AID 450509 - FactoryTalk View SE and ME Legacy

Tag Database Conversion Tool

Executive Summary

As of FactoryTalk View SE and ME v6.1, 64-bit operating systems are supported.

As of FactoryTalk View SE and ME v6.1, both use SQL Server 2008 R2 Express for their HMI
Tag Database. This change allowed the products to run on 64-bit operating systems.
The older database technology, Watcom, cannot run on a 64-bit operating system.
Projects for FactoryTalk View SE and ME need to be converted before they can be used on a 64bit operating system

Users that do not plan to use FactoryTalk View on a 64-bit operating system computer, do not need to
use this tool. A pre-v6.1 Project on a 32-bit operating system with v6.1 (or later) installed will directly
convert their projects to SQL Server 2008 R2 Express.
Users that are planning on using pre v6.1 FactoryTalk View projects on a 64-bit operating ystem
computer, are required to use this tool.
Background Information
In order to support 64-bit operating systems, FactoryTalk View Site Edition and Machine Edition are now
using SQL Server 2008 R2 Express for their HMI Tag Database. This change was made because the
database technology used prior to version 6.1 could not operate on a 64-bit operating system.
This created a few migration challenges to consider since FactoryTalk View SE and ME projects from
versions prior to v6.1 and existing RSView32 and PanelBuilder 1400e projects use that incompatible
database technology. Because of this, projects cannot be migrated to v6.1 (or later) directly. Projects
need the database converted prior to being used on a 64-bit operating system.
To help out with this migration, a Legacy Tag Database Conversion Tool has been created. This tool is
included with the product as of v6.1 and is distributed through this RA Knowledgebase Technical Note
(AID 450509) so it can be installed and used on computers without any FactoryTalk View installed.
The attached MSI Installer file contains the Conversion Tool and all required files. To install the tool, save
and run this file on a computer where the conversion of the FactoryTalk View SE and ME Projects
(versions 3.2 to 6.0), RSView32 and PanelBuilder 1400e projects, will occur.
NOTE: The conversion process only relates to the project tag database and does not convert any other
component of the project.
Installation
1. Download and unzip the attached file to the target machine. When unzipped, this folder should
include the file Legacy Tag Database Conversion.msi.
2. Run this file by double clicking on it or select it and hit enter.
3. The installer program will launch and be displayed.
4. Follow the installer program to install.
5. The Legacy Tag Database Conversion Tool is installed at C:\Program Files\Rockwell
Software\Legacy Tag Database Conversion.
6. This Tool has also been added to the Start Menu under All Programs >Rockwell Software
>FactoryTalk View > Tools.

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Using the Legacy Tag Database Conversion Tool

The utility must be run twice: the first time on the 32-bit operating system to export the tag database.
Then, after copying the all the project files to the 64-bit operating system, a second time to create the new
tag database.
To Export a Tag Database
1. After the Legacy Tag Database Conversion Tool is installed, run the tool from Start >All Programs
> Rockwell Software > FactoryTalk View > Tools > Legacy Tag Database Conversion.
2. Select Export Legacy Tag Database to export the older database to a .csv file.

3. Choose the type of application that is being converted: FactoryTalk Machine Edition, FactoryTalk
View Site Edition, RSView32, or PanelBuilder 1400e.
4. Once the application type has been selected, browse to the folder you wish the tool to search for
the projects in.

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The Legacy Tag Database Conversion tool will then search the specified location for the targeted
projects.

All located projects will then be displayed.

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5. Check the box beside any of the projects you wish to convert and click on Finish. The export of
the database(s) to .csv file will begin.

When the conversion is complete, a log file will be displayed to show success or failure and
provide instructions on what to do next.

The .csv files containing the converted tag and alarm data (if necessary) are located in the same
folder as the selected projects. They must remain in this location in order for the tag database to
be created successfully on the 64-bit operating system.
For PanelBuilder 1400e, the .PVC file will be updated with a new time and date stamp.
6. Copy the entire project folder (including the exported .csv files) or project file (updated .pvc for
PanelBuilder 1400e) to the 64-bit operating system with FactoryTalk View Studio v6.1 installed,
making sure to keep the project folder structure intact. You may zip up the files on the 32-bit
operating system and unzip on the 64-bit operating system before creating the tag database.
If using FactoryTalk View Machine Edition, you may also use the Application Manager in this step
to create an archive (*.APA) file and copy that file to the 64-bit operating system.

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To Create a New Tag Database

Run the utility a second time on the 64-bit operating system to create the new tag database.
1. On a 64-bit operating system with FactoryTalk View Studio (v6.1 or later) installed, launch the tool
from Start > All Programs > Rockwell Software > FactoryTalk View > Tools > Legacy Tag
Database Conversion.
Note: If you had used the Application Manager and copied over an APA file, you must launch the
Application Manager at this point to restore the application on the 64-bit computer. The restored
application must have the same name as the original from the 32-bit computer. If a zipped format
or direct Windows copy was used, there are additional steps to follow later in the instructions.
2. Select Create FactoryTalk View Tag Database in new format.

3. Choose the type of application that the tag database is being created for: FactoryTalk Machine
Edition, FactoryTalk View Site Edition, RSView32, or PanelBuilder 1400e.

4. Once the application type has been selected, browse to the folder you wish the tool to search for
the projects in.

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The Legacy Tag Database Conversion tool will then search the specified location for the targeted
projects.

All located projects will then be displayed.

5. Check the box beside any of the projects you wish to create a tag database for and click on
Finish. The creation of the tag databases will begin.

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When the database creation is complete, a log file will be displayed to show success or failure.

6. Now feel free to open your applications with the more recent version FactoryTalk View Studio.
FactoryTalk Machine Edition applications that were copied to the 64-bit computer in a zipped format or
direct Windows copy, must now use the following steps to create an application.
1. Launch FactoryTalk View Studio and select Machine Edition.
2. Select the New tab to provide a new application name, then select the Import button.

3. Click OK to the FactoryTalk View message.

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4. Select FactoryTalk View Machine Edition Project (*.med) as the import type and click Next.

5. Click the browse button

to navigate to the location where the application was placed or
unzipped when it was copied over from the 32-bit computer.
6. Select the MED file and click Open.
7. Click Finish to import your application into FactoryTalk View v6.10 or later.
Please note you will need to recreate your Communications Setup, including existing
shortcuts.
Summary
Users that do not plan to use FactoryTalk View on a 64-bit operating system computer, do not need to
use this tool. A pre-v6.1 Project on a 32-Bit operating system with v6.1 (or later) installed will directly
convert their projects to SQL Server 2008 R2 Express.
Users that are planning on using pre v6.1 FactoryTalk View projects on a 64-bit operating system
computer, are required to use this tool.

Revision Control
Initial Version - 6.10.9.1. Same version is part of Patch for Tool located in AID452827.

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