About CUSTOMTEXT (CUSTOM-SHAPED TEXT)

CUSTOMTEXT is a User Control that can be used to transform text-based information into a visual object on SCADA operator screens. In addition to fundamental visual properties such as text position, direction, format, rotation angle, and border style, the source code includes a TEXT Data States collection associated with data levels.


This structure makes it possible to configure the same screen object to display text with different meanings under different operating conditions. For example, different status messages and colors can be used at different levels of a process value. Blinking can be enabled at a particular level to attract the operator's attention.

Core concept: Rather than viewing CUSTOMTEXT as merely an "object that displays text," consider it a display layer that provides the textual and visual representation of SCADA data.

Core Control Architecture

Text Layer

GaugeText defines the main text, while UCFont, UCForeColor, and UCBackColor determine its basic appearance.

Geometry Layer

TextAlign, TextDirection, TextOrientation, and RotationAngle determine the text's visual form.

State Layer

The TEXTDataStates collection stores state properties such as thresholds, colors, and BlinkActive.

General Properties

The main CUSTOMTEXT properties defined in the source code are listed below.

Property EOS Turkish Equivalent Default Purpose Typical Use
UCType Control Type CUSTOMTEXT Defines the type of the user control. Creating the Custom-Shaped Text control.
UpdateInterval Update Interval 1000 ms Specifies the control's update cycle. On screens where SCADA data is refreshed periodically.
DecimalPoint Decimal Places 0 Specifies the number of decimal places used when displaying numerical data as text. When numerical SCADA values are displayed within text.
UCBackColor Control Background Color Gray Specifies the control's default background color. Defining the visual background of the text area.
UCForeColor Control Text Color Yellow Specifies the control's default text color. On screens where text must stand out against the background.
UCFont Control Font Arial Narrow, 8.25 pt Specifies the control's default font. Adjusting the size and typography of text.

Text and Display Settings

Property EOS Turkish Equivalent Default Purpose Typical Use
TextAlign Text Alignment Middlecenter Specifies how the text is aligned within the control area. Headings, status messages, values, or descriptive text.
GaugeText Gauge Text TEXT Defines the main text to be displayed. Static text or the control's primary text content.
TextDirection Text Direction Clockwise Specifies the direction in which the text is arranged. Circular or direction-oriented text layouts.
TextOrientation Text Orientation Rotate Specifies the text's geometric presentation style. Circular, arc-shaped, or rotated text designs.
RotationAngle Rotation Angle 0 Specifies the text's rotation angle. Angled headings and custom screen layouts.
BorderStyle Border Style None Specifies how the control border is displayed. On screens where the text object's boundary must be visible or hidden.
TEXTDataStates Text Data States new TEXT_STATE_COLLECTION[0] A collection that stores different text and appearance properties according to data levels. Text displays based on states, levels, or thresholds.

Terminology note: The dictionary uses "Text Direction" as the Turkish equivalent for both TextDirection and TextOrientation. Although these are separate technical properties, they share the same Turkish translation.

Text Alignment — 9 Positions

The GNKonum enumeration defines nine basic positions for text within the control area.

Technical Value English Description Typical Use
Topleft Top Left Headings and corner information
Topcenter Top Center Top heading
Topright Top Right Status or identification information
Middleleft Middle Left Side descriptions
Middlecenter Middle Center Main value or status
Middleright Middle Right Value and unit placement
Bottomleft Bottom Left Bottom description
Bottomcenter Bottom Center Bottom heading or status
Bottomright Bottom Right Identification or auxiliary information

Text Direction and Format

UNIT 1
PROCESS VALUE
72 MW
Enum Value English Description
GNMetinSekli Circle Circular
GNMetinSekli Arc Arc
GNMetinSekli Rotate Rotated
GNSaatYonu Clockwise Clockwise
GNSaatYonu Anticlockwise Counterclockwise

Text and Appearance Based on Data Levels

One of CUSTOMTEXT's greatest strengths is its TEXT_STATE_COLLECTION (TEXT STATE) collection. The source code defines fields for background color, text color, threshold, and blinking behavior for each state record.

LevelThreshold — Level Threshold
Stores the threshold value for the level data.
LevelBackColor — Level Background Color
Stores the background color for the relevant level.
LevelForeColor — Level Text Color
Stores the text color for the relevant level.
BlinkActive — Blinking Enabled
Specifies whether blinking is enabled for the relevant level.
Property Default Meaning in the Source Code
LevelBackColor White Stores the background color for the level data value.
LevelForeColor Black Stores the text color for the level data value.
LevelThreshold 10 Stores the threshold value for the level data.
BlinkActive false Specifies whether blinking is enabled for the relevant level.

Example State Configuration

The following example is conceptual. Since the source code does not show which algorithm is used to select thresholds, it is provided only to illustrate state design.

Level Example Threshold Example Text Background Color Text Color Blinking
Normal 10 READY White Black No
Warning 50 WARNING Yellow Black No
Alarm 80 HIGH ALARM Red White Yes

Applications on SCADA Screens

Unit Status

Visual presentation of operating states such as RUNNING, STOPPED, AVAILABLE, and FAULT.

Energy and Power

Displaying power, load, or generation values together with text.

Process Values

Representing values such as temperature, pressure, level, and flow rate with different text and appearances at critical levels.

Warnings and Alarms

Directing the operator's attention to a specific condition through state-dependent text, colors, and blinking.

Equipment Information

Displaying the status of pumps, valves, motors, breakers, generators, and auxiliary systems using concise text.

Custom HMI Designs

Creating specialized SCADA screens with circular, arc-shaped, or rotated text.

Industrial HMI comparison: The multistate indicator approach in Rockwell FactoryTalk View allows different captions, colors, and images to be displayed according to process conditions. Siemens WinCC text lists can associate specific values or value ranges with text. The TEXT_STATE_COLLECTION structure in CUSTOMTEXT implements a similar state-based display concept using EOS SCADA's own text and visual properties.

Screen Design with Custom-Shaped Text

The strength of CUSTOMTEXT lies in its ability to use text as part of the screen's visual composition rather than merely as a label. Circular or arc-shaped text can be used as annotations around equipment symbols. Rotated text can provide compact information in vertical or angled areas.

Design Approach

  1. Define the meaning first: What information should the text convey to the operator?
  2. Choose the format: Select the appropriate circular, arc-shaped, or rotated presentation.
  3. Set the alignment: Use the appropriate position from the nine GNKonum options.
  4. Set the direction: Choose a clockwise or counterclockwise arrangement.
  5. Define the states: Configure thresholds, text, and color behavior for the data levels.
  6. Use blinking sparingly: Reserve it for conditions that genuinely require attention.

Example SCADA Scenarios

Scenario Example Text Shape State-Based Approach
Generator Operating Status GENERATOR ONLINE Rotate Different colors for operating levels
Pump Status PUMP RUNNING Circle Normal / warning / fault
Tank Level LEVEL 82% Arc Different appearances based on thresholds
Breaker Status BREAKER CLOSED Rotate Open / closed status text
Turbine Load LOAD 74 MW Arc Text and colors based on load level

Recommended Configuration Sequence

  1. Control type: UCType = CUSTOMTEXT
  2. Basic appearance: UCBackColor, UCForeColor, UCFont
  3. Text: GaugeText
  4. Position: TextAlign
  5. Geometry: TextOrientation and TextDirection
  6. Rotation: RotationAngle
  7. Border: BorderStyle
  8. Data levels: TEXTDataStates
  9. State behavior: LevelThreshold, LevelBackColor, LevelForeColor, BlinkActive

Structures Covered by the Source Code

Structure Content Defined in the Source
CUSTOMTEXT User Control type
GNKonum Nine text alignment positions
GNSaatYonu Clockwise / counterclockwise
GNMetinSekli Circle / Arc / Rotated
GNCerceveTuru None / Single Fixed / Fixed 3D
TEXT_STATE_COLLECTION Level background color, level text color, level threshold, blinking enabled

Conclusion

CUSTOMTEXT — CUSTOM-SHAPED TEXT turns text information into an active part of the visual design on EOS SCADA screens. Different presentations, such as plain text, rotated text, circular text, and arc-shaped text, can be combined with alignment, direction, and border properties.

More importantly, the TEXT Data States structure is designed to allow a single control to use different visual behaviors at different data levels. This feature provides a visual answer to the question "What is the value?" as well as "What state is this value in?" on SCADA screens.

Summary: CUSTOMTEXT can be viewed as a flexible display control that combines text + shape + direction + alignment + data level + visual state in a single SCADA object.

← Back to Previous Content