Overview
This page presents information on how to work with the Asset Tree. It will also show one of ways one can create some custom graphics objects, like DataGrid Tables and Text Output, which will map automatically to the selected asset in the tree.
For an a more advanced example on how the Asset Tree can be used in solutions, go to Self-Aware Asset Displays.
The Asset Tree is a graphical tool on the software platform for organizing solution data within a customizable hierarchy. It enhances navigation, data management, and visualization of complex industrial systems. Users can create folders, add tags, and associate metadata (e.g., alarms, historians). During runtime, the AssetTree Control displays the hierarchy, allowing interaction with elements and viewing of relevant data.
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Configuration Workflow
The Asset Tree configuration is located at Unified Namespace → Asset Tree.
The Asset Tree has pre-defined folders:
- BaseTags: All local tags created in the solutions that were not placed in any folders (levels) are automatically placed in this folder.
- ExternalTags: When creating ExternalTags connections, they are automatically included in this folder, so you can easily browse the dynamic contents of the remote system.
The typical action when configuration the asset tree are:
Key Concepts and Terms
Asset Tree
A hierarchical representation of the solution’s real-time data variables, composed of tags and nodes.
Element
Any item in the Tree, whatever is a node or a final branch.
Asset Folder
Nodes in the tree that are containers for other objects or partial paths for TagNames.
RootTags Folder
Pre-defined node holding all tags not in any Asset Folder, helping manage large solutions.
Linked Folder
A folder dynamically linked to data from a TagProvider Connection.
Understanding the Asset Tree
The Asset Tree is the main centralized location for configuring your Unified Namespace, tags, and assets organization. In this interface, you can create AssetFolders, new tags, move elements within the tree, and create TagProvider Connections.
When the solution is running and the Designer is connected to the runtime, the Asset Tree also displays the current values for the tree elements.
Asset Tree User Interface
- Left Side: Shows the Asset Tree with a toolbar for localized actions.
- Right Side: Displays detailed information about the selected Node and its children.
Asset Tree Toolbar
Typical Actions:
- Create a New Folder: Organize and group assets by clicking the new Asset Folder icon or right-clicking the Asset Tree.
- Create New Tags: Select a folder, then use the New Tag toolbar button or right-click menu
- to create a new tag
- within that folder.
- Move Tags to
- Selected Folders: Drag tags from the
- RootTags folder
- or other
- locations to the desired
- position in the tree.
- Link Remote
- Data: If
- an TagProvider connection is defined,
- insert specific
- data from the external system
- into the
The image below describes an example of a solution's hierarchy.
- Asset Tree.
- Rename Folders or Tags: Right-click any folder or tag
- to rename it directly from the Asset Tree.
- Copy/Paste Folders or Assets: Copy an entire folder or just one
- asset to another
- folder. All tags (including alarms, historian, and device configurations) will be copied as well.
- Duplicate Tag Names: The same tag name can be used in more than one folder.
- Monitor Tag Values: Once
- the solution is running,
- monitor tag values directly from the Asset Tree through the Value column.
Configuring the Asset Tree
Configuration Workflow
The Asset Tree configuration is located at Unified Namespace / Asset Tree.
The Asset Tree has a pre-defined folder called "RootTags," which contains all local tags not placed in any other folders. For system integrity reasons, it is not possible to create new asset folders inside the RootTags folder; this is the only exception in the software.
The image below describes an example of a solution's hierarchy.
Adding New Asset Folders
- Click the "Add Asset Folder" icon on the toolbar of the Asset Tree
- Right-click on the RootTags folder on the Asset Tree.
- Right-click on a created Asset folder on the Asset Tree.
Adding New Tags
- Click the "New Tag" icon on the toolbar of the Asset Tree
- Right-click on the RootTags folder on the Asset Tree.
- Right-click on a created Asset folder on the Asset Tree.
- Use the "New Tag" button in the main toolbar.
If you don't specify a folder, the new tag will be placed in the 'RootTags' section of the tree.
Working with the Asset Tree
Show the Asset Tree on displays
At Displays / Draw, under the Modules components, you can find the AssetTree Control. Simply drop this control onto your display, and the Asset Tree will be available in Runtime Displays for operators.
→ Go to AssetTree Control for more information.
Accessing Variables on the AssetTree
Tag Syntax
Access a tag directly using its full name, including folders.
Example: Tag.Area1/linha1/state
Asset Path Syntax
Use the Asset keyword to dynamically show the selected tag’s path.
Example: Asset("Area1/linha1/State1")
Useful for dynamic mapping or accessing values from TagProviders.
Example: Asset(client.Context.AssetPath + "State1")
In this example, the expression combines the selected folder with “State1” to display the corresponding State1 element from the Asset Tree
You can add Dynamic Data from the ExternalTags inside your treeview structure. For more information, please refer to the ExternalTags documentation.
Asset Tree on displays
Once your Asset Tree is defined, you'll be able to see it in the Draw Environment, on the right-side of the screen, where you can drag them into any display.
Add the component to your display, and customize it according to the settings described below. Does this still exist in v10?
The parameters are described as follows:
Tag that will be receiving the selected Level Name in Runtime as a String.
CodeBehind and IO Components
You can also access the Asset elements from the CodeBehind by navigating through the TagNamespace. IntelliSense will display the Tags and their respective Levels.
Similar to the ExternalTags approach, the elements from the Asset View can be accessed with the syntax: ASSET(”? CompleteAssetName ?”) either in a TextBox element or the CodeBehind.
Runtime Behavior
In runtime, your Asset Tree and its components will look like the image below.
The IO element mapped with the ASSET(” CompleteAssetName ”) syntaxwill be resolved similar to the TK.GetObjectValue and will display the current value of the specific Tag it was mapped to.The SelectedAsset and SelectedLevel Tags will also change according to the element you click on.
In this section:
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