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News EPLAN 20 en US PDF
News EPLAN 20 en US PDF
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Preface ................................................................................................................. 15
Notes for the reader ........................................................................................... 16
Table of Contents
Specifying page filters via detailed selection...................................................... 48
Selection in the Page List Takes Place when Scrolling Pages ....................... 49
Automatic Page Names when Inserting Pages or Macros .............................. 49
Customizing the Displayed DT for Location Boxes when Inserting
Pages or Macros ................................................................................................. 50
Determining Number of Pages / Page Name per Property .............................. 51
Table of Contents
Using accessory lists ......................................................................................... 76
Assigning accessories to a main part................................................................. 77
Data transfer on update of the parts database................................................... 78
Accessory Parts in Device Selection ................................................................ 79
Changes in the "Device selection" Dialog .......................................................... 80
Selecting accessories ........................................................................................ 81
Check Run for Missing, Required Accessory Parts......................................... 83
Changes to the Device Selection Settings ....................................................... 83
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Inserting a Model View for EPLAN EMI ........................................................... 154
Settings for EPLAN EMI ................................................................................... 154
Addition for length calculation .......................................................................... 154
Table of Contents
PDF export with linked documents................................................................... 192
Exporting pages in PDF format ........................................................................ 192
Outputting 3D models in the PDF export ......................................................... 194
Finding and Replacing ..................................................................................... 195
Jumping forwards and backwards in the jump sequence of crossreferenced functions ........................................................................................ 195
Go to part assemblies ...................................................................................... 196
Including objects in the layout space in the search .......................................... 197
Influencing the Value and Unit Display ........................................................... 198
New display properties..................................................................................... 198
Using the new display properties ..................................................................... 201
New project setting for output of the unit.......................................................... 203
Enhancements to the EPLAN API ................................................................... 203
Graphical Editor ................................................................................................ 204
Rapid opening of page properties .................................................................... 204
Extending the search for path function text ...................................................... 204
Setting the displayed language of multilingual texts blockwise using actions .. 205
Multilingual texts for designation of hyperlinks ................................................. 206
Property texts for boxes when changing scale................................................. 207
Plug DT and channel designation retained when moved ................................. 207
Expansion of special characters ...................................................................... 208
Devices .............................................................................................................. 209
Extension to user-defined property arrangement ............................................. 209
Changing the graphic of black boxes and similar components via the
properties dialog .............................................................................................. 210
Properties dialog for bundle connection points ................................................ 211
Jump functions for location boxes .................................................................... 212
Plug DT for device connection points............................................................... 213
Considering part placements in global editing ................................................. 214
Adopting properties of the P&I diagram functions during synchronizing .......... 215
Assigning structure identifiers for part definition points .................................... 216
Allowing identical connection point designations for devices ........................... 217
Edit in Table ...................................................................................................... 218
Shortcut key to close edit in table .................................................................... 218
Project Data Navigators ................................................................................... 219
New jump functions in the connection navigator .............................................. 219
Placing macros ................................................................................................ 219
Placing all functions of a device ....................................................................... 221
Adjusting the column width .............................................................................. 221
Device group DT on associated devices .......................................................... 221
Table of Contents
Defined Devices ................................................................................................ 222
Taking account of macro variants .................................................................... 222
Representation types for unplaced functions ................................................... 222
Part Selection .................................................................................................... 224
Part selection with scheme selection ............................................................... 224
Do not show conflict dialog .............................................................................. 225
Modifications to part management during part selection .................................. 226
Symbol Editor ................................................................................................... 227
Reorganizing symbol libraries .......................................................................... 227
Displaying variants when paging in the symbol editor...................................... 227
Form Editor ....................................................................................................... 228
Combining overview reports ............................................................................ 228
Combining parts in enclosure legends ............................................................. 230
Conditional areas in dynamic forms ................................................................. 230
Suppressing blank data lines ........................................................................... 232
Renamed placeholder texts for the device tag list ........................................... 233
Outputting function data for the device tag list and symbol overview ............... 233
Regenerating headers without sorting ............................................................. 234
Outputting only connected connection points in connection diagrams ............. 234
Essential customization of user-defined connection diagram forms ................ 235
New placeholders for cable charts in terminal and plug diagrams ................... 236
Macros ............................................................................................................... 238
Description text for automatically generated page macros .............................. 238
Group macro boxes and associated objects .................................................... 238
Specifically assigning objects to macro boxes ................................................. 239
Placeholder Objects ......................................................................................... 240
Properties dialog and new symbol for placeholder objects .............................. 240
New properties for placeholder objects ............................................................ 241
Simplified assignment ...................................................................................... 243
Reports .............................................................................................................. 244
Connection diagrams for wiring diagrams ........................................................ 244
Appending reports to the end........................................................................... 248
Sorting cable overviews according to source and target .................................. 249
Using page structure identifiers for reports ...................................................... 250
Creating report templates ................................................................................ 250
Copying and pasting function-related embedded reports................................. 250
Breaking up modules ....................................................................................... 251
Outputting part assemblies in labeling ............................................................. 252
Table of Contents
Parts Management ............................................................................................ 253
Improved full-text filter...................................................................................... 253
Additional selection option using the "Combination" tab .................................. 256
Creating subtrades for fluid power ................................................................... 256
Data field for the part number of an ERP system ............................................. 258
Entering barcodes for parts.............................................................................. 258
Clip-on height for placements on mounting rails .............................................. 259
Entering outline drawings in parts management .............................................. 261
New "Documents" tab ...................................................................................... 262
Assigning cables / connections to an image file ............................................... 263
Protecting data fields before updating.............................................................. 263
New synchronization of parts ........................................................................... 263
Updating parts when opening a project............................................................ 264
Additional menu items for the part master data navigator ................................ 265
Message Management ...................................................................................... 266
Improved ergonomics ...................................................................................... 266
New trade-specific filter settings ...................................................................... 267
New "Prevent errors" check type for error checking......................................... 268
Setting option for module-specific checks ........................................................ 269
Separate filters for running error checking ....................................................... 269
New check run for checking the online numbering format ............................... 270
New Features in the "Revision Management" Add-on .................................. 271
Renamed revision control operation ................................................................ 271
Dividing menu items for improved ergonomics ................................................ 272
Project completion enhancement ..................................................................... 275
Generating a report when completing a project and pages.............................. 277
Numbering the revision index .......................................................................... 278
Differing graphical markers for change tracking ............................................... 281
Alternative properties comparison ................................................................... 283
Comparing the properties of projects ............................................................... 283
Displaying results of properties comparison .................................................... 286
New settings for the property comparison of projects ...................................... 289
Project-specific databases for the comparison results ..................................... 290
Deleting revision data of the property comparison ........................................... 291
Displaying deleted objects ............................................................................... 292
Layout spaces in revision control ..................................................................... 297
New Features in the "Multi Language Translation" Add-on .......................... 299
Distinguishing between source language and displayed language .................. 299
Upper-/lower-case letters for the source language .......................................... 301
Text-based line breaks in translations.............................................................. 302
10
Table of Contents
Changed translation behavior on input ............................................................ 304
Exporting the missing-word list based on the dictionary .................................. 305
New messages for the translation .................................................................... 306
New Features in the "User Rights Management" Add-on ............................. 307
Assigning new rights ........................................................................................ 307
New Features in the "Mounting Panel" Add-on ............................................. 308
A clearer view in the navigator ......................................................................... 308
Placing terminal strips on the mounting panel ................................................. 309
Displaying the handles of part placements ...................................................... 310
Same legend item for identical devices............................................................ 311
Settings.............................................................................................................. 311
New action for importing settings ..................................................................... 311
Preceding sign for interruption point names..................................................... 313
New settings for displayed units of measure.................................................... 314
Renamed settings for graphical editing ............................................................ 315
Properties .......................................................................................................... 316
User-defined property configurations ............................................................... 316
Renamed project property ............................................................................... 317
New properties for device tags ........................................................................ 317
Other New Features in Utilities ........................................................................ 318
Extensions for automated editing ..................................................................... 318
Improved registration for add-ons .................................................................... 319
Improved display of system messages ............................................................ 320
Licensing ........................................................................................................... 321
Extensions to EPLAN License Manager .......................................................... 321
11
Table of Contents
Inserting insulated wire terminations ................................................................ 334
Devices .............................................................................................................. 337
Inserting cable parts as devices ....................................................................... 337
Device Selection ............................................................................................... 339
Device selection for wires ................................................................................ 339
Table of Contents
Editing the Device Logic .................................................................................. 374
Interactive points, lines, and areas in the device logic ..................................... 374
Defining the device logic .................................................................................. 375
Model Views for the 3D Mounting Layout ....................................................... 378
Inserting a model view ..................................................................................... 379
Updating the model view.................................................................................. 380
Modifying the contents of the model view ........................................................ 381
Outline Editor for Extrusions ........................................................................... 381
Creating outlines .............................................................................................. 382
Editing outlines ................................................................................................ 382
Importing and cleaning up outlines .................................................................. 383
Checking outlines............................................................................................. 384
Device Structure for Mechanical Devices ....................................................... 384
Online Numbering for Mechanical Devices .................................................... 385
13
Table of Contents
Master Data: Schemes...................................................................................... 438
14
Preface
Preface
Dear EPLAN users,
We are delighted to introduce the new EPLAN platform 2.0. The focus is
on practical orientation: this latest development contains well over 1,000
new features, many of them requested by customers. The result is an
EPLAN platform which has been optimized across the board to support
consistent, time-efficient, and cost-saving engineering and cross-disciplinary cooperation.
Focus on ergonomics: with a new dialog layout, advanced filtering techniques, high-quality CAD functions, and redesigned toolbars, project
design is now even easier.
Focus on quality: device data from preplanning can now be protected
against unauthorized changes. This critical element for quality assurance
in engineering also complies with the requirements of the new Machinery
Directive (2006/42/EC). In addition, the new export format PDF/A supports additional requirements relating to the archiving of EPLAN project
documentation.
Focus on engineering: the new "Net Based Wiring" add-on can be used
to define detailed connections within a network at database level. It's an
ideal way of creating clear schematic layouts or simple daisy chains in
production. Keyword "mounting panel assemblies": these can now be defined in 3D in electrical engineering and fluid power design and be integrated directly into the EPLAN platform. The convenience of 3D the
simplicity of 2D.
This News document highlights many additional features of the new
version. We wish you every success with the new EPLAN platform 2.0.
Your EPLAN Software & Service team
15
Preface
16
Preface
Administrator:
The text introduced by these pictograms contains important information
for the administrator. You must always read the sections marked with
pictograms before working with the new version (see pages 307 and
444).
Project editor:
The texts introduced by these pictograms contain important information
for the "normal" users working on projects. You must always read the
sections marked with pictograms before working with the new version
(see pages 53, 69, and 236).
User interface elements are marked in bold (and blue) so they can
immediately be located in the text.
Italic text provides particularly important information that you should
definitely pay attention to.
Code examples, directory names, and direct input (among other elements) are displayed in a non-proportional font.
Function keys, keyboard keys, and buttons within the program are
shown in square brackets (e.g., [F1] for the "F1" function key).
To improve the flow of the text, we often use "menu paths" in this
document (for example, Help > Contents). In order to find a particular
program function, the menus and options shown in a menu path must
be selected in the sequence shown. For example, the menu path
mentioned above calls up the EPLAN help system.
In combination with settings or fields (e.g., check boxes) which can
only be switched on or off, in this document we often use the term
"activate" (after which the setting is active ) and "deactivate" (after
which the setting is inactive ).
17
18
19
The mini toolbars are displayed only when an individual element is selected. If the selected element is blocked due to access to multiusermode or if the project has been opened with write-protection (e.g. for a
filed project), the fields and symbols of the mini toolbars are grayed out.
Notes:
Note that you can use either the Mini toolbars option or the Direct
editing option. Working with mini toolbars is activated by default. The
Mini toolbars option is switched off when you activate direct editing.
It is also possible to deactivate both options.
If direct editing is activated temporarily, however, using [F2], then
both the mini toolbar and the direct editing box are visible. The respective values in this field are checked and can be directly edited.
Click on the mini toolbar or on the page in the graphical editor to
deactivate "temporary" direct editing.
You can set the degree of transparency of the mini toolbars using the
same settings as for the input boxes (Transparency level (without
focus) / Transparency level (with focus)). The menu path is as follows: Options > Settings > User > Graphical editing > Input box /
Mini toolbars.
20
The Repeat menu option is always the first option in the popup menu
and the action to be repeated is displayed after the colon (e.g. Repeat:
Angle down, right). Undo, Undo list, Redo, Redo list, and Cancel
action can not be repeated. These actions are therefore not listed in the
Repeat menu option.
21
22
23
Note:
Note that the trimming of graphical elements does not take into account
splines. Nor can you cut ellipses from splines and ellipses.
Via an intersection and an end point
Beispiel:
Several sections are cut off between the intersection and end points.
Via two end or corner points.
25
26
To change the length of a line or an arc, select the menu option Edit >
Graphic > Change length (or click in the Edit graphic toolbar on the
(Change length) button). Click on the end of the line to be changed. By
moving the cursor in a particular direction you extend or shorten the corresponding line. The trim functionality remains active until you select
Popup menu > Cancel action.
Tips:
You can also open the input box when changing the length and extend / shorten the line by entering positive / negative values (see the
section "Input Box for Editors" on page 33).
If the Object snap option is activated, then ends, snap points, and
intersections with other lines are used as snap points when extending
/ shortening. The lines are then automatically connected to these snap
points when trimming.
You can use the Chamfer functionality to chamfer the corners of different elements symmetrically. This functionality can be used on enclosed
angles which are less than 180. In this case the original lines are shortened symmetrically by a value (the so-called chamfer width) which is
measured from the angle point.
27
Example:
A corner of a rectangle is chamfered with a chamfer width of 16 mm.
28
To fillet a corner select the menu option Edit > Graphic > Fillet corners.
To chamfer a corner select the Chamfer menu option in the same menu.
Alternatively click on the
(Fillet corners) /
(Chamfer) button in the
Edit graphic toolbar.
Click on the corner to be filleted/ chamfered. Click to set the fillet radius /
chamfer width. The corner is correspondingly filleted / chamfered. Once
defined, a fillet radius / chamfer width is applied until you cancel the
action.
Notes:
If it is not possible to apply a selected fillet radius you will receive a
system message.
You can also fillet or chamfer corners of single elements in a group of
elements.
Tip:
Once you have chosen the corner to fillet or chamfer, you can also use
the opened window of the input box to set the fillet radius or the chamfer
width (see the section "Input Box for Editors" on page 33).
29
Tip:
Rather than using the mouse you can also set the center and corner
points of the rectangle via the input box (see page 33). Since relative
coordinates are used when entering the second point and the input
relates to the center, the point entry for a corner point of the rectangle
(e.g. 20 20) corresponds to half the width and height of the rectangle
(e.g. 40 mm 40 mm).
30
31
Line projection
It is now possible to define a projection for lines.
Benefit: This new feature lets you produce a DIN-compliant center
line, i.e. with projection.
If this is required for a line, open the respective properties dialog on the
Format tab and activate the Projection check box. A projection is then
drawn at the start and end point of the line. This is calculated according
to DIN on the basis of the line thickness and drawn with a length of
"12 d" (wherein d = dashed line diameter (Line thickness)).
32
Note:
The line's snap points and dimensions are not changed by inserting a
projection.
Tip:
You can use the input box in combination with the base point shift e.g. to
construct recesses in an enclosure door quickly and easily.
To do this select Options > Move base point and click on the bottom
left corner of the enclosure door. This defines the auxiliary point for the
relative input. Then select Insert > Graphic > Rectangle. If the Input
box option is activated the input box text window is displayed at the
cursor.
33
Input two values to set the position of the first corner of the rectangle.
This point entry relates to the movement of the reference point on the
bottom left corner of the door. Enter one more point in the input box and
the rectangle is drawn to the exact preset size as a recess.
34
You can not request other functionalities with the relevant shortcut keys
when the input box is open. Press [Esc] to cancel the input box.
35
Note:
The setting for activation and deactivation of the input box is synchronized. I.e., if you activate the input box in the settings and then deactivate it in the editor, it is also deselected in the settings.
Keys for input boxes
Irrespective of whether or not you activate the input box when running
the functionalities listed above, you can also open the text window for the
input box with the [C] key. In this case the cursor is located immediately
in the input box of the text window. The same applies for the number
keys and for the [+] and [-] keys which also open the input box.
Note:
For this reason the View menu no longer has the default settings of the
[+] key for zoom In and the [-] key for zoom Out. And the shortcut key
for zoom to 100% has been changed to [Alt] + [3].
Tip:
With the help of the number keys and the [+] and [-] keys you can input
values via the input box even during an interaction and even if the Input
box option is deactivated. If you draw, e.g., a circle with Insert >
Graphic > Circle and have already placed the center, the subsequent
input of a value (e.g. "1") opens the input box and you can input the
radius, for example "10".
36
Benefit: You have more flexibility in laying out text boxes. Leader lines
between a device and the associated property placements
make the schematic easier to read.
37
38
Example:
The illustration below shows the new settings in the properties dialog for
a component on the Display tab.
Using the new Size from project setting check box you can specify that
the static size of the text box is taken from the new Text box project
setting. To access this setting select Options > Settings > Projects >
"Project name" > Graphical editing > General. Equal values for the
Width and Height fields will produce a circular text box.
If the Size from project setting check box is not selected, the size of
the box is determined by the text.
39
If you also select the new Activate leader line check box, a leader line
is drawn from the placed property text to the center of the associated
component. If the property text is moved, the position of the leader line is
adjusted accordingly. No leader line is drawn for simple "graphical" texts
or special texts.
To draw an elliptical alignment box you must first select the Activate
alignment box check box. This activates the new Draw alignment box
drop-down list, and you can specify whether a graphic is displayed for
the alignment box and what shape this graphic should be. For an elliptical box select the "Ellipse" option. Equal values for the subsequent
Width and Height fields will produce a circular alignment box.
40
41
42
43
Example:
Linear dimension on a rectangle with Dimension value centered in
dimension line selected:
Note:
Note that the Horizontal dimension value and Dimension value centered in dimension line settings are ignored in incremental dimensions.
Dimension line interrupted by dimension value:
If this check box is selected, the dimension line is interrupted if the
dimension value intersects with it.
If the check box is not selected, the dimension line is never interrupted,
irrespective of the position of the dimension value.
Display start value for incremental dimension:
If this check box is selected, the start value, i.e. the value at the first
measuring point, is also displayed for incremental dimensions.
If the check box is not selected, this value is not displayed.
44
Note:
The Display start value for incremental dimension setting is not a
property but just a display aid. Therefore this setting can not be specified
for a dimension in the properties dialog, but only project-wide.
45
This tab also contains the new Dimension line interrupted by dimension value check box.
It also contains the option of setting shorter dimension help lines. For this
reason, the Dimension help line group box has two new fields:
Distance 1st dimension help line and Distance 2nd dimension help
line, in which you enter the distance between the measuring point and
the start of the dimension help line for the dimension help line in question. The dimension help line is shortened for positive values and extended for negative values.
46
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49
If you have input structure identifiers which are not yet present in the
target project, the familiar Place identifiers dialog is opened before
insertion.
If the settings are set to default for online numbering, numbering of the
devices then takes place using the Insertion mode dialog. The
components in the location boxes are also taken into account here.
51
52
Using Terminals
Using Terminals
Project editor:
As a project editor, you must read this section before you work with the
new version.
53
Using Terminals
If this check box is selected, the terminal is a main terminal and behaves
in the same way as a main function. For example, if parts with function
templates are assigned to a main terminal of this type, these function
templates are now also displayed in the terminal strip navigator. Parts
can be entered at a main terminal if it has the representation type "Multiline".
If the check box is not selected, the terminal is an auxiliary terminal. In
this case, the Parts tab is hidden in the properties dialog and no parts
can be stored.
If a part with function templates is entered at a main terminal, these templates overlay the terminal auxiliary functions belonging to the main
terminal.
54
Using Terminals
55
Using Terminals
56
Using Terminals
57
Using Terminals
If you have already consistently entered the terminal parts at the terminals in your old projects, then all you need to do is to deselect the
Do not use main terminals check box at the terminal strip definitions
in order to activate the new behavior. If function templates are stored
in parts management for the parts entered at the terminals, these are
displayed immediately and the terminal functions are overlaid by the
templates.
Using Terminals
59
Using Terminals
All other parts are simple parts in the terminal or terminal strip and are
not represented as accessories in reports or in the Edit terminal strip
dialog.
Note:
If you convert an older parts database (pre-version 2.0), the Alignable
check box is selected for all parts in the "Terminals" product group which
belong to one of the following product subgroups:
Cover
Terminator
End angle
Terminal
Strip label
Rails
Plug accessories
Test accessories
Mounting rail
Partition
Other labels
Tools.
60
Using Terminals
In connection with the new features for alignable accessories, the previous popup menu items Add strip accessories, Display strip accessories, and Delete strip accessories have been renamed accordingly.
Displaying alignable accessories
In order for alignable accessories to be displayed in the dialog, the
Alignable accessories visible option must be enabled. If you select
Popup menu > Alignable accessories visible, the accessories are
shown in a separate row.
Adding alignable accessories
If you open the Part selection dialog via Popup menu > Add alignable
accessories, then only parts from the product subgroups which also
qualify as alignable accessories are displayed.
Once you have selected a part, the accessory is inserted as a separate
hatched row below the current cursor position. You can move the row as
you wish. In the Row column a small arrow indicates the position in
which the accessory is added, before or after a terminal.
Using the new Alignable accessories following popup menu item you
can choose whether to add the accessory before or after a terminal.
When you click [Apply] the accessories are assigned to the terminal and
the parts are entered at the terminal.
The terminal and accessories and the function templates belonging to a
terminal are now grouped together in a block similarly to the multi-level
terminals and can be moved together. The row numbers are grouped
together in one field in the Row column.
Disconnecting accessories / multi-level terminals
To disconnect a block of this type, select Popup menu > Disconnect.
This allows you to move an accessory or a level of a multi-level terminal
to another terminal.
61
Using Terminals
Note:
If you wish to continue using the previous behavior in terminal editing
(before EPLAN version 2.0), then you can continue to enter accessories
at the terminal strip definition. To do this activate the Do not use main
terminals property on the terminal strip. In this case, the parts added in
the Edit terminal strip dialog are entered at the terminal strip definition.
The rows for the accessories and the direction arrows for sorting are
unaffected.
62
Using Terminals
The menu item is only active if multiple adjacent terminals are highlighted. If manual saddle jumpers have already been defined for some
(but not all) terminals within the highlighted block, a continuous saddle
jumper is generated. If manual saddle jumpers have already been defined for all terminals within the highlighted block, the saddle jumper for
the highlighted area is removed; it is retained for the terminals included
in the non-highlighted area.
63
Using Terminals
Notes:
The Saddle jumpers (external) and Saddle jumpers (internal)
columns are not displayed by default in the Edit terminal strip dialog
to start with. Instead they must be added first by selecting Popup
menu > Configure columns.
Please note that this additional feature means that it is possible to
display or to output a saddle jumper twice i.e. as both a "normal"
and an external / internal saddle jumper.
Using Terminals
65
Using Terminals
66
Using Terminals
Note:
This setting only affects existing terminal sort codes on insertion of macros and copies. On symbol insertion or on creation of terminal strips in
the terminal strip navigator, sort codes are not generated automatically.
If the check box is selected and if in addition one of the numbering options is chosen in the Insertion mode dialog, then existing sort codes
are automatically numbered on insertion.
The highest sort code in the terminal strip is identified and incremented
by one. Therefore, the newly inserted terminals are always sorted at the
end of the terminal strip. If several terminals have a sort code, their
sequence is retained by ascending sort code values. The numbering
does not separate consecutive terminals.
If the check box is deselected, the sort codes of the inserted terminals
are not changed. The terminals are then sorted between the existing
terminals according to their sort code or terminal designation. This can
mean that terminals that were previously consecutive (e.g. multi-level
terminals) can be separated.
67
Using Terminals
68
69
If you choose [No], the project retains the old database structure. Although the project is opened it cannot be edited, only viewed. In this
case the project can continue to be opened and edited with old
EPLAN versions. The prompt will appear each time you open the
project in the new EPLAN version.
Warning:
New projects and old projects that have been updated will no longer be
able to be opened with old EPLAN versions.
70
71
72
73
74
Note:
You can also access the field-based filter schemes for parts management from the part master data navigator and from the Part selection
dialog.
Accessory parts in tree view
To make it easier to distinguish accessory parts from "normal" parts in
the parts management and parts selection tree views, etc., you can
adapt the tree configuration accordingly. To do this, select the Accessories property <22054> as an additional main node when editing the tree
configuration.
Parts for which the Accessories check box has been selected are then
displayed under an Accessories hierarchy level. Parts which have not
been identified in this way are listed under a Main part hierarchy level.
Example:
If the tree configuration has been adapted in this way, a superior
"Product group" hierarchy level is subdivided into the "Main part" and
"Accessories" hierarchy levels. The illustration shows an example of
the subdivision of the "Relays, contactors" product group.
75
Here the default tree configuration has simply been extended. The
Accessories property was added to the bottom of the properties list in
the Tree configuration Main nodes dialog.
76
On the Accessory list tab enter a unique name and a description for the
accessory list. This name appears in the parts management tree view
and in the selection of accessory parts on the Accessories tab, for
example. The other two fields, Creator and Last change, are filled out
automatically by EPLAN.
On the Parts tab, choose the accessory parts to be included in the
accessory list. Click the
(New) button on the toolbar above the table
to generate a new line. In the Part number field you can select parts in
the same way as for an assembly. To do so, click [...] in this field. The
Part selection dialog opens. Only the previously defined accessory
parts are displayed here. Choose the accessories you wish to include.
Once you have created an accessory list, you can assign this list to a
main part as an accessory.
Exporting and importing accessory lists
You can export and import accessory lists in text format, in XML format,
and in CSV format. The new file type CSV for accessory lists is
available for data exchange in CSV format.
If this file type is selected in the Export records dialog, all settings
relating to the part type and trade are grayed out and the data for all
accessory lists are exported. To export the data for a specific accessory
list, highlight it in the "Accessory list" hierarchy level and then select
Popup menu > Export.
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78
When the database is updated, a data transfer for accessory parts from
the "Relays, contactors" product group takes place in the background. All
parts from this product group which have an accessory code and no
"Coil" type function template are accepted as accessories. This means
that on the new Accessories tab the check box of the same name is
selected for these parts. The parts to which this applies can be seen in
the System messages dialog.
Note:
As automatic recognition of other accessory parts is not possible during
the update, accessory parts from other product groups will be disregarded when the data is transferred and will have to be assigned
manually.
Accessory code in the list view
To enable you to identify the former accessory parts more easily after a
data transfer, the Accessory code property <22025> can be used in the
column configuration for the parts management list.
If you select the associated check box in the Column configuration
dialog, the "old" accessory code appears in the list. You can then select
the corresponding parts in the list and mark them as accessory parts
using the Accessories tab.
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80
Selecting accessories
In order to be able to transfer an accessory part to the Selected parts:
Functions / templates list, you must first select a part number for the
accessory in question. To do this click in the Selection column in the
appropriate accessory row.
To transfer an accessory part with a part number to the Selected parts:
Functions / templates list (and hence to select it), click as before on the
button (Select accessory part), for example.
81
Note:
The procedure described above applies if the default settings are
selected for device selection. If the Overwrite old parts with current
selection check box is selected in the Settings: Device selection
dialog, then a main part can be selected in the Device selection dialog
with just one click. A part included in the Selected parts: Functions /
templates list is deleted and replaced with the highlighted main part. The
same applies when selecting an accessory. As soon as a part number is
entered for an accessory, the accessory too is accepted with just one
click.
Accessory lists as accessories
If the highlighted accessory is an accessory list, clicking in the Selection
column opens a selection dialog. Here you can select the part number of
the accessory part you require.
Required accessory
If you have defined an accessory part as "required" in parts management, then the part number of this accessory is automatically copied to
the Selection column. For "required" accessory lists the part number is
not copied automatically. In the Selection column click on [...] to open a
selection dialog in which you can select the part you require.
When you click [OK] to close device selection, the part numbers for the
selected main and accessory parts are copied to the Parts tab of the
properties dialog.
Note:
If the parts database is in an older version, you are prompted to update
the database on opening device selection. If you click [Yes], the parts
database is updated and you can access new accessory parts in the
device selection. If you click [No], the device selection is still opened
but no accessory parts appear in the Accessories list.
82
New name:
If the check box for this setting is selected, during device selection the
data for the part entered at the function are compared with the criteria set
for device selection. The Device selection dialog is only opened if a new
device selection is required (because an error such as over-allocation
has been found) or if no part has been entered at the function yet. If on
the other hand the part meets the criteria set for device selection, the
Device selection dialog is not opened. If you are carrying out a device
selection for multiple devices, then the devices to which an appropriate
part has already been assigned are skipped.
If an appropriate part has already been entered at a function but the
technical data for the part is missing (e.g. because the part number was
entered manually or via external editing), then this part data is automatically added during device selection. The data for the function templates
stored at the parts is also transferred.
83
If the check box is not selected, the Device selection dialog is opened
for all selected devices, regardless of whether an appropriate part has
already been assigned. The automatic addition of technical data for an
existing part is not possible in this case.
Note:
If this check box is selected, the Device selection dialog is opened
under the following conditions:
No part has been entered at the device.
The Use available function data check box is selected. The function
data differs from the corresponding parts data.
The device is under-allocated with functions.
The Minimize unused functions check box is not selected. The
device is over-allocated with functions.
The Minimize unused functions check box is selected. The device is
over-allocated with functions, and the number of unused functions
exceeds the value set in the Number of unused functions field.
Consider accessories:
This check box no longer exists. Now if you highlight a main part in
device selection, all associated accessory parts are always displayed.
Only consider main function:
This check box is deselected by default. In this case only those devices
that cover all functions, i.e. both the main function and all auxiliary functions, are now offered. Devices that match the selected main function
and have any number of accessories are also offered. (No check is
made as to whether the accessory matches the functions.)
If the check box is selected, then as before all parts that match the
selected main function are offered, regardless of which auxiliary functions are available.
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The EPLAN Pro Panel add-on is used for placing electrical engineering
and fluid power devices from the EPLAN project, from the EPLAN parts
management, or from the EPLAN Data Portal, as required. In conjunction
with mechanical components such as cable ducts, mounting rails, mounting panels, or entire enclosures, EPLAN Pro Panel simplifies the construction of complex 3D mounting layouts dramatically.
Benefit: EPLAN Pro Panel makes it easy to construct complex 3D
mounting layouts. The user is supported by means of intelligent placement aids, implicit locked areas, information on
minimum distances, predefined handles, and mounting surfaces of the components used known as EPLAN eTouch
Technology.
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87
The following two new navigators are the central tools for the project
planning of 3D mounting layouts:
The layout space navigator lists the layout spaces and their structure.
The 3D mounting layout navigator lists the intended equipment
items.
More details about the functions of this add-on can be found in "Special
Topics EPLAN Pro Panel" in the complete PDF version of the News (see
page 342). Extensive and more detailed information can also be found in
the online help in the "EPLAN Pro Panel" section.
Note:
Just like pages, layout spaces defined in EPLAN Pro Panel belong to an
EPLAN project. If layout spaces are defined in a project, then they can
be opened in the EPLAN platform and viewed in 3D even without a
license for the EPLAN Pro Panel add-on. In this case you can use the
new Layout space menu option in the menu bar with its corresponding
functions and the layout space navigator. The same applies to EPLAN
View.
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Protected Devices
Protected Devices
Devices can now be protected from being changed in EPLAN. You can
use protected devices to identify already completed parts of a plant, for
example. A graphical editing operation such as "Delete pages", for example, will not remove these devices from the project. They are retained
as unplaced devices and continue to be displayed in the navigators and
reports (e.g. parts lists).
Benefit: Protected devices allow you to protect information stored on
items and components in preplanning from being accidentally
deleted. The protected devices are a fixed element of your
project and information stored there is permanently retained.
Multiple entries are avoided. All preplanning information is
available to all project participants for the entire lifetime of the
project, ensuring transparency and high-quality project documentation.
The new Protected function property <20475> is assigned to protect a
placed or unplaced function. This protection mainly applies to parts that
have been assigned to a function, but it also prevents the function from
being deleted. The protection also extends to any function templates that
may be stored on a part.
It is also possible to assign protection to all functions of a device simultaneously, thereby protecting the entire device. You can find out more in
the following sections: "Assigning Protection" on page 90 and "Using
Protected Devices" on page 93.
In addition, the new Manage unplaced auxiliary functions at the main
function property allows you to edit the entire device when working with
macros and copy functions. More information on this is provided in the
section "Managing Unplaced Auxiliary Functions at the Main Function"
on page 94.
89
Protected Devices
Note:
Device groups are not protected as a single entity; each device in a
device group must be protected separately.
Assigning Protection
You can protect individual functions and connections or a complete
device.
90
Protected Devices
Protecting devices
Under Project data > Devices there are now two new menu options,
Activate protection and Deactivate protection, which can be used to
switch protection of one or more selected devices on or off.
Protection for a device can only be switched on or off at a main function
or main terminal. Highlight one or more appropriate functions in the
graphical editor or in a navigator dialog and then select Project data >
Devices > Activate protection.
All functions of the device are then given the property Protected function. The device or individual functions of the device cannot be deleted.
The parts assigned to the device cannot be changed. In this case too, a
device selection or part selection or actions such as "Exchange part",
"Edit part", or "Add part" are not possible.
91
Protected Devices
Changing properties
With both protected functions or connections and protected devices, it is
still possible to change properties on the first tab, <Function category>
or Connection.
Tip:
You can extend device protection by defining the check type "Prevent
errors" for the new check run 007019. In this way, you can prevent the
over-allocation of a protected device, the addition of further functions, or
the modification of data transferred to the functions from the parts.
Displaying protected devices in the navigators
In the tree view of the navigators protected functions are indicated by an
orange circle. The following icons are displayed for protected functions:
Icon
Meaning
Protected, placed main function.
Protected, unplaced main function.
Protected, placed auxiliary function.
Protected, unplaced auxiliary function.
92
Protected Devices
Deleting functions
Protected functions cannot be deleted completely from the project; only
the placement can be deleted. This has the following implications:
For the graphical editor:
If you delete a placed, protected function in the graphical editor, only
the placement is deleted. This means that after deletion protected
functions remain as unplaced functions in the project and in the bill of
materials.
For the navigator dialogs:
Placed or unplaced protected functions cannot be deleted in the
navigator dialogs. In the Edit menu and in the Popup menu, the
Delete menu option is disabled for protected functions.
93
Protected Devices
94
Protected Devices
Using this new property you can save all functions of a device to a macro
or a copy, for example, even if only some of the functions are placed in
the schematic. If only the placed auxiliary functions of a device are selected in the schematic, the associated main function is also written to
the macro or the copy as an unplaced function. It makes no difference if
the main function has not been placed or not been selected in the
schematic.
Creating macros / copies
If you have activated this property for a main function and you create a
macro or a copy of this main function in the schematic, then the unplaced
auxiliary functions are also written to the macro or the copy.
On inserting corresponding macros / copies, the unplaced auxiliary functions are inserted along with the main function. The unplaced auxiliary
functions thus behave in exactly the same way as function templates in
these actions.
Renaming functions
If main functions are renamed (e.g. in the properties dialog or by moving
them to a different location box), the unplaced auxiliary functions are
automatically renamed at the same time.
Deleting functions
If the main function is deleted, then the associated unplaced auxiliary
functions are also deleted.
Using existing functions / assigning functions
The behavior of the unplaced auxiliary functions when using existing
functions or assigning functions depends on whether the Manage unplaced auxiliary functions at the main function property is activated
at the source function and / or at the target function.
95
Protected Devices
Property activated
Note:
The Manage unplaced auxiliary functions at the main function
property can be used both separately and in combination with the
Protected function property.
96
97
98
Device source:
The device which is the source of the single-line connection is automatically displayed in this field. The device connection points are displayed in
the Connection point column in the table below. In this case only connection points of unplaced multi-line functions are displayed.
Device target:
The device which is the target of the single-line connection is automatically displayed in this field. For the device target again, only connection
points of unplaced multi-line functions are displayed in the Connection
point column.
These two fields do not let you select a device as in the Interconnect
devices dialog.
99
Note:
If a cable is assigned to the single-line connection (e.g. via a manual
cable definition), the Interconnect devices tab displays information
about this cable (in the fields Cable DT, Cable type, Statistics). You
cannot create a new cable.
Generating connections
To generate multi-line connections, select the same number of connection points in the left-hand and right-hand dialog areas and click on
[Generate connections]. The multi-line connection points are generated
and the targets for the respective connection points displayed in the table. Cable connections are generated if a cable is assigned to the singleline connection, otherwise conductor / wire connections are generated.
Editing connections
As you may be familiar from interconnecting devices, you can edit the
properties of the connections, delete connections, insert insulation, etc.
in the Interconnect devices tab. You can then e.g. use Popup menu >
Properties to edit the properties of a connection and for example define
the connection color and the connection designation. The multi-line connections and your connection data are saved at the connection definition
point.
Copying or moving connection definition points
If a complete schematic section (i.e. the connection definition point and
the relevant graphical symbols) is copied and pasted or moved, all connection data stored at the connection definition point is retained. The
same defined connections are created even if the pasted devices are
renumbered.
If only the connection definition point is copied and pasted or moved to
another existing single-line connection, the connection data is retained
only if this applies to the new connection points.
100
Benefit: Using this copy function you can duplicate schematic-sections with minimum effort and you need only define the detailed wiring. In similar system parts, duplicating pre-defined
partial circuits saves you project planning time and increases
the quality of the project documentation in terms of detailed
connection information.
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102
Example:
The illustration below shows an extract from a simple graphical device
tag list.
103
It applies to all placeholders for graphics for which the alignment box
is deselected. For symbols inserted by means of such a placeholder,
the handle is positioned on the insertion point of the placeholder text.
This means that the symbol graphic is not adjusted to fit the alignment
box.
Customizing the form's data areas
Next you must prepare the data header area and data area of the dynamic form for output. To do this, place placeholder texts in the form's
data header area for the parts data and for the component graphic.
The best way to do this is to split the data header area into two halves
one half for the technical data and one half with the device symbols
and separate these two parts using graphical auxiliary lines.
In the data header area of device tag lists you can now also output the
subtotal of subsequent data lines in a summation. Previously this was
only possible for the data area. In this way you can show the total number of parts for the devices which are listed in the following lines in the
header.
In the data area of the form you insert placeholder texts for output of the
device tag and for display of the placement. The resulting device tag list
then contains references to the placement of the associated function in
the schematic.
Specifying settings
After creating a form for the graphical device tag list, select this form in
the Settings: Output to pages dialog for the Report type "Device tag
list".
Before you generate a report for this report type, you must first ensure
that in the project-specific settings for the part in the Include parts group
box the Device without part number check box is not selected.
104
You can then generate the graphical device tag list. To do this, select the
"Device tag list" report type in the Select report dialog. The example
above shows one possible result.
105
Example:
The illustration below shows an extract from a graphical device tag list
with overviews.
106
Note:
When you use a symbol, remember that there must always be a complete symbol library in the project. For symbols with lots of image files
this can lead to large volumes of data. Check the file sizes of the image
files used. When using symbols with image files, use multiple symbol
libraries if this will enable you to reduce the volume of data for the
project.
This tab is available for the part types "Component", "Assembly", and
"Module".
Identifier for reports:
Select the appropriate identifier for the reports from the drop-down list, or
enter a new identifier manually. You can use this identifier in a dynamic
form to define the subform to be evaluated.
107
Symbols:
In this table click [...] to open symbol selection and select the symbol to
use to display the device.
Notes:
Note that identifiers for reports are managed in a single language only
and that the values for the report are case-sensitive.
Note that only the symbols from the symbol libraries stored in the
project are displayed in symbol selection here.
Conditional forms
Conditional forms allow you to define a "subform" for a dynamic form.
The output of a subform is associated with certain conditions. This produces a so-called "main form" and the "conditional forms" assigned to it.
The conditional forms must be the same form type as the main form.
For the output of a graphical device tag list this means that both the main
form and the subforms must be of the "Device tag list" type (*.f03).
The conditional forms and the conditions are defined in the form editor
using Insert > Conditional forms. The icon for conditional forms is
then attached to the cursor and can be placed by clicking anywhere in
the desired main form. The Conditional forms dialog is then opened.
108
Form name:
If subforms have already been defined, this list shows their names. Click
(New) to select a suitable form from the Select form dialog.
If the list contains several forms with different conditions, these forms are
displayed in groups and, if the condition changes, separated by a line.
To open a subform, select it in the Form name list and then click on
(Open form). The form is then opened in the form editor and the Conditional forms dialog is closed.
Filter:
In this table, you specify filter criteria for the forms.
In the toolbar for the filters click on
(New) to go to the Criteria
selection dialog and select the criterion you require for the conditional
forms. For graphical device tag lists select the property Identifier for
reports <20858>.
109
Note:
Note that you can also use any other available criterion for conditional
forms. If you use the function definition as a criterion, for example, you
could define subforms for PLC boxes in this way and hence output them
separately in the device tag list.
Value:
Enter the comparison value that is to be compared to the selected
property in this column. If the condition specified here is met when the
report is generated, then the associated subform is used. To output
graphical device tag lists enter the corresponding value of the property
Identifier for reports in this column.
For certain other properties or function data (e.g. function definition) you
can click [...] to open a selection dialog and select the value you require.
Editing conditional forms
To edit conditional forms, double-click in the open main form on the
placed icon for the conditional forms.
You cannot insert more than one icon for conditional forms in a main
form.
Generating reports of conditional forms
The subforms selected in the Conditional forms dialog must be dynamic forms too.
If several forms with filter criteria are entered in this dialog, then on
generating reports each object is checked to determine whether the
defined conditions match one or more subforms. All matching forms are
reported in succession (in the order in which they appear in the dialog);
only the dynamic areas "Data header area", "Data area", and "Data
footer area" from the subform are reported.
110
Here A and B represent the data header area of the form (A: area containing placeholder texts for the part reference data, B: area in which the
symbol for the report (overview) is output). The data area C is where the
device tag and the function placements are output when the report is
generated.
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112
113
Procedure
To create an individual function of a complex device, start by selecting
one of our new standard symbols in the Symbol selection dialog (see
"New Device Connection Points") and insert this symbol in the schematic. Add your choice of graphic to the symbol.
Then set the appropriate function definition at the inserted symbol. If the
complex symbol is to represent an NO contact, for example, then select
a corresponding function definition for the inserted symbol in the Symbol
/ function data tab (e.g. "NO contacts, thermal releases").
Then save the edited symbol as a symbol macro and store it at the
corresponding function template for a part in parts management (see
"Storing a Symbol Macro at the Function Template" on page 117). The
function definition at the symbol in the symbol macro must match the
function definition of the template at the part. Such a part can then be
inserted as a device in the schematic.
114
Example:
The illustration below shows the static device connection points S2DCP
(variant F), S3DCP (variant D), and S4DCP (variant F).
115
If you have selected a dynamic device connection point, then the first
click defines the insertion point and the position of the first connection
point. The other connection points remain attached to the cursor and can
be placed by pointing the mouse at a selection area. A second click then
defines the position of these connection points.
All these device connection points have the function definition "Device
connection point, variable".
New device connection points with just one connection point
In addition, the following four symbols (with plugs) have been added to
the existing device connection points with just one connection point:
DCPP3
DCPPJIC
DCPPO
DCPPOJIC.
So device connection points are now available in all connection point
variants with one to four connection points.
116
117
118
New name:
Schematic-oriented
DT-oriented
PLC-oriented
Address-oriented
In addition, the address-oriented view has been adapted to fit with the
other views and now also displays PLC boxes and other PLC data.
This means that all PLC data present in the project is now displayed in
all views, i.e. PLC boxes, all PLC connection points and function templates. Thus empty PLC boxes are also displayed, such as PLC boxes
which contain only function templates.
If you want to restrict the display to specific data, this can be done by
means of a filter.
Example:
If you want to display just the I/O connection points which have a PLC
address in the address-oriented view as in the earlier versions, you
need to filter by the criterion Properties > PLC address.
To do this, go to the PLC - <project name> dialog, click [...] next to the
Filter field, and specify the following settings in the Filter dialog:
Active Negated Criterion
PLC address
Operator Value
<>
119
Operator Value
=
The following views are now available in the popup menu in the PLC
navigator:
DT-oriented: The PLC data is ordered by their device tags according
to the project structure.
Address-oriented: The PLC data is arranged by addresses within the
project structure.
That is, the I/O connection points are displayed under the PLC address. The associated power supplies are only also displayed under
the PLC address if the corresponding PLC address is entered at the
power supply. In addition, the PLC boxes and connection points are
grouped under the relevant CPU if this property is entered at the
associated PLC box.
Channel-oriented: The PLC data is ordered by channel within the
project structure (see the following section on page 120).
120
Icon
Meaning
(Unplaced) (Placed)
Device
PLC box (main function with representation
type "Multi-line" or "P&I diagram")
Superimposed PLC box (main function)
Channel
Channel with safety-relevant connection point
Function template
Multi-line auxiliary function (here: PLC
connection point)
Superimposed function (here: multi-line PLC
connection point)
121
Example:
The illustration below shows the channel-oriented view for the sample
project EPLAN-DEMO.
Here, the tree structure level has been opened with the channel Out0 for
the PLC box with the DT A7 and a PLC connection point for Out1 has
been set to Relevant to safety.
122
Macro Placement
With the procedure described here, the next thing you will do is insert the
multi-line macros in the schematic. These serve as target functions for
assigning. The macros should include only PLC connection points (without PLC boxes) to PLC functions where possible, as only PLC connection points will be assigned from channel-oriented view during assigning.
If the macros do indeed include PLC boxes, these must not have a part
as they will otherwise represent devices themselves, i.e., their PLC connection points have already been assigned automatically.
123
Tip:
When placing the macros, use the Number with flag "?" mode in order
to identify PLC target functions. All other functions included in the macro
(wiring of the PLC connection points) can be subsequently numbered
later using DT numbering.
Assigning Functions
Once the macros have been placed, assign the unplaced functions or
PLC card function templates to the component. To do this, mark the
channel in the PLC navigator and select the Popup menu > Assign
menu item. All PLC connection point functions or function templates belonging to the channel marked can be assigned individually to the PLC
connection points placed in the schematic.
As soon as a channel contains a placed multi-line I/O connection point
through assigning, the channel will no longer be identified in the PLC
navigator via the additional
icon for unplaced functions which preicon for the target functions in the
cedes the channel. Moreover, the
schematic is no longer displayed in the PLC navigator as the original
function of the PLC connection point is replaced by the unplaced function.
Note:
During assigning, a check is carried out to find out whether the unplaced
function or the function template (source function) has the same function
group as the PLC connection point in the schematic (target function). If
the function groups of source and target function do not match, a message is displayed.
124
Tips:
Simultaneous assigning of all functions / function templates belonging
to a channel is possible via a multiple choice of target functions. To do
this, after selecting the Assign menu item click in the schematic and
draw a frame around the required PLC connection points. Another
option is to group the PLC connection points in the schematic prior to
assigning (one group per channel).
The unplaced functions or function templates are then assigned in the
order in which they are displayed in the PLC navigator. The appropriate target functions are sought in the schematic according to their
graphic sequence.
You can also assign a function using drag & drop, by holding down
the key combination [Ctrl] + [Shift] and dragging the desired function
from the PLC navigator to the target function in the schematic.
125
126
127
Example:
The following illustrations clarify how the connections in the schematic
are represented simply and clearly, even in the case of a complex wiring
sequence, by using net-based connections.
Prior progression of the autoconnecting lines for the connections of a
potential with target specification.
128
129
Note:
Cable definition lines can not be used for net-based connections. The
connections under a cable definition line are not recognized as cable
conductors in a net with net-based connections.
130
Connection (target)
L1
-F1:1
L1
-F2:1
L1
-F3:1
L1
-F4:1
At the T-nodes, the Specify targets check box is unchecked and a net
definition point with the net name N1 is added.
After defining the net connections in the net definition point, the following connections appear for the five connection points:
Connection point ID
L1
L1
-F1:1
-F1:1
-F1:1
-F2:1
-F2:1
-F2:1
-F3:1
-F3:1
-F3:1
-F4:1
-F4:1
To achieve a complete net, the connection points can also be connected with one another in different sequences.
131
132
If this check box is deactivated, the target order for the relevant connector will not be evaluated and the connector will be shown as a
point. In this case the connections are not automatically generated
and have to be specified manually.
If the Specify targets check box is selected, EPLAN automatically
generates connections.
Disable target specification by default:
To do this, go via Options > Settings > User > Graphical editing >
Connection symbols to the Settings: Connection symbols dialog
and select the new Deactivate 'Specify targets' property when
inserting a net definition point check box.
If this is the case, the Specify targets property in the corresponding
connection symbols is deselected when net definition points are
inserted.
Note:
If you do not have a license for the "Net Based Wiring" add-on module,
the Specify targets check box will normally not be displayed. If you
open a project in this instance in which this check box has been deselected for a connection symbol, the check box still appears in the dialog
but you cannot cancel deactivation of the target specification.
133
To do this, select the Insert > Net definition point menu items. The
symbol for the net definition point hangs on the cursor. Click in the schematic to place the net definition point. The Properties (components):
Net definition point dialog is opened.
Net name:
Enter the name of the net defined via the net definition point. The new
EPLAN410, Property placement.Net names layer is used to display
the net name.
134
Notes:
Remember that the net name must be unique within a project. To
check this, you can use the new message 005054 in the check runs.
No potentials and signals can be defined at net definition points. The
potentials and signals must be defined via a potential definition point
or a potential connection point in the project.
The net has a higher priority than the signal or the potential. For forwarding properties to a connection, this means that the properties
stored in a net definition point take precedence over the properties
stored in a potential definition point.
Tip:
As an alternative to insertion via the menu item, you can also insert a
net definition point via a symbol button. To do this, click the
(Net definition point) button on the Connections toolbar.
Then on the Net connections tab, define the connections within the net.
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136
Connection points:
All connection points for the net are shown in this table.
(Edit) allows you to
Selecting the popup menu item Properties or
change the connection point ID (the property ID for net-based connections). Using the popup menu item Change target order, it is also
possible to change the order of the targets for the selected connection
point.
Connections:
In this table, each daisy chain is displayed as a list of connection points.
You can also display and edit the properties of the connections.
Double-clicking on the popup menu item Properties or the
(Edit)
button here opens the properties dialog for the connection between the
connection point selected and the connection point following this in the
list.
Clicking on
(Delete) removes a selected connection point. To move
selected connection points, use the
(Move up / Move down) buttons. All of these actions also change the connections.
Connection sources and targets
The first connection point of a daisy chain is the source of the first connection. The second connection point of the daisy chain is the target of
the first connection. Similarly, the second connection point in the daisy
chain is the source of the second connection, and the third connection
point is the target of this connection. The same applies to all further connections in a daisy chain. You can modify the order of the source and
target of a connection stored in a net definition point by activating the
Exchange source and target property in the properties dialog for that
connection.
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Other connections
You can use the Other connections popup menu item of the Connections table to open a subsequent dialog. Here, the other connections for
this net are displayed that are not stored in the net definition point. These
include connections that are defined using connectors with target specification or via other net definition points.
Tip:
You can select the complete daisy chain by clicking on the separator
underneath it. This allows you to move the entire daisy chain using the
arrow buttons, for example, or to delete it using the
button.
Tree view
and its net name are displayed under the
In this view, a defined net
tree structure levels "Potential" and "Signal". A tree structure level under
this shows the net definition points
with their placement.
The following icons are displayed in the tree view of the potential navigator:
Icon
Meaning
Identifies the project level. This icon is only displayed when
several projects are open.
Potential
Signal
Placed potential definition point
Net
Placed net definition point
Example:
The illustration below clarifies the representation of a net (here with the
net name N1) and net definition point in the tree view of the potential
navigator.
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List view
In this view, the net name is also shown as a column header in addition
to the potential and signal names and for placement.
When selecting a net name in tree or list, the corresponding net definition
point is displayed in an opened preview (Graphical preview dialog,
Property preview dialog).
Note:
Nets without net names or net definitions are not displayed in the
potential navigator.
Highlighting nets
In addition to potentials or signals, nets can now also be temporarily
highlighted in color to allow a quick overview of their extent. The currently selected net is then colored according to the colors you have
defined in the user settings.
Benefit: The color identification allows you to quickly check selected
nets in the graphical editor. This provides you with security
when defining net-based connections and enhances the
quality of your work results.
Select View > Net tracking. Click a connection symbol or connection
line. EPLAN searches for the associated net and colors this completely
(i.e., also over page boundaries). Click another connection to remove the
highlighting of the first net and color the net associated with this connection. Again select the View > Net tracking menu items to remove the
highlighting of the net.
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Notes:
The color settings for potential, signal and net tracking are defined
jointly under Options > Settings > User > Graphical editing > 2D
in the same Track potential drop-down list.
Color highlights for potentials, signals, or nets can only be removed
when the connections are active.
Once potential, signal or net tracking has been terminated by pressing
[Esc] or selecting Popup menu > Cancel action, tracking has to be
disabled and enabled again (e.g. by selecting View > Net tracking)
before you can remove the color highlights from a potential / signal /
net again.
Tip:
You can also enable and disable net tracking by clicking on the
(Net tracking) button in the View toolbar.
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For this purpose, the new Net-connecting check box is available in the
properties dialog for components in the Symbol / function data tab in
the Function data (logic) group box. Select this check box if the function is to be net-connecting.
Example:
It may sometimes be necessary to continue a net via a terminal or a pin.
If, for example, the Net-connecting property is assigned to the terminal
-X100, the lamps -H10 and -H20 will be part of the same net and can be
connected to each other using a net-based connection.
Modifying nets
The connections stored in the net definition point are managed using the
connection point ID (ID for net-based connections property).
Renaming a function
If functions within the net are renamed, the connections are retained, as
the connection point IDs will not have changed.
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Daisy chain index <31077>: Identifies the daisy chain within a net in
the case of net-based connections.
Connection index <31078>: Identifies the connections within a daisy
chain in the case of net-based connections.
In addition, the Connection type property <31075> can be used as a
filter criterion in reports so that only connections with the value "netbased" are output.
Correcting connections
To be able to automatically correct errors which may occur when working
with net definition points, the correction run for connections has been
extended.
Now, when you select the menu path Project data > Connections >
Correct, the new Correct connections dialog will open in place of the
previous prompt. For correction of net definition points, the following
check boxes are available here:
Merge net definition points:
If this check box is activated, a number of net definition points within a
network are combined to form a single net definition point. The remaining
net definition point contains all the connections and properties that were
defined in the other net definition points. In the event of a conflict, the
first graphical net definition point "wins".
Remove superfluous net definition points:
If this check box is activated, the net definition points that are not required to define the connections are removed. This will be the case, for
instance, if the connections of the net are defined using connectors with
target specification. If additional properties are stored in the net definition
point, a connection definition point with identical properties is placed here
instead of the net definition point.
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Note:
If you do not have a license for the "Net Based Wiring" add-on module,
the Correct connections dialog will not be displayed. In this instance,
the Merge connection definition points action is directly executed after
a prompt.
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Mechatronics Navigator
When the mechanical model has been imported into the project, the data
is displayed in the mechatronics navigator. This navigator visualizes the
essential mechatronics data which is used in both disciplines (EPLAN
platform and AutoCAD Inventor).
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Tree view
In the tree view of the navigator, all the components from the 3D model
are displayed in a hierarchical structure. The tree structure reflects the
assembly topology of Inventor's assembly view.
The icons displayed in the tree view of the mechatronics navigator
include the following:
Icon
Meaning
EPLAN project
Inventor file (assembly)
Inventor file (item)
General fluid item
General electrical engineering item
Pipe / tube
Inventor item, mechanical
Inventor assembly, mechanical
Cable
Terminal
Note:
Please note that the icons shown here for the Inventor files (assemblies
*.iam, items *.ipt) may differ from the icons displayed in your mechatronics navigator. The icons displayed here depend on which symbols
are linked to the relevant file extensions in your operating system.
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Meaning
"Not linked mechanics": The mechanical item can / must be
linked to a schematic object, but the link has not yet been
made.
"Not linked schematic": The schematic object can / must be
linked to a mechanical item, but the link cannot be made
because the mechanical item is missing.
"Linked": The mechanical item has been assigned to a
schematic object.
"Link rejected".
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Assigning data
The data in the mechatronic navigator initially has no references to the
devices in the corresponding EPLAN project. The data for the different
disciplines must be assigned to one another.
Assigning from the device navigator
In this version, if you want to assign mechatronics data in the mechatronics navigator you must first select this data in the device navigator. Then
press [Ctrl] + [Shift] and drag the function required to a suitable component in the mechatronics navigator using drag & drop. If the objects
assigned do not match, EPLAN will display a message to this effect.
Assigning and placing from the mechatronics navigator
In this version, you also have the option of assigning mechatronics items
to a suitable object in the schematic from the mechatronics navigator. To
do this, select the relevant model, press [Ctrl] + [Shift], and drag it to the
component in the schematic using drag & drop. You can also use the
Assign popup menu item. If the objects assigned do not match, EPLAN
will display a message to this effect.
To place an object which is not yet in the schematic from the mechatronics navigator, select Place from the popup menu or drag it into the
schematic using drag & drop.
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New name:
This functionality is now also available in the popup menu in the mechatronics navigator.
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For length calculation, select the relevant cables or tubes in the graphical
editor (multiple selection is possible) then select the Calculate connection length menu item to calculate the new lengths. The connection
lengths are also updated.
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This add-on can be used with the following variants of the EPLAN
platform:
EPLAN Electric P8 (Version 2.0)
EPLAN Fluid (Version 2.0)
EPLAN PPE (Version 2.0)
EPLAN Education for Classrooms (Version 2.0).
Notes:
You must be connected to the Internet in order to use the EPLAN
Data Portal, and you must make sure that access is not prevented by
a firewall or any other security mechanism! If you have problems, you
should first check your firewall, virus scanner, or proxy settings.
Note that the EPLAN Data Portal has been released for Microsoft
Internet Explorer 7.
After installation via the usual EPLAN installation wizard, the add-on
module and its dialogs (navigator, settings, etc.) are integrated into the
user interface of the EPLAN platform. Once a user account has been
created, open the EPLAN Data Portal navigator by selecting the new
Data portal navigator menu item from the Utilities menu. The menu
item for the navigator has been moved. It can now be found directly
below the Parts menu item.
An overview of the main new features of the EPLAN Data Portal:
New data
The amount and scope of item data in the EPLAN Data Portal is constantly growing. Additional manufacturers have been newly added to
the list of 20 component manufacturers. Manufacturers already established in the portal are constantly expanding the scope of their data in
the EPLAN Data Portal.
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Tip:
By means of the "API Extension" add-on module, the property Unique
part ID can be used to assign a part or read it.
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The settings options are split across three tabs: Portal, Connection, and
About. The [Reset] button has been removed from the Portal tab. If you
now want to restore altered default settings (e.g. the website address of
the EPLAN Data Portal in the Portal URL field), click in the relevant field
and select the familiar Go to default menu item from the popup menu.
This change also makes it possible to export and import the settings for
the EPLAN Data Portal, e.g. via the
and
buttons. This facilitates
the exchange and synchronization of these settings between several
EPLAN workstations.
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If the check box is not selected, the counter is incremented independently of the other characters.
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Example:
For offline numbering of a project, the numbering format specified is
Page + Identifier + Column + Counter, consecutive by
columns. If the Counter is a subcounter check box is not selected,
If the value of the "column" format element changes (with -1F2), the
counter starts again with the start value (-1F21).
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Safety-relevant Functions
Safety-relevant Functions
In EPLAN, functions can now be identified as relevant to safety.
Benefit: The safety-relevant functions give you the option, for instance, of distinguishing between "safe" and "unsafe" PLC
signals in the project. Another piece of detailed information
which is easily stored in the engineering to guarantee even
higher-quality machine and plant documentation.
For this reason, the properties dialog for components now has a new
Relevant to safety check box in the Function data (logic) group box on
the Symbol / function data tab. Select this check box if you want the
function to be relevant to safety. In the navigators, functions that are
relevant to safety are indicated by the icon .
Note:
Connections can not be identified as relevant to safety. In the properties
dialog for connection definition points, the Relevant to safety check box
is therefore grayed out and cannot be selected.
Safety-relevant PLC connection points
The new version introduces some PLC connection points that are relevant to safety.
For these new symbols with the names PLC_S_CBOX* and numbers
330-339, the Relevant to safety check box is already selected (see the
section "Master Data: Symbols" from page 402 onwards). These symbols
have a yellow border to make them easier to identify.
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Safety-relevant Functions
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Normally, the connection definition points are aligned at the first graphical connection definition point within the group. If this is not possible, because the connection definition point is outside the common coordinate
area, the next connection definition point of the group is considered. If
none of the connection definition points is within the common coordinate
area, the connection definition points in this coordinate area are moved.
Example:
In the following illustration, the Align placements with each other
check box is initially deselected. The connection definition points are
placed according to the settings in the Number of placements group
box. In this case, the option On every individual section is set.
The Align placements with each other check box is selected. The
connection definition points on parallel sections with the same spacing
are aligned horizontally or vertically to each other (highlighted here by a
green border).
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Project Editing
New projects with current creation date and creator
When new projects were created, the data in the template was in part
used for the Creator <10020> and Creation date <10021> properties.
With the new EPLAN version, you now have the option of changing
creator and creation date of a new project. For this purpose, the input
fields Specify creation date and Specify creator, which you already
know from Copy project, are now also available when creating projects.
Benefit: You can enter the relevant creator and current creation date
for new projects, and change this if necessary.
New dialog when creating projects
If you create a project by selecting Project > New, the new Create
project dialog is now opened. The sequence and designation of the
fields match the interface in the project wizard.
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Project name:
Enter the project name without file extension in this field.
Storage location:
This field contains the directory where the new project is to be saved.
EPLAN suggests using the directory specified under Options > Settings
> User > Management > Directories in the Projects field as the save
location. Use [...] to open a dialog for choosing a directory. Here, you
can choose another directory as the storage location for the project.
Template:
The template used for the new project is shown here. You can select
project templates or basic projects as the template. Click [...] in order to
open the Select project template / basic project dialog. You can select
a template in this dialog.
Specify creation date:
If this check box is selected, then you can specify a different creation
date for the new project in the field below. In this case, the current date is
entered here initially. If necessary, you can change this date.
If the check box is deselected, the creation date of the selected template
will be used.
Specify creator:
If this check box is selected, your logon name or user code will automatically be entered in the field below, depending on the settings under User
> Display > User code / address. If you do not want to use your logon
name or user code, you can also input a different name.
If the check box is deselected, the creator who created the template will
be shown. If there is nothing entered in the field, no creator was specified
for the template.
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For this, the dialog Extended project structures has been extended to
include the new check box Inherit black box structures to interruption
points. (This dialog can be accessed via the project properties, for
example, by clicking on the [Other] button in the Structure tab.) This
check box is now selected by default when importing data from
EPLAN 21. With this, the structure identifiers such as higher-level
function, mounting location, etc. are inherited from black boxes and PLC
boxes to the interruption points.
Note:
Please note that when creating new projects, this check box must be
enabled so as to achieve the same behavior as in EPLAN 21.
Data Backup
Distribution of directory information during data backup
When backing up project data and master data, information on the original directory is now also backed up internally. When restoring the data,
this directory information is then output and suggested as a default for
the target directory.
If you have already backed up the data once, the directory saved when
you did this will automatically be suggested as your target directory. If
this data is new to you, on the other hand (e.g. a project passed on by
e-mail), the directory settings from the last data backup will be suggested
as the target directory.
Benefit: Data exchange and distribution of projects and master data
are more user-friendly. Optionally, the data can be imported
into the original directory structure or into a different one. This
provides you with the requisite flexibility in data exchange
with clients or subcontractors and allows projects to be
managed in a uniform, well-defined directory structure.
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Note:
With data backup, to allow the directory structure to be passed on successfully to other project editors or to clients, we recommend that you
save your projects in the default directory set for projects. You can create
corresponding subdirectories here to allow you to manage client-specific
projects more effectively. For projects outside the set project directory,
only the default directory can be suggested as the target directory when
restoring the data.
Backing up projects
Concerning the extension already mentioned, you now have the option
of editing the name of the backup file even when backing up projects.
For this purpose, the Back up projects dialog has been extended to
include the Backup file name drop-down list.
Backup file name:
This name is used for both backup media ("Storage medium" and
"E-mail"). A maximum of 260 characters is permitted for the file name
including file path.
The following options are available:
If the project is located either directly in the project directory or in a
directory outside the project directory, the project name will be suggested automatically.
If the project is located in a subdirectory to the project directory, the
project name will be suggested as the first entry in the drop-down list.
After that, a suggestion follows in the list which is made up of the
entire subdirectory path and the project name. All components of this
name are separated by means of periods (e.g. "Customer1.Commission.EPLAN project").
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Tip:
This second suggestion supports you when restoring projects. You can
immediately identify the subdirectories used by the extended project
name. The components of the name which appear in the subdirectory
path are not included as a project name when the project is restored.
If several projects are backed up, it is not possible to edit this field,
and the project names in each instance will be used as the backup file
names.
In the case of the first two options, you can click [...] to go to the Select
backup file dialog and navigate to the desired directory there or create
a new one. If you have selected a directory via this dialog, the relevant
directory will also be transferred for the Backup directory field.
Restoring projects
The Subdirectory field and the Restore in subdirectory check box
have been added to the Restore project dialog.
Subdirectory:
This field is used only for display. Here, the subdirectory is displayed
under the default directories in which the project was located at the time
of the backup. If no subdirectory was available, nothing is displayed.
When restoring, if a number of backed up projects is selected with
different subdirectories, the entry "<<...>>" is displayed here.
Restore in subdirectory:
Select this check box if the project is to be restored to the original subdirectory. If no subdirectory is stored in the data backup, this check box
will be grayed out.
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Notes:
The Restore in subdirectory check box is disabled by default every
time the dialog is opened, so you have to decide specifically whether
you want to restore the data in a subdirectory.
If you have not set the target directory to the default directory, a
prompt will be displayed when you select this check box. This can
be used to reset the target directory back to the default directory.
The correct name is suggested for the subsequent Project name field,
independently of the file path components in the name of the backup file.
If the backup file is nevertheless renamed, EPLAN in this instance suggests the name of the backup file as the project name.
Backing up master data
The input field Backup file name has been extended in the relevant
dialogs (e.g. Back up form) to add the [...] button. This allows you to set
a different file name and a different target directory.
As mostly several master data files are backed up when master data is
backed up, no name is taken from the selected master data for the backup file name; instead, the last name suggested is input.
Restoring master data
The dialogs for restoring master data (e.g. Restore form) have also
been extended with the Subdirectory field and the Restore in subdirectory check box. The Subdirectory field is, again, for display.
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When master data is restored to subdirectories, it is possible to differentiate between the following two cases:
If data backup took place in a subdirectory of the master data directory set, that subdirectory is displayed here. This means that an entry
such as "$(MD_FORMS)\Customer1" in the Directory field was input
when, e.g., backing up forms. In such cases, the Restore in subdirectory check box is available and you can select it. That is, you
can state whether or not the master data is to be restored in the
original subdirectory.
If, on the other hand, data backup takes place in the master data
directory (e.g. "$(MD_FORMS)") and if files are also backed up in
subdirectories, no directory is displayed here in the Subdirectory
field. The Restore in subdirectory check box is deactivated, and it
is also not possible to change this setting. Master data from subdirectories also backed up is restored to a subdirectory of the target
directory set, with no selection opportunity.
For the Restore in subdirectory check box, the same instructions apply
otherwise as those to be noted when restoring projects.
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Export medium:
For PDF and / or DXF / DWG export you can now decide whether to
store the files in a directory or send them by e-mail. The following options
are available in this group box:
Storage medium: If this option is selected, the files generated are
output to a storage medium. Enter the storage location in the Output
directory field. You can specify any drive and subdirectory as the
target for the export.
E-mail: If this option is selected, the files generated are sent as an
e-mail. Once the function has been called up, the files (including any
directories generated) are zipped using the internal zip program and
your installed e-mail editor is started. Select the maximum size of an
individual mail file from the Split size drop-down list.
The setting options in this group box and the behavior of the program
correspond to the established conditions for data backup.
Note:
In order to exchange e-mails, an e-mail editor must be installed and
correctly set up on your computer.
In the export process itself, you have the option of changing the export
medium previously defined in the settings and selecting a different
option. For this reason, the PDF export and DXF / DWG export dialogs
also have the Export medium group box.
Generate file names:
You can now automatically assign a name to the file to be generated during the PDF export, just as you could previously for DXF / DWG export.
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For the PDF export, the following options are available in this drop-down
list:
None: If this option is selected, the PDF file field in the PDF export
dialog is enabled and you can change the file name manually.
From page names: If you select this option, EPLAN assigns
names to the PDF files in a standard way using the pattern
<Page name>.PDF.
From properties: If you select this option, the file name is formed
from the page and project properties plus freely definable separators.
Use the [...] button to open the Format: Property dialog to configure
the file name.
Generate subdirectories:
In this drop-down list you specify the default method for generating subdirectories during the PDF and /or DXF / DWG export:
None: If this option is selected, no subdirectories are generated
during the export.
From page tree: If this option is selected, subdirectories which reflect
the project structure are automatically generated during the export. All
the pages associated with a structure are exported into the relevant
subdirectory.
Example:
You are carrying out a PDF export for the sample project EPLAN-Demo
and you have selected the From page tree option in the Generate subdirectories field. In this case, e.g. for the higher-level function with the
structure identifier =EB3, a corresponding subdirectory =EB3 is generated
during export into the output directory. Like the project structure with
various mounting locations, this subdirectory includes the other subdirectories +EBS, +ET1, +ET2, +ET3, +ET4, and +ETA. Each of these
subdirectories contains a PDF file.
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Symbol
P10031
Separator
P1120
Directory separator
P1220
If you then export the sample project EPLAN-Demo in DXF format, several
subdirectories are generated in the output directory specified. Below the
directory with the project name EPLAN-Demo are the subdirectories
AT78_CA1, AT78_EB3, AT78_FB3, and AT78_REPORT (AT78 is the value
for the project property Project: Type entered in the sample project).
Further subdirectories with the structure identifiers for mounting locations
are located below these hierarchical levels (e.g. AT78_CA1\EAA,
AT78_EB3\EBS, AT78_EB3\ET1, etc.). These subdirectories contain
the exported DXF files.
Note:
PDF file output is split up if you generate subdirectories during the PDF
export. All the pages output to a subdirectory are combined into a PDF
file. You can not jump between the different PDF files.
EPLAN NEWS 2.0
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Output:
Only available in the settings for PDF export! You can use this group box
to specify the default settings for the output.
In addition to the previous functionalities Color and Black and white,
you now have the option of Grayscale. Select this option if you want the
PDF to be output in grayscale. The grayscale is calculated from the
colors for the white color scheme.
"Device pages" tab
The Device pages tab has been redesigned as part of the improvements
to PDF export. The option of saving additional filter criteria for the device
pages as a scheme has been removed because you can now define an
overall scheme for all user-specific PDF settings.
You now specify the filter criteria for the device pages in the Device filter
table. To select a filter criterion, click
(New) above the table.
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Here you have the option of individually changing the default settings
that you have saved in a scheme. To do this, select the settings required
in the new Export medium and Output group boxes and in the previously existing Use print margins check box.
You also have the option of using the new Scheme drop-down list to
select a different predefined scheme for the PDF export. Or click [...] to
open the Settings: PDF export dialog to create or edit a scheme.
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Tip:
To jump between the various cross-referenced functions of a device in
the graphical editor, use the shortcut keys [Alt] + [Page down] and [Alt]
+ [Page up]. First select the function required in the graphical editor (or
in a project data navigator). Use [Alt] + [Page down] to jump forwards
through the cross-referenced functions in the jump sequence in the
graphical editor. If there are currently no entries for the selected function
in the Go to list, new entries are added to the list and the list opens. Use
[Page up] to move backwards through the jump sequence in the graphical editor in the same way.
Go to part assemblies
Another innovation is that the Find menu now includes the Part assemblies menu item under Go to.
Benefit: Using this new functionality, you can jump specifically to the
part assemblies for an object to find further information about
the relevant part.
First select the object required in the schematic. Then select Find > Go
to > Part assemblies. EPLAN enters all the output locations where the
parts of the object occur in parts lists and summarized parts lists into the
Go to list and opens it. In this list, the part number for each part listed is
displayed in the Name column. Use the Popup menu > Go to (graphic)
menu item to jump from the list to the relevant locations in the part assemblies.
Tip:
This menu item also functions on report pages where the part number for
an object has been output (e.g. device tag lists).
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The new, clearer listing of display and format properties has already
been discussed. More information on this is provided on page 22.
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Decimal places:
Select the number of decimal places to be output from this drop-down
list.
You can also apply the decimal place setting from the Displayed unit of
length user setting. A relevant entry for this is available in the list.
Decimal places, variable:
Activate this check box if the number of decimal places is not to be filled
with zeroes. However rounding is always carried out to the number
specified under Decimal places.
Example:
You have entered the following information for a device in the Technical
characteristics field:
Power A: 750 W, Power B: 500 W
In the Display tab, under Value / unit, the Displayed measuring unit
kW and the Decimal places value 3 have been specified for this
property. Once you have clicked [Apply], the entry in the Technical
characteristics field remains unchanged, and this text is displayed in
the graphical editor:
Power A: 0.750 kW, Power B: 0.500 kW
If you select the Decimal places, variable check box, the display
changes to:
Power A: 0.75 kW, Power B: 0.5 kW
There is a new project setting to output spaces before the units. More
information on this is provided in the section "New project setting for
output of the unit" on page 203.
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Notes:
If you have entered values with units from two different unit of measurement groups in one data entry field, you can only influence the
display of one unit with the settings under Value / unit.
If no unit has been specified in a string, the base unit of the chosen
displayed measuring unit is taken as the basis for converting the
numeric values.
If the displayed measuring unit is selected from a unit of measurement
group different from the unit specified in the data entry field, then it will
be assumed for all the values that the entry is made in the base unit of
the selected displayed measuring unit.
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The extensions for value and unit can not be used at the following
locations:
In graphical texts
In placeholder texts on report pages
In length fields for dimensioning and for graphical positioning (e.g. in
properties dialogs for graphical elements).
Use of separators
In the fields and properties listed above, if you now enter numeric values
with a full stop and a comma, the first separator is evaluated as a thousands separator and the first character of the opposite type (comma / full
stop) as a decimal separator.
If there are several separators of the same type in a number (full stop or
comma), this separator is evaluated as a thousands separator. If only
one separator (full stop or comma) occurs in a number, this is interpreted
as a decimal separator.
New properties for full-length values
In some of the properties used so far (e.g. for cable and connection
lengths or for weight specifications) the values may be full-length internally, but they are rounded up or down for display. In order to retain
accuracy in any potential conversions to other units, the properties listed
below are now available:
Cable length (complete) <20257>
Subset / length (full) <20510>: Subset or length of a part including
unit. This property may be used in bills of materials, for example.
Working pressure (full) <22230>
Control range (full) <22231>
Flow (full) <22232>
Weight (full) <22233>
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Graphical Editor
Rapid opening of page properties
In the graphical editor, double-clicking on the plot frame of an open page
opens the Page properties dialog which displays the properties of this
page.
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If the check box is not selected, path function texts are only carried over
into the Function text (automatic) property if the component insertion
point and the path function text insertion point lie immediately above or
below one another. This is the default setting and is the same as the
previous method of searching for path function text.
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Example:
You want to change the function text and other placed property texts for
specific components on a schematic page to French. The entry in the
command line of the Set button dialog looks like this:
XGedStartInteractionAction /Name:XGedIaFormatSymbol
/language:fr_FR
Note:
Before the texts can be displayed in the language selected, they must be
available in multiple languages in the project and must have been translated into the relevant language.
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Devices
Extension to user-defined property arrangement
Changing user-defined property arrangements
If you change a user-defined property arrangement on the Display tab
of the properties dialog and wish to save it under an existing name, a
prompt is now displayed which enables you to transfer the changed
display settings to all components with this property arrangement.
Benefit: In this way, you can very quickly change the display of texts
on all components of the same type. It is also a quick and
easy way of changing and revising project documentation if
necessary. You define the basic standards, and therefore
create a clear, consistent layout for schematics.
If you confirm the Change property arrangement prompt by selecting
[Yes], the changed display settings are applied to all the components
that use this property arrangement.
If you select [No], the changed display settings are only applied to the
current component. For all other components that use this same property
arrangement, the display settings remain unchanged and their property
arrangement is changed to "User-defined".
Note:
Note that a stored, user-defined property arrangement is only available
for symbol variants of the same type.
Property arrangement for connection definition points
There are two default values for the property arrangements for connection definition points. The default arrangement for connection definition
points placed when inserting cable definition lines / shields is
"Conductor".
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Changing the graphic of black boxes and similar components via the
properties dialog
As already introduced in Version 1.9 International SP 1 for mounting
panels and part placements, you can now edit the graphical properties
of other dynamic components (location boxes, black boxes, etc.) via the
properties dialog in the same way.
Benefit: This means that you can place black boxes, location boxes,
etc. with great precision.
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The additional tabs listed below are now available in the relevant properties dialogs:
Rectangle tab: for location, black, PLC and macro boxes, containers,
PCT loops, and PCT loop functions
Polygon tab: for black boxes which are drawn as polygons (symbols
DC2, DCF2, PLCC3, SC2 from symbol library SPECIAL)
Extension tab: for shields
Line tab: for cable definition lines.
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On the Bundle connection point tab you can enter the Bundle connection point designation and the Bundle connection point description, as before. This dialog now also has a Display tab where you can
specify the display settings for the relevant bundle connection point.
Instead of using the default property Bundle connection point data
<19072> (whose value is taken automatically from the description or the
designation if the description is not available), you can also select the
properties Bundle connection point designation <19070> and / or
Bundle connection point description <19071> for the property
arrangement.
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Benefit: This navigation option saves you time when searching the
project for location boxes. You can also navigate easily in
large projects with a mouse click, and you don't waste project
planning time searching for important information. Finding,
not searching is the motto.
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You can use the property Part of a part definition <20508> in the bill of
materials navigator, for example, to filter by the parts which are specified
at part definitions. This new property is also available as a filter criterion
in the navigators for parts / devices (e.g. in the 2D panel layout navigator) and in the part-specific reports (parts list, summarized parts list).
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New name:
You can use this property to specify that EPLAN should not display
messages if multiple terminals have the same terminal designation.
Edit in Table
Shortcut key to close edit in table
The [Ctrl] + [Q] shortcut can now be used to open and close editing in
tables. Press [Ctrl] + [Q] once to open the Edit function data dialog.
Press this shortcut again to close the dialog.
Note:
You can only use [Ctrl] + [Q] to close edit in table if your cursor is in the
Edit function data dialog. If you are making a selection in a navigator or
in the graphical editor, for instance, you must press [Ctrl] + [Q] twice to
close the dialog.
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Placing macros
The former Place part macro functionality in the project data navigators
has been expanded and renamed to reflect the new version of EPLAN.
Old name:
New name:
Place macro
Benefit: You can now place a graphic even though no macro has
been stored for the part. This means that the work flow is not
interrupted and the parts data can be added at a later date.
EPLAN allows an iterative engineering process and supports
efficient project editing at every planning stage.
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If a part macro is available in the representation type selected in the submenu, it is placed (e.g. Popup menu > Place macro > Multi-line). If a
suitable representation type is not found, then the part macro with a
different representation type is suggested. If you want to place a different
macro, you can now use [Backspace] to open the Select macro dialog
and select a different macro. If a part macro does not exist, macro selection is opened directly and you can select a macro.
Placing macros with more sensible preselection
Furthermore, when you place a part macro from a navigator, the macro
variant which best fits the selection made in the navigator is now initially
displayed at the cursor. The criteria for a match are as follows:
Function definition
Number of functions.
You can still use [Tab] to "page" through the available macro variants
during placement. And you can use [Shift] + [Tab] to page through the
available representation types for a variant.
Note:
The program cannot make a sensible preselection unless the representation type selected (e.g. Place macro > Multi-line) is available in the
macro variants. Otherwise a different representation type is suggested
for the part macro.
Example:
This program behavior can be useful, for example, in channel-oriented
procedures (see the appropriate section on page 119) where the
grouped PLC connection points for a channel are stored in one macro
variant and the entire PLC card in another variant of the same macro.
If an appropriate part with a macro for a PLC box is selected and you
select a channel of this PLC box in the PLC navigator, the variant with
the channel is preset when the macro is placed.
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Defined Devices
Taking account of macro variants
If both a macro and function templates are specified for a part, functions
which appear in other variants of this macro are also taken into account
when generating a new device in the navigators (via Popup menu >
New device) or when inserting a device in the graphical editor (via
Insert > Device).
Benefit: Because the device concept takes other macro variants into
account, it is quick and easy to plan devices that are distributed throughout the diagram. This provides a simple, reliable way of planning even complex devices. Appropriate
processing of device data makes project planning itself easy
and reliable, with quality included!
Macro variants are used in turn while these free function templates can
be superimposed. If the functions in the current macro variant do not
match the free function templates, the action is canceled. No further
functions are generated from the remaining macro variants.
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A placement can be deleted for functions with the following representation types:
Multi-line
Overview
Pair cross-reference
Single-line
P&I diagram.
These representation types are now also available for all unplaced functions and can be specified on the Symbol / function data tab in the
properties dialog.
For functions with the following representation types the placement can
not be deleted:
External
Graphic
Panel layout, detailed panel layout, 3D mounting layout (these are
representation types for part placements).
To delete the graphical representation of a function from the schematic,
highlight the relevant component and select the Edit > Delete placement menu items. The function is retained as an unplaced function with
the original representation type and can, for instance, be placed again
from the device navigator.
Tip:
In the graphical editor, the Delete placement menu item is now also
available in the popup menu for a selected component.
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Part Selection
Part selection with scheme selection
It is now possible to use different data sources in EPLAN wherever a part
can be selected.
Benefit: Different data sources can be used for part selection throughout EPLAN. You can populate the device list or the bill of
materials navigator with data from a number of data sources,
e.g. when Adding parts.
The settings for part selection now include the new Part selection with
scheme selection check box for this purpose. To open the relevant
Settings: Part selection dialog, you can use the Options > Settings >
User > Management > Part selection menu path.
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If you select this check box, the new Part selection: Select data source
dialog opens at each part selection. In this selection dialog you can
select a different data source (a scheme) from the Data source dropdown list and / or click [...] to view / edit the settings.
In the Always use this data source check box, which also appears in
this dialog, you can specify that a selected data source should always be
used. If this is the case, the selection dialog is not launched at the next
part selection and the Part selection with scheme selection check box
in the settings is deactivated. Click [OK] to apply the selected scheme
and start part selection.
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Symbol Editor
Reorganizing symbol libraries
The symbol editor now offers the option of reorganizing symbol libraries.
Benefit: When a symbol library is reorganized, deleted data (symbols,
symbol variants) is irretrievably removed from the library. This
makes the symbol library smaller and reduces the volume of
data to be saved.
To do this, select the Utilities > Master data > Symbol library > Reorganize menu path. The Reorganize symbol library dialog opens; select
the library to be reorganized and click [Open]. The symbol library is then
compressed and reorganized.
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Form Editor
Combining overview reports
EPLAN now allows you to combine overview reports (table of contents,
parts list, etc.) for a specific property. For instance, you can combine the
data for each page type in the table of contents.
Benefit: Reports generated in this way provide a better overview and
make it easier to find your way around the project documentation. Clear documentation also means high quality and
smooth application of machine and plant documentation in
the downstream engineering phases.
In order to achieve this, the new property Combine in a line by <13111>
is now available in the form properties for the relevant forms. First select
this property in Property selection, then click [...] in the Value column.
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Page
Table of contents
Schematic single-line
3...5
Schematic multi-line
6...15;20...29
Overview
16...19;30...33
...
...
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Example:
You have a parts list in a project and wish to use a background color on
alternate data lines. Insert a conditional area in the relevant dynamic
form. In the After every n-th line field, specify the value 2 as a condition
for the field and select the Adjust height check box. In this area, draw a
rectangle with the same width as the data area. Then select a color (e.g.
gray) on the Format tab for the rectangle and activate the Fill surface
check box. Then assign the rectangle to the conditional area. After synchronization of the master data, alternate lines on the parts list are
displayed with a gray background.
Up to ten conditional areas with different conditions can be specified in
one form.
Several conditions may also be specified simultaneously in a conditional
area. If these conditions are met in the reports (e.g. a change to a property and an object switch), only one graphical element (e.g. a separating
line) is output. On the other hand, if the conditions are distributed over
several conditional areas, the associated graphical elements for all areas
are output if the conditions are met. This latter option is sensible, for
instance, if different texts are to be placed via the conditional areas.
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Notes:
Data lines which contain only symbols or jumper graphics are not
regarded as blank and selecting the Suppress blank lines property
does not suppress them.
This property is not available in the form properties for connection diagrams (device connection diagram, cable connection diagram, etc.).
Outputting function data for the device tag list and symbol overview
When generating reports, you now get the standard behavior that is
normal for other reports if you have set the two properties Horizontal
symbol distance <13042> and Number of adjacent symbols <13043>
to "0" in the form properties of "Device tag list" and "Symbol overview"
type forms, and inserted placeholder texts for the "Function" element into
the relevant forms (e.g. properties of the n-th function of the device such
as Placement, Function text, etc.). The relevant values are output as a
single-line list separated by semicolons for each device tag.
Example:
Placements of the device with the DT =EB3+ET2-K1 are no longer output
by rows but as a list, as follows:
=EB3+ET2/3.2;=EB3+ET2/1.3;=EB3+ET2/1.4;=EB3+ET2/1.4
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In the form properties for each form you can use the new property
Connection diagram: Output only connected connection points
<13085>. First select this property in Property selection, then select
the relevant check box in the Value column.
This property only relates to targets and does not affect the devices,
cables, terminal strips, or plugs to be evaluated. Devices, cables, plugs,
and terminal strips are still listed in the connection diagrams without the
connected functions.
Example:
Property <13085> was selected for the form in a terminal connection
diagram. In the case of a motor which is the target of a terminal strip, the
connection diagram outputs only the function connection points that are
connected to the terminal strip.
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You must correct any forms that you have created on the basis of our
forms. To do this, open the relevant form in the form editor and edit the
placeholder text for the placed properties where unwanted alignment
boxes are displayed. In the Properties - Placeholder text dialog, switch
to the Format tab and select the "No" option for the Draw alignment
box property. Then perform a master data synchronization and update
the reports.
New name:
Placeholder elements for outputting the counter target are now also
available. The counter target is the device that is connected to the
terminal strip / plug via the cable. This affects the following new placeholder elements:
Cable chart header: Counter target
Displays all connected counter targets of a cable for the header of the
cable chart.
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Macros
Description text for automatically generated page macros
When an automatically generated page macro is inserted, the Select
macro dialog now shows the description that you entered via the Macro:
Description <11057> page property for the macro, in the comments field
below the preview. If different descriptions are stored in a page macro,
only the description of the first page of the page macro is displayed.
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Placeholder Objects
Properties dialog and new symbol for placeholder objects
The familiar properties dialog is now also used for placeholder objects.
The placeholder object symbol graphic the familiar "anchor" symbol
in the SPECIAL symbol library, has been given a new symbol called PLHO
for the purpose (see also page 427 in section "Master Data: Symbols").
Benefit: Because a standardized dialog is used, operation is now
easier. To find placeholders in macro collections and template projects more quickly, you can display properties in the
diagram itself and print them for archiving purposes. This
saves time during data maintenance.
The following changes have been made to the placeholder object dialog:
Placeholder object tab:
This tab now contains two tabs, Assignment and Values. The other
new features on these tabs are described in the two sections below.
Display tab:
Now you can use this tab to change the format properties for the special properties of the placeholder object (Placeholder object name,
Placeholder object: Last value set selected, Value set name), for
example, and set a user-defined property arrangement. The values of
the first two properties mentioned are placed in the new EPLAN551,
Property placement.Placeholder objects layer, as standard.
Symbol / function data tab:
This new tab for placeholder objects allows you to change the symbol
for the placeholder object (if you have created your own symbol for
this).
When you open projects with the "old" placeholder object symbols, you
are prompted to confirm that you want to update the master data. Once
you have confirmed the prompt with [Yes], the master data is updated
and the "old" placeholder object symbols are replaced by the new ones.
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Width <20221>
Indicates the width of the black boxes, location and PLC boxes.
Height <20222>
Indicates the height of the black boxes, location and PLC boxes.
Benefit: You no longer have to create your own macros for objects
that did not previously allow variables. The amount of effort
required for macro maintenance is reduced many times over.
The new properties can be made accessible externally by
using the relevant variables, and edited in the EPLAN Engineering Center (EEC), for example. This greatly simplifies
modeling in the EEC.
Function definition
To be able to toggle between the different function definitions for an object in a macro, for example, you must have created a relevant variable.
In the Values tab, you can then use Popup menu > Select function
definition to select a function definition and apply it as a value for this
variable. The category, group and ID of the function definition are
separated by a forward slash "/".
Box width and height
The new Width <20221> and Height <20222> properties for extending
boxes can also have variables assigned to them. These properties are
only available to placeholder objects and they allow the box width and
height to be specified. "Polyline" type boxes are not considered.
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Simplified assignment
After the data transfer from EPLAN 5, the variables entered in the properties there as values, are displayed in the Current value column of the
placeholder object.
To make it easier for you to transfer these predefined variables to the
Variable column, we have extended the Assignment tab by the new
Only display properties with value in Current value column check
box. If this check box is activated, then the table only shows the properties with an entry in the Current value column.
As part of this extension, the previous check box, Only display properties with value in Assignment column, has been renamed Only
display properties with value in Variable column. If this check box is
selected then the table only shows the properties having a value in the
Variable column.
If both check boxes are selected, this will be treated as an OR relationship. In this case, the rows where either the Current value or Variable
columns are "empty", will also be displayed.
Extended standard operation
To copy entries from the Current value column, you can now also use
the Copy menu item in the popup menu. If the entire column is to be
copied, click the column header. This will mark the entire column, and it
can then be copied and pasted with [Ctrl] + [C] / [Ctrl] + [V], for example. But this only copies the visible cells. The cells in collapsed hierarchy
levels are not copied.
Now also available to you in the Assignment tab popup menu are the
two menu items Expand and Collapse.
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Reports
Connection diagrams for wiring diagrams
In EPLAN it is now possible to generate "wiring diagrams" for devices.
Wiring diagrams consist of several connection diagrams and are used to
output information about connected conductors and targets. Devices can
be placed in a wiring diagram in the order in which they appear on the
mounting panel.
Benefit: Wiring diagrams are a frequently requested form of representation in Russia and China. Suitable reports can now support
you when planning these drawings. It is much simpler and
faster to create them and the result can be checked automatically.
Wiring diagrams are output in the form of embedded connection diagrams, which can be placed manually in an open project page. Device
connection diagrams are generated for wiring diagrams for general
devices, and terminal and pin connection diagrams are generated for
wiring diagrams for terminal strips and plugs.
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Example:
The illustration below shows a section of a wiring diagram that has been
generated.
Normally, forms in table format are used for wiring diagrams. In the form
properties of the relevant forms select the following new properties in
Property selection:
Connection diagram: Display all targets <13084>
Connection diagram: Internal targets in table form <13086>
Connection diagram: External targets in table form <13087>.
Select these properties. All the targets are then output and the properties
of these internal and external targets are displayed in table form in the
reports. A separate row is generated for each target.
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Tip:
When generating the wiring diagrams, the forms for device, terminal and
pin connection diagrams specified in the project settings are used by
default. However, it is possible to specify a separate form for a device.
To do this, before generating the report, select the new property Form
for wiring diagram <20234> at the main function of the device in question and specify which form should be used.
Generating wiring diagrams
Before you can output a wiring diagram for the part placements on a
specific mounting panel, you must first insert an additional black box.
The reports generated will be placed in this black box at a later date.
Assign the device tag of the mounting panel to the black box and select
the "Overview" representation type for it.
Note:
The black box may be placed either immediately adjacent to the mounting panel on a "Panel layout" type page or on an overview page, but
never on a report page.
Then use Utilities > Reports > Generate to open the Reports - <Project name> dialog. In the dialog, click [New]. The Select report dialog
opens. Choose the "Manual placement" output format from the Output
format drop-down list. Then in the Select report type field select one of
the following reports:
"Device-connection diagram (for wiring diagram)"
"Terminal-connection diagram (for wiring diagram)" or
"Pin-connection diagram (for wiring diagram)".
Select the Manual selection check box, then close the dialog by clicking
[OK].
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The new Select mounting panel dialog then opens. Select the mounting
panel for which the wiring diagram is to be generated. Select the Hide
devices already reported check box if devices for which this report has
already been generated should no longer be offered.
Then in the Manual selection dialog select the devices for which you
want to generate a report. Multiple selection is possible.
Click [OK]; the report is then generated and hangs on the cursor. Place
the report on the appropriate positions in the black box. If you selected
several devices in the Manual selection dialog, you can place further
reports.
New messages for wiring diagrams
Check run 015002 has been added to the "Reports" message class in
order to check wiring diagrams.
You can use this check run to identify where part placements on the
mounting panel and the associated wiring diagrams do not match (e.g.
if a part placement has been removed or inserted retrospectively).
Note:
For this check run, and to hide devices that have already been evaluated
when generating a new report, it is essential to place the insertion points
for the generated reports inside the black box.
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If the check box is selected, the Page name field is cleared and grayed
out. In the report generation that follows, the report pages are sorted into
the specified structure identifiers. If there are already some report pages
in the structure identifier level, all the new report pages will be sorted
together behind the last existing page. Any gaps for spare pages that
may exist at structure identifier level are not filled and remain empty.
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(You open this dialog from the Settings: Output to pages dialog
(typical menu path: Options > Settings > Projects > "Project name"
> Reports > Output to pages), when, for a line of a report type, (such
as a cable overview), you first click in the Page sorting column and then
on [...].)
The Use source / target check box can only be selected for cable diagrams, cable overviews, and connection lists. If the check box is selected, it is not the device tags of the cables that are used for page sorting, but those of the sources and targets. Cables with different structure
identifiers for their source and target (such as mounting locations, for
example), will be output in multiple structure identifiers.
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Breaking up modules
Parts which belong to a module can now be broken up into the relevant
sub-parts when outputting the parts list and the summarized parts list in
the reports and in the labeling.
For this purpose, a new Break up modules check box has been added
to the corresponding settings dialogs Settings: Parts and Settings:
Labeling. If this check box is selected, the modules are broken down
into their components, i.e. their individual parts.
It is now also possible to break up modules in the PDF export settings.
The Break up modules check box has also been added to the Part
properties tab in the Settings: PDF export dialog. If this check box is
selected, the existing modules are broken up. For the exported PDF file
this means that all the individual parts of the module are listed with the
specified part properties for a device in the device tree.
Tip:
If you want to break up the parts of an assembly which have been
assigned to a module, you must select the two Break up assemblies
and Break up modules check boxes in the settings. If the assembly is
not nested into any other (sub-)assemblies, enter the value 2 in the Up
to level field. The assembly in the module is then broken up as well.
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Parts Management
Improved full-text filter
The new version now provides you with an improved, faster full-text
search in parts management.
Benefit: Now that the search text can be entered directly, full-text
search has become easier and more intuitive. The use of a
SQL server as the parts database also makes a fast, full-text
search possible.
The full-text search dialog has been removed, and instead, you enter
the text you want to find directly in the Full-text filter field. Then click
(Find). The display in the tree / in the list / in the combination is updated
and only shows the parts that contain the entered text in a field. To delete the search term and return to the display of all the parts, click
(Delete).
In this case, the text entered can also be only a part of the term to be
searched: For example if you are filtering by the text Motor, parts in
which texts such as Motors, Motor power line or Three-phase
motor occur, will also be displayed. When parts management is closed,
text-based filters are deleted.
Note:
In the improved full-text search, you can gain access not only in the
Parts management dialog, but also in the Part selection dialog and
in the navigator for part master data.
Full-text search syntax
Upper-/lower-case letters are not taken into account in the full-text
search. Do not use placeholder characters (such as * or ?), as these will
not be evaluated in the full-text search.
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Instead, the search logic when entering text is now similar to the common full-text syntax (+, spaces, etc.), used in Internet search engines.
Example:
Enter the following search text in the Full-text filter field:
"Isolating terminal with fuse"
In this search, the parts found will contain exactly the Isolating
terminal with fuse character string.
Terminal motor
With this OR operation, the parts found are those for which the text
terminal or motor is contained in the text boxes. There may be
different text boxes for the individual parts.
Terminal +motor or +terminal +motor
With this AND operation, a space has to be entered between the first
search term and the plus character. The parts found are those containing the text terminal and motor in the text boxes. The two texts
may both be contained within one text field, or may appear in different
fields.
Note:
This AND operation can then only be used if a SQL server is used as
the parts database. If Access databases are used, the search term
Terminal +motor would have the same effect as Terminal motor;
thus it would be treated as an OR operation.
Search index for full-text search
An index is now created in the parts database for the full-text search.
When you run this search for the first time, you first have to confirm a
message about generating the search index with [OK]. If the search
index has to be updated after a change in the parts database, for example, do this by selecting Utilities > Parts > Update search index.
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Note:
Please note that the parts structure of the Parts management is freely
configurable. The tree configuration shown here may differ from your
configuration, which you can configure via Utilities > Parts > Management > [Extras] > Settings.
EPLAN NEWS 2.0
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In this field, click [...], so that in the subsequent dialog, you can define
additional trades / subtrades, which should contain the part. In the subsequent Trade / subtrade dialog, select the check boxes in the Use
column to define the additional trades that are to contain the part.
For fluid power-specific trades (hydraulics, pneumatics, lubrication,
cooling), use the
(New) button to open the Create subtrade dialog
and create a new subtrade. A subtrade of this type (such as "Pneumatics
high pressure", "Machine cooling" etc.), is then fitted in below the selected trade in the Trade / subtrade column.
Translating or editing the name of a subtrade
Multilingual entries are possible when entering a name in the Create
subtrade dialog. The popup menu for this field has the corresponding
popup menu items, e.g. Translate, Multilingual input, etc.
To edit a subtrade, select the relevant subtrade in the Trade / subtrade
dialog and click the
(Edit) button, or double-click. In the dialog that
opens you can change the name of a subtrade retrospectively or translate it using the abovementioned popup menu items.
Subtrades in reports
When reports and labels are output (e.g. parts list, connection list, etc.),
there can be multi-level sorting by trade and subtrade. You already have
a predefined scheme available.
Access via EPLAN API
As subtrades are stored as "normal" properties in EPLAN, access is
possible via EPLAN API. There are new properties for this, Subtrade
'Hydraulics' <22158>, Subtrade 'Pneumatics' <22159>, Subtrade
'Lubrication' <22195>, and Subtrade 'Cooling' <22196>.
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The Prices / Other tab has been extended for this purpose by the two
Barcode number / type fields. Enter the number and type of the particular barcode in these two fields, for example, "GTIN" or "EAN-13". Click
(Delete) to remove the current barcode type from the selection list.
The content of these two fields can be included in part assemblies (parts
lists, manufacturer / supplier lists, etc.) and when exporting and importing
parts. To allow you to consider this data in the reports, two new properties, Barcode number <22208> and Barcode type <22209>, are available to you (within the parts data) as placeholder texts in the respective
forms, and as format elements in the labeling settings.
Note:
Please be aware that when you enter the barcode number, there is no
check for uniqueness. The data is output in the reports exactly as it is
entered here. This means that no barcodes with combinations of lines
and gaps are generated. The contents of the two fields are not translatable.
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If the mounting rail on which the part is placed as an item is changed, the
clip-on height of the placed item then refers to the new mounting rail. The
position of the item is then shifted accordingly. To change the mounting
rail, in the properties dialog for the placed mounting rail switch to the
Parts tab and select a different mounting rail part.
Note:
This functionality is intended only for the "EPLAN Pro Panel" add-on.
Example:
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New name:
Center mismatch
If you do not want the part to be centered in the front view, enter the offset relative to the middle of the mounting rail in the Center mismatch
field. The item will then be automatically offset by this value.
Note:
Entries in the Center mismatch field will be evaluated by the "EPLAN
Pro Panel" add-on and by EPLAN Cabinet.
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With this menu item, you open the Synchronization of parts - <Project
name> dialog, which you can use to specifically update the data of individual parts in the project. In this dialog, you also have the opportunity to
complete the parts database. Use [Extras] > Complete current system
to transfer, for example, the parts stored in a project to a new parts database.
Benefit: This new dialog makes parts data synchronization a much
more transparent process. You know in advance whether the
status of the data is different, and can specifically synchronize individual parts, or exclude them from synchronization.
Also new to the Utilities > Parts menu are the following two menu items:
Update current project
This menu item searches the current project for obsolete parts data.
If parts data that is more up-to-date is found in system parts (that is,
in the parts database), the parts stored in the project will be updated.
Complete current project
This menu item searches the current project for missing parts; if available, they are then automatically stored.
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If this check box is selected, the parts used in the project are synchronized with the parts in the parts database when the project is opened. If
the project parts are obsolete, a prompt opens. Confirm this with [Yes],
and the stored parts will be updated.
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Message Management
Improved ergonomics
Preview for message management
Some of the functionalities of message management have been changed
in the current version. Now, as in all the other project data dialogs, you
can use the graphical preview. If you have opened the graphical preview
(View > Graphical preview), the page that a selected message relates
to, will be displayed there. The faulty function will be highlighted in the
preview.
Now you are also given a properties preview in the Property preview
dialog, if you have selected a message in message management.
Because the graphical preview has been extended, the Preview of
errors menu item in the message management popup menu has been
removed. The Update menu item has also been removed. Instead, you
can now use the familiar "Go to" functionalities Go to (cross-referenced), Go to (all representation types) and Go to (graphic).
Benefit: Graphically, it is instantly obvious where the cause of the
message can be found. Consistent ergonomics reduce
familiarization time and simplify operation for occasional
users.
Direct editing of properties
It is now also possible in message management to directly edit the devices underlying the messages. The popup menu has been extended by
the Edit in table, Properties, and Properties (global) menu items for
this.
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Benefit: With edit in table, you can now resolve multiple messages
with the same cause, in one process. This drastically reduces
the number of editing steps required and considerably
speeds up message correction. You can find and eliminate
planning errors quickly and easily. This allows you to specifically improve the quality of your project documentation.
Displaying layout space messages
To allow you to quickly identify messages created in an "EPLAN Pro
Panel" add-on layout space, the Layout space column has been added
to the Message management dialog. The name of the layout space on
which the erroneous object is located is shown here.
If you select a relevant message in the table and double-click, the erroneous object is shown in the 3D view of the opened layout space. By
means of Popup menu > Configure columns, you can hide and show
the Layout space column in message management.
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New name:
Project comparison
Comparison project
Reference project
In addition to this, the revision control user interface has also greatly
changed, as its menu structure has been adapted to the two operations
mentioned above (see the following section on page 272).
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Benefit: The spatial separation of the menu items makes it easier for
you to distinguish the two different revision control
operations. Communication difficulties are thus substantially
reduced.
After the division, the Change tracking menu item shows the following
submenu items:
Generate revision
Complete pages
Deleted pages
Edit revision data
Delete revision.
And the Property comparison of projects menu item has the following
submenu items available:
Generate reference project
Compare projects
Show results of the properties comparison
Add revision markers
Delete revision.
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The two menu items Complete project and Remove write protection,
which are relevant to both operations, are still located directly below the
main menu item, Revision control.
Division of the settings
In the course of this interface redesign, the revision settings have also
been renamed, or split into different dialogs.
The project-specific settings under Options > Settings > Projects >
"Project name" > Management > Revision have been split between
the following settings dialogs:
Settings: Revision (property comparison of projects)
This dialog is where the new settings for the property comparison of
projects can be found (see page 289).
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If you now use Utilities > Revision control > Complete project to complete a revision project, then there is no longer just a prompt, but instead
a new dialog opens. This Complete project dialog gives you the opportunity to enter common revision data (revision index, description, and
reason for change) for all the modified pages of a revision project.
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If generating a report produces a modification to a report page (for example, in the table of contents, in the revision overview, etc.), then this page
will be completed with the same revision index, and the "Draft" identifier
for this page will be removed. The selected report pages are updated
even if they are not identified as a "draft".
For other pages that are selected and which are not report pages (such
as schematic pages), the check box when completing has no effect.
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Always complete:
The page types shown in this field are always considered when completing and are provided with a revision index, even if there have been no
modifications on the project page.
To allow pages with the page type selected in the Always complete field
to be considered when completing pages, you must also select these
pages in the page navigator before completing, or complete the project
straight away. If you wish the current revision index to be numbered as
well, you must select a relevant numbering scheme in the company
settings.
Example:
You have created a revision of the sample project EPLAN-DEMO, and
have made a change on schematic page =EB3+ET1/1 with the Power
supply description.
To allow the latest revision index to also be shown on the title page of
the project, in the Settings: Revision (change tracking) dialog, in the
Always complete field, select the page type Title page / cover
sheet. First of all, in the page navigator, select both the schematic page
and the title page. Once you have then completed the pages with the
index EPLAN1, this text will also be displayed in the plot frame on the title
page.
Never complete:
The page types shown in this field are never considered when completing, regardless of whether or not changes have been made on the project page.
If, for example, certain page types are listed for report pages here,
although the relevant pages will be updated when completing, they will
not be displayed in the revision overview.
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Example:
You have made some changes on the schematic pages of a revision
project. Now when you complete the project and select the Generate
report when completing project check box (see page 275), the report
pages will be updated before completion. These updates are recorded as
a change and also listed in a previously output revision overview. With
extensive reports, this can quickly cause the revision overview to become confusing.
If the updated report pages are not to be listed in the revision overview,
you must previously exclude the report pages from completion. To do
this, in the Settings: Revision (change tracking) dialog, in the Never
complete field, select the relevant page types (Parts list, Device
tag list, etc.). Now when you complete the project, the report pages
are actually updated, but not listed in the revision overview.
Use the
(New) button above the two fields Always complete and
Never complete, to move to the Select page type dialog, where you
can select the required page type.
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The Graphical marker group box has been extended by the New in
report tab for this purpose. This graphical marker is located in the
project-specific settings for the revision under Options > Settings >
Projects > "Project name" > Management > Revision (graphical
representation).
Once a report has been updated, all the new objects (such as the new
devices of a device tag list) are marked as "New in report" by this graphical marker. Objects that have been moved by the newly added objects
will continue to be shown as "changed" objects on the report pages.
Note:
Please note that the graphical marker for the "New in report" revision
change is only used in change tracking, and does not work in master
data reports (forms documentation, plot frame documentation, etc.).
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Note:
When you compare the properties of projects that have been automatically generated (by the EPLAN Engineering Center, for example), you
should select the Alternative identification check box, as the internal
object IDs are re-assigned at each generation, making it no longer
possible to use object IDs for a properties comparison.
The comparison run starts when you click [OK]. The Results of property comparison - <Project name> dialog opens and shows an overview
of the results.
In addition to this, the changes specified by a properties comparison are
indicated in the project by graphical markers.
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The tabular structure of the dialog is similar to that of message management, and can be positioned in the same way by docking and undocking,
outside or inside the EPLAN main window.
The following columns are displayed in the table:
Object type: Shows the object type, for example, Function, Image
file, etc.
DT / name: Shows the complete DT of the function or the name of the
object. For connections, the source and target are displayed; for projects, the project name is shown including file path; for image files, the
file name is shown with file path; and for hyperlinks, the designation is
shown.
Page of the object: Shows the page where differences were found.
Kind of change: Shows whether the object was changed, deleted, or
newly inserted.
Property: Shows the changed property.
Previous value: Shows the value of the property in the reference
project.
New value: Shows the value of the property in the current project.
Last editor: Shows the last editor of the page.
The data shown in the results dialog is read from the MS Access database in which the results of the property comparison are saved.
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In the course of these changes, the Database for the project comparison result field has been removed from the revision settings. In addition
to this, the directory setting for revision control has also been removed
from the Settings: Directories dialog.
New name:
Delete revision
To remove the revision data and revision markers produced by a property comparison of projects, select Utilities > Revision control >
Property comparison of projects > Delete revision.
Revision markers:
If this check box is selected, all revision markers generated after a property comparison of projects are deleted.
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This dialog comprises the familiar Display and Symbol / function data
tabs, as well as the new Deletion marker tab, with information about
each object that is removed. The properties of the currently deleted
object are shown in this tab, such as the name and the Type of the
deleted object, the User name and the Delete date.
All the other properties are shown in the table in the Properties group
box, or can be selected by using property selection.
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Benefit: This allows you to also enter texts in the project in a language
that is not set as a displayed language. In international projects, all users can use their native languages for their planning, whatever displayed language is defined. This simplifies
project planning work and protects against incorrect input,
which is perfectly possible with a foreign language.
Source language:
In this field, you specify the project source language. This is the language in which you enter your project texts. The project source language
is simultaneously the translation source language. When translating,
EPLAN searches the dictionary for suitable keywords for this language
and translates them into all the selected translation languages.
You also use the source language to specify the language in which
translatable project texts are displayed in dialogs.
Display languages:
In this field you specify the languages and sequence in which translatable project texts are displayed in the graphical editor. You can select
as the display languages either the dialog language (##_## (Dialog
language) option), or other languages that you have already set as
translation languages.
Example:
You have an appropriate dictionary with keywords in the source language en_US and the corresponding translation texts in the languages
fr_FR, zh_CN, ru_RU. You have made the following settings:
Setting
Language
Translation languages
Source language
en_US
Display languages
zh_CN, ru_RU
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You use this setting not only to define the style to be used to output the
translation texts, but also to decide how the entered project texts will be
displayed in the graphical editor.
Example:
For the Upper-/lower-case letters setting, you have selected the All
upper-case letters option. Then, in the Properties - Text dialog, enter
the word Motor. Once you have closed the dialog with [OK], the text
MOTOR will be displayed in the graphical editor.
Notes:
Please be aware that when automatically translating with Utilities >
Translation > Translate, the Match case setting can also affect the
translation. If this check box is selected, then EPLAN finds the matching keyword only if the upper- and lower-case writing of the text
exactly matches the upper- and lower-case writing of the keyword
in the dictionary.
If the translation texts are to be output in a specific style during a
translation run (All upper-case letters, All lower-case letters, or
Capitalize first letter options), you must deselect the Match case
check box. This setting does not take effect for a manual translation in
the properties dialog.
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You can make this new setting separately, both for project texts and for
project-independent texts, for example, in the Settings: Translation
dialog on the Project and Project-independent tabs. However, the
relevant check box is only available once you have selected the "Word"
setting in the Segment field. If the check box is selected, then the positions of the line breaks in the translations are subject to the position in
the original text.
The check box is not selected by default. In this case, EPLAN considers
the word length of the source text and puts the line break at an appropriate point in the translated text. Separators in the translation of a
particular keyword are considered for a possible line break position. A
space, a hyphen, or a separator suggestion in the dictionary count as
separators here.
Example:
You have set en_US as the source and as the display language for a
project. French (fr_FR) is specified as the translation language and as
the second display language. The project texts input as examples here,
clearly show how these texts are displayed in the schematic, subject to
the selected setting after translation:
Text entry
Schematic
Setting
Line breaks:
Placeholder Text-based
Displayed text
Schematic
Placeholder
Schma des
connexions Code de rservation
Schematic
Line breaks:
Placeholder Text-based
Schematic
Placeholder
Schma des connexions
Code de rservation
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[No]: Only texts for which an empty translation text has been entered
are converted into language-independent texts. (Empty translation
texts can occur, for example, in projects created with older EPLAN
versions (before Version 2.0), if the Translate on input option was
enabled and no translation text was found in the dictionary.)
[Cancel]: No texts are converted.
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Notes:
With this Export, the language used as the source language (that is,
the language in which you make entries in the dictionary), is the language set on the Project-independent tab in the translation settings
as the Source language. One possible menu path to the translation
settings is: Utilities > Translation > Settings.
To make sure that when importing texts, the new keywords are accepted into the dictionary, the Append new translations setting is
activated by default. This check box is located, for example, under
Options > Settings > User > Translation > Dictionary.
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New name:
If a device has multiple parts, in the identifier-based view these parts are
no longer sorted into alphabetical order in the tree under the relevant
device tag, but are arranged in the order in which they occur in the properties dialog on the Parts tab. Terminals and strip accessories, on the
other hand, are displayed in the type of order in which they appear in the
Edit terminal strip dialog.
Note:
The same behavior as that described here applies for the 3D mounting
layout navigator of the "EPLAN Pro Panel" add-on.
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The part placement properties dialog for a terminal strip differs from the
properties dialogs of placed terminals. To identify that this part placement represents the entire terminal strip, no part number is entered on
the Part placement tab in the Part field. All the terminals of the terminal
strip are then regarded internally as placed. This properties dialog also
has the appropriate function definition ("Part placement, terminal strip").
When an enclosure legend is subsequently generated (or updated), the
placed terminal strips are also listed in the relevant legend.
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Settings
New action for importing settings
The new "Import settings" action (action name XSettingsImport) is
now available to you in EPLAN. You can use this action to automatically
import the settings that have previously been exported as an XML file.
Benefit: These settings allow you to greatly influence the behavior of
the EPLAN platform. It is now an automated process to exchange these settings. Manual input is no longer required,
which saves you time when standardizing projects or workstations. A common and consistent standard ensures highquality planning and makes it easier to implement the
documentation requirements of the machinery directive.
For automated execution, you have to use the Customize dialog to
store the action as a button in a user-defined toolbar, or enter it using
a different command line call (such as the Windows Run dialog). With
command line input, the following command line parameters can be
specified:
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/XMLFile:
directory and name of the file to be imported (necessary).
/node:
"node" of the setting to be imported (optional).
/Project:
name of the target project (optional). If a project is specified, only the
project settings are imported.
Importing all user, workstation, and company settings
If only the XMLFile command line parameter is listed, all the existing
user, workstation, and company settings will be imported from the
specified file (e.g. XSettingsImport /XMLFile: C:\file.xml).
Importing all project settings
If in addition to XMLFile, the Project parameter is also listed in the
command line, only the existing project settings will be imported from the
specified file (e.g. XSettingsImport /XMLFile:C:\projectsettings.xml /Project:C:\...\EPLAN-DEMO.elk).
Importing settings for a dialog
If you only want to import the settings for a quite specific dialog, you
must use the node parameter to specify the "node" under which the
settings are to be imported. This can be both a dialog from the project
settings and a dialog from the other settings areas.
To find out the name of the node, you can open the previously exported
xml file in Internet Explorer, for example, and transfer the name of the
node from the <MOD name="..."> entry.
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Example:
You want to import the settings of the Settings: Print dialog from
another user. By default, the name of the exported xml file is Workstation+Graphical Editing+Print.xml. From this file, under the
<CAT name="STATION"> category, you take the name of the node
<MOD name="Print">.
A possible entry in the command line of the Set button dialog for transferring settings could then look like this:
XSettingsImport /XMLFile:C:TMP\Workstation+Graphical
Editing+Print.xml /node:Print
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The two options mm and Inch of the Displayed unit of length group
box were previously in the Settings: User interface dialog, and have
been moved here for the sake of clarity.
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You use the options in the new Displayed unit of weight group box to
decide whether the weight of a part is evaluated in "kg" or "lb" (pound) in
parts management. This means that an existing weight will be converted
in accordance with the displayed unit of measure.
Tip:
If, when weight values are output in reports, the set unit of measure is to
be output with them (in a parts list, for example), this can be done using
the new Weight in displayed unit <22059> property.
New name:
Settings: General
Settings: 2D
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Properties
User-defined property configurations
Wherever properties are listed in a table for an object (project, page,
device properties, etc.), you now have the opportunity to create separate
property categories. Properties from different groups can be combined in
this way and saved in a user-defined property configuration.
Benefit: By individually customizing the user interface, you can
access the input fields that are important to you more quickly.
You can save a selection of properties that you have compiled as a configuration, and make it available to other projects or other users.
To create a user-defined property configuration, you must select the
"User-defined" entry for the Category field in the relevant properties
dialog. Then select Popup menu > Configure.
The Property configuration dialog that then opens has been extended
by the familiar Scheme and Description fields for the user-defined property configuration. You can use the scheme toolbar that is now also in
the dialog to create a new scheme, for example, or to export / import the
scheme of a property configuration. Properties from all categories are
available to you in the property selection for user-defined property configurations.
The name of a saved, user-defined property configuration is then displayed in the Category field.
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New name:
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However, the module will still be listed in the dialog. If you want to use
the add-on again, you have to re-open the dialog and select the check
box.
Finding other add-ons
In the Add-ons dialog, you now have the
button available for finding
other add-ons (manually created modules or modules that match older
main versions). In the next dialog, select the associated Install.xml,
and click [Open]. The corresponding add-on (such as the "PPEAddon"
of Version 1.9.10), will then be listed in the dialog, and can be registered
by using the check box mentioned above.
These new add-ons can also be removed. To do this, you first have to
deselect the Registered check box for this module. Then, to remove the
module from the Add-ons dialog, click .
Automated unregistering when uninstalling
If you have uninstalled an add-on, its registration in the EPLAN platform
is automatically deleted the next time you start the program. The relevant
information is given to you in the system messages. The mandatory
uninstall sequence for add-ons, of first unregistering and then uninstalling the module, no longer applies.
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Licensing
Extensions to EPLAN License Manager
With the release of the new platform version, EPLAN has also made
available a new version of the EPLAN License Manager (ELM). This program allows you to manage EPLAN product licenses within a network.
Various new functionalities make network license administration easier
for you.
An overview of the main new features of the EPLAN License Manager:
Usage of "variable bundles":
When combining licenses in bundles, the licenses can now also be
defined as "variable bundles". License bundles of this type allow you
to create templates for specific license combinations in any number,
regardless of the actual number of available licenses.
The license elements contained in this combination are only assigned
in the EPLAN License Manager when a "variable bundle" is selected
on program start.
Event log for network licenses:
The "License Manager Monitor" now gives you the opportunity to
create a report about the license status of an EPLAN License
Manager. You use a configuration file to specify everything that is to
be logged. The log itself is created as an XML file.
This shows who has been using or borrowing which license, and
when. This allows you to see how the licenses are utilized, for
example.
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Failure protection:
To improve failure protection (failover), it is now also possible to install
two license managers. One of these is the active EPLAN License
Manager (Primary License Manager). This is where the licenses are
validated, and the software protection (dongle) is also connected
here.
Should the first license manager fail, a second, and previously inactive EPLAN License Manager (Standby License Manager) takes on its
function for a maximum of seven days, and makes the licenses available. As soon as the first license manager is available again, the other
one goes back to being inactive. You do not have to exit the EPLAN
application to switch between the two license managers.
Note:
Please note that the Event log, Rights management, Cross-domain
usage, and Failure protection functionalities must be licensed separately for the EPLAN License Manager.
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D1+
D1-
D2+
D3+
D3-
D2-
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D4+
D4-
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Note:
Please note that exported PLC connection points with the "PLC connection point, multifunction" function definition are not displayed in the
Synchronize / import PLC data dialog if they are re-imported. The
PLC configuration systems assign specific connection points to these
"variable" PLC connection points, and for that reason they are not recognized as multi-function PLC connection points when re-imported.
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Meaning
Function category and PLC function group match. It can be
used.
Warning: The function category of the PLC functions
matches, but the group does not match (e.g. in the case
of a PLC connection point with digital input and a PLC
connection point for a bus cable). It can be used, but this
could lead to incorrect results.
Error: The function category of the PLC functions does not
match (e.g. in the case of a PLC box and a PLC connection
point). It cannot be used.
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For this purpose, both data exchange dialogs, Export PLC data and
Import PLC data, have been upgraded to include the "RSLogix Architect
3.6" format.
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Cables
Highlighting cable connections
Cable connections can now be highlighted in EPLAN, by a special color,
for example. For this purpose, the EPLAN550, Symbol graphic.Connection symbols.Autoconnecting.Cables layer has been added to
layer management.
Benefit: Using color highlighting means that cable connections can be
traced easily and reliably through the project. Greater transparency in documentation avoids planning errors, increasing
quality without any additional input in terms of time and effort.
As the properties of this layer defined in layer management are used for
the cable connection autoconnecting lines, a special setting must be
specified. To do so, select Options > Settings > Projects > "Project
name" > Devices > Cables (conductors) in the menu, go to the
General tab and in the Representation of the autoconnecting line
group box select the Cable-based option.
Note:
If you select cable-based representation of the autoconnecting line, the
highlighted setting for the cable connections in layer management always takes precedence over a setting to the connection graphic via a
potential definition point. If a setting is specified on a connection via a
connection definition point, this setting takes precedence over the Cablebased option.
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If the check box is activated, the subordinate device tags are not output
as cable targets in the case of nested devices. In this case the superior
devices (for example the black boxes) are the targets. The representation of the conductor targets is not changed. The subordinate device tags
are always output as targets here.
If the check box is deselected, the subordinate device tags are output as
cable targets.
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If the device to which the insulated wire termination is assigned is renamed, the device tag on the wire termination is automatically updated
accordingly.
Displaying wire terminations in the navigators
Insulated wire terminations are shown in the navigator trees (e.g. in the
device navigator) as part of the device to which they are assigned, and
are indicated by the special icon
The Popup menu > New menu in the device navigator allows you to
create unplaced wire terminations (icon:
) and to place these in the
schematic later on or to connect them to interconnect devices as unplaced.
Example:
The figure below shows an insulated wire termination in the device
navigator:
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Devices
Inserting cable parts as devices
If you now insert a cable part as a device in the graphical editor (e.g.
using Insert > Device), the individual objects will be made available for
placement in the sequence defined in parts management.
Benefit: It takes fewer steps to enter cables in the diagram as devices. This reduces the time spent on editing and the user
can concentrate on plant planning.
In the process the symbol for the cable definition line or the shield is
displayed at the cursor. At the conductors, the Color / number of the
conductors is displayed.
Note:
Shields should not be defined as separate function templates with the
"Shield, cable definition" function definition in parts management; this
should be defined implicitly via the cable conductors. If the part has a
function template with the function definition "Conductor / wire" and the
potential type "SH", a shield is generated automatically when Insert
device is used before this cable conductor is inserted.
A connection definition point is generated when a conductor is placed. If
a non-empty connection definition point already exists for the connection,
a prompt is displayed that allows you to choose to retain or replace the
connection definition point. When replaced, the old connection definition
point is deleted and a new one placed with the data from parts management.
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Example:
The following function templates are defined for a cable part:
Row Function definition
Potential type
Cable definition
Conductor / wire
Undefined
Conductor / wire
SH
SH
1. Cable definition
2. Conductor
3 Shield
4 Conductor
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Color / number: 1,
Potential type: Undefined
Name of shield: SH
SH
Device Selection
Device selection for wires
It is now also possible to run a device selection on wire parts at a connection definition point with the suitable "Conductor / wire" function
definition. During this type of device selection, the data of the particular
wire (Color / number, Cross-section / diameter, etc.), are transferred
from parts management to the connection.
Benefit: When wires are selected from the parts database, the data is
applied directly to the diagram. This reduces the amount of
manual input and results in standardization of the wires used.
Notes:
Connection definition points placed on an autoconnecting line via
Insert > Connection definition point, show the "Connection,
general" function definition by default. To select a different function
definition for a connection definition point, in the properties dialog, on
the Connection definition point tab, click the [...] button located next
to the Function definition field. Then, in the subsequent dialog, select the "Conductor / wire" function definition.
When connection definition points have the Cable connection property activated, it is not possible to make a device selection. This is the
case, for example, with connection definition points placed on the
respective connection lines when drawing a cable definition line.
Extensions to parts management
Previous versions of EPLAN's parts management have already allowed
you to create parts belonging to the "Wires" product group. But for a
device selection to be based on these parts, the data for the wires had to
be extended.
339
This is why the Function templates tab is now also available to the wire
parts. The following column headers are available for the "Component
(wires)" product group in the Device selection (function templates)
table:
Row
Function definition
Color / no.
Cross-section / diameter
Potential type
Intrinsically safe.
For device selection to be successful, it is essential to specify a function
template for each wire. To do this, click in the relevant cell of the
Function definition column and then click [...], to go to the Function
definitions dialog. Use General // General special functions //
Connection // Connection definition to select the "Conductor /
wire" function definition.
The Wire data tab has also been redesigned as part of these extensions. As the conductor cross-section and the color are now entered in
the function template, the fields of the same name have been removed.
To allow even more, specific data to be entered for the wires, the Conductor type, Voltage, Min. bending radius, Copper weight, Cable
weight (kg/km), and Short-circuit proof fields / check boxes have been
added.
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If you have placed a mounting panel in the layout space, for example,
the grouping sign "MP<mounting panel number>" is inherited by all the
items arranged beneath it and is prefixed before their designation text.
This ensures that it is always clear which part placement belongs to
which mounting panel or enclosure in the navigator tree.
Example:
The illustration below shows an open project with multiple layout spaces
in the layout space navigator tree (left) and an open layout space in the
3D view (right).
In the layout space navigator's tree view, different icons illustrate the
types of component and their status:
Icon
Icon
Meaning
Layout space
Shown
Hidden
Enclosure
Frame profile
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Icon
Icon
Meaning
Wall panel
Door
Mounting panel
Mounting rail
Wire duct
Part placement
Restricted placing area
Not selected
Selected directly
Mounting surface
List view
This display shows all devices that exist in the layout spaces of the
opened project. The view and sorting of the devices depends on the
selected column configuration.
Popup menu
The popup menu for the layout space navigator contains menu options
that are used specially to create and display layout spaces (e.g., New
layout space, Open layout space, etc.). It also contains other functions
for editing in the 3D area, such as Update main elements, Update part
dimensions, etc.
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To open this new dialog, follow the menu path Project data > Parts /
Devices > 3D mounting layout navigator. This has the following
options:
All devices to which a part is assigned are listed.
The view in the 3D mounting layout navigator is always identifierbased.
Parts without a device tag are grouped on a separate tree structure
level.
Devices that have already been placed are identified by an additional
icon.
Multiple entries may be selected in both the tree view and the list view.
These selected devices can then be placed on the mounting panel at the
same time. It is also possible to select a node in the tree view. All devices that are affected by this selection are placed together.
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To do this, a new Quick input column has been added to the Filter
dialog, which you can open by clicking the [...] button and use to define
the filter criteria. The Quick input check box can only be selected for
one filter criterion. This then activates the Value: <Property> field for the
relevant navigator. For a value entered in the Value: <Property> field to
be taken into account, the filter must be activated by selecting the Active
check box.
Value: <Property>:
To enter a new value in this field, click in the field, type in the value, and
press [Enter]. The display in the navigator changes accordingly. The
value entered here is then accepted as the value of the filter criterion in
the filter scheme.
Depending on which property you selected as the criterion (e.g., structure identifier), you can click [...] in the Value: <Property> field and
select a different value for the filter criterion from the dialog that opens.
To enter multiple values in the field, add a semicolon as a separator
between the values. This is evaluated as an OR operation.
If quick input is not selected for any filter criterion in the Filter dialog,
quick input cannot be used in that navigator. The Value: <Property>
field is grayed out.
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Tip:
You can also use the Pro Panel toolbar to place mounting panels, enclosures, mounting rails, and wire ducts. Click the
(Mounting panel)
button, for example, to switch to part selection, where you can select a
mounting panel part.
The mounting panel hangs on the cursor as a transparent preview. The
size is as defined for the part. The four possible handles are marked by
gray squares. The current handle is displayed in red at the bottom left.
Click the [A] button to change the handle clockwise from the "Bottom
left" position to "Top left", "Top right", "Bottom right".
Select Popup menu > Placement options to call up the Placement
options dialog. This dialog allows you to set the options for the placement of parts in the 3D mounting layout.
Left-click to place the mounting panel at the required position. The
selected part remains at the cursor and can be placed again.
If you want to place the mounting panel in an enclosure or on a second
mounting panel, move the mounting panel to the vicinity of a corner point
of the second mounting panel or an enclosure profile. A red 3D snap
point symbol then appears at the corner point. The mounting panel to be
placed snaps in at this point. Click to place it directly at this position.
350
Example:
In this example, a mounting panel is connected to a mounting panel that
is already placed. The red rectangle illustrates the snap point.
351
On the Mounting panel tab, enter values for the width, height, and depth
of the free mounting panel, or accept the suggested values. The dimensions must not be left blank, otherwise the free mounting panel cannot
be placed. Enter a designation text in the Designation field, or accept
the suggested "Mounting panel".
Click [OK] to close the properties dialog. The free mounting panel then
hangs on the cursor in the defined size as a transparent preview and you
can place it in the 3D view. In all other respects this placement operation
is the same as for placing enclosures and mounting panels from parts
management.
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Example:
The illustration below shows how to change the handle for an enclosure.
353
Tip:
You can also use the Options > Placement options menu option or the
(Placement options) button from the Pro Panel options toolbar to
open the Placement options dialog.
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357
358
359
360
The various submenu options on the Show popup menu option allow
you to determine which components contained in the layout space
should be displayed: Selection (all items below the selected tree structure level), All, Only mounting panels, or Only doors.
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363
Example:
90 rotation of an object about an axis, and result:
Axis
Rotation
Result
364
You can use the following input methods to determine the new length:
Change length by mouse click
To do this, move the cursor to the point at which you want to lengthen
or shorten the object. Click again to set the new end point for the
object.
Change length by snapping a projection point
Move the cursor towards one of the 3D snap points displayed or onto
the edge of a mounting panel. The cursor snaps onto the snap point it
finds or onto an edge. The red cursor snap point is surrounded by a
red square. The object representation is projected as far as the found
point, and extended or shortened until it reaches it. Click to align the
object at the projection point and display it in the new length.
Change length via the input box
Depending on the setting, the input box appears immediately when
you click the object to be extended or when you enter a number on
the keyboard.
Enter the value by which the object is to be extended or shortened in
the input box. Unsigned values or values with a "+" before them
extend the box, while values with a "-" shorten it. Press [Enter] to
display the object with the new length.
The Change length function remains active until you select Popup
menu > Cancel action.
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Example:
Changing the length by snapping a projection point, and the result:
After selection of the mounting rail
If you have selected a
mounting rail as the element
to be extended, the snap
point on the cursor is displayed as a red square.
366
Result
Click to extend the mounting
rail to the found projection
point.
367
Result
368
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Importing a 3D graphic
You can import 3D graphic data from external CAD systems to create
your own items and 3D macros. The graphic data must be provided in
the common international STEP format (STandard for the Exchange of
Product Model Data).
To do this, open the project into which the data is to be imported and
select Layout space > Import 3D graphic. In the selection dialog that
opens, switch to the directory containing the STEP files (*.stp, *.step,
*.ste). Select the required STEP file and click [Open].
The 3D graphic data is then imported into a new layout space. The name
of the STEP file is used as the layout space description.
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After being imported, the graphic data can be edited (Rotate around
axis and Unite functions) and assigned functional logic. The imported
data can then be used as enclosure items, devices, or 3D macros.
371
Creating 3D macros
3D macros are always created with the "3D mounting layout" representation type. You have the following options for creating 3D macros:
Manually by saving selected objects
To save specific objects in a layout space as a macro, use the Edit >
Create window macro and Edit > Create symbol macro menu
options as you would normally do in the EPLAN platform.
If the selected objects are imported 3D graphics from STEP files, it
may be necessary to prepare these graphics further (unite, create
device logic, etc.) before you can save them as 3D macros.
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Inserting 3D macros
The 3D macros are inserted using the Insert > Window macro and
Insert > Symbol macro menu options as you would normally do in the
EPLAN platform. You can only place these macros in an open layout
space with the "3D mounting layout" representation type.
When you insert a 3D macro, the currently selected handle is identified
as a snap point by a red square. Press [A] to change the handle.
Move the 3D macro towards a mounting panel or another object. As
when you place devices, the mounting surface or mounting rail beneath
the cursor is automatically activated. 3D snap points are also displayed.
Click at the required position to place the 3D macro.
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Tip:
You can also use the Options > Change rotation angle menu option
or the
(Change rotation angle) button from the Pro Panel options
toolbar to change the angle.
Mounting points:
These interactive points only allow the associated handle to be
snapped onto them, to be moved, and to be placed. Mounting points
may be points, lines, or areas.
You can display defined interactive points when you are editing 3D macros in a macro project. There the points are identified with the following
colors:
Interactive points
Display
Handle (user-defined)
Orange cuboid
Handle (default)
Red cuboid
Green cuboid
Blue cuboid
You can define mounting points when you edit the device logic. This involves defining points, lines, or areas on 3D objects as mounting points.
These are the objects on which other components can be placed.
Mounting points can have a direction and a rotation, which means that
placement of the 3D objects can be controlled using a set of rules:
The direction determines the direction in which the object to be placed
on the mounting point should be aligned.
The rotation also allows the object to be placed to be moved around
the selected direction axis.
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The Edit > Device logic menu path offers the following options for
defining the device logic.
Mounting surface
Defines individual areas of bodies imported as 3D data as mounting
surfaces. These are areas on the item on which other components
can be placed.
When you click the required area, this area is defined as a mounting
surface. A mounting surface entry is generated beneath the object
concerned (e.g., logic item) in the layout space navigator. You can
continue to select areas as mounting surfaces until you press [Esc] to
cancel the action. You can delete mounting surfaces in the navigator
using Popup menu > Delete.
Handle
Defines a handle for placing a 3D macro. There is always only one
handle in the macro.
Click the required point. The handle is identified by an orange cuboid.
To change the position of the handle, simply insert it again.
Define mounting point
Defines points, lines, or areas on 3D objects as mounting points.
Other components may be placed on these interactive points.
To do this, click a highlighted point / edge / area on the 3D object. For
mounting points of the type "Point" and "Line", then select the direction in which you would prefer the mounting point to act by moving a
blue direction arrow in the required direction.
Click again to open the Properties: Mounting point dialog. Here
you can enter the Name and Description and set the Direction and
Rotation for mounting points of the type "Point" and "Line". Once you
have selected a mounting point, you can remove it using Edit >
Delete, for example.
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378
So that you do not have to reset the model views in every new project,
you have the option of saving the items to be displayed in a selection
scheme. In this way you can use a scheme to specify that all mounting
panels should always be displayed in the model views, for example. The
item labeling in a model view can also be summarized using a scheme.
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You can also use other settings (Selection scheme, Viewpoint, etc.) to
determine what and how it can be seen in the model view. Click [OK] to
confirm the settings you made on this and other tabs (Display, Rectangle, Format). The model view is then generated.
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381
Creating outlines
To create a new outline for extrusions, select Utilities > Master data >
Outline (extrusion) > New. In the Create outline dialog that opens,
define the file name and directory for the new outline. The "outline
extrusion" outline type is saved with the file extension *.fc2.
Click [Save] and the Outline properties - <Outline name> dialog
opens. In this dialog you specify the most important properties of an
outline. Click [OK]. The new outline is saved according to your input and
is displayed in the outline editor. The origin of the coordinate system is
highlighted by a red circle. This can be moved.
In the page navigator tree view, an open outline is identified by the
icon.
The properties of an open outline can be edited retrospectively by selecting the outline in the page navigator and selecting Popup menu >
Properties.
Editing outlines
When you create a new outline, the first editing step is to draw the 2D
geometry.
To do this, select from the graphical elements listed under Insert >
Graphic and the editing functions listed under the Edit menu option.
The following conditions apply:
Draw on a 1:1 scale.
Use the line, polyline, rectangle, circle, and arc graphical elements.
Make sure that the elements making up the outline are closed at all
the transition points.
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Opening outlines
It is also possible to apply the editing steps listed above to existing
outlines. To open an outline, select Utilities > Master data > Outline
(extrusion) > Open.
The master data for the "EPLAN Pro Panel" add-on includes a number of
outlines of the "outline extrusion" type. You can use this master data as
templates for your own outlines.
To be able to use a finished outline in the 3D mounting layout, save
it with a suitable part in the parts management dialog (e.g., from the
"Mounting rail" product subgroup). This is done in the Macro field on the
Technical data tab.
383
Checking outlines
The Utilities menu contains the Check outline option for checking an
outline at any time during editing. This carries out the following geometry
checks:
Use of illegal elements
Existence of at least one closed outline
All existing outlines are closed and do not contain any duplicate
elements
No nested inner outlines.
When the outline check is complete, a message appears to tell you
whether the check was successful or not. When you have finished editing an outline, the outline check is carried out automatically when you
close the dialog. If the outline check is unsuccessful, you cannot use the
associated outline for extrusions in the 3D mounting layout. If this is the
case, you should correct the outline.
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386
The import function has been made more user-friendly as a whole. This
function can be accessed via Project > PPE > Import > Loops or
Consumers.
Type of data source:
After you have selected the type of data source in this field, it is no
longer necessary to set up an ODBC source (e.g. for frequently used
applications, such as Microsoft Access and Microsoft Excel) using the
ODBC administrator. The option to select an ODBC data source is still
available for the "ODBC" type.
387
Data source:
For the Data source field, click [...] and select the data source in the
dialog that opens. The dialog that opens depends on the data source
type selected.
To output the column names from a data table (e.g. Excel table) to the
External field column of the assignment table, select the Column
names in the header row check box. This check box is not available for
all types of data source.
When you have selected the data source, the data source table fields are
read in and displayed in the External field column.
Scheme:
All import settings (field assignments and object assignments) can now
be saved in a scheme in the usual way in EPLAN.
Assignment tab
On this tab, the external fields and the EPLAN properties are assigned to
each other.
To assign a property, click in the EPLAN property column and then on
[...], and select a property from the dialog that opens.
Define which are identifying properties during assignment by selecting
the relevant check box in the Identifying column. Filters are now defined
on the Assignment tab via the Filter column. If only one value is
entered here, it is filtered for uniformity. You could also enter "> 100".
Tip:
If the external field designations and the EPLAN property designations
are identical, field assignment can be carried out automatically using the
[Automatic assignment] button.
388
Assignment tab
On this tab, you can specify other import settings.
At the time of the previous import, the Order and PI code drop-down
lists and the Override errors, Overwrite, Test import, and No new
loops / consumers check boxes were part of the Import settings dialog
that followed.
389
Note:
Objects whose parts have already been included using engineering in
the EPLAN platform are ignored in EPLAN PPE to prevent parts from
being output more than once.
390
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392
393
394
The PlaceAt method from the Function class can be used to place
function templates and functions on schematic pages in a particular
representation type. The new FunctionTemplates property from the
same class allows you to query the function templates of a main function.
The PlaceAsConnectionDefinitionPoint method from the
Connection class now allows you to place function templates for
connections as a connection definition point in the schematic.
395
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398
399
400
401
Example:
In the Open form dialog, you have selected the F01_001.f01 form for
the "Parts list" form type. The text that appears in the info area looks like
this Description: Parts list ..., Created by: mka, Creation
date: 25.10.2001, etc.
402
PLC_S_CBOX
PLC_S_CBOX
PLC_S_CBOX
PLC_S_CBOX
// 330
_LEFT // 331
_LEFT_PLUG // 332
_PLUG // 333
PLC_S_CBOX
PLC_S_CBOX
PLC_S_CBOX
PLC_S_CBOX
_LEFT_PLUG_1
_PLUG_1
_LEFT_PLUG_M
_LEFT_PLUG_FEM
// 334
// 335
// 336
// 337
PLC_S_CBOX
PLC_S_CBOX
QL3_7
K_3
_PLUG_M // 338
_PLUG_FEM // 339
// 1198
// 1251
K_4 // 1252
KS3 // 1253
KS4 // 1254
KST3 // 1255
KST4 // 1256
S_EL // 1261
O_EL // 1262
XU2 // 1265
XU2S // 1266
F_SNH_1P // 1281
F_SNH_3P // 1282
F_AB_1P // 1284
QLIM11_1 // 1286
QL3_8 // 1290
W3_SWR_2 // 1291
W3_SWL_2 // 1292
403
W3_SWB_2 // 1293
W3_VES_2 // 1294
W3_NES_2 // 1295
W2_OU_1 // 1328
BW3P // 1372
BW3SW // 1373
BW3D // 1374
X1_NB // 1410
X1_B // 1411
X2_NB // 1413
X2_B // 1414
X2_B_2 // 1415
X3_NB // 1417
X3_B // 1418
X3_B_2 // 1419
X4_NB // 1421
X4_B // 1422
X4_NB_1 // 1424
X4_B_1 // 1425
X4_B_2 // 1426
X6_NB // 1428
X6_B // 1429
X6_NB_1 // 1430
X6_B_1 // 1431
404
X6_B_2 // 1432
X8_NB // 1434
X8_B // 1435
X8_NB_1 // 1436
X8_B_1 // 1437
X8_B_2 // 1438
SSNS1_ST // 1440
SONS1_ST // 1441
SLS_ST // 1442
SLSAC_ST // 1443
SLSDC_ST // 1444
SLEDC_ST // 1445
SLEAC_ST // 1446
SSUS_ST // 1447
SOUS_ST // 1448
NFPA standard
The following new symbols have been added to the NFPA_symbol and
NFPA_single_symbol symbol libraries (the respective symbols are
shown in multi-line representation):
PLC_S_CBOX
PLC_S_CBOX
PLC_S_CBOX
PLC_S_CBOX
// 330
_LEFT // 331
_LEFT_PLUG // 332
_PLUG // 333
405
PLC_S_CBOX
PLC_S_CBOX
PLC_S_CBOX
PLC_S_CBOX
_LEFT_PLUG_1
_PLUG_1
_LEFT_PLUG_M
_LEFT_PLUG_FEM
// 334
// 335
// 336
// 337
PLC_S_CBOX
PLC_S_CBOX
QL3_7
K_3
_PLUG_M // 338
_PLUG_FEM // 339
// 1198
// 1251
K_4 // 1252
KS3 // 1253
KS4 // 1254
KST3 // 1255
KST4 // 1256
S_EL // 1261
O_EL // 1262
XU2 // 1265
XU2S // 1266
F_SNH_1P // 1281
F_SNH_3P // 1282
F_AB_1P // 1284
406
QLIM11_1 // 1286
QL3_8 // 1290
W3_SWR_2 // 1291
W3_SWL_2 // 1292
W3_SWB_2 // 1293
W3_VES_2 // 1294
W3_NES_2 // 1295
W2_OU_1 // 1328
BW3P // 1372
BW3SW // 1373
BW3D // 1374
X1_NB // 1410
X1_B // 1411
X2_NB // 1413
X2_B // 1414
X2_B_2 // 1415
X3_NB // 1417
X3_B // 1418
X3_B_2 // 1419
X4_NB // 1421
X4_B // 1422
X4_NB_1 // 1424
X4_B_1 // 1425
X4_B_2 // 1426
407
X6_NB // 1428
X6_B // 1429
X6_NB_1 // 1430
X6_B_1 // 1431
X6_B_2 // 1432
X8_NB // 1434
X8_B // 1435
X8_NB_1 // 1436
X8_B_1 // 1437
X8_B_2 // 1438
SSNS1_ST // 1440
SONS1_ST // 1441
SLS_ST // 1442
SLSAC_ST // 1443
SLSDC_ST // 1444
SLEDC_ST // 1445
SLEAC_ST // 1446
SSUS_ST // 1447
SOUS_ST // 1448
408
F15.5_14 // 238
F15.3.1 // 254
F15.3.1_01 // 255
AG10.1.1_03 // 307
AG10.1.1_02 // 308
AG10.5_02 // 326
V_BT_058 // 845
V_BT_059 // 846
V_BT_060 // 847
V_BT_061 // 848
AG10.1.2_04 // 856
V_BT_057 // 857
V_BT_053 // 861
V_BT_054 // 862
V_BT_055 // 863
V_S_011 // 871
V_S_012 // 872
V_S_013 // 873
V_S_014 // 874
Z_ZUB_16 // 1060
409
Z_ZUB_15 // 1061
V_ZUB_03 // 1063
V11.3.1_01 // 1068
PM13.3.4_01 // 1069
F15.5_31 // 1070
GS_EA_06 // 1071
V_BT_077 // 1077
V_BT_078 // 1078
Z14.1.2_17 // 1079
Z_ZUB_31 // 1080
VERB_11 // 1101
VERB_12 // 1102
VERB_13 // 1103
VERB_14 // 1104
VERB_15 // 1105
CON_04 // 1106
VERB_16 // 1107
V11.1.2_15 // 1108
V11.5.3_09 // 1109
ANZ_12 // 1110
ANZ_12_01 // 1111
ANZ_12_02 // 1112
ANZ_12_03 // 1113
ANZ_12_04 // 1114
410
GSEA_8.7.14
RV_01
AG10.5_03
ANZ_ZUB_03
// 1115
// 1117
// 1118
// 1120
ANZ_ZUB_04
F15.5_26
F15.5_27
V11.5.2.14_02
// 1121
// 1122
// 1123
// 1124
ANZ_ZUB_09
ANZ_ZUB_16
STG_01
STG_02
// 1126
// 1135
// 1137
// 1138
STG_03 // 1139
STG_04 // 1140
V_RV_09 // 1143
V_RV_10 // 1144
F_13 // 1149
ST_01 // 1152
PM_17 // 1153
GS_SCH_01 // 1154
411
GS_SCH_02 // 1155
PM_ZUB_14 // 1157
PM_ZUB_16 // 1158
PM_ZUB_17 // 1159
SCHG_1 // 1162
SCHG_2 // 1163
SCHG_3 // 1164
SS_03 // 1165
SS_04 // 1166
SS_05 // 1167
BS_01 // 1168
PM_ZUB_15 // 1170
SI_01 // 1171
SI_02 // 1172
SI_03 // 1173
SI_04 // 1174
DS_04 // 1177
P_04 // 1180
SV_06 // 1182
SV_01 // 1183
412
SV_05 // 1184
SV_07 // 1185
V11.5.3_08 // 1186
GS_MIX_01 // 1187
GS_MIX_02 // 1188
GS6.1.7_04 // 1192
GS6.1.8_04 // 1193
GS6.1.8_02 // 1194
GS6.1.8_03 // 1195
GS6.1.7_02 // 1196
GS6.1.7_03 // 1197
PM_EL_05 // 1198
VERT_VZU_01
VERT_VZU_02
VERT_VZU_03
VERT_DOS_02
// 1201
// 1202
// 1203
// 1207
VERT_VKB_01T
VERT_VKB_01
VERT_VKB_02
VERT_VKB_02.1
// 1210
// 1212
// 1213
// 1214
413
VERT_VKB_03
VERT_VKB_03.1
VERT_VKB_04
VERT_VKB_04.1
// 1215
// 1216
// 1217
// 1218
VERT_VKB_05
VERT_VKB_05.1
VERT_VPB_03
VERT_VPB_04
// 1219
// 1220
// 1221
// 1222
VERT_VPB_05
VERT_VPB_06
VERT_VPB_07
VERT_VPB_08
// 1223
// 1224
// 1225
// 1226
VERT_VPB_09
VERT_VPB_10
VERT_VPK_001
VERT_VPK_002
// 1227
// 1228
// 1231
// 1232
VERT_VPK_003
AG_02
VERT_VDR
VERT_VDR_02
// 1233
// 1235
// 1239
// 1240
414
VERT_VDR_03
VERT_VDR_04
VERT_VDR_05
VERT_VDR_06
// 1241
// 1242
// 1243
// 1244
VERT_VDR_10
VERT_VDR_12
VERT_VDR_14
VERT_VDR_ZUB_01
// 1245
// 1246
// 1247
// 1248
VERT_VDR_ZUB_02
VERT_VDR_ZUB_03
VE_DE_01
VE_DE_02
// 1249
// 1250
// 1251
// 1252
VE_DE_03
VE_DE_04
VERT_LEIST_2
VERT_LEIST_3
// 1253
// 1254
// 1261
// 1262
415
VERT_LEIST_4
VERT_LEIST_5
VERT_LEIST_6
VERT_LEIST_8
// 1263
// 1264
// 1265
// 1266
VERT_LEIST_10
VERT_VKB_06
VERT_VKB_06.1
VERT_VKB_07
// 1267
// 1271
// 1272
// 1273
VERT_VKB_07.1
VERT_VKB_08
VERT_VKB_08.1
VERT_VKB_09
// 1274
// 1275
// 1276
// 1277
VERT_VKB_09.1
VERT_VKB_10
VERT_VKB_10.1
// 1278
// 1279
// 1280
The following new symbols have been added to the HYD1ESS and
HYD2ESS symbol libraries:
GS7.1.7_04 // 212
416
V11.5.4_12 // 213
GS7.5.1_02 // 214
GS7.1.8_02 // 217
F15.1_07 // 219
AG10.1.1_03 // 307
AG10.1.1_02 // 308
AG10.5_02 // 326
Z14.1.2_17
Z14.1.3_17
V11.5.4.6_01
GSVA8.2xx_17
// 371
// 372
// 664
// 665
Z_ZUB_36 // 673
Z_ZUB_37 // 674
Z_ZUB_38 // 675
Z_ZUB_39 // 676
Z_ZUB_40 // 677
Z_ZUB_41 // 678
SV_006 // 681
SV_007 // 682
SV_008 // 683
SV_009 // 684
SV_010 // 685
SV_011 // 686
SV_012 // 687
SV_013 // 688
SV_014 // 689
SV_015 // 690
417
SV_016 // 691
SV_017 // 692
V7.1.5.3_03 // 695
V_BT_062 // 849
V_BT_063 // 850
V_BT_064 // 851
V_BT_065 // 852
AG10.1.2_04 // 856
V_BT_057 // 857
V_BT_056 // 859
V11.5.3_07 // 860
V_BT_069 // 869
V_BT_070 // 870
V_BT_049 // 890
V_BT_050 // 891
V_BT_051 // 892
V_BT_052 // 893
Z14.1.2_08_1 // 897
Z14.1.2_09_1 // 898
Z14.1.3_08_1 // 899
Z14.1.3_09_1 // 900
V7.1.2.43_51 // 939
SPIST_01 // 1090
SRLT_01 // 1091
418
SRLT_02 // 1092
SRLT_03 // 1093
SRLT_04 // 1094
SRLT_05 // 1095
SRLT_06 // 1096
SRLT_07 // 1097
SRLT_08 // 1098
SRLT_09 // 1099
SRLT_10
VERT_VKB_07.1
VERT_VKB_08
EA_BT_44
// 1100
// 1274
// 1275
// 1309
EA_BT_42 // 1310
EA_18 // 1311
EA_19 // 1312
EA_20 // 1313
EA_BT_43 // 1314
EA9.1.4_02 // 1321
EA9.1.4_03 // 1322
EA9.1.4_04 // 1323
EA_21
EA_DS_P_ANA
EA_DS_P_DIGIT
EA_DS_P_EL
// 1324
_3x3M // 1331
_3x3M // 1332
_3x3M // 1333
419
EA_DS_G_ANA
EA_DS_G_DIGIT
EA_DS_G_EL
EA_DS_F_ANA
_3x3M // 1334
_3x3M // 1335
_3x3M // 1336
_3x3M // 1337
EA_DS_F_DIGIT
EA_DS_F_EL
EA_DS_L_ANA
EA_DS_L_DIGIT
_3x3M // 1338
_3x3M // 1339
_3x3M // 1340
_3x3M // 1341
EA_DS_L_EL
EA_DS_S_ANA
EA_DS_S_DIGIT
EA_DS_S_EL
_3x3M // 1342
_3x3M // 1343
_3x3M // 1344
_3x3M // 1345
EA_DS_T_ANA
EA_DS_T_DIGIT
EA_DS_T_EL
EA_DS_W_ANA
_3x3M // 1346
_3x3M // 1347
_3x3M // 1348
_3x3M // 1349
EA_DS_W_DIGIT
EA_DS_W_EL
EA_Z_G_ANA
EA_Z_G_DIGIT
_3x3M // 1350
_3x3M // 1351
_3x3M // 1364
_3x3M // 1365
420
EA_Z_G_EL_3x3M
EA_Z_T_ANA_3x3M
EA_Z_T_DIGIT_3x3M
EA_Z_T_EL_3x3M
// 1366
// 1376
// 1377
// 1378
EA_G_ANA_3x3M
EA_G_DIGIT_3x3M
EA_G_EL_3x3M
EA_T_ANA_3x3M
// 1394
// 1395
// 1396
// 1406
EA_T_DIGIT_3x3M
EA_T_EL_3x3M
// 1407
// 1408
The following new symbols have been added to the PNE1ESS symbol
library:
GS7.1.7_04 // 212
V11.5.4_12 // 213
GS7.5.1_02 // 214
F15.3.1_03 // 215
F15.3.1_04 // 216
GS7.1.8_02 // 217
F15.1_06 // 218
PM13.5.24 // 261
421
AG10.1.1_03 // 307
AG10.1.1_02 // 308
AG10.5_02 // 326
Z14.1.2_17 // 371
Z14.1.3_17 // 372
V_BT_026 // 461
V_BT_019_X2 // 575
V_BT_046_X // 576
V_BT_047_X // 577
V7.1.2_33_08 // 657
Z_ZUB_36 // 673
Z_ZUB_37 // 674
Z_ZUB_38 // 675
Z_ZUB_39 // 676
Z_ZUB_40 // 677
Z_ZUB_41 // 678
SV_006 // 681
SV_007 // 682
SV_008 // 683
SV_009 // 684
SV_010 // 685
SV_011 // 686
SV_012 // 687
SV_013 // 688
422
SV_014 // 689
SV_015 // 690
SV_016 // 691
SV_017 // 692
V_BT_062 // 849
V_BT_063 // 850
V_BT_069 // 869
V_BT_070 // 870
SPIST_01 // 1090
SRLT_01 // 1091
SRLT_02 // 1092
SRLT_03 // 1093
SRLT_04 // 1094
SRLT_05 // 1095
SRLT_06 // 1096
SRLT_07 // 1097
SRLT_08
SRLT_09
SRLT_10
VERT_VKB_07.1
// 1098
// 1099
// 1100
// 1274
VERT_VKB_08
EA_BT_44
EA_BT_42
EA_18
// 1275
// 1309
// 1310
// 1311
423
EA_19 // 1312
EA_20 // 1313
EA_BT_43 // 1314
EA9.1.4_02 // 1321
EA9.1.4_03
EA9.1.4_04
EA_21
EA_DS_P_ANA_3x3M
// 1322
// 1323
// 1324
// 1331
EA_DS_P_DIGIT
EA_DS_P_EL
EA_DS_G_ANA
EA_DS_G_DIGIT
_3x3M // 1332
_3x3M // 1333
_3x3M // 1334
_3x3M // 1335
EA_DS_G_EL
EA_DS_F_ANA
EA_DS_F_DIGIT
EA_DS_F_EL
_3x3M // 1336
_3x3M // 1337
_3x3M // 1338
_3x3M // 1339
EA_DS_L_ANA
EA_DS_L_DIGIT
EA_DS_L_EL
EA_DS_S_ANA
_3x3M // 1340
_3x3M // 1341
_3x3M // 1342
_3x3M // 1343
424
EA_DS_S_DIGIT
EA_DS_S_EL
EA_DS_T_ANA
EA_DS_T_DIGIT
_3x3M // 1344
_3x3M // 1345
_3x3M // 1346
_3x3M // 1347
EA_DS_T_EL
EA_DS_W_ANA
EA_DS_W_DIGIT
EA_DS_W_EL
_3x3M // 1348
_3x3M // 1349
_3x3M // 1350
_3x3M // 1351
EA_Z_G_ANA
EA_Z_G_DIGIT
EA_Z_G_EL_3x3M
EA_Z_T_ANA_3x3M
_3x3M // 1364
_3x3M // 1365
// 1366
// 1376
EA_Z_T_DIGIT_3x3
EA_Z_T_EL_3x3M //
EA_G_ANA_3x3M //
EA_G_DIGIT_3x3M
M // 1377
1378
1394
// 1395
EA_G_EL_3x3M
EA_T_ANA_3x3M
EA_T_DIGIT_3x3M
EA_T_EL_3x3M
// 1396
// 1406
// 1407
// 1408
425
In the PPE_SYM symbol library, the function definition for the symbol
B73 // 73 ("Symbol name" // "Symbol number") has been changed
from "Analog temperature sensor, 2 connection points" to "Analog
sensor, general, 2 connection points".
Special symbol library
A new symbol for net definition points has been created in the
SPECIAL symbol library:
NDP // 312 // Net definition point (triangle)
NDP
A new symbol for potential definition points has been created in the
SPECIAL symbol library:
PDP2 // 313 // Potential definition point (triangle)
PDP2
426
PLHO
A new symbol for insulated wire terminations has been created in the
SPECIAL symbol library:
NCI // 100 // Wire termination, insulated
NCI
A new symbol for wire terminations that are not connected has been
created in the SPECIAL symbol library:
NC // 101 // Wire termination, not connected
NC
427
A new symbol for deleted objects has been created in the SPECIAL
symbol library:
DO // 300 // Deleted object
DO
ODP
CDPST
428
DCFP2OL2 // 59
DCPP3 // 408
DCPPJIC // 409
DCPPOJIC // 410
DCPPO // 411
D2DCP // 412
D3DCP // 413
D4DCP // 414
D2DCPFEM // 415
D3DCPFEM
D4DCPFEM
D2DCPJICFEM
D3DCPJICFEM
// 416
// 417
// 418
// 419
429
D4DCPJICFEM // 420
D2DCPM // 421
D3DCPM // 422
D4DCPM // 423
D2DCPJICM // 424
D3DCPJICM // 425
D4DCPJICM // 426
D2DCPNG // 427
D3DCPNG // 428
D4DCPNG // 429
D2DCPP3 // 430
D3DCPP3 // 431
D4DCPP3 // 432
D2DCPPJIC // 433
D3DCPPJIC // 434
D4DCPPJIC // 435
D2DCPPO // 436
D3DCPPO // 437
D4DCPPO // 438
D2DCPPOJIC // 439
430
D3DCPPOJIC // 440
D4DCPPOJIC // 441
S2DCP // 442
S3DCP // 443
S4DCP // 444
S2DCPFEM // 445
S3DCPFEM // 446
S4DCPFEM // 447
S2DCPJICFEM
S3DCPJICFEM
S4DCPJICFEM
S2DCPM
// 448
// 449
// 450
// 451
S3DCPM // 452
S4DCPM // 453
S2DCPJICM // 454
S3DCPJICM // 455
S4DCPJICM // 456
S2DCPNG // 457
S3DCPNG // 458
S4DCPNG // 459
S2DCPP3 // 460
S3DCPP3 // 461
S4DCPP3 // 462
S2DCPPJIC // 463
S3DCPPJIC // 464
S4DCPPJIC // 465
S2DCPPO // 466
S3DCPPO // 467
431
S4DCPPO // 468
S2DCPPOJIC // 469
S3DCPPOJIC // 470
S4DCPPOJIC // 471
In the SPECIAL symbol library, the width of several symbols for PCT
loops and PCT loop functions has been reduced to 10 mm. This
relates to the following symbols:
PID6 // 346 // PCT loop Process computer On-site
PID7 // 347 // PCT loop Process computer Measuring
station
PID8 // 348 // PCT
room
PID15 // 355 // PCT
On-site
PID16 // 356 // PCT
Measuring station
PID17 // 357 // PCT
Control room.
General
In the IEC_symbol, NFPA_symbol, GOST_symbol, and GB_symbol
symbol libraries, the appearance of contactor contact image symbol
variants has been changed in several symbols (change-over contacts
and contacts with delay). This relates to symbols with the number 3,
4, 5, 6, 270, 1011, 1012, 1013, 1057, 1058, 1059, 1060, 1061, 1062,
1063, 1106, 1107, 1126, 1127, 1128, 1129, 1130, 1131, 1132, and
1133.
432
listed below:
"Device connection point" group:
N device connection point
SH device connection point.
433
434
435
436
003017
437
A new filter scheme has been made available in the PLC navigator:
Address-oriented.
438
439
440
You will be redirected to your message. This will show you an overview
of your support query.
441
Validation Code
To use this new version of EPLAN, you need a new validation code. This
is provided on the delivery note sent with your storage medium. In addition, you can now have the option of retrieving the validation code via the
internet (see the following section).
442
This dialog opens when you start the application for the first time after
installation. Click the new [Retrieve online] button.
The Company name and Serial number are automatically entered into
the open Set validation code online dialog. This data is needed to retrieve the validation code successfully.
Up-to-date information
If you would like to receive information in the future (such as our eNewsletter), please select the I would like to receive further information
check box. EPLAN will then save your personal details (Name, Phone,
E-mail address, etc.).
Internet settings
The settings for the existing internet connection are adopted by default.
You can also use a proxy server as a network component via the
[Settings] button and the dialog that then opens. In this case, enter the
relevant data in the Address, Port fields, etc. Contact your administrator
for the relevant settings.
Returning the validation code
Click [Send] to send the encoded data to EPLAN. If your details are
already held by EPLAN and are valid, a validation code is created and
sent to the license dialog. Then start the application by clicking [OK].
443
444
445
Notes:
To update your company-specific master data in this case, perform a
synchronization of the system master data (see page 449).
If you install EPLAN 2.0 as another version of EPLAN, a dialog opens
when you start the program for the first time in which you can opt to
use the settings of the previous version. For more information on this,
see section "Automatically importing the settings of the previous
version" on page 448.
446
Example:
Following the installation of EPLAN Electric P8 with the default settings,
the directory structure for the forms described above would look something like this:
Directory for original EPLAN master data:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\
EPLAN\EPLAN Electric P8\2.0.5\Forms\EPLAN
Note:
Please note that to see the application data under Windows XP, you
must make the following settings in Windows Explorer: Select Tools >
Folder options. Open the View tab and in the Advanced settings field
look for the Hidden files and folders folder. Select the Show hidden
files and folders option here. The Application Data folder will now be
visible.
Windows Vista and Windows 7
Under the Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems, the original
EPLAN master data is stored in the following directory by default:
Anyone who uses this computer:
C:\ProgramData\EPLAN\<Program Variants>\<Version
Number>
447
Under the Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems, the system
master data is stored in the following directory by default:
Anyone who uses this computer:
C:\Users\Public\EPLAN
Note:
To see the protected program directory ProgramData, you must enter
%ProgramData% in the Windows Explorer address bar.
448
449
In the first two cases, the program displays a prompt asking you whether
synchronization should take place immediately. You have the following
options in this dialog:
If you select [User-defined], the master data is loaded, and the
Master data synchronization - system master data dialog opens.
You can then use this dialog to transfer specific EPLAN original
master data to specific targets.
If you select [Yes], the system master data will be synchronized
automatically. Old system master data will be overwritten and nonexistent system master data added.
If you select [No], you can resume your work without synchronizing.
Recommended data backup
A security warning is displayed at the same time as the Master data
synchronization - system master data dialog opens. This warning
reminds you that changes due to synchronization cannot be undone and
recommends that you back up your data beforehand.
Click [No] to exit master data synchronization and switch to data backup.
Click [Yes] to keep the dialog for master data synchronization open and
synchronize data without backing up your data beforehand.
Dialog for synchronizing system master data
Specify which master data is to be updated in your company-specific
directories in the Master data synchronization - system master data
dialog.
450
Directories:
You can select various directories for master data synchronization from
this drop-down list.
To be able to do this, you must first have saved these directory settings
as a scheme. This may be useful if you are using different master data
directories for different companies / customers. Click [...] to open the
Settings: Directories dialog and create a new scheme for the directories.
Source:
Select the source for the synchronization from this drop-down list. The
list contains all the installed program variants and add-ons, such as
"EPLAN Electric P8", "EPLAN Fluid Addon", and "EPLAN PPE add-on".
System master data / EPLAN master data:
The master data in the company-specific directories are displayed in the
table on the left. The original EPLAN master data is listed in the table on
the right. Click on the Status, Name, Type, or Modification date column
to sort the entries in the tables.
451
Filter:
Use this drop-down list to set the dialog for synchronizing the master
data so that only specific data is displayed. The following options are
available:
Show differences: When you select this filter, only master data that
exists both in the EPLAN master data for the selected source and in
the system master data in the specified directories and that has the
status "Older" or "Newer" is displayed.
System master data (older): When you select this filter, only master
data that is older than the corresponding EPLAN master data is
displayed in the System master data list.
EPLAN master data (older): When you select this filter, only master
data that is older than the corresponding system master data is
displayed in the EPLAN master data list.
Extensions: When you select this filter, only master data that does
not yet exist in the system master data ("Only in EPLAN master data"
status) is displayed in the EPLAN master data list.
System master data (older) and extensions: Select this filter to
display both system master data that is older than the corresponding
EPLAN master data, and the EPLAN master data that does not yet
exist in the system master data ("Only in EPLAN master data" status).
Select the Active check box to use the selected filter.
Synchronizing data
To transfer specific original EPLAN master data to a specific target, select the data in the EPLAN master data table on the right and click
(Move to the left).
A warning prompt is displayed to ensure you do not accidentally replace
a newer version of a list entry in your system master data with an older
one and you still have the option of canceling the update.
452
To update the system master data globally, use the menu items available
below the [Update] button:
System master data (older):
Replaces all outdated system master data with the latest EPLAN
master data.
Extensions:
Adds data that was previously only available in the EPLAN master
data to the system master data.
System master data (older) and extensions:
Replaces all outdated system master data with newer EPLAN master
data and adds data that are not yet available in the system master
data.
Synchronizing project master data
To be able to use the updated system master data in a specific project,
you must then synchronize the project master data for this project with
the system master data.
When the Synchronize project master data when opening project setting is enabled, the Project master data prompt is displayed whenever
you open an "outdated" project. This dialog now has the [User-defined]
button as well which is similar to the prompt for synchronizing system
master data. Use this button to open the dialog for synchronizing project
master data and to transfer specific master data to specific targets. Click
[Yes] to update the project master data automatically as previously.
If you wish to synchronize the project master data later, click [No]. The
menu items for this can be found under Utilities > Master data.
453
454
Notes:
Please note that the EPLAN platform may not be installed on servers
that run Back Office products from Microsoft (e.g. proxy servers, SQL,
Exchange, Active Directory) or other suppliers (e.g. Lotus Notes,
Linux servers, Novell servers).
Please also bear in mind that the EPLAN License Manager is not
approved for use with virtual operating systems.
455
456
Hardware Requirements
Workstation hardware requirements
The computer platform is a PC with an Intel Pentium 4 or compatible
processor.
Notes:
The introduction of the enhanced command set SSE2 (Streaming
SIMD Extensions 2) started with the Intel Pentium 4 in 2001. In the
case of AMD processors, this enhancement was introduced with the
Athlon 64 in 2005. If you use a computer system from Intel, the CPU
should be restored to 2002. In the case of AMD processors, the CPU
should be newer than 2005.
If you are using a processor that dates to before 2005, check whether
this processor supports SSE2 command sets. The "CPU-Z" program
allows you to do this. This program can be downloaded free of charge
from http://www.cpuid.com/.
It is preferable to choose a high speed dual-core computer rather than a
quad-core computer at the same price (i.e. a slower machine), as you
will get better performance from the EPLAN platform.
A high speed quad-core processor (which is therefore slightly more
expensive) is optimal since it also offers further potential for the future.
457
RAM:
4 GB
Hard disk:
160 GB
Monitor / graphics
resolution:
3D display:
1 Gbits/s
100 Mbits/s
< 1 ms
458
459
460