Box

The Chart Group Configuration dialog box displays the following items:

Chart Group File

Identifies the path and name of the chart group file currently associated with the chart. If no chart
group file is associated with the chart, the label displays <no file>.

Pen List

Allows you to add a pen to the chart group by double clicking a blank field in the list; this allows you
to select a data source for the pen.

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Time

Item Description

Apply Time Lets you apply common time properties to all historic pens in the Pen List.
to All
Historical
Pens

Time Before Specifies the number of days and hours before the current time to start the
Now display. Select a value from the drop-down list or enter a value in this format:
ddd:hh:mm:ss
where the variables represent the number of days, hours, minutes, and seconds
before the current time.

Fixed Start Specifies whether to designate a specific date and time to start the display.
Time

Duration Specifies the time duration for the chart. Enter a value in this format:
dd:hh:mm:ss
For historical pens, you can assign a time range to each pen or specify one global
time period. Applying different time ranges to the pens lets you compare data
from different time periods, which helps to plot ideal curves rather than actual
curves.

Interval Allows you to set the interval.

Display Specifies whether the application displays milliseconds.

Milliseconds

Time Zone Allows you to specify the time zone.

Adjust for Specifies if the application will automatically adjust for Daylight Saving Time.
Daylight
Saving Time

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Pen Style

Item Description

Line Style Allows you to assign a style to the pen’s plot line. You can apply these pen
line styles:
• Solid – solid.
• Dashed – dashed.
• Dot – dotted.
• DashDot – dash-dot combination.
• DashDotDot – dash-dot-dot combination.

Line Color Applies a color to the pen’s plot line.

Line Allows you to specify the width of a pen’s plot line.

Width

Historical Allows you to determine how iFIX selects data from an historical data source
Mode and displays it in a chart, and determines what each displayed value
represents. The options are:
• Sample – The last valid value found is plotted, up to and including the
start of the interval.
• Avg – The average of all valid data found during the interval is plotted,
starting at the beginning of the interval, 12:00:00.
• High – The highest valid data point value found during the interval is
plotted, starting at the beginning of the interval, 12:00:00.
• Low – The lowest valid data point value found during the interval is
plotted, starting at the beginning of the interval, 12:00:00.

Marker Allows you to specify a style for the pen’s marker type. You can specify these
Style types of pen markers:
• No Marker – no marker.
• Rectangle – rectangle marker.
• Oval – oval marker.
• Diamond – diamond marker
• Character – character marker, as designated in the Marker Character text
box.

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Item Description

Marker Applies the character you enter as the marker style for the line. You activate
Character this dialog box by selecting Character from the Marker Style drop-down list
box.

Data

Item Description

Fetch Specifies whether to automatically retrieve the low and high limits assigned to
Links the selected data source.

Low Allows you to enter the low limit value for the selected data source.
Limit

High Allows you to enter the high limit value for the selected data source.
Limit

Open File

Lets you select a chart group file to modify or apply to a chart.

New

Click to clear the pens displayed in the Chart Group Configuration dialog Pen List and create a new
chart group file.

Save

Click to save the current pen configurations. If a chart group file is already open, this saves the open
file. If a chart group file is not open, this invokes the Chart Group File dialog box, where you can save
the file under a new name or overwrite an existing file.

Save As

Click to invoke the Chart Group File dialog box, where you can save a new chart group file or
overwrite an existing one.

Apply Pens

Closes this dialog box and applies your changes to the pen configurations on the chart.

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Chart Group File Dialog Box

The Chart Group File Dialog Box displays the following items:

Chart Group File Path

Identifies the current path for the display of chart group files and folders.

Chart Group File Tree

Lets you select a chart group file or folder.

Save As Read Only

Check this box to save the chart group file as a read-only file. When you select this option, you can
read, but you cannot modify the chart group file in run time.

File Name

Lets you enter a file name for a chart group.

Add Folder

Allows you to add a folder to the C:\Program Files\GE Fanuc\Proficy iFIX\HTR folder for storing
charts.

Delete File

Allows you to delete a chart group file.

How Do I...
The Chart Group Wizard help provides information for:
• Getting Started
• Working with Chart Group Files in Configuration Mode
• Working with the Chart Group Wizard in a Chart
• Working with Chart Group Files in Run Mode
• Defining Pens
• Using Scripts with the Chart Group Wizard

Getting Started
To get started with the Chart Group Wizard, refer to the following sections:
• Making the Chart Group Toolbar Visible
• Enabling the Local Node Alias

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• Using the Chart Group Configuration Dialog Box

• Using the Chart Group File Dialog Box
• Using the Apply Chart Group File Dialog Box
• Using the Apply Chart Group Wizard Dialog Box

Making the Chart Group Toolbar Visible

To make the Chart Group Toolbar visible in a picture:

NOTE: In Ribbon view, you can access the Chart Groups on the Tools tab, in the Charts
group.

1. In Classic view, in the iFIX WorkSpace menu, click Toolbars.

2. In the Owner list box, select Picture.
NOTE: The Chart Group Toolbar is for use in pictures only.

3. Select the ChartGroup toolbar in the list of toolbars to make it visible.

- Or -
If it is not in the list of toolbars, click Customize to open the Customize Toolbars dialog box.
Select the ChartGroupToolbar and select Import.
4. Select the ChartGroup toolbar in the list of toolbars and select Close.

Enabling the Local Node Alias Option

To enable the Local Node Alias option to use the ChartGroupDemo picture:

1. Ensure that you are logged in as an Administrator.

2. In Classic view, in the iFIX WorkSpace, click the System Configuration Utility button on the
toolbar.
-Or-
In Ribbon view, on the Applications tab, in the System & Security group, click SCU.
3. On the Configure menu, click Local Startup.
4. Check the Local Node Alias box and click OK.
5. On the File menu, click Save.
6. Close the WorkSpace and restart iFIX. The SCU changes are now effective. Restart the SCU.

Using the Chart Group Configuration Dialog Box

What do you want to learn how to do?

• In Configuration Mode

• Create chart group files from inception

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• Create chart group files from an existing chart

• Create chart group files from an existing chart group file
• Save chart group files
• Modify chart group files

• In Run Mode

• Create a chart group file

• Apply pen configurations to a chart
• Apply a chart group file to a chart
• Modify a chart group file
• Save a chart group file
• Save and apply a chart group file
• Delete a chart group file

Using the Chart Group File Dialog Box

What do you want to learn how to do?

• In Configuration Mode

• Delete a chart group file

• Create a folder for storing chart group files

• In Run Mode

• Apply a chart group file to a chart

• Create a chart group file
• Delete a chart group file
• Modify a chart group file
• Save a chart group file
• Save a chart group file and apply it to a chart
• Edit pens in a chart without applying a chart group file

Using the Apply Chart Group File Dialog Box

What do you want to learn how to do?

• Apply a file to a chart when a picture opens

• Apply a file to a chart on an object's Click event

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Using the Apply Chart Group Wizard Dialog Box

What do you want to learn how to do?

• Apply Chart Group Wizard functionality to a chart

• Apply Chart Group Wizard functionality to multiple charts
• Remove Chart Group Wizard functionality from a chart

Working with Chart Group Files in Configuration Mode

The following sections explain how to work with Chart Group Files in Configuration mode:
• Creating a Chart Group File from Inception
• Creating a Chart Group File from an Existing Chart Configuration
• Creating a Chart Group File from an Existing Chart Group File
• Saving a New Chart Group File
• Creating Folders for Storing Chart Group Files
• Applying a File When a Picture Opens
• Applying a File On an Object's Click Event
• Preventing Changes to Chart Group Files in Run Mode
• Using the Apply Chart Group File Dialog Box
• Deleting Chart Group Files
• Modifying a Chart Group File in Configuration Mode

Creating a Chart Group File from Scratch in Configuration Mode

To create a chart group file from scratch in configuration mode:

1. In Classic view, in the iFIX WorkSpace, click the Configure Chart Group Files button on the
Chart Group toolbar.
-Or-
In Ribbon view, on the Tools tab, in the Charts group, click Chart Groups, and then click
Configure Chart Group Wizard.
2. Add and configure pens.
3. Save the file.

Creating a Chart Group File from an Existing Chart in Configuration Mode

To create a chart group file from an existing chart in configuration mode:

1. Select the chart in configuration mode.

2. In Classic view, in the iFIX WorkSpace, click the Configure Chart Group Files button on the
Chart Group toolbar.

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-Or-
In Ribbon view, on the Tools tab, in the Charts group, click Chart Groups, and then click
Configure Chart Group Wizard.
The Chart Group Configuration dialog box appears, displaying the pens configured for the
selected chart.
3. Add, modify, or delete the configured pens, if necessary.
4. Click Save As to save and name the file.
NOTE: The Save As button is enabled only if you make a change to a pen in step 3.

Creating a Chart Group File from an Existing Chart Group File in Configuration Mode

To create a chart group file from an existing chart group file in Configuration mode:

1. In Classic view, in the iFIX WorkSpace, click the Configure Chart Group Files button on the
Chart Group toolbar.
-Or-
In Ribbon view, on the Tools tab, in the Charts group, click Chart Groups, and then click
Configure Chart Group Wizard.
2. In the Chart Group Configuration dialog box, click Open File.
3. In the Chart Group File dialog box, select a chart group file to open and click OK.
4. Add, modify, or delete pens in the existing chart group file.
5. Click Save As to save and name the file.

Saving a Chart Group File in Configuration Mode

To save a new chart group file in configuration mode:

1. In Classic view, in the iFIX WorkSpace menu, click the Configure Chart Group Files button.
-Or-
In Ribbon view, on the Tools tab, in the Chart Groups group, click Charts group, and then
click Configure Chart Group Wizard.
2. Create new pen configurations, or click Open File to open an existing chart group file.
3. In the Chart Group Configuration dialog box, click Save As.
4. Optionally, click Add Folder to add a folder in the C:\Program Files\GE Fanuc\Proficy
iFIX\HTR folder. In the Chart Group File dialog box, enter a folder name.
5. In the File Name text box, enter a name for the chart group file, or select an existing folder
and file to overwrite the contents of an existing file in the Chart Group File dialog box.

Creating Chart Group File Folders in Configuration Mode

To create a folder for storing chart group files in configuration mode:

1. In Classic view, the iFIX WorkSpace menu, click the Configure Chart Group Files button on
the Chart Group toolbar.

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-Or-
In Ribbon view, on the Tools tab, in the Charts group, click Charts group, and then click
Configure Chart Group Wizard.
2. In the Chart Group Configuration dialog box, click the Open File, Save, or Save As button.
3. In the Chart Group File dialog box, click Add Folder.
4. Enter the name of the folder you want to create.
NOTE: You can add a subfolder to any folder in the chart group file tree. You cannot delete a
folder from the chart group file tree. You must use Windows Explorer to delete a folder.

Applying a Default Chart Group File When a Picture Opens

To apply a default chart group file to a chart when a picture opens:

1. In configuration mode, in Classic view, click the Apply Chart Group File button on the Chart
Group toolbar.
-Or-
In Ribbon view, on the Tools tab, in the Charts group, click Chart Groups, and then click
Apply Chart Group File.
2. Select the Apply Chart Group File On Picture Open option.
3. Using the Chart area, enter a chart name in the text box, use the drop-down list box to select
one, or click Get Chart to use the name of a chart already selected in the WorkSpace. Select
the Select Chart in Run check box to select a chart in run mode.
4. Using the Chart Group File area, enter a chart group file name in the text box or use the
Browse button to select one. Check the Select Chart Group File in Run check box to choose a
chart group file to apply a chart in run mode.

Applying a Default Chart Group File on an Object's Click Event

To apply a default chart group file to a chart on an object's Click event:

1. In configuration mode, in Classic view, click the Apply Chart Group File button on the Chart
Group toolbar.
-Or-
In Ribbon view, on the Tools tab, in the Charts group, click Chart Groups, and then click
Apply Chart Group File.
2. Select the Apply Chart Group File On Click of Selected Object option.
3. Using the Chart area, enter a chart name in the text box, use the drop-down list box to select
one, or click Get Chart to use the name of a chart already selected in the WorkSpace. Check
the Select Chart in Run check box to select a chart in run mode.
4. Using the Chart Group File area, enter a chart group file name in the text box or use the
Browse button to select one. Check the Select Chart Group File in Run check box to select a
chart group file to apply to a chart in run mode.

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Preventing Changes to a Chart Group File in Run Mode

To prevent changes to a chart group file in run mode:

1. In the iFIX WorkSpace, create or modify a chart group file.

2. From the Chart Group Configuration dialog box, click the Save or Save As button to save the
chart group file.
3. From the Chart Group File dialog box’s File Name text box, enter the name of the chart group
file.
4. Check the Save As Read Only text box.
5. Click OK.

Deleting Chart Group Files in Configuration Mode

To delete a chart group file in configuration mode:

1. In Classic view, in the iFIX WorkSpace, click the Configure Chart Group Files button on the
Chart Group toolbar.
-Or-
In Ribbon view, on the Tools tab, in the Charts group, click Chart Groups, and then click
Configure Chart Group Wizard.
2. In the Chart Group Configuration dialog box, click the Open File, Save, or Save As button.
3. In the Chart Group File dialog box, select the chart group file that you want to delete.
4. Click Delete File. A message appears prompting you to delete the file.
5. Click OK.

Modifying a Chart Group File in Configuration Mode

To modify a chart group file in Configuration mode:

1. In Classic view, in the iFIX WorkSpace, click the Configure Chart Group Files button on the
Chart Group toolbar.
-Or-
In Ribbon view, on the Tools tab, in the Charts group, click Chart Groups, and then click
Configure Chart Group Wizard.
2. In the Chart Group Configuration dialog box, click Open File.
3. In the Chart Group File dialog box, select a file to edit and click OK.
4. Add, modify, and delete pen configurations in the Chart Group Configuration dialog box, as
needed.
5. Click Save to save the changes.

Working with the Chart Group Wizard in a Chart

For steps on how to work with the Chart Group Wizard functionality with a chart, refer to the

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following sections:
• Applying Chart Group Wizard Functionality to a Chart
• Applying Chart Group Wizard Functionality to Multiple Charts
• Removing Chart Group Wizard Functionality from a Chart

Applying Chart Group Wizard Functionality to a Chart

To apply Chart Group Wizard functionality to a chart:

1. In the iFIX WorkSpace, select a chart.

2. In Classic view, click the Apply Chart Group Wizard To Chart toolbar button.
-Or-
In Ribbon view, on the Tools tab, in the Charts group, click Chart Groups, and then click
Apply Chart Group Wizard to Chart.
3. Select the Apply Chart Group Wizard To Chart option.
The Apply Chart Group File dialog box appears when you double click the cart in run mode.

NOTE: If you apply the Chart Group Wizard to a chart, you must clear the Modifiable check
box on the General tab of the Chart Configuration dialog box. This ensures that the double-
click event invokes the Chart Group Wizard, and not the Chart Configuration dialog box in run
mode.

Applying Chart Group Wizard Functionality to Multiple Charts

To apply Chart Group Wizard functionality to multiple charts:

1. In the iFIX WorkSpace, select two or more charts.

2. Depress and hold the Ctrl button.
3. Click each chart to which you want to apply the Chart Group Wizard.
4. In Classic view, click the Apply Chart Group Wizard To Chart toolbar button.
-Or-
In Ribbon view, on the Tools tab, in the Charts group, click Chart Groups, and then click
Apply Chart Group Wizard to Chart.
5. Select the Apply Chart Group Wizard To Chart option.
NOTE: If you apply the Chart Group Wizard to a chart, you must clear the Modifiable check
box on the General tab of the Chart Configuration dialog box. This ensures that the double-
click event invokes the Chart Group Wizard, and not the Chart Configuration dialog box in
run mode.

Removing Chart Group Wizard Functionality from a Chart

To remove Chart Group Wizard functionality from a chart:

1. In configuration mode, select the chart you want to remove Chart Group Wizard functionality

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from.
2. In Classic view, click the Apply Chart Group Wizard to Chart button on the Chart Group
toolbar.
-Or-
In Ribbon view, on the Tools tab, in the Charts group, click Chart Groups, and then click
Apply Chart Group Wizard to Chart.
3. Select the Remove Chart Group Wizard From Chart option.

Working with Chart Group Files in Run Mode

For steps on work with Chart Group Files in run mode, refer to the following sections:
• Applying a Chart Group File to a Chart
• Applying Pen Configurations to a Chart in Run Mode
• Creating a Chart Group File
• Modifying a Chart Group File
• Saving a Chart Group File
• Saving and Applying a Chart Group File
• Editing Chart Pens Without Applying a File
• Deleting a Chart Group File
• Using the Chart List Dialog Box

Applying a Chart Group File to a Chart in Run Mode

To apply a chart group file to a chart in run mode:

1. In the iFIX WorkSpace's run mode, double click a chart that has Chart Group functionality.
The Chart Group File dialog box appears.
2. Select a chart group file.
3. Click Apply.
By default, the first chart group file in the list is selected. If the chart is already associated with
a chart group file, that file is selected.

Applying Pen Configurations to a Chart in Run Mode

To apply a pen configuration to a chart in run mode:

1. In the iFIX WorkSpace's run mode, double click a chart that has Chart Group functionality.
The Chart Group File dialog box appears.
2. Click New to create new pen configurations, or select a chart group file and click Edit File to
apply pre-defined pen configurations.
3. From the Chart Group Configuration dialog box click the Apply Pens button, or from the
Chart Group File dialog box click the Save & Apply button.
The pens you configure are applied to the chart and you are returned to the Chart Group File

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dialog box, the Chart Group File field is empty. There is no chart group file associated with the
chart.

Creating a Chart Group File in Run Mode

To create a chart group file in run mode:

1. Double-click a chart that has Chart Group Wizard functionality. The Chart Group File dialog
box appears.
2. Click New in the Chart Group File dialog box. The Chart Group Configuration dialog box
appears
3. Add and configure pens.
4. Click Save As. The Chart Group File dialog box appears.
5. Enter a File Name and click Save to save and name the file.

Modifying a Chart Group File in Run Mode

To modify a chart group file in run mode:

1. Double click a chart that has Chart Group functionality.

2. In the Chart Group File dialog box, select a file to edit and click Edit File.
3. In the Chart Group Configuration dialog box, add, delete, or modify the file's pen
configurations as needed.
4. Click Save to save the changes. A message displays, asking if you want to overwrite the file.
5. Click Yes.
6. Click the New button to clear the Pen List to configure additional chart group files.
7. Enter new pen configurations, and click the Save As button.

Saving a Chart Group File in Run Mode

To save a chart group file in run mode:

1. Double-click a chart that has Chart Group functionality. The Chart Group File dialog box
appears.
2. Click New to create a new chart group file or select a file to edit and click Edit File in the
Chart Group File dialog box. The Chart Group Configuration dialog box appears.
3. In the Chart Group Configuration dialog box, add, delete, or modify the file's pen
configurations as needed.
4. Click Save As to save and name the changes.
5. Select the appropriate folder and enter the name for the chart group file in the File Name field.
6. Click Save to save the file or click Save & Apply to save the file and apply it to the chart.

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Saving and Applying a Chart Group File in Run Mode

To save and apply a chart group file in run mode:

1. Double-click a chart that has Chart Group functionality. The Chart Group File dialog box
appears.
2. Click New to create a new chart group file, or in the Chart Group File dialog box select a file
to edit and click Edit File. The Chart Group Configuration dialog box appears.
3. In the Chart Group Configuration dialog box, add, delete, or modify the file's pen
configurations as needed.
4. Click Save to save the changes.
5. Select the appropriate folder and enter the name for the chart group file.
6. Click Save to save the file or click Save & Apply to save the file and apply it to the chart.

Editing Pens in a Chart

To edit pens in a chart:

1. Double click a chart that has Chart Group functionality. The Chart Group File dialog box
displays.
2. Click the Edit Pens button. The Chart Group Configuration dialog box appears.
3. Edit the pens in the pen list.
4. Click the Apply Pens button. The new pen configurations are applied to the chart; a chart
group file is not applied to the chart.

Deleting a Chart Group File in Run Mode

To delete a chart group file in run mode:

1. Double click a chart that has Chart Group functionality.

2. In the Chart Group File dialog box, select a file to delete.
3. Click Delete File. The Chart Group Wizard displays a prompt to determine if you want to
delete the file.

Using the Chart List Dialog Box

To select a chart to apply a chart group file to using the Chart List dialog box:

1. Select one of the charts from the list. If a file displays in the File field, that file is applied to
the chart you select. If the File field displays To be selected, you are prompted to select a file.
2. Click OK. If a chart group file displays in the File field, that file is applied to the chart you
selected. Otherwise, the Chart Group File dialog box appears, allowing you to choose a file.

Defining Pens
In the Chart Group Wizard, you can perform the following pen tasks:

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• Adding a Pen
• Deleting Pens
• Reordering Pens
• Defining Pen Properties

Adding Pens

To add a pen:

1. In Classic view, the iFIX WorkSpace, click the Configure Chart Group Files button on the
Chart Group toolbar.
-Or-
In Ribbon view, on the Tools tab, in the Charts group, click Chart Groups, and then click
Configure Chart Group Wizard.
2. From the Chart Group Configuration dialog box, double-click an empty line in the Pen List
box and select a pen from the Pen List field.
3. Click the Browse button to the right of the Pen List field to open the Expression Builder.
4. In the Expression Builder, choose a data source for the pen. The pen can plot historical data or
real-time data.

Deleting Pens

To delete a pen:

1. In Classic view, in the iFIX WorkSpace, click the Configure Chart Group Files button on the
Chart Group toolbar.
-Or-
In Ribbon view, on the Tools tab, in the Chart Groups group, click Chart Groups, and then
click Configure Chart Group Wizard.
2. From the Chart Group Configuration dialog box, in the Pen List, select a pen.
3. Click the X button from the Pen List toolbar. The X button is the second of four buttons.

Reordering Pens

To reorder pens in the Pen List:

1. In Classic view, in the iFIX WorkSpace, click the Configure Chart Group Files button on the
Chart Group toolbar.
-Or-
In Ribbon view, on the Tools tab, in the Charts group, click Chart Groups, and then click
Configure Chart Group Wizard.
2. From the Chart Group Configuration dialog box, select a pen.
3. Click the Up arrow in the Pen List toolbar to move the pen up in the list; click the Down
arrow to move it down.

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Defining Pen Properties

To define pen properties:

1. In Classic view, in the iFIX WorkSpace, click the Configure Chart Group Files button on the
Chart Group toolbar.
-Or-
In Ribbon view, on the Tools tab, in the Charts group, click Chart Groups, and then click
Configure Chart Group Wizard.
2. In the Chart Group Configuration dialog box, select a pen in the Pen List.
3. Optionally, enter the time duration for the chart in the Duration dialog box for a pen that plots
real-time data.
Optionally, check the Apply Time to All Historical Pens to assign common time properties for
all historical pens for a pen that plots historical data. Set either the length of time before the
present to start plotting data or set a fixed start date and time to plot data. In the Duration text
box, enter a duration limit used by the Historical Mode to plot a data point for each time
segment.

3. Optionally, enter data fetch limits for the pens and pen styles, such as line width, color, line
type, and marker style.
4. Optionally, select an Historical sampling mode to use to plot data points for each time
duration segment for historical pens.

Using Scripts with the Chart Group Wizard

The following sections describe how to use scripts with the Chart Group Wizard:
• Applying the Chart Group Wizard Functionality through Scripting
• Applying a Chart Group File through Scripting

Applying Chart Group Wizard Functionality Through Scripting

To apply Chart Group Wizard functionality to a chart through scripting:

Use the CGW_OpenChartGroupForm method, which you can access through script that lets
you apply Chart Group Wizard functionality to a chart. The syntax for the method is:
CGW_OpenChartGroupForm

Example

1. Create a chart named MyChart.

2. Add the following script to the chart's double-click event:
Private Sub Chart1_DblClick()

CGW_OpenChartGroupForm

End Sub

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Applying a Chart Group File Through Scripting

To apply a chart group file to a chart through scripting:

Use the CGW_ApplyFileToChart method, which you can access through script that lets you
apply a chart group file to a chart. The syntax for the method is:
CGW_ApplyFileToChart(strFileName As String, strChartName As String)

StrFileName Name of file to attach to the chart.

strChartName Name of the chart to attach the file to.

Example

1. Create a rectangle named MyRect.

2. Create a chart named MyChart.
3. Create a chart group file named chartgrouptest.csv.
4. Add the following script to the rectangle’s double click event:
Private Sub MyRect_DblClick()

CGW_ApplyFileToChart "C:\Program Files\GE Fanuc\Proficy

iFIX\HTR\chartgroupTest.csv", "MyChart"

End Sub

5. Enter the following syntax if you don’t want to hard code the path:
Dim path As String

path = System.FixPath(Htc_Path)

CGW_ApplyFileToChart path & "\chartgroupTest.csv", "MyChart"

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Troubleshooting
This chapter details potential error messages you may encounter while using Historical Trending, their
meaning, and a suggested course of action. It also details some items you should consider when using
Historical Trending with ODBC.
Refer to the following sections for more details:
• Historical Assign and Historical Collect Messages
• ODBC Considerations

Historical Assign and Historical Collect Messages

The following tables list messages generated in Historical Assign and Historical Collect, and their
corresponding meaning.

Historical Assign Messages

Historical Assign Message Action or Meaning

Can't add group. Disk may be full. Check disk space and delete unnecessary files.
Check disk.

Cannot save a group with no tags. A group that contains no tags cannot be saved.
Close dialog anyway?

Configuration file write error. Disk Check disk space and delete unnecessary files.
may be full.

Enter a nodename. To use ? support in the tagname field you must first enter a
node name in the Node field.

Field must be floating point type. Make sure your tagname has a F_ field.

Illegal characters in nodename. Node name must start with a letter and be less than 9
alphanumeric characters.

Illegal limit value. Enter a limit value greater than or equal to 0.

Insufficient disk space to save new Check disk space and delete unnecessary files.
configuration.

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Historical Assign Messages

Historical Assign Message Action or Meaning

Insufficient disk space to save new Check disk space and delete unnecessary files.
group.

Invalid autopurge time entered. Valid autopurge range is from 2-200 days.

Invalid rate value. Valid collection rates are:

1, 2, 10, 20, 30 seconds
1, 2, 10, 20, 30 minutes

Invalid value entered for phase. Phase values are in 2 second increments from 0-58
seconds.

Maximum number of groups has Up to 255 collection groups can be defined in Historical
been reached. Assign.

Nodename is not valid. Save The node name entered is not valid. Establish a session
anyway? with the node in the SCU.

Phase must be less than rate. The Phase value must be less than the Rate value.

This Node:Tag.Field not found. Verify that the entry is valid.

Use anyway?

This tagname is already assigned to The tagname is already entered for this group. You cannot
the group. enter duplicate tagnames into a collection group.

This qualifier is not a digital point. Verify the qualifier block that you entered. The qualifier is
Use anyway? usually a Digital Input or Digital Output block.
If you are not using a Digital block, a value of 0 stops
collection and a value other than 0 starts collection.

Historical Collect Messages

Historical Collect Message Action or Meaning

An overrun has occurred. An overrun indicates that values for some tagnames in the group
are not collected at the specified data collection rate. Overruns

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Historical Collect Messages

Historical Collect Message Action or Meaning

can be prevented by phasing this rate.

Data file write failure. Disk Run HTC_SCAN from the iFIX Base path.
may be full. Unable to read
data file.

Existing data file corrupted. Run HTC_SCAN from the iFIX Base path.

Existing data file read failure. Run HTC_SCAN from the iFIX Base path.

No groups defined for A collection group must be defined in Historical Assign before
collection. starting Historical Collect.

System time has been The system date or time has been changed to a time that precedes
changed. HTC cannot data collection for the file. Stop Historical Collect, reset the time
continue. or date, and restart Historical Collect.

HTC warning qualifier not The qualifier block you entered for the collection group in the
found. Use anyway? Historical Assign program does not exist in the database.

Unable to open configuration This message appears if the historical path was changed in the
file. Run HTA. SCU. Run Historical Assign and modify a tag in each collection
group so that the new configuration can be read.

Error initializing HTC. Some This message appears if a historical collection group was deleted
.DAT files may have been out of the iFIX HTR path by a means other than HTA.
erased.

ODBC Considerations
The following sections describe some items you should consider when using Historical Trending with
ODBC:
• Using ODBC Drivers to Query Historical Data
• ODBC Access to Historical and Real-time Databases

Using ODBC Drivers to Query Historical Data

When querying historical data using ODBC drivers, be aware of the following conditions:

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• If you specify an open-ended criterion (for example: greater than with no less than), there is a
default timespan of two hours.
• If you query for a time span that does not fall within the time span of the historical file, you
will receive an empty record set. For example, if you were to query all records between 05:00
and 07:00 on a day that has no XXXXXX04.H04, you would receive an empty record set.
• If you do not specify an interval, the default time span will be one minute.

ODBC Access to Historical and Real-time Databases

Both the iFIX and real-time historical databases can be accessed through ODBC. To perform the
ODBC connection and the SQL query, make sure the table to query in the SQL Query statement is the
same as the node defined in the group of the Historical Assign configuration. Use the DSN name iFIX
Historical Data.
The following example illustrates sample code used to connect to ODBC using ADO.
Private conADO As Connection

Private rsADO As Recordset

Private Sub QueryDatabase(strTag As String, strStartTime As String,

strEndTime As String)

Dim strQuery As String

strQuery = "SELECT * FROM THISNODE " + _

"WHERE TAG = '" + strTag + "' " + _

"AND INTERVAL = '1.0' " + _

"AND (DATETIME >={ts '" + strStartTime + "'} AND " + _

"DATETIME <={ts '" + strEndTime + "'})"

If conADO Is Nothing Then

Set conADO = New ADODB.Connection

conADO.ConnectionString = "DSN=iFIX Historical _

Data;UID=sa;PWD=;"

conADO.Open

End If

If rsADO Is Nothing Then

Set rsADO = New ADODB.Recordset

End If

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rsADO.Open strQuery, conADO, adOpenForwardOnly, _

adLockReadOnly, adCmdText

121
Index
A  defining a time range for each pen............... 50
add .................................................................... 32 defining pens ............................................... 40
adding ............................................................... 33 defining run-time attributes ......................... 54
adding pens ..................................................... 113 described ...................................................... 35
adjusting for daylight saving time .................... 58 displaying multiple times ............................. 56
animating, chart properties ............................... 54 displaying multiple values ........................... 56
Apply Chart Group File dialog ....................... 107 displaying SQL data .................................... 77
applying displaying time cursors ................................ 56
chart group configurations .......................... 110 displaying tool tips....................................... 56
chart group file ............................................. 93 entering a description................................... 44
chart group file in run mode ......................... 91 naming ......................................................... 44
chart group file through scripting ................. 91 object ........................................................... 35
chart group file to a chart in run mode .........88 plotting ideal curves..................................... 44
chart group files .......................................... 115 plotting real-time versus historical data ....... 37
Chart Group Wizard functionality .............. 114 reading time ................................................. 57
Chart Group Wizard through scripting .........92 removing Chart Group Wizard
functionality ............................................109
default chart group file ................................. 89
retaining configured pens ...........................105
applying pens to a chart .................................. 112
scrolling ....................................................... 44
B 
specifying a scroll direction ......................... 44
blocks
transparent ................................................... 47
assigning for trending ................................... 15
working in the run-time environment .......... 54
determining which to trend ........................... 15
zooming ....................................................... 55
C 
chart group configuration, applying................110
CGW_ApplyFileToChart method .................... 91
chart group file
chart
about ............................................................ 81
applying Chart Group Wizard
functionality............................................ 114 adding folders .............................................106
attributing a help context ID ......................... 44 applying ......................................................115
changing the appearance............................... 47 applying the default ..................................... 89
changing the refresh rate .............................. 48 applying through scripting ........................... 91
configuring the legend .................................. 54 applying to a chart in run mode ................... 88
configuring the x and y axis ......................... 52 creating ........................................................ 88
defining a grid .............................................. 53 deleting .......................................................112

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file location and type .................................... 81 modifying .................................................... 24

modifying ................................................... 108 suspending ................................................... 24
modifying example ....................................... 93 color, changing in a chart................................. 47
on Click event example ................................ 93 communicate.................................................... 31
preventing run-time changes ........................ 90 configuration mode
saving ........................................................... 88 applying default chart group file.................. 89
saving and applying .................................... 112 Chart Group Wizard functionality ............... 86
Chart group file, applying configuring, pens ............................................113
changes without saving................................. 86 configuring and applying chart group files ...... 88
Chart Group Wizard creating
about ............................................................. 79 chart group files ..........................................106
applying through scripting ............................ 92 folders .........................................................106
applying to charts ....................................... 114 D 
before you begin ........................................... 80 data collection
configuring and applying .............................. 88 entering a deadband limit for ....................... 23
examples of using ......................................... 93 entering a rate .............................................. 20
FileName system tree string ......................... 87 phasing ......................................................... 21
functionality in run mode ............................. 91 preventing overruns ..................................... 21
removing from charts ................................. 109 starting and stopping .................................... 11
toolbar......................................................... 103 data collection rate ........................................... 32
Chart Group Wizard methods data file storage, historical ............................... 10
CGW_ApplyFileToChart ............................. 93 Data limit properties ........................................ 84
CGW_OpenChartGroupForm ...................... 87 data properties, defining for a pen ................... 40
Chart properties Data Sources .................................................... 98
animating ...................................................... 54 daylight saving time, adjusting for .................. 58
applying ........................................................ 39 deadband limit
applying to all pens....................................... 39 entering for data collection .......................... 23
defining......................................................... 43 example........................................................ 23
ChartGroupDemo picture, using..................... 103 default chart group file ...................................107
Click event, applying chart group file ..............89 defining, Chart grid.......................................... 53
collection deleting
starting historical .......................................... 12 collection ..................................................... 25
stopping historical ........................................ 12 pens .............................................................. 40
collection group deleting chart group files ................................112
creating ......................................................... 18 deleting pens ...................................................113
defining......................................................... 18 demo picture
deleting ......................................................... 25 using ...........................................................103

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display mode, choosing for a data source .........40 example of use ............................................... 4
Double-click event, applying Chart Group what elements make up.................................. 3
Wizard .......................................................... 92
I 
Duration property ............................................. 84
importing Chart Group toolbar .......................103
E 
L 
editing pens..................................................... 112
Legend, configuring for a chart ....................... 54
F 
Line color property .......................................... 83
Fetch Limit property ......................................... 84
Line style property ........................................... 83
file..................................................................... 31
Line width property ......................................... 83
file server, storing Historical Collect files ........10
Local Node Alias option .................................103
FileName system tree string variable ............... 87
Local Node Alias, enabling ............................. 81
Fixed Start Time property ................................ 84
M 
folder, adding.................................................. 106
marker style, choosing for a pen ...................... 48
G 
Marker style property ...................................... 83
grid, defining for a chart ................................... 53
Methods
H 
CGW_ApplyFileToChart ............................ 91
Help context ID, attributing to charts ............... 44
CGW_OpenChartGroupForm...................... 87
Historical Assign
Modifying
exiting ........................................................... 12
chart group files in Run mode ..................... 88
messages ..................................................... 117
chart group files, preventing ........................ 90
Historical Collect
pens .............................................................. 82
messages ..................................................... 117
modifying and applying a pen ......................... 86
preventing overruns ...................................... 12
modifying chart group files ............................108
starting .......................................................... 12
modifying collection ........................................ 24
stopping ........................................................ 12
N 
storing data ..................................................... 9
node
Historical Collect file
local alias ..................................................... 19
purging ......................................................... 19
selecting ....................................................... 19
setting length ................................................ 18
node ................................................................. 31
historical data
O 
interpreting ..................................................... 6
overruns
plotting in a chart .......................................... 37
preventing in data collection ........................ 21
Historical mode property .................................. 86
preventing in Historical Collect ................... 12
Historical pen properties................................... 84
P 
historical trending
Pen
charts ............................................................ 35
applying line styles ...................................... 48
enabling security........................................... 13
choosing a line color .................................... 48

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choosing a marker style for a chart ............... 48 run mode

concepts ........................................................ 80 applying chart group file.............................. 88
data limit-related properties .......................... 84 Chart Group Wizard functionality ............... 91
defining a data source for a chart.................. 40 creating and managing chart group files ...... 88
defining a time range for a chart ................... 50 run mode .........................................................110
defining for a chart ....................................... 40 run-time environment
defining styles for a chart ............................. 48 defining attributes for a chart ....................... 54
managing ...................................................... 82 viewing chart data ........................................ 54
modifying and applying ................................ 86 S 
setting properties .......................................... 84 saving
style properties ............................................. 83 chart group files ..........................................106
time-related properties .................................. 84 folders .........................................................106
types ............................................................. 80 Saving chart group files
pen configurations, applying .......................... 110 in Configuration mode ................................. 90
pens................................................................. 113 in Run mode ................................................ 88
phasing saving the chart group file ............................... 90
data collection............................................... 21 scripting ..........................................................115
examples ....................................................... 21 security ...........................................................108
phasing ............................................................. 33 select a node .................................................... 31
Picture open event .......................................... 107 selecting ........................................................... 32
preventing runtime changes to chart group selecting a node ............................................... 19
files ............................................................. 108
Selecting multiple charts ................................. 87
purge ................................................................. 31
SQL, displaying data in a chart........................ 77
purging
storage of data, historical ................................. 10
automatically ................................................ 19
suspending collection ...................................... 24
historical files ............................................... 19
T 
Q 
tagnames
qualifier block, specifying ................................ 20
select for trending ........................................ 20
qualifier block................................................... 32
tagnames .......................................................... 32
R 
THISNODE ..................................................... 19
rate field............................................................ 20
Time Before Now property .............................. 84
rate, data collection........................................... 20
time range, defining for each pen in a chart..... 50
real-time data, plotting in a chart ...................... 37
toolbar, Chart Group Wizard ........................... 79
Real-time pen properties................................... 84
toolbar .............................................................103
refresh rate ........................................................ 48
tooltips ............................................................. 56
removing Chart Group Wizard functionality .. 109
transparent chart .............................................. 47
reordering pens ............................................... 113
trending

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choosing a display mode .............................. 40 U 

enabling security........................................... 13 Universal Coordinate Time.............................. 57
trending............................................................. 32 using Chart Group Wizard, examples .............. 93

127