Skip to content

User Interface

This page is intended to give you an overview of the user interface elements. All parts of Connect I/O are visible by default, providing you with a simple user interface to get acquainted and work with.

1. Menu

File

New Creates a new diagram.
Open... Opens a file dialog for choosing the diagram file to load.
Save Opens a file dialog for saving the current diagram file.
Save As Opens a file dialog for saving the current diagram file with a new name.
Print Opens the print menu for printing the current diagram.
Exit Closes the application.

Edit

Undo Reverses the last operation.
Redo Reverses the last undo operation.
Clear Logger Clears the logger.
Copy Copies the selected part of the diagram into the clipboard.
Cut Removes the selected portion of the diagram and stores a copy of it to the clipboard.
Paste Paste diagram content available on the clipboard onto the current diagram.
Select All Selects the entire diagram.

View

Zoom In Expands the canvas.
Zoom Out Contracts the canvas.
Default Zoom Sets the default zoom.
Show Overview Shows/hides the diagram overview.
Hide When Minimized Hides Connect I/O in the taskbar when minimized. Becomes available in the notification area (system tray).

Help

Here you can find general information about Connect I/O and available documentation.

2. Toolbar

Starts the diagram execution.
Pauses the diagram execution.
Resets the diagram execution.
Advances the diagram execution one step (each time the button is clicked).

3. Nodes Palette

Inputs Nodes that read values from HOME I/O (sensors).
Outputs Nodes that write values to HOME I/O (actuators).
Memories Nodes used to store values during the execution of the diagram. Can also be used to exchange values with HOME I/O.
Sources Nodes used as source of values.
Tags Displays the simulations inputs and outputs nodes. When HOME I/O is running each input and output point is automatically detected by Connect I/O and displayed on this panel.
Nodes Nodes that provide several functionalities, such as data exchange with PLC, interface boards, arithmetic operations, etc.
Utils Displays a list of utility nodes.
Settings Diagram execution settings.
Sync. Timers: When checked, synchronizes time scale between Connect I/O and HOME I/O
Cycle Time (ms): Diagram update cycle time. Values can range between 1 and 10000.

4. Canvas

Where you draw a diagram. It allows you to perform the most common editing operations, such as panning, zooming, creating, deleting, selecting and moving nodes.

5. Canvas Overview

The canvas overview helps you to get a visual representation of the entire diagram and which part you are seeing. It also allows you to pan quickly to a specific part of the diagram (Left/right click and hold).

6. Properties

Displays the properties of input, output, memory and source nodes. It also displays available documentation for other node types.

7. Logger

Displays useful information related to the application. Most nodes use the logger to display relevant information during the diagram execution.

Keyboard Shortcuts and Mouse Actions

Keyboard Shortcuts / Mouse Actions Command
Ctrl + N Create a new diagram
Ctrl + O Open
Ctrl + S Save
Ctrl + Alt + S Save As
Ctrl + P Print
Ctrl + Q Quit
Ctrl + Z Undo
Ctrl + Y Redo
Ctrl + E Clear Logger
Ctrl + C Copy
Ctrl + X Cut
Ctrl + V Paste
Ctrl + A Select All
Ctrl + + or Mouse Wheel Up Zoom In
Ctrl + - or Mouse Wheel Down Zoom out
Ctrl + 0 Default Zoom
Ctrl + T Show/Hide overview window
Mouse + Drag Pan