Author: Ethan Wilke

FTSolution for APT v1.3.0 is an internal release.

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

Features

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

Solutions

• 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.

Features

• Improved the performance of incremental downloads.
• The Download I/O Configuration option is now selected by default when performing a non-incremental download.
• The “Switch the PLC to Program mode?” message displayed during incremental compile defaults to Cancel.

Solutions

• Improved the marking and editing operations for PCS tags.
• Eliminated install.tag file compilation differences.
• Improved the watch file generation function.
• Optimized FTSolution for APT to reduce the occurrence of system out of memory errors/exceptions.

FTSolution for APT v1.2.1 is an internal release.

Features

• Improved the performance of incremental downloads.
• The Download I/O Configuration option is now selected by default when performing a non-incremental download.

Features

• Added the ability to automatically build Watch Windows (debug charts) from table editors.
• Added the ability to view and modify forces in Watch Windows (debug charts).

Solutions

• Improved the handling of non-existing variables within the Watch file trend tab.
• Improved the functionality of delete confirmation prompts.
• Improved the error messaging provided for certain compilation issues.
• Eliminated errors that occurred when performing an incremental compile.
• Eliminated errors that occurred when performing a full compile.
• Eliminated errors that occurred when importing an APT program.
• Improved the program/project import process.
• Improved the functionality of the incremental compile feature.
• Improved the functionality of the incremental download feature.
• Improved the interface of the Profibus I/O editor.
• Improved the functionality of the SFC editor.
• Improved the functionality of the Generate Watch File feature.
• Improved the functionality of watches.

Features

• Added the ability to import Debug Charts from an APT program into FTSolution for APT as Watch files.

Solutions

• Corrected an issue with making a new 505 I/O symbol by entering a new name under a 2AO module.
• Improved full compile error descriptions.
• Corrected the error that occurred when opening Find References in Cross Reference.
• Forces table now populates with expected data for analog output/discrete output symbols.
• Improved debugger functionality.
• Added ENABL to the drop-down list for Scale in CFC block.
• Corrected Declaration Editor error messages.
• Corrected an issue with flagging an Import comment as invalid.
• Eliminated the error message that occurred when adding or removing a new Recipe Template during incremental compile.
• Corrected an issue caused by renaming Units.
• Improved functionality of the incremental download.
• FTSolution for APT now unmarks non-translatable PCS extensions.
• Corrected an issue with renaming a project with a Recipe Editor open.

Solutions

• Added support for viewing of forces within FTSolution for APT projects.
• Improved the performance of the stopwatch timer for 545-1106 and CTI-C400 PLCs.
• Improved the operation of PID loops with Remote Set Points in 555 PLCs.
• Improved support for changes to PID loop timers.
• Miscellaneous performance enhancements.

Solutions

• Eliminated errors that occurred when compiling incrementally.
• Downloading a program no longer clears User Memory unless Clear Memory option has been selected.
• Corrected an issue with entering text in SFC Designer.

Solutions

• Eliminated errors that occurred when downloading incrementally.

Solutions

• The compiled object file now matches the program in the PLC when debugging a program.
• Eliminated errors that occurred when compiling incrementally.
• Eliminated errors that occurred when downloading incrementally.

Features

• Adds the ability to compile and download programs incrementally.
• Adds the ability to view a list of modified objects within a project from the latest incremental compile.
• Adds the ability to quickly identify all reference locations within a project with the Find All References tool.

Solutions

• Corrected issues in viewing of various PID and Analog values in Monitor and Watch windows.
• Corrected issue of decimal being overwritten with a comma on computers using French language regional settings.
• Corrected issue with viewing PID values as Real in Watch window.
• Modified use of temporaries in the code generator to properly preserve intermediate results of complex expressions.

Solutions

• Improved the compile process to support multi-line Profibus comments.
• Added additional detail to error messages within the Recipe Values Editor.
• Corrected an issue where FTSolution would close and restart when attempting to monitor a value within the Watch Window.
• Improved the compile process to ensure the correct mapping of PID Loop variables.
• Improved the compile process for PID Loops.
• Improved the compile process to eliminate errors when the Create Hardware Debugger file option is selected.
• Corrected data display issues within the CFC Editor’s monitor tab.
• Improved the compile process to support constant array elements within declarations and recipes.
• Improved the compile process to support Special Function subroutines.
• Modified the output format of math CFB print statements to match the formatting of APT.

Features

• Added support for FTSolution for APT Hardware Debugger.

Solutions

• Improved the uninstall of FTSolution for APT.
• FTSolution for APT file context menus were modified to contain an Open menu item.
• Improved the error messaging when a user attempts to move insert a module into a slot in a location where insufficient slots for that module are available.
• Updated FTSolution for APT’s unit icons for consistency.
• Modified the sort order of folders within a project to be alphabetical.
• Modified the default location of the Solution Explorer to be on the left hand side of the screen.
• Added the ability to overwrite FTSolution for APT files with demo files.
• Improved the program import to extend the character length of Monitored Variables to match the maximum character length in APT.
• Resolved an issue where the current Hardware Debugger file could be marked as obsolete.
• Improved the compile process for Hardware Debugger files.
• Improved the compile process to support all Print statement escape sequences.
• Increased the 545 1101 memory card size limit to a maximum of 384 kb.
• Improved the compile process for literal expressions.
• Improved the compile process for PID Loops.
• Updated the Recipe Template Editor to match the data entry standards of the other Editors.
• Optimized the way the Watch Window displays entered variables that do not exist within the project.
• Optimized the data displayed within the Declarations Editor monitor tab.
• Added the ability to browse for an existing solution when creating a new project.

Features

• Release of FTSolution for APT Hardware Debugger V1.0.0

Solutions

• Updated the I/O Symbol Editor to eliminate occurrences where an I/O symbol is added to the table when attempting to sort the table.
• Optimized the process of updating a GSD file.
• Optimized the user interface to optimize the placement of OK and Cancel buttons within dialog boxes.
• Optimized the user interface to always list the slave number to the left of any bitmap images.
• Updated demo mode to allow creation of subroutines.
• Updated the location of the sample program within demo mode.
• Optimized the demo mode restrictions.
• Optimized the process of adding/overwriting existing units in a project.
• Improved the program/project import process.
• Improved support for downloading to CTI C400 PLCs versions 8.01 and greater.
• Improved access to debug mode with newly created projects.
• Updated FTSolution for APT to properly display which solutions are bound to FTVersionTrak.
• Updated the Solution Explorer to allow for expansion of unit level SFC and CFC master file nodes.
• Improved support for compilation of projects bound to FTVersionTrak.
• Added scroll bar for multi-line text declarations.
• Improved text display settings within the monitor tab of the Recipe Editor.
• Improved the performance of the CFC Editor toolbar.

Features

• Enhanced demo mode providing the ability to:
  • Import and view APT programs.
  • Create new programs.
  • Edit existing programs.
  • Save demo programs (accessible as demo only).
  • Explore the FTSolution development system.

Solutions

• Improved the performance of the Forces Window.
• Added support for the delete key within the Table Editors.
• Improved support for merging 2BF files.
• Changed default for the Status Attribute upload box to unchecked.
• Improved compiler enforcement to only allow a legal number of loops and/or alarms.
• Improved the error checking within Continuous Function Blocks.
• Improved the performance of the Mark PCS Tags button.
• Updated demo mode to restrict print functionality.
• Improved licensing message when a valid key is not detected.
• Updated the file import user interface.
• Updated demo mode restrictions for projects created in licensed mode.
• Updated demo mode file import default destination path.
• Updated the Mark a Tag for PCS user interface to clearly differentiate object descriptions from tag descriptions.
• Updated the Mark a Tag for PCS user interface to display properly in Windows 8.1.
• Updated the Mark a Tag for PCS user interface to organize information a format more similar to APT.
• Eliminated incorrect compilation errors when translate is set to Yes.
• Improved the I/O Module Editor to properly indicate edits to the Bus Parameters.
• Improved descriptiveness of GSD file parse errors.
• Eliminated an issue where a promoted SFC could unintentionally lose its promotion.
• Improved compilation error messaging regarding missing promoted SFCs.
• Optimized user interface within the SFC Editor to maximize application performance.

Solutions

• Added error messaging if a user attempts to exceed the maximum number of slaves.
• Corrected an issue where sampling in debug mode could unexpectedly end the program.
• Updated the installer to create the proper folder structure for FTSolution for APT.
• Improved the consistency of naming conventions within the Communications Settings user interface.
• Improved licensing message when a distributor demo license is detected.
• Updated the Solution Explorer icons for consistency and clarity.
• Improved the installer to ensure the installation of .NET 4.0.
• Updated the compilation errors to match the correct number of reserved loops and/or reserved alarms for each PLC type.
• Added a prompt during compilation when a user attempts to overwrite an existing project (FSS) file.
• Updated the Solution Explorer to show the FSS file in the Compile node after compilation.
• Updated support for 575.5x PLCs.
• Multiple minor file compilation improvements.