Add an Abstract Item to a Group Template

To reduce the need for multiple similar Group Templates on your system, you can add Abstract point and outstation items to your Group Templates. The Abstract Items are ignored by the server, until you convert them into non-abstract point or outstation types, within the Group Instances.

To add an Abstract item to a Group Template:

1. Display the Database Bar (see Display an Explorer Bar).
2. In the Database Bar, right-click on the Group Template to which you want to add an item.
   A context sensitive menu is displayed.
3. Select the Create New option.
   A further menu is displayed.
4. Select the Abstract option.
   A further menu is displayed.

   Some drivers also support driver-specific Abstract items. To add a driver-specific Abstract item, select the <Driver Name> option (for example, DNP3), rather than the Abstract option.

5. Select the relevant type of Abstract item (see Types of Abstract Item).
   An Abstract item is added to the selected Group Template. The Abstract item is selected automatically, ready for you to define its name.

   Example:

   

6. Enter a suitable name for the item (taking into account the ClearSCADA Naming Restrictions).
7. Press the Enter key, or select another part of the ViewX Interface to confirm the name entry.

Suitably configure the Abstract item within the Group Template, and specify any local overrides, as appropriate (see Configure the Items in a Group Template, and see Define which Property Values Derive from a Group Template).

Once you have added a Group Instance and associated it with your Group Template (see Add a Group Instance), you can convert the Abstract item into a specific type of point or outstation within that Group Instance (see Convert an Abstract Item into a ‘Real’ Point or Outstation).

For an example demonstrating how Abstract Items might be used on a system, see Convert an Abstract Item into a Specific Type of Point.