Pulsonix Change Notes These notes list the main functional changes and problem fixes in each release of the software. They are listed in order, latest first. Version 6.1 Build 4169 : 10•January•2011
Functional changes Library Toolkit Library toolkit now has a RENAMEPART command. Also added RENAMEPARTMATCHATTRIBUTE command to alter the component•bound Pulsonix Database Connection attribute on the renamed part. See the updated Library Integration Toolkit documentation for details of both commands. Import Orcad New option to System Designer import to load parts from a library.
Problems Fixed
CAM/Plot Plot Setup • Excluding a group from the plot had no effect. Plot Setup • Could not exclude test points from a plot. Gerber • Incomplete solder mask was being output for some user•defined pad shapes. N.C.Drill • Did not output arcs greater than 180 degrees correctly.
Import DxDesigner • Connects with the wrong Pin ID where causing the program to quit. DxDesigner – Failed to report missing DxDesigner files. DxDesigner • Did not handle the case sensitivity of symbol folder names. DxDesigner • Filling was being applied when it should not have been. DXF • Import of text into a schematic design was broken. DXF • Was failing to read in a DXF file with blocks that have spaces in their name. Gerber • Some filled shapes were imported with thick edges instead of thin. Gerber • Was making some rectangle pads oval. IDF • Some circular shapes were imported at the wrong size and in the wrong position. Orcad • Some components were not imported properly from System Designer. Orcad • Some parts with alphanumeric names were incorrectly getting alphanumeric footprint pin names. Orcad • System Designer Import could not load parts from a library. Pads • Did not deal with connector parts defined on more than one page. PCAD • Did not deal with net names containing spaces in PDIF PCB import. PCAD • Failed to import a particular schematic design. PCAD • Failed to import some BGA parts from an ASCII library. Protel • Program quit trying to import a specific PCB design. Hierarchy Insert Block • Program quit after adding a particular block to a new schematic. Update Block • Updating multiply Instanced blocks was adding more groups when it shouldn’t.
Interaction Auto Weld • Failed to weld to some rotated pads. Edit Track • Calculated track length was terminating at spurs to test points. Rename • Could not select anything using Interactive Rename of test points.
Library Tools Library Manager • Could not access footprint library after a problem caused the program to quit. Library Toolkit • Could not use it to rename parts. Library Toolkit • Was not 'environment variable aware' and so was incorrectly reporting 'part not found'. Part Wizard • Did not expand environment variables when attempting to save a part to a library. Save To Library • Did not reset the 'modified flag on saving a footprint to a library. Security Copy • Security Copy from a footprint design was losing the library name.
Licensing Network Licensing • Server was removing registry entry that should be use to specify pre•selected network card device. Network Licensing • Did not allow saving of technology files when using a save library license. Network Licensing • Server was dropping the connection when the client was busy for long periods of time (e.g. when running a big DRC check). Network Licensing • Was incorrectly creating "c:\License.log" on some systems.
Pulsonix Database Connection Check & Update • Was not doing the same 'design context' checks that Add did.
Reports Report Maker • There were several problems with the “IPC•D•356•full” format file.
Settings Configuration Files • Was failing to read a configuration file that had just been written out.
Tools Auto Insert Test Points • Program quit whilst inserting test points into a particular PCB design. Auto Insert Test Points • Auto•inserting test points into a schematic design could result in program exit. Copper Pour • Poured copper was not keeping away from oval slots in mounting holes. Copper Pour • Failed to pour a particular template on the bottom layer in a specific design Copper Pour • Failed to pour most of a particular template on the top layer of a design. Copper Pour • Was pouring over other components in a specific design. Copper Pour • Poured over other items on the top layer of a particular design. Copper Pour • Two specific templates would not pour on inner layer of a design. Copper Pour • Failed to pour a particular net on bottom layer. Design Rule Check • Hidden test point names were being flagged as spurious errors. Design Rule Check • All "Tp•Tp" spacing errors were not being reported after one error found. Router • Template cutouts were being output as keepouts. Router • "Class to Class" spacings on inner layers prevented the router from working when there were no actual inner layers, Synchronise Designs • Synchronise after changing variant instance removed tracks in the PCB design. Synchronise Designs • Some tracks were being placed off the working area. Synchronise Designs • Was not removing from the PCB all tracks and vias for nets no longer in the schematic.
User Interface Design Browser Bar • Could not change the order of some schematic pages in design browser.
View View Powerplane • Split plane creation was not handling nested board outlines used as cutouts.
Version 6.1 Build 4168 : 04•October•2010
Functional changes Network License Added button on NLServer Options dialog to 'Change Security Device' to allow choice of network cards. Additional command•line parameter to invoke 'Change Security Device' dialog without starting the server.
Import Visula New switch 'Zero Sized Default Pad Styles' to make the default size for pad styles zero and add exceptions for all defined layers.
Problems Fixed
CAM/Plot Gerber • Particular plot was missing a track loop. Gerber • An off•grid track was causing a track violation on a power plane layer. Gerber • Copper covered two pads that were supposed to be isolated. PDF Plot • Plot of text using Open Type fonts was not working.
Export GenCAD • Component•level attributes were not being included in the output. GenCAD • Errors in output were preventing it from reading into Teradyne B2B software. GenCAD • Missing device/component definitions for star points. ODB++ • Had problem handling inner•layer star point output.
File New • Program quit creating a design using a profile with a text callout on a layer not in the technology file.
Import All • Did not deal with empty strings correctly. DxDesigner • Could have duplicate
Hierarchy Update Multiple Instance • Did not deal with groups correctly.
Interaction Add Block • Blocks containing text callouts could not be added because addition of second instance failed. Copy/Paste • Copying variants sometimes offset the copied component.
Reports Report Maker • Could not report an attribute position if its attribute name was turned off in the Colours dialog.
Technology Load Technology • Could get duplicate net class pairs if names were defined the other way round. Load Technology • Some class to class spacing assignments vanished after reloading the technology.
Tools Copper Pour • Was missing thermals on some pads when no thermal rules existed. Copper Pour • Did not pour into a ground template within a particular named area. Copper Pour • Portions of apparently valid copper were disappearing after re•pouring. Copper Pour • Spacing for tracks on the border of a rule area were sometimes incorrect. Copper Pour • Poured over vias with teardrops on other nets. Copper Pour • Poured over pads in specific design. Copper Pour • Took too long pouring a particular design. Design Rule Check • Incorrect spacings were being used when nets had no net class. Reload From Library • Did not update pad style if non•round drill size was the only difference. Router • Was losing some track segments if a straight track and a track with arcs were attached to same pad. Synchronise Designs • Was appending 'Design' to local net names when not using the 'Net Names Unique Across Design' option. Synchronise Designs • There was a conflict between test point and component names. Synchronise Designs • Added duplicate differential pair if two differential pairs had the same first two pads. Synchronise Designs • Was not matching manually added PCB component as well as it could. Synchronise Designs • A change in a variant part in the schematic caused tracks in the PCB to be removed.
Version 6.1 Build 4167 : 03•August•2010
Functional changes None Problems Fixed
CAM/Plot Combined Plots • Pads were missing from a particular combined plot output. Gerber • An area of copper was missing from a power plane output. PDF Plot • Bitmaps were being output incorrectly. PDF Plot • Text output when its font was not installed was drawn as unfilled shapes. PDF Plot • Some PDF plots were not correct. PDF Plot • "OpenType" fonts work on•screen but were drawn unfilled in the PDF output. PDF Plot • Only the first string of a true type font style was being output correctly PDF Plot • Did not deal with “Unicode” fonts
Export Pads • Had some problems with exporting specific designs. ODB++ • Triangles were not being output at their correct rotation.
Import Cadstar • Did not handle "All Electrical" component copper in cpa files DxDesigner – Failed to import a specific schematic design. DXF • Did not let merged shapes be considered as pads when importing into footprints. Gerber • Some aperture macros were being imported with rounded instead of rectangular ends. PCAD • Alternate symbols were sometimes causing the wrong pin order to be applied. Protel • Block ports were ending up with the wrong rotation. Protel • Pins incorrectly ended up swapped on certain gates after importing an Altium Designer schematic design. Protel • Did not deal with duplicate components. System Designer • Importing a symbol instance pin that had no name caused the program to exit. Ultimate • Importing of Ultimate projects had become broken in version 6.0. Ultimate • Value attributes were being added to pins instead of parts in Ultimate schematic import. Ultimate • Some attributes were not imported correctly. Ultimate • Some junctions were incorrectly appearing on all pages. Ultimate • Ground net was only correctly imported on the first page of a project. Ultimate • Report that board shapes are not closed and replace them with documentation shapes. Ultimate • Parts sometimes lost a value attribute in schematic import. Ultimate • Prevent pin types and net classes being added when not required. Visula • Importing vias that referenced prohibited layers caused the program to quit.
Interaction Add Profile • Profile item from a mirrored documentation symbol was added to the wrong layer. Disconnect Connection End • Used on connection from a bus pin to a hierarchical block caused the program to quit if "Apply segment mode to tail" was enabled. Move • Moving a component around a radial construction line pattern did not auto rotate it.
Library Tools Library Manager • Library file name containing a single percent sign could prevent library access or even crash the application. Properties Component • Changing the footprint of a specific variant component caused a design corruption. Pulsonix Database Connection Attributes • Attributes on associated parts were not being shown consistently.
Reports Report Maker • Added 'Side' as field for "Documentation Symbols" so that fiducials on the top and bottom sides can be separated.
Simulation Pin Order – A component was not getting the correct nets and pin names in the netlist if the pin order was re• defined both on a part and in Pulsonix•Spice.
Technology Spacings • Values shown for 'Check Spacing' did not always update to their correct values
Tools Copper Pour • Specific design was failing to pour around a copper keep out area. Copper Pour • Incorrect spacing was being used when pouring one particular template. Copper Pour • Failed to pour "GND" template on bottom layer in a specific design. Copper Pour • Poured too close to a pad because it was not picking up the correct spacing rule. Copper Pour • Poured over items it should have avoided. Copper Pour • Was flooding over a slotted pad. Copper Pour • Was not obeying the 'Avoid Same Net' option. Design Rule Check • Full check was failing to flag some genuine errors that a window check found. Design Rule Check • Reported many Copper to Via errors which Measure and Pour did not agree with. Design Rule Check • Failed to flag a spacing error between a blind via and a buried via. Reload From Library • Did not handle a component with “ungated” pins and shared symbol instances. Router • Interface was not component variant aware. Router • Pad to Track errors were being generated by the router because of offset pad styles. Router • Route Selected was failing for a particular situation. Synchronise Designs • Report said it would change some pad attributes but did not change anything.
View Drawing • Bottom mask shape was incorrect for bottom side user•defined pad.
Version 6.1 Build 4166 : 03•June•2010
Functional changes None
Problems Fixed
CAM/Plot NC Drill • Excellon output was not separating plated/unplated or round/other holes. NC Drill • Program quit attempting output. Export DXF • Program quit attempting output. ODB++ • Program quit attempting output.
Import Protel – Program quit importing a schematic design containing an unnamed component. Visula – Dimension tolerances were being lost.
Library Tools Library Manager • If the Rich Text Format library report was already open, the program aborts trying to regenerate it.
Tools Copper Pour • Was incorrectly pouring over items on a particular design with many teardrops. Copper Pour – Was getting wrong shape on a cut out for a specific design. Optimise Nets • Program quit attempting to optimise nets on a specific design.
View 3D View – Program quit attempting to view 3D.
Version 6.1 Build 4165 : 27•May•2010
Functional changes None
Problems Fixed
CAM/Plot Drill Drawing • Output was ignoring the hole 'type' setting and output all holes. Gerber • Plotting a specific layer to Gerber output got stuck. Gerber • Small piece of poured shape was missing from plot for particular design. Gerber • Had at least one self•intersection in filling polygon in a particular Gerber output. Gerber • Offset bullet hole pad was incorrect with the hole misplaced. PDF • Oval pad exceptions were output at wrong angle. PDF • Hierarchical blocks links were not working
Export ODB++ • Oval pad exceptions were output at the wrong angle.
File New • Creating new design based on a technology file using net styles with layer span entries aborted the program.
Import Easy•PC • Copper pour cut outs were missing. Integra • If footprint had a component name on more than one layer, only the last was added. Pads • Did not handle Pads 2009 decal libraries change in the order of values for rectangular pad styles. Pads • Some text was being imported to layer '
Interaction Add Track • Inserting tracks in pull•tight mode no longer hugged around obstacles when moving the cursor across them. Add Track • Track pushing did not push multiple tracks. Add Track • Had difficulty routing connections around obstacles in pull•tight mode whilst pushing tracks. Add Track • Was much too flashy when using pull•tight mode and pushing tracks. Add Track • Could not remove a loop in pull•tight mode if the track end was not at the cursor point. Add Track • Program quit when changing track style with Online DRC enabled and within a check area. Disconnect Track End • Disconnect was disconnecting all selected items on all pages. Edit Track • Program quit when editing a track with 'Auto Corner' enabled. Select • Frame select was selecting components when no component items were visible.
Libraries The following libraries had many problems. Updated versions of these libraries can be downloaded from the Updates page on the Pulsonix website. Amp.pal Assman.pal CWR.pal FCI.pal Glenair.pal Hirose.pal JAE.pal JST.pal MiscConn.pal MiscConn2.pal Molex.pal NorComp.pal Samtec.pal Sullins.pal Wago.pal
Library Tools Lib Manager • Had problems renaming parts within part groups. Lib Manager • Using 'Save To Library' with the same name was causing hidden part duplication. Part Edit • Could not import pin data that had just been exported from a specific part. Save To Library • Did not check for parts already existing in the library.
Licensing Network Licensing • Early return of loaned licenses could leave server thinking that some licenses were still booked out. Network Licensing • Loaned license would not allow the Auto•router to run.
Reports Report Maker • Program quit when running report on a Schematic design that reported a placement area. Report Maker • Program quit trying to report parts on symbol library.
Settings Load Technology • Program quit when loading spacings from a particular technology file. Variants • A block port was mistakenly hidden when any variant was active.
Technology Layers • Button 'Delete Unused' did nothing.
Tools Auto Rename • Did not handle unusual name ranges on a schematic design. Design Rule Check • Spurious copper•to•pad errors were being reported on a specific design. Schematic Router • Attempt to auto•route connections in a specific Schematic caused the program to quit. Synchronise Designs • Was ripping up tracks for a specific part change despite using the same footprint. Synchronise Designs • Did not handle renamed test points correctly.
User Interface Find Bar • Using the 'This Side On' command on an inner layer caused the application to quit.
View Drawing • Drawing of almost circle arcs in unfilled shapes was poor.
Version 6.1 Build 4164 : 09•Apr•2010
Functional changes Barcodes • Added the ability for barcode text styles to have different values for wide and narrow spaces.
Problems Fixed
CAM/Plot PDF • Plots were being positioned off the page. PDF • Symbol being used as a frame for a design was stopping all component and symbol annotation. PDF • Had problems producing output for embedded views. PDF • Print of embedded views was missing items if "Merge Colours" was enabled. PDF • Non filled shapes were not obeying the Outline mode. PDF • Unexpected margins on the top and right sides. Power plane • Positive power plane generation took much longer than in version 6.0. Power plane • An area marked as a "board cutout" was not plotted on a negative power plane.
Export DXF • Slots were being output as tiny circles. ODB++ • Slots that are rotated in non 90 degree multiples were coming out wrong. Import Accel • Copper pour keepouts were being imported as component copper. Cadstar • Layer mapping was allowing copper on non•electrical layers. Cadstar • There were problems importing a Cadstar generated CADIF file. DxDesigner • Did not cope with a continuation line in a PINSWAP attribute. Integra • Was not dealing properly with bottom side pad exceptions. Orcad • Was not correctly importing System Designer part representations and alternate symbols. Orcad • Some value attributes were not importing from an EDIF library. Orcad • Failed to read a particular System Designer schematic design. Orcad • Wrong alternate symbols were being used in the System Designer import. PCAD • Program aborted whilst importing incorrect Schematic PDIF data. PCAD • Was not positioning attributes correctly on rotated gates in PDIF import. PCAD • Positioning of component names imported from PDIF was incorrect. PCAD • Importing PDIF schematic with an alternate symbol with differing pin counts caused the program to exit. PCAD • Some pad styles were wrong importing a particular PDIF design. Protel • Layer mapping was not working with footprint libraries. Protel • Silkscreen layers were not being mapped properly when importing footprints. Visula • Make the mapping of all the Visula Component Name Layers to the specified layer optional.
Hierarchy Block Ports • Design problems were being caused by block port names containing "+" characters.
Interaction Add Component • After using the Find option, the found part is not selected in Add Component dialog. Add Track • Was getting incorrect track patterns doing a layer change when adding differential pairs. Add Track • Program quit doing "Complete" with the "Auto Finish" option enabled. Add Track • Finishing track on a template caused problems with the design. Edit Attributes • Paste from Excel stopped on blank cells, and could paste all empty cells. Edit Attributes • Pasting empty string was not adding an empty attribute for part like it did for component. Merge Shapes • Merging two particular shapes caused them both to disappear. Select • Could not pick die pads on wire layers.
Libraries The following libraries were missing symbols and footprints. Updated versions of these libraries can be downloaded from the Updates page on the Pulsonix website. Altera.ssl Footprints.pfl Maxim.ssl Natsemi.ssl TI.ssl Tms320.ssl
Licensing Network Licensing • The presence of duplicate third•party auth codes in the server license file could have caused client applications to hang. Technology DFM Rules • Program aborted when applying a particular thermal rule change. Text Styles • Added the ability for barcodes to have different values for wide and narrow spaces.
Tools Auto Rename • Was not avoiding test point names when renaming components. Copper Pour • Was pouring outside the board outline. Copper Pour • Poured across a board cutout in a particular design. Copper Pour • Failed to pour most of a specific template. Copper Pour • Did not pour around some tracks in a specific design. Design Rule Check • Reported test points under component errors when the test point was on the opposite side. Design Rule Check • Was reporting a "TP to CM" error when the test point and component where the same item. Design Rule Check • Was incorrectly flagging many errors on poured copper that completely covered a check area. Design Rule Check • Did not flag an error on the bottom layer when a similar locked error existed on the top side. Place Around Board • Program quit if components contained dimensions in their footprints. Reload From Library • Reloading some variant components was causing designs to become corrupt. Synchronise Designs • Was not correctly setting up test point components.
User Interface Component Bin • Selecting a particular component in the Bin in a PCAD imported design caused the program to exit.
View 3D View – Was much slower than version 6.0.
Version 6.1 Build 4163 : 11•Feb•2010
Functional changes None.
Problems Fixed
CAM/Plot Gerber • Program locked whilst writing a particular inner layer. Gerber • Default Gerber format has been changed to be 2.5. Gerber • Positive power plane output was not including avoid area cutouts. Gerber • Some positive power plane pads were being plotted with the wrong rotation. Plot Setup •Could not use the context menu in some columns to apply a value to all plots in same group. Plot Setup • Using plot preview on a specific design layer caused the program to abort.
Export ODB++ • Did not handle compressing files with spaces and dashes in them.
File New • Could not create a new design if the technology file to be used was already open. Import Eagle • Was losing precision in arcs and component copper could be wrongly connected up. Integra • Did not handle a part that had predefined signals but with the component pin on a different net. Orcad • Incorrect board outlines were being imported and areas were imported as filled copper. Pads • Did not deal with import file in which spacings were using the wrong units. Pads • Did not deal with import file in which the layer thickness was using the wrong units. PCAD • Using PDIF layer mapping could cause the program to exit. PCAD • Program aborted whilst saving an imported PDIF design . PCAD • Some nets were not being imported properly when using a technology file. Protel • There were various SCHDOC import problems. Ultiboard • Was trying to import these files as Easy•PC files.
Interaction Insert Track • Change layer when adding a differential pair was not working correctly if using pull tight segment mode. Insert Track • Adding tracks with "Auto Finish" on and "Show Finish Markers" off caused the program to exit. Insert Track • Program quit whilst starting differential pair routing. Move • Moving a schematic connection end to auto weld to another item was causing the program to quit. Serpentine Routing • Program quit when using the context menu after adding a particular serpentine track.
Licensing Viewer Mode • Dual screen was not using viewer mode in both Pulsonix instances.
Properties Change Part • Replacing a connector with one with less pads caused the program to exit. Component • Could not change a specific component's variants.
Technology Spacings • Area based spacing rules were incorrectly applied when using minimum spacing values
Tools Copper Pour • Pouring failed on particular design situation. Copper Pour • Would not pour a specific design correctly. Copper Pour • Improved pouring of complex shapes. Reload From Library • Reloading documentation symbols was leaving unused copies of the symbols. Synchronise Designs • Would not agree to connect one specific pair of pads in a particular design. Synchronise Designs • Password locking of PCB was being effected by synchronise. Synchronise Designs • Required two passes through to apply variant changes.
View 3D View • Used height from component attribute if it was greater than the area body height. Drawing • Hatching was going across a particular shape cutout.
Version 6.1 Build 4162 : 27•Jan•2010
Functional changes None. Problems Fixed
Import PCAD – There were several problems with the Master Designer import.
Interaction Delete • Deleting a connected symbol or block instance which had net names displayed could create connections with the same start and end point.
Library Tools Library Manager – Footprints and Symbols could appear empty when edited after being saved to a library.
Properties Design Properties – Deleting an associated part could cause the program to quit.
Tools Pour Copper – Failed to pour a specific design.
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