Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk View Machine Edition Users Guide - Manual (Page 518)

F ACTORY T ALK V IEW M ACHINE E DITION U SER ’ S G UIDE
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Create reference objects
FactoryTalk View global objects allow you to link the appearance and behavior of a
graphic object to multiple copies of that object. When the original base object is updated,
the changes are automatically applied to all the copies of the object. The copies of the base
object are called reference objects.
You can copy or drag base objects into standard graphic displays. Each copied object
becomes a reference object. You can also copy, drag, and duplicate reference objects that
you have already created to create more copies of the base object.
If desired, you can assign unique connections, animation, and size to the reference object.
To create a reference object
1. Copy an object from a global object display to a standard graphic display.
2. To assign unique connections, animation, or size to the object, double-click the object
to open the Property Panel.
For information about using the Property Panel, see page 20-30.
To add a global object display to the Displays folder
1. In the Explorer window, in the Graphics folder, right-click the Displays icon.
2. Click Add Component Into Application.
3. Browse to and select the global object display to add, and then click Open.
The display is copied into the Displays folder, and given the file extension .gfx. All
the objects are converted to reference objects.
To edit a reference object’s base object
1. Right-click the reference object, and then click Edit Base Object.
2. The global object display containing the base object opens, with the object selected.
3. Make your changes to the base object.
Base objects can be group objects. This provides powerful template capabilities. When you add
or remove objects from the base object group, all the reference objects are automatically
updated.
You can also create reference objects by adding a global object display to the Displays folder. All
the objects in the new display are reference objects.