Categories of ActiveX Controls (Dials & Gauges Blockset)

Dials & Gauges Blockset

Sliders

The Sliders library contains controls that model a knob sliding along a bar and that output the numerical value corresponding to the knob's position. Blocks in the library differ from each other in their numerical ranges and in their use of numerical labels, knob appearances, text captions, and tick marks.

Customizing Sliders

This section describes how to customize sliders by making changes that are specific to the Sliders library. For changes that apply to multiple categories of blocks, see these sections:

The table below lists some common customizations involving the ActiveX Control Properties dialog box that are specific to blocks in the Sliders library.

Task
Description

Change the range of values along the bar
On the General panel, use the Min Value and Max Value properties to define the range.

Change the orientation or direction of the bar
On the General panel, use Orientation to determine whether the slider is horizontal or vertical. Use Direction to determine which end of the slider corresponds to the minimum value.

Change the size or position of the bar
On the Bar panel, use the BarInner and BarOuter properties to define the width and position of the bar in the direction perpendicular to the linear scale. Use the BarStart and BarStop properties to define the length and position of the bar in the direction of the linear scale. These properties do not affect the numerical values associated with the bar, only the graphical depiction of the bar.

Change the colors of the portions of the bar on either side of the knob
On the Bar panel, use the OnColor and OffColor properties to define the colors associated with values below and above, respectively, the knob's current value along the bar.

Change the shape or size of the knob
On the Knob panel, use the Style property to choose the shape. Use the Inner Value and Outer Value properties to determine the thickness and position in the dimension perpendicular to the sliding scale. Use the Width property to determine the width along the sliding scale.

Label the knob by displaying the corresponding number
On the Digital panel, check the Enabled check box.

Change the appearance of the knob label
On the Digital panel, check the Enabled check box. Then use Decimals to set the number of digits after the decimal point, Color to set the color of the number, and FontID to refer to a previously defined font (on the Fonts panel).

Move the knob label to a fixed position
On the Digital panel, clear the Attach check box. Then use X Position and Y Position to set the fixed position for the label.

Move the knob label to a position relative to the knob
On the Digital panel, check the Attach check box. For a vertical (respectively, horizontal) linear scale, use X Position (respectively, Y Position) to set the independent coordinate for the label.

Task	Description
Change the range of values along the bar	On the General panel, use the Min Value and Max Value properties to define the range.
Change the orientation or direction of the bar	On the General panel, use Orientation to determine whether the slider is horizontal or vertical. Use Direction to determine which end of the slider corresponds to the minimum value.
Change the size or position of the bar	On the Bar panel, use the BarInner and BarOuter properties to define the width and position of the bar in the direction perpendicular to the linear scale. Use the BarStart and BarStop properties to define the length and position of the bar in the direction of the linear scale. These properties do not affect the numerical values associated with the bar, only the graphical depiction of the bar.
Change the colors of the portions of the bar on either side of the knob	On the Bar panel, use the OnColor and OffColor properties to define the colors associated with values below and above, respectively, the knob's current value along the bar.
Change the shape or size of the knob	On the Knob panel, use the Style property to choose the shape. Use the Inner Value and Outer Value properties to determine the thickness and position in the dimension perpendicular to the sliding scale. Use the Width property to determine the width along the sliding scale.
Label the knob by displaying the corresponding number	On the Digital panel, check the Enabled check box.
Change the appearance of the knob label	On the Digital panel, check the Enabled check box. Then use Decimals to set the number of digits after the decimal point, Color to set the color of the number, and FontID to refer to a previously defined font (on the Fonts panel).
Move the knob label to a fixed position	On the Digital panel, clear the Attach check box. Then use X Position and Y Position to set the fixed position for the label.
Move the knob label to a position relative to the knob	On the Digital panel, check the Attach check box. For a vertical (respectively, horizontal) linear scale, use X Position (respectively, Y Position) to set the independent coordinate for the label.

Percent Indicators Strip Chart