Make objects blink

You can create animated objects that blink based on the values of tags by using blink links. For example, you can create an object that blinks red when a certain piece of equipment is on, or when an alarm set point is reached.

The blink animation synchronization enables all active blink animations on all open windows to blink in unison based on their common blink speed (slow, medium, or fast).

Tip: Discrete expressions can contain analog tagnames. For example, TankLevel > 75. In this example, when the value of the TankLevel tag is greater than 75, the object begins blinking.

Create a blink link

1. Select the object you want to apply the animation to.

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

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

   The Animation Links window appears.

3. In the Miscellaneous section, select Blink.

   The Object Blinking -> Discrete Value dialog box appears.

   

4. In the Expression - Blink When box, type the name of a discrete tag or an expression that equates to a discrete value.

5. In the Blinked Attributes section, do the following:

   • Select Blink Invisible to set the object to blink by disappearing and reappearing in the window.

   • Select Blink visible with these attributes to set the object to remain visible, but change color when activated.

   • Select the TextColor, Line Color or Fill Color boxes to select colors for those parts of the object. The color palette appears.

     Note: If you select a fill blink color that is the same as the object's fill color, the object does not appear to blink.

6. In the Blink Speed section, set the blinking speed of the object. Select either Slow, Medium, or Fast.

7. Select OK.

Set the blink frequency for WindowMaker

8. Open WindowMaker.

9. On the File menu, select Configure, and then select WindowViewer.

   The WindowViewer configuration screen appears.

10. On the Preferences tab, in the Blink frequency in msec section, type the number of milliseconds to use for the three speeds.

    Note: Changes you make to these settings are global and affect all blink speeds in your application.

11. Select OK.