34321 - Using RSView SE Distributed with multiple monitors

Access Level: TechConnect

Date Created: 02/15/2006 12:00 AM
Last Updated: 12/03/2013 10:14 AM

How do I use multiple monitors with RSView SE Distributed?

Introduction:

Using multiple monitors on a single RSView SE computer provides a number of benefits in both the
runtime and development environments. For example, in the runtime environment multiple monitors
allow an HMI operator to view multiple graphics simultaneously, or view 1 graphic across a large "virtual
display" consisting of multiple monitors. In the development environment, an HMI/PLC developer can
be more productive by having the ability to view multiple applications simultaneously (e.g., Studio,
RSLogix and the SE Client) without having to resize the application's window.

Multiple monitor support is a function of the operation system and is built-into all of the Windows
operating systems supported by RSView SE. It is generally implemented using 1 of 2 hardware
configurations:

 Adding additional video adapter(s) to the computer

 Replacing the single video adapter with a model capable of handling multiple monitors

There are no specific video adapter requirements for using multiple monitors with RSView SE, and
installing/configuring all of the possible video adapter combinations is beyond the scope of this
document. We recommend that you consult your video adapter hardware and/or operating system
documentation for specific instructions. Additional information on using multiple monitors with
Windows XP can also be found at the following Microsoft sites:

 http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307873
 http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-
us/display_multi_monitors_overview.mspx?mfr=true
 http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/northrup_multimon.mspx

Note: Configuring the other supported operating systems is virtually identical to Windows XP (i.e., video
adapter settings and multiple monitor layout configuration are typically performed using Control Panel >
Display Properties). When working with Windows 2000 computers equipped with multiple monitors,
keep all the monitors connected and powered-up whenever possible. Windows 2000 will oftentimes
randomly change which monitor the logon screen is displayed on, resulting in a potentially confusing
situation if only 1 monitor is available.

Prior to attempting HMI operation on multiple monitors with RSView SE, we recommend you that you
verify proper operation of your configuration with standard Windows applications (e.g., Notepad, Paint,
Windows Explorer). Once you proceed with testing RSView SE, you may want to consider using the
Samples Water application that is included with the product. This application does not require
communications to controllers and is a convenient way to test your multiple monitor configuration prior
to deploying your specific RSView SE application.

Application Scenarios:

There are generally 3 application scenarios for using multiple monitors with the RSView SE Client:
1. The "SE Multiple Client": This scenario is ideal for HMI "power operators" (and experienced
Windows users) who need to see multiple HMI displays simultaneously. It is accomplished by
simply running multiple sessions of the RSView SE client and placing them on separate monitors.
Typically, the operator would have a shortcut to a pre-configured RSView SE Client on the
desktop of the primary monitor. The operator would launch the first session of the client and
simply relocate it to a secondary monitor. Next, the operator would return to the primary
monitor and launch an additional session of the RSView SE Client that would remain on the
primary monitor (or be placed on a different secondary monitor, etc.). This is the recommend
scenario for most customers due to the relative ease of implementation.

Please note that each SE client session will be counted as 1 connection to the HMI server. In this
example, 3 connections will be consumed that now only 47 out of possible 50 simultaneous SE
clients can connect to the HMI server. For more limitation, please refer to 32549 - FactoryTalk
View SE Distributed System Design Considerations

 Advantages:
o no custom HMI project coding is required, allowing a mixture of both single and multiple
display SE Clients (with a variety of resolutions) throughout the system
o no additional SE Client activations are required at the client computer
o these are 3 autonomous sessions of the SE client. If you are not using FactoryTalk
Security's single sign-on feature, you could logon to both sessions as the same user, or
logon to session #1 as user "X" and session #2 as user "Y", etc.
 Disadvantages:
o additional hardware resources are required at the client computer
o requires that the HMI operator have knowledge of managing multiple applications in
Windows
o requires that the SE Client file (.cli) be configured to "Show title bar", "Show system
menu and close button" and "Show Min/Max buttons" so that you can drag and drop
the program to another monitor
o records in the Diagnostics List (if displayed) are not unique to the individual client
session (they are common for the client computer)
o allows the HMI operator to get to the Windows desktop, Start Menu, Command
Prompt, etc. (Note: this can be mitigated using Group Policy to "lock down" the
desktop environment)

1. The "SE Custom Client": This scenario is ideal for HMI "power operators" (but inexperienced
Windows users) who need to see multiple HMI displays simultaneously. It uses only 1 session of
the SE Client, however it expands that session across the larger "virtual desktop" created by
adding additional monitors. For example, consider an SE application with 2 areas ('East' and
'West') where every operator station has 2 monitors (1 for the 'East' displays and 1 for the
'West' displays). In this example, the HMI developer would use X,Y coordinates to configure all
of the 'East' displays for one monitor and all of the 'West' displays for the other monitor.
 o Advantages:
 no additional hardware resources are required at the client computer
 no additional SE Client activations are required at the client computer.
 requires no HMI operator knowledge of managing multiple applications in
Windows because typically only the SE Client is running
 allows you to "lock down" the desktop environment and allow the HMI operator
to only use the RSView SE client
o Disadvantages:
 all SE Clients in the system may require the same multiple monitor configuration
(i.e., orientation and resolution) or else the SE graphic displays may not display
properly
 requires HMI project custom coding to control the position of the displays
making the project potentially more difficult to troubleshoot and maintain

Implementation of this scenario requires VBA programming that increases the size of the SE
Client "container" window (see 24607 - Controlling the size of the client container window). For
example, when using 2 monitors side-by-side (where both are configured for a resolution of
1024 x 768), you would typically create a client container window of 2054 x 774 (the additional
6 pixels allow for a 6 pixel frame around the container). This container would then allow two
~1024 x ~768 displays to exist side-by-side inside 1 session of the SE client. Note: To familiarize
yourself with the 'SE Client Container' settings on your multiple monitor system from within
RSView SE, unzip the attached Multiple Monitor Code Sample.Zip and follow the instructions in
the ReadMe.txt file.

When using this scenario, the following RSView SE Display Settings are typically recommended:

o Display Type 'On Top' (vs. 'Overlay' or 'Replace').

o 'Size to Main Window in Runtime' unchecked (if checked, the display will occupy the
complete SE Client container)
o Click the Help button (or F1) in the Display Settings dialog for more information on these
settings.

It should be noted that using the 'On Top' display setting may lead to many unnecessary displays
being left open that will consume system resources and also maintain many data connections to
the processors both of which may affect your application performance. Your application must
make use of the abort command to efficiently manage the open displays.

When using this scenario, the following RSView SE Client (.cli) settings are typically
recommended:
 o Show Title Bar unchecked (if checked, the Title Bar will extend across the virtual
desktop)
o Maximize window unchecked (if checked, the display will only occupy 1 monitor)
o Show Diagnostics List unchecked (if checked, the Diagnostics List will extend across the
virtual desktop, but it can be undocked)
o Click the Help button (or F1) in the RSView SE Client wizard for more information on
these settings.

A slightly more complex version of this scenario would allow the operator to choose which
monitor a graphic will be displayed on. For example, a "Navigation Menu" graphic that contains
buttons that represent the available monitors (e.g., "left", "center" and "right") in addition to
the available graphic displays. The HMI operator must click the desired graphic display and the
desired monitor. This technique uses the native RSView SE display command with display
positioning parameters.

2. The "SE Virtual Display Client": This scenario creates 1 large "virtual display" runtime window
spread across multiple monitors, where each video adapter's display area is part of a single
desktop. The size of the desktop is determined by the size and the arrangement of individual
display areas, which in reality reflects the arrangement of the monitors. Using this scenario is
virtually identical to the "SE Custom Client", except the SE Client container size would typically
be much larger and the displays would typically all have the setting 'Size to Main Window in
Runtime' checked.

o Advantages:
 same as the SE Custom Client
 provides a very large "virtual monitor" for a central control room or command
center
o Disadvantages:
 the loss of single monitor detracts from the large "virtual monitor"

Note: To familiarize yourself with the 'SE Client Container' settings on your multiple
monitor system from within RSView SE, unzip the attached Multiple Monitor Code
Sample.Zip and follow the instructions in the ReadMe.txt file.

A 4th application scenario is also possible, the "Super Client" or "Engineering Workstation". This
scenario is identical to the "SE Multiple Client" except it is typically used by HMI/PLC developers and
maintenance engineers. It allows the user to run multiple software programs simultaneously (e.g.,
Studio, RSLogix, the SE Client), where each program occupies its own monitor. Using this scenario is
very straightforward, you simply launch the programs and relocate them on their own individual
monitor. Note: A maximized program will not relocate from one monitor to the next, you must
'Restore Down' the program to relocate it (using drag & drop) on another monitor.

3rd party Multi-screen LCD solutions are also available

(http://digitaltigers.com/zenview.shtml?gclid=CMCM8sGqq4cCFUwxIgod4zfB4g), but are untested and
unsupported by Rockwell Software.

File Attachments

 Multiple Monitor Code Sample.zip (570.67 KB)