Nexto XF – #45 Using Trace

The objective of this tutorial is to explain how to use Trace manipulation tools in a MasterTool X project.

Components

Equipment: 1 computer/notebook.

Software: MasterTool X

Tutorial Sections

1. ARCHITECTURE
2. DEVELOPMENT

1. ARCHITECTURE

A computer/notebook will be required to use MasterTool X.

Figure 1. Computer running MasterTool X

2. DEVELOPMENT

After configuring and starting a Trace, MasterTool IEC XE provides several tools for controlling the graph visualization and manipulating the collected data.

These options can be accessed by right-clicking on the Trace area, opening the context menu with the trace control functions.

Figure 2. Trace Functionalities

Add Variable

Allows you to include new variables in the trace graph.

After selecting this option, the user can choose which project variables they want to monitor on the graph.

Download Trace

Sends the Trace configuration to the controller.

This command is necessary when:

• The trace has been created or modified
• The graph still does not show data even with the PLC in RUN

Start Trace

Manually starts data collection for the variables configured in Trace.

Stop Trace

Stops data capture from the graph without deleting already recorded information.

Reset Trigger

Resets the trace trigger condition when Trace is configured with some type of trigger to start data capture.

Automatic Scrolling

When enabled, the graph scrolls automatically as new data is recorded, always keeping the most recent points visible.

When disabled, the graph remains fixed, allowing the user to analyze specific points in the history.

Cursor

Activates a measurement cursor on the graph, allowing precise verification of variable values ​​at a specific point in time.

Trace Zoom Tools

Trace also allows you to manipulate the graph view using the mouse scroll wheel.

Conventional Zoom (Mouse Scroll)

When using only the mouse scroll wheel, the software zooms on the time axis (X-axis).

This means that:

• The graph will be expanded or compressed horizontally
• The vertical axis (variable values) remains unchanged

This mode is useful for:

• Analyzing events in more detail over time
• Zooming in or out on the signal history view

Vertical Zoom (Ctrl + Scroll)

If the user presses the CTRL key while using the mouse scroll wheel, the zoom behavior changes.

In this case:

• The X-axis remains fixed
• The Y-axis is expanded or compressed

This allows you to adjust the scale of the variable values, making it easier to visualize when the signals have very different amplitudes.

Other Viewing Options

In addition to manual zoom, Trace also has automatic view adjustment options:

Reset View
Restores the graph to the default view. 

Automatic Adjustment
The software automatically adjusts the graph scale to better frame the recorded data.

Compress
Reduces the graph scale to visualize a larger amount of data in the same space.

Stretch
Expands the graph scale, allowing observation of finer details of variable variation.

Note
The correct use of Trace's zoom and navigation tools is fundamental for accurately analyzing the behavior of variables over time, especially in situations involving fault diagnosis, critical timing, or analysis of rapid events within the control system.