WebIQ 2.6 With a Lot of New Functions

Smart HMI’s HMI / SCADA toolbox WebIQ reached a new functional level. You are now able to manage arrays and structures in the new process data manager. Create your very own widget library by using the new composite widgets. Activate styling classes and locks of widgets in WebIQ Designer by setting conditions. Apply the remote runtime function to access your runtime systems from the development environment or use the WebIQ Connect Server as a Windows service.

Here are the essential new features in detail:

Composite widgets

Are your machines or systems structured modularly? Do they consist of components such as drive axles, pumps, winders, etc. that are connected to one another depending on the configuration status? Or do you have company guidelines on how individual elements or dialogs of your HMI have to be designed?

You will really appreciate the “Composite Widgets” function!

Due to this function, you can create your own wigdets for your components or dialogues based on existing widgets. You can re-use them over and over again – in the same project or in different projects. It is even possible to automatically create the HMI based on a machine configuration.

Make your own widgets available in the widget list. Define own categories and symbols for your widgets: Generate your own very personal widget library!

Video 1: See how changes of Composite widget affect one another

Arrays and structures

The newly created “Process Data Manager” enables an easier way to connect your PLC to your HMI. In addition to individual process variables, you are now able to use arrays and structures in the “Process Data Manager”. You can also interlace arrays and structures multiple times. The new “Process Data Manager” replaces the previous “Item Manager”.

Image 1: Process Data Manager

What are our plans for the future?

In future versions you will be able to connect entire structures to a widget or composite widget. We are working on implementing browsing feature which will allow you to carry over variable and structure configurations from your PLC / from OPC-UA.

Remote Runtime Manager

You want to access the runtime systems directly from your development environment, for example to upload or download HMI projects? Just connect to runtime systems in a local network. Download HMI projects for editing, or upload updated versions of your HMI to the runtime system. Activate licenses or configure the runtime environment.

Set styling classes and locks of widgets via conditions

Do you want the appearance of a widget to change depending on the status of a process variable to see if an alarm is on, data is beeing recorded or a widget is deactivated because a protective door is not locked?

No problem: the newly designed locking function and the function for setting style classes (CSS Modifier) supports all this. Set styling classes (CSS Modifier) ​​either directly or via a condition. Some style classes, such as warn, prewarn, ok and hidden, are already pre-installed. Lock individual widgets or entire areas depending on a condition!

Image 2: Example of conditions

WebIQ Connect Server as a Windows service

Installing the development version under Windows, the Connect Server is installed as a Windows service and will be automatically started when the computer is being rebooted. This prevents errors like you forgot to start the server manually. The server can also be reached globally via all user levels.

Numerous improvements and bug fixes

Many usability improvements were introduced for the development process such as:

  • Improved widget list with pin button
  • Hierarchy Cockpit can now be opened to be permanently visible
  • Tooltips for improved usability
  • Containers can now be styled without a CSS editor
  • … and much more …

Users who have registered for MyWebIQ can find further information on improvements and bug fixes in the changelog for version WebIQ-2.6


Coming up soon

WebIQ Release 2.7 introducing IQ widgets – available from September 15, 2020!

A library of completely revised widgets, the so-called “IQ widgets”, which can be continuously changed in height and width, is currently in beta testing. Furthermore, almost every IQ widget has a number of variants (e.g. single-line, two-line, …) that can be selected during configuration. Furthermore, IQ widgets can be individually adapted using the extended styling cockpit without using the integrated CSS editor. This makes it easier to adapt the IQ widgets to your own layouts and formatting, even by users without CSS knowledge.

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