Create a switch function

Introduction
In this tutorial you will learn how to create a small function that works as a switch. The switch can be used to turn things on and off (e.g. a display) when a signal is sent to it.

Software used: WireFusion 3.2.14

Download this WireFusion project (zip: 13 kb)

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Step 1 - Insert a Boolean object

Insert a Boolean object (found in Objects > Data) to a new empty project. When its dialog opens, keep the checkbox value True (Yes) marked and close the dialog.

Step 2 - Insert an If object

Insert an If object (found in Objects > Logic).

Step 3 - Insert a Boolean Operation object

Insert a Boolean Operation object (found in Objects > Logic). When its dialog opens, close it without doing any changes.

Step 4 - Insert an Image object

Insert an Image object (found in Objects > Multimedia). When its dialog opens, close it without doing any changes.

The image object will here act as a display and we want it to be turned off at presentation startup. Therefore, deactivate the Image by unmarking the Activate checkbox next to the Image object found in the Layer view.

Step 5 - Insert a Button object

Insert a Button object (found in Objects > Widgets). When its dialog opens, change the button label to "On/Off" and then close the dialog.

Step 6 - Connecting Button and Boolean

We want to send the stored Boolean value in the Boolean object when we press the button. Therefore, make the following connection.

Connect:
'Button 1' > Out-ports > Button Clicked
to
'Boolean 1' > In-ports > Push Value

This means that when the button is clicked, it will push the current Boolean value (which here is set to True at startup).

Step 7 - Connecting Boolean and If

When the Boolean value has been sent out from the Boolean object we want the value to enter the If object, which then evaluates if the value is true or false. Therefore, make the following connection.

Connect:
'Boolean 1' > Out-ports > Value Pushed [Boolean]
to
'If 1' > In-ports > Boolean Value [Boolean]

Step 8 - Connecting If and Image

If the incoming value to the If object is true, then the If object will send out a signal through its True out-port. If the incoming value is false, then the If object will send out a signal through the False out-port instead.

To activate the image (i.e. turn it on) when a true value is fired, make the following connection.

Connect:
'If 1' > Out-ports > True [Boolean]
to
'Image 1' > In-ports > Activate

To deactivate the image (i.e. turn it off) when a false value is fired, make the following connection.

Connect:
'If 1' > Out-ports > False[Boolean]
to
'Image 1' > In-ports > Deactivate

Step 9 - Change the Boolean state

We need to switch the state in the Boolean object and this is done with help of the Boolean Operation object.

Connect:
'Boolean 1' > Out-ports > Value Pushed
to
'Boolean Operations 1' > In-ports > Set a [Boolean]

The NOT operation inverts the incoming value from True to False (or from False to True).

To Send back the inverted value to the Boolean object, make the following connection.

Connect:
'Boolean Operations 1' > Out-ports > NOT a [Boolean]
to
'Boolean 1' > In-ports > Set Value [Boolean]

The inverted value is now sent to the Boolean object, which now changes its states.

The action event looks like this:
1. Press the button to trigger the Boolean object to send out its stored value.
2. The stored Boolean value is sent to the If object.
3. The stored Boolean value is also sent to the Boolean Operation object.
4. The Boolean value is inverted and sent back to the Boolean object and is stored there.
5. If object evaluates the incoming Boolean value (from point 2).
6. If Boolean value is true, then the If object's True port is fired, else the False port is fired.

Step 10 - Test

You have now created a switch function!

Preview (F9) the presentation and press the On/Off button repeatedly to turn the image on and off.

End of lesson!