Layers - Overview

A layer in IGSS can contain either descriptors, object values or object names. If layers are used, all descriptors and value names are assigned to one or more layers. Layers can be set up individually and grouped in Views.

A view is a collection of layers, where the System Integrator selects which layers should be included and displayed for the operators. It is possible to define operator views, where the system integrator selects which layers should be included and shown for each view.

Layers and Views can be used for many scenarios, for example:

To show/hide certain operator controls when certain plant parameters are set (for example automatic or manual).
To show a normal operation view and a view for emergency situations.
To show/hide selected object values/states that might be useful to view exclusively.

IGSS provides 32 different layers - 16 for descriptors, 8 for object names and 8 for object values. The various layers can be combined to define the different operator views.

Before you start

When you start setting up layers, it is recommended to make a plan for the layers before configuring the various layers and setting up the views in order to help gain an overview of the descriptors in the configuration.

Once you have been defined an operator view, layers will become active in the project. If a descriptors is not included in any layer the descriptor will not be displayed when the configuration is running. It is therefore important to have a good idea of where and what the descriptors are and which layers and views are to contain which descriptors.

By default, all descriptors, object values and object name elements are included in the first layer, named Default Descriptor layer, Default Name layer and Default Value layer, respectively.

Global and Diagram views

The 32 provided layers are the same for the whole configuration, however the views may be created either as Global views or Diagram views.

Global views are accessible for all diagrams and areas while Diagram views are accessible only for the individual diagram.

In a configuration, both a global and a diagram view can be active simultaneously. A descriptor will be displayed if it is included in either the active global or diagram view. Hence more planning is needed if both global and diagram views are going to be used.

Creating and editing global views

In the Definition module, click Views > Create Global View to create global views or Edit Global View to edit the selected global view.

Creating and editing diagram views

Diagram views are created from the Diagram Properties form, by clicking the Create button in the Define Views section and edited by clicking the Edit button.

Listing Order

All views are displayed in the Views menu in the Definition and Supervise module. The views are split into Global views first and then diagram views.

The order of the views is important if you want to control the activation of views with a digital object, as the position of the view in the list will determine which state of the digital object is required to activate the view.

You can change the listing order by changing the Position field in the Create Views or Edit Views form.

The position number also indicates which state of the controlling digital object will activate the view.

Viewing objects in layers

Click Views > Show All to display all layers and views in the Definition module. All descriptors, object values and object names will be displayed whether they are included in a layer or not.

Clear the Show All option to test how the defined views will appear when the configuration is running.

When using layers, include all the descriptors in the required layers. Many descriptors may need to be included in more than one layer.