adccommunitymod (AutomationDirect) asked a question.
Created Date: June 19,2009
Created By: worknhard9062
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The Help file suggests that it's possible to assign a different layout to the keypad that pops up on a Numeric Entry object. However the only choice listed for Object Style 1 is "System Default ". It seems that there are 5 different System Default layouts available (check out Navigation window, Screen tab, Define Keypad icon -OR- Database menu, Define Keypad item). The question is How to assign my choice for the keypad layout to the so called "System Default " such that all of my numeric entries pop up the layout of my choosing? One of the layouts in particular sports a decimal point which would be real handy. The default doesn't display the DP. Help only seems to discuss how to "copy " a layout from the Keypad layout display to a user screen. I don't want a keyboard layout on one of my user screens. I want to control the layout that pops up by default for a numeric entry object. No word on changing a system variable nor how to get the Keypad selection pull down on the General tab of the Numeric Entry setup screen to have anything more in it for choices than the "System Default ". Anyone? Thanks in advance.
Created Date: June 19,2009
Created by: Do-more PE
When it says "User Screen " it isn't talking about your project screens. It is talking about a User Defined Keypad screen which are totally seperate from your project screens.
If you copy an existing keypad to one of the User Defined Keypad Screens you can change the layout to suit your liking. User defined keypads can be pretty powerful and let you restrict operators to only being able to enter valid information by removing keys that are not used.
Once you have copied the screen, it will show up as an option in the drop down list.
Created Date: June 19,2009
Created by: worknhard9062
Well you 're right, sort of. The Help file is misleading in that it clearly instructs how to copy a layout from the Keyboard layout screens panel to the user project screens.
And I quote...
"e. Click on the Screen icon located on the Screen Tab to return to the project Screen views. Select the project Screen that you would like to add the Keypad.
f. From the Edit drop down menu, select the Paste selection or press Ctrl+V to place a Copy of all the selected objects on the selected Screen. You may also Paste by placing the mouse pointer over the empty work area space and right-clicking. This opens a drop down menu that includes the Paste selection. Select Paste from this drop down menu to place the Keypad on the Screen. "
To do what you suggest (which I tried and it works - yay) is to create a New screen in the Keyboard layouts panel and paste the layout there. Modify as needed, etc. Then and only then does the NEW layout appear in the pull down for selection when configuring the Numeric Entry object (BTW same applies for Text Entry object).
However, you only answered part of my question. Again, there are 5 different "System Default " keyboard layouts on that same Keyboard layout panel. They 're locked and I can't edit them but I just want to use one. Somehow one of them (the first in the list) is assigned to the "System Default " by... uh... default. ;) How? And how do I change to System Default 4 (the one with the decimal point)?
Created Date: June 19,2009
Created by: usertodd1
The system default keypad that appears depends on the type of tag specified in the Numeric Entry object. For example, if you link an Ascii String, then keypad #5 shows up. If you want keypad #4, try using a Floating Point tag.
Created Date: June 19,2009
Created by: sparky13
The appropriate keypad is used from the default list based on the properties of the data entry. For instance, if you want to use Default 4, setup your entry block to be floating point (decimal allowed). You are seeing Default 1 because your entry object is referencing an integer.
Created Date: June 19,2009
Created by: worknhard9062
Thank you (both of you). As your replies were coming in I was in the process of drafting a response to relate that I had already discovered this answer on my own. I have a signed decimal tag type in a numeric entry that pops up a keyboard with the +/- key. The unsigned tag type numeric entries have the same keyboard without the +/-. I therefore concluded as you said, that it's related to the underlying tag data type.
Thanks again. Too bad the Help file not only misleads but makes no mention of this information relating keyboard styles to data types (as far as I can tell).
Created Date: June 19,2009
Created by: Do-more PE
There is a spot in the Main menu of the Help file for direct feedback to the folks who write the Help. They love to hear from users on ways to make the Help file better.
Created Date: June 19,2009
Created by: worknhard9062
Thank you, yes. I was aware of the Help file feedback link and am planning to follow up with them. Thanks for the encouragement and the help.
Happy programming!
Well for some reason I got an error message about default email clients blah blah when I tried to send my feedback using the Help file link. I sent it instead through the website feedback on C-More website. Just FYI for anyone else inclined to provide feedback through the help file link. It may not work. If/ when I hear from AD about this I'll post back an update.
Created Date: June 22,2009
Created by: HMI Eng
Sorry for the problems you experienced. The help files are being updated. Sounds like you do not have an email client installed on the PC. On my PC when I select Feedback, Outlook opens a new email.
Created Date: June 22,2009
Created by: worknhard9062
Hmmm, I use Outlook a million times a day. Think I have an email client installed ;)
Just to be clear, When I click on Feedback (the Feedback icon at the top of the C-More Help 2.4 screen) it opens a C-More Help File Feedback and Comments screen in the Help file (see attachment). The Send Feedback button at the buttom of that screen is the one that eventually posts the error message. I say eventually because the first thing that happens is a Windows pop-up box that is shown in the 2nd attachment. When I click OK on that is when I get the error message about email client.
Hope this helps you understand/ solve the issue. Thanks in advance.
Created Date: June 19,2009
Created by: worknhard9062
The Help file suggests that it's possible to assign a different layout to the keypad that pops up on a Numeric Entry object. However the only choice listed for Object Style 1 is "System Default ". It seems that there are 5 different System Default layouts available (check out Navigation window, Screen tab, Define Keypad icon -OR- Database menu, Define Keypad item).
The question is How to assign my choice for the keypad layout to the so called "System Default " such that all of my numeric entries pop up the layout of my choosing? One of the layouts in particular sports a decimal point which would be real handy. The default doesn't display the DP.
Help only seems to discuss how to "copy " a layout from the Keypad layout display to a user screen. I don't want a keyboard layout on one of my user screens. I want to control the layout that pops up by default for a numeric entry object.
No word on changing a system variable nor how to get the Keypad selection pull down on the General tab of the Numeric Entry setup screen to have anything more in it for choices than the "System Default ".
Anyone? Thanks in advance.