How do I change memory values offline?

[Mike Nash]

I seem to be missing the Memory Editor in Do-more Designer. Surely there is a way to edit values offline to be loaded later?

I've never been crazy about the Memory Editor in DirectSOFT, but I'm not even finding it in DMD.

I have found where I can make the values upload/download, but I need them to be preset before I ever go online (offsite development etc.)

This is a really necessary feature for a powerful PLC processor, so please tell me I am just not finding it!

[BobO]

The memory/type architecture of Do-more is so different from DL that the Memory Editor was going to have to be completely reworked. Rather than spend a bunch of time reworking a poor feature, we wanted to spend the time to create something better. We are currently developing a memory viewer that should satisfy the need quite nicely.

We might have placed a higher priority on providing an offline memory editor, but you are actually the first person I have had to request it.

As a temporary workaround, you could use the Memory Data Export/Import facility to create a data import file which can be edited in a text editor. Not ideal, but it could work.

[Mike Nash]

Well, the probable reason I am the first is that the previous series was not as well suited to drive systems control and that may have limited its use there. I did, but it was harder than with some of the well known PLC competitors. The Do-more is much more powerful than its predecessors so of course I am looking for the power to do this type of control more easily.

I am finding some quirks, but I am also finding many of the features that make this a pleasure to use.

I really do need to see a Rockwell, GE, Siemens, etc. -like capability here. The problem is customer support as I won't be able to make offline changes to send to them for download, etc. Never mind I am going to lose access to the PLC I am developing on so it can be installed in a 14' system enclosure and shipped before I can get finished.

(OK, OK! I know this blows the others away on cost, but I NEED it! )

As for the quirks, right now I am just working around them as I don't have the time to determine what's OS, vs hardware, etc., much less if it is reproducible... Sorry.

Though actually, if the I/O System window is open and there is a fault, the blinky behavior closes the pull-down menus (Tools, PLC, etc.) on me. Reproducible for sure.

[BobO]

In DmD 2.0, we'll be adding the edit/display option to the Memory Image Manager. You will be able to generate a memory image (initially online), and then view and modify the contents offline.

Once you have a memory image associated with a project, it can be downloaded as part of a normal project download, or can be incorporated into the DMLoader feature. Don't know what Siemens and AB offer, but DMLoader can completely update a controller in the field...including updating firmware. It was built specifically for OEMs, is quite powerful, and we are pretty proud of it.

[Mike Nash]

I need some input on how this works.

I started up a project and all was great. But now a couple of months later I try to check what a few memory values were set to and all I have is zeroes, which I absolutely know can't be right.

I have tried loading the project to a simulator, same issue. I have played with the simulator along with the Memory Image Manager and even though I am sure I have changed some values with a Data View window, written them to the simulator, and tried various instances of when and how I refresh they don't seem to be there. Then again, on another try, they are. So I just tried again and I don't have the values from the customer's PLC. I was under the impression that once the Memory Image Manager was invoked, the upload of actual values was going to be automatic on any save, but I guess not. Indeed, I just checked the Help files and it seems to be entirely up to me to invoke a Refresh each and every time.

With all that said, if it is set to automatically download the memory image, but I didn't explicitly refresh it before-hand, am I about to be over-writing good values with bad?

Also, without a processor to stick it back into, there is only the simulator and it doesn't yet support all of the hardware options so that has issues as well.

The alternative of exporting to CSV is, uh, painful, seeing as how I have to manually add each and every range.

So when is DMD 2.0 going to be here?

(BTW, I tried to open the dmd as an XML file to see if I could find the memory values. One lock-up and reboot later...)

Anyway, I just had our systems guy change another new job from D2-260 to H2-DM1E, so I certainly am not disgruntled. It would have been cool if it had RS-485 though since I have a bunch of drives to talk to.

[franji1]

if it is set to automatically download the memory image, but I didn't explicitly refresh it before-hand, am I about to be over-writing good values with bad?

Currently, that is the behavior.  We are planning to address this in the next release.

The alternative of exporting to CSV is, uh, painful, seeing as how I have to manually add each and every range.

Currently, this is the only other option (other than re-generating the Memory Image via the Memory Image Manager).

So when is DMD 2.0 going to be here?

It won't be called 2.0 but 1.4, because it will primarily be a Designer release (maybe some new firmware features - can't say).  In a few months, we hope.

(BTW, I tried to open the dmd as an XML file to see if I could find the memory values. One lock-up and reboot later...)

It's a binary file, not XML or any kind of ASCII.  Hence, your XML parser probably did not like it very much.  

Anyway, I just had our systems guy change another new job from D2-260 to H2-DM1E, so I certainly am not disgruntled. It would have been cool if it had RS-485 though since I have a bunch of drives to talk to.

RS-485 is available on the supported H2-SERIO-4 module.  Port C (the 3rd port) on that module is RS-485 (the other two are RS-232).

Glad to see you are liking Do-more.  Sorry about the lack of some functionality, but we are hard at work on fulfilling as many as we can!

[BobO]

So when is DMD 2.0 going to be here?

The original plan was not to release anything new prior to 2.0, which is significantly tied to hardware development <wink, wink>. Since hardware development always takes longer than hoped or planned, we are going to roll out a 1.4 release with some nice improvements. The feature that allows display and editing of the Memory Image Manager image content will be included in that release.

If there are any other 'quirks' you'd like to see us address, now would be an awesome time to let us know. We may not be able to address them, but we are happy to to look at them.

[Mike Nash]

Thank you gentlemen. I look forward to 1.4 then.

The add'l $176 plus open available slot pains the cheapskate in me. (Though it is $40 less than a 260 and ECOM100 combo.)

But how does the H2-SERIO-4 compare in speed to the native DM1E serial port for Modbus RTU?

I would like to see a check box for the memory export to just export everything. It's easier (for me) to hack and slash in the spreadsheet than fill in the tables.

I would still like to see a spreadsheet-like memory content monitor/editor. Rockwell's is not perfect, but it is nice enough. GE went the wrong way with theirs in the later versions.

As for quirks, there is just something about the Find window that leaves me wishing for something a little different, but offhand I'm not sure what precisely.

Something that I've run into, and probably already mentioned, is the tendency for the USB port programming to lock DMD up if the PLC power is cycled while connected. I have to kill DMD in Task Manager and restart (WinXP). I have not yet checked what happens if using ethernet.

For sure, I hope to someday see the simulator merrily accepting any configuration download we can have in the real world even if doesn't initially actually DO anything. (CTRIO or ECOM100 e.g.) This would allow easier download without having to hack and slash the config.

I'll play around some more and see what I see. It's been about 6 weeks since I really dove in last and I was short on time for making notes.

[BobO]

The add'l $176 plus open available slot pains the cheapskate in me. (Though it is $40 less than a 260 and ECOM100 combo.)

We speak cheapskate...you'll like the hardware development I referenced.

But how does the H2-SERIO-4 compare in speed to the native DM1E serial port for Modbus RTU?

Supports up to 115200. Doubt you can tell the difference.

I would still like to see a spreadsheet-like memory content monitor/editor. Rockwell's is not perfect, but it is nice enough. GE went the wrong way with theirs in the later versions.

This is one of the major features for 1.4.

[franji1]

As for quirks, there is just something about the Find window that leaves me wishing for something a little different, but offhand I'm not sure what precisely.

Yeah, it's not your father's Find dialog.  Code-block modularity, casting, and other additional features have added to the UI complexity.  The default settings just require you to enter an element or an instruction and hit the Next or Previous button, BUT, if you want to limit the scope of the element, the scope of the code, or the scope of how the element is used inside an instruction, you have those available options.  But those are all optional.

We could probably implement a More>> <<Less button concept and be able to hide a lot of that complexity.

Next time you use it, make note of any feedback that would make it more helpful to use, and then post it here.

[Controls Guy]

The original plan was not to release anything new prior to 2.0, which is significantly tied to hardware development <wink, wink>. Since hardware development always takes longer than hoped or planned, we are going to roll out a 1.4 release with some nice improvements. The feature that allows display and editing of the Memory Image Manager image content will be included in that release.

Is this an online editable memory table view, or if not, will one be included in v1.4?  That and heterogenous user-defined types are probably the top of my wish list at the moment.

[Controls Guy]

The default settings just require you to enter an element or an instruction and hit the Next or Previous button, BUT, if you want to limit the scope of the element, the scope of the code, or the scope of how the element is used inside an instruction, you have those available options.  But those are all optional.

Really nice tool!  I often limit on input vs output for the searched element.  Inline Xref is good that way too.  My previous gripes about the Xref window are still in effect.

[Controls Guy]

The add'l $176 plus open available slot pains the cheapskate in me. (Though it is $40 less than a 260 and ECOM100 combo.)

Then use the built-in RS232 port with an 232-485 converter.  Mildly kludgey, but weigh it against all the benefits of Do-More.   

[BobO]

The original plan was not to release anything new prior to 2.0, which is significantly tied to hardware development <wink, wink>. Since hardware development always takes longer than hoped or planned, we are going to roll out a 1.4 release with some nice improvements. The feature that allows display and editing of the Memory Image Manager image content will be included in that release.

Is this an online editable memory table view, or if not, will one be included in v1.4?  That and heterogenous user-defined types are probably the top of my wish list at the moment.

Yes. And if you must know, we added because you asked for it.

User data types will be in 2.0.

[Controls Guy]

Yes. And if you must know, we added because you asked for it.

Woo hoo!  My good dead for the year is done!   

Seriously, that's going to be SO helpful to so many of us who are used to having it in various brands.  Thank you!