The last post brought up something that makes perfect sense.. A ladder file in a processor that is not being scanned should appear different from the others.. Like a different color for the power rails. (or greying it out or something)

So that got me to thinking.. What other good ideas do you guys have for things that SHOULD be in RSLogix, but aren't? Here's a couple I can think of:

When you online edit/save/etc. a program, if there is an EEPROM module, RSLogix should remind you to save the program there as well. Or if that is too annoying, maybe just an "archive" indicator on the screen somewhere to show that the memory module does NOT have the same contents as RAM. This has bit me more times that I can count.. I'll make a change online, save it to the disk, and think I'm set. Then a day or two later I get called because the machine is acting up again! Then it dawns on me to check if there was an EEPROM :)

There should be a "GOTO EDITS" button when you go online with a processor capable of online editing. As another guy discovered (with a PLC-3 though), there can be a tested but not assembled edit somewhere, and you can't make any more changes until you find it. With a small program, no big deal. But if the program size is getting up there, forget about it. The little "e e e e"s along the side just don't cut it when you're going through a big program!

So anyway, maybe we can compile a list and all "sign" it, like a petition or something :) Who knows, maybe one or two of the ideas will get implemented

I don't think RSLogix is capable of determining whether a subroutine has been scanned. A subroutine can be called from anywhere, multiple times and with conditional logic. I would prefer it to check that all subroutines are called from at least one file when you verify the programme.

If you search for ^A that will find all edits.

I also think that under the File menu; Save, Source Control and Sumary Info should have different short cut keys. Alt F-S does not save the program.

RSLogix would have to follow the PLC processor very closely to be able to determine if a rung is not being scanned. It may be difficult for RSLogix to do this with conditional subroutines, but it's probably possible.

The problem with being unable to edit because of existing edits is apparent if you look in the upper left combo box it will say "NO EDITS" or "EDITS EXIST". And you can search for ^e to find ram rung edits, and ^a for edits that are accepted.

How about editing BTW/BTR online. Did you know if you change the length, it will change in the running rung as soon as you hit the accept edits button? (Before you hit the test button) That needs to be fixed.

Exporting a data table. Try highlighting an entire N7 file. hit CTRL+C, then goto Excel and paste it. Wouldn't it be nice if you could paste the contents you had highlighted? And the reverse should work as well. I build sequencer charts in Excel; they end up in integer or bit files. I have created tools to help me get it done semi-automatically, but I could save a lot of time if I could just paste from Excel to a data table while online.

I will probably think of a few more by the end of the day...

you are right. i would like that to...
RSLogix500 is quite stable and well rounded product. I wish all other software titles ware as handy as RSL500. There is not much I would like to see changed but things that would make me happy would also include:

- addition of long integers

- I want to use Windows explorer (full screen if I choose so) to navigate to an RSS file, then double click on file to open it. This is already the case but...not quite right. I would like to see RSL500 change folder and STAY there once the file is open. It is really annoying to start navigation every time from "My Documents" all the way back to same program directory every time opened file doesn't mach cpu image and do "Upload use file". It happens quite often if comm cable is loose or pulled by people working around you. Sure you can "set project directory" by hand using mini-sized browser control but why not let the RSL do that automatically once you open file?

- i want settings that will allow me to have CSV as default ASCII import/export option. add to that that default directory for CSV is same directory where the file is.

- if the file is opened from removable media or read only media (CDROM etc.) don't bother me with silly messages, just open the dang file and use default TEMP directory as expected (evaluate system PATH variable and use it). when I choose to close modified file or save project, then ask me if I want to select alternative location since my CD is closed, floppy is write protected etc. do NOT warn me when trying to OPEN file. it is amazing how many people (and teams of people) out there write software and don't know the basics of operating system or user friendliness.

- trend should have scan resolution. if i have to log something and I can write my own logic (in ladder) that does logging with single scan resolution, someone developing RSLogix should be able to do the same. and change the trend object properties so the trend lines are not washed away when other window is in front of it.

- how about partial download? i would like to leave out few ladder files or data tables when downloading changes to number of identical machines. although they are electrically identical, some parameters or scale factors might be different.

- it is annoying to open one file, hit Go Online and - you are online......with another project. while this feature could be handy eventually, I find it rather frustrating.

CDM-Custom data monitor...Logix should be able to remember the size of the window each time it's closed so it's the same next time you open it. Also, you should be able to put in expressions and formatting characters using whatever addresses you want and let your PC do the math. Finally, I'd like to be able to set the font size of each CDM independently. If I need to see it from twenty feet away, I should be able to set the text to a couple of inches tall if I choose.

Oh yes, and I'd like to be able to cancel a deleted rung when editing online.
Several times I've made changes to many rungs and then accidentally pressed delete on one. This means you have to copy and insert the rung again because you can't cancel the edit because it cancels all edit. Or can you?

I wish Rockwell software would read posts like these. This is great. But I am sure they will never read it or take any of these suggestions...sigh.............

Allen Bradley has a whole section in their RSLogix Forum named 'RSLogix Requests'. Perhaps it would be better to post there. But then there's no guarantee that they read THOSE posts or take them into account in their planning either.

I used to post on the RSLogix forum but for some reason (I can't remember now) I stopped. I do recognise a few User Names from here which are also on the RSLogix Forum and I remember a large thread similar to this on there.

P.S. Ihad a look why I left and here is the reason http://www.rockwellsoftware.com/forum/rslo...8&threadid=8343

Searching...When I type text in the search box (on the menu bar) and hit enter, RSLogix should give focus to the ladder window and begine searching. Instead, I have to click on the ladder window to give it focus if it doesn't already have it. It's a minor detail, but a nuiscance nonetheless. When I use CTRL+F to open the search dialog, I have to select the correct options each time. Why can't RSLogix keep those settings between search sessions? It remembers the scope and direction, but the other options reset to default settings.

This quirk applies to RSLogix5 when dealing with PLC5 analog IO. When you enter the details in an IO config-chassis table, you can then double click on a module and the software will open another window that shows the module and it's i/o points with descriptions...No problem for discrete modules. When you double click on an analog module you get a window that asks you to "Enter Module Addresses" for the block transfers. I have found that I can leave them blank and click the "Done" button. Then I get an error message that says "Can't Display Module Dialog because not all reuired module variables were addressed" Click OK, then another error message pops up that says "Module config applet for "1771-OFE" module would not initialize. Click OK. Then I can double click the module in the chassis table again and I get a different dialog: "Does configuration data already exist in the Data Table for this module? (Answering NO will result in default config data being written)". I click YES and then I get the module's dialog box will all the correct stuff in it. Why don't I get that last question first?

I took a short class on ControlLogix last week. It has a few things that need improvement too. My biggest complaint was the function block editor. I should be able to control the path of the lines that connect the blocks. (Like you can in GML). Also, I should be able to highlight the value of an address and enter a value directly without having to go to the tag monitor. You can do this in Ladder, but not FB.