Overview & Concepts
Uploading a project in EasyBuilder Pro allows a user to retrieve the compiled project currently stored on an HMI and save it to a computer or external storage. This process is commonly used for maintenance, backup, or troubleshooting when the original project file is unavailable. The upload function reads the project from the HMI’s memory and transfers it to another location for storage or review.
Projects can be retrieved from an HMI using two common methods:
- Direct upload – A computer connects to the HMI using Ethernet communication. Software then retrieves the project file directly from the device and saves it to the engineering workstation.
- USB / SD storage export – A USB or SD storage device is connected to the HMI and used to copy the project file from the device’s internal memory to the external storage. The USB or SD device can then be connected to a computer to access the retrieved project file.
These methods provide flexibility depending on system access. Direct upload is typically used when an engineering computer can connect to the HMI over a network or cable, while USB / SD export is useful during field service when direct communication with the HMI is not available.
It is important to note that uploading a project may be restricted if project protection features have been enabled, such as upload prevention or password protection. In those cases, the HMI will not allow the project file to be retrieved.
Implementation
Direct Upload via EasyBuilder Pro
Follow these steps to directly upload a project using the EasyBuilder Pro Software.
Instructions: Direct Upload via EasyBuilder Pro
Enter the Upload window
When opening the EasyBuilder Pro software, click the File Menu, Upload Option (or hit the F8 shortcut key)
Upload the HMI Project File
In the Upload Window, enter the HMI IP address, and ensure the correct HMI model is selected in the bottom menu. Finally, the “Project Location” menu is where the uploaded file will reside on your PC – please navigate to the location you wish to save the uploaded project file.
Once you’re done with that, click the [Upload] button.
Ensure the correct Upload password is entered in the [Settings] field. If the password is incorrect, you will encounter a Password Error message, and the project will not upload. See the Project Protection section for information on how projects can be protected from unwanted viewing or editing.
Compiled File Uploaded; now to Decompile
When the upload is completed, you will be prompted to decompile the file. In order to view the project in EasyBuilder Pro, decompilation is a required step.
Click YES
Click [Yes] and you will be taken to the decompilation screen.The decompiled project filename and path are listed by default; you can change them if you like. The .CMTP file is the visual EasyBuilder Pro project file extension, while the .CXOB is the compiled file.
The decompile password field needs to be filled out with the proper decompilation password (See the Project Protection section for information on how projects can be protected from unwanted viewing or editing).
Open the project file
Once the decompile process is complete, you will be prompted to open the file – click [Yes]
Success!
EasyBuilder Pro will then open the uploaded and decompiled project file.
Direct Upload via Utility Manager
Using the Utility Manager program, located in the EasyBuilder Pro Installation directory is another method of uploading the project file direct from the HMI unit.
Instructions: Direct Upload via Utility Manager
Select the Upload option from the Project tab of Utility Manager
Open Utility Manager and select the model of HMI from which you are uploading. Then under the [Publish] tab on the left, select the [Upload] option:
Enter HMI IP and path where you want the uploaded file to reside
The Upload window pops up. Enter the HMI IP address in the IP field, and enter the file path and file name of the uploaded project halfway down the window.If you want to upload other records from the HMI such as recipes, event logs and such, select the appropriate check boxes as desired.
Ensure the correct Upload password is entered in the [Password] field. If the password is incorrect, you will encounter a Password Error message, and the project will not upload. See the Project Protection section for information on how projects can be protected from unwanted viewing or editing.
Upload HMI Project File
Click the [Upload] button to upload the project file from the HMI.Compiled File Uploaded – Now to Decompile
When the upload is completed, you will be prompted to decompile the file. In order to view the project in EasyBuilder Pro, decompilation is a required step.Click Yes
If you click [Yes], the EasyBuilder Pro software will open up and you will be taken to the Decompile window:The decompiled project filename and path are listed by default; you can change them if you like. The .CMTP file is the visual EasyBuilder Pro project file extension, while the .CXOB is the compiled file.
The decompile password field needs to be filled out with the proper decompilation password (See the Project Protection section for information on how projects can be protected from unwanted viewing or editing).
Open the Project File
Once the decompile process is complete, you will be prompted to open the file – click [Yes]Success
EasyBuilder Pro will then open the uploaded and decompiled project file.
Direct Upload via EasyWeb (cMT / cMT X Series)
If you don’t have EasyBuilder Pro or Utility Manager, you can connect to a cMT or cMT X Series HMI via EasyWeb, and download the project that way.
Instructions: Direct Upload via EasyWeb (cMT / cMT X Series)
Enter the IP address of your cMT / cMT X Series HMI in a Browser window
Open your web browser of choice, and in the address bar, enter the IP address of the HMI to which you want to connect:
Enter Password to log into the HMI.
Enter the HMI System Settings Password and then click the arrow button.Typically, the default password here is 111111, but it can be changed for security purposes.Go to Project Management section
Once logged in, select the Project tab, and then Project Management:
Click “Backup” and enter the Upload password
Click the “Backup” button and then enter the upload password.Ensure the correct Upload password is entered in the [Password] field.
If the password is incorrect, you will encounter a Password Error message, and the project will not upload. See the Project Protection section for information on how projects can be protected from unwanted viewing or editing.
Upload the Project File
Once the correct password is entered, click the blue Backup button. The project will be automatically upload from the HMI and downloaded to your PC’s default Downloads folder.Once the project folder is backed up (uploaded from the HMI), you can now open EasyBuilder Pro and decompile the file.
USB / SD Card Storage Export
You can also upload (export) the compiled project file from the HMI directly, if it has a USB port or SD Card slot.
Instructions: USB / SD Card Storage Export
Plug a USB Stick or SD Card into the HMI
When a USB disk or SD Card is plugged into the HMI, the Upload/Download window pops up.
Enter the Upload menu
Click [Upload] and then enter the correct upload password at the Login screen, and click [OK}:Ensure the correct Upload password is entered in the [Password] field.
If the password is incorrect, you will encounter a Password Error message, and the project will not upload. See the Project Protection section for information on how projects can be protected from unwanted viewing or editing.
Choose what to upload
Choose the items you wish to upload to the external device by selecting them. A check mark appears when an entry has been selected.
Select where to place the files
Click the [Destination] button to navigate to the external device and select a folder.
Click [OK]
In the below case, disk_a_1 is the root directory of the USB disk plugged into the HMI.
Verify file path
You will be taken back to the upload window, with the destination file path filled out:
Click OK
Click the [OK] button at the top right corner, and then the upload will commence.Success
When successful, you will see the following message on the HMI.
Click the blue graphic to go back to the menu when complete.
The project that was uploaded will be named “project.cxob”.
Now you can remove the external device from the HMI and transfer the project to a development PC for decompilation as needed.
Note:
If the upload/download window does not automatically pop up on the HMI screen, it may be disabled. To enable it, click the circle in the top left corner of the HMI screen to enter the HMI Settings menu:
Select the System properties menu on the left, and scroll down to the “Show Download Popup Window” entry:
It should be enabled, as shown above.