V13 SP1 Upd3, HMI UDT function

Hi,

Today I've been using (or trying to use), the HMI UDT function in V13 SP1 upd3.

In my project I have defined structures based on UDT data types in my 'DB_HMI_Interface' data block in the 1515F CPU.

In my TP1200 I have created several Faceplates that have multiple status indicators etc., for sections of the machine.  The machine sections are all subdivided into the PLC UDT structures, so ideally I would like to take the complete structure of data from the PLC DB into a faceplate.

However, at the moment, I don't seem to be able to do this.

I have tried to create a UDT type in the HMI, as is now available in V13 SP1.  I have managed to integrate the HMI UDT into the faceplate.  I've made every effort to ensure that the data structure of the UDT type defined in the HMI project library, matches the structure of the UDT in the PLC data block.

Again, when I try and link the HMI tag that links back to the PLC UDT structure, to the faceplate UDT interface input, it does not work.

I've checked and double checked to make sure that the UDT structure in the PLC matches exactly to the Faceplate's UDT type structure in the HMI.  However, I cannot make the link between the HMI tag and the Faceplate interface.  It just appears red in the inspector window and gives a compile error.

There is an FAQ on the Siemens support website, 68014632.  Section 5 tries to show the procedure for making this work, but I cannot get the Faceplate interface UDT input to accept the HMI tag that links back to my PLC data structure.

https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/gb/en/view/68014632

This is so frustrating.

The HMI UDT type has the feel of a 'Beta' version about it.  There seems to be limited documentation available, and the whole process it a bit clunky to say the least.

It would be great if you could use the UDT defined in the PLC code to directly define the UDT in the HMI. 

Can anyone help???

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Split from TIA Portal Faceplates & Data types discussion.

K!ke

Hello,

with V13 SP1 you can now use the PLC data types directly in wincc. so you don't need to define same datatype two times.
you just need to add the plc data type to the library to use it as faceplate property in wincc...

K!ke

Breakthrough.  Thanks for the advice.  The key to getting UDTs bridging between the PLC and HMI world seems to be by moving the PLC UDT to the library, and then using that UDT type instance in the Faceplate.

I can now link the HMI tag into the Faceplate interface without an error.

That leads me to the question: When would you use the HMI's new V13SP1 UDT type?

Will continue to investigate.....

Thanks for the heads-up.

We also did a quick test and it seems to work for the UDT's. I don't have the time to do a full test to see if there are more "unknown" limits but seems ok.

Now just a way to make these tags dynamic when calling them in a popup window made with or without a faceplate.

Hi ThaKibosh,

An update for you from today's battles with TIA Portal V13SP1.

I have successfully managed to create faceplates, where the interface to it is defined as a UDT.

This seems to work, although there are some strange compilation warnings in the WinCC section of the Portal, when compiling the HMI.

A summary of my method is as follows:-

1. Create the PLC UDT data type as required in the PLC code.  In my case, this is to contain status data to be displayed on the HMI. 

2. Apply the PLC UDT in a data block as normal.  I therefore now have a data block that can be readf/written to by the PLC code, and used for tagging in the HMI.

3. Drag the PLC UDT into the project library, thus creating a type instance of the UDT in the library.

4. Add a Faceplate into the project library. Create the faceplate graphics as necessary.  In my case I have simple animations of circles (red/green) to show when status bits are on/off.

5. Now in the Faceplate editor add a property variable to the faceplate interface on the right side of the editor screen.  Click on it once, and then in the inspector window at the bottom of the screen, set the variable type as the UDT that has been added to the project library in step 3 above.  It should appear in the list of available variable types that the property variable can be.

6. Now, in my example, in the faceplate editor click on each individual circle to be animated, and then in the animation properties in the inspector window, click on the selector button next to the tag entry field, and find the property variable based based on UDT in step 5 above.

7.  Once the Faceplate is fully tagged in the editor, release it for use in the project.

8.  Drag the faceplate into a screen.  On the interface tab, there should be one entry field.  Click on the PLC interface DB from step 2, in the details view find the declaration in the DB, based on the same UDT as the faceplate interface, that you want to link to the faceplate.  Now, fingers crossed, that should drop into the Faceplate's interface and be white, not red!

I've tested this a few times today and it works.

One point to note is the slightly odd compilation warning.  In my faceplate, I animate the circles by evaluating individual bits of a status word in the UDT, or by the state of individual Bits in the UDT.

The compiler seems to think that there are no tags set for the animation in this case, but there definitely is in my project.  It does not stop the animation working though.  The warning is like this:-

,Tag missing for 'appearance' animation of FDIO Status UDT based_Faceplate_F-DO_Module_Status_1_Circle_19 in FDIO Status UDT based.,,,4:46:50 PM

Hi Fault44

I can confim that it does work. I was able to link to the PLC DB but with compilation warnings of Tag missing for appearance.

WinCC V13 SP1 update 3 - tag missing warning also appears if you create a new Faceplate in WinCC V13 Comfort SP1. Really strange, most probably WinCC Bugs ?

Thanks

Hi DA Eng,

I've been having a play with this method of using UDTs with Faceplates since my last Forum post on this subject, and by and large it does seem to work.

I've just looked at the screen shots you attached, and I get those warnings too.  I've found that after tagging the Faceplate instance interface, a full recompilation of the HMI seems to get rid of these warnings (most of the time!).

It is such a powerful feature of the TIA portal package, and yet it isn't very well documented or publicised by Siemens.

I still can't work out how to use the UDT data type that you can create in the HMI.  I've left that for now.  It seems very 'beta version' to say the least.

Hopefully in version 14 of TIA Portal the documentation and procedure will be improved for using the UDTs with Faceplates, and the whole Faceplate editor generally.  Not holding my breath on that one though.....

Thanks Fault44 for confirming that.

Yes full HMI software complie did the trick, all the strange warnings are gone.

I agree HMI UDT is not clear what use of that and also agree with you how Siemens have no proper documentation on faceplate UDT. I guess they want us to test these features and then once its working then it may makes its way into the manual and documentation

I have been using WinCC Comfort since V11 - they have improved alot but its still not quite there may be Version 15 or 16 would be the stable and well documentated version.

Thanks

DA

New question published by andr3a is split to a separate thread with the subject I cant use the PLC UDT in my faceplate.

Best regards
Min_Moderator