Advanced Graphics Application Product Bulletin

MS-ADVGRF-0 Code No. LIT-1201848

Software Release 9.0
Issued August 2017
Refer to the QuickLIT website for the most up-to-date version of this document.

The Advanced Graphics Application is an enhanced Figure 1: Advanced Graphics Application

graphics creation package that provides dynamic graphic
capabilities, such as animation, color changing, and
flashing, for the Metasys® system. The stencil library
component of the package contains pre-built dynamic
symbols that shorten the time spent creating system
graphics. Graphics created with the Advanced Graphics
Application appear directly in the Metasys system Site
Management Portal (SMP) UI with real-time controller
field point data and allow building operators to command
and update points. Advanced Graphics allows users to
create a comprehensive representation of facility support
systems and provides them with easy navigation of their
Building Automation System (BAS).
Note: Advanced Graphics are not supported in the
Metasys UI.

Features and Benefits

• Integration with the Existing Metasys System Site Management Portal—Provides the same binding and
aliasing capabilities when creating advanced graphics (using the Advanced Graphics Application) as when
creating graphics using the standard graphics feature and offers consistent viewing of both types of graphics in
the Metasys system Site Management Portal.
• Dynamic Symbol Capabilities, Such as Rotate, Hide, Color Change, and Sound—Provide an enhanced
user experience and the ability to communicate more information in the same amount of space on the graphic.
• Stencil Library—Provides prepackaged symbols that work in standard or dynamic mode and keeps the additional
cost in graphics development low.
• Custom Symbols and Stencils—Provide the ability to create custom graphics in addition to using the symbols
included in the stencil library.
• Advanced Graphic Viewing in the SMP UI Framework—Eliminates the need for separate viewing software.
• Ability to Launch Other Documents and Applications Viewable by Browser—Provides greater multimedia
functionality, such as viewing PDFs, spreadsheets, and video attached to graphics.

After creating an advanced graphic using the stencil

Advanced Graphics Application
Overview
The Advanced Graphics Application package includes a
graphics generation tool and a dynamic example stencil
library that work with Microsoft® Visio® Standard or
Professional 2003, 2007, or 2010 software (32-bit version
only).
Important: The Advanced Graphics Application is not
supported for use with either Microsoft Visio
2013 or Visio for Office 365.
library, the graphic is bound to system data through the
System Configuration Tool (SCT) database. Upon saving
the graphic file, the graphic is imported into the User
Graphics Tool (UGT) in the Metasys system.
Advanced graphic files are viewed with live data in the
user interface of an Application and Data Server/Extended
Application and Data Server (ADS/ADX) or simulated in
the SCT UI. With a comprehensive representation of
facility support systems when viewed in the ADS/ADX,
building operators can easily monitor the health of the
system using a more intuitive interface.

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Figure 1 shows a Metasys system configuration with the
Advanced Graphics Application. The web browser client
is used to view the SMP UI. The advanced graphic
appears after selecting the graphic in the Metasys system
navigation tree.
Graphics Generation Environment
The Advanced Graphics Application is a graphics
generation add-on component to Microsoft Visio Standard
or Professional 2003, 2007, or 2010 software and is used
to develop dynamic graphics.
The application has graphics generation, editing, and
binding features. To generate system graphics, use the
symbols in the stencil library, or create your own symbols
and stencils. Then, program the logic and define the
graphics for the desired functionality. Bind the graphic
symbols to Metasys data or other data. Figure 1 shows
the Advanced Graphics Application add-on screen.
Stencil Library
The stencil library contains pre-built dynamic symbols for
creating dynamic system graphics. Use the 32-bit version
of Microsoft Visio Standard or Professional 2003, 2007,
or 2010 software and the Advanced Graphics Application
add-on to modify the symbols to suit the needs of the
facility. Some of the dynamic symbols included in the
stencil library are Temp Sensor, Supply Fan, Differential
Pressure, and Water Pump. In addition to using the
symbols included in the stencil library, you can create
your own custom symbols and add them to your stencil
library.
Graphics Viewing
In the SMP UI or SCT UI navigation tree, graphics created
with the Advanced Graphics Application appear just like
any other graphic object. When you display the advanced
graphic, it appears directly in the user interface framework
of the SCT (for simulating data) or the ADS/ADX (for live
data and system navigation). If you view the advanced
graphic in the SMP UI, you see real-time controller field
point data in the graphic and are able to command and
update points using the graphic.
Figure 1 shows an Advanced Graphic displayed in the
SMP UI.
Note: We do not recommend viewing advanced graphics
in the Network Automation Engine (NAE), Network
Control Engine (NCE), or Network Integration
Engine (NIE) user interfaces. Viewing advanced
graphics in these device user interfaces consumes
maximum flash memory of the device.
Advanced Graphics Application Product Bulletin
Precache Feature
The Precache feature of the Advanced Graphics
Application improves the performance of large graphics
by retrieving the values of all objects referenced in the
precache definition and placing them in memory before
the graphics are rendered. This feature allows object
values to appear immediately when the graphics are
rendered.
Dynamics
Dynamic capabilities, such as rotate, hide, color change,
and sound, provide an enhanced user experience and
communicate more information in the same space.
The dynamics and logic used to create the symbols
provide the dynamic capabilities. For example, you can
create an animated spray for a duct humidifier.
Table 1 describes the dynamics available in the Advanced
Graphics Application.
Table 1: Dynamics
Dynamic Description
Animate Hide Hides and displays the symbol so it appears
to fade in and out of sight in response to a
measured dynamic value.
Animate Scale Increases and decreases the size of the
symbol so it appears to stretch and return to
normal size in response to a measured
dynamic value.
Custom Allows multiple JavaScript® statements for
Actions advanced functionality. This option allows you
to type the coding manually.
Discrete Color Changes the color of the symbol from a list
of colors. For example, the symbol changes
from yellow to red when the Analog Value
goes from Low Alarm to High Alarm.
Flash Makes the symbol change from one color to
another. For example, the symbol flashes
between two colors if the value goes beyond
a maximum point continuously.
Hide Makes the symbol disappear.
Hyper Link Links a URL to the symbol and opens in a
separate window. For example, the symbol
jumps to a user guide or Help file.
Include Attaches a JavaScript file to a symbol.
Move Moves the symbol from one location on the
graphic to another.
Navigate Launches another Advanced Graphic file or
item (for example, an Analog Value window).
Rotate Rotates the symbol the specified number of
degrees around an axis.
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Table 1: Dynamics
Dynamic Description
Scale Changes the size of a symbol.
Set Fill Changes the fill color of a symbol.
Sound Attaches a sound file (.wav) to a symbol. For
example, the symbol makes a sound if the
device reaches abnormal values.
Span Color Changes the color of a symbol to a color
between two colors based on a numeric
value. For example, the symbol appears
purple halfway between red and blue.
Spin Makes the symbol spin clockwise or
counterclockwise on its axis at a defined rate.
SVG Tag Adds advanced Scalable Vector Graphics
Attribute (SVG) coding to the symbol.
Text Changes the string in a text box based on the
value of an expression. For example, the text
box displays the Present Value of an object.
Three State Changes the color of a symbol among three
Span Color colors based on the value of a variable. For
example, a Temperature Bulb changes from
blue to yellow to red as the temperature
changes from -18˚C (0˚F) to 21˚C (70˚F) to
43˚C (110˚F). Another common color scheme
is green to yellow to red.
Tooltip Adds Tooltip text to a symbol.
Aliasing and Binding
The Advanced Graphics Application has the same binding
and aliasing capabilities as the existing standard graphics
feature and presents a consistent user interface for
increased usability.
Aliases allow a single graphic to be used for multiple
typical mechanical systems. The most common use of
aliases is in VAV controller graphics. The alias process
changes the values displayed in the value boxes to
represent the particular system desired at the moment
the graphic appears.
Binding graphically attaches symbols of an Advanced
Graphics file to a part of the Metasys system. Bind
symbols to:
• Metasys system object attributes
• Metasys system Trend Studies
• other graphics
• textual PDF documents
• spreadsheets
• sound files
Advanced Graphics Application Product Bulletin
• URLs
• video files
• bitmap (.BMP) files
This multimedia functionality provides access to a variety
of types of information from the user interface when you
are viewing the graphic.
User Graphics Tool
The Metasys SMP UI includes a single view, the User
Graphics Tool (UGT), that accepts standard or advanced
graphics. The graphics provide a visual representation
of the monitored systems and enable you to quickly check
the status of systems and recognize unusual conditions.
You can design graphics that help you navigate through
buildings, floors, and other areas, viewing the building
systems and control processes.
Microsoft Visio Standard or
Professional 2003, 2007, or 2010
Software
The Advanced Graphics Application is designed to work
with Microsoft Visio Standard or Professional 2003, 2007,
or 2010 software (32-bit version only). The Advanced
Graphics Application is not supported for use with
Microsoft Visio 2013.
Microsoft Visio Standard or Professional 2003, 2007, and
2010 software includes a stencil sheet mechanism that
allows you to create stencil libraries. The Advanced
Graphics Application package includes the stencil library,
a collection of dynamic HVAC components.
System Requirements
To work with advanced graphics, you need the following:
• Advanced Graphics Generation Computer: You
can install the Advanced Graphics generation program
on a stand-alone computer or on an existing SCT or
ADS/ADX computer.
• ADS/ADX Computer: The Advanced Graphics
Application requires access to the Metasys SMP UI
to view advanced graphics with live data, or to an
SCT computer to view simulated data.
• Microsoft Visio Standard or Professional 2003,
2007, or 2010 Software (32-bit version only): To
generate advanced graphics, you need Microsoft Visio
Standard or Professional 2003, 2007, or 2010
software.
3
Related Documentation Selection Chart
For information on how to install the Advanced Graphics Table 2: Ordering Information
Application, refer to the Advanced Graphics Application Code Number Description
Installation Instructions (LIT-12011525). For information
MS-ADVGRF-0 Advanced Graphics Application
on how to use the Advanced Graphics Application to
create dynamic graphics, refer to the Advanced Graphics
Application Help (LIT-1201850).

Technical Specifications
Table 3: Advanced Graphics Application System Requirements (Graphics Generation)
1, 2 Stand-Alone Computer Platform
Recommended Computer/Server Platform
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E6700 or better (Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 minimum)
20 GB free hard disk space available (600 MB minimum)
DVD drive
SCT or ADS/ADX Computer Platform
2.8 GHz Pentium® 4 processor with 80 GB hard disk
(2.0 GHz Pentium 4 processor with 40 GB hard disk minimum)
20 GB free space on the hard disk (C: drive) after installing all prerequisite
software and before installing the ADS software
DVD drive
Prerequisite software includes the supported OS, database software, .NET
Framework, and any other software or Service Packs required for your ADS
configuration.
3 Windows® 8.1 Pro and Enterprise Editions with Update 1 (64-bit)
Supported Operating Systems
Windows® 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate Editions with SP1 (64-bit)
or
Windows® 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate Editions with SP1 (32-bit)
Windows® Server® 2012 R2 with Update 1 (64-bit)
Windows® Server® 2012 (64-bit)
Required Web Browser Software for Metasys Windows Internet Explorer® version 11
Client Computers
Note: When browsing to the user interface of a Metasys system device,
the operating system on the client computer must be supported by
the Metasys release loaded on the device. You may be unable to
browse to Metasys system devices if the client operating system is
not supported. Refer to the Computer Requirements for Site
Management Portal Client Computer section of the Metasys System
Configuration Guide (LIT-12011832) for more information.

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Table 3: Advanced Graphics Application System Requirements (Graphics Generation)
Other Required Software Microsoft Visio® 2003, 2007, or 2010 Standard or Professional (32-bit only;
purchased separately)
Software Included on the Advanced Graphics Advanced Graphics Application
Application Product Disk
Microsoft .NET Framework Version 3.5 SP1
Note: Windows 8.1, Windows 7, Windows Server 2012 R2, and Windows
Server 2012 have the .NET Framework built into the operating system.
You do not have to install it separately.

1 Our computer platform and memory recommendations are not meant to imply that older or slower machines are not usable.
Refer to the Network and IT Guidance for the BAS Professional Technical Bulletin (LIT-12011279) for more information
regarding computer/server recommendations.
2 To create advanced graphics on a Release 3.1 or later SCT or ADS/ADX platform, you must install only Microsoft Visio
Standard or Professional 2003, 2007, or 2010 software (32-bit version only; purchased separately) and Advanced Graphics
Application software (included on the Advanced Graphics Application product disk).
3 The Advanced Graphics Application does not support installation on a Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise computer.

Table 4: Advanced Graphics Application System Requirements (Graphics Viewing)

Supported Operating Systems
Windows® 10 Pro and Enterprise Editions with Anniversary Update (version
1607) (64-bit)
Note: The Windows 10 Anniversary Update (version 1607) is required for
any Windows 10 computer that runs Metasys software, including the
ADS/ADX/ODS. Verify this update is installed before installing or
upgrading Metasys software. From the Start menu, type Winver in
the Windows search bar. Click Winver to open About Windows.
If you are upgrading Metasys software before installing this update,
you must do the following:
1. uninstall the previous versions of all Metasys software
2. install the Windows 10 Anniversary Update (version 1607)
3. install the latest Metasys software
Windows® 8.1 Pro and Enterprise Editions with Update 1 (64-bit)
Windows® 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate Editions with SP1 (64-bit)
or
Windows® 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate Editions with SP1 (32-bit)
Windows® Server® 2016 (64-bit)
Windows® Server® 2012 R2 with Update 1 (64-bit)
Windows® Server® 2012 (64-bit)

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Advanced Graphics Application Product Bulletin 5