The new or improved features are listed below for 2023.0. Features in multiple areas of the application are shown in the first section. Features in a particular area of the application are listed in the corresponding section. Click each heading to toggle the relevant content.
eCADSTAR 2023.0: What's New
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Part Hyperlinks: New | You can now add hyperlinks to user-defined part attributes. See: New in Version 2023.0: Part Hyperlinks. |
| Migrate Environment: New | The Migrate Environment command has been added. See: New in Version 2023.0: Migrate Environment |
| Scripting interface: Improved | The scripting interface in eCADSTAR has been updated to support several new functions across the applications. See: Improved in Version 2023.0: Scripting Interface |
| Parts List Settings (Export and Import Parameters): New | The Parts List Settings dialog in eCADSTAR PCB Editor and eCADSTAR Schematic Editor now allows you to import and export a parameters file. See: New in Version 2023.0: Parts List Settings (Export and Import Parameters) |
| Parts List (Save as Excel Format): New | When saving the Parts List report, you can now save the file in Excel binary file format. See: New in Version 2023.0: Parts List (Save as Excel Format). |
| Moving Components in the Properties Panel: New | The Coordinates property can now be edited within the Properties panel in eCADSTAR Schematic Editor and eCADSTAR PCB Editor. See: New in Version 2023.0: Moving Components in the Properties Panel. |
| Grouping Objects: New | Symbols can now be grouped or ungrouped so they can easily be moved together. See: New in Version 2023.0: Grouping Objects. |
| Various: Improved | Improvements have been made to the Embedded browser, Grids and CADSTAR to eCADSTAR migration. See: Improved in Version 2023.0: Various Items |
| Installation: Improved | Support for the local installation of Help. See: Improved in Version 2023.0: Local Installation of Help. |
| DIY Training: Improved | Instructional videos have been added to the DIY Training for several new subjects: See: Improved in Version 2023.0: DIY Training. |
eCADSTAR Library Editor
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Part Locking: New | Part locking is now standard in Library editor. See: New in Version 2023.0: Part Locking. |
| Various: Improved | Improvements have been made in eCADSTAR Library Editor to the process of loading a library, and to library locks. The footprint character length and the display of padstack reference points have also been improved. See: Improved in Version 2023.0: Various Library Items. |
| Footprint Inhibit Areas: Improved | Options have been added to the Properties Panel to allow exceptions to an inhibit area for poured copper (Area fill) or tracks (Line). See: New in Version 2023.0: Footprint Inhibit Areas. |
| Padstack Reference Points: Improved | Improvements have been made to the display of padstack reference points in footprints. See: Improved in Version 2023.0: Padstack Reference Points. |
eCADSTAR Schematic Editor
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Hierarchy Connector Placement (Create Block from Area): Improved | When hierarchy connectors are placed automatically using the Create Block from Area command, changes to their direction have improved the layout of the block circuit. See: Improved in Version 2023.0: Hierarchy Connector Placement . |
| CADSTAR to eCADSTAR Migration (Array Syntax): New | You can now deselect Use array syntax in schematic assignments during CADSTAR to eCADSTAR migration. This ensures matching net connectivity. See: New in Version 2023.0: Array Syntax. |
| Multi-gate Components: Improved | Changes that you make to a multi-gate component are automatically made to associated gates on all sheets. |
| Global Signals: Improved | For global signals, you can now add cross references and hyperlinks to connected sheets. See: Improved in Version 2023.0: Global Signals. |
| User Defined Attributes on Gated Components: Improved | If user defined attributes are added to an associated gate of a part, then they are now set automatically on all gated components. |
| Change Part Command: Improved | It is now possible to keep user defined attributes and SPICE values in the Change Part dialog. You can also change the gate number and symbol for a multi-gated part. |
| Update Upper Block Pins: New | The Update Upper Block Pin command allows you to update block pin names from the hierarchical connector names that are updated. See: New in Version 2023.0: Update Upper Block Pin. |
| Multiple Dialogs: Improved | The Constraint Browser Options dialog and the Assignments dialog have been improved. See: Improved in Version 2023.0: Multiple Dialogs. |
| Reference Rename: Improved | The Reference Rename command now allows you to specify the whole sheet or selected items as targets. |
| Port Net Label in Component Browser: Improved | When changing symbol names in Component Browser, connected nets are also changed to match the symbol. For example, if "GND" is changed to "AGND", then connected nets are also changed to "AGND". |
| Cross Probing: Improved | When cross probing large selections from eCADSTAR PCB Editor, the number of surplus messages that are displayed has been reduced. |
| SI Value Recognition: Improved | When editing SI scenarios, constant values such as 16K2 are interpreted correctly. Previously this was inputted as 16.2k or 16200. |
| Net Conflict Check: New | When set from the Properties Panel or the Add Net dialog, nets are now automatically checked for conflicting names. |
| Properties Panel: Improved | You can now expand and collapse properties, and enable clearance classes in the Properties Panel. See: Improved in Version 2023.0: Properties Panel. |
| Naming Nets: Improved | You can now name multiple nets simultaneously: See: Improved in Version 2023.0: Naming Nets. |
| Save Design As: Improved | The Save Design As command now allows you to save an unsaved design to an alternate name without first saving any modified data. See: Improved in Version 2023.0: Save Design As. |
| Change Hierarchy Type: New | For a block symbol, you can now modify the Hierarchy type value from Multi-Instanced to Single-Instanced without losing any attributes within the instance. See: New in Version 2023.0: Change Hierarchy Type. |
| Update Instance: Improved | When updating a block instance, you are now asked whether to keep property values. See: Improved in Version 2023.0: Update Instance. |
| Cross Probing: Improved | The Auto Send option for cross probing now controls whether items are automatically selected in Constraint Browser. See: Improved in Version 2023.0: Cross Probing. |
eCADSTAR PCB Editor
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Incremental IDX: New | You can now import and export Incremental IDX files in eCADSTAR PCB Editor. See: New in Version 2023.0: Incremental IDX. |
| Manual Re-lengthening: Improved | You can now apply re-lengthening when moving and pushing routes. This is specified in the Design Settings dialog, Lengthen section. See: Improved in Version 2023.0: Manual Re-lengthening. |
| Variant Text: Improved | You can now add variant text that is specific to one or more variants. See: Improved in Version 2023.0: Variant Text. |
| Plot Dialog: Improved | The Plot Dialog dialog now allows you to output all components or nets in the design. See: Improved in Version 2023.0: Plot Dialog |
| Change Part: Improved | The Change Part dialog now allows you to keep user defined attribute values, and component attributes. See: Improved in Version 2023.0: Change Part |
| Inhibit Areas for Tracks or Poured Copper Only: New | For an inhibit area, you can now specify an exception for individual tracks or poured copper. See: New in Version 2023.0: Inhibit Areas for Tracks or Poured Copper Only. |
| Output (ODB++): Improved | You can now export design data to ODB++ version 8.1. |
| Output (IPC-2581): Improved | You can now export design data to IPC-2581C format. |
| Extended Gerber: Improved | The Extended Gerber defaults have been updated. D codes 10-999 are now supported. |
| Layer comments: Improved | You can now specify that both layer comments and layer names are displayed at the same time. See: Improved in Version 2023.0: Layer comments. |
| DRC Settings: Improved | Improvements have been made to the DRC checks for edited land shapes. The accuracy of the DRC checks for teardrops within area fills has also been improved. |
| Routing Tools: Improved | General improvements have been made to the routing tools within eCADSTAR PCB Editor. |
| Teardrop Generation: Improved | Improvements have been made for the generation of teardrops in eCADSTAR PCB Editor on short track segments. |
| Warning messages during Forward Annotation: Improved | Warning messages have been improved for pin attributes during Forward Annotation. For example, if pins in eCADSTAR Schematic Editor are disconnected, then a warning message notifies you that the attribute values for the pins have been removed. |
| Autoroute command: Improved | In the Autoroute dialog, you can now specify the track width that is used. You can also control whether vias are allowed during the autorouting process. See: Improved in Version 2023.0: Autoroute. |
| Add Text and Component Symbol Commands: Improved | In the Add Text and Component Symbol commands, you can now specify whether the origin of the text is also flipped when using the Mirror setting. See: Improved in Version 2023.0: Mirror Setting in the Text and Component Symbol Commands |
| IPC-2581 Data Export: Improved | Various improvements have been made to the Output (IPC-2581) Dialog for exporting IPC-2581 data. See: Improved in Version 2023.0: IPC-2581 Data Export. |
| Duplicate Component: New | Components in a PCB design can now be duplicated using a range of commands. See: New in Version 2023.0: Duplicate Component. |
| DXF export: Improved | A new option allows you to specify a hole definition for all layers included in the via span. See: Improved in Version 2023.0: DXF export. |
| 3D STEP Export: Improved | The STEP export process has been improved to reduce the resulting file size. |
| IDF Export: Improved | In the Export (IDF): Edit Parameters Dialog, a new option allows you to output an attribute as part number. See: Improved in Version 2023.0: IDF Export |
SI
/ PI Analysis
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Analysis Results Viewer (Annotation of Waveforms): Improved | The annotation of waveforms has been improved in Analysis results viewer. See: Improved in Version 2023.0: Analysis Results Viewer (Annotation of Waveforms). |
| Analysis Results Viewer (Working Sets): Improved | Several improvements have been made in Analysis results viewer for working sets. See: Improved in Version 2023.0: Analysis Results Viewer (Working Sets). |
| Analysis Results Viewer (Probe Set Mapping): Improved | For probe set mapping, the spread of colors has been improved across a color set. See: Improved in Version 2023.0: Analysis Results Viewer (Probe Set Mapping). |
| Net Graphics Dialog: New | For DC Analysis, any disconnected Power Bus signals are listed in the new Net Graphics dialog. See: New in Version 2023.0: Net Graphics Dialog. |
| PI/EMI Disconnected Subnets Viewer: New | You can now graphically view disconnected power or ground signals. See: New in Version 2023.0: Disconnected Subnets Viewer. |
Simulation Library Manager
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Simulation Library Manager (Usability): Improved | Several usability improvements have been made in Simulation Library Manager. See: Improved in Version 2023.0: Simulation Library Manager (Usability). |
| Simulation Library Manager (Model Editor): Improved | Improvements have been made in the Model Editor for parameters. See: Improved in Version 2023.0: Simulation Library Manager (Model Import Wizard) |
| Simulation Library Manager (Package Dialog): Improved | Usability Improvements have been made to the Package dialog. See: Improved in Version 2023.0: Simulation Library Manager (Package Dialog). |
| Simulation Library Manager (Import of Touchstone S-Parameter Files): New | Simulation Library Manager now supports the import of Touchstone S-Parameter files. See: New in Version 2023.0: Simulation Library Manager (Import of Touchstone S-Parameter Files) |
