This section leads you through the process of creating a new (and possibly your first) configuration from an existing IODF. If you want to create a new configuration from scratch, see Creating a new configuration from scratch.
Essentially, you create a new configuration by loading data from the desired IODF on the host into a configuration file which is created on the PC. However, the logical data in the IODF is not sufficient by itself to create an accurate physical representation of your hardware configuration. Although HCM can correctly infer certain physical relationships from the logical data, in general, the logical information is either lacking or ambiguous.
HCM makes extensive use of serial numbers added to the IODF to resolve these ambiguities and create an initial physical configuration diagram that is as correct as possible. If you have not consistently and accurately maintained serial numbers in the IODF on the host, you need to rectify this by preparing the IODF before loading.
HCM can recognize CTC connections, if all control units composing a CTC connection of a CNC/CTC channel pair through a switch are connected to switch ports.
Point-to-point CTC connections are recognized, if the involved CUs of a CNC/CTC channel pair have the same serial numbers.
… HCM informs you with a message, that it is going to create and open your new configuration file as a copy of the downloaded MCF. In such a case, your new configuration may already contain physical definitions, like cables or general boxes. Read more detailed information:
… be aware of how you can work with and how HCM handles such configurations. Refer to Working with multi-user access enabled IODFs.