Getting Started With Nucleus

Nucleus is easy to install with a process streamlined for your convenience. Simply use the tabs below to guide you, and in a matter of minutes you can be developing your first Nucleus project – all at no cost or commitment. After downloading, installing and creating with Nucleus, we are confident you will find Nucleus is the industry’s smartest SCADA solution: Easy to use, easy on your wallet, and built with proven reliability.

Nucleus Development Environment

HMI SCADA screen for manufacturing process system
Simulator
HMI SCADA screen for natural gas control system
HMI SCADA screen for water treatment system
Nucleus HMI SCADA screen for water process control system
Nucleus HMI screen for pump system

Explore Nucleus

System Requirements

To install Nucleus Developer, we recommend that your system meet the following requirements in order to optimize its performance.

Computer Requirements

Nucleus Developer is designed exclusively for Windows 64-bit to ensure a fast, reliable, and intuitive platform. For Nucleus Developer to function properly, it must be installed on a computer that meets these requirements:

  • Windows 7, 8, or 10 64-bit Operating System
  • Windows Server 2008, 2012, or 2016
  • 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 64-bit (x64) processor
  • 16 GB RAM (or more)
  • 8 GB available hard disk space
  • First-time installation requires more than 430 MB including third party software programs.
  • A display with at least 1920 x 1080 resolution with Windows font size set to 100%
  • A dual display workstation is recommended but not required.

Internet Requirements

An internet connection is necessary to download the product, make updates as needed, and access online support and other features. A 10MB/sec download speed is recommended for first time installation.

Display Requirements

The HMI Station provides the optimal display with these Windows settings:

  • Size of text, apps, and other items: 100%
  • Display Resolution: 1920 x 1080
  • Display Orientation: Landscape
  • Multiple Displays: Extend these displays
  • Windows Taskbar: Auto-hide


Operational Requirements

Administrator privileges on your computer may be required to run the installer.
A firewall alert may display during the first launch of Developer Applications. If prompted, select “Allow Access.”

Nucleus is loaded with features to help you create, test and connect your project faster and smarter. And all the features are included in our base package. At Nucleus we provide the tools and features to access and act on your data so that you can improve your process and your bottom line.

Fast

  • Faster installation, development and performance.
  • Installation: less than 10 min to download and install application and database.
  • Development: intuitive comes with pre built graphical layouts with alarms, messages and navigation templates.
  • Ultra fast array based communications.
  • Applications start faster than the competition.
  • Built-in communication drivers eliminate middleware I/O processing.
  • Event based expressions only evaluate and repaint graphics when the I/O assigned to them changes state.
  • Ability to filter rapidly changing values.

Reliable

  • Proven 24/7/365 uptime applications.
  • Well designed architecture with low CPU impact and no memory leaking.
  • Robust, distribution capable applications.
  • Extensive simulation capabilities.
  • Multiple redundancy options.

Affordable

  • Low cost per value ratio.
  • Free development package with free upgrades.
  • Small to large systems – pay as you need expansion.
  • Bundled pricing options.
  • No personal training required because of extensive Help Center and tutorial videos.
  • One time purchase, no annual subscription cost.
  • Free regular technical support (24 hr support available for a fee).

Innovative

  • Playback to screen of historical data built-in to HMI applications.
  • I/O tabular in HMI Stations shows the current state of all assigned I/O filtered by source.
  • I/O automatically created to show the state of all networked applications and all device connections on application screens.
  • Predefined HMI layout selection for rapid development – changeable at any time.
  • Ability to place sticky notes on screens in production for either shared info or to prohibit controls.
  • Ability to independently define alarms with prerequisites, priorities, on and off delays, and runtime inhibition.
  • Efficient expression development strategy eliminates verbose scripting.
  • Calculated Values allow the complex combination of I/O to be summarized into individual indications to simplify complex processes.
  • 32,000 levels of security access for process controls.
  • Password protection for sensitive operational controls.
  • Graphical animation for variable sizing, opacity, movement, and rotation.
  • Ability to load user defined graphical images icons into the process control system.
  • Ability to substitute graphical icon images based on multiple indication states.
  • Built-in Stored Procedure support.
  • Built-in communication drivers for the most popular protocols.
  • Ability to develop systems online or offline with PLCs and other remote devices on a single laptop with or without server access.
  • Ability to deliver small stand alone or large networked systems.
  • Ultra fast application startup and screen loading.
  • Perpetual (non-subscription) licensing
  • Automated application distribution tools.
  • Sample projects provided with download.
  • Highly organized non-cluttered Developer
  • Superior built-in simulation tools.
  • Tight relational database integration prevents the need to interact with the database separately.
  • Allows for the integration of third party relational database applications independently designed for web management dashboards, alarm texting or calling, or extensive reporting.
  • Data Flow servers allow production historical database tables to be shared with IT Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL or MySQL databases on remote servers for security and enterprise reporting.
  • No defined limit on I/O assignment per project.
  • Free development system, pay only for runtime distributed applications.

First you will need to create an account so that you can access our Customer Portal.  This is where you will request licenses, contact tech support and get free updates.  We will also notify you by email when an update is available.  

Free Development Software

Full development package software license is always free.  You only need to purchase runtime licenses when you are ready to deploy.

Nucleus Command allows full development and testing of your project.  Free of charge.  Take advantage of our onboard drivers, test your PLC connections, create unlimited tags and unlimited screens.  Let our comprehensive video tutorials walk you through project options

Click here to Create Account and Download Nucleus

Have a Question?

Contact us on the Customer Portal.  Or feel free to email us or call us.  We are here to help!

Nucleus Command Systems
3100 Zinfandel Drive, Suite 310
Rancho Cordova CA 95670
408.219.6016

Sales: sales@nucleuscommand.com
Support: support@nucleuscommand.com 
General: info@nucleuscommand.com

First Time Installation

  1. Login to the Nucleus Customer Portal.

  2. Click here to view First Time Install Guide.

First time install page

 

Step 1: Download the Relational Database

Click the Database Installer Download button to download the database installation program onto your computer. Run this installation program (from your download directory) to install the PostgreSQL relational database cluster (version 11) onto your computer. This database cluster is required by the Nucleus application to allow users to build control systems.

When prompted during the installation process, DO NOT install the Stack Builder application. It is not needed. Also, when prompted, enter a memorable and/or familiar DB password and leave the default host and port as recommended.

The DB password should be SIMPLE and not contain any special characters, so that it is very easy to match the password in the Nucleus application with the password you entered into the Postgres database during installation. In production, you can always strengthen these passwords, but a common mistake for users during the initial installation is mistyping the passwords between the systems that introduce difficult to solve connection issues._

Step 2: Download the Framework Installation

Click the Framework Installer Download button to download the installation package containing the framework applications required by the Nucleus. These two applications consist of the Microsoft.Net framework (version 4.7), and the Crystal Reports engine (2019) that are required in order to run the HMI Station. If your system has either of these installations already installed (which is common), you generally can cancel one or both of these third-party applications without causing any issues with the next installation process.

Step 3: Download the Nucleus Installation

Click the Product Installer Download button to download the installation package that contains the Nucleus platform. This installation will place all the necessary application files onto your machine in the C:Nucleus_Command_Systems directory, automatically place the Nucleus icon on your desktop, and allow you to connect to the relational database you downloaded in Step 1.

Step 4: Start the Nucleus Application

Once all three installation programs have successfully completed and the applications have been installed onto your computer, locate the Nucleus icon on your desktop and run the application. The application will then ask you to run the Nucleus License Manager to allow you to request a free development license (via a generated file on your computer) that you can upload via Customer Portal

Step 5: Free Developer License

Every Nucleus project requires a unique license.

With the Nucleus Application running, select the Tools menu, and select License Manager. (If you do not have any development licenses installed on your computer, the License Manager will startup for you automatically.)

For detailed instructions on creating and installing a new Nucleus license refer to the online help