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Table of Contents
Meters
Meters are MIStudio Basic Layout graphics used to display numeric values with a pointer-style needle on a scale.
Meters are Active Graphics. They display values between a configured Low Value and High Value, and they can show scale ranges, warning levels, tick marks, labels, and color ranges.
All Basic Layout meters are variations of the same basic Meter behavior.
Image Examples
| Meter Type | Palette Image | Graphic Example |
|---|---|---|
| Meter |  |  |
| MeterFlat |  |  |
| MeterVertical |  |  |
| MeterRound |  |  |
Common Uses
Meters are commonly used to:
- Display numeric values
- Show a value on a low-to-high scale
- Display process values such as pressure, temperature, speed, or level
- Show warning or alarm ranges
- Create gauge-style dashboard indicators
Input Behavior
Meters accept a value object that can be converted to a number.
The input value updates the meter needle position on the scale.
If the value is greater than the configured High Value, the meter is considered pegged at the high end. If the value is lower than the configured Low Value, the meter is considered pegged at the low end.
Logic Ports
In the Logic Editor, meter graphics include:
- valueInput
The valueInput port is used to update the displayed meter value.
Scale Range Properties
High Value Sets the maximum value for the meter scale.
Low Value Sets the minimum value for the meter scale.
Needle Properties
Needle Color Sets the color of the meter needle.
Needle Thickness Sets the thickness of the meter needle.
Draw Long Needle Controls whether the needle is drawn through the scale. A longer needle may overlap the tick marks more than the default shorter needle.
Show Warning on Peg Controls whether a warning quality symbol is shown when the meter needle is pegged.
Use Color Controls whether the incoming server color is displayed on the needle, if supported.
Scale Shape and Rotation Properties
Angle Starting Sets where the meter scale starts.
Angle Ending Sets where the meter scale ends.
Center X Percent Shifts the meter center along the horizontal direction within its bounding box.
Center Y Percent Shifts the meter center along the vertical direction within its bounding box.
Radius Percentage Controls the radius used to calculate the meter scale and needle length.
Tick Mark and Label Properties
Font Controls the font used for scale labels.
Tic Format String Controls the number format used for major tick mark labels.
Tic Length Sets the length of major tick marks. Minor tick marks are drawn shorter.
Tic Mark Color Sets the color used for the scale and tick marks.
Tic Spacing Sets the data range between tick marks.
Tics Per Label Sets how often major tick marks are labeled.
Scale Color and Level Properties
Meter scale colors are used to show ranges on the meter scale.
HighHigh Level Sets the upper warning or alarm level below the high value.
HighHigh Color Sets the color for the range between HighHigh Level and High Value.
High Level Sets the high range level below HighHigh Level.
High Color Sets the color for the range between High Level and HighHigh Level.
Low Level Sets the low range level above LowLow Level.
Low Color Sets the color for the range between Low Level and LowLow Level.
LowLow Level Sets the lower warning or alarm level above the low value.
LowLow Color Sets the color for the range between Low Value and LowLow Level.
Normal Range Color Sets the color for the normal range between Low Level and High Level.
Expert Properties
Meters may also include common expert properties such as:
- Bad Qual. Indicator
- Warning Qual. Indicator
- Bezel Color
- Bezel Inside Color
- Bezel Thickness
- Cursor
- Rotation
- Click Action
- Click Count
- Visible
The exact properties may depend on the selected meter graphic and current MIStudio version.
Notes
Meter, MeterFlat, MeterVertical, and MeterRound share the same general behavior. The main difference is visual layout.
For general Active Graphic behavior, see Active Graphic.