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I was comparing Canvas X to Canvas 11. The only changes I noticed between the two was that 1) the text tab dialogue was wider, and 2) the colors and the icons have been changed. the functionality is the same.
I remember making custom toolbars for different tasks. This is done by selecting the tool buttons you want in the "customize" dialogue. You can then save the configuration under a unique name so that you can have different toolbars for different graphic assignments. A really cool idea. This is a major strength in Canvas. for Canvas 12 I think there should be a drop down list of all custom toolbars displayed on the ribbon at all times which allows easy choice of toolbars.
There is a "modify" button which allows you to invent custom icons. Also cool. But I think it has a bug because the changes are usually lost when the program is closed. Has anyone checked to see if the bug has been fixed in Canvas 11?
I for one am glad that the text dialogue is wider. it always felt cramped to me. The context sensitive ribbon is a wonderful way to get at tools which are associated with a particular graphical task. This ribbon can be turned on and off to allow greater screen space. A button for doing this task can be added to the toolbar.
Help is always close by. There is a help button to the right of the screen just above the vertical scrollbar. It brings up hints as to tool functionality. The "Canvas Assistant" can also be made to appear at the right hand side of the screen. It has excellent search capabilities. A button can be placed on the toolbar to make it easy to display the Canvas Assistant. Unfortunately, it is a generic button.
Canvas has always had a good manual, which can be opened from the help menu. In Canvas X it is an html file, and in Canvas 11 it is a searchable PDF file. I think I like the html file a little better. canvas cannot be beat for help.
Canvas is designed to maximize workspace. It is easily the most comfortable program I've ever seen for getting work done.
There are three negatives. 1) The learning curve is steep. 2) Many of the tools share a generic button, and as I said, custom made icons tend to disappear. 3) The dimension context sensitive ribbon can easily be put at odds with the document setup. It is overly complicated and makes dimensions act in unpredictable ways. I recommend that in Canvas 12 elements which have been chosen in document setup be uneditable on the ribbon.
