FAQ

Is it true that "TwinCAT 3 Scope" in the TwinCAT 3 world is not a product, but a generic term for various products?

The TwinCAT 3 Scope is the most important product in the TwinCAT Measurement product family. TwinCAT 3 Scope is a generic term. The TwinCAT 3 Scope is subdivided into the Scope View and Scope Server products. This means that a TwinCAT 3 Scope always consists of the View and Server products. Beyond that there are also different product levels.

Why are there different product levels for the TwinCAT 3 Scope?

The Scope is a constantly growing tool for data logging and analysis; however, not every Scope user requires the full range of functions for his purposes. Therefore, we offer product levels tailored as far as possible to the application. The currently available product levels are Base and Professional. Base is free of license costs and is an outstanding tool for machine commissioning. Professional is very well suited for process monitoring in addition to machine commissioning.

Can the Scope View Professional be operated with the Scope Server Base? What are the restrictions?

Yes, you can also operate Professional View with the Base server. Only the limitations of the Base Server version need to be observed. It is also possible, for example, to scope a remote device with the local Base Server. To do this the Use local Server option must be set in the channel settings. Control via PLC function block or operation in headless mode is not possible.

Why do I need the TF3300 Scope Server when I can also enable the "Use local Server" option?

The TwinCAT TF3300 Scope Server function is required as soon as a Scope Server has to run autonomously on a remote device. The server can thus be controlled, for example from the PLC, without a View being connected.

Can I integrate the TwinCAT Scope View into my own visualization?

Yes, you can integrate Scope Control into your own .NET-based visualization application. This means that your application automatically receives all the data handling between the Control and the Scope Server, as well as all the functions available in the Control. This ranges from zooming and panning to the overview chart, tooltips for the data points and much more. For details, please read the following pages.

Scope View is an engineering product (TE1300). As the View/Control is integrated into a visualization in this use case, which may be running on a runtime device, it must be ensured that the TE1300 license is available on the runtime device.

Can I integrate the TwinCAT Scope View into a TwinCAT HMI web visualization?

Yes, this is also possible. The TF2300 product from the TwinCAT HMI range must be used for this. Although the front end is of course web-based in terms of technology, the data management via the Scope Server is absolutely identical to that of the Scope View in TwinCAT Engineering.

Is it possible to print out recorded Scope Charts?

Yes, with the Scope Snipping Tool functionality it is possible to print, copy and share charts.

Is multimedia documentation available for TwinCAT 3 Scope?

Yes, there is a recording of a TwinCAT 3 Scope Webinar on the Beckhoff-Homepage. There are many small technical tutorials on this page.

My Scope .svd files are on a network drive. Why can't I open them?

That is probably because the TwinCAT 3 Scope server service has no rights of access to the network directory. In order to be able to open .svd files, you either need to copy them to the local system or grant the Scope server service the appropriate rights. (See section Opening .svd files from a network directory)

Are open source software components used in TwinCAT Measurement products?

Yes, various open source components are used.
Please see the information on the page Third-party components.