Solution Import Plugin Reference

Imports custom plugins.

Import Plugin allows you to add pre-built, self-contained solution components (plugins) into your current solution. Plugins can contain tags, displays, scripts, and other configuration objects.

Access: Solution → Import Plugin

Plugin Interface

Import Controls

Browse	Select plugin file	.plugin or .dbplugin files
Preview	View plugin contents	Before import
Options	Import settings	Override behavior
Import	Execute import	Adds to solution
Cancel	Abort operation	No changes

Plugin Information Display

Name	Plugin identifier	HMI_Standards_v2
Version	Plugin version	2.1.0
Author	Creator	Engineering Team
Description	Purpose and contents	Standard HMI templates
Created	Creation date	2024-01-15
Platform	Compatibility	Multiplatform

Plugin Contents

Supported Objects

Tags	Yes	Including templates
Displays	Yes	With all graphics
Scripts	Yes	Classes and tasks
Symbols	Yes	Custom symbols
Images	Yes	Embedded resources
Reports	Yes	Report definitions
Datasets	Partial	Structure only
Devices	Optional	Configuration only

Dependencies

Internal	Automatically resolved
External Tags	Warning if missing
Templates	Created if needed
Categories	Created if missing
Symbols	Imported with plugin

Import Process

Step 1: Plugin Selection

Browse to file	Loads plugin metadata
Validate plugin	Checks compatibility
Display info	Shows plugin details

Step 2: Conflict Resolution

Duplicate Name	Skip/Replace/Rename	Skip
Version Conflict	Keep/Update	Keep current
Template Mismatch	Merge/Replace	Merge
Category Missing	Create/Skip	Create

Step 3: Import Options

Preserve IDs	Keep original IDs	Never (automatic)
Update Existing	Overwrite objects	Updating plugin
Create Backup	Backup before import	Always recommended
Import History	Track in history	Always enabled

Plugin Types

Standard Plugins

HMI Templates	Displays, layouts	UI standards
Equipment Models	Tags, templates	Asset definitions
Communication	Device configs	Standard protocols
Reports Pack	Report templates	Standard reports
Script Library	Functions, classes	Reusable code

Industry Plugins

Water/Wastewater	Pump controls, SCADA displays
Oil & Gas	Pipeline monitoring, tank farms
Manufacturing	OEE, production tracking
Building Automation	HVAC, lighting controls
Power Generation	Grid monitoring, load management

Version Management

Version Compatibility

Same major	Same major	Yes
Older major	Newer major	Usually
Newer major	Older major	No
Any	Same platform	Check

Update Process

Check version	Compare to installed	History page
Backup solution	Create safety copy	Export
Update plugin	Import new version	Import Plugin
Verify changes	Review modifications	History

Plugin Registry

Installed Plugins

Tracked in Solution History:

Plugin Name	Identification
Version	Version tracking
Install Date	When imported
Objects Added	What was imported
Update Available	Newer version exists

Plugin Sources

Local Files	On disk	Browse
Network Share	Shared folder	UNC path
Plugin Library	Company repository	Configured path
Vendor	Third-party	Download

Creating Plugins

Plugins are created using Export:

Select objects	Check items	Marked for export
Set metadata	Name, version, author	Plugin info
Export as plugin	Choose plugin format	.plugin file
Document	Add description	Usage guide

Best Practices

Before Import

Backup solution
Review plugin contents
Check version compatibility
Verify dependencies
Test in development

During Import

Use preview feature
Handle conflicts carefully
Document changes
Keep import log
Monitor errors

After Import

Verify functionality
Test all features
Update documentation
Train users
Track version

Troubleshooting

Can't import	Wrong version	Check compatibility
Objects missing	Dependencies	Import dependencies first
Conflicts	Duplicate names	Use rename option
Plugin corrupted	Bad file	Get new copy
Update fails	Objects modified	Manual merge needed