Menu

Save  

The current work state and selected settings are saved in the files of the project.

Replace Library…

This command is required when changing the version of libraries. Obsolete libraries are replaced by newer ones. In this process the blocks included in the project are automatically exchanged. This exchange can be traced and assessed in the trace output of the messages window. In particular, the trace output indicates problems (if any) occurring when parameters are copied as well as version conflicts. If libraries are used by other loaded libraries, an exchange is not possible. First, the dependency between libraries needs to be removed. A warning is displayed, if libraries are to be replaced that have been loaded already. However, exchanging them would be possible. After all blocks of the obsolete library have been replaced, they are removed from the project. Following successful replacement, it is recommended to remove libraries from the project that have been used by the old library and are no longer needed.

Print Page

The active worksheet is printed. The worksheet format (refer to Options Submenu) influences its presentation.

Exit

The programming system is closed. Before closing, the online connection (if activated) with the target system will be disconnected, the project will be closed and all components of the system are cancelled.

1...5

At the bottom of the submenu a sorted list is displayed, containing up to 5 of the last loaded project files. If a file is selected from this list, it opens immediately. If the project cannot be loaded, the entry is removed from the list.

Undo  

While editing a project the inverse functions of the executed actions are automatically recorded by the programming system. They are needed to reset the project into the status before the last edit operation when calling undo.

Currently the inverse functions of the last 100 operations are saved. If more actions are executed after reaching this limit, the inverse functions of the oldest editing operation are deleted and the new ones added. The information for undo isn't saved with the project. Therefore it is lost after closing. Furthermore library operations (load, remove and replace) can't be canceled with undo.

Working on the Drawing  

The edit mode of the same name is activated. In this mode it is possible to insert blocks, draw and delete connections, and carry out group operations.

Replace Blocks  

The edit mode of the same name is activated. In this mode it is possible to replace single blocks.

Delete Blocks  

The edit mode of the same name is activated. In this mode it is possible to delete single blocks by clicking with the mouse.

Block Sequence  

The edit mode of the same name is activated. In this mode it is easily possible to specify the working sequence and the priority of blocks in the worksheet by clicking with the mouse.

Select All

All blocks in the active worksheet window are selected.

Deselect

The selection of blocks in the active worksheet window is made undone.

Cut  

Selected blocks, their parameters and connections among each other are copied into the clipboard. Thereafter, the blocks and all related connections are deleted. In addition, a bitmap containing a display of the cut blocks and their connections is created in the clipboard, which can be further edited in graphic programs.

Copy  

Selected blocks, their parameters and connections among each other are copied into the clipboard. In addition, a bitmap containing a display of the cut blocks and their connections is created in the clipboard, which can be further edited in graphic programs.

Insert  

The objects from the clipboard are inserted into the project. If these objects are copied blocks with their connections, the blocks are inserted in the current worksheet and the connections are rerouted. Insertion requires the libraries necessary for the project to be loaded and/or used structure blocks to be defined. In addition, test.con permits the insertion of text via the clipboard. To this end, a text block is automatically generated. However, the length of texts is limited to 255 characters.

Delete  

Selected blocks and their connections are deleted.

Delete…

A dialog opens to delete program and macro blocks. When carrying out deletion, the definitions of the structure blocks and all calls are removed from the project.

Rename…

A dialog opens where the names of program and macro blocks can be changed.

Free Access

If the access control is activated, this command serves to remove any restriction on access rights to structure blocks in the Run mode.

Import…

Exported structure blocks can be inserted in the project with this command. The export file is selected in the called dialog. During the import the instructions saved in the file are executed to create the structure blocks. Messages and dialogs, which may appear, point to problems or ask to rename already used designations or to load needed libraries.

Export…

Single structure blocks or hierarchies can be exported with the called dialog into a file. Instructions for creating and parameterizing the structure block and the containing functions blocks are written to this text file. During the import they are automatically executed to restore the structures.

The export contains only the definition of the structure block. Parameter sets for different instances should be saved and restored with the following commands.

Load Connector Parameter…

Using this command, saved block parameters of a structure block instance can be loaded in the Run or Edit mode. With help of a file dialog the file can be opened. However, the precondition for successful restoring of block parameters is that the structure block definition has not been changed.

Save Connector Parameter…

This command is used for saving the block parameters of a structure block instance in the Run or Edit mode. A file dialog opens where a file name can be entered.

Logon to Target System…  

This command serves to establish an online connection with the target system or start simulation. A dialog opens, containing a list of possible connections. If a connection is activated by double clicking, information about the target system is displayed. Commands can be sent to the target system by pressing the relevant buttons. In addition, connections may be closed, added, altered or deleted. If a connection has been successfully established, the commands listed below can be used in order to load programs and start online observation.

Download…

This command creates a download file from the project data and transfers it to the target system or simulation. If a connection has not yet been established, the Logon to Target System command is called before. Upon successful loading, online observation starts automatically.

Online/Offline   

The Online command starts online observation without performing any download beforehand. However, this operation requires a connection with the target system or simulation to be established before. Furthermore, the program in the target system should correspond with the current project to the largest extent possible. Changed parameter values do not cause problems and can be adjusted by using the commands below.

In the Online Observation state the Offline command is available instead of the Online command. It is used to return to the Run mode.

Read Parameter from Target System

This command is available in the Online Observation state and serves to read out the values of all parameters of a project from the target system. After completion of reading, all blocks in the project are assigned the same parameters as the blocks in the target system.

Write Parameter to Target System

In the Online Observation state this command can be used to copy all parameters of a project to the target system. After the completion of this command, the blocks in the target system and the blocks in the project use identical parameters.

Save Parameter to Disk…

In the Run mode this command can be used to export all parameter values of the project into one file. A dialog is opened where the parameter file to be created can be indicated.

Load Parameter from Disk…

All parameter values of the project are imported from the selected file. The file contains only logic addresses and parameter values. Hence, allocation errors might occur after changing a project and subsequently importing old parameter files. Such problems occur, for instance, if a block sequence has been changed and the internal reorganization has been activated, or blocks have been deleted and others have been inserted thereafter.

Worksheet…

A dialog opens where the worksheet format, zoom factor and refresh rate can be specified.

The form and size of the worksheet window are in particular of relevance to printing operations. Only those areas are printed which are located inside the frame. Worksheets are reduced in size such that they can be printed on the sheet size set in the printer dialog.

The zoom setting specifies the size for displaying blocks in the windows. Zoom values between 0.3 and 10.0 can be selected.

In the Online Observation state signals are cyclically polled and displayed. The refresh rate controller serves to specify the repeat rate for refreshing. A value between 50ms and 5s can be specified.

The options for the crossing of text blocks and connector attributes refer to the autorouting. The state of the belonging buttons permits or prohibits that connecting lines are drawn such that they cross existing text blocks or parameters and variables appended to function block connectors.

Backannotation

A password can be entered to protect the restore information of the project downloaded into a target system. The password is used to encrypt the restore information during the download. After that the project can be uploaded and restored only with the correct password.

Connector Labels

This command is used to activate or deactivate the display of connector designations.

If activated, the related names are displayed beside inputs and outputs of the blocks. This function facilitates easy differentiation between connectors. Labels which are represented within structure blocks are still displayed, even if this option is deactivated.

It is possible to enable a transparent display. In this case the working sheet background is shown behind the name. Additionally a tooltip can be displayed.

Call Names

This selection serves to activate or deactivate the display of the function block call names. A call name is the internal ID of a function block used by the system.

Smart Pointer

If this item is activated, the cursor shape is indicative of current functions available in the Edit state. If this option is deactivated, the cursor is always displayed as an arrow.

Autorouting

This option serves to activate or deactivate the support for drawing connecting lines. If auto routing has been activated, the starting and target points selected are automatically connected such that the number of lines crossed is kept at a minimum and crossing of blocks is prevented. Line paths are optimized for drawing operations in order to comply with the above criteria.

The Worksheet Settings dialog serves to specify whether or not lines are allowed to cross text blocks which have already been inserted.

When the project is saved, all settings are stored in the respective file in the project directory and recovered when loaded again.

In addition, the options of test.con are stored in a main configuration file and are made available again when the program is restarted.

Cascade

All worksheet windows are displayed in an overlapping arrangement. The title bars of all windows are visible.

Tile

All worksheet windows are displayed in horizontal arrangement or, if there are 4 and more windows, in horizontal and vertical arrangement.

Symbols

If several worksheet windows were reduced to symbol size by using the Minimize button, the symbols are newly arranged when this command is called.

Close

The current worksheet window is closed.

Close All

All open worksheet windows are closed.

Note: This command closes all open windows, but not the project.

1, 2, ..., 20

If a worksheet window is covered by others, it can be easily activated and moved to the foreground.

Export to Clipboard

This command is used to copy the visible part of the current worksheet window into the clipboard. Another way of transporting window areas as bitmaps into the clipboard is provided by the Cut and Copy commands in the Edit submenu.