How to Add Missing Industry Library Faceplates to an Existing PCS 7 OS Project

When Industry Library CFC blocks are available after installation but their faceplates are missing from an existing PCS 7 OS project, synchronize the relevant OS project with the installed graphics through WinCC Explorer's OS Project Editor. Siemens documents this editor-based synchronization for PCS 7 V7.1 software updates; the support discussion reports that running the editor resolved its case. Because the ticket does not identify its PCS 7 or Industry Library version, confirm the matching library procedure and review overwrite selections before applying it.

Why the blocks can appear while faceplates are absent

The CFC block types and the WinCC graphics are separate project assets. Installing a library can make its block types available when creating CFC charts, while an existing OS project may still contain its earlier set of basic pictures and faceplates. Siemens describes transferring OS basic pictures and synchronizing faceplates into the project through the OS Project Editor. Thus, seeing the blocks in CFC does not by itself prove that the associated OS graphics have been copied into the existing project.

Prerequisites

Use the Engineering Station (ES) that has the target multiproject open and the corresponding Industry Library/faceplate package installed. Confirm the exact PCS 7 and library releases supported together before synchronizing. The Siemens procedure cited below is specifically from the PCS 7 V6.x-or-higher to V7.1 software-update manual: it requires the OS stations to have been updated with Project Migrator and the PCS 7 OS to be open in WinCC Explorer. These migration prerequisites may not describe a different, non-migration project; use the procedure documented for the installed release. Back up or archive the project and identify customized OS pictures and faceplates before replacing project data.

Synchronize the OS project with the installed library

For the documented PCS 7 V7.1 update workflow, Siemens gives these steps: 1. Open the target PCS 7 OS in WinCC Explorer. 2. Open the OS Project Editor from its shortcut menu. 3. On the General tab, select Complete configuration. 4. On the Layout tab, select the layout and monitor configuration required by the OS. 5. On Basic Data, review the listed basic pictures and faceplates that differ from the installed product version. 6. Select only the applicable library items to transfer or replace, taking care with project-customized graphics. 7. Click OK to start the synchronization. Siemens explains that selected basic pictures are overwritten with product-version pictures; faceplates can be replaced by the relevant product-version defaults. The exact labels and available options may differ in other releases, so follow the matching installed-version help rather than assuming identical UI behavior.

Protect project customizations

Before executing the editor, record any customized basic pictures, startup graphics such as @Screen, and project-specific faceplates. In the Basic Data selection, avoid replacing customized files unless restoring the library default is intentional; preserve a recoverable copy so approved customizations can be reapplied and compared. The ticket's accepted answer specifically cautions that a modified @Screen image may need to be excluded from replacement or restored afterward. The Siemens manual confirms the broader overwrite behavior, but does not establish the exact effect of every Industry Library release on @Screen; treat that item-level caution as a project-specific precaution.

Expected result and version scope

After successful synchronization, the OS project should contain the selected installed-version graphics, making the relevant faceplate files available to that OS project. This does not establish that every faceplate is automatically inserted into every process picture, nor does it verify that the runtime project was compiled or downloaded. Siemens documentation here is for PCS 7 V7.1 and a V6.x-or-higher migration path. The original report gives no product version, update level, library version, or OS topology, so applicability to the reported project cannot be independently narrowed further.

Verification

Reopen or inspect the target OS project's graphics in WinCC Explorer and confirm that the expected Industry Library faceplate files are present. Then open a representative process picture in Graphics Designer and check that the intended object or block icon links to the corresponding faceplate. If the graphics are available but not visible from an operator picture, inspect that picture's configured objects and associations separately; the OS Project Editor synchronization alone does not prove that picture configuration or runtime deployment is correct. Test any approved changes in the project's normal engineering and release process before operational use.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

The ticket's successful result is a single reported case, not a guarantee for all PCS 7 versions or multiproject configurations. The Siemens manual establishes selected-file overwrite behavior for its V7.1 migration procedure, not universal version compatibility. Do not replace customized OS assets without a recoverable project archive and review. If the relevant library faceplates are not installed for the project's actual release, or if the OS project is in a different lifecycle/version state, the documented procedure may not apply; identify the correct library package and version-specific instructions before continuing. No AS logic download is indicated by the reported graphics synchronization fix.

Engineer FAQ

Does installing the library also update an existing OS project? Not necessarily. The ticket reports that the CFC blocks were available while the OS faceplates were absent; its resolution was to synchronize the existing OS project with the OS Project Editor. Can I run the editor on any PCS 7 release using these exact steps? The detailed Siemens procedure cited here is for a V7.1 update path. Check the help/manual for the installed release. Will synchronization overwrite customized pictures? Selected basic pictures are overwritten with product-version pictures in the cited procedure. Review each selection and protect project-specific graphics. Does this insert icons into every process picture? The synchronization reference does not promise that. Inspect picture configuration and block-icon associations separately. Does this require downloading new AS logic? The ticket's reported fix concerns OS graphics; it does not establish a need to change or download AS logic.

Technical References

Siemens, Process Control System PCS 7: Software Update Without Utilization of New Functions (PCS 7 V6.x or Higher to V7.1), §6.4.3–6.4.5, especially §6.4.4 “How to Synchronize OS Basic Pictures, Local Computer Actions, and Faceplates,” pp. 52–55. https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/attachments/36191721/ps7swo_b_en-US.pdf
Siemens, Process Control System PCS 7 Operator Station (V7.1), Configuration Manual, §5.3.6, picture-hierarchy transfer behavior. https://cache.industry.siemens.com/dl/files/551/36194551/att_56631/v1/ps7phosb_en-US.pdf

PCS 7 OS faceplate synchronization

How to Add Missing Industry Library Faceplates to an Existing PCS 7 OS Project