Adapting WinCC Process Pictures to Different Screen Resolutions Without Scroll Bars in SIMATIC PCS 7

In SIMATIC PCS 7 multi-client architectures where client workstations operate with mismatched display resolutions (such as adding a 1680x1050 monitor to a plant standardized on 1364x768), opening process screens causes vertical and horizontal scroll bars to appear. Eliminating scroll bars and dynamically scaling plant pictures to fit the target display is achieved by configuring the 'Adapt Picture' property to 'Yes' on the primary Picture Window object inside the desktop frame picture (@1001.pdl or @Screen.pdl). This enables automated proportional scaling across diverse monitor form factors without redesigning individual graphics.

WinCC Frame Architecture and Picture Window Containment

In SIMATIC PCS 7 Operator Stations, runtime graphics do not open as floating unconstrained windows. Instead, the WinCC runtime framework loads process pictures into an embedded Picture Window container within standard frame templates:
- @Overview1.pdl: Houses the top alarm line and area navigation keys.
- @1001.pdl (or @Screen.pdl depending on monitor count): Hosts the primary workspace container object (@Desktop or @Area1_Window).
- @Button11.pdl: Houses the lower function toolbar.

When an operator clicks an area button, the navigation script loads the corresponding plant picture (.pdl) into the central Picture Window. By default, the Picture Window property Adapt Picture is parameterized to No. Consequently, if a process picture drawn at 1364x768 is opened inside an enlarged 1680x1050 container, or if a large graphic is loaded into a smaller display, WinCC renders scroll bars rather than altering the graphic scale.

Configuring the Adapt Picture Property in @1001.pdl

To force process pictures to adapt dynamically to the exact rectangular dimensions of the display window:

Open WinCC Graphics Designer: On the target OS Client or in the Master Data Library OS template, open @1001.pdl.
Select the Primary Picture Window: Locate the central container object named @Desktop (or the specific Picture Window hosting the working area).
Open Object Properties: Right-click the object and select Properties.
Locate Adapt Picture Attribute:
- In the property tree, select Miscellaneous (or Geometry).
- Locate the attribute Adapt Picture (in German: Bild anpassen).
- By default, this is set to No. Change the value to Yes (1).
Verify Adapt Size Attribute: Ensure the reciprocal property Adapt Size (Größe anpassen) remains set to No (0), so the picture window does not collapse or expand beyond the frame borders.
Save and Distribute: Save @1001.pdl. If managing a multi-client system from an ES, execute a changes-only download to the OS Client.

Handling Aspect Ratio Mismatches and Scaling Artifacts

When adapting graphics between different display proportions (e.g. 16:9 widescreen 1364x768 to 16:10 1680x1050):

Geometric Distortion: Enabling Adapt Picture = Yes performs non-uniform scaling if aspect ratios differ, causing circular pump symbols to appear slightly elliptical.
Font and Text Scaling: TrueType system fonts scale cleanly, but small fixed-pitch bitmap fonts may exhibit minor anti-aliasing artifacts.
Widescreen Standardization: For optimal visual ergonomics, standardize all control room operator consoles on uniform aspect ratios (such as native 16:9 Full HD 1920x1080).

Picture Window Property Matrix for Resolution Scaling

The following table details the operational impact of Picture Window geometry settings in WinCC:

Attribute NameSettingOperational Behavior in WinCC RuntimeAdapt PictureNo (Default)Picture displays at native drawn pixel size. Scroll bars appear if picture exceeds window area.Adapt PictureYesPicture scales up or down dynamically to fill the exact rectangular bounds of the Picture Window.Adapt SizeNo (Default)Picture Window dimensions remain locked to the frame template layout.Adapt SizeYesPicture Window dynamically resizes itself to match the native dimensions of the loaded picture, disrupting layout frames.Scroll BarNoSuppresses horizontal and vertical scroll bars completely even if the picture is cropped.Scroll BarYesDisplays scroll bars whenever picture dimensions exceed the viewing aperture.

Rule of Thumb: For automated resolution adaptation, always set Adapt Picture = Yes and Adapt Size = No.

Verification

Verify automated picture scaling on the target OS workstation:
1. Open WinCC Runtime on the new OS station operating at 1680x1050 resolution.
2. Navigate across multiple plant pictures designed natively at 1364x768.
3. Confirm that all pictures load immediately filling the entire central viewport without horizontal or vertical scroll bars.
4. Verify that block icons remain clickable, faceplates open cleanly at their standard pixel dimensions, and mouse click coordinates remain perfectly aligned.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Essential precautions when adapting picture resolutions:
- Do not modify @1001.pdl on individual clients without updating the Master Data Library template, as subsequent OS compilations or OS Project Editor executions may overwrite local file modifications.
- While process pictures scale inside the Picture Window, floating faceplate popups (@PG_...) do NOT scale dynamically; faceplates render at fixed designed pixel sizes to preserve operator ergonomics.
- Ensure Windows display scaling is set to 100% in the operating system; mismatched DPI settings override WinCC geometric scaling.

Engineer FAQ

Why did setting 'Adapt Picture' in Computer Properties not fix the scroll bars?

The 'Adapt Picture' setting in Computer Properties only governs the root start picture window. Internal process screens are loaded inside child picture windows in @1001.pdl, which have their own independent Adapt Picture property.

Why do my graphics look stretched after setting Adapt Picture to Yes?

Non-uniform stretching occurs when scaling between different aspect ratios (such as 16:9 to 16:10). To maintain perfect geometry, design pictures in the target aspect ratio.