Windows are the top-level design units for Vision projects. Windows are made up of components and come in different types such as main, popup, and docked windows.

Creating Windows

Creating windows is as easy as pressing the New Window button in the toolbar, or by navigating to the File > New > Window menu. There are three types of windows you can create: a main window, a popup window, or a docked window. These three windows are described in the Window Types page.

To create a Window

Lets create a window so we can use our tags for some basic status and control.

Click on the New Window icon in the toolbar or use the File > New > Main Window.
Tags are used in windows to power property bindings on components. The easiest way to make some components that are bound to tags is to simply drag and drop some tags onto your window.
Drag a tag onto a window.
You'll get a popup menu asking you what kind of component to make. You can Display the tag with some components, and control the tag with other components.
Drag a few more tags onto the screen to experiment with the different options.
As you're editing your project, you can click the Save icon on the toolbar to save your changes.
In Ignition, you're not editing a file, your Designer is linked to the Ignition Gateway. When you click save, the project is saved back on the central Gateway. All running Clients are notified that there is a new version of the project available.

Naming and Renaming a Window

In the Project Browser, right-click on the window and choose Rename or press F2. Enter a new name for the window. The name must be unique in its folder.

Organizing Windows

You can also create folders to organize your windows. A window's name must be unique among the windows in its folder. A window's name and folder path is very important - it will be how other windows reference it.

Accessing windows from the Client

In the Project Browser, right-click on the window and select the check box next to "About" Window. Once checked, the window will be accessible from the Help > About This Application menu in the Client, which opens the appropriate window.

Adding Notes on Windows

Through the right-click menu on a window in the Project Browser, you can access the window's Notes. This free-form text field is provided to let the designer document the purpose and any technical information about how the window works.

Importing and Exporting a Window

You can import and export windows to external files by using the right-click menu in the Project Browser. Simply select the windows in the export wizard that you'd like to export, and choose a path for the resulting *.vwin file.

Setting the Window's Security

You can configure security settings that control who can and who can't open a window. While the window is open, right-click on a window in the Project Browser and select Security. Window Security is configured the same way that Component Security is configured.

About Vision Windows