Hello All,
(and especially BITS N BYTES!).
Following the CX-Programmer Improvements thread, it appears that the 'man upstairs' IS interested in your opinions.


Your time is now...

Regards

Paulus

I like the way alarms are handled in CX, but it would be an icing on the cake if an 'Alarm Banner' was included, (similar or better than AB panelview's)

I tried to create one, but unsuccesful. Created a common screen and displayed it in all pages, but unable to make it floating above the controls of individual pages.

Thanks
_______

Something that I think of immediately.
I would like a single project file to work with instead of a folder with almost 100 separate small files (excluding user image files!) and a separate project file!
Copying projects around and backing up is driving me crazy!

Now one is forced to use a compressing tool like zip or rar.

Use Sheet 0 and place the alarm banner on the sheet. Apply Sheet 00 to all screens.

[/quote]
Use Sheet 0 and place the alarm banner on the sheet. Apply Sheet 00 to all screens. [/quote]

Hi Jay,

I have tried that by creating an Alarm Display in sheet 0, but the problem is, what in Sheet 0 will go underneath the contents of the pages. I would like it float up on the screen - above all the contents of the individual screens. Is there any way I can make it float?

Thank You
_________

I've tried to start a thread like this earlier when cx-programmer improvements thread started but no luck. so i'll paste here my sugestion from then.

i would like just to drive attention of users, that CX-Designer doesn't allow to copy data from Edit Properties window (which is usually used for group edit) at all. it offers some basic Excel functionality (it can increment numbers in cells etc) but it ain't work with text.
NS-Designer had the ability to copy data from Change Settings at Once window into Excel and vice versa.

Why did they remove this functionality??

make them to go back things as it they were before (only regarding this Excel feature, the rest is great).

desperate.

this is a problem. i often have to write large portion of text for example 00.00 00.15 ... 20.00 hours. in ns-designer i've created it in Excel using its features and paste in Change settings at once window. this saves a lot of time.
also i think it is beter that you can copy to Excel from edit properties window and vice versa for labels, numeral display/input, etc. As it was the case in NS-Designer.

make them return Excel compatibility as in NS-Designer?

regards to all

This may seem a bit daft, but coming from a CNC background I assumed the CX-One package would 'link' all the modules used in a project.
I should be able to enter a 'model' of my total system and CX-One should configure all the packages to suit.

Therefore when I'm entering a DM address in CX-Designer it should show those DM's used in the PLC module linked to it and should use the same terminology.
At Present 'D150' in my PLC is called 'SERIALA:DM00150' in my CX-Designer project - not exactly 'joined up writing' IMHO.
It would help if the 'cross reference report' of CX-Prog was linked into CX-designer & Vice versa allowing easy look up of the address you want shown.(with the same name!).

Using the 'label tags' to call the 'edit' display:-(numeral display and input).
I use a lot of tables with 'Lables' of my variables and editable variable displays.
It's nice & easy to set the 'display' portion of these to call up the keypad for data entry of the variable, but if you click on the 'label' portion of the table you cannot set it to call the keypad -
I'm now sticking 'buttons' on top of these labels in order to call my own data entry pages - you should be able to call the keypad from either the numeral 'window' or / & its label in order to increase the screen window an operator has available to podge at with the sausages they call fingers.

Also the menus are a bit different - for instance opening the last project in CX-programmer is std <File> look toward bottom & click, whereas Designer is <File><Recent projects> find & click - not quite the same 'look and feel'.(a niggle I know, but even MS has sorted these niggles out)

I would hope to be able to open my whole project when I open CX-One with all the bits and maybe even a 'sniffer' routine for when I hook upto a new system, it could poll all the bits hooked up to the PLC including the HMI and sort out the configuration with little manual intervention.

Another usefull feature would be an online 'grab' of the current values shown on the screen - very useful for writing manuals if the screen data you output from CX-designer had the correct values shown for DM's etc -
at present most of my 'displays' show as FFFF rather than a proper number when I print the screens - I then have to muck about in a paint prog to put 'real' values in to make up the manual.

Hi Mark,

I use the test tool to put in the right numbers, lamps, switch states etc. Then I make a screencopy and put them in the manual, or use them for troubleshooting. Works great!

u beat me to it...however a bit of a pain though i like mark suggestion.... :) ...

Yup, I also use 'test' at present and then use 'MWSnap' to grab the screens (very good little program - you can put cursers on your screen grabs).
But there are a few things 'Test' wont simulate and for these I have to 'hand paint' them in to get proper values.
That's why I fancied a 'one touch' solution.....

1. Agree with Mark. The test tool could be improved e.g. by adding possibility to enter REAL numbers, importing from excel bulk of values for the addresses in test window etc. Thanks for MWSnap.

2. In NS-Designer you could export whole project or screens to *.csv, edit in Excel, and then import back. this worked only for basic properties of objects (tabs in object's properties you can see when Display expanison tabs is not checked), and instead of widening this feature on all object's properties, they abolished all. you can now export only Label/Message, Alarm/Event and Confirmation dialog setting.
There is a replacement for this in Property window so you can bulk edit but it is not as flexible and fast as edit in Excel.

Bring this feature back please.

3. Bring back all Excel compatibility from NS-Designer to CX-Designer.

4. Make Flicker settings to be global (for whole project) and for individual screen, so you can choose. Now, when i put Alarm buton (which flickers on any alarm, and when you press it jumps to alarm screen) on a sheet that is attached to every screen, i have to set flicker properties on every window.

5. adding the possibility to use wmf/emf files? i don't know whether this is hardware related or not. now, i have to create bmp or jpg in corel with exact dimensions and add to CX-Designer. any resize of bmp or jpg in CX-Designer produce not preety picture so i don't use it. if i need a resize, open corel or paint, resize, back to CX-D.

6. for pop-ups title bar should be customizable or, if not, prettier, more MS Windows like.
7. library of shapes should be larger and prettier and customizable. the valves in library are ugly.

this is for now.

regards to all

P.S. May the "CX-Supervisor improvements" thread also be started? there is a lot to improve there.

Good idea.. consider it done.

I only have NS-Designer so my issue may already be solved in CX-Designer, but I'll mention it anyway:

I'd like to see the password feature changed to a heirarchy type so that personnel knowing the password for level 5 can enter this same password for any screen object that is assigned levels 1 thru 5. RIght now if all 5 password levels are being used in a project, it forces the person with full access to memorize all 5 passwords. Also, when a password prompt is displayed, it doesn't say which level is required.

Good suggestion! I believe the password features havent changed with CX-D.

No, it is not changed in CX-Designer, works all the same as NS-Designer. Very goog idea for passwords. didn't occur to my mind, but had that problem very often.

ALARM/EVENT
Alarm/Event Log does not allow more than one instance of a trigger bit.
A bit can only be specified once as either rising-edge or trailing-edge.
In many applications both the rising-edge and trailing-edge of the same trigger bit are used to signify two different alarm/events.

The only way I have got this to work with CX designer it to set up an inverted state of the trigger bit[s] either in PLC logic or with a project macro. This is a pain to track and manage, especially when adding or changing flags that are non-contiguous.

So for CX Designer "In the Alarm/Event routine should allow both a RISING-EDGE and TRAILING-EDGE condition and message of the same trigger bit".

COMMON APPLICATION DATABASE
A single shared Database for ALL CX-ONE applications.
Tired of generating/managing a database for each application. I know it can be done using CSV file Export/Import, but this is a poor substitution/excuse for a tightly integrated control package.

TTFN -

More 'mini' Smart Active parts (aimed at the NS5) would be good.

Edit properties window for bulk editing should allow to edit all object's properties. It is often i need to bulk edit e.g. flicker address or control flag etc and there is no other way than to go one by one. it is time consuming, and i don't see a reason why all object's properties shouldn't bee bulk editable.

I will check for more proposals soon.

regards

Tag database rather than individually addressing everything?

i think that is good feature. that way you can access e.g. pictures directly, you replace a bmp in any place in project just by replacing it in project's folder with the same name.
then, you can access point database directly in MS Access file. Currently i'm working project with 25 pump stations i.e. 25 NS12 devices. every point has prefix of that pump station e.g. ps1a, ps1b, ps2 etc.i create NS application for one pump station, ps1a, and reuse it. now, can someone tell me how can I replace only the prefix ps1a with ps1b (all addresses are the same, even the name of PLC hosts)? it can not be done except one by one replacing. you can not copy it to excel then replace, you can not delete all points and paste new, nothing. only solution i've found is to copy symbols from symbol table in MS Access file, copy the Symbol name field (all records) paste it to excel, replace ps1a to ps1b, then copy it back to Symbol table.
everything fits, comments are retained with corresponding points.

also, how can i bulk edit point names that are already referenced by any object? it can be done if the name is AutoGen but not in any other case.

but then, why all of this should be done from point editor in CX-Designer?

Aye, the lack of hierarchy (sp?) in passwords in NS Screens is a pain in the butt-hocks.

Also, the default password keyboard is waaaaaaaaaaaay too small to be of any use.

I've had to make my own by screen dumping a large system keypad, getting rid of the non [a-z,0-9] keys, putting a word button behind each "key" on the bitmap and writing my own routine in the PLC to accept up to 5 characters and load asterisks on a label display above.

It works, but it was a lot of work to do.

Patent pending or are you going to enrich the download section ?

Aha! 5 Dollah and me send you software loooooonnnnng time!

Actually, in my haste to triumph my developments, I found a bug (or two) - I hadn't figured on there being more than one login required: Supervisor, Operator, Engineer etc so I have to review the "project"



Oooops

It would be great to make some kind of export screen to jpg or bmp feature. this functionality exists in NT-Support Tool 3.3 to 4.8 they should put it in CX-Designer.
The screen shots are often needed for documentation and this way I have to print screen paste to ms paint crop the picture and save it. when there are large number of screens it is time consuming.

or this exists only I haven't found the feature?

When in test you can 'print screen' to grab the image or 'print to image' in 'print' menu does jpgs but with garbage for numbers.
But I use MWSNAP a utility that allows you to select the screen area and add cursers.

yes you can but it is basically the same as I do now with mspaint. I need command from CX-Designer menu, something like export screen to jpg or bmp, something like that. that feature existed in NT-Support Tool.

<file>
<print>
<image file>
<image file output details>
jpg or bmp, will print all screens at once or one screen only to files named: Screen0001.jpg etc, to wherever you want them stored.
But you get garbage for numbers which are 'real' and still need to cut and paste these with decent values to use in manuals.

With then latest version of CXD, you can choose almost any Windows font you wish for labels etc.

However, when you go to fonts for numerical displays, you can only choose fine, standard or rough in the old chunky 1x1. 2x2, 1x2 format. Why can't you choose Windows fonts for numerical displays? It is a bit of a pain.

Pim, perhaps you may choose to move this to the CXD improvements thread. I thought it was worthy of it's own topic.

Will do Bob. Good to kick the topic again

You are not alone... setting Windows fonts for numeric/string displays is still not possible.

CXD2.0 also comes with System version 6.6, with which I discovered you can use the global password level system, like a true login/lougout system.
Once logged in on level1, all objects configured with level1 password can be operated, instead having to enter the password every time you operate a level 1 object.
Auto logout and sen to screen when logged out function included.

I am probably going to discover much more features the coming days.
System version 6.6 is located C:\Program Files\OMRON\CX-One\CX-Designer\RecoverUpdate_6_6
Copy the entire contents of this folder to an empty flash card, insert card in terminal and reset. Follow instructions.
To put your CXD project on 6.6, select Tools > Convert > Version.

A decent library of buttons and lamps would be great.
Buttons that actually look like they are raised/depressed. More than 5 colour lamps. Or the ability to select a lamp style and then choose which colour I want it to be.
A selector switch that can actually be in more than 2 positions without having to hide buttons behind a word lamp.

The font choices has been mentioned before, but it is SOOOO annoying that it deserves a mention again! I can't imagine many people mixing font styles, as it looks terrible (especially at the sizes used on HMI's) so I end up sticking with the CX-Designer ones. And even then trying to get a size that will fit (let alone look good) is a nightmare.

On the keypad tab on the numeral display, have 2 more selectable positions: top centre and bottom centre. I actually use these quite a bit, but every time keep forgetting to write down the x co-ord for future reference!

Which version are you running ? I find the library buttons and lights quite to my satisfaction these days with CXD2.
Most lamp/buttons styles come in all colours. You can also select ON/OFF colours individually.




I agree multi state switches would be welcome. As an alternative you can create a command button to increase a value, set the min/max value from say 0 to 4 and select "return to the minimum value when the maximum value is exceeded ? Just an idea.

And on the fonts of numeric & string display objects, I agree Windows fonts would be nice, but it doesn't look so bad if you put some work in it !?



Even SAPs can be customised:

I'm running CXD2 (Just installed CX-One V2.02E)
Perhaps I'm missing something but it still seems that there only 6 different colours for the lamps. More for buttons (as it seems more styles have been added) but who uses pink? How about a white (on)/grey (off) one? Surely they could bring up the windows palette?



Yeah I actually did this to start with, but the customer wanted to go from position 1 to position 3 as well as go the other way. Okay so it's only a few extra button presses for the user but you know how they are!



Yeah, you're right, but I spend enough time sizing and reshaping objects to fit on screens sometimes that I don't to be worrying about what font goes where and looks good next to this other one. Ease of use and all that! (This just happens the thing that REALLY annoys me about CXD so please excuse the sarcasm!)

If you have selected a button type rectangle/circle, you can use the colour palette to define the off and on colour. Use the colour toobar for easy editing, select button and directly change off/on colour without opening the button properties.
If you have selected to use a shape for your buttons, the color is fixed to the particular shape or bmp.


No worries; everyone is entitled to that every once in a while

I've mentioned before, and I'll do it again. please, put the option Screen to jpg (like in NT Support Tool) or export all screens to jpg (or bmp). I am now writing a documentation for a finished project and I need to put there pics of all screens in NS. there are 25 of them, but in a four languages, and documentation is in four languages, so it is a pain. for every screen I have to print screen, paste it to e.g. paint then crop, then copy then paste again to paint and then save to the disk.
If there is a export screen to jpg or bmp feature life of a documentation writer (my persona) would be much easier.

one more thing, CX-Programmer has compare program function so you can compare program on your PC and in PLC. this is good feature I think, so it should be put in CX-Designer also. when there is a lot of program versions this is helpful.

will check later for more.

Regards to all

Tashinz, this feature is already there.

File>>>Print
Print Setting - Select output to image file
Image File Output Details - Select .bmp or .jpg, then select which screens and/or sheets to print

Good Luck

Dear ECSI,

which beer do you drink? I owe you big time.

Moosehead Lager....a great Canadian beer...but don't worry about it, I have lots in the refrigerator now LOL.

Glad to help.

pdl..regarding the screen images you posted... did you do these on the NS10 ? Great job if you did... also whats with the GE mulstibus on the top of the pages ?

Would,nt it be good for a section dedicated to people showing of their HMI designs... this would guve others some real nifty ideas...

Will remember that beer. If you are in Belgrade (Serbia), don't hesitate to contact me. You'll get some of ours Lav beer.



I also noticed these screens, it would be great if we open some section on this site to share NS art. It can be helpfull.

regards to all

http://forums.mrplc.com/index.php?showtopic=10486


In relation to the above thread, can Cx-Designer remember comm settings per project, the same
as CX-Programmer please.

Perhaps this should be part of the Gallery where any one can submit their Art Works... I'll see what i can do..

Kool. I built tons of library objects during this five years of SCADA, NT, NS experience.
looking forward.

Yes the project is designed for NS10 but what I find great is I can put it in an NS8 without any adjustments as well. I think it even looks better on an NS8. I developed a similar looking application in CX-Supervisor and the challenge now was to create the same in an NS terminal. People think it still runs under Windows LOL.

I support the idea for an HMI gallery. You can even introduce a design award for instance. Mods included of course

[Offtopic]
GE-MultiBus is an in house network we developed based on the Finnish Linet light network system.
It's a 2 wire network for both data and power. We developed custom slave nodes for this network for our applications. It's topology free, polarity independant network connection, the ideal network for us as we are not dependant anymore how the network is created. For the network controller we have had Intellicom develop a custom Linet UDP-Modbus TCP converter, to be able to interface with e.g. OPC servers or any other Modbus client.
[/Offtopic]

Improvements:

1. increment and decrement buttons on keypads
2. current value visible above new (temporary input) inputted value on keypads
3. all font styles available in numerical input
4. incrementing addresses of grouped entities by a fixed offset when copying
5. Datablocks: when using them as recipes you cannot use PLC memory. It would be great to have all values in the datablock in the PLC including the name. (Screens break PLC's not)
You cannot show the selected datablock in another screen.
6. about the same remark with List selections. You cannot point to $HW or to PLC memory without using macro's.
7. A SAP to backup Inverters and other products in the network...
8. better information. Lately I found (together with some help from Omron Japan) how to use a NS with ethernet as gateway over internet to a PLC connected through NT-Link. This should be in the manuals.

I still think it is good product,
But let me think somewhat longer and I'll find you more changes. (it's still a young product)


Beegee

Agree with everything beegee said. regarding last remark,



can you share with us this instruction?

regards

It is not an instruction

just connect with CX-Programmer with following settings:

Source address:
source network = network number of ethernet on NS
source node number = node number on ethernet of your PC

Destination:
destination network 111 node number 1 for PLC connected on port A
destination network 112 node number 1 for PLC connected on port A

IP address = Address from your NS screen,

you could have to reduce the framelength in order to be able to upload and download the complete program


You have to be connected by NT-link and it only works for CS/CJ/CP1H, not for older PLC's since they don't support different message handling on one port.

CIAO

I'd like to be able to enter a variable in the unit/scale setting.

In relation to my earlier suggestion about remembering the comm settings per project, I just opened
a project, went to save as, and the path was from another project at the beginning of the week.

Concerning Alarms

I'd like to have an internal bit (or one I can assign) telling me there is still an alarm /event active from a certain group. That way I can show it on a sheet so people can see if an alarm is still active.

Also I would like an alarm view where you can see all occuring alarms and all alarms that have occurred but were not checked yet (untill they are checked). Right now you can choose to have all occuring alarms or the complete history. If you don't delete them when they stop occuring if they were not checked they keep on showing and you cannot check them afterwards to make them disappear.