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WebScreenshot allows automated capturing of websites into PNG format which are saved into the Station files.  These screenshots can then be exposed via a simple servlet rather than giving access to any part of the station files.  WebScreenshot uses the Internet Explorer (IE) browser on the station/server it's installed on to capture these images.  You'll want to ensure that IE is installed and updated to the latest version with the necessary plugins installed (for example Adobe Flash) for optimal results.  

Note

This component requested the Activelogix:webScreenshot license feature to operate

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All screenshots will be taken and saved into the file:^screenshots folder.  WebScreenshots automatically exposes this folder with a file servlet and screenshots can be accessed with the URL:  

Info

http://ip_address/webscreenshotswebscreenshot/screenshot_name.png

  • ip_address - The IP address of the server hosting WebScreenshots
  • screenshot-name - The AX nav name given to the child Screenshot component

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Tip

Periscope takes 5+ seconds to load depending on the speed of the server. It's best to set the delay to at least 10 seconds (10000 ms). Also, Auto-Login can be used to automate login of specific dashboards without having to expose them publicly. Refer to the Periscope Manual for more information.

Important Notes:

  • You must be logged into the station to see the screenshots unless the guest user has been enabled and granted access to "WebScreenshot".
  • If using these screenshots publicly and you want to avoid a login screen, the guest user needs to be enabled and assigned a category to limit permissions.  To do this, take the following steps:
    1. Create a "WebScreenshot" category in the "CategoryService" of the Niagara station.
      1. Go to Station > Config > Services > CategoryService.
      2. Right click on "CategoryService" and select "Category Manager" under "Views".
      3. Click on "New" and add a "WebScreenshot" category in an unused index.
      4. Right click on "CategoryService" and select "Category Browser".
      5. Click on the box in "WebScreenshot" row under the "WebScreenshot" category column.  In the example below, the "WebScreenshot" row is under the "Config" which is one of the places you can drop the WebScreenshot object.
        Image Added
      6. Save the new category created.
    2. Enable the "guest" user in "UserService"
      1. Go to Station > Config > UserService
      2. Click on "guest" user and edit.
      3. Enable the "guest" user and assign the "WebScreenshot" permissions by clicking on the double chevron.
        Image Added
      4. Select "Operator Read" and "Admin Read" for the "WebScreenshot" category.
        Image Added

 

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      1. Click "OK" to save.  
      2. When a user enters the WebScreenshot address created above (http://ip_address/webscreenshot/screenshot_name.png), they will be able to access the screenshots without logging into the station.