HMI (Human-Machine Interface) tools refer to software applications, development environments, and libraries used to create, design, develop, and deploy HMI systems for various industries and applications. These tools provide developers, engineers, and designers with the necessary resources and functionalities to build intuitive and user-friendly interfaces for interacting with machines, equipment, and systems.

Here are some common types of HMI tools:

1. HMI Software: HMI software applications provide a graphical development environment for creating and designing HMI interfaces. These software tools typically include drag-and-drop interfaces, libraries of pre-designed components, and features for customization, layout design, and visualization.

2. Graphic Design Tools: Graphic design tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Sketch are commonly used to create graphical assets, icons, buttons, and images for use in HMI interfaces. These tools allow designers to create visually appealing and professional-looking graphics for HMI applications.

3. Development Frameworks: HMI development frameworks provide a set of libraries, APIs, and development tools for building custom HMI applications. These frameworks often include features for data visualization, user interaction, communication with PLCs and controllers, and integration with other systems.

4. SCADA Software: SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) software platforms often include HMI development tools as part of their integrated suite of functionalities. These tools allow users to design and develop HMI interfaces for SCADA systems, including features for data visualization, alarm management, historical data logging, and remote access.

5. Simulation and Emulation Tools: Simulation and emulation tools allow developers to test and simulate HMI applications in a virtual environment before deployment. These tools simulate user interactions, process inputs, and system responses to validate the functionality and performance of the HMI interface.

6. Prototyping Tools: Prototyping tools such as Adobe XD, Figma, and InVision are used to create interactive prototypes and wireframes of HMI interfaces. These tools enable designers and developers to quickly iterate on design concepts, gather feedback, and validate user experience before finalizing the HMI design.

7. Version Control Systems: Version control systems such as Git, SVN, and Mercurial are used to manage and track changes to HMI projects, code, and assets. These tools enable collaboration among team members, versioning of files, and rollback to previous versions if needed.

8. Diagnostic and Debugging Tools: Diagnostic and debugging tools help developers identify and troubleshoot issues in HMI applications during development and testing. These tools provide features for logging, error detection, and performance monitoring to ensure the reliability and stability of the HMI interface.

Overall, HMI tools provide developers and designers with the necessary resources, functionalities, and workflows to create, develop, and deploy HMI interfaces effectively for various industrial and commercial applications.