Use PLC project as referenced library
 | Available from TwinCAT 3.1 Build 4026 |
As of Build 4026, you can reference PLC projects in other PLC projects of the same TwinCAT project as a library. As a result you do not have to install a library project to test it. This makes library development easier and more efficient.
Reference PLC project as library
In order to be able to reference a PLC project in another PLC project as a library, both projects must be contained in the same TwinCAT project. To do this, you can create new PLC projects or add an existing library project or source library as a PLC project to the TwinCAT project.
- A TwinCAT project with at least two PLC projects is open.
- 1. Enter a title, a version number and a company name in the project properties of the first PLC project (library project). Optionally, you can also fill in the remaining fields.
- 2. Check the box at Enable Referenced Library
- 3. Save the modifications.
- The PLC project can now be referenced as a library.
- 4. In the second PLC project, open the dialog Add library via the Library Manager or the context menu of the object References in the PLC project tree.
- The PLC project referenced as library is marked with square brackets. It can be selected like the installed libraries and added to the project via OK.
Use projects referenced as library
- Projects that are referenced as libraries can basically be used like included source libraries.
- Run the command Go To Definition for objects from the referenced project and use the Cross Reference List.
- Debug your project and step through the programming blocks using breakpoints.
- The peculiarity of projects referenced as a library, compared to installed libraries, is that you can change the programming more easily. If you open an object from the referenced project via the Library Manager, with a command such as Go To Definition or when debugging, then the object opens in the referenced project. There you can edit it directly.
- Programming changes are immediately available in the project that uses the project referenced as library.
- You can reference multiple projects as library at the same time.
- You can reference a project as library where another project is already referenced.
- You can use the referenced version and the installed library of a project at the same time. Note that you must use a unique namespace to distinguish between them.
Change library reference
- You can save as library and install a project that is referenced as a library. If other projects are referenced in the project, the placeholders are automatically changed to placeholders for installed libraries.
- You can use the context menu to switch between the installed library and the project referenced as a library:
- When changing the reference, note that the library information (title, version, and company) must match.