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.