To access I/O Device Editor, go to Tools > I/O Device Editor, or click on the Open I/O Device Editor… on the toolbar to open it as well. To create a new device, click on the + icon; this will open the Add New I/O Device screen. Users will be able to select the Connection Type of ethernet or serial for that specific device. Users will also be able to select the Device Type, which will open a dropdown of specific devices that Canvas supports connecting to. Once selected, the I/O Device will be created with default settings.

Ethernet devices are used when the connection to another device is via an Ethernet connection. Users will need to input the IP of the device they are connecting to, the Ethernet Type, and also the Port. Users can also select the PLC Type, the String Encoding, and the String Encoding Method. Users are also able to change specific settings such as the Timeout time and the Retry Count. Users will also be able to change the name of the Device and the Protocol of the device as well.

Canvas supports Allen-Bradleys Ethernet/IP as a way to connect with other devices. Users will be able to select an Allen Bradley PLC Type, the Message Type, and also, if the Message Type allows, a toggle to Use Multiple Service.

CIMON PLC (HMI Protocol) is the default protocol for Canvas. This protocol is the basic HMI protocol to connect with other CIMON devices. Users can select the CIMON PLC Type that they are working with. There are no additional options for any of the CIMON PLCs; the settings will remain the same across all CIMON PLCs.

Fatek FBs is another protocol that Canvas offers access to. This protocol will work in conjunction with any Fatek PLCs. There are no specific settings that this option will bring up if selected.

Canvas supports LSIS FEnet as a way to connect with other devices. Users will be able to select an LSIS PLC Type within the settings to better suit specific configurations.

Serial Devices are used when a connection to another device is made via a serial cable. Users will need to input the Serial Port of the device they are connecting to, the Comm Type, and also the Baudrate. Users can also select the PLC Type, the String Encoding, and the String Encoding Method. Users are also able to change specific settings such as the Timeout time and the Retry Count. Users will also be able to change the name of the Device and the Protocol of the device as well.

To access the Data Server Editor, go to Tools > Data Server Editor or click on the Open Data Server Editor… on the toolbar to open it as well. To create a new device, click on the + icon; this will open the Add New Server Device screen. Users will be able to select the Connection Type of ethernet or serial for that specific device. Users will also be able to select the Device Type, which will open a dropdown of specific devices that Canvas supports connecting to. Once selected, the Data Server will be created with default settings.

Ethernet devices are used when the connection to another device is via an Ethernet connection. Users will need to input the Port of the device they are connecting to in order for it to successfully connect. For Modbus TCP, users will need to enter the Unit ID via Modbus for it to successfully connect, and also the String Encoding and String Encoding Method as well.

Serial Devices are used when a connection to another device is made via a serial cable. Users will need to input the Serial Port of the device they are connecting to, the Comm Type, and also the Baudrate. Users can also select the PLC Type, the String Encoding, and the String Encoding Method. Users will also be able to change the name of the Device and the Protocol of the device as well. For Modbus TCP, users will need to enter the Unit ID via Modbus for it to successfully connect, and also the String Encoding and String Encoding Method as well.

In order to run the project on a CIMON HMI, users must first set up the connection with the Xpanel in order to run the project. To do this, users must go to Tools > Connection Setup or, on the toolbar, go to Open Connection Setup…. This will open the Connection Setup window, which will allow users to connect with the HMI. Depending on how the Xpanel is connected to the device with Canvas installed, the HMI will appear by either IP Address or by USB.

In order to transfer the project to runtime, within the Connection Setup page, select the Xpanel that will be used for the project. Once selected, buttons on the right side of the page will become clickable. Click on the Download (PC → HMI) button; this will begin transferring the project to the HMI. Click OK on any popups, and after waiting, the project will appear on the HMI, and the project will be interactable on the HMI.

Users can also download projects from the HMI to the PC as well. By clicking the Upload (HMI → PC) button, users will be able to download the current project on the HMI and be able to edit it within Canvas on the computer.

When a user downloads a project to the HMI, it will automatically open the project when the download is finished. It will also automatically open the project on the power-up of the HMI. This will open up the project that was designed on Canvas and allow full functionality of it. There are no limitations on the Xpanel during runtime.

In order to view the runtime from the computer, select the HMI you wish to view, then click on the Start VNC Server button; this will begin the VNC server. Once it is started, click on Launch VNC Viewer, and the user will be able to view what is currently on the HMI. An example of the VNC Viewer is on the right.

Users may interact with the settings during runtime. To open the settings, users must first use the Three Corner Method. To do this, touch the bottom left corner of the screen, then the bottom right corner, then the top right corner in the order listed. Once done, a menu will appear on the Xpanel. Users can select to go to the settings from this page or exit the runtime. Clicking Exit or Switch to Control Center will exit the runtime.

Open Notifications will show all notifications that have occurred during the runtime of the program. Frame and Tag Monitor will open the Frame Monitor on the runtime. System Log will show all interactions with the program during runtime. About will show the current Canvas Viewer Version. User Management will open a login screen for a user to use the Identity and Access Manager.

Once the project is closed, the user will be on the Control Center screen. Users can choose to either go back to Canvas Viewer or to go into the Settings. Clicking Settings will open the Settings window. Users can set up Server Settings, Network Settings, Sound and Display, Project Transfer, and Language and Region. System time and many other windows will directly change the settings of the Xpanel itself.

Users do not require an HMI to test the functionality of the project. The simulator will be able to help debug and test a project's functionality without requiring an HMI to run and test the project. Users can also directly change tag values to test the functionality of specific functions when tag values change. By going to Tools > Launch Simulator or clicking the Launch Simulator button on the Toolbar, users will be able to run the project on the computer and test the functionality of the project from the computer.

Users can also test with an Online Simulator in conjunction with CICON’s simulator; this can allow users to test the functionality of I/O Devices and Data Servers without the need for a PLC and HMI. To run Online Simulator, go to Tools > Launch Online Simulator or click the Launch Online Simulator button within the toolbar. Some functionality not available in the offline simulator will be available in the online simulator.