Omron NS-NSDC1V6 OPERATION MANUAL

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OPERATION MANUAL

NS-Designer

NS-Series NS-NSDC1-V6

Cat. No. V074-E1-07

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.

Visual Aids

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

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

 OMRON, 2002

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of 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.

Note Indicates information of particular interest for efficient and convenient operation

of the product.

P-1

Preliminary Material Introduction

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the NS-Designer.

The NS-Designer is a software package that enables creating and maintaining screen data for OMRON NS-series Programmable Terminals.

To take full advantage of the NS-series Programmable Terminals, please be sure that you understand the functions and performance of the NS-Designer before attempting to use it. When using an NS-series PT, please also refer to the NS Series Setup Manual and the NS Series Programming Manual.

Intended Audience

This manual is intended for the following personnel, who must also have knowledge of electrical systems (an electrical engineer or the equivalent).

Personnel in charge of introducing FA systems into production facilities. •

•

Personnel in charge of designing FA systems.

•

Personnel in charge of installing and connecting FA systems.

•

Personnel in charge of managing FA systems and facilities.

Precaution

•

The user must operate the product according to the performance specifications described in the operation manuals.

•

Do not use the PT touch switch input functions for applications where danger to human life or serious property damage is possible, or for emergency switch applications.

•

Before using the product under conditions which are not described in the manual or applying the product to nuclear control systems, railroad systems, aviation systems, vehicles, combustion systems, medical equipment, amusement machines, safety equipment, and other systems, machines and equipment that may have a serious influence on lives and property if used improperly, consult your OMRON representative.

•

Make sure that the ratings and performance characteristics of the product are sufficient for the systems, machines, and equipment, and be sure to provide the systems, machines, and equipment with double safety mechanisms.

•

This manual provides information for using the NS-Designer. Be sure to read this manual before attempting to use the NS-Designer and keep this manual close at hand for reference during installation and operation.

P-2

Preliminary Material Notation and Terminology

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Notation and Terminology

The following notation and terminology are used in this manual.

Notation

The following notation is used in this manual.

Note

Indicates additional information on operation, descriptions, or settings.

NNoottee

Note

♦

Terminology

PT In this manual, indicates an NS-series Programmable Terminal.

PLC Indicates OMRON Programmable Controllers.

Host Indicates the PLC, FA computer, or personal computer functioning as the control

device and interfaced with the NS-series PT.

P-3

Preliminary Material Related Manuals

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Related Manuals

This manual

The following manuals are used for NS-series PTs. (The boxes at the end of the catalog numbers indicate the revision code.)

NS-Designer Operating Procedures:

• NS-Designer Operation Manual.......................................................................V074-E1-@

Describes operating procedures for the NS-Designer, which is used to create the screens displayed on the PT and transfer them to the PT. It includes screen creation and transfer procedures. Refer to this manual for information on operating methods and detailed operating procedures.

This manual deals with details of NS-Designer operation. Refer to the following manuals for information on NS-series PT operation.

Detailed Setting Methods for Functional Objects and Other Objects:

• NS Series Programming Manual......................................................................V073-E1-@

Describes the screen configurations, object functions, and host communications for the PT.

Basic NS-series PT Functions, Operations, and Limitations:

• NS series -V1/-V2 Setup Manual ......................................................................V083-E1-@

Provides information on NS Series -V1 models (i.e., NS12-V1, NS10-V1, NS8-V1, and NS5-V1), and NS Series -V2 models (i.e., NS5-V2).

Describes how to connect the PT to the host and peripheral devices, methods to setup communications and operation, and procedures for maintenance.

Refer to the NS Series Programming Manual (V073-E1-@) for information on PT functions and specific operating procedures.

First-time Users of NS-series Programmable Terminals:

• Tutorial (Installed from NS-Designer CD-ROM.)

This tutorial is designed for first-time users of NS-series PTs. It provides examples of operations from creating a simple screen through starting actual operation. When the NS-Designer is installed, the tutorial is installed on the hard disk as PDF files.

NS-series Macro Function:

• Macro Reference (Installed from NS-Designer CD-ROM.)

The online help for the NS-Designer contains detailed information on the NS-series macro functions. The Macro Reference contains essentially the same information, and it is installed on the hard disk as PDF Files when the NS-Designer is installed. Use either the online help or the Macro Reference, whichever is more convenient.

Confirming PLC Functions and Operation:

• PLC Operation Manuals

Refer to the operation manuals for individual PLC Units (e.g., the CPU Unit, Special I/O Units, CPU Bus Units, Communications Units, etc) to obtain information on PLC functions and operation.

P-4

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

WARRANTY

OMRON's exclusive warranty is that the products are free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year (or other period if specified) from date of sale by OMRON.

OMRON MAKES NO WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF THE PRODUCTS. ANY BUYER OR USER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE BUYER OR USER ALONE HAS DETERMINED THAT THE PRODUCTS WILL SUITABLY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THEIR INTENDED USE. OMRON DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.

LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY

OMRON SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SPECIAL, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSS OF PROFITS OR COMMERCIAL LOSS IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THE PRODUCTS, WHETHER SUCH CLAIM IS BASED ON CONTRACT, WARRANTY, NEGLIGENCE, OR STRICT LIABILITY.

In no event shall the responsibility of OMRON for any act exceed the individual price of the product on which liability is asserted.

IN NO EVENT SHALL OMRON BE RESPONSIBLE FOR WARRANTY, REPAIR, OR OTHER CLAIMS REGARDING THE PRODUCTS UNLESS OMRON'S ANALYSIS CONFIRMS THAT THE PRODUCTS WERE PROPERLY HANDLED, STORED, INSTALLED, AND MAINTAINED AND NOT SUBJECT TO CONTAMINATION, ABUSE, MISUSE, OR INAPPROPRIATE MODIFICATION OR REPAIR.

P-5

Application Considerations

SUITABILITY FOR USE

OMRON shall not be responsible for conformity with any standards, codes, or regulations that apply to the combination of products in the customer's application or use of the products.

At the customer's request, OMRON will provide applicable third party certification documents identifying ratings and limitations of use that apply to the products. This information by itself is not sufficient for a complete determination of the suitability of the products in combination with the end product, machine, system, or other application or use.

The following are some examples of applications for which particular attention must be given. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible uses of the products, nor is it intended to imply that the uses listed may be suitable for the products:

•

Outdoor use, uses involving potential chemical contamination or electrical interference, or conditions or uses not described in this manual.

•

Nuclear energy control systems, combustion systems, railroad systems, aviation systems, medical equipment, amusement machines, vehicles, safety equipment, and installations subject to separate industry or government regulations.

•

Systems, machines, and equipment that could present a risk to life or property.

Please know and observe all prohibitions of use applicable to the products.

NEVER USE THE PRODUCTS FOR AN APPLICATION INVOLVING SERIOUS RISK TO LIFE OR PROPERTY WITHOUT ENSURING THAT THE SYSTEM AS A WHOLE HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THE RISKS, AND THAT THE OMRON PRODUCTS ARE PROPERLY RATED AND INSTALLED FOR THE INTENDED USE WITHIN THE OVERALL EQUIPMENT OR SYSTEM.

PROGRAMMABLE PRODUCTS

OMRON shall not be responsible for the user's programming of a programmable product, or any consequence thereof.

P-6

Disclaimers

CHANGE IN SPECIFICATIONS

Product specifications and accessories may be changed at any time based on improvements and other reasons.

It is our practice to change model numbers when published ratings or features are changed, or when significant construction changes are made. However, some specifications of the products may be changed without any notice. When in doubt, special model numbers may be assigned to fix or establish key specifications for your application on your request. Please consult with your OMRON representative at any time to confirm actual specifications of purchased products.

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS

Dimensions and weights are nominal and are not to be used for manufacturing purposes, even when tolerances are shown.

PERFORMANCE DATA

Performance data given in this manual is provided as a guide for the user in determining suitability and does not constitute a warranty. It may represent the result of OMRON's test conditions, and the users must correlate it to actual application requirements. Actual performance is subject to the OMRON Warranty and Limitations of Liability.

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.

P-7

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Contents

Notice .......................................................................................................................................................... 1

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 2

Notation and Terminology ...................................................................................................................................... 3

Related Manuals ...................................................................................................................................................... 4

Read and Understand This Manual ......................................................................................................................... 5

Application Considerations ..................................................................................................................................... 6

Disclaimers .......................................................................................................................................................... 7

Section 1 Overview

1-1 The NS-Designer........................................................................................................................................ 1-1

1-2 System Requirements .................................................................................................................................1-3

1-2-1 Hardware.......................................................................................................................................... 1-3

1-2-2 Equipment Required to Transfer Screen Data..................................................................................1-3

1-3 Basic Configuration and Functions............................................................................................................1-4

1-3-1 Project Overview..............................................................................................................................1-4

1-3-2 Manipulating Data on the PLC ........................................................................................................1-5

1-3-3 PT Memory ...................................................................................................................................... 1-6

1-3-4 Host Registration and Address......................................................................................................... 1-7

1-3-5 Screen Types and Applications........................................................................................................1-7

1-3-6 Object Types .................................................................................................................................... 1-8

1-3-7 Functions Used to Create Screens.................................................................................................. 1-10

1-3-8 Data Log.........................................................................................................................................1-13

1-3-9 Alarms/Events................................................................................................................................ 1-13

1-3-10 Data Blocks....................................................................................................................................1-14

1-3-11 Video Display ................................................................................................................................1-15

1-3-12 Importing and Exporting CSV Files...............................................................................................1-16

1-3-13 Validating.......................................................................................................................................1-16

1-4 Outline of Operational Flow ....................................................................................................................1-17

1-5 Menu Commands .....................................................................................................................................1-18

1-6 Functions Added in Version 3.0...............................................................................................................1-21

1-7 Functions Added in Version 4.0...............................................................................................................1-22

1-8 Functions Added in Version 5.0...............................................................................................................1-22

1-9 Functions Added in Version 6.0...............................................................................................................1-22

1-10 Functions Added in Version 6.2............................................................................................................... 1-23

Section 2 Setup, Starting, and Exiting

2-1 Before Installing the NS-Designer ............................................................................................................. 2-1

2-2 Installing the NS-Designer.........................................................................................................................2-2

2-2-1 Basic Installation Operations ...........................................................................................................2-2

2-2-2 Installation Procedure ......................................................................................................................2-3

2-2-3 Uninstalling...................................................................................................................................... 2-7

2-2-4 Installing USB Drivers for NS-Series PTs.......................................................................................2-9

2-3 Starting the NS-Designer .........................................................................................................................2-14

2-4 Exiting the NS-Designer ..........................................................................................................................2-15

2-5 User Interface ........................................................................................................................................... 2-16

2-5-1 Basic Screen Functions .................................................................................................................. 2-16

2-5-2 Dialog Box Main Functions...........................................................................................................2-21

Contents

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Section 3 Manipulating Project Files

3-1 Projects.......................................................................................................................................................3-1

3-2 Creating New Projects................................................................................................................................3-2

3-3 Opening Existing Projects..........................................................................................................................3-3

3-4 Saving Projects ...........................................................................................................................................3-5

3-5 Saving a Project Under a Different Name..................................................................................................3-7

3-6 Opening Recent Projects ............................................................................................................................3-8

3-7 Opening Template Projects ........................................................................................................................ 3-9

3-7-1 Specifying Template Projects (Flowchart Step 1)..........................................................................3-10

3-7-2 Reusing Screens (Flowchart Steps 2 to 4)......................................................................................3-10

3-7-3 Canceling Template Projects..........................................................................................................3-11

3-8 Project Maintenance .................................................................................................................................3-12

3-8-1 Procedures...................................................................................................................................... 3-12

3-9 Project Properties .....................................................................................................................................3-17

3-9-1 Procedure ....................................................................................................................................... 3-17

3-10 Changing the PT Model ...........................................................................................................................3-21

Section 4 Screen Types and Operations

4-1 Basic Operations ........................................................................................................................................4-1

4-1-1 Setting Screen Properties .................................................................................................................4-1

4-1-2 Grid Setting......................................................................................................................................4-4

4-1-3 Switching Items Displayed for Objects............................................................................................4-5

4-1-4 Changing the Display..................................................................................................................... 4-14

4-1-5 Switch Label ..................................................................................................................................4-15

4-1-6 Show Touch Points ........................................................................................................................4-16

4-1-7 Zoom..............................................................................................................................................4-16

4-1-8 Refreshing......................................................................................................................................4-17

4-2 Creating and Saving Screens.................................................................................................................... 4-18

4-2-1 Creating New Screens....................................................................................................................4-18

4-1-2 Screen Maintenance ....................................................................................................................... 4-22

4-1-3 Procedure ....................................................................................................................................... 4-23

4-3 Sheets .....................................................................................................................................................4-24

4-3-1 Creating New Sheets......................................................................................................................4-24

4-3-2 Opening Existing Sheets ................................................................................................................ 4-25

4-3-3 Closing Sheets................................................................................................................................ 4-25

4-3-4 Saving Sheets ................................................................................................................................. 4-26

4-3-5 Applying Sheets ............................................................................................................................. 4-26

4-3-6 Sheet Maintenance ......................................................................................................................... 4-27

4-4 Frames .....................................................................................................................................................4-28

4-4-1 Creating Frame Tab Names ...........................................................................................................4-30

4-4-2 Switching Frame Pages..................................................................................................................4-31

Section 5 Object Operations

5-1 Creating Functional Objects....................................................................................................................... 5-1

5-1-1 Creating One Object at a Time.........................................................................................................5-1

5-1-2 Property Settings..............................................................................................................................5-2

5-1-3 Creating Functional Objects Using Tables.......................................................................................5-3

Contents

NS-Designer Operation Manual

5-2 Creating Fixed Objects............................................................................................................................... 5-8

5-2-1 Drawing New Fixed Objects............................................................................................................5-8

5-3 Pop-up Menus ..........................................................................................................................................5-12

5-4 Editing .....................................................................................................................................................5-13

5-4-1 Undo...............................................................................................................................................5-13

5-4-2 Redo ...............................................................................................................................................5-13

5-4-3 Cut..................................................................................................................................................5-14

5-4-4 Copy............................................................................................................................................... 5-15

5-4-5 Paste...............................................................................................................................................5-16

5-4-6 Delete ............................................................................................................................................. 5-17

5-4-7 Find ................................................................................................................................................ 5-17

5-4-8 Replace...........................................................................................................................................5-20

5-4-9 Select All........................................................................................................................................ 5-22

5-4-10 Repeat ............................................................................................................................................5-24

5-5 Layout Functions...................................................................................................................................... 5-25

5-5-1 Changing Size ................................................................................................................................ 5-25

5-5-2 Moving Objects..............................................................................................................................5-25

5-5-3 Aligning and Distributing Objects .................................................................................................5-26

5-5-4 Make Same Size............................................................................................................................. 5-27

5-5-5 Ordering Objects............................................................................................................................5-29

5-5-6 Nudging Objects ............................................................................................................................5-29

5-5-7 Rotating and Flipping Objects .......................................................................................................5-30

5-5-8 Modifying Objects .........................................................................................................................5-31

5-5-9 Grouping and Ungrouping Objects ................................................................................................5-33

5-6 Colors ..................................................................................................................................................... 5-35

5-7 Address Settings....................................................................................................................................... 5-36

5-7-1 Setting Addresses...........................................................................................................................5-37

5-7-2 Registering Hosts ........................................................................................................................... 5-38

5-8 Displaying and Searching Functional Object Lists .................................................................................. 5-42

5-8-1 Redisplaying Lists.......................................................................................................................... 5-45

5-9 Listing Functional Objects Used .............................................................................................................. 5-46

5-9-1 Displaying Lists of Used Functional Objects.................................................................................5-46

5-9-2 Jumping to Screens, Tables, and Frames .......................................................................................5-48

5-10 Batch Settings........................................................................................................................................... 5-49

5-11 Listing Addresses Used ............................................................................................................................ 5-55

5-12 Cross-referencing Addresses.................................................................................................................... 5-59

5-13 Library Registration and Sharing Objects ................................................................................................ 5-63

5-13-1 Registering Library Objects ........................................................................................................... 5-63

5-14 Object Defaults......................................................................................................................................... 5-68

5-14-1 Registering Defaults....................................................................................................................... 5-68

5-14-2 Resetting Defined Defaults ............................................................................................................ 5-68

5-15 Editing Background Bitmaps ...................................................................................................................5-70

5-16 Options.....................................................................................................................................................5-71

5-16-1 Color Dialog...................................................................................................................................5-71

5-16-2 Edit/Disp. ....................................................................................................................................... 5-71

5-16-3 Editor..............................................................................................................................................5-72

5-16-4 Labels............................................................................................................................................. 5-72

iii

Contents

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Section 6 Programming Macros

6-1 Registering Macros ....................................................................................................................................6-1

6-1-1 Registering Macros to Projects ........................................................................................................6-2

6-1-2 Registering Macros to Functional Objects.......................................................................................6-5

6-2 List of Error Messages ............................................................................................................................... 6-8

Section 7 System Settings

7-1 Settings....................................................................................................................................................... 7-1

7-1-1 Common Procedure..........................................................................................................................7-1

7-1-2 PT Operations ..................................................................................................................................7-1

7-1-3 Initial................................................................................................................................................7-2

7-1-4 History..............................................................................................................................................7-4

7-1-5 Comm-All ........................................................................................................................................ 7-5

7-1-6 Detailed..........................................................................................................................................7-10

7-1-7 Printer.............................................................................................................................................7-16

7-1-8 Video.............................................................................................................................................. 7-17

Section 8 Testing

8-1 Test Function.............................................................................................................................................. 8-1

8-2 Test Tool ....................................................................................................................................................8-6

8-2-1 Display Formats ............................................................................................................................... 8-6

8-2-2 Setting Values .................................................................................................................................. 8-7

Section 9 Validation

9-1 Validation Settings ..................................................................................................................................... 9-1

9-2 Validation Results ......................................................................................................................................9-2

9-2-1 No Error Detected ............................................................................................................................ 9-2

9-2-2 Error Detected..................................................................................................................................9-2

9-3 List of Validation Items..............................................................................................................................9-4

Section 10 Transferring Data

10-1 Transferring Data to the PT...................................................................................................................... 10-1

10-1-1 Preparations and Procedures before Connecting............................................................................10-2

10-1-2 Communications Settings for NS-Designer ................................................................................. 10-14

10-1-3 Transferring Project Data.............................................................................................................10-20

10-1-4 Transferring Screen Data .............................................................................................................10-23

10-1-5 Transferring the System Program ................................................................................................10-25

10-2 Transferring Data to and from a Memory Card......................................................................................10-29

10-2-1 Preparations for Transferring to a Memory Card in PT ...............................................................10-29

10-2-2 Procedure for Transferring Data to a Memory Card in the PT..................................................... 10-31

10-3 Data Transfer Using SPMA ...................................................................................................................10-33

10-3-1 Overview of SPMA...................................................................................................................... 10-33

10-3-2 SPMA Features ............................................................................................................................ 10-33

10-3-3 System Configuration ..................................................................................................................10-34

10-3-4 Procedural Example .....................................................................................................................10-36

Contents

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Section 11 Printing

11-1 Printing Project Information..................................................................................................................... 11-1

11-1-1 Printing Samples ............................................................................................................................11-2

11-2 Printing Page Information ........................................................................................................................11-4

11-2-1 Printing Samples ............................................................................................................................11-6

11-3 Previews...................................................................................................................................................11-8

11-4 Outputting to an RTF File ........................................................................................................................11-9

11-5 Headers and Footers ............................................................................................................................... 11-10

11-6 Margins ..................................................................................................................................................11-12

Section 12 Importing/Exporting CSV Files

12-1 Exporting CSV Files ................................................................................................................................12-1

12-2 Editing CSV Files ....................................................................................................................................12-2

12-3 Importing CSV Files ................................................................................................................................12-3

Section 13 Multi-language Display

13-1 Overview..................................................................................................................................................13-1

13-2 Creating Multi-language Display Screens................................................................................................13-2

13-2-1 Inputting Multi-language Characters in NS-Designer Property Settings .......................................13-2

13-2-2 Displaying Multi-language Characters Using Indirect Object Specification .................................13-9

13-2-3 Creating Multi-language Display Screens Using the CSV Import/Export Function.................... 13-11

Appendices

Appendix 1 Quick Reference ........................................................................................................................... A-1

Appendix 2 Objects........................................................................................................................................ A-12

Appendix 3 Shortcut Keys.............................................................................................................................. A-16

Appendix 4 Version Information.................................................................................................................... A-17

Appendix 5 Resource Report.......................................................................................................................... A-18

Appendix 6 Error Messages ........................................................................................................................... A-19

Appendix 7 Connecting Cable Specifications ................................................................................................A-26

Appendix 8 Details of CLK Status................................................................................................................. A-28

Appendix 9 Converting Data between Different Versions of NS-series Products .........................................A-31

Section 1 Overview

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Section 1 Overview

This section describes the specifications and functions of the NS-Designer to provide a basic understanding of the capabilities of the NS-Designer for first-time users.

1-1 The NS-Designer ......................................................................................................................................... 1-1

1-2 System Requirements ..................................................................................................................................1-3

1-3 Basic Configuration and Functions.............................................................................................................. 1-4

1-4 Outline of Operational Flow ...................................................................................................................... 1-17

1-5 Menu Commands....................................................................................................................................... 1-18

1-6 Functions Added in Version 3.0 ................................................................................................................1-21

1-7 Functions Added in Version 4.0 ................................................................................................................1-22

1-8 Functions Added in Version 5.0 ................................................................................................................1-22

1-9 Functions Added in Version 6.0 ................................................................................................................1-22

1-10 Functions Added in Version 6.2 ................................................................................................................1-23

Section 1 Overview 1-1 The NS-Designer

NS-Designer Operation Manual

1-1 The NS-Designer

The NS-Designer is an application software package that can be run on Windows 95, 98, NT, Me, 2000, or XP to create screen data for NS-series Programmable Terminals (referred to as "PTs").

The NS-Designer enables using a graphic Windows interface and Windows operating environment so that screens can be created simply and easily by practically anyone.

The data created on the NS-Designer consists of the following objects.

Data created on NS-Designer (project)

User screens

Sheets

Numeric units and scale settings Alarm/event settings Data log settings Data block settings Library

Fixed objects

Functional objects

Ta bl e s

Frames

Backgrounds

Fixed objects Functional objects Ta bl e s Frames

Rectangles Circles/ovals Lines Polylines Polygons Sectors Arcs

Buttons

Lamps

Display and input

Display

System clock

Alarms/events Data block tables

Functional objects

Fixed objects Functional objects Ta bl e s

ON/OFF buttons Word buttons Command buttons

Bit lamps Word lamps

Numeral display & input String display & input Thumbwheel switches Temporary input

Text List selections Level meters Bitmaps Analogue meters Broken-line graphs Data log graphs Video display

Dates Times

Alarm/event displays Alarm/event summaries and histories

1-1

Section 1 Overview 1-1 The NS-Designer

NS-Designer Operation Manual

User Screen

Fixed graphic

Frame

Functional

object

Functional object

Sheet

Functional object

Ta bl e

Overlaid

ndows

Sheet objects

Product Components

The following software and data are included with the NS-NSDC1-V@.

NS-Designer Software •

•

Transfer Program Tool for transferring systems, projects, screens, and settings files.

•

Memory Card Transfer Tool Tool for exchanging data with the Memory Card mounted to the PT.

•

NT631C Conversion Support Tool

•

CX-Server

•

PT System Program (replacement program)

•

Operation Manuals The operation manuals include an NS-series Macro Reference, an NS-Series Tutorial Manual, and a Host Connection Manual.

•

Sample Data Sample data of the screens created in the NS-series tutorial is included.

•

Switch Box Utility Tool for helping to debug the operation of PLCs.

•

SAP (Smart Active Parts) Data Libraries containing setting/monitor screens (e.g., for Position Control Units and Temperature Controllers).

1-2

Section 1 Overview 1-2 System Requirements

NS-Designer Operation Manual

1-2 System Requirements

The following are required to use the NS-Designer.

1-2-1 Hardware

Recommended Processor

Intel Celeron 400 MHz or better required.

Computer

IBM PC/AT or compatible capable of running the required OS.

Recommended Memory

64 Mbytes or more required. (Be sure to provide sufficient capacity, observing the recommend values for the OS.)

Available Disk Space

200 Mbytes or more recommended.

CD-ROM Drive

Required to install the NS-Designer.

Monitor

VGA monitor required for DOS computers. A resolution of 800 x 600 pixels or higher is recommended. If the display resolution in the Windows screen properties is set to a lower setting, such as 640 x 480 pixels, portions of the NS-Designer windows may not be displayed. If this happens, increase the resolution. If large display fonts are used, not all of the text may fit in dialog boxes, preventing correct display. If this happens, use the small display fonts.

Mouse

A mouse supported by the OS must be used.

Operating System

Any of the following operating systems can be used: Microsoft Windows 95, Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows Me, or Microsoft Windows NT (version 4.0, service pack 6a or higher), Microsoft Windows 2000 (service pack 3 or higher), or Microsoft XP. Microsoft Windows 3.1 is not supported. Internet Explorer version 5.5 or higher is required.

1-2-2 Equipment Required to Transfer Screen Data

RS-232C connection cable

Ethernet cable

Memory Cards

Refer to Appendix 7 Connecting Cable Specifications for cable specifications.

1-3

Section 1 Overview 1-3 Basic Configuration and Functions

NS-Designer Operation Manual

1-3 Basic Configuration and Functions

1-3-1 Project Overview

A project contains all of the objects and settings required for a group of user screens.

The project name is specified to access data when editing on the NS-Designer or transferring data to PT.

System setting for

PT operation

Password setting

User screens

Unit and scale

setting

Data log setting

Library objects

Alarm/event

setting

A wide variety of objects can be used as required to create screens.

Some of the objects that can be used are described below.

Fixed Objects

Fixed objects, which do not provide any input functions, can be created on a screen.

Although fixed objects can be set to flicker, they are otherwise displayed on the screen in a constant state.

Functional Objects

Functional objects can be used to communicate with internal memory in the PT or with a PLC. Functional objects have both graphic and operational properties. The display of functional objects can be changed according to the status of the PT or PLC, and they can be used to input data through operations from the PT.

Table

A table object provides multiple functional objects in a single table format.

Frame

A frame object enables the creation of areas on a screen so that only part of the screen can be switched to another page. Frames consist of more than one page, and the displayed contents of the functional objects configuring each page can be switched based on PT or PLC status. Frames can contain fixed objects, functional objects, and tables.

Background

A background is a graphic screen that is displayed as the background of other screens.

Bitmap files and JPEG files can be displayed as backgrounds.

Registering Created Objects

Created objects can be registered in a library so that they can be easily reused at many different locations or on different screens.

The following objects can be registered in the library.

Fixed objects, functional objects, tables, and frames

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1-3-2 Manipulating Data on the PLC

Data can be input to and output from a PLC using the following objects, enabling values in memory to be set or the screen data to be updated according to changes in memory.

Input

ON/OFF Button OK OK Word Button OK OK Command Button

Switch Screen OK

Key Button OK

Bit Lamp OK Word Lamp OK Numeral Display & Input OK OK String Display & Input OK OK Thumbwheel Switch OK OK Text OK

List Selection OK

Level Meter OK Bitmap OK

Analogue Meter OK Video Display Broken-line Graph OK

Data Log Graph OK

Date/Time Alarm/Event Display OK Alarm/Event Summary & History

Data Block Table Frames Temporary input

Out

Object Input Output

PLC

 

Indirect Specification of Screens

Indirect Specification of Character

Strings to Send

(Indirect Reference of Display

Strings)

(Address for specifying the File

Lines)

(Indirect Specification of Display

Data)

 

(Specifying Display Update Bits)

(Specifying Number of Display Re-

freshes)

(Broken-line Monitor Address)

(Monitor Address)

(Log Timing)

(Scale for Time Axis)

(Address for updating Display)

 

OK OK

 

(Writing Screen Page Numbers)



 



(Writing Selected Line Number)

(Writing Selected Character Strings)

 



(Writing Alarm Ids)



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1-3-3 PT Memory

PT memory is made up of internal memory and system memory.

Internal Memory

The internal memory contained in the PT can be read and written by the user. Internal memory can be allocated as required for settings, such as the communications addresses of functional objects.

The internal memory is divided into two sections.

Memory Contents

$B Bit Memory

Bit memory is used for I/O flags and signal information. Up to 32 Kbits (32,768 bits) can be used.

$W Word Memory

Word memory is used to store numeral and character string data. Each word contains 16 bits, but consecutive words can be used as required for

character strings and 32-bit data. Up to 32 Kwords (32,768 words) can be used.

$HB Holding Bit Memory

Holding bit memory is used for I/O flags and signal information. Up to 8 Kbits (8,192 bits) of data can be held in this area even if the PT power is

turned OFF.

$HW Holding Word Memory

Holding word memory is used to save numerical values and character-string data. Each word consists of 16 bits, but consecutive words can be used as required for character strings with a user-defined length and 32-bit data.

Up to 8 Kwords (8,192 words) of data can be held in this area even if the PT power is turned OFF.

System Memory

System memory is used to change information between the host and the PT, such as controlling the PT and notifying the host of PT status.

The system memory is divided into two sections.

Memory Contents

$SB System Bit Memory

The system bit memory contains 52 bits with predefined functions.

$SW System Word Memory

The system word memory contains 38 words with predefined functions.

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1-3-4 Host Registration and Address

PLC words and bits can be allocated as communications addresses for functional objects and other objects. To enable this, a name is registered for each PLC. This setting is called the host registration. Refer to 1-3 Communicating with the Host in the NS series Programming Manual for details on the host.

Communicates with address 10000 in host A

Communicates with address 10000 in host B

Communicates with address 10000 in host C

HOST A

HOST B

HOST C

1-3-5 Screen Types and Applications

The following screens can be displayed on the PT: User screens with objects configured as required by the user, sheets, and system screens with predefined functions.

Screen type Contents

User Screen Used to create normal screens.

Base Screen Basic screens displayed during PT operation. Pop-up Screen Pop-up screens can be displayed overlapping other screens.

Up to 3 pop-up screens can be displayed at the same time.

Sheet Sheets are screens used when the same images are to be displayed on more than one

screen. They are used together with other screens, such as base screens and pop-up screens.

Up to 10 sheets can be created in each project.

System Menu The System Menu Screen is predefined and cannot be changed by the user. It is used to

set or confirm various special functions of the PT, such as to initialize data or to access various histories.

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1-3-6 Object Types

Some details on the types of object that can be positioned on a screen are described below.

Fixed Objects

The following fixed objects can be used.

Rectangle

Circle/Oval

Straight Line or Arrow

Polyline

Polygon

Sector

Arc

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Section 1 Overview 1-3 Basic Configuration and Functions

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Functional Objects

The following functional objects can be used.

Icon Name Contents

ON/OFF Button Control the ON/OFF status of the specified write address. Any of four

Word Button Set numeric data at the specified address. Values can also be in-

Command Button Perform special processing, such as switching screens, controlling

Bit Lamp Turn ON and OFF according to the ON/OFF status of the specified

Word Lamp Light in 10 steps according to the value in the specified address (0 to

Text Display the registered character string.

Numeral Display & Input Numerically display the word data from the specified address and

String Display & Input Display the character string from the word data from the specified

List Selection Display the registered characters string in a list for selection.

Thumbwheel Switch Numerically display the word data from the specified address and

①

Analogue Meter Display graphs in three colors in circles, semi-circles or quarter cir-

Level Meter Display levels in three colors for the word data at the specified ad-

Broken-line Graph Display a broken-line graph for the word data at the specified ad-

Bitmap Display bitmaps.

Video Display Display images from video cameras and Vision Sensors.

Alarm/Event Display Display alarms or events that have occurred in order of priority.

Alarm/Event Summary and History

Date Display and set date.

Time Display and set time.

Data Log Graph Display trend graphs for the word data at specified addresses.

Data Block Table Writes to and reads from PLC preset recipe data, such as instruc-

Temporary Input Display numerical values and character strings that have been input

action types can be selected.

creased and decreased.

pop-up screens, controlling video, etc.

address.

9).

input data from a tenkey pad.

address and input data from a keyboard.

increment and decrement the data when increment/decrement buttons are pressed.

cles for the word data at the specified address.

dress.

Display summaries or histories of alarms or events that have occurred.

tions for manufacturing process.

during creation of a tenkey or keyboard for Numeral Display & Input and String Display & Input objects using command buttons.

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1-3-7 Functions Used to Create Screens

The following functions can be conveniently used to make screens more effective.

Creating Tables

Functional objects of the same type can be created as a group in a table.

Functional objects can be easily created and organized in a table simply by specifying the type of functional object, the number of rows, and the number of columns. Item names (text) can also be added to the cells of the table.

The properties of the functional objects can be set as a group, and addresses can be automatically allocated by setting offsets.

Refer to Creating Tables under 5-1 Creating Functional Objects for more information.

Item names are created with Text objects

Functional objects: Numeral Display & Input objects Number of horizontal items: 4 Number of vertical items: 3

Address, such as $W100, $W101, $W102, etc., are allocated.

Common properties for all the Numeral Display & Input objects are set at the same time.

Creating Frames

A frame object enables the creation of areas on a screen so that only part of the screen can be switched to another page. Frames consist of more than one page, and the displayed contents of the functional objects configuring each page can be switched using the page switching function of the frame. A frame can contain up to 256 frame pages, and objects can be pasted as required within each frame page.

Refer to 4-4 Frames for details.

Groups

More than one functional object or fixed object can be defined as a group.

The group, which contains more than one functional or fixed object, can be rotated, flipped, or sized as if it were just one object.

Grouped objects can also be created with other functional or fixed objects or placed in other groups.

Refer to Grouping and Ungrouping Objects under 5-5 Layout Functions for more information.

Object Library

An object and all of its property settings can be registered as one object. Created objects registered in a library can be easily reused at many different locations or on different screens. Refer to 5-13 Library Registration and Sharing Objects for details.

Smart Active Parts

Setting and monitor screens (such as setting screens for Position Control Units and Temperature Controllers) are pre-installed as standard library objects for the NS-Designer. For details, refer to How to use Smart Active Parts (PDF) included with the NS-Designer.

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Section 1 Overview 1-3 Basic Configuration and Functions

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Selecting Fixed Objects for Buttons and Lamps

Specified fixed objects can be displayed for ON/OFF buttons, word buttons, bit lamps, and word lamps to create more graphic displays.

Object

selected.

Object

selected.

Drawing Fixed Objects

Fixed objects, which do not provide any functions themselves, can be drawn on a screen. The following fixed objects can be drawn. Rectangles, circles, ovals, straight lines, polylines, polygons, sectors, and arcs

Creating Backgrounds

General-purpose image data can be used as backgrounds for user screens. The following file types can be used.

•

Bitmap files (.BMP)

•

JPEG files (.JPG)

Switching Displays

Displays can be switched to check the operation of screens created offline.

The following switching functions can be used.

Switching Screens

•

Switching Frame Pages Edited frame pages can be switched forward and backward. Refer to Switching Frame Pages under 4-4 Frames for details.

•

Switching Screens Edited screens can be switched forward and backward. Refer to Switching Screens under 4-1 Basic Operations for details.

•

Zooming

Screens can be zoomed in and out.

Refer to Zoom under 4-1 Basic Operations for details.

Switching Object Displays

•

ID Displays Object ID numbers can be displayed. Refer to Switching Items Displayed for Objects under 4-1 Basic Operations for details.

Error Object Displays

•

Objects for which errors were detected in validating are displayed with red borders. Refer to Show ID under 4-1 Basic Operations for details.

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Displaying Sheet Objects

•

The sheet objects overlapped on base screens can be displayed. Refer to Show Sheet Object under Switching Items Displayed for Objects under 4-1 Basic Operations for details.

Sheet Objects Hidden Sheet Objects Displayed

Displaying Switch Labels

•

The specified switch labels can be displayed. Refer to Switch Label under 4-1 Basic Operations for details.

Simulating ON/OFF Status •

The functional objects can be displayed in their ON status.

Refer to Displaying ON Status under Switching Items Displayed for Objects under 4-1 Basic Opera- tions for details.

ON Status OFF Status

Displaying Addresses

•

The communications addresses set for each functional object can be displayed. Refer to Show Address under Switching Items Displayed for Objects under 4-1 Basic Operations for details.

Normal Displa

Address Display

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Section 1 Overview 1-3 Basic Configuration and Functions

NS-Designer Operation Manual

1-3-8 Data Log

The stored data for specified addresses is displayed as a graph.

Up to 100 groups can be registered for each project. Up to 16 addresses can be registered for each group.

Up to 50 addresses can be registered for constant logging.

1-3-9 Alarms/Events

Addresses can be registered for alarm monitoring to provide notification for alarms from the specified addresses. Registration can also be used to display events, such as operation startup.

Alarm-related functional objects can be used to display alarms and events that have occurred or to display alarm/event histories.

Alarm 1

Alarm 2

•

Alarm 500

Up to 5,000 alarms can be registered.

Simple Display

List

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Section 1 Overview 1-3 Basic Configuration and Functions

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1-3-10 Data Blocks

Data blocks (recipes) enable reading/writing numeric values and character strings from/to memory areas, such as those in a PLC. Data blocks can be used to easily change the arrangement of the system. Create the data in CSV files and store them in the PT beforehand. The created data can be used to make changes while operating the PT.

Examples: Setting the width (numeric value), height (numeric values), and color (character string) in the PLC (Refer to the figure shown below.)

Set width: 150, height: 54, and color: blue for product B. Just by selecting product B, these three items can be set for the PLC. If product A is selected, a width of 100, height setting of 52, and a color setting of red will be set for the PLC.

Data block

Product A B

Product B

Product

Produ

Width

Conditions for product B are selected and set in PLC.

Using data block, the user does not need to save the data in the PLC beforehand, so that memory of the PLC can be saved and ladder program can be reduced. Data blocks also have the following features.

Data in CSV format can be edited and managed on a personal computer. •

•

Data can be edited on the PT.

•

Data can be written to a Memory Card.

•

Data can be read from a Memory Card.

•

Processes values and character strings can be handled.

•

Maximum number of rows: 1,000. Maximum number of columns: 500. Data blocks with both 1,000 rows and 500 columns, however, cannot be set.

Refer to 2-16 Data Blocks - Restrictions for Data Blocks in the Programming Manual for details.

Processing conditions for product B (150, 54, blue) set in PLC

Height

Color

Red

Blue

Yellow

Red

Blue

To controlled devices

Product B

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Section 1 Overview 1-3 Basic Configuration and Functions

NS-Designer Operation Manual

1-3-11 Video Display

Install a Video Input Unit (NS-CA001) on the PT to display the picture output from video devices such as a video camera or Vision Sensor on the PT. Up to four video devices can be connected to the PT. There are two input methods: NTSC and PAL.

NTSC/PAL

4 ch 3 ch 2 ch 1 ch

Video camera or Vision Sensor

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Section 1 Overview 1-3 Basic Configuration and Functions

NS-Designer Operation Manual

1-3-12 Importing and Exporting CSV Files

The property settings of functional objects can be edited as CSV files.

Export property settings to CSV files, edit them with a standard spreadsheet program or other editing tool, and then import them back into the NS-Designer to set the properties of functional objects.

Refer to Section 12 Importing/Exporting CSV Files for details.

Editing in spreadsheet software

Importing

1-3-13 Validating

Functional object settings are checked according to validation items to see if any mistakes have been made.

Any errors that are detected are displayed in a list. The functional or fixed objects where errors exist can also be displayed.

Refer to Section 9 Validation for details.

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Section 1 Overview 1-4 Outline of Operational Flow

NS-Designer Operation Manual

1-4 Outline of Operational Flow

Screen data is created with the NS-Designer as follows:

Start NS-Designer.

Select PT model.

Open screen.

Make system settings.

Set project properties.

Set screen properties.

Lay out objects.

Save screen data.

Save project.

Check project by printing data.

Select in dialog box.

A screen is automatically opened when a new project is created. Otherwise screens are opened with

File - Open Screen

Settings - System Setting

Settings - Project Properties

Settings - Screen Properties

Settings - Register Host

File - Save Screen

File - Save Project

File - Print

Check object operation with test tool.

Transfer data to PT.

Tools - Test

File – Transfer Data

NNoottee

Note

♦ Start actual operation only after sufficiently checking the operation of the screen data and host pro-

gramming.

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Section 1 Overview 1-5 Menu Commands

NS-Designer Operation Manual

1-5 Menu Commands

The commands that appear on the pull-down menus of the NS-Designer and their functions are described in the following tables.

File Menu

Command Function

New Project Creates a new project. Open Project Opens an existing project. Save Project Saves the current project (overwrites the existing file). Save Project As Saves the current project under a specified name. Template Specifies a template project. Project Maintenance Copies, deletes, backs up, and restores projects. New Screen Creates a new screen under the current project. Open Screen Opens an existing screen in the current project. Close Screen Closes the screen currently being edited. Save Screen Saves the current screen. Save All Saves (overwrites) all of the data for the current project. Open Sheet Creates new sheet or edits a sheet. Apply Sheet Sets a screen with overlapping sheets. Import CSV File Imports project or screen data saved in CSV format to the current project or

screen. Export CSV File Exports the current project or screen data to a file in CSV format. Transfer Data Downloads screen data created on the NS-Designer to the PT or uploads screen

data from the PT to the NS-Designer. Print

Recent Projects Displays a list of currently edited projects. (Up to four projects are displayed.) Exit Ends the NS-Designer.

Edit Menu

Command Function

Undo Discards changes and restores the previous status. Redo Cut Deletes the selected objects and places them in the internal buffer. Copy Copies the selected objects and places them in the internal buffer. Paste Pastes objects that have been cut or copied. Offset Paste Pastes objects that have been cut or copies with offset addresses. Delete Deletes the selected objects. Find Searches for functional objects using addresses or character strings as keywords. Replace Replaces addresses set for functional objects. Select All Selects all objects on a screen or all functional or fixed objects of a specific type. Repeat Copies the specified object the specified number of times horizontally or vertically.

Outputs current project or screen information to a printer or to a file. Select Print

to display a preview.

Restores the changes discarded with Undo.

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Section 1 Overview 1-5 Menu Commands

NS-Designer Operation Manual

View Menu

Command Function

Toolbars Displays and hides the toolbars.

(Standard, functional object, fixed object, operation, formatting, color, and address

settings) Status Bar Displays and hides the status bar. Switch Label Switches to the specified label display. Previous Screen Displays the previous screen. Next Screen Displays the next screen. Previous Frame Page Displays the previous frame page. Next Frame Page Displays the next frame page. Simulate ON/OFF Switches functional objects between ON and OFF status displays. Show ID Displays and hides ID numbers for objects. Show Address Displays and hides address displays for functional objects. Show Error Object Displays and hides error marks for objects. Show Sheet Object Switches the display of objects registered in sheets. Show Touch Points Displays the touch points on the PT. Zoom Zooms the display in and out. Refresh Redraws the screen.

Functional Objects Menu

Command Function

ON/OFF Button Starts creation of an ON/OFF button. Word Button Starts creation of a word button. Command Button Starts creation of a command button. Bit Lamp Starts creation of a bit lamp. Word Lamp Starts creation of a word lamp. Text Starts creation of text. Numeral Display & Input Starts creation of a number display and input object. String Display & Input Starts creation of a string display and input object. List Selection Starts creation of a list selection object. Thumbwheel Switch Starts creation of a thumbwheel switch. Analogue Meter Starts creation of an analogue meter. Level Meter Starts creation of a level meter. Broken-line Graph Starts creation of a broken-line graph. Bitmap Starts creation of a bitmap. Alarm/Event Display Starts creation of an alarm/event display object. Alarm/Event Summary &

History Date Starts creation of a data object. Time Starts creation of a time lamp. Data Log Graph Starts creation of a data log graph. Data Block Table Starts creation of a data block table. Video Display Starts creation of a video display. Frame Starts creation of a frame region. Table Starts creation of a table on a table creation screen. Temporary Input Starts creation of a temporary input.

Starts creation of an alarm/event summary & history.

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Section 1 Overview 1-5 Menu Commands

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Fixed Objects Menu

Command Function

Rectangle Starts creation of a rectangle. Circle/Oval Starts creation of a circle or oval. Straight line Starts creation of a straight line. Polyline Starts creation of a continuous straight line. Polygon Starts creation of a polygon. Sector Starts creation of a pie-shaped sector. Arc Starts creation of an arc.

Settings Menu

Command Function

Object Properties Sets the properties of the selected functional object. Edit Label Enables direct editing of labels on the screen without opening a property dialog

box.

Change Settings at Once Enables editing the basic properties of the selected functional objects in a table.

Functional objects can be added and deleted as well. Flicker Setting Sets the flicker operation parameters. Password Setting Sets the password. Unit/Scale Setting Displays the unit and scale conversions for a numeral display. Alarm/Event Setting Set the alarm function (addresses, messages, etc.). Data Log Setting Set the data log function (e.g., data log groups). Data Block Setting Performs registration and correction of data blocks. Change Input Order Sets the order for shifting the focus for objects that can be input. Project Properties Sets the project properties. Screen Properties Sets the screen properties. System Setting Sets the PT operating parameters. Reset Defined Default Resets all of the settings made for an object. (Functional and fixed objects) Change PT Model Sets the model of the NS-series PT. Register Host Registers the host.

Layout Menu

Command Function

Align/ Distribution Aligns the position of more than one selected object. (Left, Center in a Column,

Right, Top, Center in a Row, Bottom, Distribute Horizontally, or Distribute Verti-

cally) Make Same Size Sizes all selected objects horizontally and vertically to the same size as that of the

largest or smallest object. Order Moves the selected object to the front or back. Nudge Moves the selected object one bit or one grid unit up, down, right, or left. Rotate/Flip

Modify Edits the shape of a fixed object. (Edits, adds, or deletes nodes.)

Group Groups objects. Ungroup Ungroups a group of objects. Grid Sets the grid.

Rotates or flips an object. (90 Degrees Clockwise, 90 Degrees Counterclockwise,

Flip Vertical, Flip Horizontal, Rotate Right 90 Degrees Around Center of

Screen/Frame, Rotate Left 90 Degrees Around Center of Screen/Frame, Flip

Horizontal Around Center of Screen/Frame, or Flip Vertical Around Center of

Screen/Frame)

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Section 1 Overview 1-6 Functions Added in Version 3.0

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Tools Menu

Command Function

Screen Maintenance Changes the titles of, copies, deletes, or replaces screen page numbers for

screens in a project. Sheet Maintenance Changes the titles of, copies, deletes, or replaces sheet page numbers for sheets

in a project. Validation Performs an error check on object settings. Validation Result Displays the results of validation. Functional Object List Displays a list of functional objects on screen with property settings. List Up Functional Objects

Used List Up Addresses Used Displays a list of addresses that are used. Address Cross Reference Displays a list of functional object IDs when addresses are used. Edit Background Bitmap Edits the background. Register Library Registers functional objects in the library and performs maintenance. Use Library Paste functional objects registered in the library. Test Performs operating test on the computer without connecting to a PLC. Resource Report Displays a report on the resources that have been used. Options Sets optional functions.

Displays the number of times functional objects are used in screens, screen

pages that are not used, and frame pages in a tree format.

Window Menu

Command Function

Cascade Cascades the screen editing windows. Tile Tiles the screen editing windows. Arrange Icons Arranges the minimized window icons.

Help Menu

Command Function

Contents Displays the contents for the online help. Search for Help on Displays a search dialog box for help topics. How to Use Help Displays information on using Help. About NT631

Conversion Support Tool

Displays information on the version of NS-Designer.

1-6 Functions Added in Version 3.0

The NS-Designer Version 3.0 is supplemented and enhanced by the following functions.

Supplement/

Enhancement

Screen data transfer through PLCs

Switch Box Screen Displays I/O status of addresses on the NS Hardware. Addresses and their

Multiple language support Multiple languages (Simplified Chinese, Korean, Traditional Chinese, etc.) can

Video capture using a PLC trigger

Enhanced parts List Vastly increased library objects for use as buttons and lamps. Reading CLK status Displays status of CLK Board attached with NS Hardware on the screen. Macro to set time Automatically sets the time, which as set manually before. Screen data can be

transferred using Ethernet directly the first time

Enables transferring screen data to NS Hardware through a PLC and transferring ladder program to the PLC through the NS Hardware.

comments can be reused from a ladder program using the Switch Box Utility.

be displayed on user screens. Enables performing video captures using system memory ($SW24) as a trigger.

Screen data can be transferred using Ethernet directly the first time.

1-21

Function

Section 1 Overview 1-7 Functions Added in Version 4.0

NS-Designer Operation Manual

1-7 Functions Added in Version 4.0

The NS-Designer Version 4.0 is supplemented and enhanced by the following functions.

Supplement/

Enhancement

Equipped with USB port as a standard feature.

Display possible in up to 32,000 colors.

Screen data capacity greatly increased.

High-speed drawing The drawing speed is twice that of existing OMRON products.

Equipped with a USB port as a standard feature enabling display contents to be printed using USB-compatible general-purpose color printers (e.g., Canon or Epson printers).

BMP and JPEG images can now be displayed using up to 32,000 colors.

The data capacity has increased from 4 Mbytes to 20Mbytes.

Function

1-8 Functions Added in Version 5.0

The NS-Designer Version 5.0 is supplemented and enhanced by the following functions.

Supplement/

Enhancement

NS5-series models added. Added NS5-SQ0 (B) -V1 with compact 5.7-inch STN color display. Object forms can be

selected by user. Windows fonts can be

used in Button and Lamp objects.

Continuous input can be received from Bar Code Reader.

Ver. 1.X projects can be created and edited.

The forms of ON/OFF Button, Word Button, Bit Lamp, and Word Lamp objects can now be specified as BMP or JPEG image files.

The labels used in ON/OFF Button, Word Button, Bit Lamp, Word Lamp, and Command Button objects can now be specified using Windows fonts.

Input order of numeric values and character strings can now be controlled, allowing continuous input from a bar code reader.

NS-Designer Ver. 5.0 can be used to create and edit projects for NS System Ver.

1.X.

Function

1-9 Functions Added in Version 6.0

The NS-Designer Version 6.0 is supplemented and enhanced by the following functions.

Supplement/

Enhancement

A PT model added. Added NS8-TV1 (B)-V1. Transfer program functions

added.

Data log function expanded.

Video captures can be read from the memory card.

Appearance of command buttons can be specified.

Temporary input object added.

The storage format of numeric values in system memory can be selected.

Screen data can be transferred from a personal computer to the PT via modem. Installing a CLK board in the personal computer enables screen data to be transferred. CX-Server compatibility has also simplified settings required for data transfer.

The number of always logging points has been increased from 5,000 to 50,000 points, and logging data can be automatically saved to the memory card. Saved CSV files can be read and displayed overlapping the log graph with a reference.

Image data saved in the memory card can be specified from a list and displayed. The list can be called using the command buttons or from the system menu.

The appearance of command buttons can be specified as round buttons. BMP and JPEG image files can be specified for button appearance. Write confirmation messages can also be set.

Objects for temporarily displaying input numerical values or character strings are provided for use when creating tenkeys or keyboards for Numerical Display & Input and String Display & Input objects using command buttons. Temporary input objects can also be used to display maximum and minimum values.

The numerical value storage format for system memory can be selected from BCD and binary.

Function

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Section 1 Overview 1-10 Functions Added in Version 6.2

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Supplement/

Enhancement

The data format for specifying line numbers in indirectly specified files for functional objects can be selected.

The number of alarms has been increased.

Macros FOR, NEXT, CONTINUE, and BREAK have been added.

Label application function for importing CSV files has been added.

System memory functions have been added.

The data format for specifying line numbers in indirectly specified files set using functional object properties can be selected from BCD and binary.

The maximum number of alarms that can be registered has been increased to 5,000.

Loop processing can be performed using macros. This improves efficiency of macro creation.

When importing CSV files, the character properties for a specified label name can be applied to the character properties for another label. This function is useful when setting multiple labels.

The following flags have been added: PT battery low flag PT memory card free space check flag Memory card power OFF bit Memory card removing status Video capture start bit Video capture executing flag Video capture results flag

Periodical Data Log Save in process flag Print screen/video capture switching bit

Function

1-10 Functions Added in Version 6.2

The NS-Designer Version 6.2 is supplemented and enhanced by the following main functions.

Supplement/

Enhancement

PT models added Added NS5-SQ0-V2, NS5-TQ0-V2, and NS5-MQ0-V2. Project trigger macro

added Data block control

functions added to command buttons

Added items to system memory

Added arrows Arrow heads can be added to the start and/or end of straight lines. Expanded Alarm/Event

Summary & History

Added program transfer function

Added installation method NS-Designer can be installed from the CX-One FA Integrated Tool Package. Added startup method Startup has been enabled by right-clicking the NS-series PT in the CX-Integrator

Setting the macro to execute when the bit or value at a specified address changes has been enabled.

Data block control functions have been added to command buttons to enable reading/writing between CSV files and PLC memory, CVS files and PT memory, and PT memory and PLC memory when a button is pressed or a specified address turns ON while the command button is displayed.

The following have been added to system memory: data block control complete flag, internal holding bit/word memory ($HB/$HW) initialization flag, and data block error number.

The titles of each display item can now be displayed on the top line. Also, alarm messages that are not completely displayed can be touched to display them in a message box.

Screen data transfer to the PT from a personal computer has been enabled using a USB cable.

Network Configuration Window and selecting Start Special Application. If Start with Settings Inherited is selected, startup through to new project creation will be automatically executed.

Function

1-23

Section 2 Setup, Starting, and Exiting

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Section 2 Setup, Starting, and Exiting

The NS-Designer software must be installed in the computer when using the NS-Designer for the first time.

The NS-Designer is application software designed to be operated on Microsoft Windows 95, 98, NT, Me, 2000, or XP.

Use the following procedure to install, start, and exit the NS-Designer when Microsoft Windows 95, 98, NT, Me, 2000, or XP is already installed in the computer.

2-1 Before Installing the NS-Designer...............................................................................................................2-1

2-2 Installing the NS-Designer...........................................................................................................................2-2

2-3 Starting the NS-Designer ........................................................................................................................... 2-14

2-4 Exiting the NS-Designer ............................................................................................................................2-15

2-5 User Interface.............................................................................................................................................2-16

Section 2 Setup, Starting, and Exiting 2-1 Before Installing the NS-Designer

NS-Designer Operation Manual

2-1 Before Installing the NS-Designer

Before installing the NS-Designer, check that the following requirements have been met.

Monito

VGA monitor or better. Resolution of 800 x 600 pixels or higher is recommended for optimum use of NSDesigner.

System Requirements

CPU Intel Celeron 400 MHz or better •

•

Recommended memory 64 Mbytes or more

•

Hard disk 200 Mbytes or more available disk space

•

Internet Explorer Version 5.5 or higher

Compute

IBM PC/AT or compatible with Microsoft Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0 (SP6a or higher), Me, 2000 (SP3 or higher), or XP installed

CD-ROM Drive

Required to install the NS-Designer.

Mouse

A mouse that supports Microsoft Windows.

2-1

Section 2 Setup, Starting, and Exiting 2-2 Installing the NS-Designer

NS-Designer Operation Manual

2-2 Installing the NS-Designer

Install the NS-Designer in the hard disk.

To install the NS-Designer, execute the installation program provided.

For details on procedures for installing the NS-Designer from CX-One FA Integrated Tool Package, refer to the CX-One Setup Manual provided with CX-One.

Cat. No. Model Manual name Contents

W444

CXONE-AL@@C-E

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Reference

♦

If the NS-Designer was previously installed from the CX-One and it’s necessary to install it from the individual NS-Designer CD-ROM, always uninstall the NS-Designer using the following procedure before installing it from its individual CD-ROM. The NS-Designer will not operate properly if it is installed without first uninstalling it.

1. Insert the CX-One installation disk 1 into the CD-ROM drive.

2. Select the Modify Option to enable modifying the Support Software that is installed.

3. In the Select Features Dialog Box, clear the selection of only the NS-Designer. Do not change

4. Continue by following the instructions in the dialog boxes to modify the installation and uninstall

5. Once the NS-Designer uninstallation process has been completed, place the individual CD-ROM

Note: If the version of the CX-Server bundled on the individual NS-Designer CD-ROM is lower than

any other selections.

NS-Designer.

disk for the NS-Designer into the CD-ROM drive and install the NS-Designer. (See note.)

the version of the CX-Server bundled with the CX-One, install only the NS-Designer and NOT the CX-Server. (A message will be displayed if the version is lower.) If a version of CX-Server that is lower than the version with the CX-One is installed, the CX-One will not operate properly.

CX-One Setup Manual Installation and overview of CX-One FA

Integrated Tool Package.

2-2-1 Basic Installation Operations

The main buttons that are displayed during installation are as follows:

Confirms the settings in the window displayed and moves to the next window.

Cancels the settings in the window displayed and returns to the previous window.

Closes the window currently being displayed. The settings in the window are cancelled.

Installation can be cancelled by pressing this button in the installation window. A confirmation message will be displayed.

The actual folder configuration is displayed in a tree format, from which the folders where installation files are to be installed can be selected.

2-2

Section 2 Setup, Starting, and Exiting 2-2 Installing the NS-Designer

NS-Designer Operation Manual

2-2-2 Installation Procedure

1. Start up Windows 95, 98, NT, Me, 2000, or XP.

2. Close all applications before executing installation. Place the NS-Designer CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive. The setup program is started automatically. If the setup program does not start automatically, such as after executing uninstall, locate Setup.exe in the CD-ROM using Windows Explorer, and then double-click the file to execute the setup program.

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Reference

♦ If NS-Designer Ver. 2.X, 3.X, 4.X, 5.X, or 6.X is already installed, a dialog box to confirm deletion of

this version will be displayed. Click the OK Button to start deleting this version. To exit the setup program, click the Cancel Button and then click the Exit Button. FinsGateway and CX-Server will not be uninstalled by this operation.

3. The NS-Designer Setup Wizard will be displayed. Install the NS-Designer by following the instructions in the Setup Wizard.

4. During installation, the installation progress is displayed as a percentage.

5. When NS-Designer installation has been completed, a message to confirm installation of Smart Active Parts will be displayed. Click the Yes Button to start the installation. If Smart Active Parts installation is not required, click the No Button and proceed to step 10.

Smart Active Parts are libraries containing setting/monitoring screens (e.g., Position Control Unit setting screens and Temperature Controller monitoring screens).

6. The following dialog box will be displayed. Click the Next Button.

2-3

Section 2 Setup, Starting, and Exiting 2-2 Installing the NS-Designer

NS-Designer Operation Manual

7. The Setup Type Dialog Box will be displayed. Select the setup type and click the Next Button. If Complete is selected, proceed to step 9.

8. The dialog box for selecting features will be displayed. Select the Smart Active Parts to be installed and click the Next Button.

9. During installation, the installation progress is displayed as a percentage. When installation has

been completed, the following dialog box will be displayed. Click the Finish Button.

10. A message will be displayed to confirm installation of the CX-Server. Click the Yes Button.

11. The following screen for installing the CX-Server will be displayed.

2-4

Section 2 Setup, Starting, and Exiting 2-2 Installing the NS-Designer

NS-Designer Operation Manual

12. Click the Next Button. The screen for specifying the installation destination will be displayed.

13. Click the Next Button. If the following message is displayed, click the OK Button to continue in- stallation.

CX-Server installation followed by installation of CX-Server Driver management tools will begin, and the installation program will automatically copy the CX-Server and CX-Server Driver management tools files to the specified directory.

14. When installation has been completed, the following dialog box will be displayed. Select whether or not to restart the computer immediately, and click the Finish Button to complete the installation. Always restart the computer before using NS-Designer.

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♦

When installing NS-Designer in Windows NT, 2000, or XP, log onto the computer as the administrator to ensure that system DLL files can be overwritten. If overwriting system DLL files fails, NS-Designer may not operate properly.

♦

When adding Smart Active Parts after installation of NS-Designer, double-click the CD-ROM directory \SmartActiveParts\Setup.exe from Windows Explorer to execute the setup program. Select all the Smart Active Parts to be used in the dialog box for selecting components.

♦

Refer to the How to manage after conversion file in the Programs Folder under the Windows Start Menu for details after NT31C/NT631C Conversion Support Tool conversion.

♦

Internet Explorer Ver 5.5 or higher is required to transfer data.

2-5

Section 2 Setup, Starting, and Exiting 2-2 Installing the NS-Designer

NS-Designer Operation Manual

The folder structure after installation is as follows:

NS-Designer

bldparts intaparts

BMP files Parts Collection (bitmaps) Manual Directory containing manuals

Sample Project Data Sample project data for tutorial Tutorial Tutorial manual Macro Macro reference Operation Operation manual Setup Setup manual Programming Programming manual Smart Active Parts How to use Smart Active Parts Host Connection RGB_Video (NS-CA002) NS-CA002 RGB/Video Input Unit Manual

PartsLib Smart Active Parts Smart Active Parts for NS8/NS10/NS12 Smart Active Parts Mini Smart Active Parts for NS5

runparts System Backup

NS12_V1 V6_2 Ver. 6.2 system program for NS12-V1 NS12 V3_x Ver. 3.x system program for NS12 NS10_V1 V6_2 Ver. 6.2 system program for NS10-V1 NS10 V3_x Ver. 3.x system program for NS10 NS8_V1 V6_2 Ver. 6.2 system program for NS8-V1 NS7 V3_x Ver. 3.x system program for NS7 NS5_V1_V2 V6_2 Ver. 6.2 system program for NS5-V1/V2

RecoverUpdate_6_2 Ver. 6.2 recovery/update program RecoverUpdate_3_x Ver. 3 recovery/update program NT631C_Cnv Directory containing NT31C/NT613C Conversion Support Tool Readme_E.txt Please read. (Contains precautionary information.)

Host Connection Manuals (Temp. Controller and Memory Links/Host Links)

2-6

Section 2 Setup, Starting, and Exiting 2-2 Installing the NS-Designer

NS-Designer Operation Manual

2-2-3 Uninstalling

1. When uninstalling the NS-Designer or CX-Server, click the Windows Start Button and select Set-

tings - Control Panel.

2. Double-click Add/Remove Applications.

2-7

Section 2 Setup, Starting, and Exiting 2-2 Installing the NS-Designer

NS-Designer Operation Manual

3. Select NS-Designer or CX-Server from the displayed list of applications, and click the Add/Remove Button.

4. When the NS-Designer has finished being uninstalled, a message will be displayed indicating that the uninstall operation has been completed. Check the message and then click the OK Button.

2-8

Section 2 Setup, Starting, and Exiting 2-2 Installing the NS-Designer

NS-Designer Operation Manual

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

Install the NS-series USB driver in the personal computer. After installation, data can be transferred between the personal computer and NS-series PT via USB.

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♦ With NS-V1 Series models, make sure that the PT has a lot number that supports USB transmis-

sion. The system program version of the NS-series PT must also support USB transmission. For details, refer to 3-3-2 Connecting via USB in the NS series Setup Manual (Cat. No. V083).

Compatible Personal Computers

Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows 2000, and Windows XP

Operation Procedure

Windows 2000 and Windows XP:

1. Start Windows 2000 or Windows XP.

2. Connect the personal computer to the NS-series PT USB slave connector using the USB cable. The following Add New Hardware Wizard will be displayed. Click the Next Button.

3. The following dialog box will be displayed. Select Search for the best driver for my device (Rec- ommended). Click the Next Button.

4. Select Specify a location only and then click the Next Button.

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Section 2 Setup, Starting, and Exiting 2-2 Installing the NS-Designer

NS-Designer Operation Manual

5. Click the Browse Button, and specify the following file. NS-Designer installation directory \USBHostDriver\Win2k_XP\Omron_NS.inf

6. Click the OK Button to display the following dialog box. Click the Next Button to start installing the USB driver.

7. When installation is completed, the following dialog box will be displayed. Click the Finish Button.

2-10

Section 2 Setup, Starting, and Exiting 2-2 Installing the NS-Designer

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Windows 98 and Windows Me:

1. Start Windows 98 or Windows Me.

2. Connect the personal computer to the NS-series PT USB slave connector using the USB cable. The following Add New Hardware Wizard will be displayed. Click the Next Button.

3. The following dialog box will be displayed. Select Search for the best driver for your device (Recommended). Click the Next Button.

4. Select Specify a location only and then click the Browse Button and specify the following file. NS-Designer installation directory \USBHostDriver\Win98_Me\NS_DEV.inf

5. Click the Next Button.

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Section 2 Setup, Starting, and Exiting 2-2 Installing the NS-Designer

NS-Designer Operation Manual

6. Click the Next Button to start installation. When installation is completed, the following dialog box will be displayed. Click the Finish Button.

7. The Add New Hardware Wizard will be displayed again. Click the Next Button.

8. The following dialog box will be displayed. Check that Search for the best driver for your device (Recommended) is selected, and then click the Next Button.

9. Select Specify a location only and then click the Browse Button and specify the following file. NS-Designer installation directory \USBHostDriver\Win98_Me\NS_COM.inf

10. Click the Next Button.

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Section 2 Setup, Starting, and Exiting 2-2 Installing the NS-Designer

NS-Designer Operation Manual

11. Click the Next Button to start installation. When installation is completed, the following dialog box will be displayed. Click the Finish Button.

2-13

Section 2 Setup, Starting, and Exiting 2-3 Starting the NS-Designer

NS-Designer Operation Manual

2-3 Starting the NS-Designer

To start the NS-Designer, click the Windows Start Button, and then select Programs - Omron – CX-One - NS-Designer - NS-Designer Ver X (The items displayed may vary according to the program

folder specified during installation.), right-click the NS-series PT in the Network Configuration Window of CX-Integrator, and select Start Special Application - Start Only.

When the NS-Designer startup is completed, the Main Window will be displayed, as follows:

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♦ More than one copy of the NS-Designer application can be run at the same time. ♦ To start NS-Designer, log in as the administrator when using a personal computer running Windows

NT, 2000, or XP.

2-14

Section 2 Setup, Starting, and Exiting 2-4 Exiting the NS-Designer

NS-Designer Operation Manual

2-4 Exiting the NS-Designer

Use one of the following operations to exit the NS-Designer.

Select Exit from the File Menu. •

•

Click the Close Button at the top right of the Main Window.

•

Double-click the NS-Designer icon at the top left of the Main Window.

•

Click the NS-Designer icon at the top left of the Main Window and select Close from the Control Menu Box.

•

Press the Alt + F4 Keys.

If the project data that is open has not been saved, a confirmation message will be displayed.

When the NS-Designer is exited, the system will return to the Windows screen.

2-15

Section 2 Setup, Starting, and Exiting 2-5 User Interface

NS-Designer Operation Manual

2-5 User Interface

2-5-1 Basic Screen Functions

The configuration and names and functions of the components in the NS-Designer operation screen are described here.

Title Bar

The title bar displays the application name, project name, and screen number.

Menu Bar

Separates the functions into related groups.

Each group name is displayed in the menu bar and the functions are displayed in pull-down menus under each group name.

Toolbars

Title ba

Menu bar

Toolbars

Screen being created

Status bar

Standard Toolbar

This toolbar displays frequently used functions as icons.

Create

New

Project

Open

Project

Save

Project

Screen

Create

New

Screen

Open

Cut Paste Redo

Save

Screen

Copy Undo

Zoom

About

NS-Designer

2-16

Section 2 Setup, Starting, and Exiting 2-5 User Interface

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Functional Objects Toolbar

Displays screen creation functions for functional objects as icons. Select the icon button of the functional object to be used in creating the screen to start screen creation.

ON/OFF

Button

Bitmap

Word

Button

Command

Button

Alarm/Event

Summary &

History

Alarm/Event

Display

Bit

Lamp

Date

Word Lamp

Time

Data Log

Graph

Text

Numeral

Display &

Data Block

String Display

& Input

Input

Ta bl e

Video Display

List

Selection

Temporary

Thumbwheel

Switch

Analogue

Meters

Input

Frame

Level

Meter

Broken-line

Ta bl e

Graph

Fixed Objects Toolbar

Displays fixed object drawing functions as icons. Select the icon button for the fixed object to be drawn and start drawing.

Circle/Oval

Straight

Line

Polyline Sector

Poly gon Arc

Rectangle

Operations Toolbar

Displays frequently used functions from the View and Tools Menus as icons.

Show Erro

Object

Show ID

Simulate ON/OFF

Show Sheet

ect

Show Address

Bring to

Front

Send to

Screen

Next Screen

Back

Label

Frame Page

Label

Next Frame

Page

Validation

Result

Find

Functional Object List

Address Cross

Reference

List Up

Addresses

Used

List Up Functional

Objects Used

Registe

Library

Use

Library

2-17

Section 2 Setup, Starting, and Exiting 2-5 User Interface

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Colors Toolbar

Displays the color settings for functional objects and fixed objects as icons.

Copy/Paste Color

Color 1

Color 2 Color 3 Color 4

The Copy/Paste Color Button can be used to copy the display color of a functional object or fixed object and paste it into another functional object or fixed object. Therefore, settings can be pasted in a batch without having to open a separate properties dialog box for every setting.

1. Select the functional object or fixed object with the color to be copied.

2. Click the Copy/Paste Color Button to copy the color and change the appearance of the cursor to

the following.

3. Click over the functional object or fixed object where the color is to be pasted. The Paste

Color/Frame Setting Dialog Box will be displayed.

To paste colors to multiple functional objects or fixed objects, select the functional objects or fixed objects that are going to be edited by enclosing them with the cursor.

4. Select the items to be pasted and click the Paste Button.

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♦ The names of the items displayed as Color 1, Color 2, Color 3, and Color 4 in the Color Toolbar

vary with the selected functional object and object settings. Examples: Selecting rectangle, 2-light as the button type for ON/OFF Buttons.

Selecting circle/oval (fixed object).

2-18

Section 2 Setup, Starting, and Exiting 2-5 User Interface

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Font Properties Toolbar

This toolbar displays the font properties setting functions for text in functional objects as icons.

Align

Copy/Paste

Font

Font Size

Font Colo

Bold

Italic

Left

Center in

a Column

Align Right

Center

Align

in a

Row

Align

Bottom

The Copy/Paste Font Properties Button can be used to copy the text properties set for a functional object and paste them into another functional object. Therefore, settings can be pasted in a batch without having to open a separate properties dialog box for every setting.

1. Select the functional object with the text properties to be copied.

2. Select the Copy/Paste Font Properties Button to change the appearance of the cursor to the fol-

lowing.

3. Click over the functional object where the text attributes are to be pasted. The Paste Text Attribute

Dialog Box will be displayed.

To paste text attributes to multiple functional objects, select the functional objects that are going to be edited by enclosing them with the cursor, as shown below.

4. Select the items to be pasted and click the Paste Button.

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♦ When raster fonts (font names: fine, standard, and rough) are selected, the bold and italic styles in

the toolbar cannot be used. Refer to Text Attributes under 2-8 Common Functional Object Functions in the NS Series Pro- gramming Manual for details.

2-19

Section 2 Setup, Starting, and Exiting 2-5 User Interface

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Address Toolbar

Displays the setting functions for the addresses of the functional objects in a toolbar. Select the functional object for which the address is to be set and set the address.

Using this toolbar, address settings can be edited and changed without having to open a properties dialog box for the settings.

Displays the address type. When a functional object has multiple address settings, select the address type from the combo box and then set each address.

Displays the set address.

Clicking this button displays the Address Setting Dialog Box from which the address can be set.

Selections for ON/OFF Button

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♦ Another method for setting addresses apart from directly inputting from the keyboard, is to input the

address from the Address Settings Dialog Box that is displayed by clicking the Settings Button. Refer to 5-7 Address Settings for details.

Screen Creation Screens

These screens are used to create the screens displayed on the PT.

Status Bar

The status bar displays an explanation of the function or object where the cursor is positioned or which is selected.

Displays the selected NSDesigner system

Displays the PT model currently selected

Displays information on the function of the toolbar icon or menu item selected.

Displays the frame page number currently selected.

Displays the current coordinates of the cursor.

Displays the upper left coordinates of the object.

Displays the object name currently selected.

Displays the switch label name currently selected.

Displays the current zoom status.

2-20

Section 2 Setup, Starting, and Exiting 2-5 User Interface

NS-Designer Operation Manual

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♦ The toolbars and status bar can be set to be shown or hidden.

Toolbar: Select View - Toolbars and then Standard, Functional Object, Fixed Object, Opera-

Status Bar: 1. Select View - Status Bar.

A check symbol before an item indicates that the item is displayed.

♦ The toolbars can be moved to any position on the screen.

tion, Formatting, Color, or Address.

Please the cursor on any part other than a button, and drag the toolbars to the desired location.

2-5-2 Dialog Box Main Functions

Dialog boxes are used to set detailed settings for executing PT functions.

Edit Box

Enter the character string. If there is a spin button , click the Up Arrow Button or Down Arrow Button to increase or decrease numerical values.

Option Buttons

Item names with a circle to their left are optional items. From the multiple optional items, only one item can be selected. The selected item will be indicated by a black dot.

2-21

Section 2 Setup, Starting, and Exiting 2-5 User Interface

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Combo Box

A list of multiple optional items will be displayed in a drop-down menu. Select the items to be set from the list.

List View

Select the item from the list.

Check Boxes

Item names with a square on their left side are the optional items. Select whether or not to enable the item. The selected items are indicated with a check mark.

2-22

Section 3 Manipulating Project Files

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Section 3 Manipulating Project Files

This section describes the basic operations for manipulating projects where data created for screens is stored.

3-1 Projects ........................................................................................................................................................3-1

3-2 Creating New Projects .................................................................................................................................3-2

3-3 Opening Existing Projects............................................................................................................................3-3

3-4 Saving Projects ............................................................................................................................................3-5

3-5 Saving a Project Under a Different Name....................................................................................................3-7

3-6 Opening Recent Projects.............................................................................................................................. 3-8

3-7 Opening Template Projects..........................................................................................................................3-9

3-8 Project Maintenance...................................................................................................................................3-12

3-9 Project Properties.......................................................................................................................................3-17

3-10 Changing the PT Model .............................................................................................................................3-21

Section 3 Manipulating Project Files 3-1 Projects

NS-Designer Operation Manual

3-1 Projects

The NS-Designer designates and handles PT screen data as one project. A project consists of data that can be broadly divided into project folders where files such as bitmap files and project files (extension.ipp) are stored.

Screen file Sheet file Unit and scale setting file Write confirmation message file Alarm/event setting file Data log setting file Host setting file

Bitmaps and JPEG files for displaying background and bitmap objects

Data block data files Communications conditions setting file Text files for displaying text objects and indirectly specifying

character strings Text files for list selection object display and storing character

strings Figure specification graphic data files Print setting files

Validation result files Logging files Internal logging files

Project files

Sample

sample.ipp

pnlpg###.ipw(### = 000-F9F) pnlpg###.ipw(### = FFF-FF6)

unitcom.txt message.jpm pnlalarm.alm

datalog.cfg

omron.hst *.bmp*1, *.jpg*1

*.bmp*1, *.jpg*1 *.csv

1, *.jpg*1 *.bmp*

*.ini*1 *.txt*1

*.lst*1

*.vec print.cfg*2 errlist.txt*3

*.csv*2

log

*.log*2

Note 1. The user can edit these files with a text editor. The other files are created by NS-Designer and must not

be edited using a text editor or other means.

2. These files are created when printing or executing a test and are not transferred when transferring data

to the PT.

3. These files are created when validating and are not transferred when transferring data to the PT.

When files are saved under the name Sample, a file named Sample.IPP will be created in a folder called Sample under \Temp\ in the NS-Designer install directory. To open an existing project, select the file with the IPP extension.

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♦ To move or copy the project data to a floppy disk or other storage area, select both the folder and

project file, and execute the operation. The project consists of these two data types and cannot be opened if only one of them is selected.

3-1

Section 3 Manipulating Project Files 3-2 Creating New Projects

NS-Designer Operation Manual

3-2 Creating New Projects

The procedures for operations from creating new projects to opening screens are described here.

1. Select File - New Project or click the New Project Button in the toolbar.

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♦ Projects that were created with NS-Designer Ver. 2.0 or later cannot be run on PTs using system

Ver. 1.X. Install NS-Designer Ver. 1.X to create projects. Projects for system Ver. 1.X can be created or edited, however, when using NS-Designer Ver. 5.0 or later.

2. The New Project Dialog Box will be displayed. Select the NS-series PT model and System Version

and click the OK Button.

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♦ The project system versions that can be run depend on the system program version installed in the

PT. Refer to Appendix 9 Converting Data between Different Versions of NS-series Products for details.

♦ The NS-Designer can also be started by right-clicking the NS-series PT in the Network Configura-

tion Window of the CX-Integrator and selecting Start Special Application - Start with Settings Inher- ited.

3. The New Screen Dialog Box will be displayed. Select New Screen or Reuse Existing Screen and

click the OK Button. Refer to Creating New Screens under 4-2 Creating and Saving Screens for details.

4. Screen creation starts after new screen is opened.

3-2

Section 3 Manipulating Project Files 3-3 Opening Existing Projects

NS-Designer Operation Manual

3-3 Opening Existing Projects

Opening From the File Menu

1. Select File - Open Project or click the Open Project Button in the toolbar.

2. The Select Project Dialog Box will be displayed.

Select the project file (IPP extension) and click the Open Button.

Opening by Double-clicking an IPP File

1. Double-click on an IPP file from Windows Explorer to display the Open Screen Dialog Box.

2. Click the OK Button.

3-3

Section 3 Manipulating Project Files 3-3 Opening Existing Projects

NS-Designer Operation Manual

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♦

Screen data that was edited or saved with NS-Designer Ver. 2.X can be converted using the NS-Designer’s Settings Menu. The procedure for converting to NS-Designer Ver. 6.X screen data is given below.

1. Open the NS-Designer Ver. 2.X data in NS-Designer Ver. 6.X.

2. Select Settings – Conversion – Project – To Ver6.2. This will convert the data to NS-Designer

∗

Ver. 6.2 data.

Converting screen data for the NS7 to NS-Designer Ver. 6 or higher data will convert it as data for the NS8-TV1@-V1.

Depending on the combination of system program, NS-Designer version, and data version, it may not be possible to use converted data. Refer to Appendix 9 Converting Data between Dif- ferent Versions of NS-series Products.

NS-Designer Ver. 5.0 or later can also convert screen data created with NS-Designer Ver. 1.X.

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♦

Project data created with NS-Designer from Ver. 1.X to Ver. 5.X can be edited and saved on NS-Designer Ver. 6.X.

If project data that was edited or saved with NS-Designer Ver. 1.0 is opened with NS-Designer Ver.

6.X, the following data conversion confirmation message, which indicates making a copy of the data for Ver. 1.1 will be displayed.

If the Yes Button is clicked, the following dialog box will be displayed and the data will be resaved as Ver. 1.1 data under the specified project name.

If the No Button is clicked, the project will not be read or converted.

3-4

Section 3 Manipulating Project Files 3-4 Saving Projects

NS-Designer Operation Manual

3-4 Saving Projects

The methods for saving project files are described here.

1. Select File - Save Project or click the Save Project Button in the toolbar.

New Projects

Newly created projects and screens are temporarily created in a temporary directory until saved.

The temporary directory and temporary files are as follows:

(NS-Designer install directory)\TEMP\untitled.ipp

When a project or screen is saved for the first time, the following dialog box will be displayed and the project will be saved (copied from the TEMP directory). Specify the folder and file name where the project will be saved, and click the Save Button.

Always observe the following precautions when specifying the project name.

The project name must be no more than 42 characters including the IPP extension. •

• Select a name using alphanumerics, underscore (_), dollar symbols ($), and periods (.).

If the project name is specified using other characters, symbols, or marks, an error will occur when the Save Button is clicked.

3-5

Section 3 Manipulating Project Files 3-4 Saving Projects

NS-Designer Operation Manual

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Reference

If a project is changed but has not yet been saved, a dialog box confirming whether or not

♦

to save the changes will be displayed when the project is closed.

♦ When saving new projects, if the specified saving location contains an existing project, the existing

project’s data will be deleted and overwritten with the new project data.

♦

The setting for whether or not the screen is a pop-up screen is saved in the project file (*.IPP). Therefore, even if the screen properties are set to pop-up screen, the screen will operate as a base screen when the PT is operating if the project has not been saved. After changing the setting from base screen to pop-up screen, the relationship between whether the project or screen is saved and the operations at the PT is as follows:

Save project Save screen Operations at the PT

Yes Yes Operates as a pop-up screen.

Operates as a pop-up screen.

Yes No

No Yes Operates as a base screen.

Yes: Saves; No: Does not save

(The screen size used is that set for the most recently saved screen.)

3-6

Section 3 Manipulating Project Files 3-5 Saving a Project Under a Different Name

NS-Designer Operation Manual

3-5 Saving a Project Under a Different Name

1. Select File - Save Project As.

2. The Save Project As Dialog Box will be displayed.

Specify the directory and file name where the project will be saved, and click the Save Button. Always observe the following precautions when specifying the project name.

•

The project name must be no more than 42 characters including the IPP extension.

•

Select a name using alphanumerics, underscore (_), dollar symbols ($), and periods (.).

If the project name is specified using other characters, symbols, or marks, an error will occur when

data is transferred to the PT.

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♦ When the project name is changed and saved, all the original project data will also be copied to the

new project directory.

♦ When specifying the project name, if the specified save destination has an existing project, the ex-

isting project’s data will be deleted and overwritten with the currently open project data.

3-7

Section 3 Manipulating Project Files 3-6 Opening Recent Projects

NS-Designer Operation Manual

3-6 Opening Recent Projects

Up to the four most recently used projects can be opened directly from a menu.

1. Select File - Recent Projects.

2. The recently used project names are displayed with the directory path.

Select any project from the list.

The fou

NNoottee

Note

♦ If a project edited or saved with NS-Designer Ver. 1.0 is opened with NS-Designer Ver. 6.2, the

following message, confirming data conversion, will be displayed.

Refer to 3-3 Opening Existing Projects for details.

most recent projects are displayed

beginning with the most recent

3-8

Section 3 Manipulating Project Files 3-7 Opening Template Projects

NS-Designer Operation Manual

3-7 Opening Template Projects

By specifying a template project, screens that are saved in specific projects can always be reused when creating new screens. This is a useful, for example, for reusing screens from a particular project many times, or for collecting frequently used screens in a specific project and using them as a group screen format when creating projects. The workflow when specifying a template project is given in the following flowchart.

1. Specify the template project

2. Create a new screen.

3. Display Select Template Dialog Box

Reusing screen from template project

4. (a) Select the screen to be reused.

Not reusing screen from template project

4. (b) Use standard screen creation procedures.

5. Edit and save screen.

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Section 3 Manipulating Project Files 3-7 Opening Template Projects

NS-Designer Operation Manual

3-7-1 Specifying Template Projects (Flowchart Step 1)

1. Select File – Select Template Project.

2. The Select Project Dialog Box will be displayed. Select the project to be specified as a template project and click the Open Button.

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♦ When changing template projects, specify the project again by selecting File – Select Template

Project.

3-7-2 Reusing Screens (Flowchart Steps 2 to 4)

1. The Select Template Dialog Box will be displayed each time a new screen is created. (Flowchart steps 2 and 3) Select the screen to be reused. (Flowchart step 4 (a)) When not reusing the screen, click the Cancel Button to return to the standard procedure for creating a new screen. (Flowchart step 4 (b))

2. Click the OK Button.

3. The selected screen will be reused as the new screen.

3-10

Section 3 Manipulating Project Files 3-7 Opening Template Projects

NS-Designer Operation Manual

3-7-3 Canceling Template Projects

When a template project is cancelled, the Select Template Dialog Box is not displayed for creating a new screen, and the standard procedure is resumed.

(Procedure follows flowchart steps 2, 4(b), and 5.)

Click the Cancel Template Button in the Select Template Dialog Box.

3-11

Section 3 Manipulating Project Files 3-8 Project Maintenance

NS-Designer Operation Manual

3-8 Project Maintenance

Project maintenance includes functions to copy, delete, back up, and restore projects. The following maintenance functions can be performed.

Item Details

Duplicate Copies the specified project. Delete Deletes the specified project. Backup Backs up the specified project (specify floppy disk or folder). Restore Restores the backed up project data.

3-8-1 Procedures

The operating methods common for each setting item are explained below.

1. Select File – Project Maintenance.

2. A dialog box will be displayed confirming whether to close the screen being edited. Click the Yes Button.

3. The Project Maintenance Dialog Box will be displayed. Select the desired tab.

4. Make the settings and then click the Execute Button.

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Section 3 Manipulating Project Files 3-8 Project Maintenance

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Copy

1. Select the Duplicate Ta b.

2. Set the source project and destination project.

No. Item Details

1 Source Project Set the source project file name to be copied as a full path name. When the

NS-Designer is used to open the project, the project file will be displayed automatically.

2 Destination

Project

Set the destination project file name to be copied as a full path name.

3. Click the Execute Button to display the Confirmation Dialog Box. Click the Yes Button to copy the project.

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♦ An existing project file can be specified as the project destination, but all the data in the previous

existing project file will be deleted. (The following confirmation dialog box will be displayed.)

If the same project is specified as the source project and destination project, the data will be deleted before it is copied, so the data will be lost. Do NOT set the same project for the copy source and destination.

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Section 3 Manipulating Project Files 3-8 Project Maintenance

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Delete

1. Select the Delete Ta b.

2. Sets the project to be deleted.

No. Item Details

1 Delete Project Set the name of the project file to be deleted as a full path name.

3. Click the Execute Button to display the Confirmation Dialog Box. Click the Yes Button to delete the project.

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♦ Projects being edited cannot be deleted. Close the project first, and then retry the operation. ♦ Projects that have been deleted cannot be restored. Check the project carefully before deleting it.

Backup

1. Select the Backup Tab.

2. Set the project to be backed up.

No. Item Details

1 Backup

Project

2 Backup To When a floppy disk is selected, the backup file will be saved on the floppy disk. Prepare

Sets the name of the project file to be backed up as a full path name. When the NS-Designer is used to open the project, the project file is displayed automatically.

the specified number of 1.44-Mbyte floppy disks. When a folder is selected, the backup file will be saved in the folder. A file is created at the backup destination under the name [project name].XXX (XXX = 000, 001, …).

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Section 3 Manipulating Project Files 3-8 Project Maintenance

NS-Designer Operation Manual

3. Click the Execute Button to display the Confirmation Dialog Box. Click the Yes Button to back up the project.

4. When the backup destination is the floppy disk, the number of floppy disks required will be displayed. When more than one floppy disk is required, switch the floppy disks according to the messages displayed.

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♦ If the same backup file of the project already exists in the backup destination, the previously existing

backup file will be deleted and a new backup file will be created.

Restore

1. Select the Restore Ta b.

2. Set the project to be restored.

No. Item Details

1 Restore

Source

2 Restore

Destination

3. Click the Execute Button to display the confirmation dialog box. Click the Yes Button to restore the project.

4. When floppy disk is set as the restore source, switch the floppy disks according to the messages displayed.

When floppy disk is selected, the backup file stored in the floppy disk will be restored. When folder is selected, the backup file stored on the hard disk will be restored.

Sets the name of the project file to be restored as a full path name. Specify the name of the project file with the same name as that of the backup file. Example: If the backup file is TEST.000, then specify the project name as TEST.IPP (any path can be specified).

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Section 3 Manipulating Project Files 3-8 Project Maintenance

NS-Designer Operation Manual

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♦ An existing project file can be specified as the restore destination, but the data in the existing pro-

ject file will be deleted. The alarm/event data, however, will not be deleted. The following confirmation dialog box will be displayed.

♦ An error will occur if no project with the same name as the backup file exists in the restore destina-

tion. If this error occurs, create a project file with the same name as the backup file, and then restore the project.

3-16

Section 3 Manipulating Project Files 3-9 Project Properties

NS-Designer Operation Manual

3-9 Project Properties

Properties can be set for projects. The following items can be set.

Item Details

Title Set the project title (up to 64 characters). Switch Label Set the number of labels (1 to 16) and the label names (up to 15 characters). Macro Register the macros to be used for the project. Select Language Select the system language to be used for the PT display. Pop-up Menu Set pop-up menus using word buttons, command buttons, and String Display & Input. Macro Option Set whether “\n” that is included in the character string when using message box

macros (MSGBOX) is to be handled as a line-feed code.

Numeral Input Option Set either to display present values or delete the current string and input a new string

in the display column when performing numerical input for Numerical Display & Input objects.

Input Status Color Set the display color for text and background in the input field when inputting Nu-

merical Display & Input objects, String Display & Input objects, and Temporary Input objects.

Data Format Set the data format for specifying line numbers in indirectly specified files.

3-9-1 Procedure

The operating methods common for each project property setting item are explained below.

1. Select Settings - Project properties.

2. The Project Properties Dialog Box will be displayed.

3. Make the settings and then click the OK Button.

The settings method for each setting item is explained next.

Title

Select the Title Ta b.

Set a title of up to 64 characters.

Switch Label

1. Select the Switch Label Ta b.

2. Make the switch label settings.

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Section 3 Manipulating Project Files 3-9 Project Properties

NS-Designer Operation Manual

1 2

No. Item Details

1 No. of Labels Set how many labels can be switched (1 to 16). 2 Switch No.

Label Name

Initial Label

Set the label number to be switched. Set a label name of up to 15 characters.

Set the label number shown on the screen after the power to the PT is turned ON. The default setting is 0.

Macro

1. Select the Macro Ta b.

2. Register the macros to be used for the project. Refer to 6-1 Registering Macros for details on how

to set macros.

Select Language

1. Select the Select Language Ta b.

2. Select the system language to be used for the PT display. “System language” is the language used

for PT display characters, such as in system menus, keypads, and dialog boxes.

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Section 3 Manipulating Project Files 3-9 Project Properties

NS-Designer Operation Manual

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eference

♦ If the character display format is set to ASCII code for string display and input, restore display, and

data block tables (character string fields), the characters used for PT display are determined by the following character codes, according to the system language.

If the character strings for label objects are indirectly specified, these characters will also be deter-

mined in the way shown in the table.

System language Character display Example (character code: B5)

Japanese Shift JIS code

English Latin 1 code

Pop-up Menu

1. Click the Pop-up Menu Tab.

2. Make the settings for the pop-up menu used for setting Word Button, Command Button, and String

Display & Input objects.

1 2

3 4

No. Item Details

1 Text Color Set the text color used in the pop-up menu. 2 Background Color Set the background color of the pop-up menu. 3 Font Size Set the font size used in the pop-up menu.

Show Delimiter Select to display lines separating items in the pop-up menu.

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The settings made on the Pop-up Menu Tab Page are not applied by the Test Tool in the

♦

NS-Designer. To check the results of settings made on the Pop-up Menu Tab Page, transfer the project to the PT and check operation on the PT.

3-19

Section 3 Manipulating Project Files 3-9 Project Properties

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Macro Option

1. Click the Macro Option Tab.

2. Select to display messages over multiple lines by handling the “\n” in the character string as a line-feed code when using the message box macro (MSGBOX).

Numeral Input

1. Click the Numeral Input Options Tab.

2. Set either to display or delete present values when inputting numerical values in Numerical Display & Input objects.

Input Status Color

1. Click the Input Status Color Tab.

2. Set the Text and background colors used in the input field when inputting numerical values or character strings for Numerical Display & Input objects, String Display & Input objects, and Temporary Input objects.

3-20

Section 3 Manipulating Project Files 3-10 Changing the PT Model

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Data Format

1. Click the Data Format Tab.

2. Set the data format to BCD or binary for specifying the line numbers in indirectly specified files.

3-10 Changing the PT Model

This function changes the model of the NS-series PT that supports the project.

1. Select Settings – Conversion - Change PT Model.

The PT Model Dialog Box will be displayed.

2. Select the PT model to be changed, and then click the OK Button.

3. A message to confirm the model change will be displayed. Click the Yes Button to change the

model.

3-21

Section 3 Manipulating Project Files 3-10 Changing the PT Model

NS-Designer Operation Manual

When the PT model is changed, the screen size will change as follows:

Model before

changing

NS12

NS10

NS8

NS5-SQ/TQ

NS5-MQ

Model after

changing

NS10

NS8

NS5-SQ/TQ NS5-MQ

NS12 NS8 No conversion. NS5-SQ/TQ NS5-MQ

NS12 NS10 No conversion. NS5-SQ/TQ NS5-MQ

NS12 NS10 NS8 NS12 NS10 NS8

Converts the basic screen size to 640 × 480 dots. Pop-up screens that are larger than 640 × 480 dots are converted to 640 ×

480 dots. Converts the basic screen size to 320 × 240 dots. Pop-up screens that are larger than 320 × 240 dots are converted to 320 ×

240 dots. Converts the basic screen size to 800 × 600 dots.

Converts the basic screen size to 320 × 240 dots. Pop-up screens that are larger than 320 × 240 dots are converted to 320 ×

240 dots. Converts the basic screen size to 800 × 600 dots.

Converts the basic screen size to 320 × 240 dots. Pop-up screens that are larger than 320 × 240 dots are converted to 320 ×

240 dots. Converts the basic screen size to 800 × 600 dots. Converts the basic screen size to 640 × 480 dots.

Converts the basic screen size to 800 × 600 dots. Converts the basic screen size to 640 × 480 dots.

Screen size conversion

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When the model has been changed from the NS12, NS10, or NS5 to the NS8 (or, conversely, from

♦

the NS8 to the NS12, NS10, or NS5), the size of the intervals in the touch-sensitive mesh are different, so it may not be possible to press some of the functional objects. After conversion, always check that the functional objects are above the touch-sensitive mesh size by running validation from the Tools Menu. Refer to Section 9 Validation for details on the validation function. Although screen data for the NS5-MQ0@-V2 is displayed in monochrome/16 grayscale levels on the

♦

NS-Designer displays and the NS5-MQ0@-V2 screen, the data will be displayed in color if it is converted to data for a PT model with color displays on the NS-Designer or transferred to a PT with a color display screen. The color codes that are used when creating the screen data for the NS5-MQ0@-V2 will be displayed for screen data and the image colors will be used for BMP and JPEG data. All screen data created for PTs with color displays will be displayed in monochrome/16 grayscale

♦

levels if the screen data is converted for the NS5-MQ0@-V2 on the NS-Designer or it is transferred to the NS5-MQ0@-V2.

3-22

Section 4 Screen Types and Operations

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Section 4 Screen Types and Operations

This section describes the basic operations for the screens that can be displayed on the PT.

4-1 Basic Operations ..........................................................................................................................................4-1

4-2 Creating and Saving Screens......................................................................................................................4-18

4-3 Sheets.........................................................................................................................................................4-24

4-4 Frames........................................................................................................................................................4-28

Section 4 Screen Types and Operations 4-1 Basic Operations

NS-Designer Operation Manual

4-1 Basic Operations

The operating methods common to each screen are explained here.

4-1-1 Setting Screen Properties

Set the properties for the screen currently being edited. The following items can be set using this function.

Item Details

Title Set the title of the edited screen (up to 64 characters). Size/Pop-up Set the types of edit screen (base screen or pop-up screen) and screen size. Background/Others Set the screen background and data file compression settings. Macro Register the macros to be set for the screen. Detail setting Set the macro execution timing for the SAP (Smart Active Parts) library. For details,

refer to How to use Smart Active Parts (PDF) included with the NS-Designer.

Procedure

The operating methods common for each setting item are explained here.

1. Select Settings - Screen Properties.

2. The Screen Properties Dialog Box will be displayed.

3. Make the settings and then click the OK Button.

The settings method for each setting item is explained here.

Screen Title

1. Select the Title Ta b.

2. Set a title of up to 64 characters.

4-1

Section 4 Screen Types and Operations 4-1 Basic Operations

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Size/Pop-up

1. Select the Size/Pop-up Ta b.

2. Set the screen size and pop-up screen setting.

3 4

No. Item Details

1 Screen Size Set the PT screen display size.

The maximum screen size that can be set depends on the PT model selected. NS12: Up to 796 dots horizontal × 566 dots vertical with title bar.

Up to 796 dots horizontal × 596 dots vertical without title bar.

NS10, NS8: Up to 636 dots horizontal × 446 dots vertical with title bar.

Up to 636 dots horizontal × 476 dots vertical without title bar.

NS5: Up to 316 dots horizontal × 206 dots vertical with title bar.

Up to 316 dots horizontal × 236 dots vertical without title bar.

Use as Default

Screen Size

2 Use as Pop-up

Screen

3 Pop-up Screen

Display Position

4 Pop-up Screen

Setting

Select this item to set the size as the default the next time a new screen is created.

Select this item to use the screen as a pop-up screen when the PT is running. When not selected, the screen is used as a base screen.

Screen number 0 cannot be set as a pop-up screen. Settings of other screens can be changed freely. Set the position where the pop-up screen is displayed while the PT is running.

Select the position from one of the following settings. Center of Screen, Top Left of Screen, Bottom Left of Screen, Top Right of Screen, Bottom Right of Screen, or Any Position. When Any Position is selected, specify the X and Y coordinates for the top left of the pop-up screen.

Set the settings related to the pop-up screen. Each of the setting items is as follows: Select each item to enable the setting. Enable input on other screens Closes when base screen switches No title bar

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♦ If No title bar is selected under Pop-up Screen Setting, the screen’s frame will not be displayed

when the screen is displayed on the PT.

♦ If Any Position is selected under Pop-up Screen Display Position and the values input for the screen

coordinates are out of range, the pop-up screen will be displayed as a full screen.

Title bar and frame displayed

No title bar or frame displayed

4-2

Section 4 Screen Types and Operations 4-1 Basic Operations

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Background/Others

1. Select the Background/Others Tab .

2. Set the screen background and data file compression settings.

No. Item Details

1 Background Color Select the screen’s background color from 256 options.

Set Color

2 Background File Specify the background file.

3 Compress Screen

4 The order of display

Display all objects

Use as Default Background Color

Select File Name Select to specify an image file as the screen background. The following files

Select

Edit

Data File

at once. (Recommended)

Display frames and fixed objects first.

Click the Set Color Button to display the Color Setting Dialog Box. Select the background color from the dialog box.

Select this item to set the background color as the default next time a new screen is created.

can be specified. Specify a file name as a character string of up to 12 characters (up to 8 char-

acters for the file name and 3 characters for the extension). The following characters can be used for file names: Alphanumerics, underscore (_), dollar sign ($), and period (.)

BMP and JPEG file formats are supported. Click the Select Button to open the File Dialog Box. Select the file from the

dialog box. Click the Edit Button to start the image editor and allow the background to be

edited. Specify the image editor to be started up in the Editor Tab Page of the Options Dialog Box (Tools - Options).

Select this item to save the screen data file in compressed format.

Select this item to display all objects at once after getting information that is necessary to display the objects.

Select this item to display frames and fixed objects first and then display all of the other objects after getting the necessary information.

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♦ Bitmap files (BMP or JPEG) that conform to Microsoft Windows standards can be set for the background. ♦ Specify which application to start up as the image editor under Tools - Options.

4-3

Section 4 Screen Types and Operations 4-1 Basic Operations

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Macro

1. Select the Macro Ta b.

2. Register the macros to be used for the screen. Refer to 6-1 Registering Macros for details on how

to register macros.

4-1-2 Grid Setting

The formation of squares set at equal intervals on the screen is called the grid.

This function sets whether to show or hide the grid and the size of the grid interval.

1. Select Layout - Grid to display the Set Grid Dialog Box.

No. Item Details

1 Display Grid Select this item to display the grid lines. The grid serves as a guide for arranging

the functional objects.

2 Snap to Grid Select this item to enable the grid. Enabling the grid allows functional objects to

be snapped to the grid when moving them. 3 Grid Size Specify the width and height of the grid intervals in dot units. 4 Check when grid is

not clear

Select this item to reverse the color of the grid line. Use this setting if the grid lines

are not clear because they are a similar color to the background.

4-4

Section 4 Screen Types and Operations 4-1 Basic Operations

NS-Designer Operation Manual

4-1-3 Switching Items Displayed for Objects

The methods for switching the display type on the screen and confirming object settings are described here.

Simulate ON/OFF

This function can be used to display the form of a functional object on the current screen when the status of the address is ON. (The default is OFF.)

OFF Status ON Status

Select View - Simulate ON/OFF or click the Simulate ON/OFF Button in the toolbar.

Toolbar

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♦ The symbol before the Simulate ON/OFF Menu item indicates that simulate ON status is cur-

rently displayed.

♦ To return to simulate OFF status, select View - Simulate ON/OFF or click the Simulate ON/OFF

Button in the toolbar again.

4-5

Section 4 Screen Types and Operations 4-1 Basic Operations

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Show ID

This function displays the ID numbers assigned to objects, except those assigned to tables.

ID numbers are assigned to objects automatically in the order that the objects are created.

Show ID

Select View - Show ID or click the Show ID Button in the toolbar.

Toolbar

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♦

The played.

♦ To return to the normal display, select View - Show ID or click the Show ID Button in the toolbar

again.

♦ The ID numbers can be displayed in a small font. The procedure is as follows:

1. Select Tools - Options.

2. Select the Edit/Disp. Tab.

3. Select Use small font for ID display.

♦ When an object is deleted causing a break in the sequence of ID numbers, the missed ID number

will be allocated to the object that is created next.

♦ When a table is created, ID numbers are assigned to the table itself as well as to the functional

objects contained in it. When the ID numbers are displayed, however, the ID numbers of the functional objects in the table will be displayed without showing the table ID number.

symbol before the Show ID Menu item indicates that the ID numbers are currently dis-

4-6

Section 4 Screen Types and Operations 4-1 Basic Operations

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Functional Object IDs

A functional object ID consists of the object type and four-digit numerals.

Type Functional object ID

Buttons

Displays & Inputs

Displays

Data Log Data Log Graph DLOG0000 to DLOG1023 Data Block Data Block Table DTBL0000 to DTBL1023

ON/OFF Buttons PB0000 to PB1023 Word Buttons PBW0000 to PBW1023 Command Buttons PBC0000 to PBC1023 Bit Lamps PL0000 to PL1023 Lamps Word Lamps PLW0000 to PLW1023 Numeral Displays & Inputs NUM0000 to NUM1023 String Displays & Inputs STR0000 to STR1023 Thumbwheel Switches THW0000 to THW1023 Temporary Inputs TMP0000 to TMP1023 Text LBL0000 to LBL1023 List Selection LST0000 to LST1023 Level Meter LEV0000 to LEV1023 Bitmap BMP0000 to BMP1023 Analogue Meter ANA0000 to ANA1023 Broken-line Graph BLG0000 to BLG1023 Video Display VDO0000 to VDO1023 Alarm Display ALM0000 to ALM1023 Alarm Alarm/Event Summary History ALS0000 to ALS1023 Date DAT0000 to DAT1023 System Clock Time TIM0000 to TIM1023

Frame FRM0000 to FRM1023 Others Table TBL0000 to TBL1023

Fixed Object IDs

Fixed object IDs are displayed as 4-digit numerals.

0000 to 1023

Show Address

This function displays the address set for each functional object.

Normal Display Address Display

Select View - Show Address or click the Show Address Button in the toolbar.

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Section 4 Screen Types and Operations 4-1 Basic Operations

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Toolbar

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♦ The symbol before the Show Address Menu item indicates that the addresses are currently be-

ing displayed.

♦ To return to the normal display, select View - Show Address or click the Show Address Button in

the toolbar again.

♦ The addresses displayed with this function contain the data set in the General Tab Page of the Ob-

ject Properties Dialog Box for the functional objects.

♦ Addresses are not displayed for data block tables.

4-8

Section 4 Screen Types and Operations 4-1 Basic Operations

NS-Designer Operation Manual

The following information is displayed in each functional object when Show Address is selected.

Type Functional object Display information

Button The write address, display address 1, and display address 2 are displayed in

Button

ON/OFF Button

the following format.

$B100(W) $B101(R1) $B102(R2)

(W: Write address; R1: Display address 1; R2: Display address 2)

Word Button

The write address is displayed in the following format.

$W100

Command Button The set values are displayed in the following format.

Switch Screen

• Specified screen

50(P) $W100(W)

(P: Page number; W: Page write address)

• Indirectly specified screen

$W10(P) $W100(W)

(P: Indirect reference address; W: Page write address)

• Selection by Pop-up Menu

POPUP

(POPUP is the fixed display.)

Command Button • Forward

Switch Screen

PAGE+ $W100(W)

(PAGE+ is the fixed display; W: Page write address)

• Backward

PAGE− $W100(W)

(PAGE− is the fixed display; W: Page write address)

Key Button

KEYBUTTON

Control Pop-up Screen

(KEYBUTTON is the fixed display.)

PCTRL

(PCTRL is the fixed display.)

Display System Menu

SYSMENU

(SYSMENU is the fixed display.)

4-9

Section 4 Screen Types and Operations 4-1 Basic Operations

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Type Functional object Display information

Button

Command Button

Stop Buzzer

None

Video Capture

Contrast Adjustment

Vision Sensor Console Output

Data Block Control

-FILE--PL C

Data Block Control

-FILE-NS, NS--PLC

BUZZER

(BUZZER is the fixed display.)

NOP

(NOP is the fixed display.)

Capture

(Capture is the fixed display.)

Contrast + 10

(The following function names and set values are displayed.)

- Contrast

- Brightness

- Depth

- Tone

ESC

(The signal name is displayed.)

File -> PLC

(The following control information is displayed.)

- File -> PLC

- PLC -> File

- Record Delete

File -> NS

(The following control information is displayed.)

- File -> NS

- NS -> File

- NS -> PLC

- PLC -> NS

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Section 4 Screen Types and Operations 4-1 Basic Operations

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Type Functional object Display information

Command Button Button

Data Block Control –Read Record

Record Label

Label

Lamp

(Record Label is the fixed display)

The address is displayed in the following format. Bit Lamp

$B100

Word Lamp

The address is displayed in the following format.

$W100

Display & Input

Numeral Display & Input

The address is displayed in the following format.

$W100

String Display & Input

The address is displayed in the following format.

$W100

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Section 4 Screen Types and Operations 4-1 Basic Operations

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Type Functional object Display information

Display & Input

Thumbwheel Switch

Temporary Input

Display

List Selection

The address is displayed in the following format.

$W100

The product name is displayed in the following format.

TEMPORARY

The set value is displayed in the following format.

• Internal Memory ($W)

$W100

• File

LIST.lst

Level Meter Analogue Meter

The border information is displayed in the following format.

$W120(M) 1000(X) $W100(0A) $W101(1A) 0(N)

(M:

Bitmap The file is displayed in the following format.

Monitor address)

(X:

Max. fixed value)

(O:

Border 1-2 fixed value)

(1:

Border 2-3 fixed value)

(N:

Min. fixed value)

(XA:

Max. indirect address)

(0A:

Border 1-2 indirect address)

(1A:

Border 2-3 indirect address)

(NA:

Min. indirect address)

ERR.bmp

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Section 4 Screen Types and Operations 4-1 Basic Operations

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Show Error Object

Objects for which errors were detected in validation are displayed with red borders. Refer to Section 9 Validation for details on the validation function.

Example: Validation items

Overlapping of functional objects

Functional objects created inside screen/frame area

Select View - Show Error Object or click the Show Error Object Button in the toolbar.

Toolbar

RReeffeerreennccee

Reference

♦ The symbol before the Show Error Object Menu item indicates that the error objects are cur-

rently displayed.

♦ To return to the normal display, select View - Show Error Object or click the Show Error Object

Button in the toolbar again.

Show Sheet Object

This function is used to display the applicable sheet object. The sheet object is displayed by default.

Sheet Objects Not Displayed Sheet Objects Displayed

Select View - Show Sheet Object or click the Show Sheet Object Button in the toolbar.

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Section 4 Screen Types and Operations 4-1 Basic Operations

NS-Designer Operation Manual

Toolbar

RReeffeerreennccee

Reference

♦ The symbol before the Show Sheet Object Menu item indicates that the sheet objects are cur-

rently displayed.

♦ To hide the sheet object, select View - Show Sheet Object or click the Show Sheet Object Button

in the toolbar again.

♦ Refer to 4-3 Sheets for details on basic sheet operations.

4-1-4 Changing the Display

The methods for changing the display on the screen are explained here.

Displaying Screens

The methods for switching the display of screen windows are as follows:

Cascade (Window - Cascade)

Cascades the open windows on the screen with the active window on top.

Tile (Window - Tile)

Tiles the open windows.

Arrange Icons (Window - Arrange Icons)

Arranges minimized windows.

The minimized windows are arranged from left to right at the bottom of the application window. (This command cannot be used if there are no minimized windows.)

Previous Screen

Displays the screen of the previous screen page number.

Select View - Previous Screen or click the Previous Screen Button in the toolbar.

Toolbar

Next Screen

Displays the screen of the next screen page number.

Select View - Next Screen or click the Next Screen Button in the toolbar.

Toolbar

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Omron NS-NSDC1V6 OPERATION MANUAL

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

OPERATION MANUAL

Notice:

Introduction

Notation and Terminology

Related Manuals

Read and Understand This Manual

Application Considerations

Disclaimers

Contents

Section 1 Overview

1-1 The NS-Designer

1-2 System Requirements

1-3 Basic Configuration and Functions

1-4 Outline of Operational Flow

1-5 Menu Commands

1-6 Functions Added in Version 3.0

1-7 Functions Added in Version 4.0

1-8 Functions Added in Version 5.0

1-9 Functions Added in Version 6.0

1-10 Functions Added in Version 6.2

Section 2 Setup, Starting, and Exiting

2-1 Before Installing the NS-Designer

2-2 Installing the NS-Designer

2-3 Starting the NS-Designer

2-4 Exiting the NS-Designer

2-5 User Interface

Section 3 Manipulating Project Files

3-1 Projects

3-2 Creating New Projects

3-3 Opening Existing Projects

3-4 Saving Projects

3-5 Saving a Project Under a Different Name

3-6 Opening Recent Projects

3-7 Opening Template Projects

3-8 Project Maintenance

3-9 Project Properties

3-10 Changing the PT Model

Section 4 Screen Types and Operations

4-1 Basic Operations