Process Visualization (Level 3) from Udemy

As a PLC programmer, there are two sides of the coin that you MUST know to get the job done, and those are the PLC and the HMI. In my first two PLC courses (only ten dollars each on PLC Dojo), you learned the ins and outs of PLC and have already created some pretty complex programs to run machines.

But if people aren't able to interact with those machines, they aren't going to be of much use. In this course, you're going to learn about HMI and SCADA by creating graphical interfaces operators will use to monitor automated process, establish operating parameters, and even acquire and warehouse data from a running system.

There are multiple solutions on the market to accomplish these tasks, and as such, we're going to be covering several. Wonderware (Schneider Electric / Indusoft) is perhaps the top solution in the world of process visualization. As such, we'll be working extensively with that technology, but we won't limit ourselves to a single package.

We'll also be working hands-on with InduSoft, EasyBuilder 5000 and AdvancedHMI, and hands-off with FactoryTalk View Studio and C-More so by the end of this course, you're going to actually know and have working experience with most of what people are using in the world of automation today.

What's covered in each of the five PLC courses I teach here and on my own PLC Dojo site?

PLC Fundamentals (Level 1) teaches you how to program with the focus on ladder logic, which is the most popular PLC programming language. The goal is to teach you everything you need to know to make a PLC do what you want it to do. You are also given all the software necessary to both CREATE and RUN your own programs live - right on your own computer.

Applied Logic (Level 2) forces you to take what you've learned and solve problem after progressively harder problem unassisted. You get a spec and are told simply: "Make it work, and don't progress until you have." After, you get to watch me solve each one as well. By the end, you don't just know how to program - you are a

Process Visualization (Level 3) gives you both knowledge and experience in FIVE different HMI / SCADA development environments. By the end, you've created several

IEC Paradigms (Level 4) is only for the heavyweights. This course teaches you how to program using all five IEC programming languages (plus one more) in multiple environments. There are projects as well, so by the end, you have seen it all and DONE it all as well. There won't be anything anybody can show you that you won't already be familiar with.

TIA Portal Master Project (Level 5) is the culmination of everything. In that course, you'll program an entire power plant using all five PLC programming languages (in PARALLEL. ) with a full HMI. It's a massive and complex project that really showcases your talents in an interview.

What's inside

Learning objectives

By the end of this course, you will have created hmi / scada interfaces using various technologies allowing operators to interact with a live, running system.
Using the provided plc program as the basis for our interfaces, you'll be creating graphical interfaces to run the process and log data into a sql database.

You'll know how to map data between rslogix 500 projects and several visualization technologies.
You'll have some amazing demo projects to show off in interviews.

By the end of this course, you will have created hmi / scada interfaces using various technologies allowing operators to interact with a live, running system.
Using the provided plc program as the basis for our interfaces, you'll be creating graphical interfaces to run the process and log data into a sql database.
You'll know how to map data between rslogix 500 projects and several visualization technologies.
You'll have some amazing demo projects to show off in interviews.

Syllabus

Introduction

Course Intro: Curriculum / Objectives

Software and Course Notes

Contacting Your Instructor

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops competency in five HMI / SCADA development environments, including Wonderware, AdvancedHMI, EZware, C-More, and FactoryTalk View Studio

Teaches skills and knowledge that are standard in the process visualization industry

Helps you create graphical interfaces to monitor automated processes

Assists in developing an understanding of concepts in HMI and SCADA

Provides experience in creating HMI / SCADA interfaces using various technologies

May require additional hardware and software not typically found in a home or library, such as interface cables and OPC servers

Reviews summary

Practical hmi/scada for plc professionals

According to learners, this course is a highly practical and valuable resource for PLC programmers seeking to master HMI and SCADA. Students frequently highlight the course's strength in covering multiple HMI/SCADA development environments like Wonderware, AdvancedHMI, and EasyBuilder 5000, offering a broad understanding of industry tools. Many find the hands-on projects and real-world applications particularly beneficial for building a professional portfolio and gaining confidence in their work. The instructor's clear explanations and engaging teaching style are consistently praised. However, some learners noted challenges with software installation and setup, and a few expressed a desire for more in-depth coverage of certain 'hands-off' technologies like FactoryTalk View Studio.

Course is best for learners with existing PLC programming knowledge.

"It's best if you have a good grasp of PLCs beforehand, as stated in the course description."

"It does require prior PLC knowledge, but for someone coming from Level 1/2, it's a perfect next step."

"This course perfectly complements the earlier PLC courses and equips you with complete automation skills."

The instructor's explanations are clear, engaging, and highly effective.

"The instructor's explanations are very clear and easy to follow."

"The instructor does a great job explaining the concepts and showing real-world applications."

"The instructor made learning HMI so much easier."

"The instructor's teaching style is engaging."

Comprehensive exposure to various HMI/SCADA software solutions.

"The coverage of multiple platforms like Wonderware and AdvancedHMI was fantastic."

"The breadth of technologies covered is impressive, though I found myself wishing for a bit more depth in some areas."

"It covers a wide range of topics and software, which is great for understanding the ecosystem."

"The multiple HMI software covered gave me a broad understanding of the market."

Course excels in providing practical, real-world HMI/SCADA project experience.

"The hands-on projects; they are genuinely useful for building a portfolio."

"It dives right into creating functional HMI/SCADA interfaces. The examples are well-chosen and directly applicable."

"This course has given me confidence to tackle HMI projects at work."

"The emphasis on real-world applications and projects is what sets it apart."

Some tools are covered in less detail than others, leading to a desire for more depth.

"I found myself wishing for a bit more depth in some areas, especially with FactoryTalk View Studio which was only 'hands-off'."

"I found the section on 'FactoryTalk View Studio' to be more of an overview rather than a deep dive, which was a bit disappointing."

"I found the course a bit overwhelming with the sheer number of technologies introduced, and not all of them were covered with the same depth."

Installation of necessary software can be a significant hurdle for learners.

"Setting up the VM and software was a bit tricky but totally worth the effort."

"The installation process for some software was really frustrating and not well-documented. I spent a lot of time troubleshooting."

"I found the course a bit overwhelming with the sheer number of technologies introduced... I also ran into issues with the provided VM update."

"The setup process for all the different software packages is a significant hurdle."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Process Visualization (Level 3) with these activities:

PLC Basics Walkthrough

Show steps

Ensure a stronger foundation by watching videos that comprehensively cover the fundamentals of PLCs.

Show steps

Search 'PLC Basics Tutorial' on YouTube.
Identify a highly rated tutorial with clear explanations.
Watch the tutorial in its entirety, taking notes.

PLC HMI Design Resources

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Consolidate your knowledge by compiling a collection of useful resources, including tutorials, articles, and code examples, related to PLC HMI design.

Show steps

Search for PLC HMI design resources online.
Organize the resources into categories.
Create a document or online repository to store the resources.

HMI Design Best Practices

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Enhance your HMI design skills by watching videos that showcase industry-standard best practices for creating effective and user-friendly interfaces.

Show steps

Search 'HMI Design Best Practices Tutorial' on YouTube.
Watch tutorials that cover topics such as screen layout, navigation, and color theory.
Take notes and apply the best practices to your own HMI designs.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

PLC Troubleshooting Workshop

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Attend a workshop that delves into troubleshooting techniques for PLCs, providing you with hands-on experience and expert guidance.

Show steps

Search for PLC troubleshooting workshops in your area.
Register for the workshop.
Attend the workshop and actively participate in activities and discussions.

Simple PLC Simulation Project

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Apply your PLC knowledge by building a simple simulation project that involves programming, simulation, and testing.

Browse courses on PLC Programming

Show steps

Define the project scope and requirements.
Design the PLC program using ladder logic.
Simulate the PLC program using software or hardware.
Test the program for functionality and identify any issues.
Refine and improve the program based on testing results.

PLC HMI Design Guide

Show steps

Deepen your understanding of HMI design by creating a comprehensive guide that outlines the principles and best practices for designing effective PLCs.

Show steps

Research and gather information from various sources.
Organize the content into a logical structure.
Write clear and concise explanations, supported by examples.
Proofread and edit the guide carefully.

Contribute to OpenPLC Project

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Gain practical experience and contribute to the PLC community by collaborating on the open-source OpenPLC project.

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Visit the OpenPLC website and review the project.
Identify an area where you can contribute, such as documentation or code development.
Contact the project maintainers to express your interest.
Contribute your time and skills to the project.

Career center

Learners who complete Process Visualization (Level 3) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

HMI Programmer

A HMI Programmer would be able to use the knowledge and skills gained in this Process Visualization course to develop and maintain HMI systems. They could use their understanding of HMI and SCADA to create graphical interfaces that allow operators to monitor and interact with machines and automated processes. The course's focus on hands-on experience with different HMI and SCADA technologies would be particularly valuable for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for HMI Programmer

Automation Engineer

An Automation Engineer would be able to use the knowledge and skills gained in this Process Visualization course to design, develop, and maintain automated systems and machines. They could use their understanding of HMI and SCADA to create graphical interfaces that allow operators to monitor and interact with these systems. The course's focus on hands-on experience with different HMI and SCADA technologies would be particularly valuable for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Automation Engineer

SCADA Programmer

A SCADA Programmer would be able to use the knowledge and skills gained in this Process Visualization course to develop and maintain SCADA systems. They could use their understanding of HMI and SCADA to create graphical interfaces that allow operators to monitor and interact with these systems. The course's focus on hands-on experience with different HMI and SCADA technologies would be particularly valuable for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for SCADA Programmer

Controls Engineer

A Controls Engineer would be able to use the knowledge and skills gained in this Process Visualization course to design, develop, and maintain the controls systems for automated processes and machines. They could use their understanding of HMI and SCADA to create graphical interfaces that allow operators to monitor and interact with these systems. The course's focus on hands-on experience with different HMI and SCADA technologies would be particularly valuable for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Controls Engineer

Process Engineer

A Process Engineer would be able to use the knowledge and skills gained in this Process Visualization course to design and improve automated processes and systems. They could use their understanding of HMI and SCADA to create graphical interfaces that allow operators to monitor and interact with these systems. The course's focus on hands-on experience with different HMI and SCADA technologies would be particularly valuable for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Process Engineer

Industrial Engineer

An Industrial Engineer would be able to use the knowledge and skills gained in this Process Visualization course to design and improve industrial processes and systems. They could use their understanding of HMI and SCADA to create graphical interfaces that allow operators to monitor and interact with these systems. The course's focus on hands-on experience with different HMI and SCADA technologies would be particularly valuable for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial Engineer

Technical Writer

A Technical Writer would be able to use the knowledge and skills gained in this Process Visualization course to write documentation for HMI and SCADA systems. They could use their understanding of HMI and SCADA to create clear and concise documentation that helps users to understand and use these systems. The course's focus on hands-on experience with different HMI and SCADA technologies would be particularly valuable for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Sales Engineer

A Sales Engineer would be able to use the knowledge and skills gained in this Process Visualization course to sell HMI and SCADA systems. They could use their understanding of HMI and SCADA to explain the benefits of these systems to potential customers. The course's focus on hands-on experience with different HMI and SCADA technologies would be particularly valuable for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Engineer

Consultant

A Consultant would be able to use the knowledge and skills gained in this Process Visualization course to provide consulting services related to HMI and SCADA systems. They could use their understanding of HMI and SCADA to help clients to design, develop, and implement these systems. The course's focus on hands-on experience with different HMI and SCADA technologies would be particularly valuable for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Manufacturing Engineer

A Manufacturing Engineer would be able to use the knowledge and skills gained in this Process Visualization course to design and improve manufacturing processes and systems. They could use their understanding of HMI and SCADA to create graphical interfaces that allow operators to monitor and interact with these systems. The course's focus on hands-on experience with different HMI and SCADA technologies would be particularly valuable for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Manufacturing Engineer

Systems Engineer

A Systems Engineer would be able to use the knowledge and skills gained in this Process Visualization course to design and develop complex systems. They could use their understanding of HMI and SCADA to create graphical interfaces that allow operators to monitor and interact with these systems. The course's focus on hands-on experience with different HMI and SCADA technologies would be particularly valuable for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer

Software Engineer

A Software Engineer would be able to use the knowledge and skills gained in this Process Visualization course to develop software for HMI and SCADA systems. They could use their understanding of HMI and SCADA to create graphical interfaces that allow operators to monitor and interact with machines and automated processes. The course's focus on hands-on experience with different HMI and SCADA technologies would be particularly valuable for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Data Analyst

A Data Analyst would be able to use the knowledge and skills gained in this Process Visualization course to analyze data from HMI and SCADA systems. They could use this data to identify trends and patterns and to make recommendations for improving processes and systems. The course's focus on hands-on experience with different HMI and SCADA technologies would be particularly valuable for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Project Manager

A Project Manager would be able to use the knowledge and skills gained in this Process Visualization course to manage projects related to HMI and SCADA systems. They could use their understanding of HMI and SCADA to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. The course's focus on hands-on experience with different HMI and SCADA technologies would be particularly valuable for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager