Create A Custom Gauge

When you add a Custom Gauge block to your model, the block is preconfigured with a default design. You can use the preconfigured Custom Gauge block like you would other Dashboard blocks, or you can customize the appearance. To customize the block, click the Edit Custom Gauge button that appears above the Custom Gauge block when you pause on it.

In Custom Gauge edit mode, the customization menu appears above the block. Separate images specify the appearance of the needle and the background. You can also customize the size of the dial arc and the color and transparency of the arc and tick marks. To build from the default design, you can individually select the needle image, background image, and arc to reposition and resize each feature. If you want to start from a blank canvas, you can remove the arc with the Clear Arc button. You can remove the needle and background images by clicking the X that appears when you pause on the needle or background image buttons.

The blank canvas for the Custom Gauge block shows a circle with its center marked to help guide alignment as you build your customized gauge. You can drag the center marker to align the center of your arc with the center of the arc in your background image. To add an image for the needle or the gauge background, click the button for the type of image you want to add. Then, select the image you want to use. When you add a gauge background image, the Custom Gauge block Lock Aspect Ratio parameter is selected. You can resize the block without distorting the image. If you want to change the aspect ratio of the block after adding a gauge background image, clear the Lock Aspect Ratio parameter.

To draw the arc for your gauge, click and drag along the guide circle. As you draw the arc, crosshairs appear to assist you with aligning the start and end points of the arc. After you release the mouse, you can continue to adjust the arc position and size. The arc options on the toolbar control the appearance of the arc, tick marks, and the value arc that indicates the value of the connected signal or parameter during simulation. The slider adjusts the transparency of the selected feature, and the color wheel allows you to specify the color. You can configure the arc as fully transparent when your background image includes the representation of the gauge face you want to use.

When you finish editing the appearance of your Custom Gauge block, click the Exit button in the upper-right of the model canvas or press Esc to exit Custom Gauge edit mode.

Connecting Dashboard Blocks

Dashboard blocks do not use ports to connect to signals. To connect dashboard blocks to signals in your model, use connect mode. Connect mode facilitates the process of connecting dashboard blocks in your model, especially when you want to connect multiple blocks at once. If you only want to connect a single dashboard block, you can also use the Connection table in the block dialog box.

To enter connect mode, pause on an unconnected dashboard block and click the Connect button that appears above the block.

In connect mode, when you select one or more signals or blocks, a list of signals that are available for connection appears. Select a signal from the list to connect to the selected dashboard block. To connect another dashboard block, pause on the block you want to connect and click the Connect button above it. Then, select one or more signals and blocks in the model and choose a signal to connect.

When you finish connecting the dashboard blocks in your model, click the Exit button in the upper-right of the canvas.