Omron NS-CXDC1-V3 - 12-2009, CX-Designer 3 User Manual

Cat. No. V099-E1-05

CX-Designer

Ver. 3.@
NS-CXDC1-V3

NS-Series

USER’S MANUAL

CX-Designer

Ver. 3.@

NS-CXDC1-V3

User’s Manual

Revised December 2009

iv

v

Notice:

OMRON products are manufactured for use according to proper procedures by a qualified operator
and only for the purposes described in this manual.

The following conventions are used to indicate and classify precautions in this manual. Always heed
the information provided with them. Failure to heed precautions can result in injury to people or dam­age to property.

!DANGER Indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or

serious injury. Additionally, there may be severe property damage.

!WARNING Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or

serious injury. Additionally, there may be severe property damage.

!Caution Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or

moderate injury, or property damage.

OMRON Product References

All OMRON products are capitalized in this manual. The word “Unit” is also capitalized when it refers to
an OMRON product, regardless of whether or not it appears in the proper name of the product.

The abbreviation “Ch,” which appears in some displays and on some OMRON products, often means
“word” and is abbreviated “Wd” in documentation in this sense.

The abbreviation “PLC” means Programmable Controller. “PC” is used, however, in some Program­ming Device displays to mean Programmable Controller.

Visual Aids

The following headings appear in the left column of the manual to help you locate different types of
information.

Note Indicates information of particular interest for efficient and convenient opera-

tion of the product.

1,2,3... 1. Indicates lists of one sort or another, such as procedures, checklists, etc.

Terminology

NS-series PT A Programmable Terminal in the NS Series manufactured by OMRON.
PLC A Programmable Logic Controller manufactured by OMRON.
Host A PLC, factory computer, personal computer or other controller controlling an NS-

series PT.

NS-Designer The NS-NSDC1-V@ NS-Designer produced by OMRON. The NS-Designer is an

applications software package that enables creating screen data for NS-series PTs.

CX-One The CXONE-AL@@C-V3/AL@@D-V3 CX-One FA Integrated Tool Package produced

by OMRON. This applications software package provides all of the software packages

for OMRON PLCs and components.
CX-Designer The NS-CXDC1-V3 CX-Designer produced by OMRON.
NS-Runtime The NS-Runtime software runs on Windows XP and provides the same functionality

as an NS-series PT.

vi

 OMRON, 2008

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, o

r

by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission o

f

OMRON.

No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Moreover, because OMRON is con­stantly striving to improve its high-quality products, the information contained in this manual is subject to change without
notice. Every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this manual. Nevertheless, OMRON assumes no responsibility
for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained in
this publication.

vii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

1-1 Features of the CX-Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

1-2 Basic Operation Procedures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

SECTION 2

Setting Up the CX-Designer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

2-1 Preparations for Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

2-2 Installing the CX-Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

2-3 Uninstalling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

2-4 Installing USB Drivers for NS-Series PTs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

SECTION 3

Basic Operations of the CX-Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

3-1 Starting and Exiting CX-Designer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

3-2 Menu Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

3-3 User Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

SECTION 4

Useful Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

4-1 Creating Screens Using Symbols. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

4-2 Using Screens from Other Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

4-3 Classifying Screens by Application. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

4-4 Checking and Changing Functional Object Properties

without Opening Property Setting Dialog Boxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

4-5 Listing and Editing Functional Object Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

4-6 Editing Overlapping Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

4-7 Creating Multi-language Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

4-8 Checking Address Usage Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

4-9 Searching for Embedded Macros. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

4-10 Transferring Only Edited Data to PT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

4-11 Creating Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

4-12 How to Use Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

4-13 Integrated Simulation for the Entire System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

4-14 Setting Security for Data Transfers with the PT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

4-15 Setting Symbol Names and I/O Comments for Use as Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

4-16 Executing Multiple Functions with a Single Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

4-17 Replacing a Lamp with a Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

4-18 Creating Polygonal Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

4-19 Registering Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

4-20 Using Machine Navigator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

4-21 Enlarging Objects Proportional to Screen Size during Data Conversion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

4-22 Batch-setting Label Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

viii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Appendices

A Comparison of Functions with NS-Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

B Shortcut Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

C Exchanging Data between NS-series Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Revision History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

ix

About this Manual:

The CX-Designer is a software package that enables creating screens for OMRON Programmable Ter­minals. Please be sure you understand the functions and performance of the CX-Designer to ensure
correct application of the Programmable Terminals.

Please read this manual and related manuals carefully and be sure you understand the information
provided before attempting to use the CX-Designer.

Section 1 provides an overview of the CX-Designer and its features and explains basic operating
methods.

Section 2 describes how to install and uninstall the CX-Designer.

Section 3 describes the CX-Designer menus and basic procedures.

Section 4 describes convenient functions of the CX-Designer.

The Appendices provide a comparison between the CX-Designer and NS-Designer, tables of short­cut keys, and data transfer procedures between different versions of NS-series PT.

!WARNING Failure to read and understand the information provided in this manual may result in per-

sonal injury or death, damage to the product, or product failure. Please read each section
in its entirety and be sure you understand the information provided in the section and
related sections before attempting any of the procedures or operations given.

x

Guide to Version Upgrade

From CX-Designer Version 1.0 to Version 2.0

Item Previous versions New version

CX-Designer Version 1.0 (NS-CXDC1-V1) Version 2.0 (NS-CXDC1-V2)
NS system software Version 6.2 or 6.5 Version 6.6
Integrated simulation The only function available was simulated

testing of PT screen operations on a per­sonal computer.

Using a personal computer, a virtual PT
can be connected to a virtual PLC (CX­Simulator) or to an actual PLC, and the
operation of the entire PT-PLC system can
be simulated. This makes it possible to
reduce the total time involved in debugging.

Symbol programming without
addresses

Symbol names, addresses, and comments
were entered in symbol tables. Then the
required symbols were selected from the
symbol tables when creating screens.

Symbol names and comments can be input
for symbol tables with no addresses. This
allows screens to be created using symbol
names without inputting addresses. Enter­ing symbols in screen designs without
addresses makes it possible to reduce the
total time involved in design.

Multi-vendor connectivity Not supported. It is now possible to connect OMRON NS-

series PTs to Mitsubishi FX-series PLCs,
A-series PLCs, and Siemens S7-series
PLCs.

Data security The following two types of data transfers

are possible between CX-Designer (run­ning on a personal computer) and a PT:

•Data transfers with the PT.

•With data transfers using a Memory Card,

data can be uploaded and downloaded by
any user.

A password can now be set for creating
data. When data with a set password is
transferred to a PT, the password is then
required in order to upload the data. This
prevents users who do not know the pass­word from obtaining that data from the PT.
In addition, a password can be required to
transfer data to the PT. This prevents data
from being accidentally overwritten.

User security Any of five levels of passwords could be set

for each functional object. A dialog box ask­ing for the password was displayed each
time an attempt was made to use a func­tional object for which a password had
been set, and the object could not be used
unless the password was input.

Once a user inputs the password to use a
functional object for which a password has
been set, the password does not have to be
input again as long as the user continues
using only functional objects for which
lower level passwords have been set. Func­tional objects with a higher-level password
cannot be manipulated. (A warning mes­sage will be displayed if an attempt is
made.) This makes it possible to create
applications that permit only the necessary
operations by users who have entered
passwords, and thus helps prevent faulty
operations.

Consecutive line drawing Not available. Data in memory is treated as X and Y coor-

dinates, and straight lines are drawn
between the applicable coordinates to cre­ate consecutive line drawing. This makes it
possible to handle applications involving
the drawing of various graphics in two­dimensional space that could not be drawn
using the existing graph components.

xi

Improvements in broken-line
graph

Number of monitor points: 256 max. •Number of monitor points: 1,000 max.

•Batch reading

•Graph overwriting

•Indirect specification of starting display

position

•Indirect specification of displaying/hiding

graph lines

•Indirect specification of displaying/hiding

scale lines

Ladder Monitor To use the Ladder Monitor it was necessary

to copy the Ladder Monitor software from a
CD-ROM to a Memory Card and to install
the Memory Card in an NS-series PT. In
addition, the PT was reset when starting or
exiting the Ladder Monitor.

With version-2 NS-series PTs (except for
the NS5-V2 and NSJ5), ladder monitoring
is built into the PT as a standard feature, so
no separate Memory Card is required. (A
Memory Card is required for version-1 PTs,
however, just as before.) In addition, neither
version-1 nor version-2 PTs are reset when
starting or ending the Ladder Monitor when
Ladder Monitor version 2.8 is used. These
improvements make the Ladder Monitor
easier to use and reduce operating time.

Symbol table transfers when
transferring screen data

Symbol tables set using the CX-Designer
could be managed only by the CX­Designer, and symbol data was lost when
data was uploaded from an NS-series PT.

When screen data is downloaded from the
CX-Designer, the symbol tables are down­loaded together with it. Likewise, when
screen data is uploaded, the symbol tables
are uploaded too.

Holding log and alarm informa­tion when transferring screen
data

All of the log and alarm information in the
PT was initialized when screen data was
downloaded.

It is now possible to select whether log and
alarm information is to be initialized when
screen data is downloaded.

PLC data trace reading Not supported. (This was a function of the

CX-Programmer.)

Trace results from data traces (which is a
CPU Unit function) can now be read by the
PT and displayed in time chart format.
(CSV files cannot be saved.) This makes it
possible, using just the PT without CX-Pro­grammer, to isolate the causes of errors
that occur on-site.

Addition of European fonts With the built-in raster fonts in NS-series

PTs, Russian and Greek characters were
full-width and not all characters were avail­able.

All Russian and Greek characters are now
available, and all characters are half-width.

Japanese file names Two-byte characters could not be used for

project file names.

Two-byte characters can now be used for
project file names.

Video display mode setting Image quality could not be adjusted when

an NS-CA002 RGB/Video Input Unit was
used.

It is now possible to select from three pat­terns for image quality adjustment. When a
visual sensor is connected, even small dis­play characters can be read. It is now also
possible to adjust the display position for
RGB display.

SAP (Smart Active Parts) --- SAP has been added for the EJ1 Modular

Temperature Controller, G3ZA Multi-chan­nel Power Controller, and Troubleshooters.

Automatic using symbol names
and I/O comments as labels
and alarm messages

--- Symbol names and I/O comments of the
communications addresses can be auto­matically used as functional object labels
and alarm messages.

NS-Runtime --- Projects can be created for NS-Runtime.
Temperature Controllers

Only the E5

@N and E5@R Temperature

Controllers can be set as hosts.

The EJ1 Modular Temperature Controller
can now also be set as a host.

Item Previous versions New version

xii

From CX-Designer Version 2.0 to Version 2.1

Item Previous versions New version

CX-Designer Version 2.0 Version 2.1
NS system software Version 6.6 Version 7.0
Multi-vendor connectivity --- It is now possible to connect NS-series PTs

to the following devices.

• OMRON Trajexia Motion Controllers

• Yaskawa MP-series Machine Controllers

• Yaskawa F7-series Varispeed and VS
Mini V7-series Machine Controllers

• Mitsubishi Q-series PLCs

NT compatibility --- System memory can now be allocated to

PLC memory areas in the same way as for
the NT Series, enabling PLC ladder pro­grams to be easily transferred when migrat­ing from the NT Series to the NS Series.

Holding previous system mem­ory values

When an NS-series PT was started, the ini­tial screen set in the System Setup was
always opened.

It is now possible to display at the next star­tup the screen that was being displayed
when the program was closed.

Multilingual system capability The system supported two languages:

English and Japanese.

In addition to English and Japanese, the
system now also supports German,
French, Italian, Spanish, and Chinese (both
traditional and simplified).

Multifunction Objects Macros were required in order to executed

multiple processes for a single functional
object.

Multifunction Objects have been added to
functional objects.

With Multifunction Object, multiple pro­cesses can be registered and can then be
executed with the press of a button.

Processes that previously required the cre­ation of macros can now be executed by
simply setting properties.

Machine Navigator function Multiple objects, such as frames, labels,

and bitmaps, were used to change displays
such as on-screen characters and BMP
files. Contents of displays were set individ­ually, which was time-consuming and made
maintenance troublesome.

A Machine Navigator function and a func­tional object contents display function have
been added. Machine Navigator provides
unified control of text and image files (i.e.,
“contents”) to be displayed, and the new
display function displays those contents.

Contents requiring association can be
managed in ID units, and the display can
be easily changed by simply changing the
ID specification.

Flicker function The only flicker method for objects was dis-

play color inversion.

The following flicker methods have been
added.

• Display/hide (entire object or label)

• Flicker color specification (fill color, char­acter, and line colors)

Improved alarm/event sum­mary and history display

When the history was displayed using the
Alarm/event Summary & History command,
the same alarm/event was displayed in
multiple places for each date of occurrence.
This made it difficult to check the frequency
of occurrence.

In addition, in some cases there were many
items to be displayed and not all of them
could fit on the screen.

A function has been added to provide a
summary of a particular alarm/event on a
single line, making it possible to quickly
check conditions without unnecessary dis­plays.

A horizontal scrolling function has also
been added to allow all items to be
checked.

Fonts Raster fonts could be set for objects with

changing display character strings, such as
numeric displays and inputs. Rounded
areas became rough, however, when the
font size was increased.

Scalable fonts have been added to enable
smooth displays. Gothic numeral and 7­segment displays have also been added to
allow more attractive and up-to-date
screens to be created.

xiii

Improved screen switching
function

--- Speed and bitmap performance have been
improved for switching screens.

Improved connection opera­tions

When serial ports A and B were both set for
use for NT Links, “Connecting” was dis­played if either of the hosts was not con­nected.

Even if one host is not connected, the mon­itoring results of the connected host can be
displayed on the screen without “Connect­ing” being displayed.

SAP Library allocated unit
number and communications
setting information display

SAP Library settings could not be checked
even by displaying addresses using screen
data checking from the System Menu.

The following information can now be dis­played.

• Command destination port names

• Destination network addresses

• Destination node addresses

• Destination unit numbers

• DeviceNet Slave Unit address and

Inverter node addresses

Bar codes The maximum length of data that could be

processed by an NS-series PT was 40
bytes.

The maximum data length has been
increased to 254 bytes, allowing the data to
be processed by two-dimensional bar code
readers.

Test screens --- The following functions have been added to

test screens.

• Zoom

• Always displaying on top

• Starting test screens in the previous dis-

play position and zoom status

DXF files DXF files could not be accessed. It is now possible to convert DXF files to

graphics and position them with the CX­Designer.

Initialization options for alarm/
event history data

When the alarm/event history data was
cleared by using $SB32, all history data
was cleared including current alarms or
events.

System Memory $SW40 has been added
so that it is now possible to specify initializ­ing cleared or confirmed history data.

Changing host settings with
the System Menu

The settings of a host connected by Ether­net or Controller Link could not be checked
with the System Menu.

A list of hosts can now be displayed by
selecting Communications Settings from
the System Menu. It is now also possible to
change the host network address, node
address, and host type.

Item Previous versions New version

xiv

From CX-Designer Version 2.1 to Version 3.0

Item Previous versions New version

CX-Designer Version 2.1 Version 3.0
NS system software Version 7.0 Version 8.0
CJ2 compatible --- Connections to CJ2-series PLCs are now

supported.

EtherNet/IP compatible --- Tag message communications are now

supported.

Ladder Monitor --- Ladder Monitor functionality and operability

have been greatly improved. The main
functionality improvements are as follows.

• The Ladder Monitor can be started from
the alarm/event summary and history.
Communications addresses set as alarms
or events can be searched for automati­cally.

• The display color and size was updated.

• I/O comments can be read from the PLC.

• The number of rows of I/O comments dis­played can be changed.

• Search functionality, such as address
searches and return searches, have been
added, making searching much more
powerful.

• The number of points that can be regis­tered for I/O monitoring was increased.

• It is possible to search for or change the
present value of the address the cursor is
on.

• The input format of the display of present
values for words can be changed between
hexadecimal, decimal, and signed deci­mal format.

• The display can be captured and saved as
a bitmap file.

Operation log Previously, operations other than those on

the PT, such as the switches on the front of
the control board, could not be logged.

The following functions have been added to
the operation log.

• It is possible to log ON/OFF changes for a
specified communications address. For
example, by assigning a communications
address to the switch on the front of the
control panel, operations other than those
on the PT display can also be logged.

• Messages can be set in the operation log.

• It is possible to save history files (csv files)
and display the operation log screen from
the System Menu using a Multifunction
Object.

• Multiple history files can be saved.

PLC data trace Previous versions supported only bit data

tracing.

The following functions have been added to
the PLC data trace.

• Data traces for words are now supported.

• Data trace results can now be saved as
CSV files.

• The PLC data trace display can be cap­tured and saved as a bitmap file.

• The PLC symbol table can be read, and
the I/O comments for the communications
addresses being traced can be displayed.

xv

From CX-Designer Version 3.0 to Version 3.007

Screen transfers Previously, when uploading project data

from the PT, the user display on the PT
would change to the transfer screen. Also,
after transfer finished, it was necessary to
reset the PT.

When uploading project data, it is no longer
necessary to change to the transfer screen
while uploading, nor is it necessary to reset
the PT when the transfer has finished. Now,
the user can continue operating the PT
screens even while uploading.

Multivendor support --- The PT can now be connected to the fol-

lowing devices.

• Rockwell Automation (Allen-Bradley)
SLC500 Controller, MicroLogix, PLC-5,
CompactLogix, and ControlLogix

• Modbus RTU-compatible devices

Screen saver --- The time until the screen saver starts can

be indirectly specified.

String table support for alarms
and events

--- Alarm and event message text strings can
now be viewed from string tables.

Disable function for screen
inputs

--- It is now possible to enabled or disable
inputs and outputs to the entire screen
when a specified communications address
is turned ON or OFF.

Item Previous versions New version

CX-Designer Version 3.0 Version 3.007
NS system software Version 8.0 Version 8.1
Printer --- PictBridge-compatible printers are now

supported (except they are not supported
by the NS5-@@0@, NSJ5-@@0@, and
NSH5).

Multivendor support --- The following PLCs can now be connected

to an NS-series PT.

• Yokogawa Electric FA-M3-series and FA-

M3R-series PLCs.

Ladder Monitor --- • CJ2-series PLCs are now supported.

• The host connected to an NS-series PT

over an EtherNet/IP network can now be
monitored.

It is now possible to display a dialog box
asking for a password if data will be modi­fied, such as when changing present val­ues.

Data log graphs A line appeared on the data log graph while

data was being logged and then blank
spaces occurred at times when no data
was logged.

A setting has been added to provide an
option to compress the times when data
was not logged so those times will not be
displayed. This way only logged data will be
displayed as one continuous line.

No data logged. Display showing compressed time when no

data was logged.

Item Previous versions New version

A

B

Logging was stopped.

Periods when logging
was stopped are dis­played on a reduced
time scale.

A

B

xvi

From CX-Designer Version 3.007 to Version 3.008

From CX-Designer Version 3.008 to Version 3.1

Initialization of alarm/event his­tory data

When the alarm/event history data was
cleared by using $SB32 or $SW40, the
number of times alarm/events occurred
was held in memory even though the other
data was cleared.

A setting has been added to provide an
option to clear the number of times alarm/
events occurred along with the other alarm/
event history data that was cleared.

Number of objects per screen The maximum number of objects, including

graphs and functional objects (i.e., frames
and tables), was 1,024 per screen.

The number of objects per screen has been
increased to a maximum of 1,024 func­tional objects (i.e., frames and tables) and
up to 2,048 graphs.

Improved screen switching per­formance

--- The speed for switching screens when the
drawing method is set to Display frames
and fixed objects first has now been
improved. (This capability requires project
version 8.1 or higher.)

Project data conversion When project data was converted, the posi-

tion and size of the screen objects were left
unchanged by the conversion. Also NS­Runtime projects could not be converted to
NS projects.

It is now possible to change the position
and size of all objects proportional to the
size of the screen, such as when convert­ing data for a low-resolution PT to data for a
high-resolution PT.

In addition, NS-Runtime projects can now
be converted to NS projects.

Importing labels from CSV files When label text strings were imported from

a CSV file, the original font that was set for
an object was subsequently applied to the
object after importing the file.

Now the font for groups of labels can be
changed all at once when label text strings
are imported from a CSV file.

Changing initial values of func­tional objects

--- The initial values of the following functional
objects can be changed to make them eas­ier to use.

• Numeral Display & Input

• String Display & Input

• Alarm/Event Summary & History

•Frame

Item Previous versions New version

CX-Designer Version 3.007 Version 3.008
NS system software Version 8.1 Version 8.1
NS15 compatibility --- Connection to an NS15 PT is now sup-

ported.

Item Previous versions New version

CX-Designer Version 3.008 Version 3.1
NS-series PT software version Version 8.1 Version 8.2
Device data transfer --- Conditions can be set to transfer data from

a source to a destination.

SPMA transfers --- Screen data transfers can be performed

through USB to access other devices. For
details, refer to CX-Designer Online Help.

Batch format settings --- The format for all labels can be set at the

same time.

Batch label settings --- A specified character string can be set for

all of the labels for objects at the same
time.

Item Previous versions New version

xvii

String Display and Input
objects

--- An input method setting was added to
move the input focus to in front of the char­acter string when the focus is set.

Analogue Meter improvements --- The shape of the needle can be set to a

straight line, arrow, or triangle arrow. The
line width can be changed to up to 3 dots.

Password input keyboards --- The user can specify the keyboards to use

to input passwords.

Macros added --- Trigonometric and floating-point functions

were added.

Screen switch settings --- The default setting for the display sequence

for screens now gives priority to displaying
fixed objects and frames first.

Improvements in creation
methods for fixed objects

--- The method to create sectors and arcs has
been improved.

Data log graphs for 128 points The previous maximum was 50 points. The total number of addresses for constant

logging was increased to 128 points max.

Data blocks with 512 KB The previous size was 100 KB. The size of one data block was increased

to 512 KB.

Item Previous versions New version

xviii

Related Manuals:

The manuals related to using the CX-Designer are listed below. Manual suffixes have been omitted.
Please be sure you have the most recent version for your area.

Installing the CX-Designer

CX-Designer User’s Manual - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -V099

This manual describes how to install the CX-Designer and the user interface. It also describes
characteristic functions and application methods.

Confirming Functional/Fixed Object Setting Procedures when Using
the CX-Designer

CX-Designer Help

The online help feature explains CX-Designer operating methods and settings (including
detailed settings for functional and fixed objects).

It also explains how to transfer screen data to the NS-series PT.

Using NS-series PT Functions and Troubleshooting Errors

NS-Series PT Programming Manual - - - - - - - - - -V073

This manual describes using NS-series PT functions and application methods. It also provides
troubleshooting methods in the event that problems occur with the PT.

Checking NS-series PT Functions, Operations, and Restrictions

NS-V1/V2-series PT Setup Manual - - - - - - - - - -V083

This manual describes installation and connection procedures, general specifications, and
other hardware information for NS-V1/V2-series PTs (NS15-V2, NS12-V1/V2, NS10-V1/V2,
NS8-V1/V2, and NS5-V1/V2).

NS-series PT Setup Manual- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -V072

This manual describes installation and connection procedures, general specifications, and
other hardware information for NS-series PTs (NS12, NS10, and NS7).

Installing the CX-Designer from the CX-One

CXONE-AL@@C-V4/AL@@D-V4 CX-One Ver. 4.0 Setup Manual

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -W463

This manual provides an overview of the CX-One FA Integrated Tool Package and describes
installation methods.

Using an NS-series PT for the First Time

CX-Designer Introduction Guide - - - - - - - - - - - - -V089

This tutorial describes using a NS-series PT for first-time users, from simple screen creation to
system operation.

Using NS-series PT Macros

Macro Reference (Installed from CX-Designer CD-ROM.)

The online help for the CX-Designer provides detailed descriptions of the NS-series PT macro
function. The same level of detail is also provided in this reference manual, which is installed

xix

on the hard disk as a PDF file when the CX-Designer is installed. Use either the online help or
this reference as required.

Checking PLC Functions and Operation

Operation Manuals for the PLC Being Used

For information on PLC operation and functions, refer to the operation manuals for the CPU
Unit, Special I/O Units, CPU Bus Units, Communications Units, or other Units that you are
using.

Checking NS-Runtime Functions, Operations, and Restrictions

NS-Runtime User's Manual - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -V093

This manual describes the special functions of NS-Runtime.

xx

xxi

Read and Understand this Manual

Please read and understand this manual before using the product. Please consult your OMRON
representative if you have any questions or comments.

Warranty and Limitations of Liability

Application Considerations

WARRANTY

(1) The warranty period for the Software is one year from either the date of purchase or the date on which

the Software is delivered to the specified location.

(2) If the User discovers a defect in the Software (i.e., substantial non-conformity with the manual), and

returns it to OMRON within the above warranty period, OMRON will replace the Software without charge
by offering media or downloading services from the Internet. And if the User discovers a defect in the
media which is attributable to OMRON and returns the Software to OMRON within the above warranty
period, OMRON will replace the defective media without charge. If OMRON is unable to replace the
defective media or correct the Software, the liability of OMRON and the User's remedy shall be limited to
a refund of the license fee paid to OMRON for the Software.

LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY

(1) THE ABOVE WARRANTY SHALL CONSTITUTE THE USER'S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES

AGAINST OMRON AND THERE ARE NO OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT WILL OMRON BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOST PROFITS OR
OTHER INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF
USE OF THE SOFTWARE.

(2) OMRON SHALL ASSUME NO LIABILITY FOR DEFECTS IN THE SOFTWARE BASED ON

MODIFICATION OR ALTERATION OF THE SOFTWARE BY THE USER OR ANY THIRD PARTY.

(3) OMRON SHALL ASSUME NO LIABILITY FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPED BY THE USER OR ANY

THIRD PARTY BASED ON THE SOFTWARE OR ANY CONSEQUENCE THEREOF.

SUITABILITY FOR USE

THE USER SHALL NOT USE THE SOFTWARE FOR A PURPOSE THAT IS NOT DESCRIBED IN THE
ATTACHED USER MANUAL.

xxii

Disclaimers

CHANGE IN SPECIFICATIONS

The software specifications and accessories may be changed at any time based on improvements or for
other reasons.

EXTENT OF SERVICE

The license fee of the Software does not include service costs, such as dispatching technical staff.

ERRORS AND OMISSIONS

The information in this manual has been carefully checked and is believed to be accurate; however, no
responsibility is assumed for clerical, typographical, or proofreading errors, or omissions.

1

SECTION 1

Overview

This section describes the features of the CX-Designer and the startup procedures for NS-series PTs for first-time users.

1-1 Features of the CX-Designer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

1-1-1 Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

1-2 Basic Operation Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2

Features of the CX-Designer Section 1-1

1-1 Features of the CX-Designer

The CX-Designer is software that can be run on Windows 2000, XP, Vista, or
7 to create screen data for NS-series Programmable Terminals (PTs).

The CX-Designer has a variety of functions to enable efficient screen creation
and debugging.

1-1-1 Features

Screens Can Be Created
Using Symbols

Symbols can be used with the CX-Designer. Symbols are addresses to which
names have been assigned. In addition to the existing method of directly
inputting addresses to be browsed by functional objects, the addresses can
also be set by using symbols (names). When the address allocated for a sym­bol is changed, the address is changed for all objects that access that symbol.
This makes it easy to change address allocations and reuse screens. Sym­bols can also be shared by the CX-Designer and CX-Programmer by copying
the symbols from CX-Programmer symbol tables to the CX-Designer.

Refer to 4-1 Creating Screens Using Symbols for details.

Project Management
Using Project Workspace

Screens, alarms, and other common settings can be displayed in a directory
tree in the CX-Designer project workspace. Projects are easy to manage
because the entire project structure can be checked at a glance.

Screens and settings can be copied between multiple CX-Designer project
workspaces. Screens can also be copied within the same project workspace.
Refer to 4-2 Using Screens from Other Projects for details.

Easy Reuse of Screens Screens and settings can be copied between multiple CX-Designer project

workspaces. Screens can also be copied within the same project workspace.
The common settings accessed by screens are also copied automatically.

If symbols are used, it also becomes easy to change addresses after screens
have been copied. Refer to 4-2 Using Screens from Other Projects for details.

Screen Classification by
Application for Easy
Management

Screens can be classified into any category, e.g., by application, and dis­played in a directory tree. When screens are created, consecutive screen
numbers are automatically applied to screens in the same category. These
numbers can also be changed. This makes screen management even easier.

Refer to 4-3 Classifying Screens by Application for details.

Project Workspace

The entire project structure can
be displayed in a directory tree.

Property List

Functional object property
settings can be changed and
checked without having to open
a properties dialog box.

Output Window

Displays data such as search
results and error details.

Edit Screens

Screen data displayed on the PTs
can be created for a group of objects.

3

Features of the CX-Designer Section 1-1

Functional Object
Property Settings Using
Property Lists

Functional object settings can be changed and checked without having to
open a dialog box.

When more than one object is selected, common settings for those objects
can be changed in one operation from the property list.

Refer to 4-4 Checking and Changing Functional Object Properties without

Opening Property Setting Dialog Boxes.

Edit Properties from Lists Properties of objects on the screen can be displayed in table format and the

settings changed.
Settings for more than one object can be changed at the same time and con-

secutive addresses can be automatically set.
Refer to 4-5 Listing and Editing Functional Object Properties for details.

Select and Display
Specified Objects

Objects on the screen can be listed and specified objects selected. The
screen display can also be limited to specified objects.

This makes it easy to check and change the property settings for overlapping
objects.

Refer to 4-6 Editing Overlapping Objects for details.

Find Macros Embedded macros can be listed.

This improves debugging efficiency by no longer requiring individual object
property settings to be opened to find objects that use macros.

Refer to 4-9 Searching for Embedded Macros for details.

Automatic Transfer of
Edited Data Only

Once screens have been transferred to the PT, quick transfers of only the
changed data can be made automatically. Screens are edited and data trans­ferred many times during debugging, so the quick transfer function greatly
reduces transfer time and increases efficiency.

Refer to 4-10 Transferring Only Edited Data to PT for details.

Easy Document Creation Common settings and property settings for objects in screens can be output in

rich text format (.rtf). The output settings are displayed in a list for easier view­ing.

Screen images can also be output to bmp and jpg files.
Refer to 4-11 Creating Documents for details.

Integrated Simulation for
Entire PT-PLC System
(CX-Designer Version 2.0
and Higher)

The CX-Designer test function can be connected to the CX-Simulator (a vir­tual PLC). When the CX-Simulator is started, the PLC user program created
using the CX-Programmer can be debugged on a personal computer together
with screen data.

4

Features of the CX-Designer Section 1-1

In addition, the test function can be connected directly to an actual PLC. This
enables debugging (including monitoring and settings) using actual I/O, Spe­cial I/O Units, and CPU Bus Units connected to the PLCs, as well as data
from external devices and PLC data on the network.

Prevent Unauthorized
Uploading of Data from
the PT (CX-Designer
Version 2.0 and Higher)

To prevent data theft from the PT, a password can be required to upload
project data. Data cannot be uploaded from the PT unless the correct pass­word is input. A password can also be required for downloading data to pre­vent data from being accidentally overwritten.

Note Project data created using the NS-Designer can be used with the CX-

Designer. Project data created using the CX-Designer can also be used with
the NS-Designer. (Only project data versions supported by NS-Designer,
however, can be used.)

1. Integrated operations with
screens and user programs
can be tested on a personal
computer

2. Screen operations can be tested
while connected to the actual PLC
System (including external devices).

Personal computer

Virtual PT

Virtual PLC
CX-Simulator

Personal computer

Virtual PT

Actual PLC

Basic I/O Units,
Special I/O Unit,
CPU Bus Units

External
devices

Actual PLC

Settings and monitoring are enabled
for CPU Bus Units, Special I/O Units,
external devices, and PLCs on the network.

5

Basic Operation Procedures Section 1-2

1-2 Basic Operation Procedures

This section describes the basic procedures for creating screens using CX­Designer, transferring data to the PT, and displaying screens. Refer to the CX­Designer online help and the NS Series Setup Manual and NS Series Pro-
gramming Manual for details.

Creating Projects and Screens on the CX-Designer

Start CX-Designer.
Select Programs - OMRON - CX-One - CX-Designer - CX-Designer Ver. @.

Make Project Communications Settings and Register Host.
Decide the settings for the PT and PLC and register the PLC host for
communications.
Select Communication Setting on the project workspace System Tab
Page.
Alternatively, select PT - Communication Setting.

Create New Project.
Select File - New Project.

Set the PT model, PT system version, and file
name in the New Project Dialog Box.

Specify the screen number for the new screen in the
New Screen Dialog Box.

Set whether or not to use Serial Port A, Serial Port B,
Ethernet, and Controller Link networks and set the
communications conditions.

Click the Add Host Button in the Communication
Setting Dialog Box to set the host name, host type,
network address, and node address.
Note: Up to 98 hosts can be registered in addition to
SERIAL A and SERIAL B.

Refer to 3-1 Starting and Exiting CX-Designer
in this manual.

6

Basic Operation Procedures Section 1-2

Copy symbols from the CX-Programmer Symbol
Table as required.

Make Project System Settings.
Select System Setting on the project workspace System Tab Page.
Alternatively, select PT - System Setting.

The address allocation settings for system memory
and the screen number to be displayed at startup are
set on the Initial Tab Page in the System Setting
Dialog Box.

Set the project properties as required. Make settings
such as language selection and label settings for
when using the switch label function.
Select Project Properties on the project workspace
System Tab Page.
Alternatively, select PT - Project properties.

Set the screen properties as required. Set the screen
title, size, pop-up screen setting, background and
other settings.
Select PT - Screen/sheet properties.

Create New Screen.
Select File - New Screen.

Create Functional Objects.

Select the functional object from the toolbar. Move
the cursor to the screen and drag the cursor from
the start point to the end point of the functional object.

Select the functional object just placed on the screen
and make address and other settings from the
property list. (Select the host name and set the
address. The address can also be set by selecting a
symbol from the symbol table.)

Refer to 4-1 Creating Screens Using Symbols
for details.

7

Basic Operation Procedures Section 1-2

Debugging Newly Created
Screen Data while
Integrated with a Virtual or
Actual PLC (CX-Designer
Version 2.0 or Later)

Also set the properties for that functional object.

Save Screen.
Select File - Save Screen/Sheet.

Save Project.
Select File - Save All.

Print data as required. Select File - Print.

Check operation using the screen data on the
CX-Designer if required.
Select Tools - Test.

When using integration simulation with an actual PLC:
Connect the personal computer to the actual PLC.

Start the Test Tool.
Select Tool - Test.

Connect to the virtual PLC (CX-Simulator) or to the actual PLC.
Select Connect to CX-Simulator or Connect to PLC, and then click the
Start Button.

Run the user program and execute the integrated simulation with the
PLC. Run the virtual PLC (CX-Simulator) or the actual PLC user program
to debug the PT and the entire PLC System.

In personal
computer

Virtual PT

Virtual PLC

or

In personal
computer

Virtual PT

Actual PLC

External devices

8

Basic Operation Procedures Section 1-2

Transferring Projects and
Screens to the PT

Connect the CX-Designer (Computer) and the PT.

Transfer Screen Data to PT.

Select the communications method.
Select PT - Transfer - Transfer Setting.

Transfer the screen data.
Select PT - Transfer - Transfer [Computer → PT].

Refer to 3-3 Connecting the CX-Designer
in the NS Series Setup Manual.

Refer to Transferring Data to the PT in the
online help for the CX-Designer.