DipTrace 3.3 beta

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novarm44
DipTrace Lead Developer
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DipTrace 3.3 beta

#1 Post by novarm44 » 10 Oct 2018, 01:03

Hi All,

We have published the latest DipTrace 3.3 beta.
You can download it from https://diptrace.com/download/download-diptrace/

The new features are improved manual routing, configurable precision, KiCAD import (PCB, Schematic, Libraries), Eagle Export (PCB, Schematic, Libraries), etc.
Full list is here https://diptrace.com/diptrace-software/whats-new/
We have also tried to fix all reported issues we were able to fix, if something is critical for you and is not fixed (not new feature requests), please let us know here and we will try to change that till 3.3 release.

Currently the major tasks of our team is push and shove routing and IPC-7351 libraries, but these features are not ready yet, so they are not included in 3.3 yet.

Regards,
Stanislav Ruev
DipTrce Senior Developer

Tomg
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Re: DipTrace 3.3 beta

#2 Post by Tomg » 10 Oct 2018, 04:44

Hi Stanislav,
Here are some initial observations....
1) Follow Rules mode needs to work in Edit Traces mode, also. This is critical.
2) What is the purpose of the "Fix Single Line" option? Can you show an example of it at work? I have noticed that the Follow Rules mode does not work on 45-degree traces and pad perimeters when this option is enabled.
3) Cut and Paste bug still exists - viewtopic.php?f=9&t=12204&p=24600
4) Mask export/import shape bug still exists - viewtopic.php?f=4&t=12252&p=24754
5) Trace Free Ends and DRC bugs still exist - viewtopic.php?f=9&t=12128&p=24317
Tom

novarm44
DipTrace Lead Developer
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Re: DipTrace 3.3 beta

#3 Post by novarm44 » 10 Oct 2018, 07:11

1) Follow Rules mode needs to work in Edit Traces mode, also. This is critical.
We understand. Currently we are making push traces mode for manual routing, then both follow rules and push traces will be added to trace editing.
2) What is the purpose of the "Fix Single Line" option? Can you show an example of it at work? I have noticed that the Follow Rules mode does not work on 45-degree traces and pad perimeters when this option is enabled.
The purpose is to place only one line (say 90) and preview the further way (say 45, for better alignment), then after click you place next 45 segment and preview 90. It is much easier to connect traces to pads without additional angles, align traces with the objects , that are still far from current routing positions, etc. Itshould work in the following way: the first segment is subject for follow rules (you will place it at the next click), the second segment is for alignment, so it is not limited.
3) Cut and Paste bug still exists - viewtopic.php?f=9&t=12204&p=24600
Will check what I can do here. This was not reported to me as critical issues by testing team.
4) Mask export/import shape bug still exists - viewtopic.php?f=4&t=12252&p=24754
Preview works properly (obround shape). Ellipse aperture does not exist in Gerber, so it should be exported as polygon. We decided to replace it with obround shape in Gerber, which is correct for pad (elliptic pads are not typically used and proper mask/paste for them will not be ellipses), but keep ellipse feature in the program (printing work with ellipses and this can be used by some people). Maybe we should convert such pads to polygons for gerber instead of replacing with obrounds, I will check.
5) Trace Free Ends and DRC bugs still exist - viewtopic.php?f=9&t=12128&p=24317
I don't consider this is a bug. If trace and pad are electrically connected and belong to the same net, why should we report it as DRC error? This is error for schematic and it is reported there, but in PCB Layout there is no physical error on the board.

Tomg
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Re: DipTrace 3.3 beta

#4 Post by Tomg » 10 Oct 2018, 08:20

Thanks for the information.
Another thing I've noticed in Beta 3.3 is that the Auto-Pan function does not detect the mouse cursor's position once it is outside the Design Area's border. In previous versions, Auto-Pan is able to detect when the mouse cursor's position goes beyond the Design Area's border into the Design Manager panel.
Tom

novarm44
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Re: DipTrace 3.3 beta

#5 Post by novarm44 » 10 Oct 2018, 10:05

Thanks for the information.
Another thing I've noticed in Beta 3.3 is that the Auto-Pan function does not detect the mouse cursor's position once it is outside the Design Area's border. In previous versions, Auto-Pan is able to detect when the mouse cursor's position goes beyond the Design Area's border into the Design Manager panel.
This is feature to able you edit values on panels without auto-panning while routing or editing something. It detects cursor outside design area and if it is far from design area, it stops auto-panning.

Tomg
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Re: DipTrace 3.3 beta

#6 Post by Tomg » 10 Oct 2018, 10:11

Okay. Thanks.
Tom

apurvdate
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Re: DipTrace 3.3 beta

#7 Post by apurvdate » 10 Oct 2018, 17:46

which kicad version files are supported? v4 or v5?

novarm44
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Re: DipTrace 3.3 beta

#8 Post by novarm44 » 10 Oct 2018, 20:02

which kicad version files are supported? v4 or v5?
In beta - v4, we will try to upgrade it till 3.3 release

Checked the difference with v5 - it reads v5 too, some small adds are necessary though.

b_force
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Joined: 17 Nov 2017, 00:17

Re: DipTrace 3.3 beta

#9 Post by b_force » 11 Oct 2018, 02:04

Awesome news boys (and girls)!

At this current moment I am really enjoying the easier methods to make board outlines.

Just a few things that still drive me nuts though;
- Copy/paste components not at position cursor.

Are you also planning to export to KiCad files?

novarm44
DipTrace Lead Developer
Posts: 466
Joined: 08 Jun 2010, 23:24
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Re: DipTrace 3.3 beta

#10 Post by novarm44 » 11 Oct 2018, 02:05

3) Cut and Paste bug still exists - viewtopic.php?f=9&t=12204&p=24600
4) Mask export/import shape bug still exists - viewtopic.php?f=4&t=12252&p=24754
Fixed both these issues, currently in test dept. The beta update will be approx at Wednesday.
If you know any more issues you want to see fixed, please let us know!

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