Q&A: How to Export and Import Scripts for Tecan EVOware

Knowing how to export and import scripts (processes)(methods) in Tecan EVOware properly is very important in maintaining your library’s labware, carrier, and RoMa vector definitions on your system.  To properly export and import scripts you will use the Export Import application in the Tecan EVOware software suite.

A question was posted in the comments of one of our articles from one our readers asking how to solve an issue with opening a script in Tecan EVOware that contains a carrier identification recognition error.  This error can be very frustrating as it may not allow you to open the script properly to edit it. Our response to the question led us to create this posting that may help others who run into the same issue. 

Many times this issue is caused by not including all the labware,carrier, or RoMA vector definitions that were associated with the script (method)(process) when it was created during either the exporting of importing of it into a new Tecan system.  Below we share a modified version of the response that contains the basics behind exporting and importing a script into your Tecan system with our answer to our reader Thomas. Thanks, Thomas, for the question.  

“Hello,

I have a question unrelated to the article but in the realm of troubleshooting on Tecan Evoware. I am trying to open a script on Evoware Standard software but am being prompted with an error which states that the script contains a carrier id that is not recognized. How can I add additional carriers to my current directory? Thank you!“

-Thomas

Hi Thomas,

We’re happy to help. Let’s see if this will solve your problem. I’m going to assume you imported this script to your system from another system or instance of Tecan EVOware. You’ll tend to run into this error when you do this if you incorrectly exported or imported the script. During the import or export of a script for the Export Import application for Tecan EVOware will allow you to select which items you’ll want to export/import. If you did not select the appropriate files to include, such as carrier definitions, labware definitions, and/or liquid classes, when you try to open that script you’ll get an error such as the one you’re seeing. Let’s try this first, and see if this will solve your problem.

How to Properly Import a Script(s) (Processes)(Methods) for Tecan EVOware

Step 1. Open Export Import Application

If you have the export/import file (The export/import file will have a .exd file tag) you got the script from, open it up in the Export Import application that you can find under your Windows Start programs list, usually in the Tecan folder. I’m assuming you imported this script via this application.  You can either double click on the file or go into the File drop down and click on “Load Importfile”.  

Step 2. Skip Items That Are Duplicates

A screen will usually pop up once you’ve opened your file asking you to “Select import mode how to treat existing items”. This is where you decide if you are going to import carrier and labware definitions that already exist in your current EVOware setup on your PC. 

I normally don’t recommend including these items because if you actually import them at the final step, they can screw up the definitions that you have trained on your Tecan. Also, by not including any of these items that already exist on your PC, you’ll be able to narrow down which carrier you are missing before you import your file.

You can skip items one by one or skip all items that already exist on your PC.

Step 3. Import Script and Definitions

You’ll then see a list on the right of all the items such as carrier definitions, labware definitions, liquid classes, vectors, etc. that your EVOware setup is missing that is associated with the script(s) that you plan on importing. Since you didn’t import any existing definitions and etc. you can just click the “Import All” button. Wait for it to finish importing, and then close out the application.

Step 4. Open Your Imported Script

Open up your EVOware standard or Plus application and try opening the script, and that should fix the issue.

How to Properly Export a Script(s) (Processes)(Methods) for Tecan EVOware

Now…if you originally didn’t correctly export your script from another system, you’ll need to go back to the system that contained the original script and create an export file on that system that contains all the associated definitions for that script or process. It’s easy.

Step 1. Open Export Import Application

Open the Export Import application that you can find under your Windows Start programs list, usually in the Tecan folder.

Step 2. Add Components to Export

Look on the left hand side under the “Process + Scripts” tab, find the Process(s), method(s), or script(s) you want to export and click on them to highlight it. Then in the middle of the window, click on the “Add” button. This will populate the right side window with all the items associated with it. 

Step 3. Click the “Export” Button

Next click on “Export” button and save the exported file to where you want to so you can take that file to where you want to import it.

Step 4. Follow Import Instructions from Above

Once you have moved the file over to the system you want to use it in, just follow the directions above in the first section of instructions to properly import your script.

Lastly, if you just found the script file on another system and copied it from it’s folder and then brought it over to your new system, I recommend you use the instructions above to export/import the proper associated files and definitions.  It would be very difficult to figure out which carrier is causing the problem, if EVOware isn’t allowing you to open the script.  

Also, these steps can be used to export/import individual or groups of robot vectors, liquid classes, carriers, and labware definitions by clicking on the tabs containing the item of interest.

Let us know if this helped or if you need more assistance. If you still have a service contract with Tecan you can also reach out their help desk. As always…

Disclaimer: Though we have used this to fix our systems, we are not responsible for any issues that might occur to your system(s) by you following this guide. Please check with the manufacturer or your service provider prior to following this or any guide to be sure you will not cause any issues with your system.