What's New in Version
3.0c (Build 80), October 8, 2002
-
Comm
Server: Fixed some lockup issues (deadly embrace) with
Communication Server.
-
Comm
Server: Added extra serial port debugging features that are ALWAYS
enabled - no need to add Dump=1 to DS300.INI unless this dump does not
reveal the problem.
-
Comm
Server: COM3 and COM4 are now disabled by default in DS300.INI.
-
Comm
Server: To disable auto-sensing of Comm Links during Comm Server
startup, remove the semi-colon character ' ; ' from the ;AutoSense=0
line in the DS300.INI file in your Windows directory:
[Comm Server]
AutoSense=0
-
Comm
Server: To enable the serial port debug dump, remove the
semi-colon character ' ; ' from the ;Dump=1 line in the DS300.INI file
in your Windows directory:
[devasync.dll]
Dump=1
-
Added GX/GY/VGX/VGY support to 05.
-
Data
View: Fixed crash in Data View monitor Override Bit Status.
-
File
Save As: Fixed file corruption problem when doing Save-As on top
of same file.
-
Replaced
the "250" PLC string with "250(-1)" since CPU may be
a 250 OR a 250-1, but since they both report the same PLC type,
DirectSOFT cannot distinguish between the two, so we put the
"-1" in parentheses.
-
SR
Instruction: Fixed bug when uploading 05/105/205/350/405 SR
instruction that had SR bits going down (e.g. C7 down to C0).
-
FINDB
instruction in 05/105/205/350/405 family now supports P types (V-memory
Pointers).
-
Comment
Editor: No longer selects text initially as you move from comment
to comment, allowing for easier editing.
-
Comment
Editor: Added hot key to OK button, OK, so that user can
select OK without having to use the mouse.
-
PID:
Fixed problem in PID Configuration tabbed dialog with more than 8 loops
(450 only) – problem was that it would not properly display arrow keys
on the tabs.
-
PID:
Added better error handling for Ladder Logic based PID configuration.
DirectSOFT does not allow invalid addresses to be used for PID
configuration. However, a Customer could configure PID via ladder
logic with improper values. e.g. attempt to configure 99 loops or place
PID tables in System V. DirectSOFT now monitors the PID
configuration error location (V7642) and reports errors appropriately.
-
PID:
As part of normal startup, the PLC may set the PID Ramp Soak step to 255
temporarily, then the PLC resets it correctly to 1. Since
DirectSOFT just monitors the value, sometimes it would display 255,
which confused many Customers. DirectSOFT now range checks the
Ramp Soak step to ensure it is between 1 and 16.
-
Added 1
more digit of precision to floating point display.
-
Fixed
problem of deleting project files on a server after the server rebooted
while still having the project opened in DirectSOFT. Files are no
longer deleted, HOWEVER THE FILES COULD STILL BECOME CORRUPT SINCE
REMOTE COMPUTERS SHOULD NEVER BE REBOOTED WITH OPENED FILES ON THEM.
-
Fixed
hourglass cursor problem with Password dialog when connecting to a PLC.
-
Added
Hotkey text to the tooltips for Cut (CTRL+X), Copy (CTRL+C) and Paste
(CTRL+V).
-
Fixed
problem in PLC->Memory Type when copying program memory to/from a
memory cartridge.
-
Fixed
problem in PLC->Diagnostics->Scan Time… [Setup] Scan Control –
spin buttons now behave correctly.
-
PLC->Diagnostics->System
Information… now gets the PLC Type model number from the PLC.
This will help distinguish between a 250 and a 250-1.
-
PRINT:
Fixed problem with default printer selection on Windows 2000 and Windows
XP.
-
Fixed
Debug->Trap Monitor… function. It was reporting improper data
values.
-
PRINT:
Fixed problem with printing to Network printers.
-
IMPORT:
Fixed crash in File->Import->Documentation… when importing file
with certain errors.
-
Fixed View->Color
Setup… [Set Default] colors now works correctly, although it was
not broken on some systems.
-
Installation:
Now installs DSPLink.DLL (Version 1.1 Beta 4.05.02) for use with
the CTRIO Workbench.
-
Installation:
(Upgrade Version) Now reliably creates the DSP.LOG file for
Upgrade Customers with full package support.
-
Installation:
Now deletes the redundant DS300.INI file from the DirectSOFT32 install
directory.
-
Installation:
Now correctly registers the custom uninstall DLL (UnDSP.DLL) in the
Registry on all supported versions of Windows. Previously, using
the 'Add/Remove Programs' utility on Windows 2000/XP to uninstall
DirectSOFT did not do a complete uninstall. (The Uninstall
shortcut under the Start Menu has always been reliable).
-
added support for
bit-of-word contacts and coils in 05 PLC.
What's New in Version
3.0c (Build 71), July 16, 2001
-
Includes support for new
CTRIO Workbench.
-
More fixes for
USB-to-Serial convertors, specifically when used with Windows 2000.
-
Drum Step Preset is BCD,
not decimal. This has been fixed.
-
DSLaunch: Now correctly
updates glyph on new Communication Link.
-
Import/Export TISOFT now
supports TI325, TI330, TI325S and TI330S.
-
Now uses HEI32_3.DLL.
What's New in Version
3.0c (Build 62), March 13, 2001
-
Now supports USB ports
that do not support timeouts at the communication device level.
Should now work with most USB to SERIAL CONVERTERS.
-
Now displays a dialog if
asynchronous dump is enabled.
-
Importing Tisoft™ and
Logicmaster™ programs into DirectSOFT32: Corrected the error that
DirectSOFT32 3.0c Build 58 would get when importing the old Tisoft
™ and Logicmaster ™ programs into DirectSOFT32.
-
Status Display of K
constants in UDC boxes is again reliable -- AND long term Status
Display no longer crashes due to memory leaks.
-
Improved initialization
of documentation records as they are saved to disk. This may help to
minimize the occasional 'huge-Ladder-Comment-file' problem.
-
Fixed 305(S) Ladder
Editor problem: When changing a DOUT F60 box into a DOUT1 F61
box (using F7 Box Browser), it kept the old F60 parameter and
displayed: DOUT1 F60. This has been fixed.
-
Fixed cosmetic problem
in Copy/Move Comments dialog: display of the "Number to
Move" spin control no longer exceeds the dialog boundary.
What's New in Version
3.0c (Build 58), October 24, 2000
-
Display
and Status of Relational Contacts no longer draws extraneous lines.
-
Now
determines that a 450 PLC supports auto-tune when it also supports
16 bit analog modules and independent data formats between SP/PV
& OUTPUT.
-
Search
and Replace: Fixed a crash that was introduced in Build 54.
-
Stage
View Status: Opening a Project that was previously saved with a
Stage View displaying Status would often crash.
What's New in Version
3.0c (Build 56), September 8, 2000
What's New in Version
3.0c (Build 54), September 01, 2000
-
During installation, if
the Product Key field is left empty, setup now asks if the User
wishes to install the Demo Version.
-
Fixed CCM write to a
BYTE sized bit element (e.g. C0). Previously it misinterpreted the
element count as a word count, so actually a DWORD could have up to
32 elements if the base element is a BIT size!!
-
Improved display of
Print and Drum Instruction parameters.
-
Documentation Editor:
Now correctly displays and edits the extended ANSI characters used
in many European languages.
-
DirectSOFT windows now
come to focus as the topmost window on your desktop when they
should.
-
Export S62-P: Program
Export filename now defaults to the correct file extension.
-
Export TISOFT: Added
ability to Export Programs for use with TISOFT. Enable TISOFT Export
by adding the following to the DS300.INI file in your Windows
directory:
[Export Filters]
Tisoft (*.vpu)=1,tisoft30.dll
-
SU-6H PLC: DirectSOFT
now recognizes that the SU-6H has just one Port. (25 pin. NOT shared
with Port 3)
-
Combined Writes now work
properly.
-
When verifying a Modem
connection in the Link Configuration dialog, we now display a
message box to confirm that the connection was successful.
-
Changed max range for
the Timeout setting in Ethernet Advanced Settings dialog from 1000ms
to 60000ms to better support connections across the Internet.
-
Added support for UDP
Port number for future IP services (on WinPLC), and for gateway
access of ECOMs whose IP address 7070 port number is mapped via the
Gateway's IP and a unique port number.
-
Fixed Ethernet Modem
problem: Basically, GetComStat is reporting there are 3 characters
in the INPUT buffer, but when we try to read them via ::ReadFile, it
behaves as if the I/O is not complete. Eventually, if we call
::GetOverlappedResult with a wait flag set to TRUE, it completes
correctly. So, adding the following entry to the DS300.INI
file in your Windows directory will set the wait flag to TRUE if it
failed on FALSE:
[devasync]
WaitForRead=1
What's New in Version
3.0c (Build 52), May 25, 2000
-
Enhanced Communications
Debug: Now logs Device-Level events to DBWin32 window.
-
TAPI Modems: Now
properly displays message strings in modem status dialog.
-
Now preserves [Comm
Server] settings in DS300.INI file.
-
PID: Fixed bug
introduced in Build 51 - on Output tab we were not checking to see
if the analog channel/slot were set when that feature was not
supported. Hence, in a 450, it ALWAYS reported that this feature
needed to be reset, even though the feature was disabled.
-
PID: Added checking for
automatic transfer of PV feature being unavailable and put up
warning dialog. Also checked for the PV filter if automatic analog
transfer is not available.
-
Modem: when trying to
edit a modem connection via the File->New->Online Program...
dialog, the modem would try to connect.
What's New in Version
3.0c (Build 51), May 4, 2000
-
Ladder display of a
Multiple Input Box with its top row above the visible client area
sometimes caused a GPF in the MFC42 / MSVCRT DLLs when scrolling
through Ladders. This was due to a WORD / Integer mismatch issue on
Tokens displayed with negative screen coordinates.
-
Ladder now correctly
displays the 2nd parameter of 1-row-high 2-parameter boxes (e.g. TMR,
SGCNT) when NICKNAME display is ON and ELEMENT display is OFF.
-
Ladder Palette now STAYS
turned off, instead of returning when you don't want it to!
-
Fixed non-responsive
Contact Browser.
-
Stage View Print and
Print Preview now correctly display unconnected Stage elements (e.g.
ISGs used to initialize various processes on startup).
-
When invalid PID
features are selected, previous versions of DirectSOFT32 just reset
the data values, e.g. when separate formats are selected for SP/PV
and Output in Offline mode, when downloading it to the PLC, the
firmware might not support it, so we reset the selection from
separate to common, but the User would not know what or why it
changed. Now, DirectSOFT32 displays a warning message box
whenever the User tabs to a sub-dialog that has non-supported
features enabled, and lists all of the affected areas.
-
On failure to go to RUN
mode, DirectSOFT32 now automatically displays the System Info dialog
to report PLC Fatal Errors that are NOT syntax errors (e.g. E099 -
Compiled code does not fit.).
-
Whenever a Syntax Check
fails, DirectSOFT32 now displays the Output Window with Error
Messages in front of all other Windows in the client area.
-
Removed support for
adding/modifying Modem configurations from within DirectSOFT32 since
these changes were not persistent. Please us the Windows
Control Panel to change Modem configurations. Remember to shutdown
and launch DirectSOFT for your Modem changes to take effect within
DirectSOFT.
-
Modified DSLaunch
startup code to ensure that only a single instance will run.
-
DSLaunch now displays
consistent Description and Version information for the Programming,
DSData, and Version applications.
What's New in Version
3.0c (Build 50), Apr 6, 2000
-
Status display of MDRMD
and MDRMW instructions now works correctly. Previously DirectSOFT32
would crash after an extended period of Status display on these
Drums.
-
Print All did not work
with some Printers, and sometimes even caused DirectSOFT32 to crash.
What's New in Version
3.0c (Build 48), Mar 10, 2000
-
Added ability to install
DEMO Version of Product (A) in same directory as FULL Version of
Product (B).
Benefits: Both DEMO(A) and FULL(B) show up in DSLaunch.
Encourages Customers to install ALL DirectSOFT32 products to the
same directory: C:\DirectSOFT32. Customers can test drive NEW
PRODUCTS in real DirectSOFT32 environment, and they can continue to
use same familiar Shortcuts. FULL(A) seamlessly installs over DEMO(A).
If FULL(A) already exists and Customer tries to install DEMO(A), it
will install to NEW default directory for Demos: C:\DSDemo32.
In this case, distinctive Shortcuts will be added to the Start Menu
for the separate DEMO Versions.
Benefits: Existing Customers can test drive Demos of NEW Versions.
Additional DEMO Shortcuts are only added if needed to reference the
new directory.
What's New in Version
3.0c (Build 44), Feb 10, 2000
What's New in Version
3.0c (Build 42), Feb 3, 2000
-
305 / 305S Instructions
that span Ladder memory addresses 1023 -1024 are now correctly read
and displayed from the PLC.
-
Fixed Save/Load/Clear
System-V problems:
05 PID loop table address & length in V7640 - V7642
05 high speed input configuration now includes V7637 along with
V7634 - V7636
over-scan counter (clear only) V7661
configuration of pointer method for analog transfer V7700 &
V7701.
-
Now displays "DSP
3.0c (Build 42)" in DSLaunch and About Box.
What's New in Version
3.0c (Build 40), Jan 20, 2000
-
It is now safe to
Uninstall DSP without endangering your Font settings in the
Registry.
-
|----- DSP.LOG file:
Upgrade ==> FULL DSP Product Password Key -----|
Customers who install a DSP UPGRADE version overtop of a valid FULL
DSP version will automatically receive the Product Password Key for
the FULL DSP version. This Key will enable them to reinstall
at any time the FULL Version of DSP in ONE step. Without the
new Key, to reinstall the software, they would have to reinstall
their previous version first, and then reinstall the Upgrade
Version. Please encourage UPGRADE Customers to use this new
Key the next time they wish to reinstall DSP. They can find it in
the DSP.LOG file in their C:\DIRECTSOFT32 directory.
-
Configure I/O now
displays proper module id for the DL-05 Memory Cartridge.
-
Configure I/O for the
350 now correctly displays Help Documentation
What's New in Version
3.0c (Build 39), Jan 06, 2000
-
Added DL-05 PID support
(up to 4 Loops), independent SP/PV and OUTPUT data formats, and
16-bit unipolar data format.
-
Printer Setup Dialog is
now available from within DirectSOFT32 - Programming.
-
DSLaunch window now
shows Link status (via color) and device type (via glyphs) in the
left tree view.
-
DSLaunch information is
now updated when a Project is created or changed.
-
DSLaunch Banner now
displays text correctly, without clipping it -- including
double-byte characters.
-
Added DirectSOFT32
Splash screen to DSLaunch.
-
Added support for
launching various Hardware Setup Tools, as they become available.
-
Data View now displays
proper alias names based on PLC type (e.g. V1200 is CTA200 on 450,
but is V1200 on 05).
-
Added a "Set
Default" button to the Retentive Ranges Dialog to set default
ranges.
-
Added intelligent
display of PID controls when never supported in the PLC.
350 / 450 do not support auto-transfer / PLC mode independent of
Loop mode, 05 / 250 do.
350 does not support 16 bit modules / SP, PV, OUT independent data
formats, 05 / 250 / 450 do.
When a control is never available for a PLC, it will be invisible.
When a control is sometimes available e.g. due to firmware version,
the control will be visible but disabled when not supported.
-
Force On/Off
Confirmation dialogs were displaying "Remove Overrides?"
instead of "Don't ask again (just do it)!". This has been
fixed.
-
Can now Import S-62P
files without receiving the error message "Unknown file
format!"
-
Export Program Dialog
now displays correctly.
-
Repaired a few other
harmless, but cosmetically distressing, display bugs: e.g. 3D Dialog
controls, centering Grid column headings, etc..
-
Setup now offers
selectable collections of Example Files.
-
Setup now asks if it
should copy OLD-16-Bit Projects to the NEW 32-Bit Projects
directory.
-
Can now install to path
names that contain a dot '.' character (e.g. "C:\DSP
3.0\"). No longer reports "Error 1006: Module Load Failure
1157 in module C:\..... T.DLL".
-
Documentation for the
2nd parameter of a 1-input box (e.g. TMR) no longer incorrectly
displays on the Power Rail.
-
Increased margins for
better display of Documentation within Ladder Boxes.
-
Token Editor Validation
Light (Green/Red) now displays correctly.
What's New in Version
3.0b (Build 33), Oct 28,1999
-
Supports the new DL-05
Memory Cartridge (DATE/TIME instructions, CALENDAR function).
-
Added a reminder message
to the Replace dialog when replacing Timer/Counter Bits or
Accumulators to warn that DSP does not automatically replace the
corresponding Accumulator or Bit.
-
Installation no longer
depends on the presence of Microsoft DLL's (MFC42.DLL and MSVCRT.DLL)
in the Windows System directory.
-
Fixed several DBCS
(double-byte character set) problems for the Far East language
versions.
What's New in Version
3.0a (Build 28), Oct 1999
-
Status Display of
Relational Contacts containing K types was unreliable. This has been
fixed.
-
Now able to connect to
450 PLC even if memory cartridge is write-protected.
-
Fixed crash when number
of PID Loops is 0.
-
Reading System Errors
from a 240 PLC no longer displays E9999's after clearing Scratch Pad
memory.
-
DSCOMM.CBX -- Changed
comm notify to use ::SendMessage to allow better synchronization
with LookoutDirect.
-
DSCOMM.CBX -- Added
SuspendWrites -- Remote Source and Initialization should work better
now.
-
TAPI Modems -- Fixed
CommServer lockup when remote modem was shutdown during connection.
-
TAPI Modems -- No longer
truncates telephone numbers from ini file that contain commas -
default phone number will now retain all info, including pause comma
characters.
-
Added Horizontal Scroll
Bar to Comm Link Info dialog.
-
Added support for .CBX
files to Version utility. Also added Version info to
DSCOMM.CBX.
-
Also includes
preliminary support for the new DL-05 Memory Cartridge (DATE/TIME
instructions, CALENDAR function).
-
Installing the Upgrade
version over a DSP 2.x 105 package now adds support for DL-05.
What's New in Version
3.0(Build 26) (Sep 1999)
-
Added new 305 Only
package (PC-PGM-305). Supports all 305 Family PLCs, including the
350.
-
DSLaunch now displays
proper list of PLCs for which Programming support is installed.
What's New in Version 3.0
(Build 23), July 1999
-
Version 3.0 is our
premiere 32-bit release!
-
PLCDirect is now
AutomationDirect.com -- "We're not just PLCs anymore!" :o)
-
Cool new DSLaunch
Window!
-
Added new Project Info
file type (*.INF). Project Info data is now printed on the Title
Page and displayed on the DSLaunch window.
-
Can now Import / Export
Documentation from / to .CSV files!
-
New TAPI 1.4 Modem
support (recommend you install 2nd modem of same type
just for use with DirectSOFT32 products)
-
Added event support to
the Comm Server for better CPU utilization. No longer reports 100%
CPU Usage. :o)
-
Added XFer Rate / Sec
field to Comm Link Info dialog.
-
Dockable, tear-off
Toolbars with ToolTips
-
Can now tile Project
Views vertically using the Tile Vertical command under the Window
Menu.
-
Ladder Editor
Toolbar/Palette now docks on bottom by default
-
Double Instruction
fields now accept P37777 (e.g. box).
-
Fixed V range (mapped to
S) for 250 (SZ-4M) and PZ3.
-
Can edit the DS300.ini
file to change the number of files listed as Most Recently Used
(MRU) under the File Menu:
[DSP Setup]
MRULength=16
-
Can edit the DS300.ini
file to disable auto-sensing of existing Comm Links during
DirectSOFT32 Comm Server startup:
[Comm Server]
AutoSense=0
-
Supports all PLCs
supported in 16-bit -- including DL05 -- plus TJ-435-AS and PZ-3 for
Koyo.
-
Added approximately 170
new Sample Projects under Projects\Examples\Ladder Examples
-
PLUS many more minor
feature enhancements and bug fixes too numerous to enumerate!
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