| abstract |
A graphical support layer system 44 supports graphic display and data structure needs of functional areas of a process plant 10, fig 1 by presenting a visual depiction of physical or logical process elements of the process plant 10, fig 1 to a user via a display device 37, fig 1. The graphical support layer system has a memory 52 storing display objects which correspond to the process elements, adapted to be executed on a processor, where each display object has parameters or properties associated with the process element, and graphic visualizations of the process element, wherein one of the graphic visualizations is displayed on the display device 37, fig 1 as a graphic representation of the process element when the display object is executed on the processor. The display object has a graphic display of a depiction of an interaction of the process elements and is executed on a processor, the graphic display including references or copies of the display objects and indications of which graphic visualizations to display on the display device 37, fig 1 during execution of the graphic display. The system 44 enables display of selected graphic visualizations 77 of display objects when displaying the graphic display. A separate invention relates to a graphic display editor. |