Use Navigational Genies on Content Pages

The SA_Include project contains a set of navigational Genies that you can use to direct an operator through a production process that spans multiple graphics pages. The Genies indicate the direction of a link, and include a label that describes the consecutive location. Clicking on the Genie at runtime will take you directly to the linked page (except where a Static Link Genie has been used).

The following navigational Genies are included in the "sa_navigation" library:

Link Left/Right

The left and right navigational Genies can be used to link pages that are a part of a linear process.

The link is defined using the path to a menu item in the project’s Navigation menu. For example, "Plant1.Area1.MyPage".

You can also indicate that a left/right Genie points to a location that is on a different "console". This means the target is part of a process that is not usually monitored by the current client. For example, a link in a production area of a plant may point to a destination in the warehouse.

To indicate that it points to a different console, the Genie will appear with a gray background.

You can also use a left/right Genie as a control link. This allows you to associate a piece of equipment with the Genie; the Genie will only appear when their associated object is in context.

The navigational Genies will display a purple drop-shadow when configured as a control link.

Note: Control Links can be enabled or disabled by selecting Options | Show/Hide Control Links on the Header Bar.

Link Up/Down

The up and down navigational Genies can be used to link to pages that are on a different level of a project's menu.

The link is defined using the path to a menu item in the project’s navigation menu. For example, an up Genie could point to "Plant1", and a down Genie "Plant1.Area1.MyPage".

Static Links

The static link Genies function primarily as a label; they are not designed to provide a direct link to a destination.

You can also specify that a static link identifies a location that is on a different console.

To add a navigational Genie to a page:

1. Open a page in Graphics Builder.

2. Click the Paste Genie button in the objects toolbox.

   

   Or, select Paste Genie from the Edit menu.

3. In the Paste Genie dialog, select the Library "sa_navigation".

4. Select one of the following from the Genie list and click OK.

   • link_d = link down

   • link_l = link left

   • link_r = link right

   • link_u = link up

   • slink_l = static link left

   • slink_r = static link right.

     The Genie is pasted onto the graphics page. A dialog will open, prompting you to configure the properties of the Genie. For a description of the properties, see below.

5. Click Save.

Link Left & Link Right

Link Up & Link Down

Static Link Left & Static Link Right

See Also

Prepare the Navigation Menu

SA_Include Navigational Genie Library