AMX MIO-R4 Operation/Reference Manual page 192

Working With Templates
1. You should spend some time deciding what you want the panel to do. What navigation model are
you going to use? You know you're going to have the required template elements but are some of
your menus so complex they will require sub-menus? What devices and features will the template
include? Consider using some optional template elements. Careful consideration will reveal the type
of navigation you will need.
Things to remember:
2. You are ready to begin restructuring the elements to fit your needs. Start with the Device and
Navigation elements first and the Placeholder elements last. The key for creating your own elements
naming conventions. G4 PanelBuilder looks for navigations with the name,
[nav#navName]pageName.
Suggestions: Start with the most complex Device element first, then make copies of it. This
method allows you to modify and delete thus the pages are more likely to be similar. Also,
create several different variations of Navigation and Sub-Navigations (3 items, 4 items, etc...).
3. Create the preview images for the elements. Images do not have to be full size, in fact AMX
templates utilize a 1/4 screen size to reduce the template file size.
Suggestion: Mock up the interface in TPDesign4 by opening the corresponding page and
display all applicable popups. Select Page > Copy Image To Clipboard. Then open the
resource manager and select Paste. Now rename the new image to the appropriate element
name.
4. After you have completed the template design, do a generate. A .TPT file is created and a list of
errors and warnings are displayed at this time, if applicable.
5. Repeat the design for other resolutions.
Things to remember:
Below is the workspace for TPDesign4. The pages are highlighted in the color of the element they
represent (FIG. 78).
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You must have a minimum of 1 Navigation element.
You must have a minimum of 1 Placeholder element.
You must have a main preview image ("[preview].jpg" or "[preview].png").
You cannot create a "drill-down" style of navigation with G4 PanelBuilder.
Your navigation menus will always be on top of your Devices. Make sure they do not conflict
with each other.
Suggestion: Create a simple TPD4 file showing the desired output. Doing this gives you
a starting point to begin looking at how to modify the TPD4 file to create a template.
You can use TPD4's Save As Other Panel Type when appropriate or as a starting point.
Leave the "Job Name" in the Panel Properties the same for all related TPD4 files, this is the
basis of a template family.
Not all resolutions have to be done at once. If necessary you can build the ones you currently
need and address the other resolutions as they present themselves.
TPDesign4 Touch Panel Design Software (v2.10 or higher)