Data entry animations

To create objects that enable operator interaction, use touch links. Touch links enable operators to input data into a running application. For example, an operator can log on with a keyboard, turn a valve on or off, enter a new alarm setpoint, or start or stop a process.

A frame appears around a touch-sensitive object when it has the focus. An object gets the focus when the user moves the cursor over it or presses the TAB or arrow keys to move the focus to the object.

If you expect your users to use the TAB key to select touch sensitive objects, try to arrange them in horizontal patterns. Pressing the Tab key moves the focus from one object to another from left to right beginning at the top of the window then moving down.

If a touch link object contains text objects that are placed on top of each other, the top text object is the only one that appears.

An operator can activate a touch-sensitive object by selecting it, pressing an assigned key equivalent, pressing Enter when the object frame appears, or by actually touching it if using a touch screen display device.

You can create nine types of user input touch links:

When a text field is used for input, text appears on the screen as the keys are pressed.

If you don't want text to appear as you type it, select the Input Only option in the configuration panel for the link.