FRONTVUE

Client HMI for OEM and final users.

What is FrontVue?

FRONTVUE is a Man-Machine Interface software created by Windows 98, 2000 and NT. It provides everything needed to design and visualization of animated HMI of the process on a PC. In operation, real-time data are collected through an OPC server. A wide range of OPC servers is now available on the market.

Who uses FrontVue?

Operators and Integrators use FRONTVUE as a complete product. OEMs incorporate Frontvue into their own product which allows them to rejuvenate the look by adding the required functionality, while reducing the time of marketing a new version of their product.

Who develops FrontVue?

FRONTVUE is developed and marketed by ARC Informatique.
Created in 1981, ARC Informatique is one of the European leaders’ independent in industrial software practicing a policy of long-term commitment for the development and the maintenance of its products. International support is provided by subsidiaries based in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Singapore, relayed by an extensive network of distributors.

FRONTVUE Characteristics

Applications Development

FRONTVUE applications consist of several interactive windows interconnected to provide menus, HMI of the process, status pages, etc. Each window can contain ActiveX controls, JavaBeans components, and elements of native drawings FRONTVUE. The online configuration of the windows allows dynamic changes without having to build or not to restart the application.

ActiveX Container

FRONTVUE is an ActiveX and JavaBeans components container. A developer can easily integrate in a window the components offered by independent publishers.
The list of the ActiveX properties is not only readable and modified, but it is also possible to link these properties directly to the real time value of the variables from an OPC server.

VBA Script

The VBA scripting can tailor functionality for specific needs of the user. It is thus possible to access methods, events, ActiveX properties, to environmental project, to the OPC variables and elements of native FRONTVUE drawings.

Graphical Motor

FRONTVUE has its own graphical editor with the latest technology and providing optimal productivity. The animations proposed manage color changes, form filling, exchange, movement, rotation and extension of objects. BMP, WMF, animated GIF, AVI and JPG can be used.

Zoom and Plan Levels

Views on several plans can be created to show or hide information when the window is enlarged or reduced or to select relevant information by the user logged.
HMIs wider than the screen are viewed by scrolling vertical and horizontal lifts. An area of a HMI can be zoomed in another window; movements are synchronized between the 2 HMI.

Object Technology

The creation of reusable graphical objects is made easy without special tools. The modification of an object is automatically propagated wherever it is being used. Configurable directories enable to organize and distribute objects by category.

Communication

FRONTVUE uses an external communication manager. Support for new types of data servers is facilitated without requiring the modification of the core FRONTVUE. The management of redundant servers can handle applications where the GUI is a critical aspect.

Intranet

The ActiveX Document Server technology of FRONTVUE provides access to various HMI through a browser IE5.

FrontVue Specifications

  • Operating System: Windows 98, 2000 et NT4.
  • Resolution: Unlimited
  • Display Colors: Unlimited
  • Number of variables: Unlimited
  • Number of windows: Unlimited
  • Number of animations: Unlimited
  • OPC Client with the possibility of redundancy
  • ActiveX Container and JavaBeans Component.
  • Integrated VBA Script.
  • Advanced HMI editor using the new graphical technologies.
  • Integrated environments of development and run-time.
  • COM/DCOM Technology.
  • Development tools kit.

Intern Architecture

The external components of the nucleus are adaptable, with development tools, by the users with special needs. These components communicate with the nucleus by a COM / DCOM interface.