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WFP Glossary

WFP key terms and definitions.

Written by Vladimir

Automatic Message

A Message generated by the application, either instantly or on request. Route and identification messages use Destinations bound to Target Points; WFP can also generate Destination Group messages through grouping and capacity planning. See: Automatic and manual messages.

Automatic Message Order

The project-defined order used for messages when no manual face order applies. Hidden messages always use Automatic Message Order. See: Understand Automatic and Manual Order.

Calibration (Level Drawing)

A quick process (about 15–20 seconds) that sets the drawing’s scale to real‑world dimensions; ±0.5 m accuracy is typically sufficient. See: Level properties.

Decision Point

A junction in the Path Network where visitors choose a direction; compatible with Direction or Navigation Sign Faces. See: Path points and segments, Sign categories.

Destination

A dictionary entry representing a destination message, such as a room, gate, department, or attraction. A Destination can be bound to one target point and can belong to one or more Destination Groups. See: Destination Dictionary.

Destination Dictionary

The project-wide dictionary of Destinations and Destination Groups used for automatic message generation, manual destination-backed messages, grouping, progressive disclosure, and CSV import/export. See: Destination Dictionary.

Destination Group

A dictionary entry that groups related Destinations so WFP can display a broader group message when progressive-disclosure and capacity rules allow it. See: Destination Dictionary.

Direction Zones (Sign Face)

Four 90° sectors (Forward, Left, Right, Backward) relative to a Sign Face’s rotation; used to assign routes to directions. See: Direction zones.

Drawing (Level Drawing)

An optional background image (e.g., floor plan) that provides context and enables realistic walking‑distance calculations; requires calibration after import. See: Level properties.

Level

A two‑dimensional plane at a fixed height (elevation) above ground (a building floor is a typical example). Each Level contains its own Path Network and an optional background drawing. Identified by a code such as L1—used in reports and to generate unique Sign and Sign Face IDs. Only one Level may exist at a given elevation. See: Levels.

Fingerpost

A directional sign type face configuration that dynamically creates virtual faces from the path network topology around the decision point. Fingerpost signs use per-direction and whole-sign message capacity. See: Sign types.

Manual Message

A Message entered and maintained by the user. See: Automatic and manual messages.

Manual Message Order

A user-defined presentation sequence for the visible messages on one Sign Face. It does not change message generation, visibility, routes, or capacity. See: Reorder Messages on a Sign Face.

Message

Content displayed on Sign Faces (labels/directions). Determined by Sign Type, Path Network layout, Sign Face rotation, Destination Dictionary content, and manual overrides. See: Messages.

Message Atom

A destination or group message field that stores both a value and a type. It can be Text or Number. Destinations and groups can store Main Message, Message 1, and Message 2. See: Editing Message Atom Fields.

Message Display

The project-wide presentation configuration for Font order, Project locale, automatic Message sort order, Direction order, and Direction icons. See: Configure Project-Wide Message Display.

Message Generation Layer

The WFP planning layer that resolves routes, applies destination dictionary groups and progressive disclosure, packs messages into sign capacity, preserves manual overrides, and creates selected or overflow automatic messages. See: Message generation layer.

Message Order

The resolved presentation sequence for messages on a Sign Face. Visible messages use a valid Manual Message Order when present, otherwise Automatic Message Order; hidden messages always remain automatically ordered. See: Message Display and Ordering.

Message Schedule

A filtered view or CSV report of visible Messages. The fixed WFP 1.4 export schema is Sign ID, Category, Side, Order, Direction, msg, msg_1, msg_2. Order is 1-based, contiguous, and restarts for each Sign Face. See: Export Ordered Messages.

WFP 1.4 Message Schedule

Model

The representation of physical space and signage: Levels, Path Networks (Path Points + Path Segments), Destination Dictionary, Signs, Sign Faces, and Messages. See: Model overview.

Overflow Message

An automatic message hidden because a Sign Face or Fingerpost sign has reached its message capacity. It remains available in Message Editors and inspection overlays, but is excluded from Message Schedules and exports unless made visible. See: Message generation layer.

Path Network

The graph of walkable paths on a Level, consisting of Path Points connected by Path Segments; it maps how people move through the space. See: Model overview, Path points and segments.

Path Point

A 2‑D point within a Level’s plane; can be a Target Point, Decision Point, or Supportive Point. See: Path points and segments.

Path Segment

A straight line connecting two Path Points; its property is the walking distance (length). See: Path points and segments.

Priority Weight

A destination or group value used by the message generation layer to prefer higher-priority messages when capacity is limited. See: Destination Dictionary.

Project Locale

A preselected project setting used only for natural, locale-aware Message collation. It does not translate messages or change routing, Direction values, measurement units, or fonts. See: Project Locale.

Rotation Angle (Sign Face)

The orientation of a Sign Face, measured counterclockwise from the positive X‑axis. See: Sign faces.

Sign

The Sign is a fixed set of sign faces as defined by its Sign Type. The Sign is attached to a Path Point, has a position on the Level and a rotation angle. The Sign is identified by a unique code combining the Sign Type code, Level Code, and a sequential number (e.g., D2-L0.01). See: Signs.

Sign Category

A functional class of Sign Types that determines the kind of Messages shown. Categories include: Direction, Navigation, and Identification. See: Sign categories.

Sign Face

The sign's surface that displays Messages to guide visitors. A Sign Face belongs to a Sign and is identified by a unique identifier combining the Sign ID code and sign face's label, usually a Latin letter (e.g., D2-L0.01A). See: Sign Face

Sign Location Plan

A drawing in PDF or SVG format showing sign faces on the Level's plan. If the Level has a drawing, it is used as a background. Example:

wfp_report_sign_location_plan.png

Sign Schedule

A report or a view containing counts of sign faces by Sign Type, combined with Sign Type's properties. Exported in CSV format. Example:

wfp_reports_boq.png

Sign Type

A template used to create Sign instances. Belongs to a Sign Category and defines a face configuration, message capacity, and sign properties such as fixing, connectivity, dimensions, drawing reference, and outline. Identified by a code such as D2. See: Sign types.

Signing Distance

An optional destination or group distance limit used by automatic message generation. If a route is longer than the effective signing distance, that destination or group is not signed from that route position. See: Destination Dictionary.

Supportive Point

An ancillary Path Point used solely to shape the Path Network; no Sign Face can be attached. See: Path points and segments.

Target Point

A path point representing the physical location of a destination. A Target Point can be bound to a Destination Dictionary entry and can host an Identification Sign Face. See: Path points and segments.

Universal Font Order

The project setting labelled Font order under Project → Message display.... It enables and orders fallback fonts for Destination Dictionary text, including Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Hong Kong Traditional, Japanese, and Korean. See: Destination Dictionary.

Visibility Override

A user-selected visible or hidden state that differs from the automatically generated state of a Message. Resetting the override returns the Message to automatic visibility. See: Manage Visibility.

Wayfinding Planner Project (WFP Project)

A complete project, stored as a single .wfp file, containing the model and all design metadata. See: Model overview.

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