How to Migrate Legacy PCS 7 V6.0 Paper and Pulp Faceplates and IP Project Editor to PCS 7 V8.1

When migrating legacy PCS 7 V6.0 Paper and Pulp (SIPAPER) projects to PCS 7 V8.1, faceplates fail to open because the obsolete 'IP Project Editor' (Industrial Processing Project Editor) and its proprietary 32-bit ActiveX controls were retired and have no direct equivalent in modern PCS 7. To migrate successfully, you must upgrade the project to modern SIPAPER or Industry Library (IL) standards: replace legacy IP driver blocks with modern APL/IL equivalents in CFC, regenerate standard APL block icons and faceplates using the PCS 7 OS Project Editor, and install the certified 64-bit SIPAPER library package compatible with PCS 7 V8.1.

Legacy PCS 7 V6.0 Paper and Pulp (SIPAPER) Architecture

In early PCS 7 generations (V5.x and V6.0), Siemens developed specialized industry software suites for continuous vertical markets. For paper manufacturing, pulp processing, and tissue mills, the standard solution was the SIPAPER (Paper & Pulp) library.

In PCS 7 V6.0:
* The Engineering Station relied on a specialized utility called the IP Project Editor (Industrial Processing Project Editor).
* The IP Project Editor generated customized WinCC graphics, picture tree hierarchies, and multi-screen layouts tailored for pulp processing units (digesters, refiners, headboxes, press sections).
* Faceplates were built using proprietary 32-bit ActiveX controls (OCX files) embedded into WinCC .PDL screens.
* These ActiveX controls depended on legacy Windows 2000/XP COM registration tables and internal DCOM bindings to communicate with the WinCC data manager.

Why the IP Project Editor and ActiveX Controls Fail in PCS 7 V8.1

When an engineer attempts to migrate a PCS 7 V6.0 multi-project directly across multiple intermediate steps to PCS 7 V8.1 on Windows Server 2008 R2 (64-bit):
1. Retirement of the IP Project Editor: The IP Project Editor software was deprecated after PCS 7 V6.1 and completely removed. PCS 7 V8.1 has no equivalent standalone IP utility; its functions were merged into the standard OS Project Editor and APL style guide generators.
2. Incompatible 32-Bit ActiveX Controls: Legacy Paper and Pulp ActiveX controls (.ocx) cannot execute inside the 64-bit Windows Server 2008 R2 operating system or modern WinCC V7.3 graphics engines. Clicking faceplates produces invalid OLE container errors or silent graphic crashes.
3. WinCC Project Migrator Restrictions: Running the standalone WinCC Project Migrator (WinCC > Tools > Project Migrator) upgrades raw WinCC databases, but Siemens strictly prohibits using it directly on integrated PCS 7 projects because it scrambles the SIMATIC Manager AS-OS integration data.

The Role of the Modern OS Project Editor and APL Framework

In modern PCS 7 architectures (V8.0 through V9.1), domain-specific libraries have been consolidated:
* The functionality of SIPAPER is delivered through the SIPAPER APL Library (or PCS 7 Industry Library).
* All visual controls adhere to the standardized Advanced Process Library (APL) framework, which uses pure WinCC native graphic objects and C-scripts rather than brittle third-party ActiveX controls.
* The standard OS Project Editor (WinCC Explorer > OS Project Editor) generates the complete monitor layout, picture tree hierarchy, alarm line, and screen resolutions natively, eliminating the need for obsolete external editors.

Step-by-Step Migration Pathway for SIPAPER Faceplates

To successfully modernize legacy Paper and Pulp faceplates during a PCS 7 upgrade:

Obtain the Compatible SIPAPER APL Package:
* Procure the official Siemens SIPAPER APL Library for PCS 7 V8.1 (or PCS 7 Industry Library V8.1) through your authorized Siemens distributor.
* Install the library on the PCS 7 V8.1 Engineering Station.
Migrate AS CFC Blocks:
* Open the migrated multi-project in SIMATIC Manager.
* Open the Master Data Library (MDL).
* Replace legacy V6 Paper and Pulp function blocks with the new SIPAPER APL / Industry Library blocks.
* Run Options > Update Block Types... across all CFC charts.
Run the OS Project Editor:
* In WinCC Explorer on each OS project, open the OS Project Editor.
* Select your screen resolution (e.g., 1920x1080) and monitor layout.
* On the Basic Data tab, ensure all standard APL templates are checked.
* Click OK to regenerate the screen framework.
Regenerate Block Icons and Faceplates:
* In SIMATIC Manager Plant Hierarchy, select Plant Hierarchy > Create/Update Block Icons....
* PCS 7 replaces the legacy ActiveX block symbols with modern, responsive APL block icons.
* In WinCC Runtime, clicking the new icons launches native, high-performance APL faceplates.

Comparison of Legacy IP Editor vs Modern OS Project Editor

The table below compares the legacy PCS 7 V6 Paper and Pulp graphics generation with modern PCS 7 V8.1 APL architectures.

Architecture ElementLegacy PCS 7 V6.0 Paper & PulpModern PCS 7 V8.1 SIPAPER APLScreen Layout UtilityIP Project Editor (Industrial Processing)Standard OS Project EditorFaceplate Technology32-bit ActiveX Controls (.ocx)Native WinCC APL Graphic Objects (.PDL)Operating SystemWindows 2000 / XP (32-bit)Windows 7 / Server 2008 R2 (64-bit)Driver BlocksLegacy V6 Paper & Pulp BlocksSIPAPER APL / Industry Library BlocksSoftware StatusObsolete / UnsupportedFully Certified and MaintainedOperator PermissionsLocal custom scriptsStandard SIMATIC Logon Integration

Verification

To confirm that the modernized SIPAPER faceplates function properly:
1. Compile CFC charts with Generate module drivers enabled and verify zero compilation errors.
2. Execute a full OS Compilation and download to the WinCC runtime stations.
3. Launch WinCC Runtime. Verify that all paper mill process graphics render cleanly without missing OLE/ActiveX warnings.
4. Click each modernized drive, refiner, and valve block icon: confirm that the APL faceplate opens instantly.
5. Operate mode toggles (Auto/Manual) and verify that the commands execute in the AS controller.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Never attempt to manually register legacy 32-bit ActiveX controls using regsvr32 on Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit; doing so introduces instability into the WinCC graphics server engine (pdlrt.exe).
Do not use the standalone WinCC Project Migrator tool on integrated PCS 7 projects; always migrate via SIMATIC Manager multi-project migration procedures.
Ensure all obsolete block instances in CFC are updated before compiling the OS; orphaned legacy blocks cause WinCC compilation to abort.
Validate final license quantities and MLFBs for the modern SIPAPER or Industry Library against the applicable Siemens catalog and authorized distributor quotation before deploying production interfaces.

Engineer FAQ

What happened to the IP Project Editor in PCS 7 V8.1?

The IP Project Editor was discontinued after PCS 7 V6.1. Its screen management and layout functions were integrated into the standard PCS 7 OS Project Editor, while its faceplate generation was superseded by the Advanced Process Library (APL).

Can I run legacy ActiveX faceplates in PCS 7 V8.1?

No. Legacy ActiveX controls developed for PCS 7 V6.0 are 32-bit components that are completely incompatible with 64-bit operating systems and modern WinCC versions, resulting in graphic runtime crashes.

Where do I obtain the modern equivalent of the Paper and Pulp library?

The modern equivalent is the 'SIPAPER APL' library or the 'SIMATIC PCS 7 Industry Library' (IL). These packages are commercial optional software products available through Siemens sales channels and authorized distributors.