1. Object-Oriented Graphics The most powerful feature of the Graphics Builder is its integration with the 800xA Aspect Object technology. Graphics are not merely drawings; they are aspects attached to functional objects. This means a graphic symbol created in the builder can be reused across thousands of similar objects. If an engineer updates the graphic template, the changes can propagate automatically to every instance of that object throughout the system, ensuring consistency and drastically reducing engineering time.
2. Rich Visualization and Animation The builder provides a comprehensive library of standard symbols, shapes, and controls. Engineers can bind these visual elements to process variables (tags) to create complex animations. This includes:
3. Vector-Based Drawing Tools The environment includes a full suite of vector drawing tools, allowing for the creation of high-resolution schematics and P&ID (Piping and Instrumentation Diagram) representations. Because the graphics are vector-based, they scale perfectly to any screen size, from standard workstation monitors to large video wall installations used in modern control rooms.
4. Scripting and Interactivity For advanced functionality, the Graphics Builder supports scripting (typically VBScript or C# depending on the specific version and configuration). This allows engineers to create custom logic within the display layer—such as complex push-button sequences, password-protected access, or calculations that display derived values without needing to alter the controller code. abb 800xa graphics builder
Even experienced engineers hit walls. Here are solutions to frequent problems:
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Graphic loads slowly | Too many dynamic links or huge bitmaps. | Convert BMPs to PNG/JPG; use line graphs instead of raster images. |
| Dynamic link shows "???" | Incorrect aspect path or object not found. | Use Browse button in Dynamics dialog; verify object exists in Plant Explorer. |
| Runtime crash when opening graphic | Corrupted .grx file or memory leak. | Open in safe mode; export graphics to XML, then re-import. |
| Line thickness changes on zoom | Vector scaling vs. pixel scaling mismatch. | Set line width to absolute (e.g., 2 points) rather than "proportional to zoom." |
| Faceplate doesn't open | Missing OpenFaceplate command or wrong type. | Ensure the control module has an associated Process Object. |
From the 800xA Plant Explorer, navigate to a Graphic folder, right-click, and select New > Graphic. The Graphics Builder window will open. | Feature | 800xA Graphics Builder | Ignition
The ABB 800xA Graphics Builder is a dedicated engineering tool within the ABB Ability™ System 800xA distributed control system (DCS). It is used to design, develop, and maintain dynamic graphical displays (also known as pictures or faceplates) that represent the industrial process. These graphics allow operators to monitor, control, and interact with plant equipment and process data in real-time.
To avoid performance degradation and operator confusion, follow these industry-proven guidelines:
| Best Practice | Why? |
| :--- | :--- |
| Use Object-Based Navigation | Build graphics that highlight objects; clicking an object opens its faceplate instead of a new display. |
| Limit Dynamic Updates per Screen | Updating >200 dynamic properties per second slows the client. Use Update Interval properties wisely. |
| Follow ISA-101 HMI Standards | Use consistent colors (e.g., not red for OK status). Use grays/blues for backgrounds. |
| Always Validate Graphics | Use the Check button in the builder to find broken links before downloading to production. |
| Modularize with Include Graphics | Use "Include Graphic" objects for headers, navigation bars, or recurring sub-assemblies. | Absolutely. For 90% of on-premise
| Feature | 800xA Graphics Builder | Ignition (Perspective) | WinCC (TIA Portal) | |---------|------------------------|------------------------|---------------------| | Object-oriented | ✅ Strong (Aspects) | ✅ Very strong | 🟡 Limited | | Modern UI | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | 🟡 Moderate | | Web-ready | ❌ No (thin client possible but not native HTML5) | ✅ Yes | 🟡 Limited | | Scripting | VBScript | Python | C/VBS | | License cost | Very high (part of 800xA) | Lower | Moderate to high |
Absolutely. For 90% of on-premise, high-speed control rooms (Oil & Gas, Power, Pulp & Paper), the native Graphics Builder offers deterministic performance that HTML5 cannot yet match for 100ms update cycles.
Instead of rebuilding pump graphics 50 times, create one Master Graphic Aspect. Then, create Effective Graphics (Placeholders) that reference the master. Change the master, and 50 graphics update immediately. This is managed via the Reference tab in the Graphics Builder.