Creating a CustomPanel

A CustomPanel is the canvas upon which all other panel components reside.

When you create a CustomPanel, you must select a panel template upon which the panel is based.

For CustomPanels that do not require timers, parameters, or access to device data, the most commonly-used template option is the Empty Canvas template.

To create a CustomPanel:

1.In DashBoard, select File > New > New CustomPanel File.

The Create new CustomPanel File dialog box appears ((Figure 1.4)).

CreatePanel.png 

Figure 1.4  - Create new CustomPanel File window

2.In the Folder box, specify where you would like to save the new CustomPanel file.

Tip: If you save it in a directory folder that is listed in the File Navigator, your CustomPanel will also be listed there.

3.In the File name box, type a unique name for the new panel file.

4.Use the Template list to select a layout for your CustomPanel. Choose from the following:

Blank Self-Contained Data Source Panel (XPression) — creates an empty panel file which also stores parameter data.

Use this option if you are creating a control panel for XPression.

Use this option if you are creating a panel that requires device data, timers, and/or local parameters, and want the parameter data to be stored in the panel file.

Empty Canvas — creates an empty panel without any formatting.

Use this option if you are creating a monitoring panel that does not require device data, timers, or local parameters.

External XML Data Source Panel — creates an empty panel file and an associated XML data file for local parameters.

Use this option if you are creating a control panel that requires device data, timers, and/or local parameters, and you want the parameter data to exist in a separate XML file.

NK Data Source Canvas — creates an empty panel with the context set for Ross Video NK Series routers. When you use this option, special buttons for adding NK router control components are available on the EditMode toolbar.

Use this option if you are creating a CustomPanel to control NK Series routers.

Blank XPression CustomPanel — creates an empty panel and an associated XML data file for parameters.

Use this option if you are creating a CustomPanel that will export data to an XPression Graphics System.

Self-Contained Production and Config Template — creates a panel that has a title and two buttons labeled Production and Configuration. When clicked, the buttons switch between two tabs. This panel stores parameter data in the panel (.grid) file.

Use this option if you want to create a control panel with multiple tabs. You can edit the panel to add tabs, rename the buttons, and add content to the tabs.

5.If the folder in which you are saving the panel file is not already listed in the File Navigator tab and you want it to be, select the Add to File Navigator check box. This enables you to easily and quickly access your CustomPanels in DashBoard.

6.Click Finish.

The new panel appears as a tab in the Device View.

After you create a CustomPanel, you can add device controls and other components using Edit Mode. For more information, see Edit Mode.

To open a saved CustomPanel:

Do one of the following:

If the CustomPanel (.grid) file is listed in the File Navigator tab, double-click it.

Tip: If the File Navigator tab is not visible in DashBoard, select Views > File Navigator in the main DashBoard toolbar.

From the File menu, click Open File, navigate to the CustomPanel (.grid) file, and click Open.

If you are using Microsoft Windows, in Windows Explorer, navigate to the CustomPanel (.grid) file, and double-click it.

To switch between open CustomPanels:

Do one of the following:

Press and hold the Ctrl key, then press the F6 key repeatedly until the name of the panel you want to use is highlighted, and then release the Ctrl key.

This method is particularly useful when the DashBoard interface is in full screen mode.

If the CustomPanels are listed on tabs just below the main DashBoard toolbar, click the desired tab.

The highlighted CustomPanel appears.

To maximize or restore down a panel view:

Press Shift+F11.

To list a CustomPanel in the File Navigator tab:

1.If the directory folder containing the desired CustomPanel file (*.grid) is not listed in the File Navigator tab, select add_conn.jpg in the File Navigator toolbar.

Tip: If the File Navigator tab is not visible in DashBoard, select Views > File Navigator in the main DashBoard toolbar.

2.In the Browse for Folder dialog box, navigate to the folder that contains the CustomPanel file, and then click OK.

The folder, including its .grid files, appears listed in the File Navigator tab.