Preserving Custom WinCC Picture Resolution Across OS Compilations in PCS 7 V9.0

In SIMATIC PCS 7 V9.0 SP2 UC03, custom WinCC screen resolutions (such as Full HD 1920x1080 or widescreen 16:9 layouts) reverting to default dimensions (e.g., 1280x1024) following an OS Compilation or project transfer is caused by modifying picture geometries exclusively in Graphic Designer instead of the OS Project Editor. The OS Project Editor on the Engineering Station is the master authority for screen layout and frame hierarchy. If the resolution is not configured in the OS Project Editor 'Layout' tab, every OS compilation or project editor execution regenerates the standard template pictures (@screen.pdl, @overview1.pdl) using the default layout profile. To permanently enforce custom resolution, select the target widescreen layout in the OS Project Editor on the ES and download to the OS stations.

Executive Summary

Modern control rooms deploy high-definition widescreen monitors (1920x1080 Full HD, 1920x1200, or 2560x1440) to expand operational process visibility. In PCS 7 V9.0.2 UC03, engineers frequently configure graphic pictures directly in WinCC Graphic Designer to match these modern aspect ratios. However, following a routine OS Compilation from SIMATIC Manager or re-running the OS Project Editor, the system layout resets: overview areas overlap, alarm banners shift, scrollbars appear, and display resolutions revert to classic 4:3 formats. This guide explains the layout generation hierarchy in PCS 7, details how OS Project Editor enforces screen templates, and provides the step-by-step procedure to lock in custom resolutions permanently.

Architecture and Fundamental Mechanics

The graphical framework of SIMATIC PCS 7 OS is built upon a hierarchical template system governed by the OS Project Editor:
1. The OS Project Editor Layout Engine:
- In PCS 7, the operator screen is not a single freeform canvas. It consists of a base container (@screen.pdl) divided into three standardized functional zones:
a. Overview Area (@overview1.pdl): Upper zone containing Plant Hierarchy area buttons, server status, and general alarm summary.
b. Working Area (@1001.pdl / @Area.pdl): Center zone where technological process pictures render.
c. Button Area (@buttons11.pdl / @buttons12.pdl): Lower zone containing navigation shortcuts, horn acknowledge, and screen switching.
2. The Compilation Overwrite Mechanism:
- When an OS Compilation runs with picture tree generation enabled, or when the OS Project Editor runs, PCS 7 inspects the active Layout Profile selected in the OS Project Editor.
- It copies the master template files from C:\Program Files (x86)\Siemens\WinCC\Options\PDL\SIMATIC_Standard into the project's GraCS directory.
- If the project was left on default 'SIMATIC Standard 1280*1024', the editor overwrites @screen.pdl and recalculates picture sizes, destroying any manual adjustments made in Graphic Designer.
3. Engineering Station Master Authority:
- In distributed client-server architectures, layout settings must be configured on the Engineering Station project. Running the editor locally on an OS Server or OS Client is futile, as subsequent downloads from the ES will overwrite local configurations.

Step-by-Step Implementation Procedure

Open OS Project Editor on the Engineering Station:
a. Open SIMATIC Manager on the ES.
b. Expand the OS Server or OS Client station in the tree view.
c. Open the WinCC Explorer project.
d. In the WinCC Explorer navigation pane, double-click OS Project Editor.
Select Target Screen Resolution in the 'Layout' Tab:
a. In the OS Project Editor window, navigate to the Layout tab.
b. In the 'Available Layouts' list, locate the resolution matching your physical monitors (e.g., SIMATIC Standard 1920*1080 or SIMATIC Server 1920*1080).
c. If multi-monitor configurations are used, select multi-screen profiles (e.g., SIMATIC Standard 2 Screen 1920*1080).
d. Under 'Monitor Configuration', select the number of monitors (1, 2, 3, or 4).
Configure Picture Tree Options and Protection:
a. Switch to the Areas tab: confirm that Plant Hierarchy areas are mapped to the correct overview containers.
b. Switch to the Basic Data tab: inspect the list of standard system pictures.
c. If custom modifications were made to @buttons11.pdl or system scripts, ensure 'Do not overwrite' is checked for those specific elements (or preserve them in a separate folder).
Execute OS Project Editor Generation:
a. Click OK in the OS Project Editor.
b. The tool re-generates @screen.pdl, @overview1.pdl, and @buttons11.pdl precisely scaled to the chosen resolution (e.g., 1920x1080).
Adjust Custom Process Graphics in Graphic Designer:
a. In WinCC Explorer, open your custom technological pictures (Area_Overview.pdl).
b. Open 'Object Properties' for the picture canvas.
c. Set 'Picture Width' and 'Picture Height' to match the working area of the new layout (e.g., width 1920, height 880 for a 1920x1080 screen with 120px top banner and 80px bottom bar).
d. Save all modified pictures.
Download Updated Project to OS Stations:
a. In SIMATIC Manager, right-click the OS project and select PLC -> Download (Changes only or Entire project).
b. Activate runtime on the OS client: confirm that the display renders natively at full widescreen resolution without scrollbars.

Verification

Launch WinCC Runtime on the OS station: verify that the graphic interface fills the physical monitor from edge to edge without distortion.
In SIMATIC Manager, perform a delta OS compilation (Compile OS -> Changes): confirm that subsequent compilations do not reset the resolution or alter picture dimensions.
Open Graphic Designer for @screen.pdl: verify that the width property remains 1920 and height remains 1080.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Changing the layout in OS Project Editor overwrites standard system pictures (@screen.pdl, @overview.pdl). Always back up customized navigation buttons or company logos before switching layout profiles.

Engineer FAQ

Why does my screen resolution revert back after compiling the OS?

Because the OS Project Editor is configured with a default resolution (e.g., 1280x1024), which overwrites manual changes in Graphic Designer upon compilation.

Where is the master screen resolution configured in PCS 7?

In the OS Project Editor under the 'Layout' tab on the Engineering Station.

Can PCS 7 handle multi-monitor operator consoles?

Yes. The OS Project Editor provides multi-monitor layout profiles supporting up to 4 monitors per PC station.

What happens to custom pictures when changing OS Project Editor layouts?

Technological user pictures are not deleted, but standard frame pictures (@screen.pdl, @buttons.pdl) are regenerated to match the new resolution.

Can 4K resolution (3840x2160) be used in PCS 7 V9.0?

While 4K monitors can display PCS 7, standard pre-built OS Project Editor layouts primarily support up to 1920x1080 and 1920x1200; custom 4K layouts require scaling scripts.