What's New > What's New in 2018

Thursday, 27 December 2018

Improved Schematic Routing

•Fix for wires coming off the base of resistors sometimes not routing vertically.

Wednesday, 26 December 2018

Improved Schematic Routing

•Rotating inter-wire connector - re-routes correctly.

•Rotating symbols - wire jumpers set.

Saturday, 22 December 2018

Improved 3D rendering of holes for vias, pads and regular holes

•Added editor for part type in the Part Builder.

Sat Dec 15, 2018

Improved Part Builder for 2 Sided Parts

Fri Dec 14, 2018

New quick export buttons for Bill Of Materials

•New quick export buttons for Bill Of Materials

•Export to PDF

Sat Dec 8, 2018

Bug Fixes

•Fix for pads with thermal relief not popping transform in copper pours.

•Improved placement of tooling holes and global Fiducial points.

Sun Dec 4, 2018

New Text Ribbon Page Controls

•There are now an extra 6 ribbon pages in the menu with loads of powerful commands for embedded text documents.

Sun Dec 2, 2018

Footprint Values Layer

•If a footprint is a parametric footprint then the part type is forced onto a package layer else it is forced on to a silkscreen layer. Parametric footprints show the part type text in 3D on the part. Non-parametric footprint part type text is placed on the...

Fri Nov 30, 2018

New DRC Rules for Copper Pours

•New DRC Rules for Copper Pours. There are 3 new rules. All 3 rules check for illegal contact to copper pours. Pad to copper pour. Via to copper pour. Track to copper...

Thu Nov 29, 2018

Gerber Layers/Settings Panel in Gerber Viewer is now split

•Gerber Layers/Settings Panel in Gerber Viewer is now split.

Thu Nov 29, 2018

Fix for DRC failing to detect track intersections

•Fix for DRC failing to detect track intersections for rounded tracks where segment is straight.

Wed Nov 28, 2018

Schematic Auto-router

•Schematic Auto-router This video demonstrates the power of the schematic router in DEX. It will save you hours of work and is really fun to use.

Wed Nov 21, 2018

Pick & Place & Gerber Output Optimized.

•Pick & place optimized for Panels. Gerber output optimized.

Mon Nov 19, 2018

Generate Gerber Files Dialog now has preview

•Generate Gerber Files Dialog now has preview

Sun Nov 18, 2018

PCB Panel Generator

You can now create a PCB panel with 1 or more copies of your PCB. Includes:

•Optional V-Cuts Optional

•breakout tabs Optional

•spacing Optional

•rails with global fiducials and mounting pin.

Thu Nov 8, 2018

Automatic Mouse Bites or Break-Away Tabs for PCBs

This video shows you how to use the navigator in DEX to locate and cross reference parts in your design.

It also shows you how to quickly tile your views.

Wed Oct 31, 2018

Closed cut-out and copper pours

When generating Gerber files you are warned if any copper pours/split power planes are not filled.

New settings dialog to set default PCB cut-out width.

You can now close polyline and curve cut-outs. Some bug...

Tue Oct 30, 2018

Node Optimizer

Node Optimizer eliminates redundant node junction. ( can be regarded as a bug

fix)

Sun Oct 28, 2018

Parametric Local Fiducials

Parametric Local Fiducials Check the Add Fiducials checkbox in the Parametric

Properties panel. BGA Quad Flat Pack SOIC...

Fri Oct 26, 2018

Fiducials

PCB Fiducials - You can now easily add Fiducial Markers to you PCB. for more info

go...

Fri Oct 19, 2018

Panelise your PCB with V-Cuts and Save Money

Panelise you PCB with V-Cuts and Save Money This video show how to quickly

panelise your PCB in DEX so you can save loads of money...

Thu Oct 18, 2018

Improved Gerber Output/Viewer with V-cuts

Improved Gerber Output/Viewer with V-cuts Gerber Viewer now shows Gerber

Settings so you can 'click and see' what you get. Note: The Gerber is viewing the

Gerber files that will be produced. DEX outputs the Gerber files and reads

them back in so you can be...

Thu Oct 18, 2018

Locate and cross reference parts in your design

This video shows you how to use the navigator in DEX to locate and cross

reference parts in your design. It also show you how to quickly tile your views.

Thu Oct 18, 2018

Improved Visibility of Selected Entity

Improved Visibility of Selected Entity Bounding red rectangle now drawn 3 pixels

wide. Previously it was only 12 pixel wide. Original New Full sheet Improved

Navigator performance with tiled and floating viewports New buttons for tiling

viewports ...

Wed Oct 17, 2018

Finding parts in your design

Finding parts in your design This video shows you how to use the Navigator in

DEX to quickly and easily add the parts in your design. This works for both

schematics and PCBs....

Mon Oct 15, 2018

Part Builder – Terminal Grid Improvements.

Part Builder - Terminal Grid Improvements The terminal grid now orders by pads

name correctly. Selecting a terminal in the terminal grid highlights it. When

editing parts, the symbol's terminal magnet can only be moved when sub-picking.

Really, there is no need to...

Thu Oct 4, 2018

Bug Fixes

Fix for setting layer when Filleting curves/polygons. Optimized code.

Sun Sep 30, 2018

Window select now picks holes and cut-outs

Window select now picks holes and cut-outs No need to select sub-pick.

Sat Sep 29, 2018

Filleting Curves and faster 2D/3D.

Filleting Curves and faster 2D/3D Filleting curves, both open and closed now has

radius parameter. Faster drawing of PCB holes, both in the 2D view and the 3D

view. Easily draws 10,000 + holes. Faster creation of 3D PCB polyline...

Thu Sep 20, 2018

Fix for 2D images of 3D imported models

Fix for 2D images of 3D imported models Sometimes the 2D image in the PCB

view of imported 3D models was incorrect. This is now fixed. Size of projects /

parts files with imported 3D models greatly reduced in...

Thu Sep 13, 2018

Missing Spreadsheet DLL Fixed.

Missing Spreadsheet DLL Fixed

Thu Sep 6, 2018

Panasonic Style Capacitors

Panasonic Style Capacitors Also Fix for rounded tracks in Gerber output.

Improved placement of Footprint...

Sat Sep 1, 2018

Optional height for TO3-TO66 parts

Optional height for TO3-TO66 parts...

Thu Aug 30, 2018

New TO-3 and TO-66 Parametric Parts

New TO-3 and TO-66 Parametric Parts Underside...

Tue Aug 28, 2018

Heatsink now optional for TO-220 parts

Mon Aug 27, 2018

Displaying saved by software version

Displaying saved by software version You can now display version of software

used to save.

Sun Aug 26, 2018

Improved Castellated PCB

The castellated parametric part has been improved and errors Fixed.

Sun Aug 26, 2018

Import Autodesk Eagle 9.1.3 Supported

You can now import Autodesk Eagle 9.1.3 files.

Sat Aug 25, 2018

Floating 3D Viewports Improved

Floating 3D Viewports Improved Reflective materials such as resistor leads now

correct.

Sat Aug 25, 2018

Improved Part Wizard

Several changed to the Part Wizard including remembering selected splitter sizes

and list choices.

Wed Aug 22, 2018

Jumpers and the BOM

Jumpers and the BOM Jumper information now added to the Bill of Materials

(BOM). Also library parts not overwritten. So you can change parametric part...

Mon Aug 20, 2018

Fix for add resistor dialog

Fix for add resistor dialog Sometimes library part selection picked wrong type.

Sun Aug 19, 2018

Axial part pitch auto-adjusts

Axial part pitch auto-adjusts Pitch changes when switching orientation.

Thu Aug 16, 2018

New Vertical Axial Parts

New Vertical Axial Parts You can now mount axial parts vertically. You can place

the body over the left or right pad and you can flip the body...

Wed Aug 15, 2018

Improved Part Building

Improved Part Building Fixed bugs. Improved usability. Added show part and

show base check boxes to the footprint builder. Add 3 panel view button.

Tue Aug 14, 2018

Bug Fixes

Fixes for: PCB grid settings restoration. Real-time updating of 3D in Part Builder.

Fri Aug 10, 2018

Improved Block Parametric Part

Wed Aug 8, 2018

Improved Block Parametric Part You can now set: The number or rows. The

precise size of the 3D...

Improved handling of vias in footprints

Wed Aug 8, 2018

Fix for lost vias on copied parts.

Improved real-time changes for Copper Fill

Wed Aug 8, 2018

Improved real-time changes for Copper Fill Dragging slider updates copper fill

view in real-time Click to Play

view in real time. Click to Play...

TO-220 Parametric Part

Tue Jul 31, 2018

TO-220 Parametric Part New. With heat-sink and nut/bolt.

PCB Cut-outs and Holes in Designs/Parts

Sat Jul 28, 2018

Parts dragged from the library panel are now added to the project you add

parts/design to. Fix for sometimes copying symbols where copied symbol

terminals were flagged as having no associated...

DRC for Cut-out Polylines and Curves

Thu Jul 26, 2018

Design rule checks no work with PCB cut-out polylines and curves.

Added Curved Cut-out Lines

Wed Jul 25, 2018

These are bezier based cut-out lines.

Polyline PCB Cut-outs

Tue Jul 24, 2018

Curved cut-outs within 72 hours. NOTE: Graphics can be

slow if you view PCB Filled.

Improved 3D Import – 2018.710

Sat Jul 21, 2018

Improved 3D Import - Version 2018.710 Fixed scale. Fixed STL solid names with

spaces in them.

Changed Web Links

Sat Jul 14, 2018

Updated links to https://dexpcb.com

Fix for Settings. Version 2018.707

Tue Jul 10, 2018

Some settings were not restored on reload. This version should fix it.

Several Fixes and UI improvements

Mon Jul 9, 2018

There has been several fixes and UI improvements. In particular: Copper pours.

3D. Website interface. Grouping - copy and paste.

Fix for SMT to Split Power Planes

Sat Jun 23, 2018

Fix for SMT to Split Power Planes track width sometimes being incorrect on initial

project load.

Optional 3D Package Body

Thu Jun 21, 2018

Optional 3D Package Body You now have an option to add/remove automatically

generated 3D package body. ...

Bug Fixes 2018-619

Sun Jun 17, 2018

Fix for various bugs. Hatch fill. Moving resistors in PCBs. Footprint References

‘straying’ away from footprints.

Isolated Island Removal for Solid Pour

Thu Jun 14, 2018

Isolated Island Removal for Solid Pour

Extended hatch Fill – Version 2018-608

Wed Jun 13, 2018

Extended hatch fill UI improvements Copper pours are drawn underneath

everything on the same layer. This makes picking tracks etc. easier. Some bug

fixes. Board not...

Multiple Hatch Styles for Copper Pours – Version 2018.604

Wed Jun 6, 2018

Multiple Hatch Styles for Copper...

Hatch Copper Pour Fill – version 10.600

Sun Jun 3, 2018

You can now optionally fill your copper of pour areas with a hatch pattern Each

You can now optionally fill your copper of pour areas with a hatch pattern. Each

copper pour area can have its own fill style. For an individual copper pour use the

properties panel. To set the fill style for all copper pours use the Copper Pour

Settings dialog....

Added Board Materials Section to Layers Panel – Version

2018.602

Sun Jun 3, 2018

Added Board Materials Section to Layers Panel

Hatch Line Width and Spacing

Sun Jun 3, 2018

Bug Fixes – Version 2018.536

Tue May 29, 2018

Fix for 3D material editor sometimes disabled. Fix for lost 3D models

Improved visualization of 3D objects in 2D view. Version

2018.530

Thu May 24, 2018

Improved visualization of 3D objects in 2D view (Also several bug fixes)

Default dimension line/font separate settings

Tue May 22, 2018

The default line and font settings for dimensions are separate from regular graphics objects such as lines/ellipses etc.

Click-Once installer dropped. Version 2018.520

Wed May 16, 2018

Click-Once dropped for: Installs into odd location. Seems to upset Norton.

Impossible to stop updating if free updates license expired. Would leave you with

unlicensed S/W. It was more di?cult to upload latest version. It would not open

project/parts if you double...

DEX Now targets .NET 4.52

Mon May 14, 2018

XP no longer supported.

Sun May 13, 2018

Code Optimized. Version 2018.503

Version 2018.500

Wed May 9, 2018

New version format. Year. Version

New supplier Finder dialog

Wed May 2 2018

Use it to search for suppliers/parts.

Where’s That Datasheet?

Mon Apr 30, 2018

Where’s That Datasheet? The Part Wizard now has a Data Sheet Source tree-list

center left. Double click on a part group to see list of part datasheets.

New Part Wizard + PDF

Sun Apr 29, 2018

New Part Wizard + PDF The parts wizard has been improved with embedded data

sheets as PDFs incorporated to each wizard page. This makes it very easy to get

data from the datasheet into your new part and overcomes the restrictions that

many websites seem to have...

Improved Simulation. Version 10.604

Wed Apr 25, 2018

Improved Simulation. Version 10.604 XSpice simulator moved out of the process

space of DEX. This protects DEX from memory leaks and memory

corruptions in XSpice. XSpice is written in C while DEX is developed with

C#/.Net managed...

New Simulation Control. Version 10.505

Sun Apr 22, 2018

New Simulation Control. Version 10.505 Chart Instrument. Behaves like

oscilloscope and also like symbol. You can move the scope inputs. No need for

ground connection to scope. Much...

Improved Auto-Routing – Version 10.500

Thu Apr 19, 2018

Function Generator – Oscilloscope

Sat Apr 14, 2018

Function Generator – Oscilloscope

BJT Single Stage Amplifier

Sat Apr 14, 2018

BJT Single Stage Amplifier Spice...

Function Generator – Oscilloscope

Sat Apr 14, 2018

Function Generator – Oscilloscope

Improved SVG Import – Version 10.422

I Thu Apr 12, 2018

mproved SVG Import – Version 10.422

Improved SVG Import

Wed Apr 11, 2018

Improved SVG Import

Solid Fill for SVG Import

Fri Apr 6, 2018

Solid Fill for SVG Import

New Simplified Spice Probe

Wed Apr 4, 2018

Improved SVG Import – Version 10.401

Mon Apr 2, 2018

Improved SVG Import – Version 10.401

Import SVG, New Spice Probe, New ‘Scope – Version 10.409

Sun Apr 1, 2018

Import SVG, New Spice Probe, New ‘Scope – Version 10.409 New Spice Probe...

Simulation Fix. Version 10.402

Wed Mar 28, 2018

Simulation has now been changed to fix problems where it would not run on

some computers.

Improved Spice models – Version 10.315

Tue Mar 20, 2018

Improved Spice models. Some bug Fixes.

Version 10.312

Thu Mar 15, 2018

Version 10.312 New properties panel command to set corners on all pads.

Several speed increases Bug fixes

Several speed increases. Bug Fixes.

Automatic PCB Rounded Pads/Tracks and Teardrop

Thu Mar 15, 2018

Automatic PCB Rounded Pads/Tracks and Teardrop This video show how you can

quickly round the corners of all your tracks and pads as well as add teardrops to

your PCB with DEX. Play...

Bug Fixes Version 10.310

Tue Mar 6, 2018

Fixed: Double draw pcb holes on transformed PCB. Pin number in the wrong

location on transformed footprints.

Version 10.309 New Import DXF dialog with Units selection

Fri Mar 2, 2018

Version 10.309 New Import DXF dialog with Units selection Autocad does not

have units so you need to decide on a suitable value. New colours for Nets

(Un-routed tracks) Yellow – standard nets. Cyan – nets with associated power

plane. Magenta – nets with associated...

Pick & Place Units – Version 10.306

Wed Feb 28, 2018

You can now set the units for Pick & Place output.

Automatic Rounded Track Corners – Setting Radius (Video)

Sun Feb 25, 2018

Automatic Rounded Track Corners - Setting Radius This video shows you how to

automatically add rounded corners to all your tracks in your PCB. It is

embarrassingly easy to do; just drag a slider from left to right. The radius of your

track corners will...

Optional Fully Automatic Rounding of Track Corners –

Version 10.243

Sat Feb 24, 2018

Limitation (for now) Does not work with teardrops. Manual routing – non-rounded

view shown. Restored at the end. Only shown on fully routed tracks. Select track,

rounding not...

Fix for ‘phantom’ holes – Version 10.240

Thu Feb 22, 2018

This was a visual error and did not affect Gerber files etc.

https: //news.dexpcb.com/splitting-a-symbol/

Thu Feb 22, 2018

This video shows you how to split up a single symbol into multiple symbols that

more clearly represent the functionality of a device in your schematic. This

symbol was split on the final schematic and not in the part editor. Play...

Easier picking of pads and vias – Version 10.237

Tue Feb 20, 2018

Multiple 3D Viewports – Version 10.231

Mon Feb 19, 2018

You now have the possibility of multiple viewports. This will help you position 3D

objects. BACKUP DIRECTORY -> HISTORY DIRECTORY The backup directory has

now been renamed <design>.History to reflect what it really...

Faster Split Power Plane and Copper Fill – Version 10.229

Fri Feb 16, 2018

Faster Split Power Plane and Copper Fill – Version 10.229

Manual Routings Now Faster – Version 10.226

Thu Feb 15, 2018

Speed increase at end of manual routing. Fix for guides in PCBs.

Library Location / Manual Routing Bug Fix

Wed Feb 14, 2018

You can now see/edit library location in the library panel. Fix for slow graphics

when manually routing a PCB and the real-time DRC is on. Problem was Windows

GDI+ did not like drawing small circles with dotted edge.

Improved Esc behaviour – Version 10.222

Tue Feb 13, 2018

All commands now handle the ESC key better. Added property to Symbol

Values where, if there is only 1 terminal, then setting the text can optionally set

the signal name for all wires attached to that terminal. This is used for the Vcc,

Vdd, +5V parts in the...

Bug Fixes and 3D Status – Version 10.221

Sun Feb 11, 2018

Fix for adding part with Model3D with no mesh. Added FPS status for 3D Status

bar works with 3D

Update DEX UNO – Version 10.219

Sat Feb 10, 2018

Updated DEX-UNO project. See parts list. Fix for background set to black if Top

Package layer is set visible.

Setting the 3D Background (Video)

Fri Feb 9, 2018

This video shows you how to change the background to the 3-D view of your

printed circuit board. The normal view is a gradient from one colour to another

and the default is from dark blue to white. You can easily change either of the

two gradient colours are select...

Recent _le list tooltip showing _le location… Version

10.215

Recent file list now show tooltip showing file location Improved quality of spheres,

cylinders, cone and tori. Improved 3D when zooming in. Clipping

eliminated/reduced. Fix for transparent PCB not showing 3D copper.

Dragging Materials onto 3D Objects Version 10.214

Thu Feb 8, 2018

This video shows you can apply bitmaps as textures to 3D objects simply by

dragging the file from a Windows Explorer windows onto the object. Play Video

Creating Simple 3D objects (Video)

Thu Feb 8, 2018

This video shows you how to add simple 3-D objects to a PCB part. It

demonstrates adding several objects including a box, cylinder, sphere, cone and

torus. It also shows you are you can rotate, translate and scale the objects by

dragging a 3-D manipulator. Play...

More bug fixes and UI changes – Version 10.211

Tue Feb 6, 2018

More bug Fixes and UI changes – Version 10.211 Bug Fixes for add/edit resistor

dialog not viewports not displaying content. In the 3D viewport, pressing the

Space Bar toggles between View and Pick/Move mode. This does not affect any

other modes. Improved texture...

New Background Color Selector for 3D – Version 10.208

Sun Feb 4, 2018

New Background Colour Selector for 3D – Version 10.208 You can now change the

background for 3D. This is set per Design. The Colour Bar at the bottom of the

Application now sets 3D material...

Added 3D Object Creation – Version 10.204

Sat Feb 3, 2018

You can now add the following 3D objects directly in the 3D view Boxes Cylinders

Cones Spheres Tori See the 3D ribbon...

New in Version 10.201

Wed Jan 31, 2018

Import 3D now has preview, Optimized memory, Convert to 3D, Undo/Redo

between sessions, 3D manipulator. Preview for importing 3D. Also displays

imported size to help with scaling. Imported 3-D models are kept in an internal

compact data structure that minimises...

Convert to 3D – Version 10.195

Tue Jan 23, 2018

Convert to 3D – Version 10.195 Bug Fixes for 3D entities such as Rectangles,

Polylines, Ellipses. 3D Rectangles can now be hollow Added new command

‘Convert to 3-D.’ Selective several entities that have extrusion or height and click

the ‘convert to 3-D’ button....

Faster 3D/Reduced memory usage. Version 10.200

Tue Jan 23, 2018

Faster 3D generation. e.g. 5X faster for DEX-UNO. Reduced memory used. e.g.

DEX-UNO memory reduced by 40%.

Bug Fixes = Version 10.184

Fri Jan 19, 2018

Several minor bug Fixes. Fix for some errors in displaying footprint 2D packages.

Fix for errors in 3D for quad packages with gull wing leads.

Page scale thumbnail added – version 10.183

Wed Jan 17, 2018

Page scale thumbnail added – version 10.183 Also: Show holes in 3D defaults to

show. SIPs extension below board set for standard parts. Thumbwheel

responsive speed changed. BUG – 3D elevation/dept thumbnails – did not update

3D. Thumbwheel for page scale Fix for...

Resizing a sheets content to fill the page

Wed Jan 17, 2018

This video shows you how to resize the content of a sheet to fill the sheet. This is

extremely useful when you have a small design that only takes up a small area of

the sheet and you actually want an enlarged area for both aesthetic reasons and

for printing. This...

Bug Fixes – 10.0192

Tue Jan 16, 2018

Fix bug with extrusion depth of 3D rectangles. Several other minor bug Fixes.

Improved some of the parts on the Parts menu.

Replacing an existing part in a PCB design

Sun Jan 14, 2018

This video shows you how to replace a part in the design by simply dragging a

part from the library onto a symbol in your design and it will be automatically

replaced. This replacement will also include automatically wiring up the new part

with connections that...

New Prompt for Text Dialog

Sun Jan 14, 2018

New Prompt for Text Dialog Macros added. Show character map dialog Clear button

Paste button Several extra symbol buttons, including TM and mho (inverted

omega for conductance). Bug Fixes for viewport context menu and selection of

locked objects, in particular groups....

Make all same width/combine shapes – Version 10.184

Sat Jan 13, 2018

New menu commands added to make the width or height of all selected items

the same. Layout->Size menu Now unfilled closed shapes an lines/polylines and

curves can be combined into a single shape. Bug fix for Sheet properties in the

properties panel appearing...

Improved refresh part from library. Version 10.185

Tue Jan 9, 2018

Improved refresh part from library Bug fix for symbol context menu now

refreshing part. Refresh position more accurate. Refreshing or replacing part by

dragging symbol from the library onto a symbol in a schematic now highlights

symbol when placed over the...

Aligning Inter-Wire Connectors – Version 10.178

Mon Jan 8, 2018

Aligning Inter-Wire Connectors - Version 10.178 This video show you how to align

inter-wire connectors....

Version 10.175

Sat Jan 6, 2018

Version 10.175 Sibling nodes automatically have same colour/width and style Also

new Set Node dialog for Inter-Wire connectors.

Inter-wire connector Colours – Version 10.174

Fri Jan 5, 2018

Now setting the fill pattern/colour of an inter-wire connector will set the fill

pattern/colour of all inter-wire connectors connected to the same node (node

siblings).

Installer Size Reduced by 40% – Version 10.171

Tue Jan 2, 2018

Installer Size Reduced by 40% – Version 10.171 Installer reduced from 111 Mb to

63 Mb. No longer contains library or .chm help file. Library downloaded

automatically if needed. Help now...

Changes in 2018

Changes in 2018