Precision technical illustration without limits

As the preferred choice of technical illustrators in precision industries, Canvas 12 comes with all the powerful vector object illustration and advanced raster image editing tools you need, in one integrated, flexible design environment. Speed up and streamline your workflow from initial import and design to final presentation, facilitate collaboration, and improve overall productivity with this complete technical illustration software solution.

Handle it all

Import existing graphics from over a hundred different standard and specialized formats, including DXF, DWG, CGM, Adobe PDF, Scientific Imaging filters, and RAW picture files from leading camera manufacturers. Augment, apply effects, and export to another format. You can even export to multiple formats simultaneously. With Canvas 12, you can experience end-to-end workflow and seamless integration within complex engineering and scientific software and work environments.

Work flexibly with vector objects

Illustrate, edit and augment all forms of complex visual objects with Canvas 12's wide variety of professional tools and powerful Sprite technology. New features allow you to rejoin segment objects into one and fill the intersections of overlapping objects with a single click, while its proprietary SpriteLayers and SpriteEffects can be used to apply image and transparency effects without affecting the original object.

Access raster image editing tools

Why work within limits? Canvas 12 comes complete with a full suite of raster image editing features. Create, edit and augment raster images, including GIF, JPEG, TIFF, PICT, BMP and EPS, with a host of industry standard and specialized techniques, tools and filters. Design image compositions, retouch photos, paint and color-correct scanned images, create transparency effects and vignettes, age photos, clone pixels and much more. Work with both raster images and vector images at the same time, with access to the same tools, to enhance objects and images in countless ways.

Draw and dimension with precision

Create visuals from both raw and technical data. Choose from a variety of methods to input your exact coordinates, and Canvas 12, with its ability to represent any object property to within .035 microns, accurately turns your data into strong, real-time visual content that you can then enhance, review and publish. Resize and scale objects, add fill and stroke inks, widths and other attributes, and draw shapes – all with measured precision and placement.

Add on-the-fly illustration objects

Instantly add re-usable dynamic objects to drawings or as the basis for symbol pen strokes and inks. Access thousands of commonly used and specialized technical symbols from Canvas 12's pre-loaded Symbol Library collection, or create your own custom symbols using any vector object. You can also create custom symbol inks and pen strokes, and manage them all with flexibility. Move, add keywords, and re-categorize symbols to match your unique workflow needs.

Handle text with ease

Add professionally formatted and fully editable text to vector objects and raster images. Create multi-page text documents and technical publications using a full range of traditional text formatting and style tools. Format pages and columns, flow text, wrap, bind, proof and annotate. Handle text as you would a vector object – re-shape with precision, integrate into drawings, edit strokes, and more.

Make the most of your data

In specialized workflows that require high level format support and sophisticated methods of data acquisition, visualization and analysis, Canvas 12 has the crucial ability to accurately measure, edit, and export digital images that contain up to 32 bits per channel of data.

Engineer to perfection

Canvas 12 fully integrates with complex engineering work environments. Engineers working in the space, aircraft manufacturing, defense, utility, and petroleum industries rely on Canvas' unmatched set of major workflow features, including 3D View and CGM support, CAD-inspired dimensioning tools, and its overall precision and accuracy.

Publish professionally

Create impressive publications and presentations, in collaboration with colleagues. Canvas 12 has everything needed to design professional documents and presentations, including the Symbol Library and pre-installed Canvas symbol sets, top quality raster image rendering, robust page and text formatting, flowchart integration, and pre-press tools. Apply password and encryption protection, and share in a variety of print and Web-ready presentation formats, including HTML and Adobe PDF complete with interactive hyperlinks.

What's New

Technical Illustration and Enhancement with Greater Control

Symbol Pen

Create custom pen strokes made from symbols. Draw with these repeated symbol motifs as you would with any other digital pen stroke.

Symbol Library

Add, create and organize symbols quickly and easily. Choose from thousands of commonly used and highly specialized technical symbols included with Canvas 12, or create your own custom symbol from any vector object. Manage all your dynamic object assets with the Symbol Library, where you can move, add keywords, and re-categorize as required to suit your unique workflow.

Smart Vector Fill

Fill or color the intersections of multiple vector objects with a single click. Simply select an area defined by overlapping line graphics to apply a fill ink. This avoids having to redraw these regions as standalone objects first.

Smart Join

Quickly and intuitively rejoin segmented objects into a singular object with the new Smart Join command.

Additional Workflow Integration

Support for AutoCAD 3D

Seamlessly work with AutoCAD -DXF/DWG 3D object files. Choose from several 3D Import Options, use step rotation on an X, Y, or Z axis, edit and enhance color, scale, light source, and preview in Wireframe.

CGM4 File Support, Including WebCGM

Enjoy full integration with CGM workflows. Canvas 12 supports the latest CGM file types including Version 4, and WebCGM files. Visually augment and edit property tags and other attributes, and export files back into CGM work environments and specialized CGM applications. Or, present CGM files in new ways, including on the web.

Exact Geometry

Import and export an object's exact geometry with Canvas 12's Geometric I/O feature, allowing for powerful integration with Microsoft Excel and specialized software. In addition, you can precisely specify and manipulate the location and geometric dimensions of shapes and lines, and conveniently view an object's geometric attributes directly in Canvas.

Export to Many Formats at Once

Save time by exporting files to different formats with just a single click, thanks to the new Multi-Save command. Choose from a range of formats, including BMP, CGM, GIF, JPG, PCX, Adobe PDF, PNG, TGA, and TIF.

View EXIF Metadata

Access a digital photo image's EXIF metadata properties within Canvas 12. View information such as data and time, camera settings including aperture, shutter speed, focal length and ISO speed, GPS coordinates and more.

Publish, Present and Collaborate More Powerfully

Greater Link Control

Use Canvas 12 to add interactivity and connectivity to your technical documents. Add hyperlinks to graphics, images or text, and then export your documents to Adobe® PDF or HTML with links intact.

Navigate Document Pages

Easily move within multiple page illustration, publication, animation and presentation documents, with Canvas 12's new Page Navigator palette. Dock or float the palette as needed for added convenience.

Automated Flowchart Tools

Flowcharts are a logical and clear way to present complex and visually rich information. Now it's amazingly quick and easy to create rich data flowcharts with flexibility. Simply choose your symbol size, shape, and Smart Line attributes, and click to place anywhere in your documents. Customize your flowchart's design with a wide variety of connection line and shape editing options, to suit your presentation requirements.

Enhanced Usability

Efficiently Manage Your Work Area

The Docking Pane saves you time and frees up valuable work space for visually complex projects. Instantly display, re-arrange, float or dock multiple Canvas palettes, and use the navigation tabs to further organize your space.

Workflow Enhancements

Numerous enhanced user and dynamic interface (UI) elements and new shortcuts make it a breeze to access improvements to features such as Acre, Area of Object displays, new Properties Bar shortcuts, and X/Y Arrows of Direction.