Signal Viewer¶

With the Signal Viewer, you can plot and analyze the signals of a trace file. It currently supports the following file formats:

.MDF
.CSV
.DAT
.MAT
.TDMS

The Signal Viewer is opened directly via the context menu of a trace file:

During the startup process, you can cancel the loading at any time. In this case, all the data loaded so far will be displayed.

The function of the left mouse button depends on the tool selected in the toolbar.

Push and hold the right mouse button to select an area to zoom in.

It is also possible to zoom with the mouse wheel.

Legend¶

In the menu View ‣ Legend you can switch the legend on and off. Left-click and hold on the legend to move it.

In addition to the assignment of the signal curves to their names, the legend has the following features:

Double-clicking on a signal adjusts the display area to the signal.
Right-clicking on a signal opens a context menu offering the options
- to open a signal configuration dialog
- or to adjust the display area to the signal.
By pressing and holding the middle mouse button or the mouse wheel, the signal is highlighted in the display area.

Showing the mouse position¶

In the menu View ‣ Show mouse position you can show or hide the mouse position.

It is important to note that this is only the mouse position. It is not guaranteed that the displayed coordinates are also real signal values when pointing over a signal.

The icons in the toolbar from left to right:

Display area adapted to all signals
Assign function to the left mouse button: Move display area
Assign function to the left mouse button: Show signal values

Adapt display area to all signals¶

Adjusts the display area so that all signals are completely visible.

Move the display area¶

If this tool is activated, you can move the display area around by pressing and holding the left mouse button.

Show signal values¶

If this tool is activated, the values of a signal can be displayed. Select a signal by left-clicking on it. If a signal is selected, it will be shown by a signal value in the corresponding color next to the clicking point. Now you can go along the time axis, by pressing and holding the left mouse button, to show the values of the signal. It is not necessary to hit the signal itself, the signal next to the mouse position will be shown.

Configure signals¶

../_images/SignalViewer_SignalKonfig.png

Select View -> Configure signals in the menu to open the signal configuration window. The same window comes up automatically when you open a file with more than 10 signals to make a pre-selection of the signals to be shown. The selection can later be edited at any time.

Column ‘Signals’: Here, the signal names are listed. The checkbox in front of a signal name enables or disables the signal. If you want to enable or disable multiple signals simultaneously, just select the signals and then right-click in the signal column or press the spacebar.
Column ‘Color’: Here, the color of the signal is listed in hexadecimal. By right-clicking in this column, a dialog opens to change this color as desired. Even if you have selected more than one signal, only the one which was right clicked will be changed.
Column ‘Drawing style’: Here, the way the signal looks like in the plot is listed. By right-clicking in this column, a context menu opens, to change the drawing style. The change applies to all selected signals. Detailed settings and more information can be found in the configuration dialog for individual signals.
Column ‘y-Min’ and ‘y-Max’: Here, the global minimum and maximum of the signal values of all loaded timestamps are listed. By right-clicking in one of the two columns, a context menu opens, where you can change the display area for this signal. This requires that the corresponding signal is enabled.

Double-clicking on a signal row opens a configuration dialog for a more detailed display setting.

Signal configuration dialog¶

../_images/SignalViewer_SignalDialog.png

Visibility¶

Enables or disables the visibility of the signal.

Color¶

In a color selection dialog the color of the signal can be selected.

Drawing style¶

Sets the drawing style for the signal.

Linear: The signal values are connected linearly.
Linear with marker: Same as linear with additional highlighted signal values.
Staircase: The signal values are connected staircase-shaped, i.e. the signal value remains the same until the next timestamp and then jumps to the next value.
Staircase with marker: Same as staircase with additional highlighted signal values.
Scatter: The signal values are not connected, but merely highlighted.

Line style¶

Sets the line style for the signal (ignored if drawing style ‘scatter’ is selected).

continuous line (-)
dashed line (–)
dashed dotted line (-.)
dotted Linie (:)

Line width¶

Sets the line width for the signal (ignored if drawing style ‘scatter’ is selected).

Marker style¶

Sets the marker style for highlighted signal values (only for drawing styles with marker). The symbolic options correspond to the highlighting.

Marker size¶

Sets the marker size for highlighted signal values (only for drawing styles with marker).

All settings for the signals are automatically saved when you exit the viewer. If you open the file again, the last settings are used. The same also applies to signals whose name match that of a signal that has already been stored.