Overview

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 AssetsTree Control displays the hierarchy, allowing interaction with elements and viewing of relevant data.

Custom Asset Tree Example


On this page:

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

Button actions

  1. Reload the Tree: Refresh the Asset Tree structure.
  2. New AssetFolder: Create a folder in the Tree to store assets.
  3. New Tag: Create a tag in the Asset Tree.
  4. New TagProvider Connection: Establish a TagProvider connection for data retrieval.
  5. Insert data from TagProvider: Insert TagProvider data into the folder on the Asset Tree.
  6. Edit Element: Modify element properties in the Asset Tree.
  7. Rename Element: Change the name of an element in the Asset Tree.
  8. Create DataTemplate: Define a DataTemplate based on the selected element.
  9. Collapse All: Collapse all Folders in the Asset Tree.


Right-click typical actions

  • 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.
  • Link Remote Data: If an TagProvider connection is defined, insert specific data from the external system into the Asset Tree.
  • Create a New Folder: Organize and group assets by clicking the new Asset Folder icon or right-clicking 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.
  • Rename Folders or Tags: Right-click any folder or tag to rename it directly from the Asset Tree.
  • Delete Folders or Tags: Right-click any folder or tag to delete it directly from the Asset Tree.
  • Move Tags to Selected Folders: Drag tags from the RootTags folder or other locations to the desired position in the tree.
  • Refresh: Reload the Asset Tree content.
  • Monitor Tag Values: Once the solution is running, monitor tag values directly from the Asset Tree through the Value column.


If you don't see your data in the Asset Tree, make sure the click the Refresh button to reload the Tree.


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

  1. Click the "Add Asset Folder" icon on the toolbar of the Asset Tree
  2. Right-click on the RootTags folder on the Asset Tree.
  3. Right-click on a created Asset folder on the Asset Tree.

Adding New Tags

  1. Click the "New Tag" icon on the toolbar of the Asset Tree
  2. Right-click on the RootTags folder on the Asset Tree.
  3. Right-click on a created Asset folder on the Asset Tree.
  4. 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

Showing 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.


Customizing the Alias for a selected node

After creating a TagProvider Connection, it will create and map a folder on the Assets Tree. To customize the Alias, right-click on the selected node and select the Edit Asset Folder option to open the configuration dialog.

In this section: