Copy an Object Type

About this task

When you create an object type, you also create the default template, custom templates, and variables for each template. For information on each of these template types and variables, refer to About a Historian Model and About Object Templates.

When you copy an object type, all the templates and variables are copied too.

This topic describes how to copy an object type. You can also create one.

Procedure

  1. Access Configuration Hub.
  2. In the Navigation section, select Model. Alternatively, you can select Systems, and then in the row containing the system in which you want to create a model, select , and then select Browse Model.
    The Model section appears.
  3. Under Object Types, select the object type that you want to copy, and then select Duplicate.
    The Duplicate Object Type window appears.
  4. Enter values as described in the following table.
    Field Description
    NAME Enter a name for the object type. A value is required and must be unique.
    The value that you enter:
    • Must begin with a letter or a number.
    • Can contain up to 256 characters.
    • Can include any of the following special characters: /!|#{}%$-_
    • Must not include a space or any of the following characters: ~`+^:;.,?"*={}@
    DESCRIPTION Enter a description for the object type.
  5. Select Create.
    The object type is copied, along with the variables and templates in the original object type.
  6. Right-click the object type that you have copied (or select ), and then select Edit.
    The <object type name> section appears. The OBJECT TYPE TEMPLATE field contains all the templates in the original object type. In addition, each template contains all the variables as defined in the original object type.
  7. To add more variables to a template:
    1. In the OBJECT TYPE TEMPLATE field, select the template to which you want to add more variables.
    2. In the Variables table, select New.
      A blank row appears in the table.
    3. Enter values as described in the following table.
      Column Description
      VARIABLES Enter the name of the variable. It must be unique for the object type.
      VARIABLE TYPE Choose one of the following types of variables:
      • Direct: Tags for these variables are created in Historian when you select a collector instance.
      • Indirect: These variables are mapped with existing Historian tags.
      • Static: These variables have a static value, which you provide when you create an object instance.
      DATATYPE Select the data type of the variable.
      DESCRIPTION Enter a description for the variable.
      INCLUDE Switch the toggle to indicate whether you want to include the variable in the template.
      Tip: If you want to modify a variable, change the values in the aforementioned fields. If you want to delete a variable, select the check box next to the variable, and then select .
      Note: After you apply a template to an object instance, you cannot modify or delete a variable in the object type; you can only add more variables.
    4. Press ENTER.
      The default template is modified, and the new variables have been added. You can add more variables or include/exclude variables later too.
      Note: If you want to create a variable by copying an existing one, select the check box next to the variable that you want to copy, and then select . You can copy only one variable at a time.
  8. In the upper-left corner of the page, select Save.


    The object type, along with the default template, custom templates, and variables, is created.

What to do next

Create an object instance.