Configuring Multi-Property Dynamic Dialogs for Motor Status on Static Text in WinCC

To animate a Static Text object in SIMATIC WinCC Graphics Designer to display motor state—showing green background with 'READY' when running and red background with 'STOPPED' when halted—configure dual Dynamic Dialogs on the object's Font Text and Background Color properties. In Object Properties, bind property 'Text' to the motor run feedback tag using a Boolean Dynamic Dialog (True = 'READY', False = 'STOPPED'), and bind 'Background Color' to the same tag (True = Green, False = Red). Crucially, set the object's 'Backstyle' property to 'Opaque' and line width to 1 so the background color and border box are visible in runtime.

Operating Principles of Multi-Property WinCC Dynamic Dialogs

In SIMATIC WinCC Graphics Designer, visual status indicators frequently require simultaneous multi-attribute animation. For motor drives, standard ergonomic design mandates that both the textual description and the background color change concordantly with operating status.

The Dynamic Dialog provides compiled, high-performance evaluation of process tags directly inside the WinCC graphics kernel. Unlike C-scripts or VBScript, Dynamic Dialogs incur virtually zero CPU overhead, do not consume script threads, and evaluate instantaneously upon receiving updated process value telegrams.

Configuring Text and Color Dynamics Step-by-Step

Execute the following procedure in Graphics Designer:

Place Static Text: From the Object Palette (Standard > Windows Objects), drag a Static Text onto the picture canvas.
Animate Text Content:
- In Object Properties, expand Font and locate property Text.
- Right-click the lightbulb in the Dynamic column and select Dynamic Dialog....
- Set Result of Expression to Boolean.
- In the Expression/Formula field, browse and select the motor running feedback tag (e.g. 'Motor101.FbkRun.Value').
- In the state table: assign Yes/True = READY (or RUNNING), and No/False = STOPPED.
Animate Background Color:
- In Object Properties, expand Colors and locate property Background Color.
- Right-click the dynamic lightbulb and open Dynamic Dialog....
- Select Boolean evaluation on the identical motor tag.
- In the state table: assign Yes/True = Green (RGB 0, 255, 0), and No/False = Red (RGB 255, 0, 0).

The Mandatory Role of Backstyle and Border Properties

Two common configuration omissions prevent static text boxes from displaying color animations properly:

Backstyle Property: By default, Static Text objects often have property Styles > Backstyle set to Transparent (0). When transparent, the background fill is suppressed regardless of the Background Color value. You must set Backstyle = Opaque (1).
Box Border Appearance: To render a clean box around the text, navigate to Styles > Line Weight and set the value to 1 or 2, and select a dark gray or black Border Color.

Event Trigger Selection: 'Upon Change' Optimization

In both Dynamic Dialogs, examine the Event Name / Trigger field at the bottom of the dialog:

Avoid cyclic polling triggers (such as 2 s or 1 s), which cause noticeable response delays when equipment starts.
Click the clock button and select Upon change of the monitored tag. This ensures that the instant the controller sets FbkRun = 1, the graphic updates in less than 20 milliseconds.

Comparison of Graphic Animation Methods for Status Boxes

The table below contrasts animation methods for motor status indicators:

Configuration MethodExecution LayerScripting NeededUpdate ResponsivenessMaintenance EffortDual Dynamic DialogsWinCC KernelNone (Point & click)Instantaneous (<10 ms)Very Low (Standard method)APL Custom Block IconAPL Faceplate EngineNone (Pre-tested template)InstantaneousLow (Includes faceplate link)C-Script ActionC-Script ThreadYes (SetPropChar / SetPropWord)Fast (~20 ms)High (Requires code maintenance)VBScript ActionGlobal VBS ThreadYes (Item.Text / Item.BackColor)Fast (~30 ms)High (Single-thread queuing risk)Direct Tag ConnectionWinCC Tag EngineNoneInstantaneousNot applicable for dual text/color

Verification

Verify multi-property status animation in runtime:

Save the graphic picture and launch WinCC OS Runtime.
While the motor is stopped (FbkRun = 0), confirm the box displays red background with bold text STOPPED.
Command the motor to start from CFC or operator faceplate (FbkRun = 1).
Confirm that the background instantly switches to green and the text switches to READY.
Disconnect the controller communication cable; confirm the box changes to the invalid quality pattern (gray hatched shading).

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Review the following graphic design precautions:

High-Contrast Typography: Ensure the text font color (e.g. white or black) maintains high legibility across both red and green backgrounds. Dark text on deep red can be difficult to read under industrial lighting.
Ergonomic Standards: Modern process standards (ISA-101) recommend muted gray for normal running and bright color highlights strictly for abnormal trip conditions; verify plant engineering style guides.
Tag Quality Code Evaluation: Enable Evaluate quality code in the Dynamic Dialog to avoid showing false healthy states if sensor wiring fails.

Engineer FAQ

Can a single Dynamic Dialog control both text and color simultaneously?

No. A Dynamic Dialog binds to one specific object property. To animate both text and background color on the same Static Text object, configure two separate Dynamic Dialogs: one on the 'Text' property and one on 'Background Color'.

Why does the Static Text stay gray when the motor runs?

Ensure property 'Styles > Backstyle' is set to 'Opaque'. If Backstyle is set to 'Transparent', the background color remains invisible regardless of tag state.

How can I add faceplate opening functionality to this custom static text box?

In Object Properties under Events, expand Mouse > Mouse Click, assign a C-Action or Dynamic Wizard 'Call Faceplate', and bind it to the motor technological block instance.