Design++ - Latest Version Information
June 20,2006 - We are pleased to announce the release of Design++ 6.0 for Windows 2000/XP/2003. Design++ 6.0 includes multiple new modules and enhancements, the most important ones being the following.
AutoDrafter
AutoDrafter provides functionality for automatic generation of CAD drawings from a Design++ model. AutoDrafter creates a drawing model that represents a set of 2D CAD drawings. Each drawing set contains one or more projected views of the then active 3D CAD model. The views can be annotated with text, symbols, dimensions, labels, and lines. All views and annotations are controlled by rules so the drawings can dynamically change in response to model changes.
ReportWriter
ReportWriter is used for creating custom reports from a Design++ model. Report data can be formatted to be viewed by a user or imported into other programs such as estimating or material management systems. ReportWriter comes with a set of sorting, totaling, sub totaling, and filtering tools. Both ASCII and XML formats are supported. Report templates can be saved along with a project for repeated use.
QueryTool
QueryTool allows ad hoc queries into Design++ models and libraries. Queries are specified with regular expression based search filters. Queries return model/library information matching search filter specifications. Query results can be operated upon, saved, and printed.
License Manager
The new license usage monitoring capability allows organizations to keep better track of the use of their floating, networked Design++ licenses. For example, the license usage log can be used to analyze the peek usage during a certain time period, or the number of Design++ access denials due to lack of licenses.
Also, network license performance over a slow network connection has been improved significantly.
Design Rule Editor
Design Rule Editor (DRE) is integrated more closely with the rest of the Developer's Interface (UIP). For example, DRE now opens automatically in the vicinity of the location from where the edit request was issued. Also, the 'Context Sensitive Menu' dialog is integrated with the main DRE window. To support rule development, rule compilation warnings and error messages are now shown in an easy-to-notice dialog. Rules are also indented automatically.
PROJECT PATH HANDLING ENHANCED
Projects can now be loaded from anywhere regardless of the initial project path setting. Also, both the project and license paths can be specified using UNC.
New design rule macros
New configuration macros, :create and :relate, simplify the syntax for *substructure*, *relations*, and role attribute rules. They also allow partial instantiation of substructure and relation descriptions by isolating any calculation errors or delays from the rest of the rule.
Other new macros include :local-value and :instances.
Change management
Change management has been optimized significantly. Also, design rule tracing and error tracking capabilities have been improved.
Component creation optimized
Component creation has been optimized for instantiating large number (>100+) of components of the same class under a single assembly.
ODBC LINK
ODBC (RDB) link has been optimized significantly for retrieving large amount of data with a single query. The larger the amount retrieved, the bigger the improvement
COM/API link
Message strings are now allocated dynamically removing an artificial upper bound for message length. Previously messages over 500 KB could cause dppCOMserver to crash with a stack
Supported CAD versions
AutoCAD: 2000, 2000i, 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2006. MicroStation: V7, V8 2004 Edition, and V8 XM Edition. Visio: 2000, 2000, 2002, and 2003.
Windows Server 2003 support
In addition to Windows 2000 and XP, Design++ 6.0 is now also supported on Windows Server 2003.
Additional enhancements and upgrades are listed in Design++ 6.0 Release Notes.
Design++ 6.0 has been shipped to every user with a valid support and maintenance agreement.
Find out about enhancements made in Version 5.0 and Version 4.2
