Externally Editing

WinCC (TIA Portal)

Graphics

WinCC (TIA Portal) V17 or higher /

Siemens
Export Graphics Tool / SIMATIC Openness Industry
Online
https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/ww/en/view/109562021 Support
 Legal information

Legal information
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at: https://www.siemens.com/industrialsecurity.

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 Table of contents

Table of contents
Legal information ......................................................................................................... 2
1 Purpose............................................................................................................... 4
2 Solution............................................................................................................... 4
2.1 Overview............................................................................................... 4
2.2 Hardware and Software Components .................................................. 5
2.2.1 Validity .................................................................................................. 5
2.2.2 Components Used ................................................................................ 5
3 TIA Export Graphics Tool ................................................................................. 6
3.1 Requirements ....................................................................................... 6
3.2 SIEMENS TIA Openness ..................................................................... 6
3.2.1 Installing WinCC (TIA Portal) V17 via the Installation DVD ................. 6
3.2.2 Installation WinCC (TIA Portal) V17 via the Installation Program ........ 7
3.2.3 Assigning the Current User to the “Openness” Group ......................... 8
3.3 Downloading the TIA Export Graphics Tool ......................................... 8
3.4 Exporting Graphics ............................................................................... 9
3.5 Adding Edited Graphics to the Project ............................................... 12
4 Appendix .......................................................................................................... 14
4.1 Service and support ........................................................................... 14
4.2 Industry Mall ....................................................................................... 15
© Siemens AG 2022 All rights reserved

4.3 Links and literature ............................................................................. 15

4.4 Change documentation ...................................................................... 15

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 1 Purpose

1 Purpose
Microsoft’s Windows operating system provides “MS Paint” for the processing of
graphics. This software is sufficient for minor changes to graphics. In order to use
external graphics editing programs with a greater range of functions, the existing
graphics must be exported and saved to a separate directory. In addition, it is
necessary to keep the properties and the file type (e.g., “.png" or ".svg”).

2 Solution
2.1 Overview
The “Export Graphics Tool” allows you to export graphics from a
WinCC (TIA Portal) configuration to a local directory. The graphics are saved with
their original file type and the associated properties (e.g., transparency).
Opening graphics with a defined graphics program makes editing graphics more
efficient.
After editing the graphics, they are reinserted into TIA Portal’s Project Graphics
using drag & drop.

Figure 2-1
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WinCC
(TIA Portal)

Screens

Export Revision
Graphics HDD In the graphics
Tool program

Note The “Export Graphics Tool” option is version-dependent and must match the
WinCC (TIA Portal) version used.
For Example, if you are using WinCC (TIA Portal) V17, you must use “Export
Graphics Tool” version V17.

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 2 Solution

2.2 Hardware and Software Components

2.2.1 Validity

The application example is valid for WinCC (TIA Portal) V17 or higher.

2.2.2 Components Used

The application example was created with the following components:

Software components
Table 2-1
Component Qty. Article number Note
SIMATIC WinCC 1 6AV2102-0AA07-0AA5 Alternatively,
Comfort/Advanced WinCC Professional V17
V17
SIMATIC TIA 1 -- Included in the
Openness V17 WinCC (TIA Portal) V17
installation.

Example files and projects

© Siemens AG 2022 All rights reserved

The following list contains all files and projects used in this example.
Table 2-2
Component Note

109562021_TIA_Export_Graphics_Tool_DOC_v51_en.pdf This document.

109562021_TIA_Export_Graphics_Tool_V17.zip
Export Tool
– TIA Portal Export Graphics.exe

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 3 TIA Export Graphics Tool

3 TIA Export Graphics Tool

3.1 Requirements
• WinCC (TIA Portal) V17 is installed on the PC.
• SIEMENS TIA Openness V17 is installed on the PC.
(For details see Chapter 3.2)
• On the configuration PC, the logged-in “user” is assigned to the
“SIEMENS TIA Openness” group
• The “TIA Export Graphics Tool” V17 is available on the configuration PC.
• The WinCC (TIA Portal) configuration from which the files are exported must
be closed during the process.
• The WinCC (TIA Portal) configuration from which the files are exported must
not be protected with a password.

3.2 SIEMENS TIA Openness

3.2.1 Installing WinCC (TIA Portal) V17 via the Installation DVD

Note The “SIEMENS TIA Openness” software can be found on the

© Siemens AG 2022 All rights reserved

2nd installation DVD of WinCC Comfort/Advanced

• Install the “SIEMENS TIA Openness” software on the configuration PC.

• To start the setup, double-click the file name
“SIEMENS_TIA_Openness_V17.exe”. Then follow the installation instructions.

You can find detailed information about the "SIEMENS TIA Openness" software
under the Entry ID: 108716692 “TIA Portal Openness: Introduction and Demo
Application” (see link \4\). This additional information is not required to implement
the application example.

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 3 TIA Export Graphics Tool

3.2.2 Installation WinCC (TIA Portal) V17 via the Installation Program

For WinCC (TIA Portal) V15 or higher, the “TIA Openness” software is part of the
installation program.
In the STEP 7/WinCC installation program, go to the “Options” folder and check the
“TIA Openness” check box (1).
If necessary, open the installation program again.

Figure 3-1

1
© Siemens AG 2022 All rights reserved

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 3 TIA Export Graphics Tool

3.2.3 Assigning the Current User to the “Openness” Group

• On the configuration PC, open “Computer Management” (1).

“Windows Start menu > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Computer
Management”.
• Select the “System Tools” task card and navigate to the “Groups” folder (“Local
Users and Groups > Groups”) (2).
• Assign the logged-in user to the “Siemens TIA Openness” group.
– Open the group properties for “Siemens TIA Openness” (3).
– In the open window, add the currently logged-in user/all persons who have
a “user account” on this PC and will potentially use the tool (4).
– Click the “OK” button to confirm your entries.

1
Figure 3-2

2
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3.3 Downloading the TIA Export Graphics Tool

Download the “TIA Export Graphics Tool” from Online Support. You can find the
tool under the Entry ID: 109562021 “Export Graphics Tool” (see link \2\).

The “Export Graphics Tool” option is version-dependent and must match the
Note WinCC (TIA Portal) version used.

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 3 TIA Export Graphics Tool

3.4 Exporting Graphics

Note It is assumed that the settings described in Chapter 3.1 “Requirements” have
been applied.

Starting the tool

1. Close WinCC (TIA Portal).
2. Unpack the zipped file “109562021_TIA_Export_Graphics_Tool_V17” into a
local directory.
3. Double-click the file name “TIA Portal Export Graphics.exe” to start the
tool.
The tool’s user interface appears.

Figure 3-3
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Selecting the project and target folder

1. Select the file path of the WinCC (TIA Portal) project from which the graphics
will be exported (1).
2. Specify the file path where the exported graphics will be saved (2).
3. Select the “Export” button.

Figure 3-4

The graphics are saved with their original file type and the associated properties.

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 3 TIA Export Graphics Tool

Possible error messages

If the error message shown in Figure 3-5 appears, the “user” currently logged in to
the configuration PC is not assigned to the “Siemens TIA Openness” group.
Check the settings you have made in “Computer administration” ( see chapter 3.2.3
“Assigning the Current User to the “Openness” Group”).

Figure 3-5

If the error message shown in Figure 3-6 appears, then the project you selected is
protected by a password.
Because the access protection cannot be revoked, you cannot export graphics
from protected projects.
© Siemens AG 2022 All rights reserved

Figure 3-6

To export graphics from access-protected projects, copy them to another project

Note without access protection. You can then export the graphics from there.

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 3 TIA Export Graphics Tool

Security warning (using the example of WinCC V14)

The following security query appears while running the tool. The message is used
to prevent unauthorized access to the project data.
Confirm this message accordingly.

Figure 3-7

Once all images have been downloaded from the configuration, the start screen
© Siemens AG 2022 All rights reserved

with the user interface appears again.

When editing the graphics, make sure to retain the file name and the file type so
that the existing graphics in WinCC (TIA Portal) can be replaced with the edited
graphics.

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 3 TIA Export Graphics Tool

3.5 Adding Edited Graphics to the Project

Supported file types
You can import external graphics files into the "Project graphics" of the WinCC (TIA Portal)
Project. The following file types can be imported (see System Manual WinCC V17, Link \3\):
• *.bmp,
• *.ico,
• *.emf,
• *.wmf,
• *.gif,
• *.tif,
• *.png,
• *.svg,
• *.jpeg
• *.jpg

Importing single graphics into WinCC (TIA Portal)

1. Open the WinCC (TIA Portal) configuration.
© Siemens AG 2022 All rights reserved

2. In the project navigation, open “Project graphics”

(“Language & resources > Project graphics”).
3. Open the Windows Explorer folder that contains the exported and edited
graphics.
4. Using drag & drop, drag the graphic to be replaced onto the “old/existing”
graphic in the Project Graphics.

Figure 3-8

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 3 TIA Export Graphics Tool

Importing all graphics into WinCC (TIA Portal)

To update all graphics at once, proceed as follows:
1. Save your project.
2. Open the WinCC project and navigate in the project directory to the Project
Graphics (“Language & resources > Project graphics”).
3. In the “Project Graphics” folder, select all of the graphics and delete them.
4. Open the Windows Explorer folder that contains the exported and edited
graphics.
5. Select all of the graphics and use drag & drop to move them to the “empty”
Project Graphics folder.
© Siemens AG 2022 All rights reserved

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 4 Appendix

4 Appendix
4.1 Service and support
Industry Online Support
Do you have any questions or need assistance?
Siemens Industry Online Support offers round the clock access to our entire
service and support know-how and portfolio.
The Industry Online Support is the central address for information about our
products, solutions and services.
Product information, manuals, downloads, FAQs, application examples and videos
– all information is accessible with just a few mouse clicks:
support.industry.siemens.com

Technical Support
The Technical Support of Siemens Industry provides you fast and competent
support regarding all technical queries with numerous tailor-made offers
– ranging from basic support to individual support contracts.
Please send queries to Technical Support via Web form:
siemens.com/SupportRequest
© Siemens AG 2022 All rights reserved

SITRAIN – Digital Industry Academy

We support you with our globally available training courses for industry with
practical experience, innovative learning methods and a concept that’s tailored to
the customer’s specific needs.
For more information on our offered trainings and courses, as well as their
locations and dates, refer to our web page:
siemens.com/sitrain

Service offer
Our range of services includes the following:
• Plant data services
• Spare parts services
• Repair services
• On-site and maintenance services
• Retrofitting and modernization services
• Service programs and contracts
You can find detailed information on our range of services in the service catalog
web page:
support.industry.siemens.com/cs/sc

Industry Online Support app

You will receive optimum support wherever you are with the "Siemens Industry
Online Support" APP. The app is available for iOS and Android:
support.industry.siemens.com/cs/ww/en/sc/2067

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 4 Appendix

4.2 Industry Mall

The Siemens Industry Mall is the platform on which the entire siemens Industry
product portfolio is accessible. From the selection of products to the order and the
delivery tracking, the Industry Mall enables the complete purchasing processing –
directly and independently of time and location:
mall.industry.siemens.com

4.3 Links and literature

Table 4-1
Subject
\1\ Siemens Industry Online Support
https://support.industry.siemens.com
© Siemens AG 2022 All rights reserved

\2\ TIA Export Graphics Tool

https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/ww/en/view/109562021

\3\ System Manual: "SIMATIC HMI WinCC Unified Engineering V17"

https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/ww/en/view/109794204
\4\ Application example: "TIA Portal Openness: Introduction and Demo Application"
https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/ww/en/view/108716692

4.4 Change documentation

Table 4-2
Version Date Change
V1.0 02/2015 First edition
V2.0 03/2017 Updated to WinCC V14
V2.0 05/2017 Updated to WinCC V14 SP1
V3.0 03/2019 Updated to WinCC V15/V15.1
V4.0 03/2020 Updated to WinCC V16
V5.0 07/2022 Updated to WinCC V17
V5.1 09/2022 Added Overview file formats, access protection

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