Getting started running a simulation

On this page a tutorial on how to get started in running a simulation in PsxCad. This tutorial includes two versions of PsxCad, which are the runtime-only version of PsxCad with a runtime license and the full version of PsxCad with a professional license.

PsxCad with runtime license

Startup Guide

To launch PsxCad in runtime-only mode, you need to use a start-up file. If Powerspex has provided you with a project and performed the installation, the batch file you need should be named "start.bat," located in the "C:\Runtime" directory.

File to open a project in runtime only mode

Figure 1. Startup file for runtime-only

Alternatively, you can create your own start-up file by following instructions at Create a start-up file for opening a project.

Create a start-up file for opening a project

To launch a project with PsxCad in runtime-only mode, create a startup file with these steps:

Create a new text document.
Insert this code using a text editor:

Batch file code for opening a project in Runtime only

PsxCad.exe -RT:C:\Runtime\Project_Files\"File name".jdx

Replace file name and the path with your PsxCad project’s details.

Save the file with a ".bat" extension.
Execute the batch file to open your project.

Now, you can open your PsxCad project using this batch file.

Using the Simulator Control Box

Figure 2. Simulator Control Box

The PsxCad simulator’s control box is a crucial tool for managing your simulation. Here are some important bullet points on its usage:

Monitoring Simulation Time: Keep an eye on the simulation time displayed to determine whether the simulator is actively running. Below this, you’ll discover six buttons for adjusting the simulation speed, along with a textual indicator of the current simulation speed.
Logging and Debug Console: PsxCad uses a dedicated text field in the control box to report any errors or important messages during the simulation.
Running and Pausing: Control the simulation with the following buttons:

Running your simulation in runtime mode will frequently update its database on each scan cycle. The state of this database is called a session.

Resetting to Initial Session: To return to the simulation’s initial state, press the button. Be aware that your current progress will be lost.
Updating Initial Session: You can update the initial session from which the simulation starts by pressing the . Your current progress will be saved, allowing you to resume from this point the next time you start runtime mode.
Saving sessions: Don’t confuse previous button with the button next to it. This one will save your current session as a file that can be stored in a location of your choice.
Saving sessions: Use the button to load a saved session from a file into the database. This function is handy for setting and returning to specific scenarios.

For more detailed information on the control box during simulation at runtime, refer to the extensive documentation available by clicking here.

Navigating and Searching

Please note that the use of keyboard shortcuts mentioned in the following paragraphs is subject to customization in PsxCad’s Runtime mode. While the default shortcuts are discussed here, they may vary in different projects. Refer to Using Keyboard Shortcuts for additional information on this.

When navigating within PsxCad RunTime mode, you’ll often find navigation buttons on the HMI screen for easy screen-to-screen movement. However, if you ever feel disoriented or encounter difficulty reaching a specific screen, consider using the F2 shortcut to summon the built-in navigator window. Here, you can select the HMI screen you wish to navigate to.

For managing HMI screens, you can open multiple windows simultaneously using the Alt N shortcut.

To access a window displaying logic pages, use the Alt L shortcut. This window features a convenient navigator docked on the left side, allowing you to select and navigate to various logic pages.

When you need to cross-reference a tag associated with a symbol and discover where else that tag is used, utilize the Z shortcut. This will open a window displaying cross-references related to that tag. You can also use this feature to switch between graphic screens and logic pages, making it invaluable for troubleshooting or studying the code.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

For beginners, here are some essential key functions to highlight. Please note that these are based on the default settings and can be adjusted as needed. Refer to the table below for an overview.

Additionally we also included the shortkeys from the previous paragraph in the table below.

Table 1. Table of Useful (default) Shortkeys for Beginners
Shortcut	Number	Function Description
`J`	25	Logic content window
`Z`	222	Open search tool
`Alt` `N`	229	Open new window
`Alt` `L`	248	Description
`Shift` `T`	211	Toggle boolean signal
`F2`	217	Open navigation tree window
`F4`	210	Adjust signal value
`F12`	254	Exit RunTime mode

*Note that you need to hover your cursor over a symbol to apply the shortcut to that symbol.

For comprehensive documentation on all keyboard shortcuts, click here.

Exiting the Program

To exit PsxCad Runtime version, you have three options:

Click the X in the top right corner of the control box.
Close all open windows.
Use the keyboard shortcut F12.

PsxCad with professional license

Startup Guide

To open PsxCad, you must first complete the installation process by following the installation instructions. Once PsxCad is installed correctly, you’ll find a desktop shortcut with the Powerspex icon. Simply double-click this shortcut to launch PsxCad.

Figure 3. PsxCad Desktop Shortcut

You can also open PsxCad using alternative methods, such as using the Windows search bar or locating the PsxCad.exe file in the installation directory (usually C:\PsxCad\).

Opening PsxCad from a .jdx file is not supported.

If you encounter a warning message indicating that this is a demo version, it means you’re trying to use PsxCad without an active license. You can still access PsxCad with limited functionality as a trial.

If this is not the experience you expected, your license may not have been activated or may have expired. Please contact Powerspex to purchase a license and then follow the instructions for license activation here.

Figure 4. Warning message for demo version

Opening a Project in PsxCad

Once PsxCad is running, you can easily open a project of your choice. Follow these steps:

In the menu, navigate to Project Open project.
A pop-up will appear, asking if you want to save your current project. You can either save it or click No.
Next, a selection menu will appear, allowing you to browse your computer files. Choose a project with a .jdx file extension.
Finally, press Open to open the selected project.

Be cautious not to accidentally click Yes in the save prompt. This could lead to mistakenly overwriting the project you intended to open, resulting in data loss.

PsxCad also offers a quick way to open your most recently worked-on project. You can do this by clicking the button in the toolbar labeled F9: some_project_name.jdx (refer to Figure 5) or by using the shortcut F9. This action will trigger a pop-up confirmation to reload the last opened file. Click Yes to proceed.

Figure 5. Toolbar button to open the last accessed project

Transitioning to Runtime Mode

After opening a project in PsxCad, it initially opens in editor mode, allowing you to make adjustments. To run your project, follow these steps:

Navigate to RunTime Start in the menu bar.
A pop-up will appear, prompting you to synchronize the database with your current logic pages. This update ensures that the runtime database includes the latest added tags from the logic pages. Click Yes or No to proceed.

Once you’ve completed these steps, your project will be in runtime mode, and you’ll see a control box appear. Additionally, another pop-up will ask if you want to load screens left open from your previous session. Here are your options:

Clicking Yes will result in PsxCad opening the screens exactly as they were in your previous runtime session.
Clicking No will result in PsxCad opening the screen that is selected as the main screen in its settings.

Now, you can work on your project in runtime mode.