Open a GX Works3 project (.gx3) without GX Works3
GX Works3 is the software for the MELSEC iQ-F (FX5U, FX5UC, FX5UJ, FX5S) and iQ-R controllers,
and it saves a project as one .gx3 file. Upload it to read the programs, function blocks,
labels and device comments without installing GX Works3.
Ladder drawn as GX Works3 lays it out
A GX Works3 ladder block keeps the grid the editor uses: which cell holds which contact, coil or instruction, and where the vertical lines run. The printout redraws that grid, so blocks look the way they were entered, with:
- contacts, rising and falling edges, comparisons and inverted results,
- coils, set and reset, and application instructions as boxes,
- FB calls with their instance name and pins,
- inline structured text boxes with their code,
- statements above the blocks and notes on the instructions,
- the device comment or label comment under each operand.
Step numbers come from the converted program where the project has one. Real constants are shown
with their value (E1.5), and FX5 inputs and outputs in octal (X10, Y17).
Structured text and FBD/LD
ST programs and function blocks come as numbered code in the printout and as text files in a ZIP. FBD/LD worksheets are drawn from the positions saved in the project: function boxes with their pin names, function blocks with instance names, variables, contacts, coils and wires.
Labels, comments, settings
- Global labels and the local labels of every program and function block, with class, data type, assigned device, initial value and comment, and the structures the labels use, member by member.
- Device comments. GX Works3 fills new projects with comments for the special relays and registers; the tables keep all of them, the printout leaves out those the programs never use.
- Program setting: the program files with their execution type, in execution order.
Two cases to know
- A POU that was edited but never converted has its name stored only where GX Works3 writes it at conversion. Such POUs are listed as POU 1, POU 2 and so on, with their language, labels and code, and the result page says how many there are.
- Projects protected with security (a security key or user authentication) are saved encrypted. The tool tells you so; save the project without the protection to read it here.
Downloads
A PDF printout, the offline HTML viewer, ST sources, and the comments, labels and cross
reference as CSV and Excel, where a sheet lists the elements of every ladder block with its
step. A second .gx3 under "Second version to compare" gives a report of what changed between
the two.
More about what this tool reads and writes: Mitsubishi PLC Project Viewer (GX Works2, GX Works3, GX Developer).