---
task: Configure operator layouts (Layouts.xml): windows, menus, toolbars, frames, popups; open displays in frames and layouts
version: R1.03
source: Layouts.readme (installed, %TLS_WAP_PATH%\cfg\operatorInterfaces\DEPLOY\layouts); IM 36K10R30-01EN §1, §4.7; IM 36K10C50-01EN §4.12; practiced with CI-Eng-Sample (layout CIENG_Operator) in the Operator Interface (desktop) and the HTML display 2026-10-01; parameter-by-parameter test (§6) on both clients 2026-10-02, web behaviour also read from the installed web client code (mobileoperator fasttools.min.js)
status: verified (parameters tested on desktop and web 2026-10-02 except `<tab>` options, print orientation/margins, playback and multi-screen positions)
---

# Operator layouts

A **layout** is a window of the Operator Interface: optional menu and toolbars, a **frame set**
(required) holding displays, and a status line. All layouts of a deployment are in one file,
`%TLS_WAP_PATH%\cfg\operatorInterfaces\DEPLOY\layouts\Layouts.xml`, used by **both** the
Operator Interface (desktop) and the HTML display (web). The complete option and command
reference is `Layouts.readme` in the same folder; `Layouts-original.xml` is the factory copy.

## 1. Rules

- `Layouts.xml` is shared by every operator: back it up and change it only with the user's
  approval. Keep project layouts in a marked block so they can be removed cleanly (sample:
  `examples/CI-Eng-Sample/layouts/layout.ps1` + `CIENG_Operator.xml`; the script checks the XML
  is well-formed, keeps UTF-8 without BOM and CRLF, and `-Remove` restores the file byte for byte).
- **The Operator Interface reads `Layouts.xml` only when it starts.** After a change, close and
  restart it. A running client does not know a new layout: opening a display in it only reloads
  the current window ("blink"). The Edit Module also needs a restart to offer the new name in
  the *Open display* action.
- Name the main frame **`default`**: the factory and AOG displays (alarm lists, faceplates,
  toolbar commands) open their targets in a frame called `default`. At login the user profile's
  *Initial display* replaces the `initialDisplay` of frame `default` (desktop; web: `?d=`).
- Layouts used by **both** clients must have the web-compatible shape (§6.1): per frame set at
  most one `n*` division, and at most one nested frame set, placed in that `n*` slot. Always
  set `title` and `drawBorder`.
- Menu items whose command has an on/off state (`toolbar`, `statusline`, `playback record`)
  **must** be `type="check"`: otherwise the Operator Interface fails at start
  (`ClassCastException … JCheckBoxMenuItem`).

## 2. Structure

```xml
<layout name="<Name>" title="<text> $default" icon="poi.png" drawBorder="true"
        sizingAllowed="true" minimizingAllowed="true" closingAllowed="true" alwaysOnTop="false"
        initialPosition="centreScreen" initialSize="pixels" initialSizeWidth="1600"
        initialSizeHeight="900" maximumOpen="1">
  <menu> <menu-item name="m.file" label="File"> <menu-item … command="exit"/> </menu-item> … </menu>
  <toolbar name="t1" floatable="false" position="top"> <toolbar-item icon="ciNavLeft32.png"
           tooltip="Back to $" command="navigate back default"/> … </toolbar>
  <frame-set rows="1*,fitDisplay">            <!-- main area, alarm banner below -->
    <frame-set cols="fitDisplay,1*">          <!-- navigation left, main right -->
      <frame name="nav" initialDisplay="<NavDisplay>" zoomingAllowed="false"/>
      <frame name="default" initialDisplay="<Overview>" stackSize="10" zoom="fitDisplay"/>
    </frame-set>
    <frame name="alarmBannerFrame" initialDisplay="AOG_AlarmBanner" zoom="stretchDisplay"/>
  </frame-set>
  <status-line> <status-line-item type="statusText"/> <status-line-separator/> … </status-line>
</layout>
```

- `title`: `$<frame>` = title of the display in that frame (verified: *CI-Eng-Sample - Current
  Alarm Overview*).
- Window: `initialPosition` (`centreScreen`, `atCursor`, `pixelsScreen2`, `centreLayout`, …),
  `initialSize` (`pixels`, `screenSize`, `desktopSize`, `fitFrames`), `maximumOpen`, `modal`,
  `alwaysOnTop`, print options.
- Frame sets: `rows` / `cols` with pixels, `n*` or `fitDisplay` (fractions are not honoured and
  the web client limits nesting: §6.1); a `<tab>`
  holds several frames as tabs (`tabPosition`, `maximumTabs`, `closeTabAllowed`). Frame options:
  `name`, `initialDisplay` (= home display), `stackSize` (back/forward history), `zoom`
  (`fitDisplay`, `stretchDisplay`, `<n>%`), `zoomingAllowed`, `scrollingAllowed`, `borderStyle`.
- Menu (max. two levels; `type` normal/check/radio/sub; `mnemonic`, `accelerator` like `F5`,
  `CONTROL P`) and toolbar items (`icon` from the factory set such as `ciNavLeft32.png`,
  `ciProAlar32.png`, `ciZoomFull32.png`; `type` combo/editableCombo/dropdownList) run commands:

| Command | Effect |
|---|---|
| `navigate to <frame> <display> [<zoom>] [<p>=<v>;…]` | Open a display in a frame (with parameters) |
| `navigate back/forward/up/home/history <frame>` | Frame history (`$` in the tooltip = target name) |
| `reload <frame>` / `reload all` | Reload displays (keeps the session in the HTML display) |
| `zoom <level> <frame>` | 0 = fit, 1 = 100 %, 10–1000 = relative % |
| `toggleSize fullScreen [n]` / `toggleSize x,y,WxH` | Full screen / given size and back |
| `print frame|frameWithSetup|preview|setup|selectFrame` | Printing (desktop only) |
| `login`, `logout`, `exit`, `toolbar`, `statusline`, `playback record|view`, `shell client|server <cmd>`, `lookfeel <class>` | |
| `help` | Listed in the readme but fails in R1.03: *Unrecognized keyword* (ISS-062) — do not use |

  The installed status line also uses item types `displayName`, `playbackIndicator` and
  `dateTime`, which the readme does not list (ISS-042).
- `<translations name="nl">` blocks translate labels per locale (key = item name + `.label`).

## 3. Opening displays in frames and layouts

| From | How |
|---|---|
| Button / component (Edit Module, *Actions* sheet → *Open display*) | Display, **Layout** (empty = current window), **Frame**, parameters; stored as `<action type="actionActivateDisplay">` with `<type … value="ActivateSpecific"/>`, `<display>`, `<layout>`, `<layoutFrame>` |
| Menu / toolbar | `navigate to <frame> <display>` (current window only) |
| Login | User profile *Layout* and *Initial display* (Engineering Module, Authorization > Users); empty layout = `default` (from docs; not changed on the test system) |
| HTML display | URL `?d=<display>&l=<layout>` |
| Script on a component | *Execute command* with `ACTION <layout command>`, e.g. `ACTION toggleSize 50,50,710x520` |

Verified behaviour (desktop): a button with layout `CIENG_Operator` opened a **second window**
(1600 × 900, own menu/toolbar/frames); buttons without layout opened their display in the main
frame of the current window; **Back** returned. A button with layout `popup` opened a separate
window: always on top, only a close button, sized to the display (`fitFrames`), and minimised
together with the window that opened it — use popups only for small displays (faceplates,
setpoint dialogs).

## 4. Typical project layouts

- **Operator main window**: navigation frame + main frame `default` (+ tabs) + alarm banner,
  project menu/toolbar, assigned to operators via the user profile *Layout*.
- **Kiosk / control-room screen**: `drawBorder="false"`, `alwaysOnTop="true"`,
  `initialSize="screenSize"`, `closingAllowed="false"`, `minimizingAllowed="false"`.
  `toggleSize fullScreen` covers the taskbar only when `alwaysOnTop="true"` (verified: with
  `false` the title bar and taskbar stay).
- **Popups / faceplates**: small layout with one frame `default`, `initialSize="fitFrames"`,
  `initialPosition="atCursor"`, `alwaysOnTop="true"`, `maximumOpen` > 1 for several faceplates
  (factory: `popup`, `FixedPopup`, `ResizablePopup`, `faceplate`, `tuningpanel`, `Setpoint`,
  `SelectMode`).
- **Several screens**: one layout per screen with `initialPosition="pixelsScreen2"` /
  `centreScreen2`, or the dual-screen pattern of IM 36K10R30 §1.10.

## 5. HTML display differences

The browser window is the main layout (its size and window options are ignored); other layouts
open as windows inside the page; print, look-and-feel and the debug key are not supported; pick
the layout with `&l=`. Verified: `?d=CIENG_Tank&l=CIENG_Operator` showed the sample menu,
toolbar, navigation frame and banner.

## 6. Parameter reference: desktop vs web (tested 2026-10-02)

Test method: a marked test block in `Layouts.xml`; each layout started on the desktop with
`jwuipoi.cmd -layout <name>` (start options from the installed client: `-layout`, `-display`,
`-host`, `-port`, `-secure`, `-hide`, `-timeout`, `-readtimeout`, `-ssotoken`) and in the browser
with `?d=<display>&l=<layout>`. Desktop windows checked with window captures, web pages in the
browser and in the web client code. "n/a" = the browser window is the main layout.

### 6.1 Frames

| Parameter | Desktop | Web |
|---|---|---|
| `rows`/`cols` in pixels | exact | exact |
| `fitDisplay` | fits the display | edge panel only; default 200 px (left/right) or 50 px (top) |
| `n*` fractions (`2*,1*`) | **not honoured** (sizes follow the displays, e.g. 800:88 px) | every `n*` becomes the *main* panel; two `n*` overwrite each other, only the last display shows |
| Divisions per frame set | any | first = top/left, last = bottom/right, `n*` = main; more do not fit |
| Nested `frame-set` | anywhere, several | **always placed in the parent's main panel**; two nested sets, or one in an edge position, break the page (stays on *Loading…*) |
| Frame `zoom` (`fitDisplay`, `stretchDisplay`, `n%`) | applied | ignored (always 100 %) |
| `borderStyle` | drawn | only with `drawBorder="true"`; every value except `none` becomes a 1 px line |
| `stackSize` | honoured | honoured; default when missing = 1 |
| `zoomingAllowed="false"` | `zoom` commands on that frame do nothing | zoom not supported at all |
| `scrollingAllowed` | scrollbars when the display is larger | panel overflow auto/hidden |
| `initialDisplay` of frame `default` | replaced by the user profile's initial display | replaced by `?d=` |

### 6.2 Window (`<layout>`)

| Parameter | Desktop | Web |
|---|---|---|
| `title` | `$<frame>` → display **title** | `$<frame>` → display title or name; **missing `title` → tab shows "undefined"** and a script error |
| `icon` | title bar and taskbar | favicon |
| `drawBorder` | default **false** = no title bar and no border | frame borders only |
| `sizingAllowed`, `minimizingAllowed` | default **false** | n/a |
| `closingAllowed="false"` | close button still shown, closing is ignored; closing the last window ends the client | n/a |
| `alwaysOnTop` | topmost window | n/a |
| `initialPosition` `pixels`, `pixelsScreen1`, `centreScreen` | exact | n/a |
| `initialSize` `pixels` / `fitFrames` / `screenSize` / `desktopSize` | exact / wraps the display / whole screen incl. taskbar (same on one screen) | n/a |
| Defaults (nothing set) | borderless, at 0,0, sized to the display | works |
| `lookAndFeel` (Metal) | applied; adds a second (Metal) title bar inside the window | n/a |

### 6.3 Menu, toolbars, status line

| Item | Desktop | Web |
|---|---|---|
| `type="sub"` / `check` / `radio` | work (radio bullet, check tick) | **not shown** (items dropped) |
| `accelerator` | F11 works; F5 / ALT keys not confirmed | — |
| `$` in `tooltip` | resolved | resolved |
| Toolbar `position="top"` | shown | shown |
| Toolbar `left` / `right` | shown | **not shown** |
| Toolbar `bottom` | **not shown** (two layouts tried) | not shown |
| Toolbar item `combo`, `editableCombo`, `dropdownList` | shown | shown |
| Status line, all 8 types | shown | shown |

### 6.4 Commands

| Command | Desktop | Web |
|---|---|---|
| `navigate to <frame> <display> [zoom] [params]` | works, zoom applied | works, **zoom ignored** |
| `navigate back/forward/home/up/history/backList/forwardList` | work | work (`home` is added to the history) |
| `reload <frame>` / `reload all` | work | work |
| `zoom <level> <frame>` (0, 1, 2, 0.5, 150) | work | not supported |
| `toggleSize fullScreen [n]` | work area (taskbar stays unless `alwaysOnTop`); again = back | browser full screen; screen number ignored |
| `toggleSize x,y,WxH` | works; again = back | not possible in a browser tab |
| `toolbar` (check) | hides/shows **all** toolbars; `toolbar false` behaves as a toggle too | no effect |
| `statusline` (check) | hides/shows (a piece of the date field stays painted) | no effect |
| `print …` | preview / setup dialogs open | disabled |
| `login` / `logout` / `exit` | — / — / closes | login disabled; logout, exit work |
| `shell client <cmd>` | runs on the client (Notepad opened) | sent to the server; `shell client ACTION <layout command>` runs a layout command |
| `lookfeel <class>` | — | no effect |
| `playback record` (check) / `view` | — | not supported (view disabled) |
| `help` | **error** *Unrecognized keyword* | — |

"—" = not checked.

### 6.5 Layouts opened from a display, translations, debug key

Tested with a launcher display (copy of `CIENG_Menu` whose buttons use *Open display* with a
layout and frame `default`).

| Parameter | Desktop | Web |
|---|---|---|
| `modal="true"` | dialog window (no min/max); the opener is disabled until it closes | in-page window with a full-page lock; centred |
| `maximumOpen="2"` | 2 windows; the 3rd click: *The display '…' cannot be activated because the maximum number of windows is reached* | same (in-page windows, same message) |
| Popup size (`initialSize="pixels"`) | applied | applied (500×350, 450×300) |
| `initialPosition="centreFrame"` | **at 0,0** (not centred) | centred in the page |
| `initialPosition="centreLayout"` | near the opener, not exactly centred (opener partly off-screen) | centred in the page |
| `atCursor` / `awayFromCursor` | opened at 1677,363 near the launcher click (cursor position not logged) / at 10,890, the far bottom-left corner | — |
| `<translations name="<locale>">` | applied for the exact JVM locale (`en_AU` here): layout `title`, menu and toolbar `label`, `tooltip`; **no fallback** from `en_AU` to `en` | browser locale `en-US`: neither `en_AU` nor `en` applied |
| `debugActivationKey` (`CONTROL SHIFT F6`) | opens the *Graphics debugger* (connections and parameters of the display) | not supported (see §5) |

Keys: `<layout name>.title`, `<item name>.label|tooltip|mnemonic|accelerator`. The desktop
locale comes from Windows (the start script sets no `-Duser.language`).

## Verified (CI-Eng-Sample, 2026-10-01)

`layout.ps1` add / remove / add (removal identical to the original, backup kept); Operator
Interface restart required before the layout was found; desktop and web windows as described
above; F11 (`toggleSize fullScreen`) worked within the taskbar limits; after restarting the
Operator Interface the main window still used the factory `default` layout (Admin profile
unchanged).