GLG Real-Time Charts are a collection of high-performance charts optimized for large datasets and real-time update rates. Any real-time chart may be used as a part of a larger GLG HMI display or as a stand-alone component. Both the Strip Charts and the XY Scatter Plots are provided.

The GLG Real-Time Chart is capable of displaying multiple lines with tens of thousands of data points and updating them with real-time data hundreds of times per second. It can position points at uneven intervals using time stamps and handle invalid or missing data points.

The chart maintains a history buffer and supports integrated zooming and scrolling, which allows to scroll through large datasets of historical data even while the new data points are being added. It can adjust the size of the history buffer on the fly, and erase or show plot lines without losing already plotted data.

The chart also supports multiple Y axes, point tooltips, cross-hair cursor feedback and point selection with the mouse, as shown in the online demo. Chart features include custom label formatters, grid and level lines, configurable minor and major tick intervals, integrated legends and many other features.

› More information on the Free Community Edition

Point and Click Editor and Prototyping

A chart can be customized by editing its properties or resources using the GLG Graphics Builder, a graphical editor with point and click interface.

The Builder can also be used to change the chart's layout and add annotations to the chart. Using the Builder, developers can create dashboards containing multiple charts, as well as custom HMI displays with charts, dials, process symbols and other dynamic objects as shown in the demos.

The Run mode of the Builder can be used to prototype the chart 's run-time behavior with simulated data. The Run mode toolbar contains controls for testing the chart's performance.

The final drawing containing the customized chart is saved into a file which is then used by one of the run-time libraries listed below.

Refer to the Using GLG Real Time Charts chapter on of the GLG Builder and Animation Tutorial for information on editing the chart's properties.

Deployment Options

GLG Real-Time Charts can be used in an application via one of the following GLG API libraries:

• C/C++ libraries for Linux/Unix and Windows platforms,
  embedded ARM devices (Raspberry Pi, Beagle Bone, NVIDIA Jetson, TI Sitara), 32 and 64 bit, Qt and Gnome widget wrappers are included


• Java Class Library for Java deployment


• C# Class Library DLL for .NET (Windows platforms)


• JavaScript / React / Angular / Next.js Library for web deployment


• GLG Graphics Server for server-side web deployment with ASP.NET or JSP


• ActiveX Control (Windows platforms)

A developer uses a run-time API to develop an application that loads the chart's drawing and supplies real-time data for the chart. An application can obtain data using any custom data acquisition mechanism; the data is then pushed into the chart using the GLG API calls. The application can also dynamically configure the chart via resources at run time.

Coding Examples

Coding examples of using a real-time chart in an application:

• › Java
• › C#
• › C
• › C++
• › JavaScript

› Real-Time Chart Demo

Editing a Chart
in the Graphics Builder

Real-Time Chart,
Absolute Time Axis

XY Scatter Plot

Prototyping a Chart
with Simulated Data

Real-Time Chart,
Relative Time Axis

Real-Time Chart,
Indexed X Axis