Ignition Architecture Builder: Ideas, Bug Reports, and Support

Welcome to the Ignition Architecture Builder forum thread!

What is the Architecture Builder?
The Architecture Builder is a Perspective project designed to help users plan and document Ignition Architectures, from basic setups to more complex, enterprise-level deployments. With its intuitive select-and-place tool, both new and advanced users can create, share, and track architectures—all within a single project. The included Bill of Materials (BOM) view helps monitor server load, using Inductive Automation’s Server Sizing and Architecture Guide to ensure everything runs smoothly as your deployment grows.

How to Use This Thread:
This forum is dedicated to the Architecture Builder and serves three main purposes:

  1. Ideas Board:
    Share your feature ideas, improvements, and enhancements you'd like to see added to the Architecture Builder.
  2. Bug Identification:
    Report any bugs, glitches, or issues you've encountered while using the tool. Please include as much detail as possible so we can reproduce and fix the issue quickly.
  3. Help and Support:
    Need help using the Architecture Builder? Ask your questions here! Whether you're new to Ignition or a seasoned integrator, this community is here to assist.

Where to Get the Architecture Builder:

Resources and Documentation:
For additional information, check out Inductive Automation’s Server Sizing and Architecture Guide and Security Hardening Guide to ensure you're building the most efficient and secure system for your needs.

We look forward to hearing your ideas, suggestions, and bug reports. Let’s collaborate to make the Architecture Builder the best tool for Ignition Architects!

5 Likes

When I was using it when it first came out, I noticed that the reverse proxy didn't allow passing MQTT connections through it. That would be nice to be able to add that as an option/connection type for the reverse proxy.

Reason I ask for this is that HAProxy supports natively passing MQTT through, and other reverse proxies might also, but I use HAProxy so knew it was possible as I've done it.

@michael.flagler, at this point, we have been using the firewall and reverse proxy components as overlays. Our plan moving forward is to add various connection types to these components. However, we need to build both incoming and outgoing relationships for those connections to support a long-term goal we have for the project.

** Architecture Builder New Release 1.0.3**

Bug Fixes:

  • General:
    • Loading Script Implemented to Support Future Configuration
  • BOM:
    • Breadcrumb colors
    • Support Radio buttons
    • Ram resource recommendation
  • Layout:
    • Connection Tool Inconsistency
    • SiteSync Partner Link Fixed
    • Sizing Issue on multiple popups

Features:

  • Trail Mode Added to Gateway Config
  • Gateway Network Connections Visually Identify Inbound/Outbound
  • Added additional functionality to the left dock ("Structure") view.
  • Add direct link to this Forum post

Awesome tool!

Could I recommend the ability to delete a component using the tree view. Or when you click on the component add a delete function, similar to connections.

It would also be helpful to disallow components being placed outside of the viewable canvas. Not sure how you would get this to work with resizing the canvas though without messing with existing alignments. But I've ran into a couple issues where I go to move a component, and it ends up being placed outside the canvas with no way to delete.

@EricDykema this is a great suggestion. Expect it in the next release.

This is a great feature/bug request that we will put on the next sprint. It should be fairly easy to implement.

Keep the suggestions coming!

2 Likes

** Architecture Builder New Release 1.0.4**

Bug Fixes:

  • General:
    • Asana Persistent Token Removed
    • Update Cirrus Link SNAP PAC pricing
    • Exports now correctly display $0 pricing for Trial Gateways
  • Layout:
    • Resized Rendering Popup
    • Gateway Network Connection Direction Addressed

Features:

  • Added Configurable Custom Components Pallet
  • Optimized Left Dock to include modules and applied colors to modules
  • Added the ability to Relocate the connection points on a per component basis
  • Added delete function to all component configs and streamlined design across connection and area configs
  • Added containment functionality to prevent components from going outside of view.
  • Added the ability to view component specific connections
3 Likes

I'm having issues getting this running. I've tried importing it both from the designer and the gateway. The page appears to load correctly for a second then the embedded view shows
|URI:|/system/webdev/arch-builder/exchange/pan-zoom-iframe/html|
|STATUS:|404|
|MESSAGE:|Not Found|
Tried on 2 different machines, and tried both version 1.0.3 and 1.0.4.
Any help is appreciated.

1 Like

Do you have the WebDev module installed?

2 Likes

I missed that. WebDev module installed and it seems to be working now.
Thank you.

1 Like

Hi Team, I had the below questions from a customer regarding the architecture builder, I will share this thread with him after this post as well.

"Are there limits to the size of the architectures that can be built with this? How does the visualisation work for sharing the architectures? Are there custom components that allow various 3rd party devices and system to be shown? Does this build on the MS Visio resources available?"

1 Like

@heshan thank you for reaching out, and hopefully my response helps answer your questions!

"Are there limits to the size of the architectures that can be built with this?"

In regards to the project, there are not limitations to the size of Architecture you can build with the tool. In the menu you can select Chart ► Chart Tools ► Set Canvas Size to expose a popup to control canvas size.
User may see performance drawbacks as Architectures grow and the perspective session has to render more-and-more elements, but I have tested the application with well over 200 elements.

"How does the visualization work for sharing the architectures?"

Architectures can be downloaded as a .json file by selecting File ► Export and downloading the "Current Architecture (JSON)" in the options. This file can be shared with other users, integrators, or Inductive Automation employees who access to a running instance of this project. We also have native capabilities to store Architectures in the Ignition file directory or in a MongoDB if a valid connection is setup on the Gateway.

"Are there custom components that allow various 3rd party devices and system to be shown?"

Yes, there is a custom component that allows users to define an image as-well-as the component type. The custom component can also be saved to the "Custom Components Pallet" for later use.

"Does this build on the MS Visio resources available?"

This project does not build on any MS Visio resources. I am not sure what MS Visio resources you are referring to, but will put this comment on our development board to potentially add this functionality in the future.

Thanks Thomas, the question around MS Visio resource was whether there was an option output from the builder.