Workspace Tree
A Workspace Tree, also known as a project tree, is a window designed to work with devices. Thanks to a hierarchical structure of the tree it is easy to switch between the devices and their components. It is also a place to add/remove the controllers and to manage components.
The iSMA Tool Workspace Tree is designed to navigate the projects and devices defined for them. For each project it is possible to define any number of folders and any number of devices inside them. It is recommended that the structure of folders, subfolders, and devices corresponds to their physical placement and/or logical subordination of controllers on an object. It makes finding a particular controller among a vast quantity of devices fast and easy. The structure of folders, subfolders, and projects mentioned above allows to properly locate a specific controller in the Workspace Tree. The hierarchical structure inside the controller is loaded directly from the controller and consists of components. There are different controller components, depending on services and functions offered by a specific device.
The Workspace Tree is saved in an .itw file in a specified location [home\Workspaces]. The user can save the Workspace Tree under a defined name in a specific location. The .itw (Workspace) file stores the whole structure of the Workspace Tree including devices names and their addresses. This allows to save many projects in one .itw file or otherwise, each individual project in a separate .itw file.
A file with the .itw extension is an .xml file and contains sensitive data, such as device IP addresses and their passwords if the user issued a command to remember them. Due to an obvious threat of exposing such data, the iSMA Tool codes sensitive data automatically, preventing their exposure to third parties.
An exemplary window of the Workspace Tree is shown on the figure below.
Workspace Tree Structure
There are two independent projects on the Workspace Tree figure: Site A and Site B. Each project is a separate tree with folders and devices. Devices (objects with IP numbers) were defined in folders specifying their location such as Basement and Floor2, or Antres and South Enter. Folder Antres has been placed under the main folder–Main Hall for a better organization of a controller position.
Double-clicking on the device symbol allows to connect to the device and show its contents, which is described in details further in this instruction.
Editing of the Workspace Tree Elements
For folders, subfolders, and the main element–project, opening the context menu provides the following options:
- New Project: creating a new project independent of the others;
- Add Folder: adding a folder under the selected folder;
- Add Device: opening a device adding window for the selected folder;
- Remove: removing the selected element: device, folder, or project from the tree.
Warning!
Removing the parent folder or project removes all subfolders and items that were structured under it, upon confirmation of operation. In the situation shown on the figure, removing the folder South Enter will result in removing the controller from the project, but the controller contents will not be deleted.
The iSMA Tool software supports UTF8 symbols in most of the places in the project. It is therefore possible to use native letters to lay out the project in a convenient way:
Note: Sedona supports a very limited set of symbols for component names, so the iSMA Tool will not allow to add one with a non-ASCII name:
Any name can be given to a project, folder, or even device. For this purpose an object needs to be selected and clicked once more, or the function key F2 has to be used.
The device components, which can be used to build the application program, are shown on the Workspace Tree, under a controller. If a selected element of the tree has other elements under it, i.e., children elements, issuing a command to a parent impacts all the subject elements as well, due to a hierarchical structure of the tree. This involves the Delete function– deleting the parent element deletes all the children elements.
It is possible to select many elements at once by using a Ctrl or a Shift key the same way as in the Windows Explorer (selecting elements with a Ctrl key pressed allows to select elements one by one, not in a consecutive manner; selecting elements with a Shift key pressed allows to select consecutive elements).
Warning!
To save any modifications in the Workspace Tree hierarchy or to save its naming (not applicable to device tree), the Workspace Tree needs to be saved using a Save or a Save as option available in a File menu or corresponding button on the toolbar.
