Pamaglawe · Objects

Display process values as a trend

A trend records up to six process values against time, each with its own name, source and color. Runtime samples can be exported as CSV. Only the configured sample count is held in memory; this is not a permanent process archive or safety-related recording system.

Help ID OBJ-TREND12 original screenshotsExample version 2.61.496

1. Insert a trend

Choose Basic objects → Trend, click a free area and move or enlarge the object with its lower-right handle.

Select Trend in the left Basic objects palette.

A newly placed trend initially shows three colored preview curves in design mode.

2. Open general properties

Double-click or use the context menu. Name identifies the object; Text / initial value sets the heading, for example Prozessverlauf. Label / Visible controls an optional caption. X/Y positions it; width and height include heading, legend and axes. Rotation, opacity and font size control appearance.

Trendkurven einstellen opens curve settings; Bereich zuordnen attaches the object to tabs, a collapsible area or a scroll area.

3. Configure trend curves

Open the trend settings. Y minimum/maximum define the vertical scale. Values per curve retains 10–300 samples per active curve in memory. Sampling interval in seconds sets the time between saved samples. Show legend displays active curve names and colors. Active includes a curve in display, acquisition and export. Each curve has a name, PLC/device, variable/address and color; prefer Symbol for assignment. The displayed time window is sample count × interval: 60 values at one second give one minute.

Initial settings with three active preview curves. Disable unneeded curves on the left.

4. Assign a symbol

Click Symbol in the desired curve row. Select the prepared symbol, check device, driver, connection, address and data type, then Apply to return to the trend dialog.

The communication table lists the project’s symbols.

Resolved symbol information appears on the right before applying.

Device and symbolic variable name have been assigned to the first curve.

5. Configure one tank-level curve

Enable only curve 1, name it Füllstand (%) and assign Tank_Fuellstand. Leave curves 2–6 inactive. Use Y limits 0–100, 60 samples and a one-second interval. Apply both the trend dialog and general properties, then save Ctrl+S.

One active curve with a meaningful name, symbol assignment and its own color.

The design-mode preview is not a recorded process history.

6. Observe runtime values

Start test mode with F5. Receive process data or simulate through numeric input, wait at least one sampling interval and observe the changing curve. Runtime samples are not saved in the project file. After restarting, the trend begins empty and collects new samples. Export in time or use an external archive for permanent history.

The runtime curve responds to changed values. Authorized users can export CSV directly from the trend.

7. Export CSV

In test mode click CSV at the top right of the trend. Use or adjust the suggested timestamped filename in the project Export folder, click Save and check count and path in the confirmation. The semicolon-separated CSV contains Timestamp, Trend object, Curve, PLC/device, Variable/address and Value.

PamaGlawe suggests the project Export folder and a timestamped filename.

The message confirms the count and complete output path.

8. Roles and permissions

With user management enabled, runtime export requires the separate Export trend data as CSV permission. Without it, CSV is disabled and has a lock hint; permission is checked again when invoked. Defaults: Observer disabled; Operator, Maintenance, Designer and Administrator allowed. Custom roles can grant or revoke this independently of other export and operating permissions.

Common questions

For no values, check test mode, active curves, full assignments and connection; wait one sampling interval. “No runtime values collected yet” requires new samples after startup or a configuration change. A locked CSV button indicates missing permission. Values outside Y limits are drawn at the respective edge. Change sample count or interval for another time window. Changing trend configuration discards that trend’s samples currently in memory.

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.