At a Glance

The following operations can be carried out when accessing Control Expert software in off-line mode:

  • Creating,

  • Opening,

  • Converting,

  • Analyzing,

  • Generating,

  • Saving,

  • Closing.

Creating a Project

To create a new project, carry out the following actions:

Step

Action

1

Activate the New command in the File menu.

Result: The New Project screen appears.

2

To see all PLC versions, check Show all versions box.

3

Select the processor you wish to use from those proposed.

4

To create a project with specific values of project settings, check Settings File box and use the browser button to localize the .XSO file (Project Settings file). It is also possible to create a new one.

If the Settings File box is not checked, default values of project settings are used.

5

Confirm with OK.

Open Dialog

Open project dialog

Element

Description

Look in

File name

Files of type

The upper part of this dialog displays a standard Windows File Open dialog.

Opening a legacy LL984 project

Please refer to Importing an LL984 Application.

Open Options

Open the project in read-only mode

Opens the project in read-only mode.

Open import File with Wizard

Select this check box to use the import wizard.

Libset version

Libset (set of libraries) contains all libraries, families, functions and variables (I/O data structures) that can be used to develop an automation project.

In general, to open an existing project (.STU file) or an archived project (.STA file) the Libset version can be selected.

To import a .ZEF or .XEF file, the latest Libset version must be selected.

More information on the default Libset version used to open a project according to the file type is provided in the libset section.

Keep project version

Select this option to keep the Libset version used at file creation time.

If the respective Libset is not installed, the latest Libset version will be used.

Update with latest version available

Select this option to update the project with the latest Libset version.

Select a specific target version

Select this option to choose a specific Libset version. The Version box can be used to select a version.

Project information

Type

Target PLC.

Name / Version

Project name and software package version.

Last modification

Date and time of last modification of the project.

Comment

Comment associated to the project.

Opening a Project

To open an existing project, carry out the following actions:

Step

Action

1

Choose the Open command from the File menu.

2

Select the file related to the project (file *.STU).

3

Select one of the Libset version options.

4

Confirm with Open.

Opening a project also restores the Control Expert context, which was saved when the project was closed. This involves:

  • The list of open tools,

  • For each tool: its window size, position, contents and animation status,

  • taskbar and tool configuration.

The context file is a companion file to the <Project_name>.STU file. It is saved in the same directory with the name <Project_name>.ZTX. The .ZTX file is not required to open an application. If no .ZTX is provided the application is open with default context.

NOTE: When a project file is selected, the software provides a certain amount of information: the project name, associated comment, version and date the project was generated, target PLC, and date of last modification to the source code.
NOTE: The .STU file is a work file and it can not be used to switch from one version to another of Control Expert software. In this case, you should use the archive format (.STA file) or use the export function in the project and create a .ZEF or .XEF file.
NOTE: The .STU file contains the configuration of the TSX CPP 110 in the Project Browser.

A The file not found message appears each time the configuration screen of the TSX CPP 110 PCMCIA card is opened. Select the required .CO file to update the CANopen configuration.

Opening an Archived Project

To open a project archived in STA format, carry out the following actions:

Step

Action

1

Choose the Open command from the File menu.

2

Select the file related to the project (file *.STA).

3

Select one of the Libset version options.

4

Confirm with Open.

An STA file is a project archive file that can be accessed using the Archive command in the File menu.

The properties of the .STA file are the following:

  • The .STA file is very compressed (approximately 50 times more so than the STU). It is used to transfer projects to networks (local or Internet, for example).

  • The .STA file can be used to transfer projects between versions of Control Expert software.

  • The .STA file contains the entire project:

    • The PLC binary,

    • The Upload information: comments and animation tables,

    • The operator screens.

NOTE: When a .STA file is selected, the software provides a certain amount of information:

  • The project name,

  • Associated comment,

  • Version and date the project was generated,

  • Target PLC,

  • Date of last modification to the source code,

  • The version of Control Expert used to create this archive.

NOTE: As the file is compressed, loading takes much longer than for an .STU file. We recommend using the .STA file to archive the project and the .STU file as the actual work file.
NOTE: To Fully retrieve an application with Quantum Ethernet I/O system and/or 140 NOC 78• 00 topologies, The Upload information or Open an archive files must be used.

Converting an Existing PL7 or Concept Project

To convert an existing PL7 or Concept project, carry out the following actions:

Step

Action

1

Choose the Open command from the File menu.

2

Select the file related to the project:

3

Confirm with Open.

Conversion Wizard

To convert a legacy project partially or as a whole the Conversion Wizard can be used.

The Conversion Wizard provides options to remap I/O objects (channels, variables etc.) during conversion and to adapt the hardware configuration of the new project concurrently in Control Expert.

Shortcuts to Recent Projects

To simplify access to the current project(s), the software provides a shortcut for accessing the last 8 projects used. In the File menu, activate the shortcut to the project you would like to open.

Archiving a Project

To archive a project in STA format, carry out the following actions:

Step

Action

1

Select the Save Archive command from the File menu.

2

If necessary, select the directory where the project will be stored (disk and path).

3

Enter the file name.

4

Confirm with Save.
NOTE: Archiving is only possible after a Rebuild all project with the Upload information section of the Project Settings window set as follows:

  • the Upload information and Comments check boxes are checked, with the Animation tables check box unchecked

  • the Upload information, Comments and Animation tables check boxes are checked

  • the Upload information, Comments and Animation tables check boxes are unchecked

NOTE: The .STA file partially contains the TSX CPP 110 configuration. Do not forget to backup the .CO file (Sycon) for CANopen after archiving of the project.

Analyzing a Project

To analyze the syntax of your project, carry out the following actions:

Step

Action

1

Activate the Analyze project command in the Build menu.

Result: the software analyzes the project.

2

Any errors detected are displayed in the information window at the bottom of your screen.

Analyzing and Generating a Project

To analyze and generate your project at the same time (generation of links between input/output modules and declared objects in the project, etc.), carry out the following actions:

Step

Action

1

Activate the Rebuild all Project command in the Build menu.

Result: the software analyzes and generates the project.

2

Any errors detected are displayed in the information window at the bottom of your screen.

Analyzing and Generating Modified Project Parts

To analyze and generate only the modified parts of your project, carry out the following actions:

Step

Action

1

Activate the Build Changes command in the Build menu.

Result: the software analyzes and generates the modified parts of your project.

2

Any errors detected are displayed in the information window at the bottom of your screen.
NOTE: The Build Changes analyses and displays only modified sections or sections impacted by modifications. To display all warnings, a Rebuild all Project command is needed.
NOTE: The Build Changes command can be executed only if the Rebuild all Project command has been executed at least once previously.

Backing up a New Project

To back up a new project, carry out the following actions:

Step

Action

1

Activate the Save or Save As command in the File menu.

2

If necessary, select the directory where the project will be stored (disk and path).

3

Enter the file name.

4

Confirm with Save.

Backing up an Existing Project

To back up your modifications, select the Save command from the File menu.

Closing a Project

To close your project, carry out the following actions:

Step

Action

1

Activate the Close command in the File menu.

2

If you have modified your project, a dialog box is displayed with the message that you must save your project.

3

Save your project or close it without saving changes.
NOTE: Closing a project triggers saving the current context in the file <Project_name>.ZTX.

Exiting Control Expert

To exit Control Expert, carry out the following actions:

Step

Action

1

Activate the Exit command in the File menu.

2

If you have modified your project, a dialog box is displayed with the message that you must save your project.

3

Save your project or exit it without saving changes.