Configuring Custom 4K UHD (3840x2160) Screen Resolutions in PCS 7 OS-Project Editor

In SIMATIC PCS 7 OS (V8.0, V8.1, and V8.2), the OS-Project Editor provides predefined screen layout resolutions up to 2560x1600. To configure a 4K UHD (3840x2160) resolution, create a custom layout template folder in C:\Program Files (x86)\Siemens\WinCC\Options\PDL named SIMATIC_SERVER_3840x2160 with an edited configuration file (.cfg), customize the standard picture dimensions (@Overview1.pdl, @Buttons11.pdl), and set Windows OS scaling strictly to 100% DPI to prevent graphical clipping.

Architecture of OS-Project Editor Screen Layout Templates

In SIMATIC PCS 7 Operator Stations, the visual framework of process screens—including the top overview area (@Overview1.pdl), bottom button toolbars (@Buttons11.pdl), and central working area—is constructed by the OS-Project Editor tool according to the Siemens Basic Process Control (BPC) architecture.

When an engineer opens the OS-Project Editor under the Layout tab, the system presents a fixed selection of standard industrial monitor resolutions:
* 1280x1024 (Classic 5:4)
* 1680x1050 / 1920x1080 (Standard Full HD 16:9)
* 1920x1200 (WUXGA 16:10)
* 2560x1600 (WQXGA maximum catalog resolution)

With the widespread deployment of ultra-high-definition 4K commercial and industrial displays (3840x2160 pixels), engineers find that 4K is not included in the pre-packaged drop-down list in PCS 7 V8.2.

This limitation is not an engine constraint: the underlying WinCC graphics engine supports canvas sizes up to 10,000 x 10,000 pixels. The missing resolution is simply an absent configuration template folder and .cfg descriptor in the WinCC delivery path.

Screen Resolution and Multi-Monitor Specification Matrix

Compare supported native resolutions and multi-monitor boundaries in PCS 7:

Display ResolutionAspect RatioCatalog Status in OS-Project EditorTotal Pixel CountMulti-Monitor Support (Max Monitors)1920x1080 (Full HD)16:9Native standard delivery2,073,600 pxUp to 4 screens side-by-side (7680x1080)1920x1200 (WUXGA)16:10Native standard delivery2,304,000 pxUp to 4 screens side-by-side (7680x1200)2560x1600 (WQXGA)16:10Native maximum delivery4,096,000 pxUp to 2 screens side-by-side (5120x1600)3840x2160 (4K UHD)16:9Custom Template Required8,294,400 pxUp to 2 screens side-by-side (7680x2160)Custom > 10,000 pxAnyExceeds WinCC Limit> 100,000,000 pxExceeds 10,000 px GDI limit; prohibited

Hardware notice: Ensure industrial graphics cards (e.g., NVIDIA Quadro / RTX) support DisplayPort 1.2+ at 60 Hz.

Creating Custom 3840x2160 Layout Templates in WinCC Options

Follow this procedure to establish a native 4K template in the OS-Project Editor:

Locate Master Template Directory:
* On the Engineering Station, navigate to:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Siemens\WinCC\Options\PDL
* In this folder, observe existing resolution folders (e.g., SIMATIC_SERVER_1920x1080).
Duplicate and Rename Resolution Template:
* Copy the folder SIMATIC_SERVER_1920x1080 and paste it in the same directory.
* Rename the copied folder to:
SIMATIC_SERVER_3840x2160
Update Configuration File (.cfg):
* Enter the new folder SIMATIC_SERVER_3840x2160.
* Rename SIMATIC_SERVER_1920x1080.cfg to SIMATIC_SERVER_3840x2160.cfg.
* Open SIMATIC_SERVER_3840x2160.cfg in a text editor (Notepad).
* Modify the resolution dimensions:
ini [Resolution] Width=3840 Height=2160 OverviewWidth=3840 OverviewHeight=120 ButtonWidth=3840 ButtonHeight=100 WorkAreaWidth=3840 WorkAreaHeight=1940
* Save and close the file.
Execute OS-Project Editor:
* Open the OS project in WinCC Explorer.
* Launch OS-Project Editor.
* Under the Layout tab, the newly created resolution SIMATIC_SERVER_3840x2160 will now appear in the list.
* Select it and click Apply to generate 4K baseline pictures.

Configuring Multi-VGA Settings and Windows DPI Scaling

To ensure crystal-clear rendering without distorted fonts:
1. Enforce 100% Windows Display DPI Scaling:
* In Windows Settings on the OS PC, navigate to Display > Scale and layout.
* Mandatory: Set scale strictly to 100%. Never set scaling to 125%, 150%, or 200%. WinCC Graphics Runtime does not support high-DPI font scaling; scaling causes ActiveX controls, text fields, and faceplates to clip or render off-screen.
2. Configure Multi-Monitor Coordinates (GraCS MultiVGA):
* If using dual 4K monitors side-by-side, configure the monitor layout in Windows as 7680x2160.
* In OS-Project Editor, select Layout > Monitor Configuration: 2 Monitors (Side by Side).
* The total width (7680 px) remains comfortably below the 10,000-pixel WinCC architectural ceiling.

Verification

Verify 4K screen generation:
1. Open @Overview1.pdl in Graphics Designer: Verify that canvas geometry indicates Width = 3840 px.
2. Activate WinCC Runtime on the 4K workstation.
3. Confirm that the top overview bar stretches cleanly across the full 3840-pixel width without black sidebars or scrolling.
4. Open an APL motor faceplate: Verify that faceplate windows and fonts display with sharp vectors and zero clipping.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Operating at 3840x2160 quadruples the pixel rendering workload compared to 1920x1080. Ensure the client PC is equipped with a dedicated industrial workstation GPU with at least 4 GB VRAM.
Deploying more than two 4K monitors side-by-side (e.g., three 4K screens = 11,520 pixels) exceeds the 10,000-pixel WinCC GDI engine limit, causing runtime crashes. Arrange three monitors in a 2x2 grid instead.
Back up the custom SIMATIC_SERVER_3840x2160 folder prior to installing WinCC service packs or updates, as installers may overwrite the Options\PDL directory.

Engineer FAQ

Why are faceplate texts blurry or cropped on my 4K monitor?

Windows OS scaling is likely set to 150% or 200%. WinCC requires standard 100% (96 DPI) scaling. Set Windows display scaling to 100% and adjust font sizes within WinCC editors if text appears too small.

Can I mix a 1080p monitor and a 4K monitor on the same OS client?

Not recommended. WinCC OS-Project Editor requires all monitors in a multi-display workstation to share identical vertical and horizontal resolutions.

Does native 4K support exist in newer PCS 7 versions?

PCS 7 V9.0 and V9.1 introduced official high-resolution templates, but the 10,000-pixel total canvas limit and 100% DPI scaling requirements still apply.