This article describes the process of saving a design file that's currently running on an ESP or EX processor by capturing and extracting the file in its compressed format.

Generally, it is best practice to use the commissioned version of ControlSpace Designer software and firmware to go online with the processor, make minor updates, and save back to flash. There are two ways to determine this version of software. The first is to use Hardware Manager to view the firmware level presently loaded on the device(s) in question, and then cross-reference this firmware to the version of ControlSpace Designer with which the firmware was packaged. The second method is to employ the Save Retrieved Design to File command.

Relevant Product(s)

• ControlSpace Designer

Procedure

Launch ControlSpace Designer and adjust the project network properties as needed to match the project network of the hardware being configured. Then, from the System menu, select Save Retrieved Design to File.

ControlSpace Designer will scan the network for ControlSpace devices. If none are found, an error box will appear. If this happens, check the project network properties and try again. Once ControlSpace devices are found, select the device containing the project file and click OK.

Save the file to the PC in a known location. The file type is a Cabinet Project File (.CAB) which is a special type of archive. While Windows can unpack these archives natively, it's only accomplished from the command line interface. Alternatively, there are several free or open source tools available to extract this file into the components that are usable. Two such tools are 7-Zip and WinRAR. After installing one of these tools, right-click on the .CAB file in Windows Explorer and select Extract Here.

After extraction, two additional files will appear in the folder: an XML file and another .CAB file.

Note: If you do not see the file extension, then the Windows setting needs to be enabled. In Windows 10, this is found in File Explorer's View menu

The extracted cabinet file $LegoDownLoadXML$.cab is actually the ControlSpace Designer project file packaged for the ESP or EX processor. Right-click on this file and select Rename, or left-click and press F2 on the keyboard.  Change the extension from .cab to .csp to revert it back to a native ControlSpace Designer project file. Finally, right-click the file and select Edit to open the file in the Notepad application.

The ControlSpace version used to create the project file can now be seen in the highlighted line below.