Resolving Process Window Geometry and Picture Scaling Changes After PCS 7 V8.2 Updates

Process window geometry changes and shifted picture coordinates after updating from SIMATIC PCS 7 V8.2 to V8.2 SP1 occur because running the OS Project Editor during the update process re-evaluates and overwrites monitor resolution layouts, resetting WinCC picture window sizing modes and base coordinate templates. When block icons are regenerated, WinCC synchronizes process pictures against system layout definitions (@screen.pdl, @1001.pdl, and @PCS7Typicals.pdl), altering viewport boundaries if custom resolutions or DPI scaling are active. Restoring intended display dimensions requires reconfiguring the Layout tab in OS Project Editor, disabling automatic window scaling on custom picture windows, and adjusting specific picture dimensions in WinCC Graphics Designer.

Root Cause of Window Geometry Shifts in OS Project Editor

When upgrading or updating a SIMATIC PCS 7 project—such as migrating from PCS 7 V8.2 to V8.2 SP1—Siemens system guidelines mandate running the OS Project Editor on each OS server and OS client project. The OS Project Editor ensures that all standard WinCC system scripts, Split Screen Manager functions, alarm logging configurations, and system screen layouts (@screen.pdl, @overview1.pdl, @button11.pdl, @1001.pdl) are updated to match the installed service pack.

However, during this compilation, the OS Project Editor re-applies the default resolution selected under its 'Layout' tab. If the target plant displays were originally engineered with custom screen dimensions, or if previous layouts relied on specific monitor aspect ratios (e.g., 16:9 widescreen vs 4:3 legacy displays), the editor resets the container picture windows. When engineers subsequently run 'Create/Update Block Icons' in SIMATIC Manager or Graphics Designer, WinCC checks and synchronizes every process graphic (.pdl), causing picture window frames, alarm lines, and work areas to snap to the new default geometry.

OS Project Editor Layout and Resolution Management

The geometry of operator station runtime is dictated by the interaction between the OS Project Editor layout settings and the WinCC Picture Window container properties:

Property / ConfigurationConfiguration LocationDefault Value / OptionOperational Impact on Screen GeometryScreen Layout SelectionOS Project Editor -> Layout TabSIMATIC Standard 1920*1080 (or 1280*1024)Defines base pixel canvas size for @screen.pdl and standard menu containersAdapt Picture (AdaptPicture)Picture Window Properties -> GeometryNo / FalseWhen True, scales inner picture contents proportionally to fit the window frameAdapt Window (AdaptWindow)Picture Window Properties -> GeometryNo / FalseWhen True, resizes outer picture window frame to match inner picture pixel dimensionsPicture Width / HeightProcess Picture (.pdl) Properties -> GeometryEngineered resolution (e.g., 1920 x 950 px)Sets absolute coordinate boundaries for block icons and graphic objectsWindows Desktop DPI ScalingWindows Control Panel -> Display Settings100% (96 DPI)If set to 125% or 150%, causes font and window clipping in WinCC Graphics Designer

If the OS Project Editor is run with an incorrect layout selection (e.g., applying a 1600x1200 4:3 layout to a 1920x1080 16:9 monitor), WinCC resizes @1001.pdl (the primary process picture container), causing right-hand or bottom sections of plant schematics to truncate or distort.

Step-by-Step Procedure to Restore Picture Dimensions

To restore correct picture geometry and prevent block icon regeneration from distorting window dimensions:

Verify Windows DPI Scaling: On the Engineering Station and OS Clients, open Windows Display Settings and confirm that display scaling is strictly set to 100%. SIMATIC WinCC does not support non-integer or scaled DPI settings (such as 125% or 150%).
Reconfigure OS Project Editor:
- Open WinCC Explorer on the OS project.
- Double-click OS Project Editor.
- Navigate to the Layout tab.
- Select the exact target monitor configuration matching the physical display hardware (e.g., SIMATIC Server 1920*1080, SIMATIC Standard 1680*1050, or multi-monitor arrangement).
- Under the Runtime Window options, confirm whether monitor layout configuration is set to single-screen or multi-screen.
- Click OK to re-generate the baseline @screen.pdl framework.
Correct Specific Process Picture Dimensions:
- In WinCC Explorer, right-click the distorted process picture and select Open.
- In Graphics Designer, ensure no object is selected, then open the Object Properties dialog for the picture.
- Under Geometry, inspect Picture Width and Picture Height. Set them to the precise working area dimensions of the chosen layout (e.g., width 1920 px, height 960 px excluding alarm and navigation banners).
- Save the picture.
Inspect Container Window Properties:
- If the picture is embedded inside a Picture Window object in another screen, verify that Adapt Picture is set to Yes (if automatic dynamic scaling is desired) or set Adapt Window to No to prevent the container from collapsing.

Block Icon Generation and Typical Synchronization

When 'Create/Update Block Icons' is executed from SIMATIC Manager (Plant Hierarchy -> Options -> Create/Update Block Icons), the generator inspects the typical template file (@@PCS7Typicals.pdl or @PCS7Typicals.pdl) and positions block icons based on coordinate algorithms.

In PCS 7 V8.2 SP1, block icon generation incorporates updated APL icon styles. If existing process pictures contain block icons that were manually resized or shifted outside the active working coordinates, the update script attempts to align them to the grid defined in the typical file. Always ensure that custom template files (@PCS7Typicals<Name>.pdl) match the coordinate scale of the project layout before running batch block icon updates.

Verification

To verify that the window geometry is correctly restored:
1. In WinCC Graphics Designer, open the process pictures and confirm that the grid alignment and picture dimensions match the working area of @1001.pdl.
2. Start WinCC Runtime on the OS Client or Single Station.
3. Verify that the top overview area, bottom message line, and central process graphics window align seamlessly without scrollbars or clipped text.
4. Open several faceplates and pop-up windows; confirm that faceplate positioning logic centers pop-ups within the active screen bounds.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Running the OS Project Editor overwrites standard system screens starting with @ (e.g., @screen.pdl, @overview1.pdl). Any custom modifications made directly to system @ screens will be lost unless preserved in template directories or managed via user-specific pictures. Always create a full project archive via SIMATIC Manager (File -> Archive) before executing the OS Project Editor or batch regenerating block icons across the plant hierarchy.

Engineer FAQ

Why did my pictures resize after upgrading to PCS 7 V8.2 SP1?

Running the OS Project Editor during the SP1 migration reapplies default layout files from the system library, resetting @1001.pdl and standard screen frames to the default resolution configured in the Layout tab.

Can I use Windows 10 display scaling (e.g., 125%) on PCS 7 OS client monitors?

No. SIMATIC PCS 7 WinCC requires standard 100% display scaling (96 DPI). Using 125% or 150% scaling causes coordinate calculation errors, misaligned block icon faceplates, and clipped text strings.

What is the difference between @@PCS7Typicals.pdl and @PCS7Typicals.pdl?

@@PCS7Typicals.pdl is the default system file delivered with PCS 7 and is overwritten during updates. @PCS7Typicals.pdl (single '@') or @PCS7Typicals<Project>.pdl is the user-customized template file where custom block icon variants should be stored to prevent overwriting.