Pamaglawe · Objects

Display a measurement on a circular gauge

The gauge shows a measurement with a pointer and an optional numeric value beneath it. The example uses a 0–100 % scale and its own PLC symbol.

Help ID OBJ-GAUGE12 original screenshotsExample version 2.61.503

1. Insert the gauge

In design mode choose Displays (Anzeigen) → Rundanzeige, place the object on the process page and double-click it to open its properties. The properties dialog calls it Rundinstrument. Use 170 × 165 pixels and Text / initial value Messwert for the heading.

The newly placed gauge initially shows the example value 50 %.

Example: position 20/140, width 170, height 165 pixels and text Messwert.

2. Configure scale and unit

Open Convert PLC value. Use linear two-point scaling, raw limits 0/100, output limits 0/100, unit %, 0 decimal places and preview x = 50. Leave Show current value below the gauge enabled. Apply. The preview checks conversion; the communication table supplies the Play simulation value.

Linear scale 0–100, unit %, no decimal places and the extra numeric display enabled.

3. Add the symbol

Click Symbol → Edit table. Add a row or duplicate a suitable row and edit all relevant fields: device Modbus_Testserver, symbol Anlage_Rundanzeige, address 40014, simulation value 75, UINT16, length 1 register, Holding Register. The example connection is 127.0.0.1, port 502, unit ID 1. Duplicate Anlage_Fortschritt. Use unit %, description Messwert Rundanzeige. The example validation confirms thirteen valid rows. Validate the table, save it and close the editor.

Use a free, appropriate address in your own project.

The example table currently contains twelve symbols.

Thirteen valid rows: Anlage_Rundanzeige uses address 40014 and simulation value 75.

4. Apply the symbol

Select the prepared symbol in the communication table, check the symbol information and click Apply at the bottom right. Device, IP address, symbol, physical address, data type and register information are copied together. Apply the object properties and save the project. Read access is sufficient for this display.

Holding Register 40014, FC 03/06, UINT16, one register; connection 127.0.0.1:502, unit ID 1.

Device, IP, symbol and register information have been copied into the properties.

5. Test 75, 0 and 100 percent

In project settings select No communication driver – simulation only (Kein Kommunikationstreiber – nur Simulation). Save the symbol’s simulation value in the communication table and start test mode with F5. Since version 2.61.503, saved table values are loaded when Play starts in this mode. For each new test, leave test mode, edit and save the table value, then start Play again. No external Modbus server is needed. With a communication driver selected, the connected source supplies the value; editing a simulation value does not write to a PLC.

At 75 the pointer and number show the intermediate value. Repeat with 0 at the lower-left start of the scale, then 100 at its lower-right end.

Table value 75 appears as 75 %; the pointer is in the upper value range.

At 0 %, the pointer is at the lower-left scale start. Scale labels are inside the circle.

At 100 %, the pointer is at the lower-right scale end.

6. Hide the extra numeric value

Leave Play, open Convert PLC value and clear Show current value below the gauge. Apply both dialogs and restart. The separate 100 % number disappears while the pointer and the two scale endpoint labels remain. The dial uses the newly available space. Enable the option again to restore the number.

The value remains 100 %. Without the extra number below, the gauge uses more space.

Common questions

A remaining 50 % is often the preview; check the assignment, saved value and restart Play. The scale runs from lower left across the upper arc to lower right, so 100 % points down-right. Endpoint labels remain when the extra value is hidden. Since 2.61.506, scale labels have transparent backgrounds and sit three pixels higher to avoid covering the rim.

Keyboard shortcuts

Apply or close property dialogs, select objects on the canvas and leave any active text field before using an object shortcut.

Delete — delete selection: Deletes selected simple objects without another confirmation. Check the selection first.
Ctrl+Z / Ctrl+Y — undo / redo: Undoes or restores an available object edit. This is not a recovery mechanism for deleted pages or files.
Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V — copy / paste: Copies the selection and inserts an offset copy. Check names and process assignments afterward.
Ctrl+X — cut: Copies objects to the internal object clipboard and removes them from the page. Paste with Ctrl+V.
Ctrl+A — select all: Selects unlocked objects on the current page.
Arrow keys — move precisely: Moves the selection one pixel in the chosen direction within the page bounds.
Shift+Arrow — next grid position: Moves the selection in the grid direction using the page grid spacing.
Ctrl+L / Ctrl+Shift+L — lock / unlock: Locks the selection; Ctrl+Shift+L unlocks all locked objects on the current page.
Esc — end editor action: Cancels an action such as placement or clears the current selection.
Ctrl+S — save project: Saves applied changes. Save again after deleting, moving or copying.

The fixed global alarm area cannot be deleted or copied. Structural objects with assigned contents can ask an additional question about those contents.