Messages

1

Support Questions / Program termination from main form

« on: December 12, 2016, 09:41:53 AM »

On my AHMI project I have a main form with buttons to open 2 other forms. If the user closes either of these 2 forms by accidently using the red 'X' button in the top right hand corner of the window the program terminates and hangs. It can only be started up again by terminating the program process in the windows task manager.

Does anyone know if there is a method of avoiding premature program termination e.g. I would like to terminate the program from the main form only. I would also like to ensure the program terminates leaving the software inputs (diagnostic & control) in a known pre-defined state

2

Open Discussion / Re: New Version 3.99r Now Available

« on: December 02, 2016, 04:47:01 AM »

Could you make this type of announcement a 'sticky topic'? Perhaps just have one thread listing new releases as they become available

It would make it easier to identify the latest release version and see the main changes between versions.

3

Support Questions / Re: Swapping toolbox components

« on: December 01, 2016, 11:30:01 AM »

See post in 'Tips & Tricks' for info on 'Tag Database': -

http://advancedhmi.com/forum/index.php?topic=943.0

4

Support Questions / Re: Swapping toolbox components

« on: December 01, 2016, 06:38:23 AM »

Problems sorted, everything is now working the way I want it to. Easy when you know how and take care when making changes.

I have this question: is it possible to do tag aliasing within AHMI? I can't see how such a thing would be possible for this system

The tag names I am using are very long, sometimes containing 26 chars or more. It's easy to make a typing mistake or forget the tag naming convention. I would like to use a simple tag alias within AHMI which marries up with the tag alias name used in the Rockwell PLC.

For reference Siemens offer this when controlling their PLC from a web based application. The user application code contains an alias statement linking the tag names used in the code with those used by the PLC.   

5

Support Questions / Re: Swapping toolbox components

« on: November 30, 2016, 10:12:32 AM »

The solution does not appear to be too difficult.

I was about to give it a go when I thought I better check that everything works before making changes. Sadly not -> the solution contains the original BasicLabel component plus an unused modified version of the BasicLabel component (with renamed public class).

The solution compiles OK but when run returns 'Check NumericFormat and variable type' msgs for all the monitored PLC I/O values. Odd thing is that I can still write to the PLC OK. If I revert back to an earlier solution containing only the original BasicLabel component it works without problem.

Still working on it.....

[Edit: I can see the exception message in BasicLabel.vb']

6

Support Questions / Swapping toolbox components

« on: November 29, 2016, 09:27:57 AM »

Does anyone know if it is possible to exchange between different versions of the same component residing in the toolbox e.g. I modified the VB code for an AHMI controls component and saved it with a new name. In my existing form I now want to swap the standard AHMI component for my own version.

If it is not possible I am guessing I'll have to delete all references to the standard component and replace it with my own modified version - tedious as it involves re-entering all the PLCAddressValues.

7

Support Questions / Re: Links for downloadable tutorial videos

« on: October 13, 2016, 09:57:48 AM »

Yeah, you are right - exactly what I want.

I could have sworn I tried this perhaps I missed out the re-build stage and was running with an old version. Anyway everything is now sorted

8

Support Questions / Re: Links for downloadable tutorial videos

« on: October 13, 2016, 07:24:34 AM »

Tried the following

 Dim v As Short

and it restricts the number of display chars to 4 i.e 0xC0 = FFC0 instead of FFFFFFC0. Getting closer to what I want.....

As a further test I changed the type to UShort plus modifying the following .TryParse line to avoid an exception error but this it reverts back to showing negative decimal numbers i.e. 0xC0 = -64

9

Support Questions / Re: Links for downloadable tutorial videos

« on: October 12, 2016, 10:05:43 AM »

I'll try that. See below for link to other data types. I assume the same information is still valid for Visual Studio 2015

https://support.microsoft.com/ro-ro/kb/311327

10

Support Questions / Re: Links for downloadable tutorial videos

« on: October 12, 2016, 07:32:13 AM »

x2 changed to X2 and it does what I want it to. I'll rename the file as suggested - it's a more preferable solution.

If I come across a method of limiting the number of display chars -> I'll post it here.

Thanks

11

Support Questions / Re: Links for downloadable tutorial videos

« on: October 11, 2016, 09:34:21 AM »

Wow- tried your suggestion and it works. Thanks Archie.

It correctly displays the no of digits using 'NumericFormat' value. However leading 'f' chars are shown when the I/O value exceeds 0x7F e.g. 0x0C is shown as '0c' but 0xC0 is shown as 'ffffffc0' etc. I don't suppose there is anyway around this or the ability to force it to use uppercase chars?

The only drawback I can see is having to modify a stock version of AdvancedHMI to achieve this. I guess I'll have to append a modification note of some sort to the code.

12

Support Questions / Re: Links for downloadable tutorial videos

« on: October 11, 2016, 03:44:47 AM »

Got it working - after reading through numerous topics on this forum.

Correct format for addressing program scope tags on a ControlLogix system is: PROGRAM:ProgramName.TagName
(The information is not mine - I copied it from someone else's post asking a similar question)

Can I ask for some advice on display presentation of I/O values from a modular PLC and distributed I/O system?

For debugging I need to display raw I/O values -> at the moment I went for multiple panel meters. The downside is that they occupy lots of space and do not display hex values (as far as I am aware) e.g. 0xFF is displayed as -1.
So I moved over to a DataSubscriber & Label solution. The downside is that it is a pain to maintain and implement any code changes.

Is there an easier option available? -> I've got in excess of 10 digital I/O modules comprising 8-bits each and need to display the values (in hex)

Any feedback is welcome

13

Support Questions / Re: Links for downloadable tutorial videos

« on: October 06, 2016, 09:34:18 AM »

That is a pity. It's kind of what I expected.

Anyway I'm stuck on trying to send push button commands from AdvancedHMI to the PLC. Have you got any advice as I getting confused?
I think the 'PLCAddressClick' field is for the tag (or alias name). I've got no idea what the 'PLCAddressVisible' field does. Do I have to add some code as well using the 'EthernetIPforCLXCom1.Write' command?

On the plus side I can read back PLC values no problem - did it 1st time with minimal effort using a panel meter.

And yes, I think this product is a great find. It's got good potential.

14

Support Questions / Links for downloadable tutorial videos

« on: October 06, 2016, 06:10:03 AM »

Is there a weblink for downloadable AdvancedHMI tutorial videos?

I know they exist on youtube but it causes problems when trying to view them in a work environment. What I really need is to view the videos off-line on the laptop containing the AdvacedHMI application

Thanks