Transforming the Project Editor: HSYCO 4 Redefines Building Automation UI Design

Embracing Flexibility and Modernization

HSYCO 4 revolutionizes building automation UI design with its all-new Project Editor, marking a significant leap forward in flexibility and modernization. For users familiar with version 3.x, the transformation is immediately evident: HSYCO 4 introduces a completely restructured and redesigned interface, enhancing flexibility and ushering in a modern approach to UI building. Whether you’re a long-time user or new to the platform, these updates are set to redefine the way you design your supervision interfaces for building automation protocols like KNX, Modbus, and BACnet, as well as SCADA systems.

New Project Editor: A Streamlined and Intuitive Experience

In HSYCO 3.x, the Project Editor relied on a tabbed interface that compartmentalized entities like “Project,” “Pages,” and “Objects” into separate tabs, each with further sub-tabs for selection, editing, and addition. This structure often led to a disjointed workflow and confusion about where to find or modify specific settings.

Image: Comparison of the old and new Project Editor UIs.

HSYCO 4 replaces this segmented approach with a cohesive, hierarchical list panel that intuitively organizes entities—projects, pages, and objects—in a clear, expandable structure. This new layout allows users to seamlessly navigate between creating and editing entities without losing context. An additional panel now serves as a universal edit space, accommodating all attributes for the currently selected entity, whether it’s a project, page, or object. This redesign not only simplifies the UI but also accelerates the design process by reducing the cognitive load on the user.

Redesigned Object Attributes: All You Need, All in One Place

One of the most significant enhancements in HSYCO 4 is the complete overhaul of the object attribute system. In version 3.x, objects had limited attributes that could be set directly within the Project Editor, with more complex settings requiring “UISet” instructions executed server-side and documented separately.

In contrast, HSYCO 4 consolidates all object attributes within the Project Editor itself, providing a comprehensive, well-documented list that is accessible both during the design phase and dynamically through server-side code (e.g. Events scripts). This means every attribute can be adjusted live, offering unparalleled control and customization. No more switching between multiple tabs or referencing external documentation everything you need is right at your fingertips, complete with inline documentation and code examples to guide you.

Quality of Life Enhancements: A Smoother Workflow

The new version is packed with features designed to streamline your workflow and improve the overall user experience:

• Context Menus: Common actions like copy, paste, and arrange are now just a right-click away, making the editing process quicker and more intuitive.
• Version History: HSYCO 4 introduces automatic server backups of the latest project versions, allowing you to easily track changes and revert to previous states if needed.
• Client-Side Debug Mode: Enable debug mode directly from the client side, making it easier than ever to troubleshoot and refine your UI designs.

Flexible and Powerful New Objects

HSYCO 4 not only modernizes existing objects but also introduces new, versatile components that significantly expand your UI capabilities:
• Unified Button Object: Instead of multiple variations based on size (e.g. user, usermini, usermicro) and function (e.g. button, user, download), HSYCO 4 offers a single, highly customizable button object. Adjust its appearance (color, shape, layout) and function (command, device interaction, download, etc.) to suit any need.

Image: Examples of the range of button customizations available in HSYCO 4.

• Introducing New Powerful Objects: New additions like the Table object provide a ready-to-use solution for displaying and editing data in a tabular format. Navigation aids like Nav and Breadcrumbs objects simplify the creation of modern navigation flows.

• An upgraded form system: Now offers fields with multiple types—select menus, date and time pickers, color pickers, radio groups, and switches—enhancing user interaction.

• Enhanced Visual Options: Bring your UIs to life with animated backgrounds, object transitions, and access to a robust icon library featuring over 7,000 scalable icons. These enhancements enable users to build more engaging, visually appealing interfaces.

Seamless Compatibility and Continuous Improvement

HSYCO 4 is designed with a strong commitment to backward compatibility, ensuring that most projects from version 3.x work seamlessly thanks to an automated converter. This dedication to maintaining compatibility while pushing forward with new features underscores HSYCO’s commitment to continuous improvement, allowing users to benefit from modernized tools without sacrificing the integrity of their existing setups.

Conclusion: Unlock the Full Potential of Your Automation Projects

HSYCO 4 is all about empowering you to create, customize, and control your projects like never before. With its intuitive Project Editor, powerful attribute system, and a host of innovative features, HSYCO 4 sets a new standard in UI flexibility and design for building automation. Ready to explore the new possibilities? Existing users are encouraged to contact us for personalized demos to see how these changes can elevate their projects. Dive into HSYCO 4 today and discover a more flexible, modern, and engaging way to build your interfaces.