Shape Objects: Line Object — General Tab

Topic: CM177

The Line Object allows the user to insert a straight Line drawing into a project. The Line Object can be configured with or without an arrow on either end of the line and has several options for display.

Some uses and features include but are not limited to:

Adding call outs, pointers, or indicators
Creating lines that rotate, appear or disappear, or change colors according to the status of the assigned Tag Name;
Selecting different line thicknesses
Selecting different styles of lines such as dotted or dashed

Add a Line Object to Your Project

To add a Line Object to your project, do the following:

From the Object Menu, select Shape and click on Line Object and then click on the Work Area location
— or —
from the Object List scroll to the Shape topic and double-click the Line Object
— or —
click and drag the Line to the Work Area.

The Line window shown below opens displaying the General tab.

Configuring a Standard Line Object

The General tab is the default tab and is used for the basic configuration of the Line Object. If the Advanced feature is selected, additional features are available.

To configure a Standard Line Object, complete the fields on the screen using the information in the Working with Objects Help topic.

Complete the remaining fields on the screen using the information in the table below:

Line Window — General Tab
Area on Screen	Description
Line Width	There are four line widths available with a default of 2. Click the up and down arrows to select the width of the line.
Line Color	Click the color icon and select the color of the line. 128 colors are available.
Line Style	Click on the desired Line Style. You may leave the default Solid Line selected or choose one of the other two Dotted Line options.
Angle	Click on the up and down arrows or enter a value to adjust the Line Angle by ± 360 degrees. The angle default setting is 0°; however, the line will be displayed at 146° Angle. The easiest way to adjust the angle of a Line Object is by leaving it as 0° and once the Line is displayed on the Work Area, click on it once to select it and place handles at each end. Click on a handle and drag the line until you have the angle and length you want. This can be repeated as many times as needed.
Fix Vertical or Horizontal	When Fix Horizontal or Vertical is selected, the Rotation feature cannot be used. To use the Rotation feature you MUST leave the Fix Horizontal or Vertical feature unchecked.
Object Style	Click on the button that represents the Object Style you want to use.
Advanced	Select this box for advanced features. These features are discussed below on the next subject.

Animating a Line Object

To add animation to a Line Object, click the Advanced check box. Using the image below as a reference, complete the fields on the screen using the information in the table below.

Line Window — Advanced Tab
Area on Screen	Description
Tag Name	Enter or select the Tag Name to control the Line Color.
Line Color When ON and Line Color when OFF	Click on the Line Color check box and then click to select the line color when the Tag Name is ON and when it is OFF.
Simulate	Simulate is used to test the Fill Color function of the Line Object when Fill is selected. Click on the ON or OFF button to simulate. You must be on the Advanced tab with the Fill Color ON/OFF feature selected in order to activate the Simulate feature.
Option Tab	Click on the Option tab to control the object's visibility based on Tag Name values.
Move Tab	Click on the Move tab to animate the object's movement based on Tag Name values.
Length Tab	Click on the Size tab to animate the size of the object based on Tag Name values.
Rotation Tab	Click on the Rotation tab to animate the rotation of the object based on Tag Name values.