Live Process Visualization
Real-time SCADA-style process visualization with drag-and-drop components, live tag values, and customizable dashboards for monitoring industrial processes.
What is Live Process Visualization?
Live Process Visualization is a drag-and-drop visual editor where you can place industrial components (tanks, pumps, motors, valves, sensors, etc.) on a canvas and bind them to real tag values. Components automatically update to show live data from your connected devices and PLCs.
Editor Components
1. Shape Palette (Left)
Browse and search 800+ industrial components organized by category. Drag components onto the canvas to add them to your process diagram.
2. Canvas (Center)
The main editing area where you arrange components. Supports zoom, pan, grid snapping, and multi-select operations.
3. Properties Panel (Right)
Configure selected component properties including name, description, tag binding, colors, alarms, position, and size.
4. Toolbar (Top)
Access common actions like save, export, import, undo/redo, zoom controls, and dashboard management.
Shape Palette
Industrial Component Library
The shape palette contains over 800 industrial components organized into categories. Use the search box to quickly find specific components.
- Favorites: Your starred components for quick access
- Tanks: Storage tanks, vessels, silos (99 components)
- Pumps: Centrifugal, submersible, gear pumps (35 components)
- Motors: Electric motors, drives, actuators (33 components)
- HVACs: Air handling units, chillers, cooling towers (22 components)
- Valves: Gate, ball, butterfly, control valves (9 components)
- Sensors: Temperature, pressure, flow, level sensors (35 components)
- Boiler: Boilers, heat exchangers, furnaces (36 components)
Properties Panel
Binding Tags to Components
To display real-time data on a component:
- Select a component on the canvas
- Open the Properties panel (General tab)
- Click the Data Tag field
- Search and select a tag from the dropdown
- The component will now display the live tag value
Real-Time Data Display
- Numeric Value: Display raw tag value on component
- Fill Level: Tanks show fill level based on tag value
- Color Change: Component color changes based on alarm thresholds
- Animation: Some components animate based on value (e.g., rotating motors)
Energy Dashboard vs Live Process
When to Use Each Dashboard Type
Smart Energy offers two dashboard types for different purposes:
| Feature | Energy Dashboard | Live Process Visualization |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Historical data analysis | Real-time process monitoring |
| Data Type | Aggregated/calculated values | Live instantaneous values |
| Time Range | Configurable (hour/day/month) | Current moment only |
| Components | Cards, charts, graphs | Industrial symbols (tanks, pumps, etc.) |
| Customization | Pre-defined layouts | Fully customizable drag-and-drop |
| Best For | Energy consumption analysis | Process visualization and monitoring |
Best Practices
- Organize dashboards by process area or system
- Use descriptive names for components
- Set meaningful alarm thresholds for critical values
- Group related components together on the canvas
- Use favorites for frequently used components
- Keep dashboards focused - avoid overcrowding