DIN ISO 80416-4-2008 Basic principles for graphical symbols for use on equipment - Part 4 Guidelines for the adaptation of graphical symbols for use on screens and displays (icons).pdf

1、November 2008DEUTSCHE NORM English price group 12No part of this standard may be reproduced without prior permission ofDIN Deutsches Institut fr Normung e. V., Berlin. Beuth Verlag GmbH, 10772 Berlin, Germany,has the exclusive right of sale for German Standards (DIN-Normen).ICS 01.080.20; 35.180!$T“

2、1492996www.din.deDDIN ISO 80416-4Basic principles for graphical symbols for use on equipment Part 4: Guidelines for the adaptation of graphical symbols for use onscreens and displays (icons) (ISO 80416-4:2005)English version of DIN ISO 80416-4:2008-11Allgemeine Grundlagen fr graphische Symbole auf E

3、inrichtungen Teil 4: Leitlinien fr das Anpassen graphischer Symbole zur Darstellung auf Bildschirmenund Anzeigen (Icons) (ISO 80416-4:2005)Englische Fassung DIN ISO 80416-4:2008-11www.beuth.deDocument comprises 23 pages2 Contents Page National foreword .3 Bibliography3 Introduction.4 1 Scope 5 2 Nor

4、mative references 5 3 Terms and definitions .5 4 Area of application 6 4.1 Screens and displays 6 4.2 Supporting documentation.6 4.3 International Standards.6 5 Principles of implementation6 5.1 General usage 6 5.2 Types of icons7 5.3 Relationship between graphical symbols and icons.7 5.4 Colour .7

5、6 Constructing icons 8 6.1 General8 6.2 Cell sizes.8 6.3 Location of graphical image in cell9 6.4 Line drawing.9 6.5 Creating alternative versions of resolution/implementation 10 6.6 Filled areas 11 6.7 Distinguishability 11 6.8 Representation of arrows 11 6.9 Composite icons. 12 7 Icon behaviours 1

6、4 7.1 General. 14 7.2 Status indication. 14 7.3 Animated icons . 14 7.4 Dynamic icons. 14 8 Consistency. 15 9 Orientation. 15 Annex A (informative) Examples of graphical symbols adapted as icons. 17 Annex B (informative) Design guidelines for new icons 20 Bibliography. 23 DIN ISO 80416-4:2008-11 3 N

7、ational foreword This standard has been prepared jointly by Technical Committee ISO/TC 145 “Graphical symbols” and Technical Committee IEC/TC 3 “Information structures, documentation and graphical smbols”, Subcommittee SC 3C “Graphical symbols for use on equipment”. The responsible German body invol

8、ved in its preparation was the Normenausschuss Technische Grundlagen (Fundamental Technical Standards Committee), Technical Committee NA 152-06-08 AA Bildzeichen. ISO 80416 consists of the following parts, under the general title Basic principles for graphical symbols for use on equipment: Part 1: C

9、reation of symbol originals Part 2: Form and use of arrows Part 3: Guidelines for the application of graphical symbols Part 4: Guidelines for the adaptation of graphical symbols for use on screens and displays (icons) Parts 2 and 4 have been published by ISO, Parts 1 and 3 have been published by IEC

10、. The German-language version has been coordinated with the D-A-CH committee “Graphical symbols and safety signs” in order to ensure its wide acceptance in the German language territory. The DIN Standards corresponding to the International Standards referred to in this document are as follows: ISO 7

11、000 DIN ISO 7000 ISO 80416-2 DIN EN 80416-2 Bibliography DIN ISO 7000, Graphical symbols for use on equipment Index and synopsis DIN EN 80416-2, Basic principles for graphical symbols for use on equipment Part 2: Form and use of arrows DIN ISO 80416-4:2008-11 Introduction A graphical symbol is a vis

12、ually perceptible figure used to transmit information independently of language. Graphical symbols are used on equipment for a wide range of purposes. For such symbols, consistency in the design of families of symbols used in one location, or on similar equipment, helps users to understand the meani

13、ng of the symbols. Equally important is the legibility of symbols when they are reduced to small dimensions. Thus, there is a need to standardize the principles for creating graphical symbols for use on equipment to ensure visual clarity and consistency, and thereby to improve recognition. This Inte

14、rnational Standard which is a multi-part standard, addresses the basic rules used to create graphical symbols for use on equipment, including line thicknesses, form and use of arrows, negation elements, and use of the basic pattern which serves as a guide for drawing symbols. These design principles

15、 are required to be used for all graphical symbols for use on equipment, which are standardized in ISO 7000 and IEC 60417. Icons can reduce the apparent complexity of a software-user interface, making it easier to learn and use. This part of ISO 80416 provides guidelines for the adaptation of graphi

16、cal symbols for use on screens and displays (icons). This part of ISO 80416 is primarily concerned with the adaptation of graphical symbols for use as icons. However, the guidelines may also be used in the development of icons where suitable graphical symbols do not exist. Annex B contains additiona

17、l guidelines for this purpose. Annex A provides examples of those symbols adapted as icons. 4 DIN ISO 80416-4:2008-11 Basic principles for graphical symbols for use on equipment Part 4: Guidelines for the adaptation of graphical symbols for use on screens and displays (icons) 1 Scope This part of IS

18、O 80416 provides guidelines for the adaptation of graphical symbols for use on screens and displays (icons) on a wide range of equipment, such as electrotechnical equipment, photocopiers, vehicle dashboards and home appliances. It also provides principles for maintaining the fidelity of icons to the

19、 original graphical symbols. 2 Normative references The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applie

20、s. ISO 7000, Graphical symbols for use on equipment Index and synopsis Database available at ISO/IEC 11581-2, Information technology User system interfaces and symbols Icon symbols and functions Part 2: Object icons ISO/IEC 11581-3, Information technology User system interfaces and symbols Icon symb

21、ols and functions Part 3: Pointer icons ISO/IEC 11581-5, Information technology User system interfaces and symbols Icon symbols and functions Part 5: Tool icons ISO/IEC 11581-6, Information technology User system interfaces and symbols Icon symbols and functions Part 6: Action icons IEC 80416-1, Bas

22、ic principles for graphical symbols for use on equipment Part 1: Creation of symbol originals ISO 80416-2, Basic principles for graphical symbols for use on equipment Part 2: Form and use of arrows IEC 60417, Graphical symbols for use on equipment database available at 3 Terms and definitions For th

23、e purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 80416-1 and the following apply. 3.1 anti-aliasing technique using several intensities of colour between the colour of a line and the background colour to create the effect of smoother curves and fewer jagged edges on curves and dia

24、gonals 5 DIN ISO 80416-4:2008-11 3.2 default option or attribute already provided by the operating system or application, and which the user can change 3.3 icon graphical symbol presented on a screen or display NOTE Icons can be static and interactive and change as the result of user input, or dynam

25、ic and change as the result of equipment status. 3.4 icon editor special software application (or “tool”) used for creating icon files 3.5 pixel pel smallest addressable graphical element of a screen or display NOTE Screen or display resolutions are typically referenced by the number of pixels measu

26、red horizontally and vertically, e.g. 1 024 by 768 pixels. 4 Area of application 4.1 Screens and displays Graphical symbols used as icons can be presented upon a screen or display using a full or limited colour palette, or in monochrome. Icons are presented in varying sizes depending upon the specif

27、ic implementation by the computer software and the attributes of the display technology, for example, the physical dimensions of the screen or display and the number of pixels available. There may be a need to modify the symbol original in order to ensure visual clarity provided that the original gr

28、aphical impression is retained. 4.2 Supporting documentation Graphical symbols used as icons reproduced in supporting documentation should convey the same visual impression as those used on the screen or display. 4.3 International Standards If International Standards prepared by technical committees

29、 contain icons adapted from graphical symbols with ISO 7000 or IEC 60417 registration numbers, each icon should be illustrated together with a reference to the registration number of the original graphical symbol. 5 Principles of implementation 5.1 General usage Icons are used widely in contemporary

30、 software systems that use graphical user interfaces. They can be static and used solely for visual identification/reinforcement of a textual description, or invoke a function or open an object when selected with a pointer. Icons can also be animated or dynamic and show the current status of the rep

31、resented object. In contemporary operating systems (or “platforms”), icons have varying attributes and utilize different file types. The specific details of these attributes and file types are not addressed in this part of ISO 80416. 6 DIN ISO 80416-4:2008-11 5.2 Types of icons The following types o

32、f icons are addressed in the different parts of ISO/IEC 11581: object icons (ISO/IEC 11581-2); pointer icons (ISO/IEC 11581-3); tool icons (ISO/IEC 11581-5); action icons (ISO/IEC 11581-6). NOTE 1 Action icons are also referred to as “tool bar“ icons. NOTE 2 Some graphical representations might be u

33、sed in more than one icon type to provide similar functionality. For example, a printer icon could be used to describe the printer object, to start the print action, and to show the printer status or the ink level. 5.3 Relationship between graphical symbols and icons 5.3.1 Consistency When the same

34、graphical symbol is used both on equipment, in printed or engraved form, and presented on a screen or display as an icon, it is essential that the meaning of the graphical symbol is consistent across all areas of application. Internationally standardized graphical symbols should not be used with mea

35、nings other than those specified. 5.3.2 Adaptation of existing graphical symbols It is essential that new icons are adapted from existing internationally standardized graphical symbols, where a suitable graphical symbol exists with the same meaning. NOTE Examples of existing graphical symbols adapte

36、d as icons are given in Annex A. 5.4 Colour 5.4.1 Technical considerations Default colour palettes vary depending upon the operating system. When creating or adapting an icon, it is essential that the default colour palette of the operating system or environment in which the icon will be used is tak

37、en into account, so as to avoid unintended results. For screens or displays using cathode ray tubes (CRT) and liquid crystal display (LCD) panels, 8 bit (i.e. 256 colours) icons are commonly used. However, some devices, for example photocopiers and domestic appliances, can require 2 bit (monochrome)

38、 or 4 bit (16 colours) icons. Within a 4 bit colour palette, additional colours can be created by mixing different colours spatially, i.e. by “checker-boarding” colours of similar tonal values. Only colours of similar tonal values should be spatially mixed (“dithered”). Mixing colours of contrasting

39、 tonal values will create visible “chequer” patterns. For web applications, a colour palette that can be displayed reliably using different browsers should be used. 7 DIN ISO 80416-4:2008-11 5.4.2 Use of colour It is important to consider all the icons to be used in order to create a harmonious visu

40、al impression. Unless there is a specific reason, the same chromatic impression and balance between icons should be maintained. Because saturated colours are very dominating, they should be used sparingly and for a specific purpose, for example, for warning or change of status. Where an icon is deri

41、ved from a standardized warning sign, colour fidelity should be maintained (see ISO 3864-1). Colour and grey outlines can be used to create a three-dimensional or highlight/shadowed effect in larger icons (e.g. 32 32 pixels). For smaller sizes (e.g. 16 16 pixels), saturated colours and black outline

42、s can be used to aid their recognition and comprehension. NOTE The convention for objects or functions currently “unavailable” is to display them as “greyed”, i.e. colourless, icons. 6 Constructing icons 6.1 General Contemporary display technologies, for example CRT, LCD and PDP (plasma display), im

43、pose certain constraints regarding the construction and presentation of graphical symbols on displays. At the sizes where icons are conventionally displayed, it might not be possible to maintain a constant line thickness or regular arcs. Vector drawing tools can be used for constructing icons. Howev

44、er, contemporary practice is to save and display icons in the form of bitmapped images, i.e. a series of coloured squares (representing individual pixels) within a square or rectangular grid (the “cell”). Alternative versions need to be created to support all the cell sizes, colour palettes, etc, wh

45、ich the target operating system supports. If the correct sizes are not provided, the operating system might re-size available icons automatically, removing or adding averaged rows and columns of pixels to achieve the required cell size. This process produces unexpected and often undesirable results,

46、 and it is recommended that each size version required is individually created by the designer. NOTE Some operating systems will identify the available display resolution and colour palette in use and present the appropriate combination of cell sizes for the current screen resolution. It is not unus

47、ual for an icon file to contain up to eight variations of cell size and colour palette. Additional design guidelines for new icons, that are not adapted from existing internationally standardized graphical symbols, are given in Annex B. 6.2 Cell sizes Established operating system conventions exist f

48、or the cell sizes of most icon types. The common icon sizes are 64 64, 48 48, 32 32, 16 16 and 8 8 pixels. A 24 24 pixel cell size is also used, but this is less common. The final presentation sizes of the icons will depend upon a combination of the physical size of the display screen and the colour

49、 palette used, for example, 640 480 pixels/4 bit, 800 600 pixels/8 bit, 1 024 768 pixels/24 bit, etc. 8 DIN ISO 80416-4:2008-11 6.3 Location of graphical image in cell Operating-system conventions should be taken into account when locating the graphical image within the cell, in the following ways. Some systems require the graphical image to be on the left and base aligned within the cell, while others centralize the graphical image horizontally on a common line above the base of the cell. Adjacent ico