Unity Pro fundamentals

glnassaf · Oct 9, 2013

Hi,
I have a project in Unity Pro 5.0 and can't seem to find a way to perform a simple task - Search/Replace.
I have a list of variables and would like to Replace a specific string inside each of the vars but can't seem to find the way to do that.
Can someone help me with some instructions (it's quite embarrassing, I know...)
BTW - I know I can export the vars, change it in an editor and import it back, but search/replace seems like a basic feature I cannot believe is missing from the software.

Regards,
Assaf

V0N_hydro · Oct 9, 2013

look up "Replace Variables in a FBD/LD Section" in the help file

select blocks and right click and then use the replace variables menu option

glnassaf · Oct 9, 2013

Thanks for your answer.
I am familiar with that feature but I don't want to change the variables in the logic.
I have a list of variables (in var table) and would like to change their prefix (say their prefix is 200_100 and I want to change it to 200_200).
I cannot find a way to do that other than exporting and importing the variables. even then, I will have to delete the old ones (because they have a different name) and go over the logic as you suggested and change each and every function.
That's a lot of work!
In Step7 for example, I can simply find and replace whatever I like, whether its in the code or in the variable table. its basic!

Anyone with a solution?

V0N_hydro · Oct 9, 2013

I don't know of any way to do a pattern match and replace on tag names to rename them within unity.

I would export the program as XEF format and then do the search and replace in a text editor. Then you wouldn't have to delete the old ones or go over the logic.

chud · Oct 10, 2013

There is a simple search replace function.In the cross reference press that a,b button

glnassaf · Oct 10, 2013

Thanks Chud,
But again, this search/replace enables you to replace one variable with another inside the code, not inside the variable table.
I am coming to the understanding that as odd as it is, this is just not possible in Unity.
The easiest option if you have hundreds and thousands of variables, I guess, would be to save the entire project as a text file and use an editor to search/replace.

Bummer, I kind of liked Unity

I guess every PLC software has it's downsides...

Thank you all for replying.

Assaf

V0N_hydro · Oct 10, 2013

glnassaf I never have to rename thousands of tags. Do you not like the names you have chosen or what is it about your project or workflow that requires thousands of tags to be renamed?

glnassaf · Oct 10, 2013

V0N_hydro,
I actually don't have thousands of tags in this specific project, only several hundreds.
I have 2 M340 PLCs communicating with each other.
Each PLC controls a set of motorized valves.
I built one of the PLCs where the valves are called MOV_200XXXX.
Now I want to copy the software to the other PLC, change the name of the tags to MOV_100XXXX and change the addresses from say MW1XXX to MW3XXX.
Very simple task to do if I'd have to search and replace.
Because I lack this function, I have to export to text and do it in an editor.

Assaf

Brendonh · Oct 11, 2013

if each valve is using the same function block, you should be able to select all of the valve blocks at once and use the replace variables function, and then use the text editor to generate the new elementary variables and import them, then use the purge unused variables function to delete the old ones.

i do see your point but this shouldnt take more than 10 minutes even with the longwinded work around.

glnassaf · Oct 11, 2013

You are correct Brendon. that is if you have a small amount of functions to replace.
In my specific project - it's no biggy.
I am thinking of greater projects where you have dozens of functions to replace vars on. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to simply change the variables instead?

Something to think about for the next software version...

Assaf

chud · Oct 11, 2013

I dont have v7 loaded yet and might be on that version already.
And a picture is attached to what brendon is referring to.

Lare · Oct 11, 2013

You can do this by copying program (export/import section) to other PLC. Then you can use replace variables on new PLC and change names 100 -> 200.

But variable memory addresses you need change by hand afterwards.

(or you can also export variables from new PLC, then use excel to change memory address to different and import variables back to PLC.)

Unity Pro fundamentals

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