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Scales

  • 3 minutes to read

This topic describes the basics of gauge scales (circular and linear), and explains how scales can be accessed and customized at design time.

A scale is the fundamental element of analog gauges (circular and linear) because all other elements can be placed on it.

Analog gauges have two types of scales: Arc Scale and Linear Scale. Each scale type defines the gauge layout and appearance.

#Arc Scale

An Arc Scale is an instance of the ArcScale class. This scale is used in the CircularGauge control.

An Arc Scale has different shape types: full circular, half-circular, quarter-circular, three-quarter circular and wide circular.

The following image shows examples of these types:

CircularGaugeSet

For more information, see the following topic: Circular Gauge Types.

An Arc Scale consists of tickmarks (both major and minor) and scale labels. To extend a list of scale items, add static and dynamic gauge elements (Value Indicators) to the arc scale.

In contrast to dynamic elements, static elements cannot be animated.

The following is a list of static gauge elements:

  • Tickmarks
  • Custom scale labels
  • Ranges
  • Layers
  • Spindle cap

The dynamic gauge elements (value indicators) include:

  • Needles
  • Markers
  • Range bars

An Arc Scale can contain numerous scales within a circular gauge.

The image below demonstrates a typical circular gauge that contains two arc scales with a background layer, tickmarks, markers, ranges, a needle, and a custom scale label.

CircularScale

See the following topic for more information: Circular Gauge Elements.

#Linear Scale

A LinearGauge allows you to display elements on a linear scale (a LinearScale object).

The following linear scale shape types are available in the Gauges component: vertical and linear.

LinearScaleShapes

See the following topic to learn more: Linear Gauge Types.

As you can see from the image above, a linear gauge can contain numerous scales.

Like an arc scale, all elements of a linear scale can be divided into two groups: static and dynamic (Value Indicators).

A linear scale contains the following static elements:

  • Tickmarks
  • Custom scale labels
  • Ranges
  • Background and effect layers

Level bar, markers and range bars can be animated on a linear scale because they belong to dynamic gauge elements.

The following image illustrates a linear scale with a level bar, tickmarks, three ranges, and a background layer:

OneScaleLinearGauge

See the following topic to learn more: Linear Gauge Elements.

#Scale Customization

You can use the scale designer to access a Gauge scale at design time.

To load the Scales - Element Designer, click the Gauge control’s smart tag and select Customize Gauge Control….

Customize-ASPxGaugeControl

Then, in the Visual Gauge Control Designer, click the scale’s smart tag and choose Run Designer.

ASPXGauge-RunScaleDesigner

Scales - Element Designer allows you to customize a scale’s appearance and geometry, and contains range and label editors.

See the Arc Scale designer below.

ScalesElementDesigner

Refer to the following topic to learn more: Designer.

See Also