Point of View Software Frequently Asked Questions
Use "Ctrl-F" to search for specific words in this FAQ.
Question:
What does the Shared Tags folder store?
Answer
The Shared Tags folder stores the tags imported from the PC Based Control linked to the POV application. The
PC Based Control must be linked to the POV application during the New Project wizard.
FAQ ID: 1469
Question:
How to count how many tags are configured in the application database?
Answer
The amount of tags configured in the application is calculated in the Project section of the Support tab under the
Help menu. Each array position and each class member of the tags configured in the tag database are counted.
FAQ ID: 1470
Question:
How to visualize the application “Users� created with the function CreateUser() ?
Answer
Execute the following command: “
example: “E:Program FilesAutomationDirectPoint of View v7.1BINStudio Manager.exe� “E:Program
FilesAutomationDirectPoint of View v7.1BINExtUser.dll�. This command will launch a dialog window from where
you can visualize the users created by the CreateUser() function in order to create new ones or delete them.
FAQ ID: 1471
Question:
How to shutdown the operating system automatically after closing the application?
Answer
Use the ExitWindow(
different actions: 0=Restart; 1=LogOff and 2=ShutDown.
FAQ ID: 1472
Question:
How to insert and configure an Active-X object in a Studio application?
Answer
- To insert an Active-X object in a Studio application:
- Select the ribbon option Graphics → ActiveX object;
- Select the ActiveX object to be inserted in the application from the list box and press the OK button. The ActiveX
object will then appear on the screen. (Unregistered ActiveX objects will not be available on this list box);
- Double-click on the ActiveX object and assign a Name to it (fill in the Name field). The dynamic Properties and
Methods list can be viewed by selecting the Configuration > Methods buttons. The static properties can be set by
pressing the Properties button. A detailed description about the objects properties can be found in the component
documentation, provided by the component developer.
- There are three functions to access the ActiveX component during the runtime:
- XGet(strName, strProperties): Returns the value of the properties
from the object .
The list of properties that can be read from the object are listed in the Configuration > Methods dialog from the
object, with the syntax(PropGet) – for example: Color (PropGet).
- XSet(strName, strProperties, Value): Writes the value
to the properties of the object
. The list of properties that can be set to the object are listed in the Configuration > Methods dialog
from the object, with the syntax(PropPut) – for example: Colot (PropPu).
- XRun(strName, strMethod, Parameter1, Parameter2, … , ParameterN): Executes the method
from the object, according to the parameters , , …, . The
list of methods available in the object is listed in the Configuration > Methods dialog from the object, with the
syntax(Method) – for example: OpenFile (Method).
- XSet(strName, strProperties, Value): Writes the value
- XGet(strName, strProperties): Returns the value of the properties
Tips: Before inserting an Active-X component (usually an OCX file) into the application, make sure it has been
properly registered in the computer. You can register an Active-X object from. Select the menu option Home →
Register Controls, press the Register button and select the Active-X file (usually an OCX file) which must be
registered.
Note: The amount of parameters set in the XRun() function can vary from 0 to 255, depending on each ActiveX
component. You can use tags to set the parameters;
FAQ ID: 1473
Question:
How to set a startup screen?
Answer
Open the Project Settings dialog window from the Project → Viewer menu. Type the startup screen name in the
Startup screen field.
FAQ ID: 1474
Question:
How to insert a background picture on the screen?
Answer
Right click on the screen and select the Screen Attributes option from the popup menu. Enable the Enable
Background check-box and choose the adjacent picture format in the combo-box. Copy the picture file to the
Screen folder of the application and rename it to the same name as the screen (
the Shared image option, you can copy a bitmap file to the Screen folder and share this picture with more than
one screen. In this case, you must type the bitmap name in the Share image field.
FAQ ID: 1475
Question:
How to convert the history trend to ASCII file?
Answer
- To convert a History trend file to ASCII format:
- Copy the file "
BINHST2TXT.EXE" to the path " HST".
- Execute the
HSTHST2TXT.EXE .HST program to convert the .HST
history file to ASCII format (for example:
C:MyAppHSTHST2TXT.EXE 01010425.HST).
- Execute the
- Note: After executing this command, two ASCII files will be generated:
.HDR = List of tags from the History file;
.TXT = Contents of the History file (value of the tags, date, time, etc).
Tips: The WinExec() function can be used to execute the HST2TXT.EXE program from your application [for
example:
WinExec(InfoAppDir()+"HSTHST2TXT.EXE "+TagFileName)].
FAQ ID: 1476
Question:
How to delete records from an Excel or Text file database, via ODBC?
Answer
In Microsoft Query, you cannot delete database records if you are using the ODBC drivers designed to access the
Microsoft Excel or Text files. It is a limitation on the ODBC drivers from Microsoft. Further information is available
on the Microsoft Knowledge Base Article – 134684.
FAQ ID: 1477
Question:
How to execute a math sheet during the startup and other math sheet during the application shutdown?
Answer
Startup: Execute a math sheet during the startup: Create a math sheet and fill its Execution field with the
expression
 Shutdown: Instead of executing the ShutDown() function directly, execute one math sheet and configure the
ShutDown() function in the last line of this math sheet.
FAQ ID: 1478
Question:
How to insert a driver in the POV application?
Answer
Right-click on the Drivers folder from the Comm tab and select the Add/Remove Drivers option. Select one driver
from the list and press the Select >> button to insert the driver on the project.
 Tip: Each driver has its own documentation, which can be viewed by right clicking on the Driver Name folder from
the Comm tab of POV and selecting the Help option.
ï?€ Note: All drivers provided by POV are automatically installed during installation. Each driver is composed of three
files: DLL, MSG and INI. To insert a new driver in POV (in case it has been created after install), just copy these
files in the
FAQ ID: 1479
Question:
How to set a “communication error� alarm?
Answer
Configure a tag in the “Write Status� or “Read Status� fields of the driver worksheets and configure an alarm
whenever this tag is different than 0 (zero).
FAQ ID: 1480
Question:
How to start and stop communication drivers during the runtime?
Answer
- Start all drivers configured in the application:
Syntax: StartTask(“Driver�)
Example: StartTask(“Driver�)
- Start a specific driver configured in the application:
Syntax: WinExec(“BINStudio Manager.exe�+� “+“ BINDriver.dll�+� “+ “ �)
For example: WinExec(Asc2Str(34)+“C:Program FilesPoint of ViewBINStudio Manager.exe+ Asc2Str(34)+�
“+Asc2Str(34)+ “C:Program FilesPoint of ViewBINDriver.dll�+ Asc2Str(34)+� “+Asc2Str(34)+
“MODBU�+Asc2Str(34))
- Note: The Asc2Str(34) function is used to concatenate quotation marks for paths where there are space chars.
- Stop a specific driver configured in the application:
Syntax: EndTask(“Driver�)
Example: EndTask(“DriverMODBU�)
- Start the DDEServer module from Studio (Project → Status → DDE Server);
- Run Excel in the remote station;
- Open a Excel worksheet and fill the cells which must exchange data with Studio using the following syntax:
='NDDE$'|'UNISOFT$'! . (For example: ='PCNDDE$'|'UNISOFT$'!second).
- The tags created by the user. Application or Project tags in the SCADA software are counted against the license limit. However, the System Tags, created automatically for any project, are not counted against the license tag limit (e.g.: Time, Date, UserName, and so forth).
- The tag count does not depend on the data type supported by each tag (Boolean, Integer, Real, or String).
- The same tag can be configured in many interfaces, and it still counts as only one tag. For example, the same tag can be configured on Screens, Trend worksheets, Alarm worksheets, Driver worksheets, OPC worksheets, and this will not affect your tag count.
- Any tags created for the project are counted against the license limit, even if they are not linked to an external device (e.g.: PLC) via communication drivers, OPC, or any other task. In other words, as soon as the tag is configured in the application, it is counted against the license limit.
- VBScript variables are commonly used to manipulate temporary values used in calculations. VBScript variables can be used in any VBScript interface of the SCADA software (VBScript tasks, Global Procedures, Graphic Scripts, Screen Scripts, and so forth) and they do not count against the license tag limit in the SCADA software.
- Each array position counts as one tag because it holds an independent value. For example, a tag configured with 3 array elements counts as three tags (Tag[0], Tag[1], and Tag[2]).
- Each member of a class tag counts as one tag because it holds an independent value. For example, a class tag with 2 members counts as two tags (Tag.MemberA and Tag.MemberB).
- Class tags configured as arrays count as the number of array positions multiplied by the number of members. For example, a class tag with 2 members and configured with 3 array elements counts as six tags (Tag[0].MemberA, Tag[1].MemberA, Tag[2].MemberA, Tag[0].MemberB, Tag[1].MemberB, and Tag[2].MemberB).
FAQ ID: 1481
Question:
How to exchange data with Excel by using NetDDE?
Answer
- NetDDE can be used to exchange data, via the DDE protocol, between networked stations:
Note:
When running under Windows NT or Windows2000, it is necessary to be sure that the services Network
DDE and Network DDE DSDM are started. (Use the Services shortcut from the Control Panel to start these
services).
When running under Windows 98, it is necessary to run the programnetdde.exe in both
computers (for example: c:Windowsnetdde.exe).
FAQ ID: 1482
Question:
Is Studio OPC interface compliant with OPC specification v1.0a or v2.0?
Answer
Studio OPC Client and OP Server modules are compliant with both OPC specification v1.0a and v2.0.
FAQ ID: 1483
Question:
How do I start POV automatically when the computer is powered on?
Answer
To make Viewer start
Create a shortcut to […]AutomationDirectPoint of View v7.1BinRunStartup.exe and then place it in your Startup folder (C:WINDOWSDocuments and SettingsAll UsersStart MenuProgramsStartup).
Make sure you have a Startup Screen specified in Project Settings.FAQ ID: 1484
Question:
How to modify the DATE format in Studio?
Answer
There are two ways to modify the data format in Studio:
- Off-Line: Set the Order=parameters (for example: DMY or DMY) and Separator=
(for example: / or .) from the [International] section from theBINProgram Settings.ini file;
- On-Line: Use the SetDateFormat(, ) function. For example:
SetDateFormat(“/�,�MDY�).FAQ ID: 1485
Question:
What features are not supported by Web thin Clients?
Answer
Web thin Clients provide a graphical interface to the users and allow them to monitor and set values of the process
online. However, the Web thin client does not run any task or communication driver locally (Math, Scheduler,
Report, ODBC, Drivers, OPC and DDE).FAQ ID: 1486
Question:
What are the main steps to create a web-based application?
Answer
Perform the following steps to create a web-based application:
- Develop the application locally. Don’t use features that are not supported by Web Thin Clients (like Group of
Screens) for the screens which will be saved as HTML format;
- After saving the screens in the standard format (File → Save), save the screens which must be available for the
Web Thin Client in HTML format from the File → Save as HTML menu;
- Open the Project Settings dialog window (Project → Settings menu) and select the Web tab;
- Configure the Data Server IP Address field with the IP address of the Server station (station where Studio is
running);
- Configure the path to the web files in the URL field. The web files are saved in the Web subfolder of the
application. This path will vary according to the web root of your Server station (for example:
http:///);
- Open the Project Station dialog window (Project → Status menu), select the Execution Tasks tab and set the
TCP/IP Server module as Startup=Automatic;
- Open the application tags database and set to the Server option instead of Local in the Web Data column for all
tags that must exchange value between the Server and the Web Thin Client station;
- Execute the Tools → Verify Application command to update the Project Settings in the HTML files;
- If there is no Web Server running in the computer, copy the program NTWebServer.exe from the BIN folder of
Studio into the web root (for example:Web) and execute it. The path where this Web Server
program is executed will be the web root of the station. The Web Server is necessary to export data (web files) in
HTTP protocol to the Web Thin Clients;
Execute the application in the Server station;
- Using a browser (for example: Internet Explorer v4.1+SP1 or newer version) in the Web Thin Client station, type
the URL address to download the screen which had been saved in HTML format (for example:
http:/// .html).
ï?€ Note: The Web Thin Client requires an Active-X component (ISSymbol.ocx) to handle the screens on the browser.
If the Web Thin Client is connected to the Internet, this component is downloaded and registered automatically.
Otherwise, you must copy it to theSystem32 directory of the Web Thin Client and register it by
executing the regsvr32 ISSymbol.ocx command. This file can be found in the BIN folder from the Studio
installation directory.FAQ ID: 1487
Question:
The runtime task (TCP/IP, OPC, DDE, ODBC, etc) does not work.
Answer
Make sure the runtime task is set to Automatic in the Execution Tasks tab from the Project Status dialog window
(Project → Status menu). Select the runtime tasks which must be executed (for example: TCP/IP Server), press
the Startup button and set to Automatic.FAQ ID: 1488
Question:
The Browser from the Web Thin Client does not display the screen and launches a warning message regarding ISSymbol.ocx.
Answer
Make sure the runtime task is set to Automatic in the Execution Tasks tab from the Project Status dialog window
(Project → Status menu). Select the runtime tasks which must be executed (for example: TCP/IP Server), press
the Startup button and set to Automatic.FAQ ID: 1489
Question:
Browse of the Web Thin Client launches an error message missing the ISSymbol.ocx and does not display the screens from the Server.
Answer
Issymbol.ocx is the Studio ActiveX object used by the browser from the Web Thin Client to view the web pages. If
the Web Thin Client is connected to the Internet, the ISSymbol.ocx control is automatically downloaded and
registered in the Web Thin Client station. Otherwise, you must copy it to the WinNTSystem32 folder of the Web
Thin Client station and register it manually. Once it is registered, your browser will be able to access the pages.
ï?€ Note: Use the regsvr32 ISSymbol32.ocx command to register the ActiveX component in the Web Thin Client.FAQ ID: 1490
Question:
The screens are shown on the Web Thin Client (Browser); however, the data (tags values) are not read from the Server.
Answer
Make sure the parameter in the Web Data column from the application tags database is set as Server instead of
Local. The tags set as Server keep the same value in the Server and in the Web Thin Client (Browser). The tags
set as Local have independent values in the Server and in the Web Thin Client (Browser).
 Caution: You must execute the Tools → Verify Application command after modifying the tags settings.
Otherwise, the changes will not be updated in the web files.FAQ ID: 1491
Question:
The “On Up� expressions configured in the Command dynamic are not executed.
Answer
The “On Up� expressions from the Command dynamic are not executed if the mouse pointer is dragged out the
object area before releasing it. If the Release check-box from the Command Object Properties window is enabled,
the On Up expression is executed even if the mouse pointer is dragged out the object area before it is released.FAQ ID: 1492
Question:
The Trend History does not work after adding or removing tags in the Trend worksheet.
Answer
When a tag is inserted or removed FROM a Trend worksheet, the format of the history files (*.HST) is modified.
The same HST file cannot have two different formats, otherwise the data will not be retrieved from it properly by
the Trend object. If you need to add or remove tags for history files, there are two valid procedures: Create a new
Trend Worksheet or delete the old *.HST files.FAQ ID: 1493
Question:
The value of indirect tags ( @<TagName> ) are not shown in the web thin client application.
Answer
When a screen is saved as HTML, Studio saves a
.TAGL file in the WEB subfolder. This file has
the list of all tags configured in the screen (objects and dynamics). When a screen is opened in the Web Thin
Client browser, the tags listed in the.TAGL are “enabled� for TCP/IP communication with the server station. It provides an optimized communication between the server station and the Web Thin Client
stations.
Therefore, when using indirect tags (@), the tags pointed will not exchange data with the Server,
unless they have been configured in the screen. In other words, the tags that will be pointed in the screen MUST
be configured in any object of the screen to enable the TCP/IP communication for these tags with the server
station.
 Tip: Add a transparent rectangle (no fill and no line) in the screen corner. Apply the Command dynamic to this
rectangle and configure the tags (which can be pointed by indirect tags during the runtime in the Web Thin
Client station) in the Expression field (keep the Tag Name field blank). So, these tags will be added to the
.TAGL file and they will be available for TCP/IP communication with the Server station. FAQ ID: 1494
Question:
I get errors when installing Point of View that the Sentinel Driver ‘appears to have failed’.
Answer
You will need to go to Safenet's website and download the latest driver version 7.5.8 from the link below:
www.safenet-inc.com/support_and_downloads/Download_Drivers/Sentinel_Drivers/
FAQ ID: 1496
Question:
How does Point of View Count Tags?
Answer
When purchasing licenses for Point of View SCADA software, it’s important to know an approximation of how many tags you will need for your SCADA project. It’s equally important to understand how Point of View counts tags, so that you can come up with an accurate estimate for your project’s needs. Point of View license levels depend primarily on the maximum number of application tags required for the application.
Each tag is a “variable� capable of holding an independent value, such as “PressureTankA�, “TemperatureOver1�, “StateMotorC�, and so forth.
- The following rules apply for Point of View’s tag count:
FAQ ID: 1497
Question:
Can I check my Point Of View USB Key to see if the driver is installed correctly etc..?
Answer
SafeNet has a utility called Sentinel Advanced Medic that you can use to test with
Sentinel Advanced Medic
FAQ ID: 1499
Question:
What are the differences between “Development� package, “Development Only� package, and “Runtime� package?
Answer
The “Development� package allows the user to develop and execute the application for unlimited time. The “Development Only� package allows the user to develop the application, test it for up to 72 continuous hours and deploy it in a station where the runtime license is installed. The “Runtime� package allows the user to execute the application for unlimited time, and blocks the development tools, so the user cannot create new applications or modify existing ones.
FAQ ID: 1506
Question:
How does Point of View count the number of Thin Clients?
Answer
The license for the Thin Clients resides on the Server station only – where POV is running. The license is not installed in any Thin Client station. The license on the Server controls the maximum number of Thin Clients connected to the Server simultaneously. You can customize the license on the server to support a different number of Thin Clients of each type (Web Thin Client, Secure Viewer Thin Client, and SMA Thin Client).
FAQ ID: 1507
Question:
Can I use spaces in my screen names? OR...Why can't I see my screens in my Thin or Secure Client?
Answer
In PointOfView, it allows you to put spaces in the names of screens, BUT, if you use spaces, when it comes to using Thin or Secure clients, the ActiveX control will not navigate to the screens with spaces in the name.
We would suggest not using spaces in screen names.FAQ ID: 1509
Question:
Q:My P3 Integrated tags stopped working, or show ???? OR.....Do I have to keep the .CSV file from P3 Tag Integration with the PoV project?
Answer
A: The original .csv file from the P3 Export appears to be continuously needed by PoV, acting as a translation file possibly. If you delete the file, or move the project or file to a different location, you will need to go to Project>Communication>Tag Integration>Configure and "Browse" to the new file location. It is strongly suggested to keep this file within the PoV project folder.
NOTE: This likely applies to anything using Tag Integration like AB as well
FAQ ID: 1518
Question:
Q:My standard driver sheet(s) is locking up / updating slowly. What is the problem?
Answer
A: Standard driver sheets can be problematic when using non-sequential blocks of data, and PoV can actually fail to update the entire sheet repeatedly.
Create multiple sheets if you need different blocks of data (note that standard driver sheet must be a single data type in any case).
For example, if you need Modbus Holding Registers 1-40 and 200-230, you need to create 2 driver sheets, one for 1-40, and the other for 200-230. This holds true for all drivers and data types (bits might not be AS susceptible, but following this procedure prevents the issue completely).
Using BlinkSlow or BlinkFast (600 or 200 ms, respectively) provides for easy Read/Write triggers.FAQ ID: 1526
Question:
When using the Tag integration with the Productivity series and Point of View, and you use a single index of an array, does the single index count against your Project tag count or the entire size of an array?
Answer
When using tag integration, the entire size of the array will go toward your project tag count, even though you use only one index of that array.
FAQ ID: 1535
- Note: The Asc2Str(34) function is used to concatenate quotation marks for paths where there are space chars.