PiCtory is a RevPi application for configuring the modules of your Revolution Pi system, i.e. a RevPi base module with expansion modules. The configuration is stored in /etc/revpi/config.rsc.

The system setup can be managed via a browser according to its arrangement on the DIN rail.

The configuration file managed by PiCtory defines which expansion modules are located at which position in relation to the RevPi base module and how all inputs and outputs are named and configured. The configuration file can also provide this system setting for other programs.

In addition to the expansion modules, Virtual Devices can be integrated for common network protocols or merely as I/O interfaces.

Starting PiCtory #

▷ Start Cockpit.

▷ Open the Cockpit menu Revolution Pi.

▷ Select Open for the RevPi app PiCtory.

❯❯ PiCtory opens.

PiCtory user interface
Position Work Area Function

1

Device Catalog

List of all available RevPi devices and Virtual Devices.
See: Arrange Devices

2

Configuration area

Here, you arrange the individual RevPi devices of the Revolution Pi system in the same order as they are arranged on the DIN rail.
See: Arrange Devices

3

Device Data

Configuration of the basic settings of the device currently selected in the configuration area.
See: Configure Basic Settings

4

Value Editor

Configuration of the parameters of the device currently selected in the configuration area.
See: Configure Parameters

Arranging Devices #

▷ Observe the rules for device arrangement.

▷ Select your RevPi base module from the Device Catalog and drag it into the Configuration Area.

❯ PiCtory loads the selected base module into the configuration area (position number 0) and creates new empty slots.

▷ Drag additional devices to the left or right of the configuration area.

▷ To move a device, select the position number and drag it to the desired position.

▷ To remove a device, open the context menu and select Delete.

Configuring Device Data #

In the Device Data area, the basic settings for the device currently selected in the configuration area can be configured.

Field Description

Device Name

Optionally change the device name, e.g. if many devices are used and the system data is later processed in another program.

BMK

Optionally change the equipment identification number (German: Betriebsmittelkennzeichen).

Inputs/Outputs

Define the data schema for the inputs and outputs.
Select the higher value if the signals are used as individual Boolean values, meaning each signal occupies exactly 1 bit (e.g., on/off or switch signals).
Select the lower value if the signals are grouped into 16-bit values, meaning 16 bits form one word (e.g., for registers or structured data).

Comment

Optionally use the comment column for additional information.

As default values, PiCtory uses the values stored in the RAP file.

RAP file:

The RAP file (RevPi Adapter Profile) is a device description file used by PiCtory to correctly understand and represent a connected device. It defines the properties of a device.

These include:

Device type and identification Input and output data (I/O structure) Data formats and sizes (e.g., bits, bytes, registers) Addressing within the process image Parameters and configuration options

PiCtory uses this information to:

display the device graphically, create the correct process data, and properly configure the communication between the RevPi and the device.

Without a suitable RAP file, PiCtory cannot integrate a device at all or only with significant limitations.

Configuring Values (Parameterization) #

Type Description

Type INP

Values for the inputs

Type OUT

Values for the outputs

Type MEM

Values for the memory variables, e.g. operating modes of the inputs and outputs

Name

Name stored in the process image

Value

Value or mode

Unit

Unit of the value

Comment

Internal comment field

Export

Activate values for export via a communication interface (e.g. with MQTT)

The configurable parameters differ depending on the RevPi device:

RevPi Connect 5
RevPi Connect 4
RevPi Connect S/SE
RevPi Core S/SE
RevPi Flat/Flat S
RevPi Compact
RevPi DIO
RevPi AIO
RevPi MIO
RevPi DI
RevPi DO
RevPi RO

See also:

Saving the Configuration #

Before the configuration can be used, it must be saved and the driver must be reset.

▷ Select File › Save as Start-Config. to save the configuration as the start configuration.

❯ The start configuration is called up directly after each boot.

▷ Alternatively, you can save the configuration as another configuration file on the RevPi base module using File › Save As.

▷ Select Tools › Reset driver to reset the piControl driver.

▷ Check the configuration settings of the Revolution Pi system with piTest.

❯❯ The Revolution Pi system is configured.

Opening Saved Configuration #

▷ Select File › Open to choose a configuration file.

▷ Alternatively, you can open the configuration file stored as the start configuration with File › Load Start-Config..

Resetting Configuration #

▷ Select File › Clear to reset the configuration.

Exporting Configuration #

▷ Select File › Export to export the configuration file, e.g. to use it for other programs, for data backup, or for simulation purposes.

▷ Select the desired export format and enter the file name in Export Filename.

▷ Select Download to export the file.

▷ Alternatively, you can display the file with Show Only.

Reset Service Status #

Restarts all services such as RevPiPyLoad.

Reset Layout #

Resets the PiCtory user interface layout to the factory settings.

Reset Driver #

Restarts the RevPi driver piControl.

The configuration saved in PiCtory is then available for communication with the RevPi device.

Select Language #

Sets the language of the user interface in PiCtory.

User Settings #

User settings for PiCtory.

Session Timeout

After the specified number of minutes, an inactive user is automatically logged out.

To prevent data loss, Auto Save should always be enabled when a Session Timeout is configured. Changes take effect only after restarting PiCtory.

Auto Save

After the configured number of minutes, the current project file is saved automatically.

Auto Save should always be set shorter than Session Timeout.

Auto Export

▷ Define the files that are exported automatically when the project is saved.

  • PiCtory project file: RevPi module configuration in PiCtory format (config.rsc).

  • ST GLOBALS for logiCAD3: Structured Text for the GLOBALS section according to IEC 61131-3.

  • Offset list: Text list with the names and byte/bit offsets of the values marked for export in the Value Editor.

  • Symbol list for IBHSoftec: Text list with the names and byte/bit offsets of the values marked for export.

  • Offset list for CODESYS: Text list with the names and byte/bit offsets of the values marked for export.

Cache

▷ Enable or disable browser caching.

▷ Leave the cache mode set to On to achieve the best performance of PiCtory during normal operation.

▷ Set the cache mode to Off if RAP files are frequently edited in the background while PiCtory is running.

Note

If caching is set to On, RAP files are loaded by PiCtory from cache instead of using the latest edited version. This can lead to unwanted and unexpected effects when testing changes to the RAP file.

Further Resources #