®CyFlex Stripchart
October 2011
The CyFlex® test automation system provides a general-purpose “stripchart” application that is the graphical analog of the legacy electromechanical stripchart recorders. It displays a column of rectangular Plot Areas that render real-time traces of selected CyFlex Variables. A single Stripchart application may be configured into a stack of up to 8 Graphs, with up to 8 Traces in each Graph.
Each Graph has a scrolling Time Axis of selected duration, as well as left and optionally right Y Axes with selectable ranges. These ranges may also be changed interactively with the mouse to pan or zoom in both time (X) and value (Y) directions.
You may change the various configuration settings in a floating Configuration Dialog, save configurations, and later reload them as desired. The Dialog lets you change a wide variety of plot attributes – which CyFlex Variables to plot, colors, patterns, gridlines, axis scales and increments, label fonts and font sizes, etc. Stored plot data may be exported to a CSV-formatted file for analysis and charting in a standalone spreadsheet.
Stripchart joins the toolbox of CyFlex applications that deliver graphics at the console – graphics that can help to assess the performance characteristics of the test article. It is based on the same graphics software and hardware as the Operator Display and a suite of future CyFlex plot applications.
The current Stripchart Release 1.0 provides a full complement of graphics functionality, including the following sets of features:
· Standalone application displays selected Graphs in a vertical stack
· Application may be started from CyFlex menu or from command line with optional automatic start plotting and configuration file
· Plug-in version may be embedded in CyFlex Operator Display
· Each instance has 1-8 Graphs, each with 1-8 real-time Traces of CyFlex Variable values versus time duration
· Plot refresh may be specified in rate [Hz] or interval [msec] from 0.1 [Hz] to 50 [Hz]
· Data sampling may be specified independently in rate [Hz] or interval [msec] in the range specified for CyFlex Slow to Fast Channels, typically 1 [Hz] to 50 [Hz]
· Assign a CyFlex Variable to a real-time Trace from a list that automatically completes the name and appends its specified units
· Drag mouse to “pan” (scroll) plot in X and Y directions
· Drag mouse to “zoom” (magnify) plot in X and Y directions
· Select the color, pattern, and thickness of a Trace and display a Legend of Traces by color for each Graph
· Select a Trace to “auto range” – adjust the range of the Y axis assigned to it so that all of its data is displayed
· Select the range, text label, color, and pattern for the Time axis, and the left and optional right Y Axes
· Select major and minor increments of the Grid and its line color, pattern, and thickness
· Pause and resume plotting without loss of data
· Stop and restart plotting with the time reset to zero
· Configuration “specs” can be saved or loaded by filename in the standalone Stripchart application
· Plot attributes may be changed interactively: right-click anywhere in window to launch floating Configuration Dialog
· Change attributes of the plot Traces for each Graph, including line color, pattern, and thickness
· Change attributes of the grid lines for each Graph, including color and pattern
· Configuration changes may be “applied” on trial and then accepted or canceled
· Add a Trace, remove a Trace, or copy/paste a Trace in each Graph
· Launch Help browser with persistent contents tree and HTML-based help and user manual content
· Mouse over a window component to display its Tool Tip
·Export entire data buffer to a text file formatted for spreadsheets
Any and all of these features may be employed from the menu bar, the Button Row, or the Configuration Dialog.
The following terms should be helpful in discussing what Stripchart can do and how it works. Refer to the annotated drawing below to identify them in the Stripchart Main Window.
·
Main Window
– the complete window
that appears when the application starts
· Configuration – the plot settings that dictate the function and appearance of the Main Window and its Graphs. The settings may be changed in the Configuration Dialog and then saved to and loaded from a configuration file
· Configuration Dialog – a floating dialog window for configuring the various settings that manage the plot functionality
· Graph – the basic stripchart display panel that includes the graphical plots, axes, labels, and auxiliary buttons. The Stripchart window is comprised of a column of one or more Graphs, numbered with 1 at the top.
· Channel – a CyFlex Variable selected for plotting, including its numeric value, name, and units
· Plot Area – the primary rectangular portion of the Graph that displays the scrolling real-time plot of the selected CyFlex Variable Channels, including the value Traces and the grid lines
· Frame – the border of the Main Window that includes the Title and Subtitle fields at the top and the Note field and Start/Stop and Pause/Resume buttons at the bottom
· Trace – the real-time plot of the numeric values for one Channel, displayed in the Plot Area as a horizontally scrolling line.
· Axes – the horizontal / time scale (Time) and the vertical / value scale(s) (Y) at the perimeter of the Plot Area, including numeric value labels and major and minor tick marks.
· Time Axis – the scrolling horizontal axis that displays time duration from the last Start
· Y Axes – the vertical axes that display scales for selected Channels at the left edge (Left Y Axis) and optionally the right edge (Right Y Axis) of the Plot Area
· Grid – the set of horizontal and vertical lines in the Plot Area that give numeric reference to the Traces
· Button Row – the horizontal row of active buttons above the top left corner of the Plot Area for Pan, Zoom, and Export
· Legend – the horizontal row of Trace identifiers above the top right corner of the Plot Area to match CyFlex Variable name with Trace color
· Data Sampling – the periodic acquisition of data from CyFlex shared memory of the current values for the specified Variables, expressed in either frequency [Hz] or interval [msec]
· Display Refresh – the periodic refresh of the Graph and its Traces, expressed in either frequency [Hz] or interval [msec]
· Data Storage – data collected for each Channel in a Graph since the last Start is stored in the program. It can be saved to a spreadsheet file from the Main Window menu:
File > Export All Data
The Main Window is the primary window for the application that is displayed on startup. Other “dialog” floating windows can be launched from it.
The Main Window is composed of a vertical stack of one or more Stripchart Graphs displayed as fixed rectangular panels. Each Graph is an independent instance of the basic real-time Stripchart. Their vertical alignment allows them to have the same Time Axis and scale. However, the Time Axis is displayed in each panel and they may have different durations if desired.
In each Graph there is a rectangular Plot Area in which the line Traces of the chosen CyFlex Variable values scroll with the horizontal Time Axis. It includes horizontal and vertical grid lines that match the major increments for the axis scales.
The Main Window has standard pull-down menus in the top left window border for File and Help. The former provides data exporting, saving and load configuration settings, and exiting the program. The latter launches the Help dialog browser.
Each Stripchart Graph has a row of action buttons at the top left edge of its Plot Area:
· Pan – toggles start and stop panning
· Zoom – start successive zoom in and then stepped zoom out and stop zoom
· Export – write Data Suffer contents for this graph to a spreadsheet file
· Open Configuration Dialog – write Data Buffer contents for this graph to a spreadsheet file
Each Stripchart Graph has a row of Legend graphics at the top right edge of its Plot Area. Each Legend shows the CyFlex Variable name assigned to the color of a Trace in the Plot Area and the associated Y axis for the variable (L) or (R).
The Main Window area outside of the Graphs provides space for a Title, a Subtitle, and a Note. Buttons are also displayed at bottom right that Pause / Resume and Start / Stop plotting all Graphs at once.
The Configuration Dialog is a floating window launched from the Main Window that gives you valid options for changing plotting attributes
The Dialog has a column of Graph Tabs on its left margin, one tab for each Graph specified, plus an “All” tab to display the attributes of all Graphs at once.
The Dialog has a row of three Feature Tabs on its top margin:
Plot tab -- organized as a spreadsheet with each row describing a Trace of one CyFlex Variable and each column corresponding to a plot attribute, such as Variable name, Trace color, left or right Y axis, etc.
Axes
tab – organized as a spreadsheet with a row each for the
vertical Left and Right Y Axes and a row for the horizontal Time Axis
and each column setting an axis attribute, such as range, color, and
number gridlines and and number ticks.
Frame
tab – displays fields for setting the text and font of the
Title, Subtitle, and Note in the Frame of the Main Window, show /
hide the Legend on all Graphs, change the background color, show /
hide the Title, Subtitle and Note fields, turn condense of the Main
Window on / off.
The Dialog has a row of buttons on its bottom margin:
· OK button – accept the setting changes and close the Dialog
· Apply button – try the current settings
· Cancel button – cancel the setting changes and close the Dialog
Display Refresh vs Data Sampling
Stripchart offers considerable flexibility in specifying its two primary rates: Display Refresh and Data Sampling. While each may be selected independently, some consideration is recommended so that plotting is reasonable and efficient.
Display Refresh is simply the rate at which the display of the Graph is refreshed or updated.
· The allowable range of rates is 0.1 - 50 [Hz], corresponding to intervals of 10,000 – 20 [msec].
Note: as the rate increases, the interval decreases.
· Rates below 10 [Hz] may appear jerky; rates above 50 [Hz] would make no perceptible difference.
Data Sampling is the rate at which the application acquires data values for the Traces from CyFlex shared memory.
· The allowable range of rates is 1 – 50 [Hz], corresponding to intervals of 1,000 – 20 [msec].
· Rates below 1 [Hz] are slower than typical Slow Channel sampling; rates above 50 [Hz] are faster than typical Fast Channel sampling
The default rates for Display Refresh and Data Sampling are recommended to start. You may adjust them in the Plot Tab of the Configuration Dialog as desired.
· Stripchart operates as part of the CyFlex test automation system. CyFlex must be running on the test system to create the CyFlex Variables that Stripchart requires for plotting.
· The system hardware must be sufficiently robust to execute the standard CyFlex operations.
· The test system must have graphics hardware adequate to support version 1.3 or later of the OpenGL cross-platform applications programming interface (API) for computer graphics and driver support.
· High-resolution monitors are recommended for display accuracy.
The following constraints and limitations are in place when specifying the Stripchart program configuration and operation:
Variable types – CyFlex Variables may be selected for plotting by name. Real and Integer Variables are currently supported and displayed automatically in the CyFlex Variable Names pulldown list on the Plot tab of the Configuration Dialog.
Number of Graphs – Stripchart supports up to eight Graphs in its vertical “stack” format.
· The program ignores attempts to add more than eight Graphs in the Configuration Dialog.
Number of Traces per Graph – Stripchart supports up to eight Traces, one for each CyFlex Variable specified, in any one Graph.
· Together with the limit of eight Graphs per program instance, you may select up to 64 Traces at once.
· The program ignores attempts to add more than eight Traces in the Plot tab of the Configuration Dialog.
Sample Rates – Stripchart enforces Data Sample Rates in the range 1 – 50 [Hz], covering the typical Slow to Fast Channel sample rates.
· The program ignores attempts to enter values outside this range in the Plot tab of the Configuration Dialog
Refresh Rates – Stripchart enforces Display Refresh Rates in the range 0.001667 – 100 [Hz], covering rates from very low computer utilization to refresh faster than any perceptible difference
· The program ignores attempts to enter values outside this range in the Plot tab of the Configuration Dialog
Data Storage – Stripchart limits the total number of Data Samples per Graph between 30 and 7,200 seconds, regardless of the number of Traces.
· Once the Data Storage buffer is full, the program drops the oldest data as it adds the newest.
· The actual clock time covered in the Data Storage clearly depends on the Data Sample Rate: high rates fill the buffer in less time than lower rates.
· The Export Data to CSV File button in the top left margin of the Graph writes the entire contents of the current Data Storage buffer to a file.
In this section we provide step-by-step explanations of how to operate Stripchart and use its various features.
How to Start the Stripchart Program
You can start the application in several standard ways:
· from the Stripchart icon on the console monitor:
Stripchart
· from the command line:
qtstripchart
· from a test mode in a General Purpose gp_test script:
@BACKGROUND_TASK
AT_START “qtstripchart”
Important! – The program will use the default configuration at startup unless you load a different one first.
How to Exit the Stripchart Program
You can exit the program from the File menu at top left in the Main Window:
|
File -> Exit
|
 |
· The program will prompt to save the current configuration to a file.
· The program will stop and the Main Window will disappear.
· Plotting data in real-time does not begin until you click the Start button in the middle of the bottom frame.
· Data storage also starts.
· The button label will change to Stop.
· Plotting data stops when you click the Stop button in the middle of the bottom frame.
· Data storage also stops.
· The button label will change to Start.
What Start and Stop Plotting Do
· Starting and stopping the plot will also start and stop Data Storage. Starting again will erase any stored data and start Data Storage over.
· If you want to keep the stored data and continue collecting it, use the Pause and Resume button sequence instead.
· If you stop the plot and wish to save the stored data to a file, you must do so before you use the Start button to restart the plot.
Important! – Any sequence of Stop and then Start will erase all data currently stored.
· You can pause the plot display by clicking the Pause button at the right end of the bottom frame.
· Data storage will continue, up to the capacity specified in the Data Storage field under the Plot tab of the Configuration Dialog.
· The button label will change to Resume.
· You can resume the plot display after a pause by clicking the Resume button at the right end of the bottom frame.
· The plot will display the data during the pause and Data Storage has not been interrupted.
· The button label will change to Pause.
How to Select CyFlex Variables to Plot
You can select which CyFlex Variable to plot from a list:
Right-click anywhere in the Plot Area
Select the Plot tab in the Configuration Dialog
Click into the CyFlex Variable Name field in the desired row. Each row displays the attributes of the Trace of a Variable
Enter the Variable Name:
· Click in the Name field when the full Name appears in the list, or
· Click the down arrow at the end of the Name field, scroll to your selection, and click on it
The
Name of the CyFlex Variable you have selected to plot is displayed in
the field, along with its current units of measure in brackets. The
list of CyFlex Variable Names includes both Real and Integer
Variables, sorted together alphabetically.
You may also enter the first few characters of the Variable Name and the list will include only matching choices for you to select.
Click the OK button at the bottom of the Configuration Dialog to make the change.
How to Add or Remove a Trace in a Graph
You can add or remove a Trace from the Configuration Dialog:
Right-click anywhere in the Plot Area
Select the Plot tab in the Configuration Dialog
Right-click on the integer row # button immediately to the left of the CyFlex Variable Name field to show the Trace Options menu
To add a Trace:
Select Add Row in the menu to display a new row with default settings
Select the settings for the new Trace in the row fields
To remove a Trace:
Select Delete Row in the menu to remove the row and its Trace in the Main Window
Click the OK button at the bottom of the Configuration Dialog to make the change
How to Add or Remove a Graph in the Main Window
You can add or remove an entire Graph from the vertical “stack” of Graphs in the Main Window from the Configuration Dialog:
Right-click anywhere in the Plot Area
Select the Plot tab in the Configuration Dialog
Right-click on the bottom (highest number) Graph tab in the column on the left margin
To
add a Graph:
Select Add Graph in the menu to display a new Graph with default settings
Select the attributes for the new Graph
To remove the bottom Graph:
· Select Delete Graph in the menu to remove the bottom Graph in the Main Window
Click the OK button at the bottom of the Configuration Dialog to make the change
Important! – adding a new Graph or removing one is limited to the bottom Graph
How to Hide/Show the Datapoint Markers and XY Values
You can hide or show the datapoint markers:
Right-click anywhere in the Plot Area
Select the Plot tab in the Configuration Dialog
Select Show to make the Datapoint markers and XY values visible
Click the OK button at the bottom of the Configuration Dialog to make the change
How to Set the Range of the Y Axis
You can set or change the range of values for the Y Axes of the plot:
Right-click anywhere in the Plot Area
Select the Axes tab in the Configuration Dialog
Click in the Range Minimum or Maximum field in the desired row. Rows displays the attributes of either the Left or Right Y Axis
Enter the numeric value for the CyFlex Variable which you have assigned to the Y Axis. The Dialog will verify that the value is numeric and that Maximum is greater than the Minimum.
Click the OK button at the bottom of the Configuration Dialog to make the change.
You can let the program determine the optimum range for the Y Axis automatically to ensure that all plotted values are visible and no clipping occurs:
Right-click anywhere in the Plot Area
Select the Axes tab in the Configuration Dialog
Check the box in the Auto Range column for Left and/or Right Axis
Click the OK button at the bottom of the Configuration Dialog to make the change.
· The program will dynamically adjust the Y Axis range(s) according to the data currently displayed in the Plot Area.
· When auto range is set, the Range Minimum and Maximum fields display the computed values but cannot be overwritten.
· If both Left and Right Axes are displayed with auto range, then changing the grid lines color of either one is recommended.
How to Start Plotting Automatically at Startup
You can have Stripchart start plotting automatically, without having to click the Start button:
qtstripchart -a
The –a auto-start parameter start plotting immediately and causes the Stop button to be displayed..
How to Set Gridlines and Tick Marks
You can set or change the horizontal grid lines and Y Axis tick marks:
Right-click anywhere in the Plot Area
Select the Axes tab in the Configuration Dialog
Enter the integer number of horizontal grid lines to display in the Grid # Lines field in the desired row. The Dialog will verify that the value is a positive integer and will set grid lines at appropriate intervals.
Enter the integer number of Y Axis tick marks to display between each grid line in the Grid # Ticks field in the desired row. The Dialog will verify that the value is a positive integer and will set tick marks at appropriate intervals.
Click the OK button at the bottom of the Configuration Dialog to make the change.
· Major Ticks have horizontal grid lines and are labeled with their numeric values at the axis; Minor Ticks are simple marks.
Note: The number in Grid # Lines that you request may not match the number of grid lines actually shown in the Main Window. The program computes the closest match so that the grid intervals are multiples of 1, 2, 5, or 10 times a power of 10. The corresponding grid is easy to interpolate as a result.
You can set the time range for the X or Time Axis of the plot:
Right-click anywhere in the Plot Area
Select the Axes tab in the Configuration Dialog
Select the time units for the Range in the Units list
Enter the numeric time value in the Range field. The Dialog will verify that the value is a positive integer.
The range determines the scrolling window of time represented by the full width of the Plot Area. The default value is 30 [sec].
Numeric time labels at the base of the scrolling vertical grid lines indicate the time from the most recent Start button event, in the selected Units.
You can select the time between grid lines and tick marks in the two fields of the Grid #Lines/#Ticks column.
What the Numbers on the Time Axis Mean
Each vertical grid line on the Time (X) Axis is labeled numerically; the grid lines and their labels scroll with time from screen right to left. The values displayed indicate the Data Sampling elapsed time from the most recent Start event, i.e. the Start button was clicked. Each time you use the Start button, the time value resets to zero.
Important! – Any sequence of Stop and then Start will erase all data currently stored.
What the Configuration Dialog Does
You may change the data and display attributes at any time from the Configuration Dialog. Right-click anywhere in the Main Window to bring up the Dialog. It is organized in three tabs:
Plot
set the CyFlex Variables to plot by name, Left or Right Y Axis, and the Trace color, line type, and thickness
set the rates [Hz] or intervals ([msec], [sec], [minutes]) for screen refresh and Data Sample
set the size of the internal Data Storage ([sec], [minutes], [hours])
Axes
set the Left and Right Axis color, enable/disable auto range, minimum and maximum range, numbers of grid lines and ticks, axis label, and grid lines color, line type, and thickness
set the Time Axis range and units, numbers of grid lines and ticks, and grid lines color, on/off, line type and thickness
Frame
set the text and font for labels in the frame of the Main Window: Plot Title (top left), Plot Subtitle (top right), and Note (bottom left)
show/hide Trace Legends at top right of each Graph
· The Plot and Axes tabs include an additional column of tabs along the left margin, one tab for each Graph specified. The highlighted tab indicates the Graph for which the screen currently displays its plot attributes.
How To Change the Background Color of the Plot Area
You may change the background color of the Plot Area in the Graph from the default black in the Frame tab of the Configuration Dialog:
Click the Background Color button to display the Select Color dialog
Choose the background color by clicking in the color space, selecting from most recent choices, or adjusting Hue / Saturation / Value or Red / Green / Blue
Click OK to make your change
· Changing the background color to white is recommended before capturing the Main Window image for printing.
How To Try Configuration Changes in the Dialog
When the Configuration Dialog is displayed, you may change any of the plot attributes and see the effect with the Apply bottom at the bottom of the Dialog. Change the settings you want to try and then click the Apply button.
· If you want to keep the changes, click the OK button. The Dialog will close and the changes will be made in the Main Window.
· If you do not want to keep the changes, click the Cancel button. The Dialog will close and no changes will be made in the Main Window.
· If you want to try other changes, make them in the Dialog and click the Apply button again.
The Plot Tab in the Configuration Dialog is the place where you can change the Traces displayed in the Main Window. You may add or remove Traces and change the attributes of their display. If your Stripchart has more than one Graph, you can select which one you want to change with the Graph tabs at the left margin of the Dialog.
Each row of the Plot Tab indicates the current settings for one Trace in the selected Graph. Each cell in the row affects one of its display attributes. You may change any of these attributes by selecting from the valid choices assigned to each one.
Trace
Options – options
that apply to an entire row or Trace: Add / Delete / Copy / Paste
Right-click on the integer row # button immediately to the left of the CyFlex Variable Name field to show the Trace Options menu
Select an option for that row in the menu:
· Add Row – add a new row for a Trace below the current row with default values
· Delete Row – delete the current row from the Plot Tab and its Trace from the Graph
· Copy Row – copy the settings for the current row; used before Paste
· Paste Row – paste the settings from the previously copied row in the current row; used after Copy
CyFlex Variable Name – the name assigned in a specs file for the CyFlex Variable to plot
· Click in the pull down list of valid Variables Names to select one.
· If you know the first character of the Variable Name, highlight the text in the field and start to type the name. The pull down list will appear, starting at the characters you enter. Click on your selection.
· The current units of measure are appended in brackets to the Variable Name.
Y Axis – the choice of Left or Right Y Axis for this Trace
· Click on the button to toggle between Left and Right
· If all of the Traces in a Graph are assigned only to either the Left or Right Y Axis, then the other axis will not be displayed, including its scale, grid lines, and label. At least one of the Traces must be assigned to an axis to display it.
Color – the color for the Trace display
Click on the color field to open the Select Color dialog
Choose the Trace color by clicking in the color space, selecting from most recent choices, or adjusting Hue / Saturation / Value or Red / Green / Blue
Click OK to make your change
Trace / Line Type – the pattern of the Trace line
· Click in the pull down list to choose from Solid / Dashed / Dot / Dot Dash
Trace / Thickness – the thickness of the Trace line
· Enter an integer in the range 1 to 5, where greater is thicker
The Axes Tab in the Configuration Dialog is the place where you can change the settings for the axes displayed in the Main Window. You may change the settings for the vertical Left and Right Y Axes and for the horizontal Time Axis that scrolls during plotting. If your Stripchart has more than one Graph, you can select which one you want to change with the Graph tabs at the left margin of the Dialog.
Each row of the Axes Tab indicates the current settings for one axis in the selected Graph. Each cell in the row affects one of its display attributes. You may change any of these attributes by selecting from the valid choices assigned to each one.
Axis
– placeholder
to show what Y axis settings are being modified
Color – the color for the Y Axis label and scale
Click on the color field to open the Select Color dialog
Choose the color for the axis label and scale by clicking in the color space, selecting from most recent choices, or adjusting Hue / Saturation / Value or Red / Green / Blue
Click OK to make your change
Auto Range – enable / disable auto ranging to dynamically adjust Y Axis range so that all data in the Plot Area is displayed
· Check the box to start auto ranging and suspend the current Range Minimum and Maximum
· Uncheck the box to stop auto ranging and use the current Range Minimum and Maximum
Range / Minimum – the minimum value for the Y Axis scale
· Enter the numeric value for the minimum Y Axis scale when auto ranging is disabled
Range / Maximum – the maximum value for the Y Axis scale
· Enter the numeric value for the maximum Y Axis scale when auto ranging is disabled
Grid / # Lines – the number of major tick marks to display as gridlines
· Enter the integer number of horizontal gridlines to display in the Plot Area
Grid / # Ticks – the number of minor tick marks to display as dashes on the Y Axis scale
· Enter the integer number of tick marks to display between each horizontal grid line on the Y Axis scale
Label – the vertical text label displayed next to the Y Axis scale
· Enter descriptive text for the Y Axis
Grid / Color – the color of the horizontal grid lines
Click on the color field to open the Select Color dialog
Choose the color for the axis label and scale by clicking in the color space, selecting from most recent choices, or adjusting Hue / Saturation / Value or Red / Green / Blue
Click OK to make your change
Grid / No Grid – show / hide grid lines
· Check the box to display horizontal grid lines
· Uncheck the box to hide horizontal grid lines
Grid / Line Type – the pattern of the grid lines
· Click in the pull down list to choose from Solid / Dashed / Dot / Dot Dash
Grid / Thickness – the thickness of the grid lines
· Enter an integer in the range 1 to 5, where greater is thicker
Range
– the time duration
displayed in the Time Axis
· Enter the numeric time range to display on the horizontal Time Axis
· The screen size of the Plot Area is determined by the Main Window size, while the Range sets the horizontal resolution of the Traces
Units – the units of measure for the time Range
· Click in the pull down menu and select the time units: Seconds / Minutes / Hours
Grid / # Lines – the number of marks to display as grid lines
· Enter the integer number of vertical grid lines to display in the Plot Area
Grid / # Ticks – the number of tick marks to display as dashes on the Time Axis scale
· Enter the integer number of tick marks to display between each vertical grid line on the Time Axis scale
Grid Color – the color of the vertical grid lines
Click on the color field to open the Select Color dialog
Choose the color for the axis label and scale by clicking in the color space, selecting from most recent choices, or adjusting Hue / Saturation / Value or Red / Green / Blue
Click OK to make your change
Grid / Line Type – the pattern of the grid lines
· Click in the pull down list to choose from Solid / Dashed / Dot / Dot Dash
Grid / Thickness – the thickness of the grid lines
· Enter an integer in the range 1 to 5, where greater is thicker
You may change some of the supplemental text, background color and the Legends in each Graph in the Frame tab of the Configuration Dialog:
Plot
Title – the
text string that appears at top left in the frame of the Main Window
· Enter the literal text string for the Plot Title
· Click the Font button to display the Font Dialog
· Click OK to make the change
Plot Subtitle – the text string that appears at top right in the frame of the Main Window
· Enter the literal text string for the Plot Subtitle
· Click the Font button to display the Font Dialog
· Click OK to make the change
Show Title and Subtitle – show / hide the title and subtitle text within the main window
Note – the text string that appears at bottom left in the frame of the Main Window
· Enter the literal text string for the Note
· Click the Font button to display the Font Dialog
· Click OK to make the change
Show Note – show / hide the note text within the main window
Condense controls into a single toolbar for all plots – one button bar is visible for use of all graphs, makes the legend of each graph smaller, removes the start/stop and pause/resume buttons from the bottom of the main window and adds a start/stop and pause/resume button to the button bar
Legend
– show / hide the
Legends in each Graph that identify the Trace colors with their
CyFlex Variable names
Background Color – change the background color of all graphs
Click the Background Color to open the Select Color box
Choose the color for graph background by clicking in the color space, selecting from most recent choices, or adjusting Hue / Saturation / Value or Red / Green / Blue
Click OK to make your change
You can move the current view in the Plot Area both horizontally (Time) and vertically (Variables) with the mouse cursor:
To start Pan, click the Pan toggle button in the Button Row at top left in the Graph of interest
Place the cursor in the Plot Area and drag it in any direction to “pan” or translate the image. The move cursor will appear when in pan mode.
To stop Pan, click the Pan toggle button again
· Pan remains in effect until you click the Pan button again to disable it.
· Data are displayed in real-time during Pan and no data is lost.
· You can launch the Configuration Dialog and view plot attributes during Pan. The plot attributes can not be modified during Pan.
· Pan and Zoom cannot be used together. Turn off one before starting the other.
You can magnify the current view in the Plot Area both horizontally (Time) and vertically (Variables) with the mouse cursor:
To start Zoom, click the Zoom Start toggle button in the Button Row at top left in the graph of interest
Place the cursor in the Plot Area and drag it diagonally to “zoom in” or magnify the image to the rectangular areal you want. The zoom cursor will appear when in zoom mode.
To stop Zoom, click the Zoom Stop toggle button
· You can mouse hover over the Button Row to get a “tool tip” identifying any of the buttons
· You can zoom repeatedly until you click the Zoom Stop button to stop. Zoom remains in effect until you click Zoom Stop.
· You may launch the Configuration Dialog and change plot attributes during Zoom.
· Pan and Zoom cannot be used together. Turn off one to enable the other.
· The Time and Y Axis labels will be updated and the number of gridlines maintained in all cases.
You can Zoom In repeatedly for greater magnification. An integer step counter tracks the number of Zoom In events.
1. If you are in Zoom, for each Zoom In step, drag the cursor diagonally to Zoom In to the rectangular area you want
2. Click on the Zoom Step Out button each time to display each of the Zoom In steps in reverse, out to the original view
3. Click on the Zoom Reset button to display the original view directly
·
You can mouse hover over
the Button Row to get a “tool tip” identifying any of the buttons
· Zoom remains in effect during Zoom In, Zoom Step Out, and Zoom Reset, until you click the Zoom Stop button
How to Save the Data Collected to a File
You can save all of the data currently collected in the Data Storage to a file that is spreadsheet compatible:
Click File -> Export All Data from the menu bar
or
Click the Export Data to CSV File button in the Button Row at top left in the Graph of interest
· The program will display the Save File As dialog.
Enter a new filename in the Name: field, or click one of the existing filenames to overwrite it.
Keep the default directory /tmp/ for the file, or select another directory
Click the Save button at bottom right to make the change.
You can save a graphical image of the Stripchart Main Window to a file:
Pause and optionally pan in the Graph of interest to the desired fixed view
Press the PrintSC key (Print Screen)
· The KSnapshot dialog appears
Select Window Under Cursor in the Capture mode: list
Click the New Snapshot button
· The KSnapshot dialog disappears
Click on the Main Window
· The KSnapshot dialog appears
Click the Save As button
· The Save As - KSnapshot file dialog appears
Complete the filename and directory entries
Click the Save button
· Once the image file is saved, the image can be printed directly from the file with any of the standard graphics programs provided in the KMenu > Graphics list, such as KolourPaint, Kooka, etc.
You can save the current plot settings to either an existing configuration file or a new one from the File menu at top left in the Main Window:
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· The program will display the Save Configuration File dialog.
Enter
a new filename in the Name: field, or click one of the existing
filenames to overwrite it.
Click the Save button at bottom right to make the change.
You can load plot settings from an existing configuration file from the File menu at top left in the Main Window:
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· The program will display the Open Configuration File dialog.
Select
one of the existing Configuration filenames.
Click the Open button at bottom right to load the settings
How to Load a Configuration at Startup
You can select the Configuration file to load at program start up from the command line:
qtstripchart –f [base filename]
where the “base filename” is the Configuration filename without the standard “.conf” extension.
· This format assumes that the Configuration files are in their default directory:
/specs/qt/stripchart/
· The –a parameter has the effect of autostarting the plot without the need to press the Start button.
Plug-in for CyFlex Operator Display
To Do
