Batch Printing and Exporting CFC Charts to PDF in SIMATIC PCS 7

To batch export or print all CFC charts to PDF in SIMATIC PCS 7 V8.2 without naming each file individually, configure a virtual PDF printer (such as Microsoft Print to PDF or Adobe PDF) with automated file naming enabled, then navigate to Plant View or Component View in SIMATIC Manager. Select the parent plant hierarchy folder or S7 Program 'Charts' container, select menu 'PLC > Print > Object Contents' (or right-click 'Print > Object Contents'), and configure the print scope for all charts. SIMATIC Manager will sequentially process and export all CFC charts across the hierarchy into a unified multi-page PDF or automated file series in a single operation.

Executive Summary

As-built documentation, functional safety audits, and regulatory compliance reviews frequently mandate exporting complete graphical representations of all Continuous Function Chart (CFC) programs into electronic PDF format. In large PCS 7 facilities containing hundreds of charts, opening individual CFCs and printing them manually is prohibitively labor-intensive and error-prone. Engineers frequently seek an automated 'one-shot' procedure to generate consolidated PDF documentation. SIMATIC PCS 7 includes native batch printing mechanisms within SIMATIC Manager that operate across entire plant hierarchy branches. This article details the configuration of automated PDF virtual printers and provides the certified multi-chart batch export procedure.

Architecture and Fundamental Mechanics

SIMATIC Manager Batch Document Generator, Spooling Architecture, and Virtual PDF Printers:

Architecture of the CFC Printing Engine:
Within the CFC Editor, Chart > Print prints only the active chart sheet or sheet overview to the Windows default printer, prompting for a destination file name on every execution.
At the SIMATIC Manager level, the Document Management System (DOCPRO / Object Contents Print) operates hierarchically.
When invoked on a container object (such as an S7 Program, Charts folder, or Plant Hierarchy node), SIMATIC Manager traverses the project database, renders every contained CFC chart vector layout, and spools them as a continuous print job.
Virtual PDF Printer Automation and Suppressing File Prompts:
Standard 'Microsoft Print to PDF' prompts the user for a filename for every distinct document call unless spooled as a single continuous multi-page print stream.
For advanced enterprise documentation, third-party PDF utilities (e.g. Adobe Acrobat Distiller, PDFCreator, or Bullzip PDF) allow configuring an Auto-Save Profile:
- Target Directory: D:\PCS7_Documentation\CFC_PDFs\
- Filename Pattern: <Title>_<DateTime>.pdf
- Interactive Prompts: Disabled.
When SIMATIC Manager prints the entire chart folder, the automated spooler dumps all pages into a consolidated document without requiring user intervention.

Step-by-Step Implementation Procedure

Configure the Windows Default PDF Virtual Printer:
* In Windows Settings, navigate to Devices > Printers & scanners.
* Select your PDF virtual printer (e.g. Microsoft Print to PDF or Adobe PDF) and set it as Default.
* In Printer Preferences, configure the paper orientation to Landscape (standard for CFC sheet layouts) and paper size to Letter or A4.
* If using an auto-saving printer (e.g. PDFCreator), configure the profile to automatically save output to a designated project directory.
Select the Chart Container in SIMATIC Manager:
* Open SIMATIC Manager in Plant View or Component View.
* In Component View: Navigate to SIMATIC 400 Station > CPU 41x > S7 Program > Charts.
* In Plant View: Select the top-level plant hierarchy node (e.g. Plant1) to print all charts across all units, or select a specific Unit folder.
Execute Object Contents Print:
* With the container selected, select menu PLC > Print > Object Contents... (or right-click the folder and select Print > Object Contents).
* In the print dialog:
- Scope: Select All charts.
- Layout: Select Chart with overview or Chart sheets (1:1).
- Include: Check Parameter list and Block properties if full engineering documentation is required.
Start Batch Generation:
* Click OK or Print.
* If prompted by Microsoft Print to PDF, enter a single consolidated filename (e.g. Plant1_All_CFC_Charts.pdf).
* SIMATIC Manager processes all charts sequentially, appending each chart to the consolidated PDF file.
Generate Formal Plant Documentation via DOCPRO (Optional):
* For formal binders with cover sheets, table of contents, and cross-reference indices, use the optional package SIMATIC DOCPRO via Tools > Plant Documentation in SIMATIC Manager.

Verification

Open the generated PDF file in a PDF reader.
Confirm that the total page count reflects all charts across the selected plant hierarchy.
Verify that block symbols, inter-chart sheet bar connectors, and signal text are rendered crisply in vector format.
Search for a known block tag (e.g. MotL_01) using PDF search (Ctrl + F); verify that text within the PDF is searchable.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Printing several hundred CFC charts simultaneously can consume significant memory and spooling disk space. For massive multiprojects (over 500 charts), execute batch printing unit by unit to prevent Windows Print Spooler (spoolsv.exe) crashes.

Engineer FAQ

How do I print all CFC charts at once without opening each one?

In SIMATIC Manager, select the 'Charts' folder or Plant Hierarchy node and select 'PLC > Print > Object Contents'.

Why does Microsoft Print to PDF prompt for a filename on every chart?

If printing individual selections, it prompts per job. Selecting 'Print > Object Contents' on the parent folder spools all charts as a single multi-page job.

What paper orientation is best for printing CFC charts?

Always use Landscape orientation, matching the 6-sheet or 26-sheet horizontal layout of CFC charts.

Can I search for text inside the exported PDF charts?

Yes, virtual PDF printers generate vector-based text, allowing full text searching of tag names and parameters.

What is SIMATIC DOCPRO used for?

DOCPRO is a PCS 7 engineering option used to create unified plant documentation binders with automated table of contents, cover pages, and wiring lists.