Numeric display vs Text object

[JZerb]

Working in FTVS10 and was just curious as to other people’s preferences and perhaps some logical reasoning as to why you would use one over the other? A numeric display or a text object with a numeric tag variable in it. Just to display a simple number on the screen.

 

[rdrast]

Neither.
I use multi-state indicators with variables embedded in them.
The numeric display is just plain useless, and the text one not much better.

 

[JZerb]

Neither.
I use multi-state indicators with variables embedded in them.
The numeric display is just plain useless, and the text one not much better.

Interesting. So say you had an operator set a timer for a process. They set minutes and seconds sepereatley with s numeric input keypad, then I normally display what they have input above it. Sometimes I’ve used text with variables, other times I’ve used numeric displays, and I have no rhyme or reason why I’ve chosen one or the other when designing the screens.

My assumption is that a text object allows for greater flexibility since you can write expressions in it and such. But again I was just wondering what other people’s preferences were and why.

 

[ianingram]

Just to display a simple number on the screen.

I find that the numeric display has the disadvantage that you cannot display units to suit the number.

By units I mean %, Kgs, Degrees C, kPa, etc

With a text object with a numeric tag, the % can fit in just after the tag name

 

[rdrast]

I find that the numeric display has the disadvantage that you cannot display units to suit the number.

By units I mean %, Kgs, Degrees C, kPa, etc

With a text object with a numeric tag, the % can fit in just after the tag name

It also insists on presenting itself with a truly ugly, wide, monospaced font, and refuses to allow the display designer to control it's appearance.