PVP Basics

This course is designed for those who already have some PLC experience. While you don’t need any previous HMI experience, you should already be familiar with:

1. What a Programmable Controller is and how it works
2. What Ladder Logic is and how it works
3. What Data Types are and how they are used

Those with no prior Programmable Controller experience are encouraged to take my PLC Basics course first. If you’re already familiar with those topics and know how to use a Windows PC, then you’re ready to take this course.

I designed this training for anyone who has some PLC experience and needs to learn how to set up, program, and troubleshoot the Allen-Bradley PanelView Plus family of HMIs using FactoryTalk View Studio Machine Edition.

Whether you need to create a new PanelView Plus application, edit an existing one, or keep a PanelView Plus-equipped machine running, this course covers the hardware, the software, the communications to your PLC, and how to deploy and back up your applications.

The required video lessons total more than four hours of instruction. However, that does not include any additional time you choose to spend completing the optional hands-on exercises.

And since all of my courses include lifetime access, you can return and review any lesson as often as you like.

No. The majority of the course can be completed without a physical PanelView Plus.

I show you how to test your graphic displays, and test your entire application, right on your PC.

That said, downloading and testing your application on actual hardware does require a physical PanelView Plus (any model) along with a compatible PC, PLC, and cable, all of which are covered in the course.

You’ll need FactoryTalk View Studio Machine Edition.

If you don’t already have a copy, I walk you through how to get a full thirty-day trial license right from Rockwell. After thirty days, that trial license converts into a demo which you can continue to use for up to two hours at a time.

No. You don’t need to purchase a PLC to take this course.

I provide my PLC sample code in MicroLogix, SLC-500/Emulate500, PLC-5, CompactLogix, and ControlLogix formats, and I show you how to connect to each of these controllers. So no matter which one you decide to use (including the free Emulate500), you’ll know exactly how to set it up.

Yes.

When you enroll in this course, you receive more than just the video lessons and downloadable materials—you also receive direct access to the instructor for lesson-related questions.

At the bottom of every lesson is a discussion area where students can post questions, and I personally answer them.

And if a written response isn’t enough to resolve your question, eligible students may also schedule a short Microsoft Teams meeting with me during office hours (see Lesson 1.11).

Note that the number of complimentary live meetings available depends on the course you’ve purchased, and these sessions are specifically intended to answer questions related to the course material, and not as a free consulting or tech support service.

For those students seeking assistance beyond the course content, paid mentoring services are also available for topics covered in my training (see Lesson 1.12).

Yes.

The course is completely self-paced, allowing you to progress through the lessons according to your own schedule and learning style.

Because all of my courses include lifetime access, you can also revisit and review any lesson as many times as necessary.

Yes.

This course includes optional exercises that allow you to follow along with me as I build, test, and deploy PanelView Plus applications in FactoryTalk View Studio.

Yes.

Once you’ve passed all required quizzes and marked every lesson complete, a link will appear on the course homepage allowing you to view, print, and download your course completion certificate. You’ll also find links to leave course feedback, request a discount on your next course, and submit a course review.

Your certificate also lists the Professional Development Hours (PDHs) you’ve earned while completing the course. Please note that time spent completing the optional hands-on exercises is not included in the PDHs listed on your certificate.

The course covers the PanelView Plus family, including the original PanelView Plus (400, 600, and Compact), the PanelView Plus 6, and the PanelView Plus 7.

I also include a lesson on version support, as well as how to use the PanelView Plus configuration menu.

The version of FactoryTalk View Studio used in this course is 8.0.

I’ve also added a bonus lesson covering what’s new in FactoryTalk View v14.

I show you how to set up RSLinx Enterprise Ethernet and Serial communications to ControlLogix, CompactLogix, PLC-5, SLC-500, Emulate 500, and MicroLogix controllers.

PLC sample code is provided in MicroLogix, SLC-500/Emulate500, PLC-5, CompactLogix, and ControlLogix formats.

Yes.

You’ll learn how to create, edit, and use all the different types of HMI tags, including memory tags and HMI device tags, as well as how to directly reference PLC tags both online and off.

I also show you how to import tags from RSLogix, and how to import and export the tag database to Excel.

Yes.

You’ll learn how to create, edit, and test graphic displays, objects, symbols, and libraries, including panel, text, image, numeric, and string objects, Symbol Factory, sliders, navigation, and how to assign tags to objects.

Yes.

The course includes a lesson on creating, editing, and testing alarms.

Yes.

You’ll learn how to create and download .MER runtime files, use removable storage, and back up your project. An appendix also covers uploading and restoring .MER files.

No.

This course covers the PanelView Plus family using FactoryTalk View Studio Machine Edition. It does not cover the PanelView 5000 series or Studio 5000 View Designer.

No.

FactoryTalk View SE is covered in my separate ViewSE Basics course, which is included in the A-B HMI SCADA Bundle, as well as the A-B Mega and Ultra bundles.