Editing DDO Properties
Every DDO has configurable properties organized into three categories: AFD (geometry/input), DFD (type-specific display), and HDA (data binding). This guide explains how to use the Property Inspector.
The Property Inspector
When you select a DDO, the Property Inspector appears on the right side of StudioWeb. It has three collapsible sections:
AFD — Appearance & Format Definition
Controls the object’s position, size, and input behavior. Common to all DDOs.
Geometry:
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| X, Y | Position on canvas (pixels) |
| Width, Height | Object dimensions |
| Rotation | Rotation angle in degrees |
Input:
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Enterable | Whether the DDO accepts user input at runtime |
| Log Entries | Number of log entries to retain |
| Confirm Entry | Require confirmation before input |
| Notify on Select | Trigger event when selected |
| Popup DDO Name | DDO to show as popup |
| Command Destination | Target for commands |
| Equation | Calculated expression |
Options:
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Foreground / Background | Default colors |
| Font controls | Family, size, weight, style |
| RTDA Enabled | Enable Real-Time Data Annotation |
| Security Level | Access control level |
| Help File | Context help file |
DFD — Display Format Definition
Type-specific properties that vary by DDO type. For example:
- Meter: min, max, decimals, title, colors (meter, face, needle, scale, value fg/bg), tick options, wide scale, color type
- Push Button: label, button type, action commands, confirm dialog
- Real: decimals, display type, format, input range
- Trend: time span, number of curves, grid, axis colors
See the dedicated articles for each DDO type’s DFD properties.
HDA — Host Data Access
Controls how the DDO connects to live data sources.
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Data Type | Type of data (real, integer, string, etc.) |
| Num Values | Number of values from the peer |
| Refresh Type | How data updates (event-driven or polled) |
| Poll Rate | Polling interval in milliseconds |
| Logical Server | Name of the data source peer |
| Read Key | Key for reading data |
| Write Key | Key for writing data back |
| Key Type | Key data type |
| Read Record | Record for reading |
| Write Record | Record for writing |
| Record Type | Record data type |
Editing Properties
Text and Number Fields
- Click the field
- Type the new value
- Press Enter or click away to apply
Color Pickers
- Click the color swatch
- Use the browser’s color picker to choose a color
- Close the picker to apply
Toggles and Checkboxes
Click to toggle between on/off states.
Dropdowns
Click to open the dropdown, then select an option from the list.
Editing Multiple Objects
When multiple objects are selected:
- AFD properties show values from the first selected object
- Changes apply to all selected objects
- DFD properties are only shown when all selected objects share the same DDO type
Tips
- Click the canvas background to view page-level Format Properties instead of object properties
- Use the AFD geometry fields for pixel-precise positioning (instead of dragging)
- Set data bindings (HDA) after configuring the DDO’s appearance (DFD)
- Color properties accept any valid CSS color value