Graphic logic editor
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Contents
1.
Introduction
2.
Sidebar
3.
Worksheet
4.
Logic online test / worksheet monitoring
5.
Search function
6.
Main menu
7.
Shortcuts
8.
FAQs (questions)

1.Introduction

The worksheet is the basis of the logic editor. The following elements can be positioned on a worksheet:
You can find more information on processing the logic in the following documents:

2.Sidebar

The very first time the GLE is called up after installation of the HS/FS Expert, the sidebar shows the (empty) data structure of the worksheets in the upper area and the tree structure of the available logic elements in the lower area, which in turn is divided into elements, blocks and templates.
Via the menu"View -> Sidebar" the display of the sidebar can be influenced. The selection made here is permanent until it is changed via this menu. The individual menu items can also be executed directly, without calling up the menu, via key combinations.

The following display options are available:

2.1.Data structure of the worksheets

The data structure of the worksheets offers three different views, between which you can switch either via the menu "View -> Data structure", or via the three icons displayed above the sidebar in the "Data structure" view:

2.1.1.Tree structure of the worksheets

This view can be activated via the menu item "View - Data structure -> Worksheets", the key combination "SHIFT+F1", or the symbol Worksheets.
This is the standard display method of the data structure window.
In this view the individual worksheets are managed.
Possible elements and functions in this view:
  • “Logic” root element
    • Paste - Only if a folder or worksheet was previously copied
    • Create folder
    • Create worksheet
  • Folder
    • Cut
    • Copy
    • Paste - Only if a folder or worksheet was previously copied
    • Remove
    • List folder - call the search function with the name of the folder
    • Create folder
    • Rename folder
    • Create worksheet
  • Worksheet
    • Cut
    • Copy
    • Remove
    • References - Lists all input connectors connected to an output connector placed on this worksheet.
    • Properties

2.1.2.Show all elements of the active worksheet

This view can be activated via the menu item "View - Data structure -> Worksheet (Elements)", the key combination "SHIFT+F2", or the symbol Worksheet (Elements).
All elements of the active worksheet are displayed as a list.
If the root element or a folder is active, nothing is displayed.

2.1.3.Search function

This view can be activated via the menu items"View - Data structure -> Browse worksheets" or "View -> Search", the"F3" keyor the key combinations "SHIFT+F3", or via the symbol Searching worksheets.
The lower part of the window shows the three fields that can be used for the search and the “Search” button; the upper part shows the result of the search as a list.

See also this documentation.

2.2.Elements

There are three different views for the elements, between which you can switch either via the menu "View -> Elements", or via the three icons displayed in the sidebar above the "Elements" view:

2.2.1.Logic Elements

This view can be activated via the menu item "View - Elements -> Logic elements", the key combination "SHIFT+CTRL+F1", or the symbol Logic elements.

In this view, all logic elements available in the HS/FS Expert are displayed in a tree structure. Each element can be dragged and dropped onto the current worksheet.

The tree structure is divided into three groups:
  • Elements: Here you can find all elements that are not logic nodes.
    Special feature: “Templates”. If the template shown here is dragged onto the worksheet, a file dialogue with the template directory opens when the mouse button is released and a template stored there (“.htl” file) can be selected, the content of which is then placed on the worksheet
  • Nodes: All nodes currently installed in the HS/FS Expert are listed here.
  • Templates: All templates that have been saved as “.htl” files in the templates directory are listed here.

2.2.2.Logic nodes used

This view can be activated with the menu item “View - Elements -> Used nodes”, the shortcut “SHIFT+CTRL+F2” or the symbol Used nodes.

Each POU used once or several times on one or more worksheets receives an entry in the list displayed here. How often it is used in total is shown in the "Number" column.
As long as the GLE is not exited, the time of the last addition of each module on any worksheet is also displayed in the "Last" column.

The list can be sorted according to its contents by clicking on a column header. Clicking several times on the same column reverses the sort order. The default sort order is alphabetically descending by module name. If a column header has been clicked at least once, a small arrow in the column header indicates the current sort direction.

2.2.3.Search function

This view can be activated via the menu item "View - Elements -> Browse logic elements", the key combination "SHIFT+CTRL+F3", or the symbol Searching logic elements.

In the lower part of the window the field for the text to be searched and the "Search" button are displayed, in the upper part the result of the search as a list.
See also this documentation.

3.Worksheet

The input boxes, output boxes, modules and text fields are positioned on a worksheet. The size of a worksheet can be selected.

3.1.Worksheet elements

3.1.1.Input boxes

The inputs of a worksheet can be summarised in the Input box. Several of these are possible on a worksheet.

An input box can be created with the pop-up menu opened by clicking on the right mouse button, with the shortcut CTRL+F1, with the “New” menu item on the toolbar of the worksheet or via the node structure (here simply by drag&drop onto the worksheet).

An input box can contain the following elements:
  • Communication objects
  • Connectors
To insert new elements into an input box all you need to do is right-click the box's header line. Both communication objects and connectors can be inserted in the box in the opening pop-up menu. Clicking the plus symbol inside the header line directly inserts a communication object into the box.
Note
The input can be directly assigned a new communication object by clicking an input and dragging the mouse while keeping the left key pressed to the plus symbol of the input box.
Note
An input box can be assigned as many elements as desired. The limitation lies in the surface of the worksheet.

Further information on the input box can be found under Functionality of the input box / output box.

3.1.2.Output boxes

The outputs of a worksheet can be summarised in the Output box. Several of these are possible on a worksheet.

An output box can be created with the pop-up menu opened by clicking on the right mouse button, with the shortcut CTRL+F2, with the “New” menu item on the toolbar of the worksheet or via the node structure (here simply by drag&drop onto the worksheet).

An output box can contain the following elements:
  • Communication objects/Commands
  • Connectors
To insert new elements into an output box all you need to do is right-click the box's header line. Communication objects can be inserted and connectors can be created in the pop-up menu that opens. Clicking the plus symbol inside the header line directly inserts a communication object/command into the box.
Note
The output can be directly assigned a new communication object/command by clicking the output of a logic node and dragging the mouse while keeping the left key pressed to the plus symbol of the output box. The output of the module is connected directly with the new output shaft. The communication window opens directly when you click on the plus symbol, while simultaneously holding the CTRL key.
Note
An output box can be assigned as many elements as desired. The limitation lies in the surface of the worksheet.

Further information on the input box can be found under Functionality of the input/output box.

3.1.3.Functionality of the input/output box

  • A double-click changes the designation
  • The sequence of objects can be changed by pressing SHIFT + dragging the mouse.
  • Right mouse button on heading:
    - Properties - Changes designation of the box.
    - Cut out, copy, insert - Internal copying functions. Enables the moving and copying of elements within the project.
    Note
    You can choose between the options "with connections" and "without connections" when inserting.
    - Save as template - Saves the marked elements as template.
    - Create new objects - Adds communication object, connector, commands in box.
  • Right mouse button on object:
    - Properties - Changes the communication object or connector.
    - Remove - Removes the object from the box.
    - Move to... - Moves object to another box.
    - Cancel connections - Removes all connections of the marked object.
    - Upwards, downwards - Changes sequence of objects inside a box.
  • Click on node (only output box):
    - Deletes individual connection

3.1.4.Text boxes

Text boxes can be inserted for comments and descriptions. The size is determined automatically from the text size and can only be changed in this way. A double-click on the field is sufficient in order to change the contents of a text field; alternatively, call the context menu with the right mouse button.
Text with maximum 500 characters can be entered in a text field. Line breaks count as 2 characters.
3.1.4.1.Functionality text box
  • A double-click changes the text

3.1.5.Building blocks

Theoretically, any number of nodes can be positioned on a worksheet. Depending on the definition, a node contains a certain number of inputs/outputs. Every input can be assigned a fixed value and/or connected with objects from input boxes. Equally, every output can be connected with objects/commands from output boxes.
3.1.5.1.Removed node files
After removing a used node from the ...\logic folder and opening a worksheet on which this node is used, a prompt appears asking whether the node (including its connections) are to be deleted from the worksheet. If the answer to this question is No, the node and its connections are no longer displayed on the worksheet, i.e. they are hidden until the node is re-inserted in the ...\logic folder. To view the node on the worksheet again, it is necessary to restart the HS/FS Expert.
3.1.5.2.Functionality node
  • A double-click changes the designation
  • Right mouse button on heading:
    - Properties - Change the designation and telegram interval
    - Cut, Copy - Internal copying functions. Enables the moving and copying of elements within the project.
    Note
    You can choose between the options “with connections” and “without connections” when inserting.
    - Remove - Deletes the marked modules/elements.
    - Save as template - Exports the marked elements as template.
    - Copy to global library - Adds the selected elements to the global library.
    - Group - Only when there are multiple selected items: Groups the selected elements into a new element.
    - Align - (Left, Right, Top, Bottom) Only for multiple selected elements: Aligns all selected items to the outermost edge of the outermost item.
    - Monitor- (Left, Right, Top, Bottom) Set Filter - Only if monitoring is active: Creates a new filter for monitoring with all selected elements.
    - Help for node - Shows the help for the node.
  • Mouse button on heading:
    - Only if monitoring is active: The line with the title of the element is marked in the monitoring.
  • Right mouse button on input:
    - Assign with fixed value - Assigns the input a fixed value.
    - Negate connection(s) - Only if at least one connection to the input exists: Negates all connections of the marked input.
    - Disconnect connection(s) - Only if there is at least one connection to the input: Removes all connections of the marked input.
    - Monitor: Set input - Only if monitoring is active Opens a value entry mask for the input of a value to be applied to the input. Works like an input telegram of the same value.
  • Mouse button on input:
    - Only if monitoring is active: The line with the input of the block is marked in the monitoring.
  • Right mouse button on output:
    - Disconnect connection(s) - Only if at least one connection to the output exists: Removes all connections of the marked output.
  • Mouse button on output:
    - Only if monitoring is active: The line with the node output is marked in the monitoring.
  • Mouse-click on node (input only):
    - Remove connection - Delete individual connection
    - Negate connection - Negate individual connection
    - Only if monitoring is active: The line with the input of the block is marked in the monitoring.
  • Mouse-click on node (output only):
    - Only if monitoring is active: The line with the node output is marked in the monitoring.
3.1.5.3.Import and export of logic nodes (templates)
Individual elements of a worksheet or a group of elements can be stored/exported as a template.
This data can then be imported again into other projects.
3.1.5.3.1.Export to template (save)
This function is available after an element or group is selected by right-clicking on it. The mouse pointer must be on the header of the element. If an element to be saved or a group of elements contains communication objects, a list of these communication objects appears. In this list, you can give each communication object a further designation. This designation is later queried during inserting in order to be able to assign the matching communication object. The designation is entered with a double-click or the operating knob. This information is required in order to be able to assign the right communication objects when inserting the logic template.
3.1.5.3.2.Import from template (insert)
Saved templates can be imported across projects to any worksheet desired. During insertion, a mask appears, the missing objects have to be supplemented here.
Note
Only communication objects with matching data type can be assigned.
Note
The elements can be directly compiled into a group during insertion.

3.2.Settings for the worksheet

The size of a worksheet (in pixels) can be selected from several specifications. When creating a new worksheet, the largest possible variant is suggested.
The name and size of a worksheet can be changed at any time using the "Properties" icon (Properties) in the toolbar above the worksheet.

A worksheet can be enlarged at any time, provided it is not already at its maximum size. When zooming out, the elements must first be moved into the area which is still available after zooming out due to the new, smaller size. A preview of the various possible sizes is available via the menu item"View -> Show sheet sizes".

For very large worksheets, a thumbnail view can be displayed via the menu"View -> Thumbnail view" (key combination: F6), the size (in percent) of which can be adjusted in several steps via the menu item"View -> Thumbnail size".

The default font for all texts in the worksheet is "Arial Standard 8" and can be changed via the menu"View -> Font".

3.3.Printing the worksheet

The worksheet can be printed out. In this way, the output is reduced/enlarged to the print format/page format of the printer.

3.4.Linking inputs and outputs

A connection is established by clicking an input/output object and a further CTRL click (mouse click with pressed CTRL key) on the input/output of a logic node. The sequence of the clicks is open. The normal click has to happen before the CTRL click however. An ideal connection path is marked. The last established connection is displayed in orange.

Options for establishing a connection:
  • Drag and drop. Drag input to output and vice-versa.
  • Click on input and SHIFT+click on output and vice-versa.
  • Click on input and right mouse-click (menu item: establish connection) and vice versa
Note
Elements of an input box cannot be connected with elements of an output box.
Note
Click an input or output to check the connection. All connections of the respective input/output are highlighted in colour.

3.5.Grouping elements

  • Several elements of a worksheet can be compiled into a group. Several groups are possible per worksheet.
  • Each element can only belong to one group.
  • Grouping remains the same in the project after saving and leaving Expert.
  • The elements (input box, output box, logic node, and text box) are selected by CTRL + left-click or by framing the elements (left-click and mouse movement around the elements).
  • When clicking on an element of a group, all elements of this group are marked.

3.6.Aligning elements on a worksheet

  • Click, hold, and drag, to move elements If arranging/shifting is not possible because, for example, the element is positioned outside the worksheet, the element remains in its initial position.
  • Selected elements on a worksheet can be finely adjusted with the cursor keys.

3.7.Linking between worksheets (connectors)

A connector can be defined on a worksheet in an output box. A connector is for applying the output on a logic node to the logic node of another worksheet. The connector can be created via the context menu (right mouse button) of the output box. The connector must only be assigned a designation. The connector can now be added to another worksheet in an input box.

3.8.Actions via several marked elements

  • Multiple selection with CTRL
  • Fine-adjustment with the cursor keys (1 step) of CTRL+cursor keys (2 steps)
  • Right mouse button:
    • Cut out, copy, insert - Internal copying functions. Enables the moving and copying of elements within the project.
      Note
      You can choose between the options “with connections” and “without connections” when inserting.
    • Remove - Deletes the marked modules/elements.
    • Save as template - Exports the marked elements as template.
    • Align - The marked elements can be aligned in different directions.
      Note
      This also functions with the buttons located above the GLE interface.
    • Grouping - All marked elements can be compiled into one group.
    • Cancel group - Cancels the group of the marked element.

4.Logic online test / Worksheet monitoring

This function provides a tool for diagnosing and locating errors in the logic.

Further information on logic online test / work sheet monitoring.

5.Search function

The search can be applied to the following data sets:
More information about the search.

6.Main menu

7.Key combinations

In order to trigger a shortcut, the worksheet has to be focused.

8.FAQs (questions)

8.1.How do I establish a connection between an input object and an input of a logic node?

  • By clicking an input object, holding the left mouse button and dragging the input of the logic node.
  • OR by clicking on the input object once and pressing SHIFT+left-click on the input of a logic node.

8.2.How do you copy a complete worksheet within a project?

  • Right-click a worksheet in the tree structure. A menu item appears here. In the tree structure, mark the position where you wish to insert. Right-click to open the menu item Insert.

8.3.How can I copy a group of logic nodes into another project?

Method 1 - Use the clipboard :
  • If your Global Library is NOT empty, empty it. (Expert-> Main menu-> Global Library-> Delete)
  • Mark all desired elements and right-click to open the menu item Copy in Global Library.
  • Select the item Global Library-> Clipboard-> Copy in the main menu of Expert.
  • Open the project into which the modules should be imported.
  • Select the item Global Library-> Clipboard-> Insert in the main menu and follow the instructions.
Method 2 - Use the templates:
  • Mark all desired elements and right-click to open the menu item Grouping.
  • Open the menu item Export into template by right-clicking again over the header of a group member.
  • Now save the template under a name.
  • Open the project into which the nodes should be imported.
  • Select a worksheet.
  • Right-clicking the worksheet opens the menu item Import from template.

8.4.What is a connector?

  • Created in an output box on a worksheet and can then be connected to any worksheet with connectors created in an input box.