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 AssetTree Control displays the hierarchy, allowing interaction with elements and viewing of relevant data. The ASSET() syntax allows programmatic access to asset elements for integration with other system components and processes.
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
- Create a New Folder: Organize and group your 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 a TagProvider connection is defined, insert specific data from the external system into the Asset Tree.
Configuring the Asset Tree
Configuration Workflow
The Asset Tree configuration is located at Unified Namespace → Asset Tree.
The Asset Tree has pre-defined folder "RootTags", that contains all local tags not placed in any other folders.
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 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.
The image below describes an example of a solution's hierarchy.
Add New Asset Folders
Add New Tags
If you don't specify a folder, the new tag will be placed in the 'Base Tags' 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 AssetTree 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 for dynamic mapping or TagProviders.
Example: Asset("/Area1/linha1/state")
Useful for dynamic mapping or accessing values from TagProviders.
Example: Asset(client.SelectedAssetFolder + "/state")
In this example, the expression combines the selected folder with “/state” to display the corresponding element from the AssetTree.
In this section: