Graphic logic editor
Introduction
The logic entry procedure previously used has now been replaced by the graphic logic editor. The logic functions are placed on a "worksheet". The links are then established using the mouse.
Coherencies (inputs/logic modules/outputs)
The following graphics show the basic connections between the inputs, logic modules and outputs.
The inputs are created in one or more input box(es). An input can be used in several logic modules.
The outputs are created in one or more output box(es). Outputs from one logic module can be directly connected to the input of another logic module.
Data transfer from the existing logic
The user can transfer his existing logic once at the press of a button. Both of the following program items exist in the „EIB control“ section before transfer: „Logic“ (old) and „graphic logic editor“ (new). After this unique transfer, the program item „Logic“ disappears from the menu. The previous logic structure is deleted. Before the transfer, the menu item "Transfer" is displayed in the new logic editor (see figure). This button no longer exists after the transfer.
Screen before the transfer:
Message before the transfer:
A structure is created during the transfer. Every folder is created. A worksheet with all functions that previously existed in this folder is also added.
Important: Make a backup of the project be to transferred before transferring it!
How is the transfer made?
Before the transfer (figure, existing logic):
After the transfer (figure, graphic logic editor).:
Notes on transfer:
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A „Transfer“ folder is always created. Under this, a folder is created for every existing folder. A worksheet is inserted into every folder: the logic modules are located here.
- Items that have not been assigned to a folder are placed on their own worksheet.
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All inputs in an input box are listed in the worksheet. This also applies to the outputs (Fig. see below).
- Individual items may have to be aligned manually after the transfer!
- All inputs of a worksheet are gathered together in their own input box.
- All outputs of a worksheet are gathered together in their own output box.
Attention: A maximum of 15 modules are transferred for each worksheet. If a folder contains more than 15 logic modules then transfer is not possible. You should then place the logic modules into several folders.
Working with the graphic logic editor
The logic editor is based on the „worksheet“. The following items can be placed on a worksheet:
- Input boxes (inputs)
- Output boxes (outputs)
- Text boxes
- Logic modules
A section of the graphic logic editor screen:
(1) List of the folders and worksheets
(2) Input box
(3) Logic module (example: staircase light automation)
(4) Output box
(5) Text box
(6) Additional functions (Menu, function bar)
(7) List of all logic modules and items that can be placed on a worksheet
Worksheet
The input boxes, output boxes, modules and text boxes are placed on a worksheet. You can select the size of a worksheet. You can choose between 5 different sizes. The following sizes are available:
- Very small: 600 x 424 pixels
- Small: 800 x 565 pixels
- Medium: 1600 x 1131 pixels
- Large: 2400 x 1697 pixels
- Very large: 2000 x 1413 pixels
Print worksheet
The worksheet can be printed. The output is enlarged/reduced to the print format/page format of the printer.
Input boxes / inputs
The inputs of a worksheet can be gathered together in the „input box“. Several of these are possible within one worksheet.
Input box
An input box can be created via the popup menu with the right mouse button, via key combination CTRL+F1, via the menu item "New" in the toolbar of the worksheet or via the module structure (simply drag onto the worksheet using drag&drop).
An input box can contain the following items:
- Communication objects
- Connectors
To insert new items into an input box, simply click on the title line (name) of the box with the right mouse button. Both communication objects and connectors can be inserted into the box using the popup menu. A click on the plus symbol within the title line inserts a communication object directly into the box.
Note: If you click on an input and then drag the mouse with the left mouse button pressed onto the plus symbol of the input box, then a new communication object can be directly assigned to the input
Note: Any number of items can be assigned to an input box. This is only limited by the space within the worksheet.
Additional information on the input box is contained in the section
Functionality of input box / output box.
Output boxes / outputs
The outputs of a worksheet can be gathered together in the „output box“. Several of these are possible within one worksheet.
Output box
An output box can be created via the popup menu with the right mouse button, via key combination CTRL+F2, via the menu item "New" in the toolbar of the worksheet or via the module structure (simply drag onto the worksheet using drag&drop).
An output box can contain the following items:
- Communication objects/Commands
- Connectors
To insert new items into an output box, simply click on the title line (name) of the box with the right mouse button. Communication objects can be inserted into the box, and connectors can be created, using the popup menu. A click on the plus symbol within the title line inserts a communication object/command directly into the box.
Note: If you click on an output and then drag the mouse with the left mouse button pressed onto the plus symbol of the output box, then a new communication object/command can be directly assigned to the output.
Note: Any number of items can be assigned to an output box. This is only limited by the space within the worksheet.
Additional information on the output box is contained in the section
Functionality of input box / output box.
Functionality of the input box / output box
- A double-click changes the name
- The order of the objects can be changed by „hold shift“+“drag mouse“.
- Right mouse button on the title (name):
- Properties - change the name of the box.
- Cut, copy, paste - internal copy functions. Allows items to be moved and copied within the project.
- Store as template - stores the marked items as a template.
- Create new objects - insert communication object, connectors, commands in the box.
- Right mouse button on the object:
- Properties - change the communication object or the connector.
- Remove - removes the object from the box.
- Move to... - moves the object to another box.
- Break links - removes all links from the marked object.
- Up, down - changes the order of the object within a box.
- Click on nodes (output box only):
Text boxes
Text boxes can be inserted for comments and a description. The size is determined automatically from the text size and can only be changed by this. To change the content of a text box, just double-click on the box or call up the shortcut menu with the right mouse button.
Text box functionality
- A double-click changes the text
Modules
In theory, any number of modules can be placed on a worksheet. Depending on its definition, a module contains a determined number of inputs/outputs. A fixed value can be assigned to each input and/or the input can be linked to objects from the input boxes. Similarly, every output can be linked to objects/commands from output boxes.
Module functionality
- A double-click changes the name
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- Right mouse button on the title (name):
- Properties - Change name and telegram interval
- Cut, copy, paste - internal copy functions. Allows items to be moved and copied within the project.
- Remove - deletes the marked module/item.
- Store as template - exports the marked items as a template.
- Help for module - shows the help screen for the marked module.
- Right mouse button on input:
- Assign a fixed value - assigns a fixed value to the input.
- Negate link(s) - negates all links for the marked item.
- Break link(s) - deletes all links for the marked item.
- Right mouse button on the output:
- Break link(s) - deletes all links for the marked output.
- Click on nodes (input box only):
- Remove link - deletes single link
- Negate link - negates single link
Importing and exporting logic modules (templates)
Single items of a worksheet or a group of items can be stored/exported as a template.
These data can then be imported back into other projects.
Export in template (store)
This function is available after selecting an item or group by right-clicking with the mouse. The mouse pointed must be on the header of the item. If an item to be stored or a group of items contains communication objects then a list of these objects is shown. Every communication object can be assigned an additional name in this list. This name (designation) is then requested when inserting at a later time in order to assign the matching communication object. The name is entered by double-clicking or via the control knob. This information is required in order to be able to assign the correct communication objects when inserting the logic template.
Importing from a template (Insert)
Stored templates can be imported over the entire project or to any worksheet. A screen appears when inserting; the missing objects must be added here.
Note: Only communication objects with the same data type can be assigned.
Note: When inserting, the items can be directly gathered together into one group.
Input/Output links
A link is made by clicking on an input/output object and an additional CTRL-click (mouse click with CTRL button pressed) on the input/output of a logic module. The order in which you click is irrelevant, although the normal click must be before the CTRL-click. This is then the "optimal" connection (link) path. The last connection made is displayed in orange.
Possible ways of establishing a connection:
- Drag&Drop. "Drag" the input to the output, and vice versa.
- Click on input and SHIFT+click on output, and vice versa
- Click on input and right mouse-click (menu item: Make link) and vice versa
Note: Items from an input box can not be linked to items from an output box.
Note: Links are controlled by clicking on an input or output. All links of the respective input/output are highlighted with a color.
Grouping items
- Several items within a worksheet can be grouped together There can be several groups within one worksheet.
- Each item can only belong to one group.
- The groups remain allocated within the project after storing and exiting the Expert.
- The items (input box, output box, logic module and text box) are selected by a left-click on CTRL or by creating a border around the item.
- Clicking on one item in a group marks all items in this group.
Aligning the items on a worksheet
- Items can be moved by clicking, holding and dragging them. If an arrangement/move is not possible, because the item, e.g. has been placed outside of the worksheet, then the item remains in its original position.
- Selected items on a worksheet can be fine-adjusted using the cursor keys.
Links between worksheets (connectors)
A "connector" can be defined in an output box on a worksheet. A connector is used to place the output of a logic module onto a logic module of another worksheet. The connector can be created via the shortcut menu (right mouse button) of the output box. The connector only needs to be assigned a name. The connector created can now be inserted onto another worksheet in an input box.
Actions effecting several marked items
- Multiple selection using CTRL
- Fine-adjustment with the cursor keys (1 step) or CTRL+cursor keys (2 steps)
- Right mouse button:
- Cut, copy, paste - internal copy functions. Allows items to be moved and copied within the project.
- Remove - deletes the marked module/item.
- Store as template - exports the marked items as a template.
- Align - the marked items can be aligned in various directions.
- Group - all marked items can be grouped together
- Remove group - removes the group of marked items.
Main menu
- View\Tree structure - allows you to switch between or to show the various tree structures on the left side of the screen.
- View\Thumbnail view - shows a thumbnail view of the worksheet.
- View\Size of the thumbnail view - changes the size of the thumbnail view.
- View\show page sizes - activates/deactivates the page size grid All smaller page sizes are shown on the worksheet by a dotted line. (Note: a page can only be reduced in size when there is no item outside of the NEW page dimensions.)
- View\Font - changes the font and size of the worksheet.
Additional key combinations
The worksheet must be focused in order to trigger a key combination.
- F2 - calls up the Create menu.
- F3 - Once more creates the last created module.
- F6 - Shows the thumbnail view. The size can be changed in the main menu.
- CTRL+F1 - creates a new input box.
- CTRL+F2 - creates a new output box.
- CTRL+F3 - creates a new text box.
- CTRL+F4 - Calls up the Import template dialog box.
- CTRL+A - marks all items within a worksheet.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How can I establish a connection between an input object and an input of a logic module?
- By clicking on an input object, holding the left mouse button pressed and dragging to the input of the logic module.
- OR by clicking on the input object once and moving by SHIFT-left click to the input of the logic module.
How can I copy a complete worksheet within a project?
- Right-click on a worksheet within the tree structure. A menu item now appears here. Then, in the tree structure, mark the location at which you want to insert. Right-clicking opens the „Insert“ menu item.
How can I copy a group of logic modules into another project?
- Mark all items and open the "Group" menu item by right-clicking on it
- Start the "Export in template" menu item by once more right-clicking on the header of a group member.
- Now store the template under another name.
- Open the project into which the module is to be imported.
- Select a worksheet.
- A right-click on the worksheet returns the menu item „Import from template“.
What is a connector?
- A connector is an output that has been defined in another worksheet and that is to be available on all worksheets. A connector can be created in an output box; the counterpart to this is in an input box.