Overview
Schematic Maps allow operators to monitor the status of various entities in a site via an intuitive graphical interface based on floor plans and site maps. Elements placed on the map indicate real-time status of inputs, areas, auxiliaries, doors, and more. This guide covers the Schematic Map Editor within Integriti System Designer for creating and configuring maps.
Capabilities
- Import site plans as background images.
- Navigate between maps.
- Add entities (doors, areas, inputs, cameras) to maps.
- Monitor site activity in real time.
- View and acknowledge alarms.
- Control items directly from the map.
- Create Schematic Map Groups to monitor multiple maps in a single window.
Prerequisites
- Integriti System Designer with installer-level access.
- Supported image formats for backgrounds and elements: Bitmap, JPEG, GIF, PNG, SVG.
- SVG is recommended for scalability (vector-based, crisp at any resolution). Test SVG files in a browser (e.g., Chrome) before loading.
Step-by-Step
Creating a New Schematic Map
- In System Designer, navigate to Schematic & Alerts > Schematic Maps.
- Click Add New to create an empty Schematic Map.
- Enter a Name and optional Notes.
Configuring Map Properties
- In the Map Properties panel (click the properties button to open):
- Search Rank: Higher rank maps appear first in lists.
- Background Image: Set a site plan as background. The Background Width/Height adjusts automatically when loading an image. Adjusting these values manually will stretch the background image. The default background colour is white (255,255,255), visible only when no background image is loaded or the image has transparent regions. Click Load to select an image or Remove to clear it.
- Zoom Settings: Set minimum and maximum zoom levels.
- Camera FOV Display Settings: Control how Camera Field of View displays on the map.
- Grid Overlay: Configure grid for alignment during editing. Enabling the grid overlay places dotted grid lines over the schematic. Enabling Rulers places alphanumeric grid reference rulers at the top and left of the map. Grid block width and height are measured in pixels; the scale varies with the zoom level. Snap to Grid forces elements to snap (hold Ctrl to temporarily disable).
- Default Font: The default font is Arial 12pt. Adjust via the font selection window. The default font applies to all newly created map items. Changing the default font does not override font settings for existing map items.
The Map Editor Interface
The editor layout includes:
- Drawing Window: The map canvas.
- Tool Bar: View controls, undo/redo, zoom, dynamic size/visibility simulation, alignment tools, select/pan mode, element creation buttons.
- Element List Panel: Shows all elements with rendering order (bottom-first, top-last).
- Element Properties Panel: Edit properties of selected elements.
- Layers Panel: Organise elements into visibility layers.
- Map Properties Panel: Background, zoom, grid settings.
- Linked Items Panel: Link entities to elements.
- Actions/Commands Panel: Configure element interactions.
Panels can be dragged, pinned, tabbed, or closed. Layout is saved on closing.
Schematic Map Toolbar
| Tool | Function |
|---|---|
| Select | Select and modify properties of items on the schematic. When Auto Switch to Select Tool is ticked, the select tool becomes active after a new item is added. |
| Pan | Move the schematic around the screen when zoomed in larger than the viewport. |
| Rectangle | Click and drag to draw a rectangle. Hold Shift to constrain to a square. The Map Element Properties window appears immediately after drawing. |
| Ellipse | Click and drag to draw an ellipse. Hold Shift to constrain to a circle. The Map Element Properties window appears immediately after drawing. |
| Line | Click and drag to draw a line. Press and release define the position and length. The Map Element Properties window appears immediately after drawing. |
| Freeform | Click once to start, click to add points, double-click to finish. After closing properties, fine-tune by clicking and dragging on any line to create a new node; right-click a node to delete it; drag existing nodes to adjust. |
| Icon | Click where you want to place the icon. Image comes from the associated Element Presenter. |
| Label | Click where you want to place a text label. |
| Image | Click where you want to place a static image (not presenter-driven). |
Element Types
| Element Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Rectangle / Ellipse | Draw shapes with fill/border colours. Can be linked to entities and presenters for state visualization. |
| Line / Multi-segmented Line / Freeform | Draw lines, open/closed polygons for defining regions. |
| Icon | Display icons; image comes from associated Element Presenter. |
| Label | Display text; can convey entity state information (e.g., alert count). |
| Image | Insert static images (not presenter-driven). Can receive click actions. |
Map Element Properties (Default Display Settings)
Every item placed on the schematic map has its own set of properties. These defaults apply when no Element Presenter rule overrides them.
| Property | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Interior Colour | Grey (128,128,128) | Fill colour of the element. Can be Web, System, or Custom colour. Format: R,G,B (e.g., 0,0,255 for Blue, 255,0,0 for Red). Right-click colour squares in the Custom tab to save your own colours. |
| Outline Colour | Black (0,0,0) | Colour of the outline/border surrounding the element. |
| Outline Thickness | 5 pixels | Border thickness. A value of 0 leaves a 1-pixel border. |
| Show Outline | True | When False, the outline is disabled entirely. |
| Opacity | 128 (semi-transparent) | Range 0 (transparent) to 255 (opaque). Affects both interior and outline. |
Note: If the border colour is set to Transparent, only the opacity setting affects the visible border width.
Inserting Elements
Method 1 (Drag): Select element tool, click-and-drag on map, release to place. Hold Shift to constrain proportions.
Method 2 (Click): Select element tool, click on map — element placed at default size. For Image tool, you’ll be prompted to select an image.
For Line/Multi-segment/Freeform: Click to add points; double-click or press Esc to finish.
Element Properties (Common)
- Opacity: 0 (fully transparent) to 255 (fully opaque). Default: 255.
- Selectable: Whether selectable by clicking in the Viewer (always selectable in Editor unless Locked).
- Editing Settings:
- Description: Identifies element during editing.
- Locked: Prevents accidental editing — element not selectable on map.
- Hidden: Element not visible on map during editing (useful for editing underlying elements).
- Positioning: Change position/size numerically.
- Zoom Behaviour:
- Dynamic Size: Size with Background (default), Constant Size, or Constant Size Within Range.
- Dynamic Visibility: Always Visible (default) or Visible Within Range.
- Status/Label:
- Show Status on Mouse Hover: Shows status text from the Element Presenter (Viewer) or linked item name (Editor).
- Label Position: User presenter settings, Disabled, 9 preset positions, or User Defined.
Shape Element Properties (Rectangle, Ellipse, Line, Freeform)
- Outline Thickness: 0 = no outline (Line elements become invisible and unselectable on map at 0).
- Show Outline: Draw outline with Outline Colour. Unchecked draws line with Interior Colour.
- Interior Colour / Exterior Colour: Fill and outline colours.
Icon and Image Element Properties
- Image: Click Change to select image. For Icon elements, image comes from Element Presenter.
- Animate Once: GIFs animate once if checked, otherwise loop indefinitely.
- Flip Direction: None, Horizontal, Vertical, or Both.
- Image Resizing: Stretch (distorts to fit) or Scale (maintains proportions).
Label Element Properties
- Text Font: Type, size, style, effects.
- Text Colour / Text Opacity.
- Text Sizing: Best Fit (auto-size font to fit) or Word Wrap (keep font size, wrap lines).
- Alignment: Horizontal (Left/Centre/Right) and Vertical (Top/Centre/Bottom).
Linking Entities to Elements (Linked Items)
- To visually display entity status, link entities to elements using the Linked Items panel.
- Also link an Element Presenter — it contains rules with conditions and display formats that update the element’s appearance based on entity state changes.
- Elements can have multiple entities linked (requires a Multi-Item Element Presenter).
Configuring Actions and Commands
- Use the Actions/Commands panel to configure what happens when operators interact with elements.
- Require validation: Operator must confirm before execution.
- Require Operator credentials: Prompt for credentials before execution.
- Additional Commands: Add extra control options beyond defaults. Operators see available commands when clicking or right-clicking a map element in the Viewer. Additional commands appear at the end of the command list.
- Click Add to create a new additional command.
- Set a Name for the command.
- Click the command field, then select an Action Type from the drop-down.
Additional Command Action Types
| Action Type | Description |
|---|---|
| None | No action. Placeholder for future use or notes. |
| ControllerAction | Assert or dis-assert any action on the controller. Specify the action to send and the edge type. Parameters are identical to Actions found in the Integriti Software Installation Manual. |
| DBBackup | Backup the entire database to a specified location. Options: Include review data, Append date/time stamp to filename. |
| Delay | Used within sequential lists only. Inserts a delay between actions. |
| LogReview | Put a message in Review. Specify the review level and message text. |
| ParallelList | Execute a list of commands simultaneously. Opens a Configure Task Action window for defining parallel actions. |
| SequentialList | Execute a list of commands in order. Opens a Configure Task Action window for defining sequential actions. |
| SyncTime | Synchronise time/date of one or many controllers. Leave the controller field blank to update all controllers, or paste a specific controller name to update only that controller. |
- Mouse Actions:
- None: Disabled.
- Single-Click: Action on click.
- Mouse Up/Mouse Down: Separate actions on press and release.
- Repeated Mouse Actions: Mouse down action repeats at specified frequency until release, then mouse up action executes.
Viewing and Controlling Elements on Schematic Maps
Schematic maps are viewed in either Gate Keeper or System Designer (via the View mode). In viewing mode, map elements update in real time based on linked entity states and presenter rules.
To open a schematic map for viewing:
- Login to Integriti Gate Keeper (or System Designer).
- Navigate to the Schematics tab.
- Double-click any available map to open it.
- In System Designer: open the map for editing first, then click View to open the live viewing window (this may appear in the background).
Interacting with map elements in the Viewer:
- Click a map element to open the Commands side bar.
- Right-click a map element to open the context-sensitive menu.
Both the side bar and context menu present available commands including any configured Additional Commands.
Note: Map elements do not update (reflect live entity states) while you are editing/creating a schematic map. Switch to View mode to see real-time status.
Configuring Camera Field of View (FOV)
- Elements linked to camera entities can have FOV attached.
- Simple FOV: Cone-shaped viewing area; adjustable angle and distance. Simple but ignores obstacles.
- Advanced FOV: Polygon-shaped viewing area; reshapable to avoid walls and obstacles.
- To add FOV: Right-click element > add Fixed FOV or PTZ FOV (prompts for PTZ Preset ID).
- Edit FOV shape by selecting it and dragging control points.
- Delete or change Preset ID via right-click context menu on the FOV.
Configuring Layers
- Layers organise element visibility and can be tied to operator permissions.
- In the Layers Panel, click Add to create a new layer.
- Set the Associated Layer (from the map’s layer list).
- Set Name and Default Visibility.
- Use Preview Visibility in the Editor to simulate.
- To add/remove elements from a layer: Right-click element > Add to Layer or Remove from Layer.
- An element can belong to multiple layers — visible if any containing layer is visible.
Configuring Element Presenters
-
An Element Presenter contains rules that govern how linked elements are drawn based on entity state.
-
Open Schematic & Alerts > Element Presenters, click Add New.
-
Each Presenter has an Item Type (Area, Door, Input, Auxiliary, Camera, Controller, LCD Terminal, Macro, Schematic Map) and a collection of Presenter Rules.
-
Each Rule has:
- Condition: Item-specific property compared against a value (e.g., Input “Alarm” Equals “true”). Click the condition button to open the presenter rule editor, where you select the property, comparison operator, and comparison value. Available properties vary by item type (e.g., for a Door: Is On, Summary, Last Updated, Extended Status, Entity).
- Format Settings: Override the element’s default display properties:
Icon Format
- Click the icon format button to open the icon format window.
- Select the desired image for the specific condition.
- Use Image as Overlay: When checked, the image overlays other images in the element presenter rather than replacing them.
- Animate Once: For animated GIF images: True = play animation once, False = loop indefinitely.
Shape Format
- Show Outline: True/False — disables or enables the border.
- Outline Thickness: Default 5 pixels. 0 = 1-pixel border.
- Opacity: 0 (transparent) to 255 (opaque). Default 128 (semi-transparent).
- Interior Colour: Default Grey (128,128,128). RGB format.
- Outline Colour: Default Black (0,0,0). If set to Transparent, only opacity affects the visible border width.
Label Format
- Use Name For Text: True (default) — displays the name of the linked entity.
- Use State For Text: When True, displays the state of the linked entity.
- Use Alarm Count For Text: When True, displays the alarm count (only has effect if the linked entity has an alarm count).
- Additional Text: Appended to the end of the label, separated by a hyphen.
- Text Colour: Default Black (0,0,0). RGB format.
- Animations: Each format can define animations with:
- Transition Mode: Gradual or Stepped.
- Two Animation Frames: Each with duration (ms), and animatable properties (colour, opacity, size, outline thickness).
Note: Element Presenters have no effect on Image Elements.
Included presenters cover: Area, Auxiliary, Camera, Controller, Door, Input, LCD Terminal, Macro, and Schematic Map.
Verification
- Create a new map with a background image.
- Add shape elements and link them to entities (e.g., door, area).
- Assign element presenters with rules — verify elements change colour/icon based on entity state.
- Add a camera FOV and verify it displays correctly.
- Create layers, assign elements, and test visibility toggling.
- Configure mouse actions and verify operators can execute commands from the Viewer.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Resolution |
|---|---|
| SVG not loading | The schematic editor may not support all SVG variants. Test the SVG in Chrome first. |
| Element not changing with state | Verify the element has both a Linked Item and an Element Presenter. Check presenter rule conditions match expected states. |
| Element not selectable in Viewer | Check “Selectable” property on the element. |
| Element accidentally moved during editing | Lock the element in the Element List or Element Properties. |
| Layer visibility not working | Check Default Visibility and Preview Visibility settings. Verify operator permissions tied to layers. |