Forgive me if you’re already aware of this but…
If you come from a traditional SCADA background (e.g., WW InTouch, RSView, iFIX) like me, the FPMI/Java layout approach is a little confusing at first. It took me a while to get used to the FPMI/Java approach but its a good one.
When you’re developing a window, don’t be concerned with monitor resolution. What you want to be concerned with is layout, both of your windows and the components/objects on them.
If you’re using a typical screen layout, you will basically want three or four windows on the screen at a time; one anchored on the left (typically your menu or navigation window), one on the top (typically your logo/status/title window), one at the bottom (optional), and lastly, a floating window (the core information/animation/system information window). This last window will consume any remaining screen territory not occupied by the anchored windows.
The left, top, and bottom anchor windows will typically have fixed dimensions and locations. The floating window will typically be swapped out by clicking on the menu/navigation buttons you’ve defined.
To define your window layout, you will set their “Dock Position” properties. For the window on the left, choose “West”, for the top window, choose “North”, for the bottom window, choose “South”, and for the main information window, choose “Floating”. You will also likely need to set the “Border Display Policy” and “Titlebar Display Policy” properties as well.
Regarding components/objects, you’ll need to use the “Layout Constraints” editor. Select a component/object and press . If you want the component to stay fixed with regard to an edge or center of the window, select the “Anchored” radio button. You will then need to select the “Anchoring Options”. Click an anchor option button to toggle it on or off. Typically, the top and left anchor options are selected by default.
For example, if you want a blue “ribbon” across the top of a floating window, you will place a blue rectangle across the top of the window, making sure that it touches the left, top, and right edges of the window. You would then enable the top, left, and right anchor options with the “Layout Constraints” editor. When the window is displayed, the window layout manager will use the layout options you selected to reposition/resize the ribbon. In this case, the layout manager adjusts the rectangle’s width to match the width of the window, regardless of the screen resolution.
Try experimenting with the different anchoring options and you’ll soon have it figured out.
