Animate sizes

You can vary the height and/or width of an object according to the value of an analog tag or expression by using object size links.

For example, a pressure indicator can become larger as pressure increases, or an object on a conveyor can appear to move toward the viewer by becoming larger.

Object size links not only control the size of an object, but the direction in which the object changes size through the use of an anchor for the animation.

Create an object size height link

1. On the Draw menu, in the Mode group, select Animate.

   Alternatively, right-click the object and select Animation Links.

   The Animation Links dialog box appears.

2. In the Object Size section, select Height.

   The Object Height -> Analog Value dialog box appears.

   

3. In the Expression box, type the name of an analog tag or an expression that equates to an analog value.

4. In the Properties section, do the following:

   1. In the Value at Max Height box, type the value of the tag or expression when the object reaches maximum height.

   2. In the Value at Min Height box, type the value of the tag or expression when the object reaches minimum height.

   3. In the Max % Height box, type the percentage of its original height that the object will be when the tagname or expression reaches the value set in the Value at Max Height box. The percent figures are expressed as a percentage of the drawn size of the object. The drawn size is always the 100% size.

   4. In the Min % Height box, type the percentage of its original height that the object will be when the tagname or expression reaches the value set in the Value at Min Height box. The percent figures are expressed as a percentage of the drawn size of the object. The drawn size is always the 100% size.

5. Select the Anchor point from which the object enlarges.

   • Select Top for the object to enlarge from its top downward.

   • Select Middle for the object to enlarge from its centerpoint outwards in both directions.

   • Select Bottom for the object to enlarge from its bottom upwards.

6. Select OK.

Create a object size width link

7. On the Draw menu, in the Mode group, select Animate.

   Alternatively, right-click the object and select Animation Links.

   The Animation Links dialog box appears.

8. In the Object Size section, select Width.

   The Object Width -> Analog Value dialog box appears.

   

9. In the Expression box, type the name of an analog tag or an expression that equates to an analog value.

10. In the Properties section, do the following:

    1. In the Value at Max Width box, type the value of the tag or expression when the object reaches maximum width.

    2. In the Value at Min Width box, type the value of the tag or expression when the object reaches minimum width.

    3. In the Max % Width box, type the percentage of its original width that the object will be when the tagname or expression reaches the value set in the Value at Max Width box. The percent figures are expressed as a percentage of the drawn size of the object. The drawn size is always the 100% size.

    4. In the Min % Width box, type the percentage of its original width that the object will be when the tagname or expression reaches the value set in the Value at Min Width box. The percent figures are expressed as a percentage of the drawn size of the object. The drawn size is always the 100% size.

11. Select the Anchor point from which the object enlarges in width.

    • Select Left for the object to enlarge from its left side.

    • Select Center for the object to enlarge from its centerpoint outwards in both directions.

    • Select Right for the object to enlarge from its right side.

12. Select OK.