Is There a Bible for RSLogix 5000?
only in your dreams ...
I'm new to Rockwell Software and I am trying to find my way around RSLogix 5000.
are you familiar with any other brand of PLC – and its software? ... not meaning to discourage you – but using RSLogix 5000 as an introduction to PLCs would NOT be my first choice ... if you're completely new to PLCs in general – and possibly just getting into "programming" too – I'd recommend that you start with something simpler ... analogy: take a golf cart for a spin around an empty section of the Wal-Mart parking lot – before you try an 18-wheeler in downtown traffic ...
I find the Software to be very quirky and poorly designed.
if you're trying to start an argument – you'll need to change the subject ... many (most?) folks are going to agree with you on that one ... and what version (16, 20, 30, etc.) are you working with? ... secret handshake: it does NOT get easier – or better designed as you increase the version ... basically they just keep adding more features to work with (or curse at) as you go along ...
Many of the functions are vague or mysterious in their behavior.
yes they are ...
Some of the features seem incomplete or even broken.
yep ... you have to decide which ones you're going to use frequently – and which ones you're going to just simply avoid completely ...
I come across various situations where I need to spend half of the day sifting through forums, knowledgebase entries, and help files to figure out how to handle them.
not meaning any disrespect (and this goes back to my earlier question) but here's a question ...
(A) are you sure that you KNOW what you want to get done – and are just looking for how to do it in RSLogix 5000? ... or ...
(B) are you trying to learn PLCs from square one?
Does anyone know if a book exists that explains every detail of the software and how it operates?
no ... there is no such book ... if there were, it would be more like a set of encyclopedias ... and the instructions would change from one version to another ... one of the nicest things about retiring is that I no longer have to keep up with the new stuff ... the new stuff ... the new stuff ... the new stuff ...
So far, PLC Talk has been my best resource.
and it is likely to remain so ... most (all?) of us here cannot imagine a life without it ...
I want to know, besides years of experience, what are your best resources for working with this software?
get rid of your TV set (I haven't had one in my house for at least 15 years or so) ... sacrifice all social contacts ... spend every available hour fighting the beast ... it's sort of like learning to play the piano without a teacher ... there are only so many keys available ... just keep banging on the thing until you hear music coming out ...
another quick question for you:
are you planning to use this software for programming new control systems – or for troubleshooting equipment which has already been programmed? ... the skill set that you need are "somewhat" different in each case ...
you're welcome ... if you'll give us more detail (especially in the questions I've asked above) then we'll try to give you more detail in our answers ...
EDIT: I just noticed that you've added some detail while I was posting ... I'll take a look at your latest after breakfast ...