# Things to Keep in Mind Before Starting

The following are some key points when drawing in BLUE.

Hide Show

1. Using the Work Space
2. Data Binding
3. Specifying a Device Address
4. Designing Screens
5. Associating Operations with Parts
6. System Architecture

Note: For information of BLUE, refer to the following website.

BLUE - Software for HMI Design

## Using the Work Space

The set up and drawing of each function begins with selecting the item from the Project Explorer.

Settings and content details appear in the document view and properties for any item selected in the Project Explorer.

1. Project Explorer/Tool Chest
   The Project Explorer is an area that displays in a tree structure all the items you can use for designing in BLUE.
   The Tool Chest is prepared with parts and drawings for designing your screen, functions and instructions for creating your scripts.
   You can change the view between the Project Explorer and Tool Chest by clicking the associated tabs at the bottom of the window. You can open the search field to find objects in the Project Explorer or Toolchest.
2. Document View
   This is the main editing area. Depending on the item selected in the Project Explorer, you can design the screen, scripts, variables, alarms, and so on in this area.
3. Properties window
   This area is for setting up details of an item selected in the Project Explorer or Document View. For information about properties, refer to the following.
   Properties

Note: For information about some of the other workspaces, refer to the following.

Work Space

## Data Binding

In addition to setting fixed values directly for the settings (properties) of a function or object, you can define values indirectly associating with other properties.

The ability to associate a property with other property is called "Data Binding".

For information about Data Binding, refer to the following.

Data Binding

## Specifying a Device Address

Instead of directly defining device addresses of external devices, indirectly define device addresses (managed using variables). As a result, if you change the external device you do not have to set up the device addresses again for every object and setting. To update the mapping of device addresses, you can use the variable's Import/Export feature.

For information about variables, refer to the following.

What are Variables?

## Designing Screens

Functions are provided so you can efficiently create rich screen interfaces.

For information about the types of screens, refer to the following.

Types of Screens

(Example)

Display grids in Document View to draw and adjust your parts so they align vertically or horizontally. By using this feature fine adjustment of the position and size of objects placed on the screen is not required.

### Changing Screens

A feature known as navigation is provided for automatically creating switches for changing between screens. Creating your own switches becomes unnecessary.

Changing Screens by Navigation

## Associating Operations with Parts

You can program scripts to do things like set up the behavior of a switch, or set operations on a display unit based on a specified condition. Create scripts by combining functions and instruction blocks.

To display the various blocks for creating scripts, from the document view change the design to [Script] and then open the Tool Chest.

For information about scripts, refer to the following.

Overview

## System Architecture

1. Data Access Items. After enabling the OPC UA Server or Web Function Settings in the [Data Access] tab, the corresponding icon is displayed.

2. Accessory items. After setting an accessory in [Accessories], an icon is displayed.

3. Driver items. After setting a driver in [Driver], an icon is displayed.

You can view and configure the settings of items in the System Architecture.

1. In the Project Explorer window, go to [System Architecture] and click a node.

2. In the [System Architecture] window click [Edit] to view and configure settings associated with the node.

Details of the specified driver, accessory, or data access are displayed.