Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk View Machine Edition Users Guide - Manual (Page 54)

F ACTORY T ALK V IEW M ACHINE E DITION U SER ’ S G UIDE
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Create a template to ensure consistency
It is possible to keep a consistent appearance among all the displays in an application by
presenting the same pieces of information in the same place on each graphic display. To
ensure uniformity, develop a display with common elements that acts as a template. Each
time you develop a new display, start with a duplicate of the template.
For example, the template could contain:
 Your company logo.
 A title.
 The date and time.
 Navigational buttons.
Use global object displays to create template objects. You can copy the objects into your
graphic displays, and update all the objects at once by updating the original object in the
global object display. For information about creating global object displays, see
page 25-11.
Design displays
When designing displays, applying good visual design principles helps users and
increases their efficiency. Remember these important design principles:
Consistency
 Be consistent with your use of symbols and color.
 Be consistent with button labels and button placement.
When you design several displays, place the same kinds of buttons in the same
positions. For example, if you have a Start button in a certain position in one display,
don’t put a Stop button in the same position in the next display.
Clarity
 Use symbols that are easily recognizable. For example, use the conventional ISA
symbols for tanks and valves.
 Don’t overload the screen with information.
 Use standard, clear terminology, and avoid abbreviations or acronyms that the user
might not understand.
 Use colors with recognizable meanings. For example, in North America the colors red
and green usually mean stop and start. Keep color meanings consistent by assigning
red only to Stop buttons, and green only to Start buttons.