===== Meters =====

Meters are MIStudio Basic Layout graphics used to display numeric values with a pointer-style needle on a scale.

Meters are Active Graphics. They display values between a configured **Low Value** and **High Value**, and they can show scale ranges, warning levels, tick marks, labels, and color ranges.

All Basic Layout meters are variations of the same basic Meter behavior.

==== Image Examples ====

^ Meter Type ^ Palette Image ^ Graphic Example ^
| Meter | {{:mistudio:graphics:basic_layout:meters:pasted:20260622-200955.gif?50|Meter in the graphics palette}} | {{:mistudio:graphics:basic_layout:meters:pasted:20260622-201230.png?120|Meter graphic example}} |
| MeterFlat | {{:mistudio:graphics:basic_layout:meters:pasted:20260622-201020.gif?50|MeterFlat in the graphics palette}} | {{:mistudio:graphics:basic_layout:meters:pasted:20260622-201311.png?120|MeterFlat graphic example}} |
| MeterVertical | {{:mistudio:graphics:basic_layout:meters:pasted:20260622-201100.gif?50|MeterVertical in the graphics palette}} | {{:mistudio:graphics:basic_layout:meters:pasted:20260622-201340.png?50|MeterVertical graphic example}} |
| MeterRound | {{:mistudio:graphics:basic_layout:meters:pasted:20260622-201041.gif?50|MeterRound in the graphics palette}} | {{:mistudio:graphics:basic_layout:meters:pasted:20260622-201410.png?70|MeterRound graphic example}} |

==== Common Uses ====

Meters are commonly used to:

  * Display numeric values
  * Show a value on a low-to-high scale
  * Display process values such as pressure, temperature, speed, or level
  * Show warning or alarm ranges
  * Create gauge-style dashboard indicators

==== Input Behavior ====

Meters accept a value object that can be converted to a number.

The input value updates the meter needle position on the scale.

If the value is greater than the configured **High Value**, the meter is considered pegged at the high end. If the value is lower than the configured **Low Value**, the meter is considered pegged at the low end.

==== Logic Ports ====

In the Logic Editor, meter graphics include:

  * **valueInput**

The **valueInput** port is used to update the displayed meter value.

==== Scale Range Properties ====

**High Value** Sets the maximum value for the meter scale.

**Low Value** Sets the minimum value for the meter scale.

==== Needle Properties ====

**Needle Color** Sets the color of the meter needle.

**Needle Thickness** Sets the thickness of the meter needle.

**Draw Long Needle** Controls whether the needle is drawn through the scale. A longer needle may overlap the tick marks more than the default shorter needle.

**Show Warning on Peg** Controls whether a warning quality symbol is shown when the meter needle is pegged.

**Use Color** Controls whether the incoming server color is displayed on the needle, if supported.

==== Scale Shape and Rotation Properties ====

**Angle Starting** Sets where the meter scale starts.

**Angle Ending** Sets where the meter scale ends.

**Center X Percent** Shifts the meter center along the horizontal direction within its bounding box.

**Center Y Percent** Shifts the meter center along the vertical direction within its bounding box.

**Radius Percentage** Controls the radius used to calculate the meter scale and needle length.

==== Tick Mark and Label Properties ====

**Font** Controls the font used for scale labels.

**Tic Format String** Controls the number format used for major tick mark labels.

**Tic Length** Sets the length of major tick marks. Minor tick marks are drawn shorter.

**Tic Mark Color** Sets the color used for the scale and tick marks.

**Tic Spacing** Sets the data range between tick marks.

**Tics Per Label** Sets how often major tick marks are labeled.

==== Scale Color and Level Properties ====

Meter scale colors are used to show ranges on the meter scale.

**HighHigh Level** Sets the upper warning or alarm level below the high value.

**HighHigh Color** Sets the color for the range between **HighHigh Level** and **High Value**.

**High Level** Sets the high range level below **HighHigh Level**.

**High Color** Sets the color for the range between **High Level** and **HighHigh Level**.

**Low Level** Sets the low range level above **LowLow Level**.

**Low Color** Sets the color for the range between **Low Level** and **LowLow Level**.

**LowLow Level** Sets the lower warning or alarm level above the low value.

**LowLow Color** Sets the color for the range between **Low Value** and **LowLow Level**.

**Normal Range Color** Sets the color for the normal range between **Low Level** and **High Level**.

==== Expert Properties ====

Meters may also include common expert properties such as:

  * **Bad Qual. Indicator**
  * **Warning Qual. Indicator**
  * **Bezel Color**
  * **Bezel Inside Color**
  * **Bezel Thickness**
  * **Cursor**
  * **Rotation**
  * **Click Action**
  * **Click Count**
  * **Visible**

The exact properties may depend on the selected meter graphic and current MIStudio version.

==== Notes ====

Meter, MeterFlat, MeterVertical, and MeterRound share the same general behavior. The main difference is visual layout.

For general Active Graphic behavior, see [[mistudio:design_editor:active_graphic|Active Graphic]].

==== Related Pages ====

  * [[mistudio:design_editor:start|MIStudio Design Editor]]
  * [[mistudio:design_editor:basic_layout:start|Basic Layout]]
  * [[mistudio:design_editor:basic_layout:indicators:start|Indicators]]
  * [[mistudio:design_editor:active_graphic|Active Graphic]]
  * [[mistudio:getting_started:connect_data_source_to_graphic|Connecting a Data Source to a Graphic]]