User Interface¶

This page is intended to give you an overview of the user interface elements. All parts of CONTROL I/O are visible by default, providing you with a simple user interface to get acquainted and work with.

overview

FILE
New	Creates a new diagram.
Open...	Opens a file dialog for choosing the diagram file to load.
Save	Opens a file dialog for saving the current diagram file.
Save As	Opens a file dialog for saving the current diagram file with a new name.
Print	Opens the print menu for printing the current diagram.
Exit	Closes the application.

EDIT
Undo	Reverses the last operation.
Redo	Reverses the last undo operation.
Clear Logger	Clears the logger.
Copy	Copies the selected part of the diagram into the clipboard.
Cut	Removes the selected portion of the diagram and stores a copy of it to the clipboard.
Paste	Paste diagram content available on the clipboard onto the current diagram.
Select All	Selects the entire diagram.

VIEW
Zoom In	Expands the canvas.
Zoom Out	Contracts the canvas.
Default Zoom	Sets the default zoom.
Show Overview	Shows/hides the diagram overview.

HELP
Here you can find general information about CONTROL I/O and available documentation.

The toolbar is used to control the execution of the diagram. Note that, when SYNC. FACTORY I/O option is checked (see Blocks Palette > SETTINGS) the toolbar also controls FACTORY I/O.

Button	Action
	Starts the diagram execution.
	Pauses the diagram execution.
	Resets the diagram execution.
	Advances the diagram execution one step (each time the button is clicked).

3. Blocks Palette¶

Block Type	Description
Sources	Blocks used to generate data. You will find a different block for each data type supported and also blocks providing system time and cycle time.
Tags	I/O points available in FACTORY I/O (sensor and actuator tags). These are automatically detected by CONTROL I/O.
Memories	Used to story values during the execution of the program.
Function Blocks	Function blocks describing a function between inputs and outputs. Can be logical, arithmetic, timers, counters...
Utils	Provides a Note and Reset block.
Settings	Diagram execution settings
	SYNC. FACTORY I/O: execution of FACTORY I/O is synchronized with the execution of the diagram.
	SYNC. TIMERS: timers are synchronized with FACTORY I/O. This means that when FACTORY I/O is running in slow motions timers take into account the time scale.
	CYCLE TIME (ms): diagram update cycle time. Values can range between 10 and 10000.
	UI OPACITY: sets the amount of UI opacity.

4. Canvas¶

Where a controller diagram is drawn. It allows performing the most common editing operations, such as panning, zooming, creating, deleting, selecting and moving blocks.

5. Canvas Overview¶

The canvas overview allows getting a visual representation of the entire diagram and which part is currently visible. It can also be used to quickly pan to a specific part of the diagram (Left/right click and hold).

6. Properties¶

Displays properties and relevant information about the selected block.

7. Logger¶

Displays useful information during execution.

Keyboard Shortcuts and Mouse Actions¶

Keyboard Shortcut / Mouse Action	Command
`Ctrl`+`N`	Create a new diagram
`Ctrl`+`O`	Open
`Ctrl`+`S`	Save
`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`S`	Save As
`Ctrl`+`P`	Print
`Ctrl`+`Q`	Quit
`Ctrl`+`Z`	Undo
`Ctrl`+`Y`	Redo
`Ctrl`+`E`	Clear Logger
`Ctrl`+`C`	Copy
`Ctrl`+`X`	Cut
`Ctrl`+`V`	Paste
`Ctrl`+`A`	Select All
`Ctrl`+`+` or `Mouse Wheel Up`	Zoom In
`Ctrl`+`-` or `Mouse Wheel Down`	Zoom Out
`Ctrl`+`0`	Default Zoom
`Ctrl`+`T`	Show/Hide Overview Window
`Right Button`+`Drag`	Pan