Canvas 4.0 has finally been released with long-awaited features such as gauge objects, project recovery, and remote page control.
The many improvements and changes of Canvas 4.0 keep the user in mind, making project creation and maintenance easier and friendlier.
Notable Additions
- Import Tags
Generate tags in your project quickly from an Allen-Bradley .L5X or CICON.VAR or .csv file. This removes the need to create tags from your PLC project manually. The name, Data type, I/O Device, I/O Address, and Description are automatically transferred.
- Project Recovery
Project recovery is available by contacting CIMON support using the assigned Recovery Email. If the project is sent using the correct email, CIMON support will remove the password from the project. The CIMON support email is support@cimoninc.com.
- Gauge Objects
New gauge objects give users a new visual representation of ranges of values. All values and steps are customizable to allow limitless representation of numbers. These values can also have a tag bound to them to dynamically change the values during runtime.
- Allen-Bradley DF1 and Hallim Serial Protocols
Two new serial I/O Device protocols have been added to provide more options for connecting and communicating with hosted data. CIMON continuously innovates to bridge the gap between our Xpanels and external devices.
- EtherNet/IP and Sparkplug Edge Node servers
Two new Ethernet Data Server protocols have been added to provide more options for hosting data. Sparkplug Edge Node, based on MQTT, is being increasingly adopted. The functionality of acting as an EtherNet/IP Server has been highly sought after, and CIMON has delivered on this need.
- Project Library
The Project Library folder has been introduced to store files in the Canvas project rather than the installation path. This folder acts like the Custom Library, where you can import external files into an easily accessible folder, but it is now automatically transferred with the project. This enables better organization of external files per project.
- System I/O Device
Internal functions have been reorganized into the System I/O Device, having been moved from the old Virtual and Virtual (Runtime Only) I/O Devices. Virtual and Virtual (Runtime Only) now solely act as project tags, and System tags will display specific information about the current workstation and its runtime status.
- Update Xpanel Firmware
The Update Canvas Viewer button changes the selected Xpanel’s version to the currently installed Canvas version. It is now easier than ever to update the Xpanel’s version as we’ve removed the need to use a .swu file. Note that this functionality allows you to change between versions of the same major version. Ex: 4.#.
- Alarm Banner
A new preset banner has been added to display alarm changes. The screen notification functionality has been made into a preset object, allowing you to create a formatted alarm banner instantly. You can customize the text, background color, scroll direction, location on the page, and a page to open if clicked.
- Remote Page Control
Pages can be directly controlled via tags. No workaround is needed for page control, and tags can be bound to use remote page control from other devices. There is functionality to show page status, change pages, and open popup pages to specified positions.
Other Improvements
- Auto-resize font
Any object with text automatically resizes font. This can be disabled in Designer Settings. - Helpfile
Canvas 4.0 has a new and improved help file. Moving the help file to a markdown-based format has drastically improved loading speeds and efficiency. - Auto Focus
Interactable objects, such as text and numeric fields, can be focused without pressing the tab key or manually selecting them. - More dynamic expression capabilities
The Raw Low, Raw High, Scaled Low, and Scaled High values inside Scale Tag Value and the Numeric keypads can have tags bound to them to dynamically change their values during runtime.
- Page index and type
Pages now list their index and type in the Project Tree. Base and popup pages have separate lists, denoted by B and P.
- Numeric Text Box
The Numeric Text Box simplifies the process of displaying number values. It can display a number preview and change the format properties without binding a tag.
- Ability to sort the Tag Browser by name
It is now easier to find tags in the Tag Editor. Clicking Name will alternate between ascending and descending alphabetically and then return to the order of creation.
- Enhanced Audit Logs
Canvas’ Audit Log is 21 CFR Part 11 FDA Compliant. It can track user activity, including the time, description, target, value, and user who completed the action. This data can be exported to a CSV or SQL database for record keeping. - Modbus Transmission Delay and Block Tolerance
Modbus RTU can now use Transmission Delay to set the time in milliseconds that the client device will wait before sending a request. It can also improve data efficiency by setting the allowed number of unused device addresses per block using Block Tolerance. - Added placeholders
Fields that require user input now have examples and directions.
- Updated button and menu designs
The look and feel of menus, toolbars, and buttons have been updated. These changes aim to create a seamless Canvas experience. - Updated Alarm Labels UI
The Labels tab in the Designer and Alarm Summary has substantially changed for a better user experience. The below images show a before-and-after of the Labels section.
- Screenshot
A new script that takes a screenshot of the physical Xpanel screen has been added. This screenshot can be stored in Local, a USB, an SD card, FTP, or Project storage. - Alarm Export/Import
Alarms can now be exported or imported to external programs, such as Excel and Google Sheets. All alarm data, such as tags, comparisons, actions, and emails, can be easily transferred. - USB/SD System Tags
System tags that display USB/SD card availability have been added. These new tags make it easy to avoid corruption when addressing invalid or empty storage. - Date/Time format
Almost, if not every, date/time format is now available. You can observe the standards of time format for numerous locations worldwide. - Enlarged 3-Corner Method Buttons
In Canvas Runtime, the 3-Corner Method buttons to open the runtime menu have been changed from 32x32 to 40x40.
- CSV Storage
CSV creation will now check that at least 1GB of space on the filesystem is available when the destination is local or FTP. This is to help prevent cases where automatic CSV creation uses all of the space on the filesystem, often leading to a crash. - Touch Calibration
We have reintroduced touch calibration after holding for 30 seconds. After holding touch for 30 seconds, the Xpanel will beep and start the Touch Calibration process.
Changelog
Please check out the changelog to see all the named changes.
Installing & Updating
If you want to install or update to Canvas 4.0, please visit the download Canvas page.
Questions?
We'd love to hear your thoughts! If you have any questions about the release, please contact us at support@cimoninc.com.
