DirectSOFT5 Revision History

What's New in DirectSOFT Version 5.3,  06 June 2008

  • CommServer - Improved multithread-safe behavior, which should fix some mysterious CSMain crashes.

  • CommServer - Re-enabled COM3 and COM4 by default in DS500.INI as requested.

  • DSLaunch - Added the "Host Forum, FAQs, Downloads..." link that opens the Technical Customer Support page on the Host Engineering website.

  • Projects - DirectSOFT now warns whenever saving an empty program to Disk to guard against accidental overwrite of the current project.

  • Projects - When writing a Project to PLC or Disk with uncompiled rungs, DirectSOFT will now ask if you wish to compile the rungs before the download.

  • IBoxes - Fixed problem where a program could be downloaded with an unassigned nickname as a parameter in certain IBoxes.

  • IBoxes - ECEMAIL now properly handles complex formatting in all situations (for example, V1400:S).

  • Ladder Display - Fixed some display issues with the PRINT instruction.

  • Ladder Editor - Fixed some problems in the LCD instruction editor.

  • Ladder Editor - You can now choose the ANDD instruction for a DL230 CPU from the Token Selector drop-down list.

  • Export Element Documentation in KepDirect format no longer exports Unassigned Nicknames, since these cannot be referenced in the PLC by the KepDirect Server.

  • PID View field editor now recognizes a change to a negative value for updates to the PLC.

  • D0-DCM - Fixed a problem in the D0-DCM configuration dialog dealing with Non-Sequence protocol.

  • NetEdit 3 now appears in the PLC Hardware Tools dialog list under the DirectSOFT PLC-->Tools menu.

What's New in DirectSOFT Version 5.2,  21 June 2007

  • DSLaunch's DS500.INI utility now edits the correct file on the Windows Vista operating system.

  • CommServer - DirectSOFT now supports 57600 Baud and 115200 Baud Rate on serial links.  Currently, only the D0-DCM supports these faster baud rates as a DirectNET or K-Sequence slave to DirectSOFT.

  • IBoxes - Math IBoxes now display the result in real time when Ladder Status is enabled.

  • IBoxes - Fixed NETRX and NETWX to allow you to enter K4xxxx for the Length in Bytes parameter to support Modbus/RTU distinction of Holding Registers versus Input Registers.

  • IBoxes - ECIPSUP, ECWRGWA, ECWRSNM, ECWRIP - Fixed a problem when editing an IBox with an IP Address at a zoom level other than normal.

  • Ladder Output Editor - Now correctly allows entry of large 16 character nicknames, e.g. WILDCOLORFULLAMP. You can type a nickname or PLC element on top of a NOP or empty output cell to get an OUT coil without specifying the OUT instruction. The new auto-complete Output Editor had limited the entry to the width of the text field, instead of the maximum 16 characters allowed for a nickname.

  • PLC/Disk Program Differences dialog no longer crashes if you select Details... Copy to Output.

  • Password Protection operations were misreporting a "Wrong Password" error when the error actually was due to the fact that the PLC had the Key Switch in the RUN position, which makes some requests invalid (such as locking and unlocking the PLC).

  • Fixed the problem of downloading a completely empty program, i.e. all NOPs; this is different than doing a Clear Program Memory operation.

  • Export Documentation in KEPDirect Server format no longer fails to export all the tags, which happened when the Cross Reference View was never opened for the current project.

  • Override Force Notifications on Shutdown now behaves better. You now have the option to do one of the following operations if you attempt to close an online project with any Overrides still enabled in the PLC:
    a. Continue to Close the DirectSOFT Project with Overrides Enabled.
    b. Cancel the Close Project operation and return to the opened project.
    c. Return to the opened project and open up the Override Editor.

What's New in DirectSOFT Version 5.1,  27 March 2007

  • We invite you to visit "DirectSOFT on the Web" for Today's News about DirectSOFT, including timely tips, FAQs, Release information, FREE Downloads and more. Look for  "DirectSOFT on the Web" under the DirectSOFT HELP menu, on the Toolbar, or on the DSLaunch window.

  • Includes D0-DCM ASCII Instruction Support - Added support for slot parameter for various ASCII instructions in the 05 and 06 instruction sets for the D0-DCM. This includes PRINT instruction in the 05 and 06 PLCs, and the MRX, MWX, AIN, PRINTV, and ACRB for the 06 PLC. You can now execute these ASCII type instructions with either the local CPU port (Port 2) or with the new D0-DCM module's Port 2.

  • DSLaunch - Communication Links are now sorted alphabetically to make them easier to find.

  • Added support for up to 199 COM Ports (COM1 thru COM199). User must still add entries to the DS500.INI file devasync.dll group, for example:

    [devasync.dll]
    COM1Enable=0
    COM2Enable=1
    ;added support for serial port COM199
    COM199Enable=1
     

  • Communication Link Wizard - Ethernet Address and IP Address are now both displayed when selecting an Ethernet Link, along with the ECOM Module part number and the PLC CPU type.

  • Communication Link Wizard - Now displays graphic based on context of current step within the Link Wizard.

  • Communication Server - Now gives more detailed error information when failed connection to an Ethernet device.

  • Communication Server - DirectSOFT no longer becomes unresponsive when you open a Project that has a link that is tied to a communication device that no longer exists (e.g. Project's link uses COM8, which now no longer exists).

  • Communication Server - Removed references to IPX Interrupt which is no longer supported on any supported Operating Systems.

  • Communication Server - Auto Generate Links using TCP/IP during initial DirectSOFT startup now creates link names that correctly match the actual IP Address.  Previously the link name was comprised of the TCP/IP address values backwards.  (e.g. If the IP address was:  192.168.0.57, the link was named 57.0.168.192.)  The IP Address in the link was correct, just the name of the link was incorrect.  This has been fixed.

  • Dockable View Menus (Data View, XRef View) now behave properly. (e.g. Toggling Status On/Off in Data View when Mnemonic View is the active Program View now works correctly.)

  • View Tabs - clicking on a View Tab in the main client area now gives input focus to that view and moves the input cursor.

  • Tools->Insert Instructions from File now properly reports actual and maximum program length on Status Bar field.

  • Import Ladder Comments - Soft carriage returns are now inserted properly when importing ladder comments from a file, same as if the text was entered using the Comment Editor dialog.

  • IBoxes - DirectSOFT will now properly handle an unknown IBox created by a possible future version of DirectSOFT by reporting the unknown IBox when the project is first opened, and displaying an "Unknown IBox" instruction in the Ladder View.

  • IBoxes - Before downloading to the PLC, DirectSOFT now verifies that the IBox parameters are valid for that specific PLC.

  • IBoxes - DirectSOFT now displays IBox parameters using graphical dividing lines to indicate logical parameter groups.

  • IBoxes - Configuration IBoxes now stand out a little more in the Ladder View with bold and italics text.

  • IBoxes ECRX, ECWX, NETRX, NETWX - Now allow Pointer (P) data types for slave PLC element addresses, just like the native RX/WX box parameters allow.

  • IBoxes FILTER and FILTERB - Filtered Value parameter now displays correct Valid Ranges.

  • IBoxes NETRX, NETWX, ECRX, ECWX - Now allow all valid DL-PLC Element Types in the Slave fields.

  • Fixed problem in calculation of length of PRINT and VPRINT text; was incorrectly allowing messages that were too long.

  • Ladder Edit->Merge Rungs - If both rungs had Ladder Comments, the comments are now also merged.

  • Ladder Edit->Merge Rungs - When merging two rungs into one rung, if both rungs had a Comment and the combined Comment exceeds the maximum allowable size, the User will be prompted to continue, truncating the merged Comments, or to cancel the merging of the two rungs.

  • Ladder View - Find dialog history pull-down list now properly remembers IBox instruction mnemonics.

  • Ladder View - Fixed problem of the Output Instruction Auto Complete drop down list box was not shown when zoom level was not at middle/default setting.

  • Ladder View - Fixed problem of zooming taking a long time with large programs.

  • Ladder View - Scroll wheel now scrolls correctly to the top of the Ladder View.

  • Ladder View - Fixed problem of enabling scrolling on a rung that was not wider than the window.

  • Ladder View - Fixed a problem of Ladder View options not being applied to a new ladder view in a project that was already opened.

  • Ladder/Stage View - Wire connections are now drawn properly when zooming out.

  • Stage View - After clearing all Program Memory, all Stage Comments are now deleted.

  • Documentation Editor - Fixed problem of misreporting error "XXX is used, cannot be deleted" when pasting documentation on top of other existing documentation.  This also fixed a potential database corruption problem.

  • Documentation Editor - Status On/Off Button is no longer enabled when on Documentation Editor.

  • Documentation Editor - Deleting an unassigned nickname no longer deletes ALL of the unassigned nicknames below the current one.

  • Element Server - When adding Wiring Info or Description text to an Unassigned Nickname, Ladder View (and any other views) are now updated immediately.

  • Element Server - Fixed a buffer overrun problem that caused DirectSOFT to hang.

  • Real Number Display - Adjusted the display precision so that R0.6 is displayed correctly.  Was incorrectly displayed as R0.60000002.

  • Data View - Hotkeys for Sort Ascending (Ctrl+Shift+A) and Sort Descending (Ctrl+Shift+D) now work properly.

  • Data View - When you sort entries, blank lines are now removed.

  • Data View - F6 key now moves focus from the grid cell to the format toolbar.

  • Data View - The Debug-->Data View-->Save menu command is now enabled when an entry's format is changed.

  • Data View - Fixed a potential memory issue when editing a Text field 40 characters in length.

  • Data View - Now supports the Element and Background color settings from the Color Setup dialog.

  • Data View - Fixed problem of partial disappearing Edit buttons for discrete elements when Offline.

  • Data View - Fixed problem of partial display of grid and text.

  • Data View - Fixed problem of the Write buttons became enabled when Offline under some conditions.

  • Data View - Fixed an infinite loop problem when writing a single edit but with the entire edit column selected.

  • Data View and XRef View - Added horizontal scroll bars.

  • XRef View - Added a toolbar button and a setting in the XRef Options dialog to enable or disable the automatic tracking by the XRef View of the Ladder cursor.

  • XRef View - Columns are now resizable and saved with the project's layout information.

  • XRef View - Background color now follows the Color Setup dialog setting.

  • PID View - Editing Setpoint (SP) and other fields now write to the PLC.

  • PID View - Fixed display/graphing of 16 bit unipolar OUTPUT and BIAS values.  Was always displaying it as 2's complement value (e.g. Output or Bias of 65535 was displayed as -1).  Now properly displays and graphs 16 bit unipolar Output and Bias values.

  • Syntax Check - Updated error message text for "missing RT or RTC instruction".

  • Print Dialog - Added Print Black and White option, which is useful if you do not want shades of gray but true black and white text.

  • Print V-Memory - Now properly prints out Real values instead of "----".

  • File->Export Program as Mnemonic Text - Now correctly imports a Mnemonic Text file that was exported containing Unassigned Nicknames.

  • Added some details to the error message when opening a corrupted project.

  • Output Window - Now properly displays any errors that could occur when opening projects offline, for example, an unknown IBox instruction that exists in the newly opened project file.

  • Added a few more Tips of the Day (but did NOT add "Don't run with scissors").  =)

  • Help System - Added more detail to VPRINT and ECEMAIL Body text field regarding embedded variables and data modifiers such as _date and _time variables.

  • Help System - Corrected Help topic for CTRIO Run To Limit Mode ( CTRRTLM ).

  • Help System - Corrected CPU Support Matrix in Help topics for CTRIO Config ( CTRIO ) and CTRIO Clear Preset Table ( CTRCLRT ).

  • Help System - Updated IBox Instruction List topic.  Now displays minimum firmware version required for IBox support.

  • Help System - Updated MATH - BCD ( MATHBCD ) topic.

  • Help System - Updated MATH - Binary ( MATHBIN ) topic (and eliminated reference to "4 digits").

  • Help System - Updated Subtract ( SUB ) topic.  (Description in the Instruction Browser no longer mentions use of "4-digit (max.) constant".)

  • Help System - Corrected CTRIO Add Entry to End of Preset Table ( CTRADPT ) topic.

  • Help System - Updated ANSCL and ANSCLB IBox help topics.

  • Help System - Updated the following topics to include notes that they cannot have any input logic: PONOFF, CTRIO, ECOM100, NETCFG.

  • Help System - Added a note in the Help topics for CTRRTLM, CTRRTPM, and CTRVELO to mention that the Output Enable bit must be OFF, otherwise the instruction will NOT execute and fail, and the error bit parameter will be turned on.

  • Help System - Changed CTRIO Example projects to reference the project names in the IBox Instruction Manual.

  • Installed DirectSOFT Files - Core DLL change: Host71.DLL has been renamed to Host71a.DLL to resolve compatibility issues.

What's New in DirectSOFT Version 5.0,  02 March 2006

  • New! - IBoxes "fill-in-the-blank" instructions (for DL05, DL06, D2-250-1, D2-260 and D4-450 only)

  • New! - Tabbed views to optimize your viewing area.

  • New! - Fully customizable Tool Bars - dock-able, lock-able and group-able.

  • New! - Dock-able windows allow you to relocate Data View and Cross Reference views, auto-hide, or tear away and place them outside the DirectSOFT5 workspace - even on a second display! - for full ladder viewing optimization.

  • New! - User Interface Themes allow you to give DirectSOFT5 the same look and feel as your favorite Windows applications.

  • New! - "Tip of the Day" is a good way to learn new features and short cuts.

  • New! - Export documentation for use in the new C-more panels.

  • Full-screen point and click editing with the mouse and icons.

  • New - "Tip of the Day" gives you programming guidance, information on short cuts and tips for taking advantage of new features.

  • Browsers help you find proper addresses, contacts, coils, and box instructions.

  • Edit Tool Box contains icons and hot-key equivalents for all elements.

  • New! - Windows 2000/XP (Home or Pro) features (fully-customizable and tear-off toolbars, ToolTips, long filenames, common file browsers)

  • Project information data with each project including creation and save dates, links, PLC type, project description and version, and company/department/programmer.

  • On-screen cross reference in a tabbed view that automatically tracks program elements as you browse your ladder program.

  • On-screen Element Usage view in groups of 8, 10, or 16 points per line.

  • Predefined aliases for common items such as timer and counter current values.

  • Access V-memory (Data Registers) with fill-in-the-blank Memory Editor.

  • Easily cut and paste program elements, single rungs, or groups of rungs.

  • Cut and Paste rungs (with documentation) between programs,

  • Search for program elements by name, address, rung number, or instruction type.

  • Search for constants.

  • PID Setup is easy with fill-in-the-blank style for alarms, mode, process variable, ramp/soak table values, setpoint, gain, etc.

  • PID Loop tune and trending dialogs are standard.

  • Import & export program mnemonics and rung comments to a single TXT file that does not have to be in DirectSOFT format.

  • New! - Export (nickname type, PLC address) to C-more in CSV format.

  • Spreadsheet-style documentation editor for easy access.

  • 16-character nicknames for addresses make troubleshooting and programming easier.

  • 16-character wiring information allows you to tie PLC addresses to panel wiring numbers.

  • 6-line x 16-character address description provides more detailed information about the program element .

  • Rung comments can be up to 20 lines of 69 characters each.

  • Cut, copy, and paste documentation between program elements.

  • Free-form program Title page can be selected at time of printing.

  • Import & Export feature for all program document.

  • Print any available view, including ladders, charts, and mnemonics.

  • Print multiple columns.

  • Use zoom to enlarge or reduce print size.

  • Preview the printouts before you send them to the printer.

  • Create custom printouts by selecting exact items to include for each view.

  • Print program documentation, including nicknames, descriptions, rung comments, etc.

  • Print program Cross Reference or Element Usage Table.

  • Print PLC V-memory or Data Register contents.

  • View program ladders.

  • View program mnemonics.

  • Stage view available for programs created with RLL-Plus instructions.

  • Choose Rung Numbers or Addresses for Ladder View.

  • View multiple programs at the same time.

  • New! - Tabbed views allow you to easily switch between views and optimizes your viewing area.

  • Use split screen to view different sections of the same program

  • Use Zoom to enlarge or reduce the screen area for better viewing.

  • New! - Customizable desktop themes, display colors for editing, unsaved changes, documentation, etc.

  • Set up PID loops with easy-to-use dialog boxes.

  • Set PLC communication parameters through PC ports, modems or Ethernet.

  • New! - Setup D0-DCM menu is available for the DL05 and DL06 communications module.

  • Change PLC mode of operation.

  • Clear PLC memory by type or all.

  • Select or change retentive memory ranges.

  • Read PLC I/O configuration

  • Change I/O configuration (if allowed by the PLC).

  • View PLC firmware revisions.

  • Configure DV-1000.

  • Online help system with supported CPU instruction list

  • DSLaunch as a central manager for all projects, links and applications.

  • Automatically build and store communication links to the PLC, even using modems or Ethernet.

  • Visible indication of PLC communication link status.

  • Status mode provides visible power flow condition for program elements, current values for timers and counters, and current values for V-memory or Data Register locations. Even status for Drum steps, outputs, event and/or time transitions, etc.

  • Custom configure Data View windows to monitor various elements.

  • Display nicknames in Data View.

  • Save and store Data View windows by name.

  • Choose data format for Data View window display (BCD, Binary, Decimal, Signed Decimal, etc.).

  • Choose status symbol (switch, text, etc.) for discrete points in Data View.

  • Change PLC values from Data View windows

  • View multiple PLCs simultaneously (not available with OEM packages)

  • Expanded Ethernet support for intranet/internet connectivity, allowing PLC monitoring and programming to be executed from throughout the enterprise network.

  • Automatic error checking during program entry.

  • Program syntax check.

  • Monitor PLC scan time.

  • Perform PLC I/O diagnostics.

  • View PLC errors and/or user error message.

  • New! - Automatic project backup of the 4 most recently saved changes to your project.