A Chart View provides a visual representation of a Control Strategy using various shapes where the most common shape is the "Function Block". A Function block shape provides the visual representation of the Control Function Block itself along with its full Parameter set that defines the configuration and behavior of that particular Control algorithm.
Control Architect often refers to the Parameters that are configurable on a Function Block as a Block's 'Properties'. Most shapes that are rendered in a Chart View provide a means of viewing its Block Properties "Parameters". When hovering over a Function block presentation in a Chart View an Adorner layer of available function views becomes visible and left-mouse clickable for viewing various aspects of a block. Every Function block that makes up a Control Strategy will always provide several views including Properties, Identification, and External References. Some additional block types may present additional views such as XPM Logic & Device Control types, CEE Interlock, and PLC Block types.
Below are several examples of typical Property views that are available for Function blocks. These Property views were displayed by left-mouse clicking a target button in the Adorner layer that is presented when you hover your mouse over the surface of a Block in the Chart View.
Parameters View
Parameters View for the NUMERICB Function Block. This Parameters view can be sorted, filtered and copied using Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V keys.
Left mouse double-clicking in the background of the Chart View will display the Property View for the Control Module that contains the embedded Function blocks. The Identity tab is selected for this view that shows typical Class and Template information for the block.
Hovering over the "External References" adorner button will display a ToolTip of any external Parameter references to this particular Function block. Left mouse-clicking the same adorner button will invoke this External References view as shown. These connections are navigable hyperlink references that can be clicked to follow the reference.
Pressing the Keys Ctrl + R will toggle the visibility of all External Reference views in the Chart View.
Viewing this [External] tab item in the Properties view will also show the list of all external Parameter references for this particular Function block. These connections are navigable hyperlink references that can be clicked to follow the reference.
Block pins that have referenced Parameter connections that reside in another Control Module will display a 'Tag' type shape that when clicked will show Name Parameter Reference Connection. These connections are navigable hyperlink references that can be clicked to follow the reference.
Pressing the Keys Ctrl + T will toggle the expansion of all External Reference tag shapes in the Chart View.
When a particular Pin connection on a Function block contains multiple Parameter references, then it will be displayed as a "Reference List" that is navigable when clicking the Parameter reference items.
The Function Block Adorner layer is displayed when you hover your mouse over the block surface. This is the typical set of buttons available for function blocks, but other such as "Expressions", "Code", "XPM Logic" views, etc. may also be visible depending on the Function block type.
The Interlock View tab item when selected in the Properties View will present a visualization of its configured gate logic. The LED status item in the first column represents the inversion status of the input.
![4. Properties [External] View](Images/drex_working_with_chart_views_control_4.png)
