Locating and Deploying the 'color_gs_prj' Getting Started Tutorial Project in PCS 7

The sample project 'color_gs_prj' is not installed automatically by the default SIMATIC PCS 7 installation setup. 'color_gs_prj' is the practical hands-on sample multiproject constructed in the official Siemens 'PCS 7 Getting Started - Part 1 and Part 2' tutorial manuals to teach project configuration, CFC/SFC engineering, and APL visualization. To obtain this project, download the pre-configured project archive directly from Siemens Industry Online Support (SIOS Entry IDs 68156972 / 68156990 for older versions, or 109756196 / 109757513 for PCS 7 V9.0 with APL), and retrieve it via 'File' -> 'Retrieve...' in SIMATIC Manager.

Executive Summary

Engineers new to SIMATIC PCS 7 or those following training exercises frequently look for the reference project color_gs_prj (Color Getting Started Project) inside the standard installation directories (S7PROJ), expecting it to be a pre-packaged template. When the project cannot be found, users suspect corrupted installations or missing XML transfer utilities. color_gs_prj is a specialized educational plant model designed to demonstrate recipe-driven dye dilution, dosing, and mixing. This guide details the purpose of the Getting Started project, provides direct SIOS download references, and explains how to retrieve and run the project.

Architectural and System Mechanics

Getting Started Architecture and Sample Project Structure:

Educational Plant Topology: color_gs_prj models a two-tank liquid dye manufacturing plant:
Raw material dosing vessels, agitation tanks, transfer pumps, and discharge control valves.
Demonstrates continuous analog monitoring (MonAnL), digital motor drives (MotL), two-way valves (VlvL), and PID temperature control (PIDConL).
Multi-Tier Manual Structure:
Part 1 (Basic Tutorial): Covers hardware configuration, plant hierarchy creation, master data library setup, and basic CFC programming.
Part 2 (Advanced Tutorial): Covers SFC state machines, recipe sequencing, WinCC alarm logging, historical trend configuration, and OS simulation.
Distribution Model: Because the project is an educational asset updated across PCS 7 releases, Siemens distributes color_gs_prj as downloadable archived zip files on SIOS rather than embedding large training files into the production software installation media.

Step-by-Step Engineering and Implementation Procedure

Step 1: Identify Your Exact PCS 7 Version

Determine your installed PCS 7 version in SIMATIC Manager ('Help' -> 'About') to select the matching tutorial project:
- For PCS 7 V8.0 SP1 / V8.1: Download Part 1 (Entry ID 68156972) and Part 2 (Entry ID 68156990).
- For PCS 7 V9.0 with APL: Download Part 1 (Entry ID 109756196) and Part 2 (Entry ID 109757513).

Step 2: Download the Project Archive from SIOS

Visit Siemens Industry Online Support (SIOS) and search by Entry ID.
Download the compressed project file (e.g., PCS7_V90_GS_Part1_Prj.zip).
Save the archive to a local folder (e.g., C:/Training/).

Step 3: Retrieve the Project in SIMATIC Manager

Launch SIMATIC Manager.
Select File -> Retrieve....
Browse to the downloaded .zip file and click 'Open'.
Choose the target destination directory (e.g., C:/Program Files (x86)/Siemens/Step7/S7PROJ/).
Click OK; SIMATIC Manager extracts the project database and prompts: 'Do you want to open the multiproject now?'. Click 'Yes'.

Step 4: Run the Project with S7-PLCSIM and WinCC Simulation

Open S7-PLCSIM and load the AS hardware and program.
Open WinCC Explorer on the OS project, configure the computer name to match your workstation, and activate Graphics Runtime.
Observe simulated liquid filling, heating, and mixing cycles in the pre-configured APL faceplates.

Verification

To verify project retrieval and integrity:
1. In SIMATIC Manager, confirm that both Component View and Plant View render cleanly.
2. Open CFC chart CFC_FC111 or CFC_TC111; confirm that APL blocks connect without missing library warnings.
3. Start WinCC Graphics Runtime; confirm that process displays show animated tanks, valves, and trend graphs.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Operational precautions:
- Educational sample projects are designed for simulation in S7-PLCSIM; do not download color_gs_prj to a physical production controller, as I/O addresses and rack configurations will not match actual field hardware.
- When retrieving sample projects from older PCS 7 releases, SIMATIC Manager will prompt to convert the database; create a backup copy before conversion.
- WinCC computer properties in the sample project must be changed to your local computer name before WinCC Runtime can be activated.

Engineer FAQ

Q: Why is 'color_gs_prj' missing from my PCS 7 installation?

A: Because it is an educational training asset provided as a downloadable download on SIOS, not an automatic component of the production installer.

Q: Where can I download color_gs_prj for PCS 7 V9.0?

A: On Siemens Industry Online Support under Entry IDs 109756196 (Part 1) and 109757513 (Part 2).

Q: Can color_gs_prj run on S7-PLCSIM without physical hardware?

A: Yes. The project includes process simulation charts allowing complete end-to-end operation in S7-PLCSIM.

Q: Why does WinCC reject activating runtime on the sample project?

A: You must open Computer Properties in WinCC Explorer and change the configured computer name to your actual Windows PC name.

Q: What does the Getting Started manual teach?

A: It teaches end-to-end PCS 7 engineering: hardware configuration, CMTs, CFC/SFC, APL faceplates, and alarm management.

Technical References

Related Tags

Getting Started, color_gs_prj, Sample Project, S7-PLCSIM, PCS 7 Tutorial

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Locating and Deploying the 'color_gs_prj' Getting Started Tutorial Project in PCS 7