Revision
History of PCB Artist
More help is available From the PCB Artist Tips & Tools Page and via email at layouthelp@4pcb.com
Version
3.0
Add Routing Area
This is a new option on the PCB Add menu and a new
icon on the PCB Toolbar to add a routing area to a PCB design. Once an
area has been added, you can select it and use properties to make it a keep in
or keep out area for routes and/or vias. The auto router will use or avoid
these areas depending on their type. Design Rule Check will have a new
manufacturing check to see if any tracks or vias are at fault with these areas.
See PCB Artist help for more details, search for
Routing Area.
Add Dimension
This is a new option on the PCB Add menu and three new
icons on the PCB Toolbar to add linear dimension items into a PCB design. While
adding, one can snap the dimension to end over a picked item. Once a dimension
has been added select it and use properties to change its appearance.
See PCB Artist help for
more details, search for Add Dimension.
Array Set Up Option
There is now an
easier way of defining the area size of a panel of boards by providing how many
boards you want
in both directions of the array.
The old method of directly editing the array size is
still available.
See PCB Artist help for
more details, search for Production.
Other Updates
Goto � Goto Design now has a tooltip to show you the complete file
path of the design name you hover over.
New
Component � This dialog now has an edit
box for supplying the description.
Auto
Rename � Now uses the placement
origin if a component�s PCB symbol has one.
Edit
Component � The preview windows for
the Schematic and PCB symbols are now to the right of the gate list.
Change Net �
Clearing the name field will now allocate an auto-generated default net name.
Bug Fixes
Translate To PCB � Avoid adding
duplicate components.
Version 2.01
Various bug fixes and a security update.� This update requires users to run PCB Artist
in Administrative Mode to avoid any issues.
Version_2.0
Schematic Busses
There is a new option on the Add menu, and on the Schematic toolbar, to
add a bus to a schematic design. Once a bus shape has been added, you can
select it and use properties to make it a closed bus by adding net names to it
and give it a bus name. All busses of the same name carry the same set of
signals. You can then start or end a connection on the bus, a small angled line
will be drawn at the bus end of the connection (called a bus terminal). Busses
will also be imported from Eagle designs (it converted them to drawing shapes
before).
See the online PCBArtist help for more
details, search for Bus.
Spice Output
There are two new options on the schematic Output menu. �Basic Spice
Netlist� writes a description of the devices in the schematic using basic SPICE
format. �Spice Simulation Output� writes a complete SPICE simulation file,
configured to read into one of the supported SPICE simulators. (LTspice, B2 Spice, IsSpice
or TINA).
The PCB Artist
Schematics method for simulation is to use special values on components to
indicate what SPICE device they represent, the SPICE model to use during the
simulation, and how to output them to a SPICE netlist file.
A set of LTspice example files are installed, and two libraries
containing components preloaded with the correct spice values, one for LTSpice and one for XSpice. The IsSpice and B2 Spice simulators support XSPICE.
See the online PCBArtist help for more
details, search for Spice. Read the Simulation Overview first.
Submit Order Changes
��������� A new Warning can occur when ordering that will detect if there is silk
screen on the bottom side and it is not activated in PCB Configuration.
The
Email Order button is removed.
PCB Symbol
Editor � Add Placement Origin
There is a new option on the Add menu to insert a �P� (placement origin)
into the footprint. This is a new type of origin that can be used to define
where the pick-and-place origin of the footprint is positioned. This is then
available in the Reports output, as the �Place X� and �Place Y� fields to use
in place of the existing Centre X/Y or Position X/Y. If you specify �PlaceX/Y� in the report and a footprint doesn�t have a
placement origin, it will use �CentreX/Y� instead.
Reports � Schematic Only
Components
You can now exclude these from reports by changing �Components to Include�
from �All� to �Only items matching" and set "Schematic-only" to
false.
Update Components � New
Switch
There are now separate checkboxes for component values (the actual
values and their text strings) and value positions (the visible instances of values).
This means you can tell it to update existing or add new values when updating
the component without disturbing where the value positions are displayed on the
drawing.
Alignment of free text -
Properties
You
can now change free text to be left, centre or right justified.
Bug
Fixes specifically for PCB Artist
Version 1.5.1
Maintenance Fixes and Bug Fixes
Version 1.5
Eagle Import
This is available for PCB and Schematic designs, and
for each library type. Eagle ULP files are provided (in a sub-folder of the PCB
Artist program folder) to use in the Eagle system to create ASCII intermediate
files. These intermediate files can then be simply opened in the PCB Artist PCB
or Schematics editors using File Open, or added to a new library using the ADD
File button in the Library Manager. See the PCB Artist help file for more
details.
Cross Probe
A new button on Edit toolbar (next to select mode
button) is in place to put you into the Cross-Probe selection mode. This option
also appears on the Edit menu. In this mode select a component, pin or
connection in a design to have the same item selected in the corresponding
PCB/Schematic design. Some options are available in the Preferences dialogs new
Cross-Probe tab.
See PCB Artist help file for more details.
Library Manager - PCB Artist Library Transfer File
New �Export� button to create a single PCB Artist
Library Transfer file (.palib) for a set of
components and the symbols referenced by those components. You can import this
file again using one of the following tree methods:
PCB File Open - now has PCB Artist Library Transfer
File in list.
Library Manager Components
page �Add File� option now has PCB Artist Library Transfer File in its Files of
Type list to read this file in.
You can now drop a PCB Artist Library Transfer File on
to the Components page of the Library Manager dialog.
These present the �Import To
Library� dialog so that each of the saved 'elements' (Component, PCB Symbols
and/or Schematic Symbols) in the Library Transfer File can be stored in the
special local libraries for Downloaded library items. From there, you can
select them and use the �Save Items To Library� option
to copy them to your own library files.
Submit Order Changes
Set solder mask type to "None" if solder
mask not required on either side.
More materials and capabilities have been set in the
software. These appear in Settings>PCB Configuration.
Template files
In all installed PCB Template files I have changed the
default rules measurement for drill hole to drill hole to .01� rather than the
current default of 0.
Component Editor
Changing a terminal name does not automatically apply
it to all gates now. Use �Apply to Other Gates� from the shortcut menu to do
this.
You are now allowed to delete the last package in a
component to make a schematic only component.
Technology Dialog
One can now scroll within Grids with mouse.
The �Apply
To Column� is now on the shortcut menu for Net Class,
Track Styles, Line Styles and Text Styles dialogs.
Add Track
Now says Auto
Complete instead of Auto Route.
Projects
Pasting
Design Items now gives �Paste Net� dialog if the net to paste already exists in
other sheet in the project. The pasted net now receives the net class of the
existing project net.
Adding a
new net to a sheet will auto copy its net class from the same net in other
sheet in a project.
Adding a
new net class to a sheet will auto copy parameters from the same net class in
other sheet in project.
Optimize
Nets
The
software will now put a zero length connection to a power plane when a pin is
not connected. All zero length connections are now drawn as butterflies.
Various Bug fixes
Version 1.4
Expanded Measuring
Tool
The
Measure tool is now expanded with more features and capabilities.
Edit Component
Values
The
user can now edit the values of all components at once from
Setting>Component Values from the main menu.
DXF Output
More
layers can be specified for DXF export than where previously available.
Improved Bill Of Materials
Report
From
Output>Reports, reference designators are now consolidated in the same line
item in the default report.
Report Commands
New switches to enable multiple component ref names on one line. The column switches are:
��������������� Newline After
Column
��������������� Collate this Column
��������������� Join Next Column
A Copy
button has been added to copy columns, and you can add a column that is just a
text string on all rows.
Description Value Position
You can
now display the part description in a component value position. This can be
done by adding a value position in the symbol, or on the component in a design.
Project View
On the
context menu when selecting a schematic design, "Delete" has been
renamed to "Remove From Project". New
options added to "Rename" and "Duplicate�.
Change Component Previews
The Properties
dialog in the component tab when the Change button is used, a dialog will
appear and show previews of the schematic and pcb
Symbols.
Add Component
New
Interaction Preference for Add Component, "Esc returns to dialog".
There is a new "Cancel Mode" option on context menu, to always exit
rather than return to dialog.
Paste
Now has
a "Cancel Move" option to place the pasted items at their original
positions.
Component Edit - Values
Values is now also a tab on the
Properties dialog. New switch "New Values are added to all other
packages". New button "All Packages" to copy
the value to all other packages.
Selection
New
"Save Selected Items To Library" option on
context menu when components selected in PCB or Schematic designs. Used to save a copy of the components and their symbols in the
design to existing or new libraries.
Saving Library Items
You can
select [New Library] from the library list and you will be prompted for the
name of a new library that you want to save the component or symbol to.
Library Manager
"Copy
To" now has "OK All" and "Cancel
All" buttons when copying multiple items. New a
"Move To" option to move components or symbols between libraries.
New "Save To Lib" button on Components page.
Used to display new "Save Selected Items To
Library" dialog.
Rotate
Angles
can now have 2 decimal places.
Grids
Control
G - Grid Snap menu is now a true menu and has "Grids" option at
bottom. The "Grids" option is now on context menu when something
selected.
Libraries
New Library
Parts Added to the default library.
Version 1.3.3
Custom User Reports
Output menu now has single "Reports" option instead of
previous report options. The new reports dialog has all the old reports on it,
plus the ability for the user to edit existing user reports and create their
own reports. A new Dangling Tracks report has been added as well.
Orcad ECO From Netlist
New option when editing a PCB design on the File menu "ECO
From Netlist" to import an OrCAD EDIF netlist and compare it with the PCB
design, list the differences and allow the user to perform Forward Design
Changes to bring the PCB design in-line with the netlist file. See online help
for more details.
New
Manufacturing Capabilities
A
copper pour area can be added prior to the main copper pour area that serves as
a keep out. Select that copper pour area, right-click and go to Properties and
click on the Copper Pour Keep Out checkbox and OK to save the change and exist the dialog. Then add the copper pour area for the area
to pour and pour it. The keep out area will prevent that area from pouring.
New
Manufacturing Capabilities
Expanded
Service Layer count increased to 28 layers. New capabilities will be added to
PCB Configuration as they become available.
Minor Maintenance Fixes
Version 1.3.2
New
Manufacturing Capabilities
Expanded
Service Layer count increased to 14 layers. Minimum track width and space
decreased to .004�. Minimum drill hole decreased to .006�.
Password
Masking
The Submit
Order dialog now masks the user passwords.
Minor Maintenance Fixes
Version 1.3.1
Minor Maintenance Fixes
Version 1.3
Compatibility
With
V1.3 the design format has changed, but V1.2 files (or earlier) can still be
read into it. But note that V1.3 files cannot be read into V1.2.
Covered Vias
This is
a new option on the Layers page of the New PCB & PCB Configuration wizards.
If checked, vias will not be included on the solder mask layer, which will mean
they will be covered. This includes all via pads, which are yellow in color in
the default color scheme. Pads that appear grey are not vias and will have mask
relief.
Print Margin
Print
Margin is a new "Plot Margin" option in the Printing section of the
General Preferences dialog. Use to reduce the plot area on the paper to avoid
hardware margins.
Translate To PCB
When
translating to PCB from schematic, the Layers page of that wizard will now list
the power and ground nets of the schematic in the drop down menu for creating
automatically generated pure plane layers. Previously, only nets pre-defined in
templates would be available in the drop down list.
Reducing Layer Count
In the
New PCB Wizard or PCB Configuration, when the number of layers is reduced, the
system will first look to eliminate layers that do not contain design items in
them.
Preferences Dialog
Dialog
was getting a bit big so it now has multiple tabs, one for each different
preference section.
Properties - Shape Area
The Properties
dialog will show values for total area of selected shape on the Properties
dialog. There is an area listing both with and without taking into account line
style thickness.
Styles Dialog - Copy Style As
An
extra button on each of the Styles pages to add a new style based on the one
currently selected in the grid.
Screen Grid
Primary
and/or secondary screen grid can now be drawn as lines instead of dots using
new check boxes next to grid colors.
Also, a
new �Draw Grid First� checkbox is available to make grids be drawn before,
instead of after, the design contents.
Report File Extensions
Added
ability to output all reports to .TXT file extension instead of different drr, dcr, xyz, etc. extensions.
The new checkbox is on the General page of Preferences dialog. If the box is
checked it uses the design type and title of the report to form the report file
name e.g �Design3 (PCB � Design Status Report).txt�
Change Net Color
A small
dialog accessible from the right-click menu in schematics select mode.
Provides
access to change net "own color" without having to use the properties
dialog.
Drawing Highlights
Two new
highlight check boxes and colors on PCB colors dialog:
Lowlight
Fixed Items - Dims the color of pads and shapes
of items that are fixed.
Un-plated
Holes - Draws small diamond inside drill hole, only
visible if "Draw Drill Holes" is enabled in colors dialog.
Preferences - Draw 'Empty' Values
This is
a new check box on the Preferences dialogue in the Display tab. When checked,
any value position that resolves to an empty string will be drawn as <?>
instead. This small change is required because it is possible through
Properties to end up with component values that have no text, e.g. by turning
off all but 'Reference Name' on the "Text" tab and then also turning
off "Name" on the component tab. Then there remain value positions
you cannot see or pick, so they are using text styles but you cannot find them
to change style.
Status Bar
Position
of selected item now shown on status bar for: component, pad, text and via.
These coordinates do NOT reflect System or Reference Origins. They are from the
lowest left work area corner at all times.
Change Layer
Layer
drop-down list now auto-numbers the electrical layers to make it easy to access
them by key. So typing "4", will select the 4th electrical layer.
Add Track/Shape - Next Layer and Previous Layer
These
are new commands for cycling through available layers. They are available from
the right-click menu during interactive editing of shapes and tracks. Next
Layer has the shortcut key <Shift> + <L>.
Add Track � Show Nearest
Node On Net
This is
a new PCB option on context menu when adding a track. Use it to show a line
from the end of the track being added, to the nearest item on the same net.
The
line is drawn in the highlight color. The option is also in the Interaction tab
of the Preferences dialog.
Library Component Find
The
Find dialog within the Library Manager and Add Component options has been
extended to allow up to 4 component values (attributes) to be used for
searching. Values can also now be compared using the same 'operators' as the
Name (is, begins with, contains).
Default Track and Via Styles
There
is now a new switch in the Interaction tab of the Preferences dialogue labeled
"Don't use Track and Via Styles from the Net Class". Check this box
to always use the "last used" style when interactively adding or
editing tracks and vias.
Color for Moving Items
New
check box in Display preferences labeled "Moving Items Use Sel Color".
Default
setting is On, which retains existing behavior of
drawing the selected moving item(s) in the selection color. When unchecked,
dynamic selected items are instead drawn in their normal color. So when adding
tracks, for example, you can see by the color which layer the current segment
is on instead of just seeing it in the selected color.
Component Editor &
Component Values - Copy & Paste Improvements
It is
now possible to copy & paste data between the Component Editor grid and external applications such as spreadsheet
applications. A single cell or a range of cells can be selected for copying or
pasting. It is also possible to paste the same value into a range of cells. See
the Help>Contents search for more details.
The
Values dialog (from the Library Manager dialog, in the Component tab) has also
been similarly modified to allow copy/paste to/from spreadsheets.
Component Edit - Apply Increment to Selected Cells
This
new option is available on the context menu when an appropriate range of cells is
selected cell for Component Pin Name/Number cells in the Component Editor. This
can be used to name one cell and easily create an incremental sequence from it
to each subsequently selected cell.
Styles - Pad Shapes
You can
now define target and annulus pad shapes. Be aware that that an annulus (donut)
looks very similar to a drilled pad. That shape should never be used for a
drilled pad.
Colors Dialog - Value Positions
There
is now a new column in the Layers & Layer Spans tab called "Value
Positions". Use this to switch off component values in the design, values
such as component name for example, and change their color. This previously
shared the Symbol Text colors.
Pan and Zoom
You can
now change the Pan and Zoom sensitivity and direction of movement using sliders
and check boxes on the Display Preferences dialog.
Library Manager Dialog - Close on Edit
A new
check box on Library Manager dialogue that allows user to choose whether or not
the dialog should be closed after opening a library item for edit. If checked,
the Library Manager will remain in the foreground and more parts can be
selected and opened for editing. Then the Library Manager would be closed to
edit those library symbols or components.
Library Manager - Report
The
Component Library report now shows the name of the looked up symbol library
rather than the 'Originating' symbol library. Meaning the name of the library
from which the symbol will be loaded when the component is added to a design.
When running the Component Library report there is an additional prompt asking
�Show library folders for symbols�. If answered Yes,
the report will show the full folder path for each looked up symbol library as
well as its name.
Design Rule Check � Report
A new
report that is available from the PCB Output menu. The report lists all error
markers currently in the design.
Maintenance
This
release contains many standard minor Maintenance fixes.
Version 1.2.4
Maintenance
This
release contains many standard minor maintenance fixes.
Version 1.2.3
Projects
Projects
allows for the creation of true multi-page schematics.
Netlist Import
EDIF
formatted netlist files can now be imported to create a PCB.
Free Pad to Via
This
option allows vias created as free pads to be converted to true vias. Via pads
can use smaller pad sizes than Free Pads and Component Pads.
Maintenance
This
release contains many standard minor Maintenance fixes.
Version 1.2.2
The Online Library
The
online library adds the ability to search an online database of over 280,000
parts. The library is accessible from the Library Manager dialogue with the
Download Online Library Components button in the upper right.
Maintenance
This
release contains many standard minor Maintenance fixes.
Version 1.2.1
Maintenance
This
release contains many standard minor Maintenance fixes.
Version 1.2
Library Structure Overhaul
The way
in which libraries are stored, organized and managed has been significantly
changed. Library items are no longer tied to a specific library and the library
mechanism can use multiple lookup paths for locating library items. This means
that multiple folders can be used for libraries, including combinations of
local and network folders. The Library Manager�s Folders tab allows management
of this functionality.
Common PCB Pads In
Component Pin Mapping
You can
now map one Schematic pin to multiple PCB pads, either to simply allow a net on
a single pin in a schematic to be applied to multiple pins in a PCB, or to
indicate that multiple PCB pads are internally connected together within the
component.
Design Technology Dialog
Styles,
nets and spacing dialogs on the Settings menu now share one easy to use tabbed
Design Technology dialog.
Active Status Bar
In some
interactive modes you can now double click on the status bar field to change
its value, for example to change the layer of the selected item.
Shape Creation
Some new features to aid the creation of documentation and copper
shapes.
Add Copper - There are now separate options for adding copper and documentation
shapes.
New
Shapes - You can directly add Square,
Triangle and Single Line shapes.
Adding
and Removing Corners - allows you to add a
single corner to a selected segment, or remove all corners between multiple
selected segments.
Item Editing and Positioning
Several
new options have been added to help with item construction and positioning.
Delta
Coordinates - Are shown on the status bar when
adding shapes or moving items to show the offset from the previous corner or
last position. These can be reset at any time to show an offset from a
particular point. The specific commands from the right-click menu are Type
Coordinate and Type Offset.
Type
Coordinate - When moving or editing design
items you can now type in the actual required position, or offset, rather than
using the mouse to pick a position. You can also type the name of a component
or pad to get its position. This can be used to type in a whole shape, track or
netlist.
Arc
Size - When editing circles, arcs or mitred
corners you can now type the exact radius, diameter or angle required.
Restricted
Movement - You can now restrict placing of
items to just horizontal or vertical movement.
Save Symbol Settings To
Library
Now saves
the Grid, Units, Relative and System Origins with each Schematic or PCB symbol
in the library.
Symbol Origin Improvements
When
editing a symbol you can set the symbol origin to be over the selected item.
Also, when editing a PCB or Schematic design, the origin of each symbol can be
displayed using the Display dialog.
Rearrange Multiple Items
A new option to allow multiple components, pads or vias in a design to
be arranged in rows.
Goto Bar
You can
now find pads in PCB and Schematic designs by terminal name.
Opening Multiple Designs
You can
now select multiple designs in the file open dialog.
Auto Pan Speed Setting
New user preference control to allow control of the speed of auto pan.
PCB Configuration
Can now
specify which sides the autorouter can route on.
Maintenance
This
release contains many standard minor Maintenance fixes.
Version 1.1.3
Maintenance
This
release contains many standard minor Maintenance fixes.
Version 1.1.2
DXF Import
New
option on File menu for PCB designs. This feature is intended to import DXF
from mechanical software for creation of complex board outlines.
DXF Output
New
option on Output menu for PCB designs. This feature is intended to export board
outlines and holes to mechanical software.
Measure Tool
New
option on Tools Menu for PCB and PCB Symbol designs, also on toolbars.
Plated Slots
Changes
to support plated slots:
a) Add
"Plated Slots" layer if "Plated Slots" checked in the PCB
Configuration.
b)
Remove the layer if unchecked (if can, if design does not contains symbols that
use it)
c) This
layer will be automatically available when editing PCB symbols.
d)
"Change Pad Type" defaults to the slots layer when used on a pad in a
PCB symbol.
Add SMD Pad
New
option on add menu for PCB Symbols. Forces initial pad to not be through hole
and to not use a style with a drill hole. Add Pad changed for PCB symbol to
force through hole pad with a style using a drill
hole.
Change Shape Type
Allow
text using true type font to be changed into a shape. This would be used if the
font was non standard.
Change Shape Type
Allow
change track (that is not attached) to a shape.
Pad Style
Change
dialog to use label "Hole Size" rather than just "Drill
Hole".
PCB Configuration
Layers
- Stop user from creating two planes with the same name (same net).
Service
- Renamed from service to design requirement.
Change Pad
Changing
a pad layer or style will give a warning if the result is a through hole pad with no drill, or a smd
pad with a drill hole.
Units
Changing
Unit type will now automatically set the correct Precision.
Maintenance
This
release contains many standard minor Maintenance fixes.
Version 1.1.1
Pad Style
Change
dialog to use label "Drill Hole" rather than just "Drill".
Open
Warn
user if they try to open a security copy of the design. (The security copy is
marked with a tilde (~) prefix in front of the filename.) Warn user if they try
to open the fabrication copy of the design (.fab).
Change Shape Type
Allow
pads to be changed into other shape types. This could be used to create shapes
for slots on the documentation layer.
Submit Order
If user
is editing the fabrication copy of the design (.fab) warn
him, but allow the order.
The �Track
Width Too Small� message now gives the location of the first offending track.
Added
"How To Place Your Order" and "Ask A
Question" buttons to dialog.
Library Manager
Added
"Part Creation Tutorial" and "Ask A
Question" buttons to dialogs.
Menu Bar
Added
"Order Now" and "Ask A Question"
buttons and the support telephone number.
Added
the ability to change visibility of the menu bar and status bar using the right
click menu on the application frame.
Created
Tutorials sub-menu and included the "Part Creation Tutorial" to it.
Help Menu
Added a "Placing Your Order" sub-menu with links to the
Standard and Custom order help notes.
Interaction
Rotating
multiple component names now rotates them individually about their origins.
Maintenance
This
release contains many standard minor Maintenance fixes.
Version 1.1
Check For Updates
Auto
Update & Patch system installed.
Change Shape Type
This
allows changing a shape to a board outline or a copper pour area and vice
versa.
Changing Library and Technology Directories
User
defined Library and Technology file folders.
Line Styles
Dotted
and Dashed shape line styles.
Design Rule Checks
New DRC
checks for Copper Text Outside Board and Mirrored
Text.
Edit Component In Library
and Edit Symbol In Library
Select
component in PCB or SCM design and use these from shortcut menu.
Fix / Unfix
Previously available only for components. Now available on shortcut menu for pads, tracks and
many items.
Schematic Component Bin
Multiple
select in schematics component bin and drag all selected items into design.
Board Cutouts
Now
board cutouts can be marked "plated" or "Not plated".
Component Reference Names
These
can now be centre aligned.
Rotate By
A new option
to take user defined value.
Schematic Display
Separate
SCM colors for net names and component names.
Maintenance
This
release contains many standard minor Maintenance fixes.
List Of
Earlier Versions Than 1.1
Details
of these version changes have been removed as they are far removed from the
current feature set. Many websites still have these versions available for
download.
1.0.17
1.0.16
1.0.15
1.0.14
� First General Release August, 2007
Versions
earlier than 1.0.14 were available only for Beta testing.
More help is available From the PCB Artist Tips & Tools Page and via email at layouthelp@4pcb.com