Author: Ethan Wilke

PLC WorkShop Suite for 505 V5.10 Release

FasTrak SoftWorks, Inc. is committed to the long-term development, service, and support of programming software for Simatic 505 and CTI 2500 Series PLCs. Our commitment includes the release of new product versions, the continued development of PLC WorkShop for 505, continued improvement to the CTI 2500 Series line of PLCs beyond the capability of the the original Siemens 505 PLCs, and an experienced technical support staff. We are pleased to announce the release of PLC WorkShop Suite for 505 V5.10 incorporating:

  • Ability to print in color
  • Other performance improvements

With the full benefit of offline program simulation and the security of version control, PLC WorkShop Suite for 505 provides the tools and support you need to preserve your 505 programs, extend the 505 platform for years to come, and maintain production uptime.

View release details

FTVersionTrak for APT v2.0.0 Release Notes

Features

  • Integration with FTSolution
    • Solutions can be unbound from repositories.
  • Scheduled Tasks
    • More detail is included in the Scheduled Task report.
  • SQL Server
    • Added support for SQL Server 2014 and 2016.
  • Version Control Operations
    • File history can be extracted from history to a local file system working directory.

Solutions

  • File System Operations
    • Improved support to destroy folders.
    • Folders can be created when multiple instances of FTVersionTrak are running on the same computer.
  • Integration with FTSolution
    • Check in operation supports check out fields that are required but hidden when the Show Check In Options on the Tools menu is unchecked.
    • Projects or units that are renamed in FTSolution are also renamed in FTVersionTrak Repositories.
    • Renamed SFCs in FTSolution retain their original diagrams and code-behind logic in FTVersionTrak repositories.
    • Renamed CFCs in FTSolution retain their original diagrams and code-behind logic in FTVersionTrak repositories.
    • Renaming SFCs with the name of a previously deleted SFC is allowed.
    • Renaming a project or unit in FTSolution, when the Disable Rename Repository File When Working Offline option is selected, is allowed.
    • Renaming a solution in FTSolution is allowed.
    • Checking in a renamed Solution displays the Check In dialog.
    • When binding a solution without specifying a working directory, a working directory is automatically assigned and version control operations are available.
  • Multiple File Units
    • Electronic signatures for folders is supported.
    • Directory units are correctly checked back into their original folders.
  •  Reports
    • The number of reports that can be generated for a solution is now unlimited.
  • Repository Security
    • The security privileges to create and view file version states have been coordinated.
    • Adding administrator and power editor users to SQL repositories is not limited.
  • Scheduled Tasks
    • Users can stop any scheduled task that they create.
  • SQL Server
    • Repositories can be created under SQL 2014 and SQL 2016.
    • Browsing for repositories created with SQL 2014 and SQL 2016 is supported in 64-bit operating systems.
  • Version Control Operations
    • Labeling folders is supported.
    • The Sign In dialog remains open if an incorrect username/password combination is entered which allows another combination to be entered.
    • When performing a recursive check out on a folder, the warning about overwriting files in the working folder appears only for files that are not already checked out.
    • Changes to the Require All Signatures setting are retained.
    • The Checkout Results dialog appears after check out operations, regardless of whether local working copies are overwritten or retained.
    • Clearer notification is provided when attempting to edit comments in previously destroyed file versions.

FTSolution for APT v2.1.1 Release Notes

Solutions

  • Debug
    • EXTENDED extension of a Cylinder Device is now displayed correctly in Debug Mode, in Monitor: the name has been changed from EXTENDEND to EXTENDED, and the displayed value of this extension is no longer blank.
    • In Monitor, object extensions that have not been assigned PLC addresses are no longer displayed in the Monitor.
    • Value of CMMD extension of a VSD Valve is now available on monitor in Debug Mode.
    • IIN (unscaled raw WX) extension of a PID is now displayed on Monitor in Debug Mode.
    • REQUEST extensions (Open, Close, Lock, Unlock, Start, Stop, Hold, Continue, Extend, Retract ) have been added to Monitors of Devices.
    • Fixed ‘Unable to cast object type’ error on attempt a Compile/Download/Enter Debug/Exit Debug command when the currently selected item in Solution Explorer is located within a unit.
  • Full Download
    • Download errors generated from a previous attempt to download are now cleared off by the following successful download.
  • Incremental Compile
    • Incremental compile of a program is no longer allowed unless the user has previously downloaded the full compile of the program.
  •  PCS
    • PCS tag description is now the default description of the tagged object.
  •  Report
    • Download report now includes the information regarding PLC transitioning to Edit/Run mode.
  • Solutions Management
    • An existing project or unit can no longer be added to a unit.
    • Fixed the error of compile/download generated files reported missing from the project after they have been regenerated by a compile/download.
    • Fixed misspelling in warning shown when renaming currently open in editor new SFC/CFC.
    • Compile, Debug, and Download commands are now available on Unit items in Solution Explorer.
    • Fixed failure to load a project when the object file was corrupt or when the project was compiled using a version prior to 1.1.0. The problem exhibited as a project unavailable in Solution Explorer between versions 1.3.6 through 2.1.0, with a possible crash in version 2.1.0.

FTSolution for APT V2.1.1 Release

FasTrak SoftWorks, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of FTSolution for APT V2.1.1. A direct replacement for Siemens-obsoleted DOS APT software, FTSolution for APT extends the life of Siemens or CTI 2500 Series PLCs and APT programs with a complete line of software products and services:

  • Microsoft Windows-based APT replacement
  • PLC hardware debugger
  • Offline PLC program simulator
  • Program version control manager
  • Extensive start-up assistance
  • On- or off-site training classes
  • Personalized technical support

FTSolution for APT V2.1.1 incorporates:

  • 4 new reports including:
    • I/O Symbol Table
    • Device Table
    • Declarations Table
    • Recipes Table
  • An update to the Download report to include any change of the CPU operational mode while downloading a project
  • A new setting in the Configuration Editor that will automatically create a Hardware Debugger file when a project is compiled
  • A progress bar that indicates the progress of the solution being loaded
  • Automatic loading of the last-opened solution when FTSolution is launched
  • Other performance improvements

View release details

Purchase FTSolution for APT to take full advantage of this, and future, enhancements. Purchase includes a warranty offering 12 months of free updates and technical support.

FTVersionTrak V2.0.0 Release

FasTrak SoftWorks, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of FTVersionTrak V2.0.0.

Designed with the industrial user in mind, FTVersionTrak secures the files essential to your manufacturing or business process, safeguarding them from unauthorized access, accidental deletion, or loss. FTVersionTrak makes it easy to:

  • Streamline file managment
  • Simply file sharing
  • Easily control file access and track changes
  • Quickly indentify differences between PLC programs
  • Automatically back up PLC program files

New in FTVersionTrak V2.0.0:

  • Support for SQL Server 2014 and 2016
  • Expanded information in the Scheduled Task report
  • Ability to extract the history of a file from a repository to a local directory
  • Ability to extract the history of a range of file versions from a repository to a local directory
  • Other performance improvements

View release details

FTVersionTrak protects your vital PLC ladder programs and integrates version control into your programming and troubleshooting practices.

FTSolution for APT v2.1.0 Release Notes

Features

  • Added four new reports including:
    • I/O Symbol Table – lists the I/O Symbol Names and the direct addresses to which they are assigned
    • Device Table – lists Device names, types, and descriptions
    • Declarations Table – lists Declarations, their type, descriptions, and direct addresses if they are assigned
    • Recipes Table – lists Recipes by name, and the Recipe Templates from which they are derived
  • A new setting in the Configuration Editor automatically creates a Hardware Debugger file when a Project is compiled. If desired, this default setting can be overridden at the time of compilation.
  • Any change of the CPU operational mode while downloading a Project is identified in the Download Report. This listing documents actions such as stopping the processor to accept a forced compile of a Project.
  • A progress bar has been added to indicate the progress of the solution being loaded.
  • The last-opened Solution automatically loads the next time FTSolution is launched.

Solutions

  • Cross Reference
    • Application no longer crashes when user repeatedly presses Find button without waiting for the result of finding cross references to show up.
    • User can now cancel Find Cross References operation.
  •  Report
    • Cross References report is no longer added to the project Reports folder, whether it was generated for the Cross References search in Program-Level, or unit level. With this fix, if user selects to search for Cross References in the entire program (Program-Level option of Look in control of Cross References window), and chooses to generate a report for the search results – the report will be added under project Report folder. If, however, user selects to search for Cross References in a specific unit and chooses to generate a report for the search results – the report will be added under the unit Report folder.
    • With this fix, a Report node for a report file overriding a report with the same name that exists locally, but was excluded from the project, is no longer added under a Miscellaneous folder node. It is now added to the appropriate Report folder node (program/unit).

FTVersionTrak for APT v1.9.4 Release Notes

Solutions

  • Compare FTSolution for APT Files
    • Subroutine Parameter comparisons are displayed with improved custom color options.
  • Integration with FTSolution for APT
    • The Get, Undo, Check In, and Check Out operations can be performed on groups of user-selected files.
    • Solutions that include Miscellaneous Folders are fully supported.
    • Check In and Check Out dialogs appear when required fields are specified.
  • File System Operations
    • Working Directories that are mapped to subfolders are fully supported.
  • Repository Options
    • Formatted Templates are now more clearly identified.
  • Repository Search
    • Searches can be performed in Repositories that contain thousands of folders.
  • Scheduled Tasks
    • Scheduled Tasks are now removed in a safer two-step Delete-then-Destroy process.
    • Passwords longer than 15 characters are now supported.
    • Scheduled tasks that are Deleted but not yet Destroyed cannot be renamed.
    • New Tasks replace Deleted Tasks when given the same name.
    • Clearer notifications are generated for Scheduled Tasks when there are no differences between the most recent file version and the PLC program.
    • Any existing Scheduled Task settings can be revised.
  • User Interface
    • The Activity Log now uses a Progress Bar to indicate the status of the report preparation.
    • The Search feature provides a more responsive Progress Bar that indicates the status of the operation.
    • Opening Repositories now displays a more responsive Progress Bar that indicates the status of the operation.

FTVersionTrak for APT v1.9.3 Release Notes

Solutions

  • Connection
    • A single verification is required when declining to update Repositories created by previous releases of FTVersionTrak.
  • Files System Operations
    • Root directories can be set as Working Directories for folders.
    • Each Repository folder and subfolder can be assigned unique working directories.
  • Integration with FTSolution
    • New files added to a Solution remain are not automatically checked out after they are checked in.
    • New files can be bound to a Solution into folders that were originally empty.
    • Multiple performance improvements were made to responsiveness of the FTVersionTrak toolbar, and when binding Solutions to Repositories.
    • The correct number of files is reported in the Repository Properties.
    • Items that are deleted but not destroyed cannot be renamed.
    • Checked out files are automatically checked in when binding a Solution to another Repository.
    • Read/Write status is restored to files in Solutions that are unbound from Repositories.
    • New files now can be directly added to Repositories and checked in.
      Repositories can be configured to require entry of Folder Comments when any new folders are added.
    • Properties can be viewed when comparing Projects.
    • Checking in files to a Solution that was deleted from its Repository restores the Solution to the Repository.
    • Check Out Comments can be displayed for any item, including Solutions, Projects, and Units.
    • The Refresh feature in FTVersionTrak correctly displays recently added Solutions from FTSolution for APT.
    • Repository Properties window properly closes.
    • Required Comment field message wording is clarified.
    • When configured, signatures are required for Properties and Comments only when they are edited.
    • Solutions must be rebounded to or unbounded from its Repository if the Solution was deleted from its Repository it was open in FTSolution.
    • The file status of checked-in Subroutines is now set to “Current”.
  • Repository Options
    • Folder history is now retained after the Activity Log is purged.
    • Activity Log entries can be purged, and the number of days to keep log entries can be adjusted without causing deletion errors.
    • When configured, users must enter a comment when checking in files.
    • The Comment field in the label dialog is resizable.
  • Repository Security
    • When configured, a signature is required when revising Repository group owners.
  • Scheduled Tasks
    • Successfully executed Scheduled Tasks are reported correctly.
    • When configured, Scheduled Tasks that detect no differences between the current PLC program and its most recent file in the Repository will email appropriate message.
  • Version Control Operations
    • Electronic signatures are accepted when checking out folders.
    • Electronic signatures are not required when viewing unedited comments.
    • Dialog that confirms deleted or destroyed files closes automatically.
    • A warning dialog appears when checking out a file that will be copied over an edited working copy.

FTSolution for APT v2.0.1 Release Notes

Solutions

  • Compile Report
    • Fixed incorrectly reported count of Y addresses used as CR (when none was used) in summary of memory requirements of Compile Report.
  • Configuration Editor
    • Fixed incorrect errors displayed in the Configuration Editor regarding non-Retentive and Retentive Reserved Locations. The errors now display the correct non-Retentive and Retentive Reserved Locations allowed ranges.
  • Cross Reference
    • Search for references to all symbols (“*”) no longer results in crash in a large program.
    • Cross Reference no longer displays the full local file path of the project file containing the reference. The project relative path will now be displayed.
  • Declaration Editor
    • Previously, renaming a Declaration file and adding a Declaration would cause “The operation could not be completed. The parameter is incorrect.” error on the save of the Declaration file. Once the file was reopened, the added Declaration wouldn’t be in the file, and a Declaration with the same name could not be re-added. This release corrects this behavior such that renaming a Declaration file followed by adding a declaration and saving the renamed file will complete without error and without the added declaration going missing.
  • Full Compile
    • Subroutine recursive calls exceeding 4 levels deep is no longer allowed, consistent with APT. If recursive calls deeper than 4 levels is detected, the (incremental or full) compilation will fail with an error message.
    • User is no longer required to have at least one reserved location from non-retentive C addresses in order to set user-assigned address for Boolean for Retentive C.
    • User will no longer get Potential PCS\PLC Mismatch warning whenever compiling a program with a user-assigned tagged Declaration unless the address of the PCS Tag has changed from the last compile.
  • Incremental Compile
    • When the program was downloaded incrementally after it had been compiled incrementally more than once since the last download, the order of the downloaded commands required the PLC switch between Edit and Run multiple times. Incremental download commands generated by an Incremental Compile are now optimized to avoid multiple PLC transitions from Run to Edit and Edit to Run.
    • Incremental Compile no longer fails when a unit is renamed.
    • Incremental compile validation will no longer fail with error “Conflict between Y and CRs: unable to do an incremental compile” when Y addresses have not been allocated as CR addresses.
  • Incremental Download
    • Fixed “Unknown network error (Cannot Display Network)” when downloading to the 505 simulator.
  •  Report
    • Download Reports now include Communication Type (TCP/IP address or COM port number) information.
    • When generating multiple Cross Reference reports from the same open Cross Reference window, Cross Reference report files were added under the Miscellaneous Files solution folder, instead of adding those files under the project’s Report folder. This release fixes this behavior by adding Cross Reference report files under the projects Report folder.
    • Fixed an error of Boolean type shown in Address-to-Symbol and Symbol-to-Address reports shown as Bool, as well as Boolean. It will show as Bool from now on.
    • The user was not given the option to provide a different filename for a report after being alerted that a file with the same name exists and they decline overriding the existing file. This release fixes this behavior by keeping the Select Report(s) To Generate dialog open, to allow the user to provide a different report filename.
  • Solutions Management
    • Commands for Compile, Download, Debug and Exit Debug were only available if a Project node or Compile node was selected in Solution Explorer. These commands are now available regardless of which project node is selected.
    • Compiler-generated file, CompiledPCSTags, is no longer shown on the solution tree.
  • Version Control Integration
    • Check In of a Declaration table file no longer results in Check Out of a Solution file.
    • Adding an I/O symbol in the I/O Module Editor required the user to manually Check Out the I/O Symbols file. This release adds support to automatically check out and update the I/O Symbols file when adding an I/O symbol in I/O Module Editor.
    • Changes to Process Groups required the user to manually check out the Process Groups file. This release adds support to automatically check out the Process Groups file whenever Process Groups are edited.
    • Changes to communication setup required the user to manually check out the Communication Setup file. This release adds support to automatically check out the Communication Setup file whenever this file edited.
    • Changes to the Object File Report required the user to manually Check Out the Object File Report. This release adds support to automatically check out the Object File Report upon making changes to it by the compiler.
    • Changes to the Download Report required the user to manually Check Out the Download Report. Changes to the Cross Reference Report required the user to manually Check Out the Cross Reference Report. This release adds support to automatically check out the Download Report Report and/or the Cross Reference Report upon making changes to either file.

FTSolution for APT v2.0.0 Release Notes

Features

  • Five object code reports are available after successful project compilation. These reports include:
    • Address to Symbol report alphabetically lists all used direct addresses with their associated Symbol, Symbol Type, and project scope.
    • Symbol to Address report alphabetically lists all Symbols with their associated direct address and Symbol Type grouped by project scope.
    • SFC Cross Reference report lists the main SFC with its related safe-state and subordinate SFCs.
    • SFC Steps and Transitions report lists all Steps and Transitions, with their associated direct control relay addresses.
    • SFC/CFC Math report lists all SFC and CFC Math blocks, with their corresponding addresses and related Special Function programs.

Solutions

  • Application Interface
    • Find Address operation used to be disabled unless the Project is selected. In this software release, Find Address context menu and toolbar options are available to user upon selecting any file or folder within a project.
    • Renaming Communication Setup file is not allowed. However, in prior software releases, renaming Communication Setup file was enabled, but failed without any message to the user. In current software release, renaming Communication Setup file is disabled.
    • For FTSolution files that can be renamed, if the new name included a hyphen or a space, the renaming would fail with no message to the user. In current software release, user is allowed to include spaces and/or hyphens in the new file names.
    • Renaming 505 IO Modules file is not allowed. However, in prior software releases, renaming 505 IO Modules file was enabled, but failed without any message to the user. In current software release, renaming 505 IO Modules file is disabled.
  • CFC Designer
    • Removed Maximum Deviation setting from High, Low and Median Select CFC commands. This setting is not available on these commands.
  • Compile Report
    • Incremental Compile Report now indicates for which incremental compile version it has been generated: “Report generated for compile version #…”
  • Cross Reference
    • Fixed “Sequence contains no elements” compiler error when user attempts to search for cross references in a project that has not been configured yet.
    • Fixed “Sequence contains no elements” compiler error when user attempts to search for cross references in a project that has not been compiled yet.
  • Full Compile
    • Fixed the error of Install.tag missing recipe tags, when generated by Compile with Translate option set to Yes.
    • Using a unit extension when the unit is not included in compile will now generate a compilation error instead of stopping the compile with a fatal error.
    • Fixed an error of Low Select CFC command having an invalid .OUT extension when the output of Low Select is an Analog Output.
    • Removed unused SFS(s) created for an Inswitch Select which only needs an RLL Subroutine.
    • Fixed mismatch between declared array size and the number of array values generated. This mismatch was causing a fatal internal compiler error in prior releases.
    • In full compile, update addresses of PCS-tagged objects if the reserved locations have changed. At the start of the compile, user is warned that translated addresses will be changed. Upon successful compilation, this warning is also written to the compile report.
    • Improved HMI read efficiency by allocating addresses of aliases of tagged objects extensions before non-tagged extensions.
    • Fixed “Out of Retentive CRs” error when doing a full compile of a project.
    • Fixed “Could not find file …\Compile.arpt” compile error.
  • Full Download
    • Removed link to Validation Services.
  • Incremental Compile
    • Create Hardware Debugger File build option, previously only enabled for full compile, is now available for incremental compile.
    • Fixed the error of running out of timers/counters on incremental compile.
    • Deleting an object after compiling, and then adding a new object with the same name as object that has been deleted in the same scope no longer generates an internal compiler error on incremental compile.
    • Fixed an error of incremental compile running infinitely when the number of networks in the program is exceedingly large (in the program in which the defect was found – over 71K).
    • Fixed an error in downloading the wrong opcodes for the new or modified CFC commands.
    • Deleting the most recent incremental object file no longer causes a fatal internal compiler error.
  •  PCS
    • When High Select CFB is marked for PCS tagging, extensions .IN1 and .OUTPUT are now available for marking and are no longer missing.
  • Profibus I/O
    • Fixed error of “Freeze/Sync” and “Lock/Unlock” bits being swapped in the slave parameter byte in the Profibus configuration sent to the CPU.
  • Recipe Template Editor
    • Cross References now can be launched when a Recipe Template is selected. In previous software version, when a Recipe Template was selected, selecting Cross References from a toolbar or a context menu option had no effect.
  • Solutions Management
    • Fixed the “Object reference not set to an instance of an object” error when trying to open a program in software version 1.3.6 that was compiled in software version prior to 1.3.6.
    • Fixed an error of being unable of open a project if the object file has been deleted outside the FTSolution IDE.
  • Version Control Integration
    • Fixed “Write access to object file denied” error on successful download, if the program is controlled by FTVersionTrak repository and an object file is checked in prior to the download operation.
    • Downloaded Program file Object.adpo is no longer generated by successful download, nor is it tracked by a repository.

FTVersionTrak for APT v1.9.2 Release Notes

Solutions

  • Compare FTSolution Files
    • Subroutine, CFC, and SFC comparisons are improved.
    • Complete repository file paths and version numbers are displayed when comparing repository files.
    • Differences in Subroutine parameter headers are highlighted to improve their visibility.
    • The result messages are clarified when comparing empty Subroutines.
    • Using the filter settings to compare Identical, Different, First In, and Second In files no longer clears data from the displayed results.
    • Differences in Subroutine code behind logic are correctly compared and displayed.
  • Integration with FTSolution
    • Units are deleted from the repository when they are deleted from within FTSolution.
    • Multiple versions of Install.tag files are now correctly compared.
      Every file within an FTSolution object is correctly checked in as individual files.
    • Object files that are created after full compilations are not edited after subsequent incremental compiles.
    • Object files that are created after incremental compilations are correctly checked in as files within their project.
    • The multiple files within Subroutines are now correctly compared.
      Correct check-in dates are recorded when multiple Subroutine files are checked in.
    • Binding solutions to repositories is streamlined, requiring less user interaction.
    • Folders containing new files can be checked in separately without requiring the entire project to be checked in.
  • Version Control Operations
    •  New local folders into which working copies of checked-out files are placed can be created during check out.

FTSolution for APT v1.3.6 SP1 Release Notes

Solutions

  • Fixed “Object reference not set to an instance of an object” error. This error occurred when user compiled a program in software version 1.3.4 and attempted to open it in software version 1.3.6.

FTSolution for APT v1.3.6 Release Notes

Solutions

  • Cross Reference
    • Fixed error of showing a reference to user-assigned PLC Address of a declaration that used to have user-assigned PLC Address but has been changed since to use Automatic PLC addressing.
    • Fixed misspelled name of Module Address setting to Thermocouple.
  • Declaration Editor
    • Y addresses cannot be reserved. The software no longer allows using Y addresses as reserved address of a Flag declaration.
  • Full Compile
    • Fixed an error of Compile Report not showing all the units included in compile.
    • Fixed internal (“Object reference not set to an instance of an object”) compiler error for installations that use Dutch Netherlands Language regional setting.
    • Fixed errors in reserving PCS addresses causing some PCS reserved addresses to be overwritten.
    • Fixed error reserving insufficient amount of user-assigned memory causing addresses to be overwritten.
    • Fixed error of Install/Append PCS tag files missing tags of objects in program units.
    • When user increases Reserved Locations, the addresses of PCS tagged objects will change. Added Compile Report warning that notifies user in case of increased Reserved Locations that PCS Tag addresses have been changed.
    • Added a warning to the user that software versions earlier than 1.3.6 will no longer be able to download object files created by software version 1.3.6 or greater.
    • Due to above fixes to calculations of user-reserved locations and compiler-reserved locations for PCS tags, checks were added to prevent download and/or incremental compile of the programs that may have erroneous address calculations. If a program has been compiled in a software version 1.3.5 or earlier, and it has PCS tags or user-reserved locations, then:
      • The user will get a warning recommending a full compile every time the user opens the solution containing such program, until the program is fully compiled in software version 1.3.6 or greater.
      • The user will be prevented from downloading such program and will get an error requesting full compile.
      • If the user attempts to incrementally compile such program, the compile will fail and the user will get an error requesting full compile.

The errors and the warnings will no longer appear once the program has been successfully recompiled fully.

  • Full Download
    • Fixed the internal (“Specified argument was out of range of valid values”) error when attempting to download in a software version earlier than 1.3.6 a program that has been compiled in a software version 1.3.6 or greater.
    • Fixed internal (“Object reference not set to an instance of an object”) error when downloading in software version 1.3.6 a program that has been compiled in software version earlier than 1.3.6.
  • Incremental Compile
    • Fixed internal (“Unable to write to the file”) compiler error.
  • Version Control Integration
    • Fixed defect preventing compile from writing to Append.tag and/or Install.tag files that are currently checked-in.
    • Fixed defect preventing compile from updating a project’s object file that is currently checked-in.

FTVersionTrak for APT v1.9.1 Release Notes

Solutions

  • Installation of SQL 2008 is now optional.
  • When installing FTVersionTrak, previous installations are now recognized.
  • Fixed an error of being unable to integrate with FTSolution for APT due to missing install dependencies of integration projects.
  • User now has the option to check in files that were deleted in FTSolution.
  • Fixed “There is already an open DataReader associated with this Comand which must be closed first” error.
  • The correct version number of FTVersionTrak displays when opening FTVersionTrak from FTSolution.

FTSolution for APT v1.3.5 Release Notes

Solutions

  • Full Compile
    • Fixed real literal translation error from source to assembly.
    • Fixed the error of failing compilation due to not detecting resolution failure of variable identifier symbols used as setting values.
    • Fixed the error of failing compilation due to missing checks on recipe values and settings.
    • Provided a compilation error instead of failing compilation when symbols referenced as recipe values are not marked as constants.
    • Fixed a code generation error for the Clear Temporary Outputs instruction.
    • Fixed error during running compiler optimization to replace integer-type symbolic constants with their literal values when user-assigned addressing is used for the referenced symbolic constant.
    • Fixed error during running compiler optimization to replace real-type symbolic constants with their literal values when user-assigned addressing is used for the referenced symbolic constant.
    • Fixed incorrect type assignment of integer-type scalar recipe extensions.
    • Fixed an error of a missed update of array size in Declaration Table editor, causing compilation to fail due to declarations failing validation.
    • Provided array variable names and array sizes when an array size mismatch error is detected in an assignment statement.
  • Cross Reference
    • Fixed “Invalid symbol entered” error not cleared when user replaces an invalid symbol/address name entered in “Find what” text box with a valid symbol/address name.
    • When user searches for a symbol, the references of this symbol no longer include the references of symbol(s) used in its settings or extensions.
    • Cross references are now shown in sorted order. The sorting is by “Found In” first, “Line #” second, and “Description” last.
    • Reduced Cross References tool window loading time.
    • Fixed “Value cannot be null. Parameter name: source” error when launching Cross Reference tool window.
    • User may now double click anywhere in a cross reference to navigate to the reference source location.
    • Added Setting Name to the Descriptions of Device cross references.
    • Fixed error of auto-complete not working for unit symbol names and extensions.
    • Fixed error of not finding references to Recipe Template.
  •  Debug
    • Fixed Illegal Task code error when writing to Status Words.
  • Declaration Editor
    • Fixed error of allowing symbol names to be the same as floating point numbers.
    • Fixed error of Declaration files not being recognized as modified and therefore saved when user assigns a symbol name to an array element.
    • Declaration Editor now detects and reports an error of a symbol assigned to an element of an array that is marked as constant. This error used to not be detected until compile time.

FTSolution for APT v1.3.5 RC1 Release Notes

FTSolution for APT v1.3.5 RC1 is a limited release.

Solutions

  • Full Compile
    • Fixed System Out of Memory Exception error.
    • Fixed the error in calculating One Shot and Shift Register numbers when offset by the Configuration’s Reserved location.
  • Incremental Compile
    • Fixed System Out of Memory Exception error.
    • Fixed the error of assigning One Shot and Shift Register box instructions incorrectly.
  • Cross Reference
    • Fixed the error of being unable to find references to Program’s extensions.
    • Fixed the error of being unable to find references to extensions of a unit.
    • Fixed the error of showing references to an object when searching for references to a non-existing extension or setting of an object.
    • Fixed the error of user being unable to re-order the columns in the cross references view.
    • Fixed the error of no type shown for references to a direct address.
    • Added missing Cross Reference icon for toolbar.

PLC WorkShop for Modicon v5.79 Release Notes

Solutions

  • Improved the ladder logic online Find feature for box instructions.
  • Improved the responsiveness of the navigation within the ladder display while status and power flow are on.

FTSolution for APT v1.3.4 Release Notes

Features

  • Added the ability to look for partial matches in Cross Reference.

Solutions 

  • Full Compile
    • Fixed parsing assembly code error causing correct programs to be rejected.
    • Fixed compiler error regarding usage of ON(FLAG) verb in SFC steps.
    • Made parsing assembly error file-specific; the error now specifies the project file causing the error.
  • Incremental Compile
    • Updated the “New memory configuration values exceeds existing memory configuration” error to specify which memory area have been exceeded.
  • Incremental Download
    • Updated the warning for downloading incrementally to give user the options to Download in Run, Program, or Quit.
  • Cross Reference
    • Fixed an error of showing cross references to a base symbol when cross references are requested for an extension of a symbol.
    • Fixed an error of cross references shown for a symbol other than requested.
    • Cross Reference now is finding references to a real address.
    • Cross reference of a declaration of a symbol now includes symbol’s description in the Description field.
    • Cross Reference no longer displays duplicates for the references found when a symbol is used more than once in a code behind line of code.
    • Fixed rebuilding of Cross Reference data when project changes were not relevant to Cross Reference.
    • Cross References now include information – whenever applicable – about the Type of the object, Step and Transition, the name of the CFB for the code behind references, and the setting name using direct addresses.
    • Fixed the error of missing references from and to recipes values.
    • Fixed the error of not finding references to the objects used in array values.
    • Removed duplicate references from the display.
    • Fixed the error of including a “Referenced by” entry in the results for “References”.
    • Fixed application crash when searching for references to a unit name.
    • Fixed the error of references to an array element not including the reference of array itself.
    • Fixed the error of references to object’s extension not including the reference of object itself.
    • Fixed the error of references not found for array indexes.
    • Fixed the error of code behind references showing a wrong type.
    • Added meter to searching for references.
    • Fixed errors of references shown for a non-existing array index, and invalid or non-existing extension.
    • Changed cross references display to not show the source-level type (e.g. Integer Array) when searching for a direct memory address.
    • Modified References By list to include array indexes.
    • Added reference to the array declaration itself to Referenced By list when searching for References By of an array index.
    • Modified search for references to include lowercase and uppercase matches (case insensitive).
    • Modified References list for an extension of a symbol to include the references to the symbol itself.
    • Modified References By list to exclude internal PID extensions that have no displayable names.
    • Fixed the problem of showing blank setting names in the References By and References lists when searching for a PID extension.
    • Fixed the problem of not showing references if the symbol name to search for included leading or trailing blank spaces.
    • Modified References By and References lists to exclude entries of an array element different from the array element that was searched for.

FTVersionTrak for APT v1.9.0 Release Notes

Features

  • Expanded workflow management tools including:
    • Ability to configure signature requirements for file and/or security operations
    • Ability to create comment templates for each comment type, create additional fields for comment entry, and require entry of information to comment fields
  • Improved auditing capabilities through increased access to, and granularity of, user activity information including:
    • Ability to view comment details within the Repository Activity log
    • Ability to view signature details within the Repository Activity log
  • Improved automatic file comparisons (Scheduled Tasks) including:
    • Ability to configure the areas of the program that will be compared by the scheduled task
    • Ability to attach Comparison Report and/or copy of the file from the PLC to notification emails
    • Ability to configure whether scheduled tasks that identify differences will automatically upload a new file version to the FTVT repository
  • Improved the ability to manage group/user permissions including:
    • Ability to Undo My Checkout
    • Ability to Undo Checkout of Others
    • Ability to View Repository Options
  • Added the ability to view the most recent file version comment from file properties
  • Improved the ability to compare and view the contents of Repository Labeled Sets

Solutions

  • Improved the formatting and function of the Find Label feature
  • Improved load time performance of the repository tree view
  • Improved support for Windows 8 & Windows 10
  • Improved the performance of the color picker used within the Compare Label Results feature

FTSolution for APT v1.3.4 RC5 Release Notes

FTSolution for APT v1.3.4 RC5 is a limited release.

Solutions

  • Communication Setup
    • Corrected the communication to PLC to resolve communication error “Task Codes returned from PLC do not match Task Codes sent to PLC”.
  • Full Compile
    • Cleaned up temporary files used by the compiler to avoid confusion as user’s program files.
    • Added a warning to the user that compiling/downloading of a program that has been previously compiled in an earlier FTSolution version will require upgrading of the compiled program’s object file to the current version. Once this program’s object file has been upgraded in the current software version (1.3.4 RC5 or newer), the user will no longer be able to compile/download the program using an earlier software version. This operation is not reversible.
  • Incremental Compile
    • User is no longer required to recompile if user wants to either enter Debug mode or do an incremental compile of a program that has been previously compiled with the obsolete (older than 1.3.3) version of the software.
    • Fixed an error in incremental compile changing the RLL of the current program.
    • Fixed an error in incremental compile that causes a network corruption.
  • Incremental Download
    • Incremental download is no longer allowed if the MAKEDATE of the program running in PLC does not match the full compile date of the program to be downloaded incrementally.
  •  Import
    • The programs invalid in APT will no longer show up as available for import by FTSolution for APT.
    • Fixed import error to recover when detecting corrupt charts.
  •  Debug
    • Fixed an error in using Activate in Debug mode in programs that have been compiled without Debug option checked.
    • Fixed the “The compiled object file does not match the program loaded in the PLC” error. User is no longer prevented from entering Debug mode after an incremental download of a program.
    • User now can enter Debug mode after an incremental download.
    • Debug Mode now is always enabled.
    • Removed backslashes from the warning displayed to the user when entering Debug mode.
  • Cross Reference
    • Improved the access to Cross Reference functionality. User can now launch Cross Reference from the toolbar as well as Project menu.
  •  Licensing
    • Fixed an error preventing the user from seeing the Key Product Name, Expiration and Install information.
  •  Report
    • Added the information about the software version with which the object file has been produced to the object file information.

FTSolution for APT v1.3.3 Release Notes

FTSolution for APT v1.3.3 is a limited release.

Solutions

  • Communication Setup
    • Fixed memory leak.
  • Full Compile
    • Fixed “Out of Retentive CR’s” error when doing a full compile of a program using 2500 C400 processor.
    • Fixed compilation error rejecting correct programs when FTSolution is installed on a machine with regional and language settings set to “French”.
    • Fixed error reporting when an invalid mix of RLL and SF is detected in the program.
    • Fixed renumbering of Non-retentive Control Relays on a second full compile.
  • Incremental Compile
    • User is no longer prevented from incrementally compiling a program if the only change to the program is whether it is compiled with Debug option on or off.
    • Fixed compiler defect to correct incremental compile for Debug with allocated reserved memory.
    • Changing Debug option in Build options results in SFCs being modified. This type of modification is now detected.
    • Fixed errors and accepted known differences in integration tests.
    • Fixed an error in comparing ranges of RLL networks.
    • Fixed an error in update of incremental compile assets when new SFSs and SFPs are inserted.
    • Fixed incremental compile defect resulting in over-marking objects as modified when they have not been.
    • Fixed incremental compile defect when modifying a Subroutine from SFS to RLL causing the compiler to reject correct programs.
  •  Install
    • Fixed “MSVCR110.dll was not found” error when running the software on Windows 7/Windows Vista.
    • Fixed “The installation of Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 1Redistributable Package appears to have failed” install error.
    • Fixed “The installation of Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Update 1Redistributable Package appears to have failed” install error.
    • Fixed “Could not load type System.Runtime.CompilerServices.ExtensionAttribute” error when creating a project.
    • Fixed “MSVCR110.dll was not found” error when running the software on Windows 7 64-bit OS.
  •  Debug
    • Activate/Deactivate option is now enabled whether the program has been compiled with the Debug option on, or not.
    • Improved the performance when entering Debug mode.
  •  Watch
    • Fixed the problem with Forces not shown in Forces dialog. User can now set Forces, add them to a Watch window, and view them in Forces dialog in Debug mode.
  • Cross Reference
    • Cross Reference now allows user to search for a direct address.
    • When Cross Reference is launched by the user, the progress window displays “Building Cross Reference Progress” instead of “Compile Progress”.
    • Fixed the scrolling in Cross Reference window. User now can see the entire contents of the Cross Reference window.
    • Fixed Cross Reference defect generating “Index out of range” error causing application to close.
    • Fixed Cross Reference defect generating “Empty path name is not legal” error causing application to close when searching for references in an empty code behind file.
  • Version Control Integration
    • Fixed “Access to the path denied” error when recompiling a solution bound to FTVersionTrak repository.

FTSolution for APT v1.3.1 Release Notes

Note:  Solutions created in previous versions will be automatically updated when opened in FTSolution for APT V1.3.0 or higher.

Features in v1.3.1

  • Improved performance related to loading and downloading projects.

Solutions in v1.3.1

  • Improved compiler functionality for resolving symbol references.
  • Improved performance of incremental compile and download to better minimize the information downloaded to the PLC.

Features in v1.3.0

  • Expanded Cross Reference functionality.
  • Added support for SFC Animation in compiled programs with the debug option disabled.

Solutions in v1.3.0

  • Improved the performance of full and incremental compiles involving PCS Tags.
  • Improved the performance of incremental compiles involving declaration changes.
  • Improved the handling of multiple successive incremental downloads.
  • Improved the operation of the “download incremental changes only” option.
  • Improved the refresh of SFC animations and watch windows.
  • Deactivated the download button while in debug mode.
  • Improved several miscellaneous performance issues for incremental compiles, full compiles, and incremental downloads.