Whats New

Copyright
Proprietary Notice The manual and software contain confidential information which represents trade secrets of GE Fanuc International, Inc. and/or its suppliers, and may not be copied or disclosed except as provided in the license with GE Fanuc International, Inc. The information in this manual is subject to change without notice and should not be construed as a commitment by GE Fanuc International, Inc. GE Fanuc International, Inc. assumes no responsibility for any errors that may be in this document. 2003 GE Fanuc International, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Trademarks 2003 GE Fanuc International, Inc. All rights reserved. Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. All other brands or names are property of their respective holders. iFIX Version 3.0 - 06.02

Contents
Whats New in iFIX 3.0........................................................................................................................ 1 Electronic Signatures................................................................................................................ 2 Security Synchronizer............................................................................................................... 3 Create Picture Wizard .............................................................................................................. 4 Cross Reference Tool............................................................................................................... 6 Multiple Object Creation ........................................................................................................... 7 Datalink Stamper ...................................................................................................................... 7 Basic Animation Dialog Box ..................................................................................................... 8 InfoAgent Dynamo.................................................................................................................... 9 Virtual Keyboard ....................................................................................................................... 9 Build Dynamo Wizard ............................................................................................................. 12 Chart Group Wizard................................................................................................................ 13 New Alarm Summary Object Behavior ................................................................................... 14 Changes to the Alarm ODBC Service .................................................................................... 14 Changed Process Database................................................................................................... 16 New OPC Data Server ........................................................................................................... 17 SM2 Driver.............................................................................................................................. 17 Updated Sample System........................................................................................................ 18 New Software Support............................................................................................................ 19

Contents

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Whats New in iFIX v3.0

Figures
Figure 1: Figure 2: Figure 3: The Choose Configuration Page of the Create Picture Wizard................................. 5 Basic Animation Dialog Box ...................................................................................... 8 Virtual Keyboard ..................................................................................................... 10

Figures

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Tables
Table 1: New Alarm ODBC Columns .................................................................................... 15

Tables

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iFIX v3.0 provides you with enhanced security capabilities and with many ease-ofuse improvements. The enhanced security capabilities include the use of electronic signatures to track data entry and alarm acknowledgement, a powerful tool to synchronize iFIX security with operating system security, updates to the Alarm ODBC Service, and new alarm acknowledgement behavior in the Alarm Summary object. For iFIX pictures, the new Create Picture Wizard enables you to seamlessly create configurations of multiple pictures, or to use the dimensions of an existing pictures. The new Datalink Stamper helps you to control the size and placement of your datalinks, and the new Multiple Object Creation mode gives you the ability to create multiple instances of particular objects. The Basic Animation dialog box allows you to access several commonly used Animation Experts in one location, and the InfoAgent Dynamo enables you to include web pages in your pictures. The Cross Reference Tool makes it easy to find which tags are used in which pictures, and which pictures use which tags. The Build Dynamo Wizard and the Chart Group Wizard are tools that have been available as downloads from Intellution, and are now incorporated in iFIX. The new Virtual Keyboard allows you to work in touch-screen environments or to use a mouse to enter passwords or other data. The new SM2 simulation driver provides a matrix of addresses for testing purposes. The updated Sample System gives you examples of many of these new features.

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Whats New in iFIX 3.0

iFIX v3.0 provides you with enhanced security capabilities and with many ease-ofuse improvements. The enhanced security capabilities are described in the following sections: Electronic Signatures Security Synchronizer Changes to the Alarm ODBC Service New Alarm Summary Object Behavior

Whats New in iFIX 3.0

The ease-of-use improvements are described in the following sections: Create Picture Wizard Cross Reference Tool Multiple Object Creation Datalink Stamper Basic Animation Dialog Box InfoAgent Dynamo Virtual Keyboard Build Dynamo Wizard Chart Group Wizard Changed Process Database New OPC Data Server SM2 Driver Updated Sample System New Software Support

Electronic Signatures
Electronic signatures are the computer-generated, legally-binding equivalent of handwritten signatures. iFIX v3.0 provides electronic signature capability that uniquely identifies operators performing run-time actions. In addition to providing enhanced security for iFIX, the use of electronic signatures can assist you in becoming compliant with the requirements of Rule 21 CFR Part 11, an FDA regulation.

Whats New in iFIX v3.0

Some of the specific benefits and features of electronic signatures include the following: The user name and password in an electronic signature, when used with iFIX security, uniquely identify the operator. You can configure tags to require either the signature of only the operator performing the action, or the signatures of both the operator and a second person, to verify the action. The operator has the opportunity to enter comments when he signs for an action. Electronic signatures are available for both data entry and alarm acknowledgement. Records of electronic signatures are automatically formatted for storage in a standard relational database, such as Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle. The records include date, time, complete user name, and a description of the action. Continuous use mode saves typing time. Once a user enters a valid electronic signature, the user name is saved and automatically entered in the next request for an electronic signature. Continuous use mode ends when the iFIX Screen Saver activates on an unattended workstation.

NOTE: Microsoft Access is not supported in the electronic signature environment because it is not secure enough to ensure tamper-resistance. For more information about electronic signatures, refer to the Using Electronic Signatures manual.

Security Synchronizer
iFIX v3.0 provides the Security Synchronizer, allowing you to assign iFIX security membership and privileges to iFIX users based on their Windows security configuration. iFIX security privileges are assigned to or revoked from users, depending on their membership status in the Windows groups that represent these privileges.

Whats New in iFIX 3.0

NOTE: Current iFIX software must be installed and running on the machine using the Security Synchronizer. Refer to the Using Security Synchronizer section in the Implementing Security manual for more information, error codes, audit trail messages, and application feature name aliases associated with Security Synchronizer.

Create Picture Wizard

Intellution has added a new process assistant, the Create Picture Wizard, to iFIX v3.0. This wizard expedites the process of creating pictures and groups of pictures, and allows you to configure the size, location, and properties of your pictures. You can also use and create predefined configurations of pictures. As you step through the wizard, you have a preview pane that shows you the layout and some of the attributes that you are creating for your pictures. iFIX v3.0 provides you with several predefined configurations, one of which is shown in Figure 1.

Whats New in iFIX v3.0

Figure 1: The Choose Configuration Page of the Create Picture Wizard The following table lists the most common ways to access the Create Picture wizard:

From the... Menu Bar

Do this... Select New from the File menu, then select Picture from the New list. Click the right mouse button on the Pictures folder in the System tree.

System Tree

Whats New in iFIX 3.0

From the... Task Wizard

Do this... Click the Task Wizard button from the Standard toolbar. Select Picture from the Task Categories list box. Select Create Picture Wizard from the Tasks list. Click the Create Picture Wizard button from the Experts toolbar. Click the Create Picture Wizard button from the Standard toolbar. Click the Create Picture Wizard button from the Toolbox.

Experts Toolbar Standard Toolbar

Toolbox

NOTE: To access the Create Picture wizard from the Menu Bar, the System Tree, or the Standard toolbar, you must have the Show Picture Wizard from New Picture Menu check box enabled. You can enable this option in the Picture Preferences tab of the User Preferences dialog box. For more information on creating, sizing, and locating pictures with the Create Picture wizard, see the Using the Create Picture Wizard section of the Creating Pictures manual.

Cross Reference Tool

iFIX v3.0 includes a cross reference tool that allows you to locate every data source in a picture, every object in a picture, or every occurrence of a data source within multiple pictures. The tool will find data sources in pictures, scripts, and schedules. You can send this report to a printer, a file, or a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. To access the cross reference tool, double-click CrossReference Tool in the system tree. For more information on the Cross Reference Tool, refer to the Cross Reference Tool chapter in the Mastering iFIX manual.

Whats New in iFIX v3.0

Multiple Object Creation

iFIX v3.0 now allows you to create multiple objects of the same type. Simply doubleclick the appropriate button for that object type in the Toolbox. When you are done adding objects, press ESC, select another button, or click the pointer selection tool in the Toolbox. Multiple creation mode is available for the following objects: Rectangles and rounded rectangles Straight lines and polylines Ovals Arcs Polygons Chords Pie shapes Text Charts Current time and current date

Datalink Stamper
The new Datalink Stamper allows you to control the size and location of your data links, specifying the source and format of a data link before you specify the location of the data link. The size of the data link is determined both by the settings that you choose in the Datalink dialog box and by the font size that you set in the User Preferences dialog box. Once you have created a data link, you can resize it by clicking on it and dragging the handles, and reformat it using the Datalink dialog box.

Whats New in iFIX 3.0

Access the Datalink Stamper button from the Shapes toolbar or the Toolbox, if enabled. For more information on data links, refer to the Adding Data Links section of the Creating Pictures manual.

Basic Animation Dialog Box

iFIX v3.0 provides the Basic Animation dialog box, shown in Figure 2, allowing you to access many commonly used Animation Experts in one location. These Animation Experts include Color, Movement, Fill, Click Command, and Visibility Animation Experts, as well as providing a link to the Advanced Animations dialog box. The Advanced Animations dialog box allows you to access all of the available object animations and change properties by entering values into one of the tabbed pages.

Figure 2: Basic Animation Dialog Box

Whats New in iFIX v3.0

To access the Basic Animation dialog box, double-click on an object or select Animations from the objects right-click menu. To always open the Advanced Animations dialog box by default, clear the Always Show Basic Animation dialog check box in the Picture Preferences tab of the User Preferences dialog box. For more information, refer to Using the Animations Dialog Box.

InfoAgent Dynamo
The new InfoAgent Dynamo allows you to include a web page in any picture. You can browse InfoAgent displays, embed web pages, and view HTML reports from applications such as iDownTime. To access the InfoAgent Dynamo: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] Open the Dynamo folder in the system tree. Double-click InfoAgent. Drag the Dynamo into your picture. Enter a URL. When you switch to Run mode, click the Open URL button, and the URL will appear in your workspace.

Virtual Keyboard
iFIX v3.0 provides a virtual alpha-numeric keyboard that installs with iFIX. This keyboard allows you to work in touch-screen environments or to use a mouse to enter passwords and other data. When you activate the virtual keyboard, it is available by clicking the following button:

This button is on the right side of the current windows title bar. Clicking the button opens the keyboard, as shown in Figure 3.

Whats New in iFIX 3.0

Help toggle

A non-button region
Figure 3: Virtual Keyboard

Menu button

Minimize Button

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Whats New in iFIX v3.0

To resize the keyboard and configure keyboard options: Use the SzUp and SzDn buttons to resize the keyboard to one of the twelve available sizes. Use the minimize button to dock the keyboard on the right side of the current application windows title bar. Use the Kybd, Help, Edit, Info, Num, Win, Mag, Macro and Calc buttons to toggle display of the options. Click and drag any non-button area of the keyboard to move the keyboard on your desktop. Access the Help and the tutorial for the virtual keyboard, as well as general setup and configuration information, through the Menu button on the keyboard.

To use the virtual keyboard, you must have a valid hardware key for iFIX v3.0 or higher. If you are using Terminal Server, each licensed client has access to a copy of the virtual keyboard. Activating the Keyboard To start the keyboard when a user logs in, Intellution recommends that you add the virtual keyboard to your Windows Startup folder. To make the keyboard available before login, see the keyboard Help files. These Help files are available by clicking the keyboards Menu button, then selecting the Setup option. To add the keyboard executable to your Windows Startup folder: [1] [2] [3] In your DYNAMICS directory, right-click on the MYTSOFT.EXE file. Select Copy from the right-click menu. On Windows XP and Windows 2000, open the C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup directory. On Windows NT, open the C:\WINNT\Profiles\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup directory. [4] Right-click in the white space of the Startup directory. 11

Whats New in iFIX 3.0

[5] [6]

Select Paste Shortcut. If you want, rename the shortcut.

The next time you start your computer, the keyboard activates automatically.

Build Dynamo Wizard

The Build Dynamo Wizard provides an easy way to save custom built objects as Dynamo objects. A Dynamo is an object or group of objects that you can use in all of your pictures. The Build Dynamo Wizard has previously been available as a Plug and Solve solution, and Intellution now ships it standard with iFIX v3.0. To access the Build Dynamo Wizard, click the Build Dynamo button in your WorkSpace. You must import the BuildDynamo toolbar. To import the toolbar: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] Start iFIX v3.0. Open the Intellution iFIX WorkSpace. Select Toolbars from the WorkSpace menu. The Toolbars dialog box appears. Select WorkSpace from the Owners list. Click the Customize button. The Customize Toolbars dialog box appears. Click the Import button. The Import Toolbars dialog box appears. Select BuildDynamo Toolbar from the Toolbars list. Click the Import button to import the BuildDynamo Toolbar. Click the Close button. The Customize Toolbars dialog box closes and the BuildDynamo Toolbar appears in the Intellution iFIX WorkSpace.

Once you have built a Dynamo, you can simply drag the Dynamo from the Dynamo Sets folder and drop it into your picture. For more information on the Build Dynamo Wizard, refer to the Creating Pictures manual.

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Chart Group Wizard

The Chart Group Wizard allows you to create and save files that define pen configurations of real-time or historical data. You can then apply these to a chart in Run mode. This wizard has previously been available as a Plug and Solve solution, and Intellution now ships it standard with iFIX v3.0. Operators can apply chart group files of pen configurations to a chart to see different aspects of a process, or to plot different data without losing the configurations already in place. They can also create, modify, and save chart group files. To access the Chart Group Wizard, import the ChartGroup Toolbar. To import the toolbar: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] Start iFIX v3.0. Open the Intellution iFIX WorkSpace. Select Toolbars from the WorkSpace menu. The Toolbars dialog box appears. Select WorkSpace from the Owners list. Click the Customize button. The Customize Toolbars dialog box appears. Click the Import button. The Import Toolbars dialog box appears. Select ChartGroup Toolbar from the Toolbars list. Click the Import button to import the ChartGroup Toolbar. Click the Close button. The Customize Toolbars dialog box closes and the ChartGroup Toolbar appears in the iFIX WorkSpace.

For more information on the Chart Group Wizard, refer to the Using the Chart Group Wizard chapter in the Trending Historical Data manual.

Whats New in iFIX 3.0

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New Alarm Summary Object Behavior

iFIX v3.0 changes the default behavior of alarm acknowledgement in the Alarm Summary object. There are two changes to the settings on the Operator tab of the Alarm Summary Configuration dialog box: The Allow Alarm Deletion setting is disabled by default. The new Allow Acknowledge All Alarms setting is enabled by default.

For more information about the Alarm Summary object, refer to the Understanding the Alarm Summary Object section of the Implementing Alarms and Messages manual.

Changes to the Alarm ODBC Service

The Alarm ODBC Service has a new message type, improvements to the temporary file, and an updated configuration dialog box. Changes to the Alarm ODBC Service Configuration dialog box There are several changes to the iFIX ODBC Alarm Service Configuration dialog box, including the following: Default table configuration now includes the native time and date instead of the character time and date. Lost Connection Options section allows you to set a path and name for your temporary Alarm ODBC file, and also allows you to specify a tag that indicates a broken connection with the relational database. The temporary

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file, which is encrypted, is used to store alarms when the Alarm ODBC Service cannot connect to the relational database. Leave this field blank to disable this feature. New fields to indicate that the Alarm ODBC Service mixes messages from the backup file with newly generated alarms, giving precedence to one or the other. These fields were formerly located in Mission Control. Database Configuration section has easy-to-use buttons to select all fields, clear all fields, or restore default fields. Selecting a field automatically assigns a default SQL column name to the field.

The Database Configuration section provides the following new columns: Table 1: New Alarm ODBC Columns New Column Tag Description Operator Login Full Name Definition Tags descriptor text. Full name of the user logged in at the node where the change was made. User name of the person performing an action that requires an electronic signature. Full name of the person who performed the action. Comments entered by the person who performed the action. User name of the person verifying an action that requires an electronic signature. Full name of the person who verified the action.

Performed By User Name Performed By Full Name

Performed By Comment

Verified By User Name

Verified By Full Name

Whats New in iFIX 3.0

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Table 1: New Alarm ODBC Columns New Column Verified By Comment Definition Comments entered by the person who verified the action. Message identifier, a GUID in binary form, that uniquely identifies a signed operator message. NOTE: The application developer can use this field as a hook for associating something else with the operator action.

Message ID

Changes to the Alarm ODBC Service There are several modifications to the Alarm ODBC Service: New message type, ESIGNATURE, that contains electronic signatures. Renamed and encrypted temporary file. Ability to store alarms in the temporary file when the Alarm ODBC Service is in the paused state.

For more information on the Alarm ODBC Service, refer to the following manuals: Implementing Alarms and Messaging Setting Up the Environment Using Electronic Signatures

Changed Process Database

iFIX v3.0 contains a new version of the process database (PDB), because there is now electronic signature information in the PDB. Your existing PDB is automatically updated upon startup, and a copy of the original is saved.

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To properly update your existing PDB, Intellution requires that you update your custom Database Dynamos. To obtain new copies of Database Dynamos supplied by Intellution, visit the Intellution website at http://www.intellution.com/products/ fixdatabasedynamos. To update Database Dynamos that were not supplied by Intellution, you need a new version of the Database Dynamo Toolkit. See the Database Dynamo Toolkit Manual for information about how to take advantage of all the new features of iFIX v3.0. Contact your sales representative for information about obtaining a current version of the toolkit. For more information on databases, refer to the Building a SCADA System manual. For more information about electronic signatures, refer to the Using Electronic Signature manual.

New OPC Data Server

iFIX v3.0 supports a new OPC Data Server in addition to OPCEDA. The opcifix.exe file, found in your DYNAMICS directory, supports out-of-process OPC Data Access 2.0 interfaces.

SM2 Driver
iFIX v3.0 includes a new simulation driver, SM2, which provides a matrix of addresses that lets you test your process database to learn how its block and chains respond to different conditions. The original simulation driver, SIM, is still available.

Whats New in iFIX 3.0

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The SM2 driver provides the following features: Contains two independent sets of registers. Analog blocks automatically access the analog registers and digital blocks automatically use the digital registers. Changing a register in one set does not change the same register in the other set. For example, if you change the value of the analog register 1000, the value of the digital register 1000 is unchanged. Contains 20,000 analog and 20,000 digital registers, a total of 320,000 bits. Contains 20,000 bytes of binary or text data. Supports exception-based processing for analog and digital values. Stores analog values in 4-byte (32-bit) floating point registers, numbered 0 to 19999. Incoming values are not scaled. The digital values are stored in 16-bit integer registers, numbered 0 to 19999. Provides a register to simulate communication errors. Supplies a C API that allows applications to access SM2 analog and digital values. Supports latched data for Analog Input, Analog Alarm, Digital Input, and Digital Alarm. Can read and write the individual alarm status of each SM2 register.

For more information on the simulation drivers included with iFIX, refer to the I/O Drivers section of the Building a SCADA System manual.

Updated Sample System

iFIX v3.0 includes an updated sample system, including a new demonstration of a pharmaceutical manufacturing application that highlights the electronic signature capability of iFIX, and allows you to view the electronic signature audit trail using VisiconX and Crystal Reports. For more information, refer to the Quick Tour of the Pharmaceutical Demo section of the Understanding iFIX manual.

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New Software Support

iFIX v3.0 supports the following operating systems: Windows XP Professional Windows 2000 Professional, with Service Pack 1 recommended Windows NT Workstation v4.0 with Service Pack 6 installed Windows 2000 Server/Advanced Server and Windows NT Server Windows 2000 Terminal Server and Windows XP Terminal Server

The Crystal Reports run-time files are updated to version 8.5. The Internet Explorer shipped with iFIX is updated to version 6.0. The SQL Server option is updated to SQL Server 2000.

Whats New in iFIX 3.0

19

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Whats New in iFIX v3.0

Index
Numerics
21 CFR Part 11 electronic signatures 2 Security Synchronizer 3

B
Basic Animation dialog box Build Dynamo Wizard 12 8

A
Alarm ODBC Service 16 new columns 14 temporary file 14 updates to configuration box animations advanced 8 basic 8 Animations dialog box accessing 9

C
Chart Group Wizard 13 charts 13 configurations 4 Connection Lost Options 14 continuous use mode 2 Create Picture wizard 4 creating multiple objects 7 pictures 4 cross reference tool accessing 6 Crystal Reports 19 custom pictures 4 custom toolkits 16

14

D
data links creating 7 database 16 Database Dynamos Datalink Stamper accessing 7 dialog boxes

16

Index

21

I
iFIX new features ix, 1 InfoAgent Dynamo 9 Internet Explorer 19

Security Synchronizer 3 simulation drivers SM2 17 SM2 driver 17 software support 19 SQL Server 19 STK 16 supported software 19

K
keyless entry 9 tags

T
locating 6 touch-screen environment 9

M
multiple object creation 7

U O
objects creating multiple 7 OPC Data Server 17 virtual keyboard 9 activating 11 user name 2

V P

passwords 2 entering 9 pens saving 13 pharmaceutical applications 18 pictures locating tags in 6 predefined configurations 4 process database 16

W
web pages including in iFIX pictures Windows 2000 19 Windows NT 19 Windows security 3 Windows XP 19 wizards Build Dynamo 12 Chart Group 13 Create Picture 4 9

S
Sample System pharmaceutical 18

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Whats New in iFIX v3.0