7. Dynamic Draw Path Movements

Dynamic Draw Path Movements are a method of manipulating the location of a VDF along a VDF Draw line as a function of some variable.

Refer to the Dynamics Tab page for information on how to create a new Dynamic Definition.

Input Variables

In a Dynamic Draw Path definition, you have two input variables to your disposal. In the above screenshot, input variable a is set to *STEPTIME*, which is a timer that starts counting-up when the step begins.

Coefficients

This shows the function which will be used to determine the position of your VDF along the draw line. The coefficients are, in order, the offset, the coefficient for input a, and the coefficient for input b.

Resizing

This shows the functions which will be used to determine the size of your VDF. Unlike position, and unlike the Dynamic Standard definition, size is function of the VDF's position along the draw line from 0 to 1, The first input box is the coefficient by which the height of the VDF will change as a function of that value. The second input box is the coefficient by which the width of the VDF will change as a function of that value.

Other Options

Limit

Whether or not the VDF should stop moving when it reaches the end of the draw line.

Turn

Whether or not the VDF should rotate based on the draw line changing direction.

Advance

Whether or not the step should automatically advance to the next step when the VDF reaches the end of the draw line.


Step by Step

  1. Make a drawing.
  2. With the drawing line selected on the HMI, go to the Dynamics menu.
  3. Click the + symbol to add a new Dynamic Definition.
  4. Type in a name and select Draw Path as the type. The definition is now created.
  5. Click the button with an upward arrow. This is to tie the points of the draw tool to the newly created definition.
  6. Click the save button in the dynamic’s menu.
  7. Insert a graphic and place it at the start of the drawing.
  8. Go back to the dynamics menu while the graphic is selected on the HMI. Select the dynamic definition from the drop-down box. Click save. The graphic is now tied to the definition.
  9. To change the rate at which the graphic moves along the line, first make sure that the "a" input variable is set to STEPTIME. Next, increase the number in front of the "a". This is the rate in pixels/second the graphic will move across the line.
  10. To test if it worked, change the mode to run. You don't actually have to start run mode, but you should see the graphic move.


The original drawing can be deleted after step 5 if wanted. The graphic will still follow the path.