Diagnosing and Resolving Missing Block Icons in PCS 7 OS Process Pictures

In SIMATIC PCS 7, when technological blocks placed in CFC charts (such as motors, valves, or third-party library blocks) fail to generate block icons in WinCC process pictures after an OS compile, the failure is caused by missing icon template files (@PCS7Typicals*.pdl) in the local OS project's 'GraCS' directory, unchecked 'Create block icon' attributes in CFC, or unassigned process pictures in the Plant Hierarchy. To resolve this, run the OS Project Editor in WinCC Explorer with 'Basic Data' update enabled, assign a process picture to the plant hierarchy folder, and execute 'Options > Plant Hierarchy > Create/update block icons' in SIMATIC Manager.

Executive Summary

Automated graphic generation is a foundational productivity feature of SIMATIC PCS 7. When technological blocks are configured in CFC charts, the PCS 7 Plant Hierarchy wizard automatically places corresponding block icons onto WinCC process pictures, eliminating manual tag linking. However, engineers frequently encounter scenarios where block icons fail to appear following an AS-OS compilation, leaving process screens empty.

This issue occurs commonly when deploying supplementary libraries (such as the Industry Library, CEMAT, or custom vendor packages) or when restructuring the Plant Hierarchy. The block icon generation wizard operates through an exact sequence of prerequisites: the block attribute in CFC, the presence of matching template PDLs in the local WinCC GraCS folder, and the picture binding in SIMATIC Manager Plant View. This guide provides an end-to-end troubleshooting methodology to identify broken links and restore automated block icon generation.

Architecture and Fundamental Mechanics

The PCS 7 automated block icon generation workflow relies on synchronized bindings across three engineering layers:

CFC Block Configuration Layer:
- Each technological block instance in CFC possesses an object property: 'Create block icon' (must be checked).
- The block defines an icon type string (e.g., @MotL/1, @VlvL/2, @IL_MotL/1). The prefix denotes the family type, while the numerical suffix denotes the graphical variant (e.g., vertical vs horizontal orientation, compact vs expanded).
The Plant Hierarchy (PH) Association Layer:
- In SIMATIC Manager Plant View, CFC charts reside inside hierarchy folders (e.g., Area1/Unit1).
- For the generation wizard to place an icon, the hierarchy folder containing the chart (or a higher-level parent folder) must have an assigned WinCC process picture (.pdl). If no picture is linked to that hierarchy level, the wizard has no canvas on which to instantiate the icon.
The WinCC Graphics Template Layer (GraCS):
- When 'Create/update block icons' is executed, the wizard scans the local OS project's GraCS directory for template files matching the pattern @PCS7Typicals*.pdl (such as @PCS7TypicalsAPL.pdl, @PCS7TypicalsIL.pdl).
- The wizard matches the block's type attribute against the user attribute type of the icons in the template file.
- If an additional library was installed on the PC, its template files reside in C:\Program Files (x86)\Siemens\WinCC\Options\PDL\.... If the OS Project Editor has not been executed on the specific OS project, these templates are absent from the local project's GraCS directory, causing the wizard to silently skip icon generation.

Step-by-Step Implementation Procedure

Follow these steps to diagnose and resolve missing block icons in SIMATIC PCS 7:

Verify CFC Block Properties in SIMATIC Manager:
- Open the CFC chart containing the missing block.
- Double-click the block header (or right-click > 'Object Properties').
- Confirm that the checkbox 'Create block icon' is checked.
- In the 'Block icon' field, verify the type string (e.g., @MotL/1). If left blank, it defaults to variant 1.
Verify Plant Hierarchy Picture Assignment:
- In SIMATIC Manager, switch to 'Plant View' ('View > Plant View').
- Navigate to the hierarchy folder where the CFC chart resides.
- In the right-hand object pane, verify that a WinCC picture (.pdl) exists in this folder (or that a parent folder contains a picture configured to collect child icons).
- Right-click the hierarchy folder > select 'Object Properties' > switch to the 'Block Icons' tab > ensure 'Derive block icons from the plant hierarchy' is checked.
Deploy Library Templates Using OS Project Editor:
- In SIMATIC Manager Component View, right-click the OS Server project and select 'Open Object' to launch WinCC Explorer.
- In WinCC Explorer, double-click 'OS Project Editor'.
- Switch to the 'Basic Data' tab.
- Ensure the template files corresponding to your installed libraries (e.g., @PCS7TypicalsAPL.pdl, @PCS7TypicalsIL.pdl, @PCS7Typicals_CEMAT.pdl) are selected for deployment.
- Click 'OK'. The OS Project Editor extracts the template PDLs from the Siemens installation directory into your local project's GraCS folder.
Verify Template Presence in WinCC Graphics Designer:
- In WinCC Explorer, click 'Graphics Designer'.
- Confirm that the relevant @PCS7Typicals*.pdl file appears in the file list.
- (Optional) Open the file and verify that the target block icon type is present.
Run 'Create/Update Block Icons' in SIMATIC Manager:
- Return to SIMATIC Manager Plant View.
- Select the root plant hierarchy folder (or target unit folder).
- Select 'Options > Plant Hierarchy > Create/update block icons...' from the main menu (or right-click folder > 'Plant Hierarchy > Create/update block icons...').
- In the dialog window, ensure the target OS is selected and hierarchy levels are configured to cover all sub-folders.
- Click 'OK'. The wizard parses all CFC charts and places missing block icons into their assigned process pictures.
Compile OS and Verify Placement:
- Execute an AS-OS compile ('Changes only').
- Open the process picture in WinCC Graphics Designer to inspect the generated icons.

Verification

In WinCC Graphics Designer, open the target process picture: confirm that the newly created block icon appears in the top-left corner of the canvas.
Select the icon and inspect its Object Properties: verify that the attributes tag, tagname, and Servername correctly reference the CFC block instance.
Position the icon at its intended location on the process flow diagram and save the picture.
Activate WinCC Runtime: confirm that the icon displays live process states and opens the matching faceplate when clicked.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Re-running 'Create/update block icons' will reposition newly generated icons to the top-left default coordinate (0,0), but will NOT alter the coordinates of previously placed and positioned icons. If custom block icons are modified directly inside factory templates with a double at-sign (@@), running the OS Project Editor will overwrite them; always store customizations in single at-sign files (e.g., @PCS7Typicals_Custom.pdl). Software engineering licenses and library options should be verified through an authorized Siemens distributor or the Siemens Industry Mall.

Engineer FAQ

Why did icons fail to generate after installing a new library?

The library installer places templates in the global Siemens program folder. The OS Project Editor must be run on the OS project to transfer those template PDLs into the local project's GraCS folder.

Where does the wizard place newly created block icons on a picture?

Newly generated icons are placed automatically in the upper-left corner of the canvas (coordinates X=0, Y=0) stacked on top of each other.

What happens if I move an icon and re-run 'Create/update block icons'?

Existing icons that have already been positioned will retain their X/Y coordinates; only their tag interconnections and dynamic attributes will be refreshed.