The Descriptor Export function “exports” a Descriptor from an engineering tool.

Use cases for the export of a Descriptor are:

• The types of a vendor-specific AutomationComponent product are made available in a Descriptor as OPC UA FX AML types for usage in OfflineEngineering projects.
• An OPC UA FX Information Model of an AutomationComponent configuration is provided in a Descriptor for further sharing with other engineering tools.

The Descriptor Export function uses the support functions stated in 8.3.3, 8.3.4, and 8.3.6.

Important tasks for Descriptor Export are:

• Convert the internal model of the AutomationComponent to an OPC UA FX AML Information Model (8.3.6);
• Collect and select the files (AML files, attachment files, embedded Descriptors) and place their files into a file structure. Part of this step is also to decide which files are included in the Descriptor or accessible by external references. (8.3.3);
• Select the Root AML files and create the Descriptor manifest (8.3.3);
• Create the Common Services files with the relationship references and content types as required by the Open Packaging Conventions (8.2.3);
• Create the AML Container with an archiving function in the ZIP format. (8.3.3);
• Sign the Descriptor with a valid certificate and add the digital signature to the Descriptor (8.3.4).