Published: February 2013
Author: Cade Engle
This article is also published in the February issue of Automated Buildings.
Photo-realistic Graphics are the Future for BAS
It’s a visual age; where even when watching TV we want to be immersed in our movies or feel like we’re sitting in the front row at the football game. As graphics capabilities evolve, we expect the same in the building automation world. As a control system graphic designer at QA Graphics, I’ve personally seen this trend take shape.
Symbol libraries and stock images used within the industry have significantly advanced. QA Graphics has led many of these trends, driving the industry to higher graphics standards. They created custom symbol libraries for six of the largest control manufacturers, most recently having provided 3D image creation and super templates for Johnson Controls Inc.’s Metasys® Graphics+ graphics package and the 3D graphic library for Tridium’s Niagara AX Framework® 3.7.
I do see a large interest in the industry for system graphic development using existing stock graphics, but I have also increasingly seen the interest of clients wanting more realistic features. There have been limitations as to what custom can mean, but as control systems evolve, it’s allowing more capabilities than ever. Building operators want the equipment they are looking at on-screen to look just like what they are actually seeing in the mechanical rooms. Years from now, we’ll probably be able to check system controls by viewing a fly-through of a fully custom-designed, photo-realistic mechanical room.
