Overview of VWorks software user interface

The VWorks software user interface consists of menus and menu commands, toolbars, tabbed areas, and a status bar. The content of each of these items can change depending on whether you are viewing a device file or protocol file.

Basic terminology

The following diagram shows the basic VWorks software user interface elements.

 

 

Item	Terminology	Description
1	Title bar	Displays the name of the window.
2	Menus	Lists menu commands.
3	Toolbars	Displays button commands.
4	Work area	Displays either device files or protocols.
5	Log and progress area	Displays the Main Log, Pipette Log, Time Constraint Log, Progress, and Runset Manager. You use these tabs primarily to set up multiple protocol runs in a sequence and monitor various aspects of the run.
6	Status bar	Displays the state of the software.

Device file terminology

To display device file information, click the tab that displays the name of the device file. The following figure shows the device file user-interface terminology. In the example, the device file name is Device File - 1.

 

 

Item	Terminology	Description
1	Available Devices area	Displays the following tabs: • Available Devices. The list of devices you can add to the device file. • Workspace. The list of protocols, forms, and device files that are currently open. • Available Macros. The list of macros created to expedite the protocol writing process.
2	Device file area	Displays the list of devices that are added to the device file. The area also allows you to: • Initialize all devices. • Initialize selected devices. • Close selected devices. • Delete selected devices. • Open the diagnostics software of the selected device.
3	Device properties area	Displays the properties you can set for the selected device.

Protocol terminology

To display the protocol information, click the tab that displays the name of the protocol. The following diagram shows the protocol user-interface terminology. In the example, the protocol name is Serial Dilution.

 

 

Item	Terminology	Description
1	Available Tasks area	Displays the following tabs: • Available Tasks. The list of tasks you can add to a protocol. The list of tasks can vary, depending on the devices added in the device file and the process or subprocess selected. Note: You can use the filter buttons beneath the tasks to display only the tasks in a selected category. • Workspace. The list of protocols, forms, and device files that are currently open.
2	Protocol area	Displays the following: • Startup Protocol. Contains tasks that must be run before the main protocol starts. • Main Protocol. Contains tasks of the protocol. • Cleanup Protocol. Contains tasks that must be run after the main protocol finishes. • Protocol Options. References the device file and contains additional information associated with the protocol. An open VWorks form will display in the Protocol and Task Parameters areas. If the form displays in full screen mode, the entire form fills the VWorks window. IMPORTANT The computer display must be set to a scale of 100% in order for the VWorks form to display properly.
3	Task Parameters area	Displays one or more of the following, depending on the task selected: • Task Parameters. Contains parameters associated with the selected process plate or task. • Custom Parameters. Allows you to create variables to be used by the selected task. Might also contain parameters or options associated with the task. • Device Selection. Contains the list of devices that will perform the selected task. Also allows you to set up a pool of devices for the same task to increase throughput and backup devices in case the primary devices are in an error state. • Advanced Settings. Allows you to add JavaScript to change the task parameters or pass information to and from an external database during a protocol run.

Related information

 

For information about...	See...
Menu and toolbar commands	Quick reference
Supported devices	Supported devices
Defining labware and liquid classes, tracking labware in storage, and user accounts	VWorks Automation Control Setup Guide