This document will describe how easy it is to convert a PanelView Plus (FW 5.

10 or below) application to
the new PanelView Plus 6

The first part of the document will describe where you can find some of the information regarding the
catalog numbers and it will also list some of the main settings of the old PanelView Plus so that you can
easily use these settings again on a PanelView Plus 6.

The second part will talk about running the MER file from your old terminal on the new PanelView Plus 6
and will also show you how easy it is to convert an application to a 6.x MER file.

The last part of this document will then discuss how you can maximize the use of your PanelView Plus 6
terminal.

1. Introduction and collecting important settings. ................................................................................... 2

Conversion Tables ..........................................................................................................................2
Collecting important information....................................................................................................2
2. Running the application on PanelView Plus 6....................................................................................... 3
Running pre-PanelView Plus 6 MER on PVP6 ...................................................................................3
Converting pre-PanelView Plus 6 MER on to 6.x MER ......................................................................4
3. New features on PanelView Plus 6.10 and FactoryTalk View studio 6.10 ............................................ 5
Desktop .........................................................................................................................................5
ActiveX Controls .............................................................................................................................5
Backup and Restore........................................................................................................................6
Printers ..........................................................................................................................................6
Remote connectivity ......................................................................................................................6
File server ......................................................................................................................................7
Web server ....................................................................................................................................7
FTP Server ......................................................................................................................................7
3rd Party Connectivity .....................................................................................................................7
Restore Factory defaults .................................................................................................................7
Image library ..................................................................................................................................8
Faceplates ......................................................................................................................................8
Appendix 1 : Logging Information................................................................................................................. 9
Appendix 2 : Data Storage ............................................................................................................................ 9
Appendix 3 : Recipe management .............................................................................................................. 11

Convert PanelView Plus to PanelView Plus 6. Page 1

 1. Introduction and collecting important settings.

Conversion Tables
Platform differences and catalog number conversion can be found here: PanelView Plus to PanelView
Plus 6 Catalog Number Conversions

http://literature.rockwellautomation.com/idc/groups/literature/documents/ap/2711p-ap003_-en-p.pdf

This table shows you how a catalog number is built.

This table shows you the difference between the RP8 and RP9 modules.

Collecting important information

Appendix 1 contains a lot of the important settings like IP address, screensaver settings, … . It also
explains how to copy your application to a USB stick/CF card. Best option is to copy it to a USB stick since
PanelView Plus 6 doesn’t have a CF card slot but only SD card.

This list does not contain ALL the information but some of the main ones.

The items that are not listed are extra folders that have been created or extra files that are used,
printers, FTP settings, VNC settings, … .

When you also want to collect the alarm and datalog information, look at technote: 35513 - Batch file
copy alarm and datalogs from terminal to external CF card or USB memory. (TechConnect Level) and
33924 - RSView Enterprise File Viewer Utility (Everyone)

Convert PanelView Plus to PanelView Plus 6. Page 2

 2. Running the application on PanelView Plus 6
To run your application on PanelView Plus 6, you have 2 options:

- Copy MER to PVP6 and run

- Convert MER to 6.x MER

Running pre-PanelView Plus 6 MER on PVP6

Once you have copied the MER file from your old terminal to a USB stick you can copy it.

There are two ways to copy an application to your PVP6.

1. You copy the MER from SD/USB to folder "\Application Data\Rockwell

Software\RsViewME\Runtime using the Windows Explorer or create with Notepad a file called
autorun.bat and use the following example to copy your file.
copy "\storage card2\me_application\*.mer" "\Application Data\Rockwell Software\RsViewME\Runtime\"
The storage card 2 is the SD card where there is a folder called ME_Application that contains all
the MER files you want to copy.
Other options are:

- SD card : Storage card2

- 1st USB device : USB Storage
- 2nd USB device : USB storage2

2. You use in Terminal setting the “ File Management” to copy the MER. But make sure that the file
is located in the folder “\Rockwell Software\RSViewME\Runtime folder” on your SD/USB device
because that is the folder the utility will look for.

Remarks:

When your MER uses activeX controls like Program Launcher, Recipe Enhanced, Datastore ,… there are
some things that you need to watch out for.

During the installation of Studio 6.x Legacy ActiveX controls are copied into the following directory:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\RSView Enterprise\ME\Activex\Legacy

These "Legacy" ActiveX controls are not registered in Windows. They are provided only to
allow support for 5.1 and older terminals.

Important notes regarding ActiveX version issues and MER creation

1. 5.1 MER created in Studio 5.1 may not load/run all ActiveX controls on a PanelView Plus 6
terminal due to different versions. Complete the following to fix this:
a. Install/register the 6.x ActiveX controls on 5.1 Studio.
b. Open and save all affected graphic displays.

Convert PanelView Plus to PanelView Plus 6. Page 3

 c. Re-create the MER.

2. 5.1 MER created in Studio 6.0 with 6.0 ActiveX controls installed/registered may not load/run all
ActiveX controls on a PanelView Plus 5.1 terminal due to different versions of the ActiveX controls.
a. The "Legacy" ActiveX controls must be installed/registered.
b. All affected graphic displays must be created/saved with the "Legacy" ActiveX controls.

More information can be found in technote: “117375 - ActiveX support in Studio Version 6.X”

Converting pre-PanelView Plus 6 MER on to 6.x MER

Once you have copied the MER file from your old terminal to a USB stick , open application manager.

Select the ME Runtime Conversion.

Then Select “Restore runtime application”

In the next step you select the MER file from the old PVP.

You have 2 options, restore the application and restore application and the FactoryTalk Local Directory.

The FactoryTalk Local Directory contains the Users and passwords from the MER file.

This does mean that all the users and passwords will be overwritten on your pc.

If your application is password protected then you will also need to provide the password.

When you clicked next , you will see the name of the application, this is also the name that will be
shown in the list when you open the Machine Edition applications in FactoryTalk View Studio.

You can either change the name or leave the suggested name.

If the application is already on your computer then the Application Manager will ask you to provide a
different name.

Once the conversion is finished you can open FactoryTalk View Studio.

Open your application from the list and you will get a popup telling you that your application will be
upgraded to the version of your Studio.

Once the upgrade is done you just need to check the RSLinx Enterprise communication tab to check if
that is still correct. (Target or design tab is for connecting the PanelView Plus 6 to your controller)

If so, you can create a new MER file and download it to the PanelView Plus 6.

Remarks: 456828 - Constraints with using FactoryTalk View ME 6.10 on a 64-bit OS

Convert PanelView Plus to PanelView Plus 6. Page 4

 3. New features on PanelView Plus 6.10 and FactoryTalk View studio
6.10

In this section we will list some of the new features that were released in version 6.1

More information on the topics below can be found in the user manual :
http://literature.rockwellautomation.com/idc/groups/literature/documents/um/2711p-um006_-en-
p.pdf

Desktop
Every new PanelView Plus 6 comes in closed format, which means that you don’t see the desktop of the
PanelView Plus.

You need to go to the desktop to enter the Control Panel to setup some of the settings in the PanelView
Plus 6.

When you click on Exit on the configuration screen, you will be asked for a password. The default
password is “password” .

ActiveX Controls
The following activeX controls are available on the terminal and in FactoryTalk view studio and don’t
need to be installed anymore, they are available on ALL PanelView Plus 6 terminals without extra cost.

• Program Launcher - Allows FactoryTalk View Machine Edition application to launch a

program (.exe). Like PDF viewer for user manuals, office viewers (only for extended version)
a maintenance video (only for extended version).
• DataStorePlus - Write data to a CSV log file with file management and periodic logging
features. Have a look at Appendix 2 Data storage for more information between the built-in
data model and this activex control
• Recipe - Manages recipes stored in CSV files or can be used machine setup. Have a look at
Appendix 3 Recipe Management for more information between the built-in RecipePlus and
this activex control
• MEIP_Info - Writes PanelView Plus terminal TCP/IP information to tags.
• Set Bit Cursor Point - Emulates the Set Bit Cursor Point object in PanelView Enhanced
terminals.
• MacroTen - Reads ten tags' values, then writes the values to ten different tags; supports
parameter use.
• Custom String Pop-up Keyboard - Assign keys to a keyboard pop-up to support different
languages, i.e. Chinese, French, etc.
• ME_EmailSender Control - enables HMI applications to send email messages using external
SMTP services.

Convert PanelView Plus to PanelView Plus 6. Page 5

 • RSViewWebBrowser Control - displays web pages in HMI applications. A PanelView Plus 6
with extended features is required for this control because it depends on Internet
Explorer.
• Operator notification - Terminal Wakeup ActiveX causes PvP6 to exit screensaver mode.
Machine alarm can ‘wake-up’ terminal so operator notices alarm condition. Cycle complete
can ‘wake-up’ terminal calling attention to machine operation
• Runtime Password management - Manage user passwords on terminal using Administrative
Password Reset ActiveX. Reset any user’s password to a known value.

Backup and Restore

The PanelView Plus 6 has a built-in backup and restore utility from firmware version 6.10.17.

The backup includes the firmware, applications, network settings, display settings, extra files and folder
,… . So it is very easy to replicate the PanelView Plus 6 in case of a problem.

Printers
The PanelView Plus 6 has an extended list of supported drivers.

111636 - List of printers supported on PanelView Plus 6

Remote connectivity
The PanelView Plus 6 has 4 possible remote connection ways.

1. Viewpoint

In RSView studio you can select certain screens to be used by Viewpoint. To do this you
need to have the Viewpoint add-in (66110 - FactoryTalkViewPoint Add-In for FactoryTalk
View ME).

Using a pc with Internet Explorer you can connect to a PanelView Plus 6 and see the screen
that you have selected without interfering with the operator. So the screen that you see on
your pc is different from the screen on the PanelView Plus 6.

2. VNC Server
With VNC server you can have a pc take control over the PanelView Plus 6. The only thing
you need is the VNC client software installed on your pc. This software is also available on
the PanelView Plus 6 ( see user manual). The VNC Client software is also available for apple
and android devices.
The VNC server can handle 2 connection which means that 2 people can connect to the
PanelView Plus 6. This can either be as read-only or full control. You will see the same
screens as the operator in front of the PanelView Plus 6.
The VNC server can be easily configured through the “server config” utility, the server itself
can be turned on/off using the “Services” utility in the control panel of the PanelView Plus 6.
3. VNC Client

Convert PanelView Plus to PanelView Plus 6. Page 6

 The PanelView Plus 6 is also equipped with a VNC client which means that you can also
connect your PanelView Plus 6 to a pc (with for example Logix installed or other software) or
even another PanelView Plus 6.
4. Remote desktop
Remote desktop is a way to connect your PanelView Plus 6 to a PC using a standard
Microsoft communication protocol called RDP. This way you will log into a pc like you where
sitting in front of it.

File server
The file server is a network protocol that allows shared access to files, printers, serial ports, and
miscellaneous communication between computers on a network.
The File server can be easily configured through the “server config” utility, the server itself can be
turned on/off using the “Services” utility in the control panel of the PanelView Plus 6.

Web server
The web server delivers content, such as web pages, using the HTTP protocol over the Web.
The Web server can be easily configured through the “server config” utility, the server itself can be
turned on/off using the “Services” utility in the control panel of the PanelView Plus 6.

FTP Server
The PanelView Plus 6 is equipped with an FTP server. The FTP server can be easily configured through
the “Server Config” utility, the server itself can be turned on/off using the “Services” utility in the control
panel of the PanelView Plus 6.

The FTP allows you to easily download files (like PDF manuals, maintenance videos,… ) to the PanelView
Plus 6 using a standard file transfer protocol.

3rd Party Connectivity

3rd Party connectivity is done through kepware. All the available drivers to connect to non-rockwell
controllers are on the PanelView Plus 6 and can be (un)selected in the “Server Config” utility in the
control panel of the PanelView Plus 6. When you want to use the kepware drivers in FactoryTalk Studio
ME, you need to install Kepserver for enterprise. This version can be downloaded through the Rockwell
Software download and is registered through the FactoryTalk view studio license. When you download
it, the release notes will tell you which drivers are available for PanelView Plus 6.

Restore Factory defaults

Every PanelView Plus 6 is equipped with a Factory image. So if you ever need to reset you PanelView
Plus 6 because of issue or you want to start from a new terminal, you can reset it back to factory default
setting.

This will remove all applications and reset the firmware as when it first arrived. This could be a much
older firmware than you are using.

How to do this can be found in the user manual.

Convert PanelView Plus to PanelView Plus 6. Page 7

Image library
From FactoryTalk View Studio 6.0 the software has been extended with over 4000 images which can but
used in your application. This library is called Symbol factory.

Faceplates
All AOI and faceplates to visualize I/O cards, controllers, Ethernet card, drives, motion, … are installed
when you install FactoryTalk View Machine Edition.

These faceplates make it very easy to show information and diagnostics of our products in combination
with the Add-on Instructions in the Logix controller. All faceplates are documented.

Convert PanelView Plus to PanelView Plus 6. Page 8

Appendix 1 : Logging Information
Current application: ______________________________________________________

Make sure to copy the file to CF card or USB Stick

Terminal Settings→FileManagement→CopyFiles→CopyApplicaOon→External Storage 1 (CF card) or External Storage 2 (USB)

Network information

Terminal Settings→Network and Communications→NetworkConnections→DeviceName→Device Name

Device Description : ______________________________________________________

Terminal Settings→Network and Communications→NetworkConnections→Networkadaptors→IP Address [F2]

IP Address : ______________________________________________________

Subnet Mask : ______________________________________________________

Gateway : ______________________________________________________

Terminal Settings→Network and Communications→NetworkConnections→Networkadaptors→Name Servers [F1]

Primary DNS : ______________________________________________________

SecundaryDNS : ______________________________________________________

Primary WINS : ______________________________________________________

SecundaryWINS : ______________________________________________________

Terminal Settings→Network and Communications→NetworkConnections→Network IdenOficaOon

User name : ______________________________________________________

Password : ______________________________________________________

Domain : ______________________________________________________

Display Settings

Terminal Settings→Display→Screen Saver

TimeOut : __________ Minutes

Intesity : __________ %

Appendix 2 : Data Storage

A commonly required feature in FactoryTalk View ME is the storage of application data. FactoryTalk
View ME provides two choices for storing data, the Data Model and the DataStorePlus ActiveX control.
The following table highlights the differences between the two:

Convert PanelView Plus to PanelView Plus 6. Page 9

 Data Model DataStorePlus ActiveX control

Native/built-in control Add-on feature

Timed, data change, data % change triggers Timed or tag trigger logging

Always active/running Can control logging (on/off)

Only 1 data log model supported at run time Multiple data log support

1 file only, first in-first out after maximum Multiple file support
data points

300,000 data point maximum Only storage limit to data points

Binary proprietary file Plain text .CSV file

Works with Trend display to show historical Does not work with trends
data

Supported in all PVP terminals Requires PVP CE (700-1500), with exception of PVP
v6.0

Good for Trending historical data and native Excellent for plain text or high speed data archiving.
functionality. Easy setup.

Convert PanelView Plus to PanelView Plus 6. Page 10

Appendix 3 : Recipe management
Recipe management is a way to write a set of values to a set of tags in a single operation. FactoryTalk
View ME provides two choices for working with recipes, the RecipePlus control and the Recipe ActiveX
control. The following table highlights the differences between the two:

RecipePlus control Recipe ActiveX control

Native/built in to FTView ME Add-on file/feature

Operator control only (buttons trigger PLC or button control (tag values trigger actions)
actions)

Recipe data stored in a proprietary file Recipe data stored in a plain text .CSV file

Can support thousands of ingredients 500 ingredient maximum

Native selection and table objects for recipe Requires custom “table” for edits (Build with
(One recipe object handles all ingredients Numeric objects)
and values)

Recipes can be stored either in or out of Recipes stored outside .MER

.MER

One recipe can handle many data and tag 1 ActiveX control = 1 tag set
sets, combining those into units

All PVP terminals supported Requires PVP CE (700-1500), except for PVP v6.0

Excellent for large recipes with multiple tag Excellent for small recipes with flexible graphic
sets, and easy implementation/deployment design, PLC controlled action, and plain text file
of recipes. editing.

Convert PanelView Plus to PanelView Plus 6. Page 11