Hi,

1. Is there a way to extract DCS data: data block structures and parameter values, function block connections, symbol tables, etc. directly from the project files? The Siemens project consists of many *.DBF files which look like databases but maybe encrypted.
2. Is there a wayto extract DCS data from the Siemens project using any interchange files of a format, understandable by most popular windows applications such as Access, Excel, or text editor?
3. Is there a wayto extract DCS data using Siemens’s or third-party software DLL? For example, most windows applications contain object model structure DLL. This DLL being linked with your own software could give you an access to the project’s collections, objects, properties, and methods.

BR

Hi Hallig,

I don't know if there is any tool for (1) or (3). For import and export data through PCS 7-Tools you can use the process object view.

In the process object view, all the data of the basic control can be displayed in a process control oriented view throughout the project. When editing process tags and CFCs, all aspects (automation, I/O connection, messages, operation, and monitoring) can be consistently displayed and documented. Jumps to CFCs, SFCs, HW Config, and to the OS enable you to edit tags/values which cannot be edited in the table (e.g. parameter definition of the models, picture contents). And with the process object view and tabular display of data you can easily exchanged between Excel and PCS 7 with CTRL+C.

For more information about the process object view see the manuals:

• PCS 7 Compendium Part A - Configuration Guidelines (V9.0) at chapter Managing process tag types with the process object view
  
• PCS 7 Engineering System at chapter The process object view
  

With regards
Heisenberg

Thanks!

I have used Process Object View many times but wanted to know if there is a way to extract the data without Simatic Manager. 

BR

Halllg

I don't think this fits with you request "without SIMATIC Manager" but you can use the XML Transfer Tool for data exchange between SIMATIC Manager and other (supported) programs.

The output file contains all (most) the higher level configuration of the project and you can use it to interface with external applications like PAA/COMOS or SIMIT.

Examples of things you will NOT find: explicit Symbol Table, DB Structure tags, global DBs etc. -since this is high level information exchange and those are low level information.

Things you will find: signal assignments, block interconnections (CFC/CMT), values of parameters

I suppose if you really wanted to, you could do some other things with this file instead of just using it with supported use case software (PAA/COMOS/SIMIT).  I'm not sure Siemens nor many on here will be willing/able to support you if your editing doesn't get the right results.