¶ Visual Sequence Editor
The visual Sequence editor is the centerpiece of AutomationView. Open a .seq file and start building your automation directly on the interactive canvas - AutomationView generates the Python code for you.
¶ Overview
When you open a .seq file, AutomationView launches the visual editor by default. Build your Sequence diagram interactively by adding steps, transitions, and actions using keyboard shortcuts or the toolbar. Every visual edit automatically generates the correct Python code behind the scenes.
You can also switch to the text editor to write Python directly - the diagram updates in real time. For a full list of editor commands, see the Editor Commands reference.
¶ Elements
¶ Steps
Steps represent the states of your automation sequence. Each step can contain one or more actions that execute while the step is active. A Sequence can have one or more initial steps.
| Type | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Step | I | Starting point of the Sequence (double border). A Sequence can have one or more initial steps |
| Normal Step | S | Standard execution step |
| Macro Step | M | Contains a sub-Sequence - double-click to navigate inside |
| Enclosing Step | E | Encapsulates child Sequences |
¶ Transitions
Transitions connect steps and define when the program moves from one step to the next. Add a transition by pressing T.
Transitions evaluate boolean conditions using your variables:
- Logical:
AND,OR,NOT(or.,+,/in Grafcet notation) - Comparisons:
>,>=,<,<=,==,!=
You can also use divergences to create parallel or alternative paths between steps.
¶ Actions
Actions execute when their parent step is active. Press A to attach an action to a step. Each action has a qualifier that controls its timing behavior - see the Qualifiers Overview for all available types (N, S, R, D, L, P, SD, DS, SL).
You can click directly on action names and operand fields in the diagram to edit them in place, or drag variables onto steps and transition conditions.
¶ Comments
Press C to add an annotation comment to your diagram. Comments are not executed and serve as documentation.
¶ Keyboard Shortcuts
Learning the keyboard shortcuts below will dramatically speed up your Sequence editing. All shortcuts work when the editor canvas is focused and you are not typing in a text field.
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| I | Add initial step |
| S | Add standard step |
| T | Add transition |
| A | Add action |
| M | Add macro step |
| E | Add enclosing step |
| C | Add comment |
| Ctrl+G / Cmd+G | Encapsulate selected step |
| Ctrl+Shift+G / Cmd+Shift+G | Flatten selected group |
| Ctrl+C / Cmd+C | Copy selected |
| Ctrl+X / Cmd+X | Cut selected |
| Ctrl+V / Cmd+V | Paste |
| Enter | Navigate into macro step or go to source |
| Escape | Navigate back to parent |
| Delete / Backspace | Delete selected elements |
| Up / Down | Move selected action up / down |
| Shift+Arrow | Extend selection in that direction |
| F12 | Go to sync reference |
| Shift+F12 | Find step references |
| Alt+P | Toggle print mode |
For additional commands available via the Command Palette, see Editor Commands.
¶ Visual-to-Code Synchronization
The editor keeps the visual diagram and Python code perfectly in sync:
- Edit visually (default) - The Python code is automatically generated and updated
- Write Python (advanced) - The Sequence diagram updates in real time
The visual editor is the recommended workflow for most users. Advanced users can switch to text editing when needed, or mix both approaches freely.
When you compare versions of a sequence, the editor shows structural diff highlighting, marking added, removed, and changed elements.
¶ Live Simulation Feedback
During simulation, the editor provides real-time visual feedback:
- Active steps glow with a distinct highlight
- Enabled transitions are visually marked
- Timed actions show progress bars with remaining time
- Fired transitions flash briefly when they trigger
Press F5 to start the simulation or F10 to single-step through it. You can also toggle step states manually during simulation; see Simulation for the manual step toggle and full details.
¶ See Also
- Smart Completion - Context-aware suggestions while editing
- Simulation - Run and test your diagrams
- Editor Commands - Full list of editor commands
- Editor Settings - Customize editor appearance and behavior
- Your First Project - Build your first Sequence step by step