Preventing Valve Block Icon Rotation (Horizontal vs Vertical) in SIMATIC PCS 7 APL Graphic Designer

To prevent valve block icons from changing orientation (flipping between horizontal when open and vertical when closed) in SIMATIC PCS 7 APL, customize the block icon typical template. In PCS 7 v8.0 and v8.1, the default @PCS7Typicals_APLV8.pdl includes animated variants where closed valves display vertically. To enforce a fixed horizontal orientation across all states, create a custom typicals file (e.g., @PCS7TypicalsCustom.pdl), assign a unique type attribute (e.g., @VlvL/101), replace the internal closed bitmap symbols with horizontal graphics, and update the CFC block icon type.

Root Cause of Dynamic Valve Orientation in PCS 7 APL Typicals

In SIMATIC PCS 7 Advanced Process Library (APL v8.0 and v8.1), valve block icons (such as VlvL, VlvMotL, VlvAnL) in @PCS7Typicals_APLV8.pdl were designed with dynamic operational graphics:
* The Orientation Logic:
In certain typical variants (e.g., Type 1 or Type 2), the graphic designers at Siemens implemented state visualization where an open valve appears horizontally aligned with pipe flow, while a closed valve rotates 90 degrees to appear vertical (mimicking a physical valve plug obstructing flow).
* The Plant Engineering Conflict:
Many piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&ID) and human-machine interface (HMI) standards require valves to maintain a strictly fixed mechanical orientation matching physical piping (horizontal pipes retain horizontal valve symbols; vertical pipes retain vertical valve symbols). Having a horizontal valve rotate into a vertical orientation confuses operators and disrupts screen aesthetics.
* PCS 7 v8.2 Feature Enhancement:
In PCS 7 v8.2 and later, dedicated fixed-orientation icon types were added directly into the standard templates, but earlier v8.0 and v8.1 projects require template customization.

Template Evaluation Order and the 10-File Typicals Hierarchy

During an OS Compilation or when executing Create/update block icons:
* File Naming Rule:
Graphic Designer parses up to 10 typical template pictures located in the OS project's GraCS directory. All files must strictly adhere to the naming syntax @PCS7Typicals<Name>.pdl.
* Alphanumeric Priority:
The system processes these files in ascending alphanumeric order. If an icon with the exact same type property (e.g., @VlvL/1) exists in multiple templates, the icon from the last processed template wins and is generated onto the process pictures.
* For example, @PCS7Typicals_APLV8.pdl is evaluated after @PCS7Typicals_APLV7.pdl, completely overriding the older v7 icons.
* The OS Project Editor Trap:
If an engineer simply modifies or deletes @PCS7Typicals_APLV8.pdl in the local project directory, running the OS Project Editor will silently restore the default file from the Siemens installation folder (C:\Program Files (x86)\SIEMENS\WINCC\Options\PDL\APL), overwriting the edits.

Comparison Table: Valve Icon Template Management Approaches

The table below outlines different engineering strategies to eliminate unwanted valve rotation:

StrategyImplementation MethodResilience to OS Project EditorMaintenance EffortRecommended PracticeDelete APLV8 TemplateRemove @PCS7Typicals_APLV8.pdl from GraCSFails: OS Project Editor re-copies default from system directoryHigh (Manual file deletion required after every editor run)Not RecommendedDirect Edit of APLV8Modify bitmaps inside @PCS7Typicals_APLV8.pdlFails: Replaced whenever OS Project Editor or Service Pack runsHigh (Loss of edits during upgrades)Not RecommendedCustom Typicals File (High Alpha)Create @PCS7Typicals_ZCustom.pdl overriding Type 1High: Evaluated after APLV8 due to alphabetical precedenceLow (Typicals file persists in project backup)AcceptableCustom Typicals + Custom Type IDCreate @PCS7TypicalsCustom.pdl using Type 101+Highest: Completely immune to system updates and typical conflictsZero (Explicit type assigned in CFC blocks)Recommended (Best Practice)

Modifying Extended Status Displays and Internal Bitmaps in Graphic Designer

Inside an APL block icon, visualization is controlled by an Extended Status Display (ExtendedStatusDisplay) object or overlapping bitmap displays:
* Index Configuration:
The extended status display maps binary combinations of status tags (e.g., Status1, Status2) to specific bitmap files (.emf, .wmf, or .bmp).
* Bitmap Assignment:
* Open state: Bound to apl_bi_vl_open_h.emf (Horizontal Open).
* Closed state: By default, bound to apl_bi_vl_close_v.emf (Vertical Closed).
* Desired assignment: Re-point the closed state to apl_bi_vl_close_h.emf (Horizontal Closed) across all corresponding bit patterns (e.g., Manual Closed, Auto Closed, Interlocked Closed).

Step-by-Step Procedure to Create Custom Fixed-Orientation Valve Icons

Create Custom Typicals Template:
In WinCC Explorer -> Graphics Designer, open @PCS7Typicals_APLV8.pdl. Click File -> Save As... and save as @PCS7TypicalsCustom.pdl.
Assign Unique Type Number:
* Select the target valve block icon (e.g., standard VlvL icon).
* Open the Object Properties window.
* Under General, locate the type property. Change the string from @VlvL/1 to @VlvL/101.
Modify Bitmap Assignments:
* Dissolve the icon group or double-click to access the internal ExtendedStatusDisplay object.
* Open the Properties -> Extended Status Display -> Assign Bitmaps configuration dialog.
* Review each status row. Wherever a vertical closed graphic (*_v.emf) is assigned to a closed condition, replace it with the corresponding horizontal graphic (*_h.emf).
* Save and close @PCS7TypicalsCustom.pdl.
Update CFC Block Properties:
* In SIMATIC Manager, open the CFC chart containing the valve block (VlvL).
* Double-click the block to open Block Properties.
* Under the Block Icon field (or type parameter), enter 101.
* Click OK.
Generate Block Icons:
In SIMATIC Manager, right-click the OS Server object or the Plant Hierarchy folder and select Plant Hierarchy -> Create/Update Block Icons.
Download and Test:
Perform a delta OS compile and delta download to WinCC OS Runtime. Verify that opening and closing the valve maintains a clean horizontal orientation.

Verification

To verify that valve icon rotation is eliminated:
1. Open the WinCC OS Runtime screen containing the customized valve.
2. Verify that when the valve is fully open, the symbol displays green/white in horizontal orientation.
3. Issue a close command from the faceplate. As the valve transitions through closing to closed, verify that the symbol turns gray/solid but remains strictly horizontal.
4. Run the OS Project Editor on the Engineering Station. Re-execute Create/Update Block Icons and verify that the custom icon retains its horizontal configuration without reverting.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Typicals File Limit: SIMATIC WinCC Graphic Designer processes a maximum of 10 @PCS7Typicals*.pdl files simultaneously. Ensure total typicals files in the GraCS directory do not exceed 10.
Batch Update Overhead: If you change the type number to 101, you must update all relevant valve block instances in the CFC charts. Use the Process Object View -> General tab to batch-edit block icon type numbers across hundreds of charts simultaneously.
Graphic Scaling: When modifying EMF/WMF vector symbols, ensure aspect ratios are locked to prevent distorted valve flanges or uneven border outlines.