Adding Documents to the Workspace

In Design Pad G4, you can add three types of document files to the workspace: hardware interface files, human-machine interface (HMI) files, and OPC-server configuration files: Hardware Interface files were described in section 4.1; they represent the target hardware configuration and associated schemas (control algorithms) that said hardware is to execute. HMI files offer graphical user-interface (GUI) resources to convey control system operation on a PC platform. They are not intended for use in a controller. OPC server configuration files (described in section 9.3.3) contain all the requisite information to establish a gateway between a FairNET controller network and a third-party PC-based HMI package (e.g., Wonderware, ICAS, etc.).

To begin adding documents to the workspace, you must first activate the File View tab on the workspace window. Then, right-click on the root workspace node (or a folder in the workspace) and select the appropriate item from the drop down menu. If you choose the Add Hardware Interface Files item or Add HMI Files item, Design Pad G4 will display the familiar Windows Open File dialog, where you can browse for and select the document file(s) you wish to add to the workspace. If you choose the Add OPC-Server Configuration File item, Design Pad G4 will insert a blank OPC server item into the workspace with a default name. To change the default name, right-click on the OPC server item, select Rename from the drop-down menu, and type a new name.

Note: When adding hardware interface files or HMI files, you can select multiple documents in the Windows Open File dialog using the SHIFT and CTRL keys. All the selected documents will be added to the workspace root or workspace folder.

Note: Use drag-and-drop if you need to re-organize the workspace documents (e.g., move a document from one workspace folder to another).

Hardware Interface files (.hwi) files and HMI (.hmi) files referenced in the workspace do not need to reside in the same disk directory as the workspace (.dpw). They can be located in different directories, in different drives, and/or in different computers on a local area network. The workspace file records a link to each document referenced in the workspace, rather than incorporating the document files within the workspace file. Since only a link is recorded, a problem could arise if the document referenced in the workspace no longer exists or has been moved to another location. If Design Pad G4 cannot locate a file referenced in the workspace, it will prompt you for its new location. (You can remove a document from the workspace by right-clicking the document name in the workspace window and selecting the Remove item from the drop-down menu.)

The workspace File View offers a convenient location to access your files. You can open a document referenced in the workspace simply by double-clicking on the document name in the workspace window (or you can right-click on the workspace item and select Open File from the drop down menu). You can also perform a number of functions with the workspace documents without opening them at all. For instance, you can process (compile) a controller configuration or export it to a control station. The available commands are displayed in a drop-down menu when you right-click on the document name.