Always show these defaults

[Henryp]

Is it possible to setup Directsoft 5 (editing the DS500ini file?)  so that when it opens any and all of my projects it will always show pause bits, override bits, elements and nicknames as a default? 

[franji1]

I assume you are talking about Data Views?  On EXISTING Data Views, you have to open them all up, bring up Data View's options dialog, tweak the settings, then in the Apply options to checkbox, check All Open Views and New Views, oh and Current View (for the case where there is only 1 Data View).

By checking New Views, you won't have to do this again for any new ones you create.

See the attached screen shot for the 1000 word explanation.

[b_carlton]

I think he's asking if a setting can be made so that any new view, even one in a totally new program, comes up with the default features he listed. That's why he suggested in an '.ini' file, so that it would be the default action in all cases.

[franji1]

I think he's asking if a setting can be made so that any new view, even one in a totally new program, comes up with the default features he listed. That's why he suggested in an '.ini' file, so that it would be the default action in all cases.

Yes you can - check the Apply to New Views in Data View's Options dialog and those settings will be the default for all new Data Views.

[BobO]

How does that affect existing project workspaces, Mark? I would assume that anything stored with the project retains the setting it was at time of creation. No good way to override that automatically, but to do so would be to invalidate the entire justification of storing settings with the project.

[franji1]

How does that affect existing project workspaces, Mark? I would assume that anything stored with the project retains the setting it was at time of creation. No good way to override that automatically, but to do so would be to invalidate the entire justification of storing settings with the project.

Yes.  That's why you have to open up all the Data Views (across all projects) and use the Apply to All Open Views and Current View (in case there is only 1 Data View for that project).

There are two things that must be done.  For dealing with existing ones, you must open them all up and use the Apply to All Open Views and Current View.  Secondly, check the Apply to All New Views for all future ones so you never have to do this again.

[franji1]

I just checked how SAVED Data View files (.DTA) work.  They store the options in the .DTA file.  So if the Data View is .DTA file based, you will also need to SAVE it (not sure of DS prompts you - it probably only prompts you if the CONTENT changed, not if the OPTIONs changed, so remember to SAVE each hard .DTA Data View file if they are stored that way).

If you just have Data View contents stored with the project's workspace (i.e. when you have not explicitly saved a Data View to a .DTA file), then the options get saved with project's workspace automagically.  This is the typical case.

[Henryp]

We have about 175 PLCs in service with our district. I don't want to have to open every program individually and set the data view options. I would like to automatically default to my pre-selected data view options but it sounds like this may not be possible.

BTW Directsoft programming software was what sold me on Automation Direct.

[franji1]

but it sounds like this may not be possible.

That is correct.  Sorry.

BTW Directsoft programming software was what sold me on Automation Direct.

Thank you!  Have you tried Do-more Designer?  It's free and comes with a free Do-more PLC Simulator.  The source code was based on DirectSOFT, but since we also wrote the Do-more PLC firmware, there are a lot of additional features (e.g. storing the element and ladder documentation in the PLC).

[Henryp]

We have started to migrate over to the Do-more platform.  The built in communication ports and associated ladder is so nice.  I have done two DL replacements and have two Do more units powered up and burning in on the network. They will be used to feed chemicals at our water treatment plant.  So can the Do-more designer be setup to automatically default to my pre-selected data view options?

[franji1]

So can the Do-more designer be setup to automatically default to my pre-selected data view options?

Do-more does not use Pause bits nor Override bits, so those options are not even available in Do-more's Data View.

[BobO]

So can the Do-more designer be setup to automatically default to my pre-selected data view options?

Yes, for the fields that Do-more supports. Just change the settings in Options, and select 'New Views'.

Just figured out who you are Henry. You guys do have lots of hardware, and I very much appreciate your feedback and thoughts on Do-more and where we are taking this. Please stay in touch...and look for the new doc feature in the next release. Love to give you a good reason to swap as much of that existing hardware over to Do-more as possible.