Though it is in Beta stage, however would like to get your attention to the following error, I am encountering since I download the new Beta version 2.2.9b. It wasn't there earlier:-

1) Every time I load Schematic Program, it shows error "Printer not found" and color scheme of the view changes to faint. I need to then click on OK button of the popup mandatory and again change color/view background back to original. Please see the Image file attached for this.

2)In the PCB program - whenever I try to join two traces and confirm to merge when asked, program gets hang and I need to close it from Task - Manager and launch again. I don't have image for this.

Thanks,
Pradip

Hi Pradip,
1. It looks like changes have not saved in registry. Please reinstall the beta version from admin account.
2. It's known bug and we have already fixed it.

Hi! I found a strange behaviour in the latest beta, i think it's a bug in 3D preview algorythm with some WRL files.

I've added many 3D models in WRL format to my footprints, and some of them are scaled (for a factor from 0.100 to 400) by the "X-Y-Z Scale" section of "3D Model" windows in the Pattern Editor.

In previous version of Diptrace, all the component sizes in 3D preview were displayed correctly, but now in this latest beta the program appears to scale them by an incorrect factor, so some components appear so giant to hide every other component and the entire board ...!

I think it's a bug because, if i edit in PCB Layout the 3D Model section of the component displayed in the wrong (super-big) size and i manually put the values X-Y-Z Scale set to 1 (instead of the correct scale values i entered previously in pattern editor when i created the footprint), the 3D preview of the component appears correct in visual size: but if i reload the 3d model, or if i refresh the component from footprint lib, the displayed scale in 3D preview reverts to wrong (and giant) size.

To help you investigate about this topic, i'm attaching 3 files:
- tact.dip - PCB with 2 tactiles switches: quad 6mm (3D preview size appears OK) and round 12mm (3D preview displays a giant key, so i must manually enter in PCB Layout/3D Model windows the scale value of 1 to get a correct display size).
- __switches.lib - my switch footprint LIB (where the 3D model of round key is set to the correct scale factor of 380)
- models3d.zip - 2 wrl files with the two 3D models of keys, used by my custom switches.lib

Thank you in advance for every hint and help, and good work.
Alex

p.s. sorry for my bad english...

DipTrace 3D:???

1. VRML output: (real size)/(1000) [mm unit] ---> therefore real-size= VRML output * 1000(scaling) mm

2. 3DS input: (real size)/(10) [inch unit] ---> therefore 3D model data for input= (real size)*10 inch
VRML input: scale error by an incorrect factor...[MeshLab, Blender, ViaCad, Etc...]

3. "The new beta version is coming soon. Major features are export 3D to STEP format, online DRC,..."
From STEP format to VRML, 3DS, STL: Easy...
From VRML, 3DS, STL to STEP: May be impossible...

@Alex: please reply...

Thank you! NOVARM

There was a bug in the beta with scales of 3D models. We have fixed it in codes.
We plan to add scale factor for VRML output. We export 3D models in millimeters now, but some CADs read VRML file in meters. So scale factor will fix the problem.
We planed to implement export to STEP but it is very complex format and we haven't enough documentations. Then we decided to implement export to VRML because it is easier and supported by many CADs. But we may add export to STEP later.

Thank you. I'll wait for the next beta with these bug fixed (if you need an active betatester, i'm here!).
Good bye and good work!
Alex

p.s. i know i asked you before, but what do you think adding resize to libraries toolbar, and an option to schematic to be able to link a wire to net with an arrow (same as "add to net" of components' pin) ?

Both options in to-do list but I don't know whether we can implement them for the version 2.3 or not.

Thank you. Can you include in to-do list the pattern preview for Schematic in the bottom left window (Pattern window) when selecting a component already placed in the schematic, not only for component selected in the library window? It could be very useful to spot pattern errors in schematic design.

Also, another possible issue: in PCB / Verification / Check Net Connectivity, is missing the option to include jumper wires onto connection types. It should be added, because otherwise in circuits the tracks with jumpers are reported as "broken".

Another 2 requests for PCB:
- add, if possible, into edit menu an item "Select All on Layer" because if could be useful, for example, to select multiple route keepout areas and move/delete them in a single click
- improve the 1 layer router to make it more "creative" on finding solutions for tracks and on creating jumper (the hobbyist are 99% single layers: only a few mad dogs like me uses copper rivet to make 2-layer pads and vias...).

Thank you in advance!