An XControl defines a graphical interface for users, which can be composed of any E3 objects, aiming to be easily replicated by a project. Users can create an XControl by right-clicking a .lib file created in a Domain or the Objects Library - XControls item, and then selecting the Insert - XControl option.
Design tab of an XControl
Properties tab of an XControl
When inserting an XControl, please notice that on the lower part of its screen there are three tabs: Design, Properties, and Scripts. On Properties tab, users can insert properties that are exported by this object. These properties can be linked to a Tag or to any other property when this object is used in a project. On Design tab, which is equivalent to a Screen, users can insert all graphical objects previously described.
All properties exported by an object (XProperties) can be inserted by using the INS key or by clicking Add 
, and removed by clicking Remove 
. The available options are described on the next table.
Available options on Properties tab of an XControl
Option |
Description |
|---|---|
Name |
Determines the name of this XControl's Property |
Type |
Determines the data type supported by this Property |
Public |
Enables or disables Property's visibility outside this library, that is, determines whether this Property is public or not |
Persistable |
Determines whether this Property is saved in a project or not |
Retentive |
Determines whether this Property is retentive or not. For XControls, Properties cannot be retentive |
Initial value |
Determines the initial value of this Property |
Help text |
Declaration and documentation text of this Property |
Notice that other Data objects (XFolders and XObjects) can be declared as data types. This allows a single Property to control an object, making it easy to maintain a library.
Editing this object has the same graphical resources and options as editing a Screen. Users can insert XControls on any Screen, or even inside another XControl by right-clicking a destination Screen or XControl and selecting the Insert option.
Then, this XControl has a name inside a Screen, and it is known as a copy of its original definition. Thus, users can, if needed, define values or Links this specific copy has in its usage context.