What's New in Cscape™ 8.52B ?

[back to 8.60B improvements]

Cscape 8.52B Enhancements

1. Adds direct programming support for the XLe/XLt Ethernet add-on module. Previous versions of Cscape required a separate redirector software utility to be running in order to communicate through the module. Applies to XLe/XLt only - no firmware upgrade required.
2. Adds a variety of ease-of-use enhancements to the GSM/GPRS functionality. Applies to XLe/XLt using 11.95 firmware or later. NX/QX will add GSM/GPRS functionality at a later date through an external GSM/GPRS modem.
3. Adds support for 14.4k and 28.8k baud rates on OCS serial ports. Applies to XLe/XLt using 11.95 firmware or later.

Previous Cscape 8.50 Enhancements

1. Support for the OCS model XLt.
2. Project Navigator. A new method to navigate the different aspects of the project (logic, screen editor, I/O configuration, etc.).
3. Support for multiple, independently named, consecutively executed ladder blocks.
4. Register Backup/Restore function.
5. Scheduling Function Blocks. Applies to XLe/XLt only using firmware 11.90 or later.
6. Move Real Function Block.
7. Simplified Model Selection, with OCS models grouped by family instead of a single list.
8. Unicode Font Import Wizard (QX, NX, LX, XLt and XLe only).
9. Multi-shift and Multi-rotate function blocks now support registers up to %R9999. Applies to QX, NX, LX, XLt & XLe only, requires firmware 11.90 or later.
10. Menu item now supports registers up to %R9999. Applies to XLe/XLt only using firmware 11.90 or later.
11. Remote Graphics terminal built into Cscape now supports baud rates up to 115.2 kbaud.

Other improvements

1. Addition of Project Navigator
2. Addition of Organisational Blocks
3. Addition of Scheduler Blocks
4. Simplified Controller configuration
5. Support for new XLt functionality
6. New ‘Move Real’ function block
7. Register Backup & Restore
8. Import Unicode fonts
9. Select and delete multiple I/O names in I/O Name Editor
10. Modbus Slaves can be configured as ‘read only’ (data protection)
11. Checksums stored in Flash (protection against power abnormality)
12. Improved IEC61131 support Supports new RCX unit

Corrected and Known Issues

Corrected Issues

Known Issues and workarounds

Project Navigator

Our improved project navigator makes it easier than ever to develop custom applications using Cscape. The familiar Windows like explorer tree is both intuitive and extremely user friendly.

The icons in the tree allows users to skip between the discreet application nodes whilst automatically opening whatever tool is appropriate for that object or control so developers can rapidly jump from location to another.

There are a variety of device based templates which can be used as an application springboard and also sample code projects and tutorials. Simply select the Horner product you intend on using and Cscape will automatically pre-configure the base application for you.

Organizational Blocks

Ladder logic development takes a giant leap forward with the use of organizational blocks.

Users of our previous tools will immediately note how the user of organizational blocks is a significant improvement. The 9999 line limit has been swept aside and it is now far easier to visualise the entire logic chain.This is accomplished by splitting the long lines of logic code into discreet chunks.

This makes supporting and debugging far simpler as the learning curve is considerably less steep.

Scheduler Blocks

The use of scheduling blocks allows developers to create any number of time based events which can be used to do anything from generating end of week reports for senior management to complex minute by minute processes making this an extremely useful feature both in terms of outright functionality and for monitoring ongoing productivity.

The simple, easy to understand block based layout makes it easy for users to understand another developers code, thereby simplifying maintenance and debugging.

Simplified Controller Configuration

It's easier to configure your particular OCS using Cscape's™ simplified Model Selection, with OCS models grouped by family instead of a single list. Simply select the Horner product you intend on using and Cscape™ will automatically pre-configure the base application for you.

XLt functionality

• Support for the new XLt Touch Screen
• Support for GSM/GPRS Cellular Modem (available mid-August)
  • Data Communications
• SMS Messaging
• Programming via Cscape
• Menu Item supports Extended Registers
• Improved I/O Configuration - Controllers selected by Family (not one long list)
• Menu Item support in XLt

Plus you have all the benefits of past Cscape™ releases:

• Provides significantly faster online debugging
• Video Input Option with all SVGA Color-Touch Models
• Recipe Manager
• Dynamic Shape Attributes (circle, rectangle, line)
• Works with the Optional 4,000+ Graphical Library, Cscape™ with Symbols
• Graphical Gauge Object: Provides "Automotive" Style Gauges
• And much more.

Corrected and Known Issues

Cscape 8.52B Corrected issues

1. Improved the performance of debug mode, which was slow to update in version 8.50
2. Fixed a problem whereby loading (or uploading) older files with bitwise operations (AND/OR/XOR) could lead to access registers with incorrect reference numbers (e.g. %R65539).
3. Fixed a problem with node numbers for programs randomly reverting to 1.
4. Fixed a problem in which only the first 12 logic blocks created in the Project Navigator could be displayed and edited (although they were still downloaded as part of the project).
5. Fixed a problem with the new Move Real instruction that prevented the input or data type from being modified.
6. Fixed a software termination problem causing a protection fault to be displayed as Cscape closed.
7. Fixed a number of issues with cutting and pasting in the Menu Objects.
8. Fixed a problem with the Math Expression block which occurred when variable names (i.e. Setpoint_Value) were used in the expression instead of reference numbers (i.e. %R1003).
9. Fixed a problem where I/O comments no longer popped up when the cursor is hovered over a ladder item.
10. Fixed multiple problems accessing programs opened in the project navigator.
11. Fixed a problem from 8.50 that caused some OCS models to have the incorrect feature set (i.e. OCS200 supporting only 2 lines of text, OCS451/551/651 not supporting HTTP/FTP, etc.).
12. Fixed a problem where Comments added to Register I/O names were truncated to their first character only.
13. Fixed a problem with I/O names containing more than 100 characters.
14. Fixed a problem experienced by some custom OEM products when a CAN interface was selected but no CAN driver was present on the controller.

Cscape 8.52B Known issues and workarounds

1. When opening a new file in Cscape with no controller connected, Cscape can initially set the Target ID to an invalid value of 65535.
   Workaround – Change the Target ID to the desired value. Normal operation will proceed.
2. Direct Cscape communications with an XLe/XLt through the HE-XEC Ethernet module is not yet operational. Use of third party redirector software, through a virtual COM port, is still required. This limitation will be addressed in a future build.
   Workaround – continue to use third party redirector software for Cscape communications through the HE-XEC Ethernet module. This software is distributed with the HE-XEC product.
3. Using the Menu object, menus (or submenus) 12 entries or longer can cause a crash of the Cscape graphics editor.
   Workaround – restrict menus (or submenus) to 10 items or less, which is the published limit.
4. If the Cscape graphics editor crashes or closes abnormally for any reason, subsequently saving the file will result in an application file saved without graphics content.
   Workaround – save your file prior to a graphics editing session, and routinely back up your application files outside of Cscape.
5. During Debug and Datawatch operation, if the Datawatch window contains certain combinations of Boolean type I/O references, updating of these references can stop. All other type references (INT, DINT, etc.) are unaffected. This is caused by a bug in the communications optimization performed by Cscape during Debus/Datawatch.
   Workaround – if this bug is encountered, monitor the problem references on separate Datawatch windows, or change their display type from Boolean to an alternative format (BINARY, HEX, INT, etc.)
6. Viewing the Time and Date toolbar as a floating toolbar can prevent Cscape from opening the next time it is launched. A modification to the computer registry will be required for Cscape to run success fully.
   Workaround – do not enable the Time and Date toolbar from View>Toolbars Select. Note: If you do experience this bug and are unable to relaunch Cscape, please contact Tech Support for recovery assistance.