Status of VUTRAX 13.0a Before Release of 13.1a (Jan 2007)

Extract of Change Marked Sections from

\SRCE\DOC\VTXLOG.PFM last updated on 2 Jan 2007

VUTRAX 13.0a
Entry Date: April 2006
General Enhancements:

• Support for import of all previous versions of graphics file.
  
• Back-converter to generate Vutrax 12.x files (with warning of untranslatable features).
  
• Support of component turned through angles at 0.1 degree resolution (DEGTURN). Includes devices, pads, text and rounds.
  
• 64 Layer support
  
• 2047 pad shape definitions supported (plus every pad in any of 3600 angular rotation and mirroring).
  
• Pad shape definitions can override default handling of 0.1 degree turns at each angle.
  
• Line capping table discontinued in favour of Round/butt end definition on each line segment.
  
• Component 'silk' outlines can by multi-layer including routing layers. A graphical editing tool (EDLIBSLK) is included.
  
• Optional 'layer pairing' can be used to control behaviour of silk outlines when side is changed.
  
• Operation on Windows XP x64 including compatible 32 bit help browser (optional use in Windows XP provides mouse scroll wheel support).
  
• Physical libraries can be generated from existing artwork file for maintenance purposes.
  
• SAMPLE files use alternate colour schemes. There is a SAMPLE.PLT file that sets these colours.
  
• Program updated for Vutrax 13.0a but with no user visible changes are not listed in the changed module section.

VUTRAX 13.0b
Entry Date:24 July 2006
General Enhancements:

• Support of Windows Vista and Windows Vista x64 (based on beta 2).

Version:    DRAFT 39.00h (Vutrax 13.0a)
Entry Date: 20 Mar 2006 - 18 May 2006

Problem:

• Menu command [Join Blinked] from (Edit > Blinked Items > Change Blinked) invokes the PICK JOIN rather than BLINK JOIN. The problem is in DRAFT.MNU 39.00a
  Workaround: Type the command BLINK JOIN instead.
  Fix: Apply SAN 197 to ...\draft.mnu (.../draft.mnu in Linux) using
  $161A28 'pick' ; 'blnk'
  (Note blnk does not include the 'i')
  

Enhancements:

• TURN, TURN DEVICE and many other variants introduced for support of Degree Turned components, pads, text and rounds.
  
• WIDTH command support specifying Round or Butt end lines.
  
• DEFAULT settings support specifying Round or Butt end lines.
  
• LAYER command extended to provide control of layer switching. Additional control available with the 'All Points' option.
  
• SIDE command includes setting of additional side linked (SILKSIDE) layer pairs.
  
• SHOW command accepts colour 'S' to mean 'same as current'.
  
• Recent Files dialogue provides different sort styles.
  
• Layer & Colour Dialogue and parameter Browse layer list dynamically identify the layer use and warn of clashes.
  
• Concept of visible but not selectable layers introduced. The dummy point concept extended for use when items are visible but nothing can be selected.
  
• Layers & Colour status line re-designed to show 64 layers and selectable/visible-only status.
  
• Import and export of SHOW settings (the .vpl file) extended to store layer selection etc.
  
• Asterisk after filename to indicate 'changes not saved'.
  
• Function keys F5 & F7 have been reversed to match use in browsers and Windows Explorer.
  
• PAD setting dialogue includes defining user exceptions to the standard degree-turned pad handling
  
• FIND option 'U' introduced for explicitly stepping through points on structures.
  
• PICK and BLINK 'JUST' variants automatically switch to 'Toggle' where appropriate.

Version:    DRAFT 39.01a (VUTRAX 13.0b)
Entry Date: 14 July 2006
Enhancement:

• Recognises Windows Vista and Windows Vista x64. (Effects precision of groundplane fill if mismatched with VTXSHELL)
  
• Linux version uses the Palette settings in the Example, Sample and Tutorial files (previously reverted to minimal palette).

Version:    DRAFT (*** Planned for Vutrax 13.0b Update 1)
Entry Date: 7 Aug 2006
Problem:

• Recent very high resolution graphics controllers have exposed an internal interface limitation that limits proper operation to a Graphics window size of 127 lines by 255 characters. If these are exceeded the right hand corner coordinate values will be misplaced or missing and/or the whole command+status line area misplaced. In normal circumstances the effect is only seen on windows over 2048 pixels wide.
  No data or other corruption occurs.
  Workarounds (adjust these enough to avoid the problem):
  Shrink the width of the Window.
  Increase the size of the Vutrax font at
  [Font Selection] (File > Setup > Configuration)

Version:    TOOLBOX 12.00c (VUTRAX 13.0a)
Entry Date: 5 Dec 2005

Enhancements:

• VUTRAX 13.0a support
  
• LAYOUT & BACK-MODIFY support for Degree Turned devices.
  
• VTXTOCOMMA fields 13, 23, 26 & 32 extended for Degree Turns.
  
• New function CREATELIB to generate functional libraries from existing artworks.
  
• VTX.DXF (used by DXF import and export) extended for 64 layers.

Version:    COMA2VTX 2.00a (VUTRAX 13.0a)
Entry Date: 23 Mar 2006
Purpose:

• VUTRAX 13.0a support including updates for Degree Turn in fields 13, 23, 26 & 32.

Version:    COMA2VTX 2.01a (VUTRAX 13.0b)
Entry Date: 13 July 2006
Problem:

• Butt ended lines may be converted to round-end lines at the same width.

Version:    PLOT 17.01b (VUTRAX 13.0a)
Entry Date: 20 Mar 2006 - 24 Apr 2006
Enhancements:

• Recent Files dialogue introduced for selecting plot command files (.plt).
  

Change:

• The redundant 'U' options related to round/butt-end line controls is largely removed and generate an error diagnostic. The widely used U? check is still permitted but only generates a non-fatal warning.
  
• Support for plotting pads, text and rounds at 0.1 degree resolution rotations.

Version:    PLOT 17.02a (VUTRAX 13.0a Win: Update 2 Lnx: Update 1)
Entry Date: 24 Apr 2006
Problem Fixed:

• PLOT outputs (including Photoplotting) may included incorrectly oriented items when [Mirror] (Option L) or Invert option I are used on any plotted Pads or Script that include Degree Turned attributes. Rounds that include Degree Turned attributes may be mispositioned in any orientation.
  Not effected:-
  Vutrax 12.x and earlier drawings.
  Vutrax 13.0a drawings not using Degree Turned Pads, Script or Rounds. To check: Select [Vutrax 12 Graphics] from (Functions) to a gash file & check there are no warnings about DEGTURN.
  Output CNC output and drill charts.
  DRAFT printing at [... various] from (File > Print Graphics)

Version:    PLOT 17.04a (VUTRAX 13.0b & Vutrax 13.0a Update 4)
Entry Date: 22 July 2006
Problem:

• [Pen & Photoplotting only]: Butt-end lines that have the same width as other round-end lines that are being plotted will be plotted round-end. Pad shapes of the same dimensions are NOT effected, and neither are artworks imported from Vutrax 12.x where line end style is tabulated by width (CAPPING table).
  Workaround: (Mass change the widths in your artwork)
  1 Determine all the offending widths by running [Vtx 12 Graphics] from (Functions) writing to a 'gash' file but write down the widths for any warnings of widths used for both ROUND and BUTT end lines. If there are no warnings there will be no problem.
  Keep a note of these long term if you want to go back once PLOT is fixed (reversing values in the next section).
  2 Make a safe copy of your current artwork(s) before you start applying mass changes to them.
  3 Assuming that you don't use a width 0'1 less than the discovered widths, change the butt-end lines to 0'1 less. e.g. to change 120B to 119'9B and 35B to 34'9B type commands
  pick on *
  pick width 120B 119'9B
  pick width 35B 34'9B
  pick off *
  Metric users should do similar but reduce the width by 0.0025 mm instead of 0'1 thou.
  

Enhancement:

• Recognises Windows Vista and Windows Vista x64.

Version:    VUTRAX.VXY 6.00a (VUTRAX 13.0b)
Entry Date: 14 Aug 2001
Problem Fixed:

• Output Layer number limited to 0 to 31.

Version:    DESRULE 35.00b (VUTRAX 13.0a)
Entry Date: 23 Mar 2006
Enhancement:

• VUTRAX 13.0a Support.
  
• Documentation describes how to handle silk outlines on routing (Metallic) layers.

Version:    AUTOTRAK 24.00b (VUTRAX 13.0a)
Entry Date: 23 Mar 2006
Enhancement:

• VUTRAX 13.0a Support.
  
• Documentation describes how to handle silk outlines on routing (Metallic) layers.

Version:    VUROUTE 9.00b (VUTRAX 13.0a)
Entry Date: 23 Mar 2006
Enhancement:

• VUTRAX 13.0a Support.
  
• Documentation describes how to handle silk outlines on routing (Metallic) layers.

Version:    VUROUTE (Planned for VUTRAX 13.0b Update 1)
Entry Date: 7 Aug 2006
Problem:

• Recent very high resolution graphics controllers have exposed an internal interface limitation that limits proper operation to a Graphics window size of 127 lines by 255 characters. The running status information may be corrupt or missing. In normal circumstances the effect is only seen on windows over 2048 pixels wide.
  No data or other corruption occurs.
  Workarounds (adjust these enough to avoid the problem):
  Shrink the width of the Window.
  Increase the size of the Vutrax font at
  [Font Selection] (File > Setup > Configuration)

Version:    WIRE 69.00a (VUTRAX 13.0a)
Entry Date: 20 Mar 2006
Enhancements:

• Support for multi-layer silk definitions in the .LIB files
  
• Support for degree turned pads in library definitions.
  
• Changes to output files to support arbitrarily rotated components and pads: .KIT rotations and .EXG field 11.
  
• Options -YD, -YT and -YW introduced to provide convenient compatibility with file already prepared for use with Vutrax 12.x.

Version:    WIRE 69.01a (VUTRAX 13.0a Update 1)
Entry Date: 18 Apr 2006
Problem Fixed:

• While reading your own or supplemental libraries you may get spurious error diagnostic:-
  DEGREE TURN pads not allowed in PADSHAPEDEFAULT directive.
  If you don't get the error message then there is no problem.
  Fix: Corrected WIRE 69.01a is available for download.
  
• Attempts to include Butt-end lines in silk-screen outlines is rejected when the SILKSHAPE directive is read.
  Workaround 1: (Experts only) Edit the .LIB file, find the offending SILKSHAPE directive and remove the 'B' from appropriate <width> B instances.
  Workaround 2: Set the graphical form back to round and re-generate the .LIB item.
  Fix: Corrected WIRE 69.01a is available for download.

Version:    EDLIBSLK 1.00a (VUTRAX 13.0a)
Entry Date: 23 Mar 2006
Purpose:

• A convenient means of updating Rats-Nest physical libraries for layers and other SILKSHAPE aspects.

Version:    EDLIBSLK 1.01a (VUTRAX 13.0a Update 1)
Entry Date: 18 Apr 2006
Problem Fixed:

• EDLIBSILK does not carry any Butt-end line attributes into the artwork. If you don't edit a shape it is nevertheless preserved, but if you do edit the shape all lines become round-end.

Version:    LIBMAN 2.01a (VUTRAX 13.0b)
Entry Date: 13 July 2006
Problem:

• Butt ended lines may become round-end and will usually change to 999'9 (39.99mm) making the error very obvious.

Version:    PARTGEN 11.01a (*** Planned for VUTRAX 13.0b Update 1)
Entry Date: 7 Aug 2006
Problem:

• Comma separated output style options
  -LC2 [Device + Silk + Part No]
  and -LC6 [Device + Silk + Part No + Info]
  only produce a single part entry for each accessory use even when the accessory file specifies that more than one is needed.
  Workaround: All other comma output styles include a 'Quantity' field that is accurate, rather than relying on multiple entries.
  Fix: Available on request until Vutrax 13.0b Update 1.

Version:    SEE 11.08b (VUTRAX 13.0)
Entry Date: 20 Mar 2006
Enhancements:

• Recent Files dialogue provides different sort styles.
  
• Asterisk after filename to indicate 'changes not saved'.

Version:     PRINTFRM 41.03a (VUTRAX 13.0b)
Entry Date: 14 July 2006
Enhancement:

• Recognises Windows Vista and Windows Vista x64

Version:    MENUVTX 10.11e (VUTRAX 13.0a)
Entry Date: 20 Mar 2006

Enhancement:

• The windows size and positions can be permanently adjusted.
  
• Recent Files dialogues provide different sort styles.

Version:    MENUVTX 10.12a (VUTRAX 13.0b)
Entry Date: 14 July 2006
Enhancement:

• Recognises Windows Vista and Windows Vista x64

Version:    VTXHELP 3.01c (VUTRAX 13.0a)
Entry Date: 23 Mar 2006

Enhancements:

• Support for Amaya in Windows XP & forced for XP x64.
  
• VTXAMAYA environment variable provides choice of standard button appearance or faster rendering.

Version:    VTXHELP 3.02a (VUTRAX 13.0a Win:Update 2 Lnx: Update 1)
Entry Date: 18 Apr 2006
Problem Fixed:

• See Amaya 8.8mod b which this accompanies.

Version:    VTXHELP 3.02b (VUTRAX 13.0b)
Entry Date: 14 July 2006
Change:

• AMAYA help browser must be used for both 32 and 64 bit versions of Vista (protection issues for files Webview attempted to write to \Windows).

Version:    VTXHELP 3.03a (VUTRAX 13.1a)
(Also available for Linux as a VUTRAX 13.0b Workaround)
Entry Date: 2 Jan 2007
Problem:

• [Linux Only] Some recent distros and updates (in particular Ubuntu 6.1 and other Debian related systems) can not run the Amaya editor/browser used by the Vutrax help/Tutorial system.
  To invoke a workaround:-
  [Set Environment] from (File > Setup)
  until a dialogue appears. Type or change the setting to
  set vtxamaya=x (NOT '...=y' of the default)
  and try again. The system browser will now be used instead (with loss a some convenience features and possibly some layout anomalies).

Version:    AMAYA 8.8mod (VUTRAX 13.0a)
Entry Date: 23 Mar 2006
Enhancements:

• Adoption of later version and available for Windows & Linux. (Required for Linux & Windows XP x64).

Version:    AMAYA 8.8mod b (VUTRAX 13.0a Win: Update 2 Lnx: Update 1)
Entry Date: 18 Apr 2006
Problem Fixed:

• [Note: Amaya is an optional Help browser for Windows XP but the only option for Linux & Windows XP x64. You only need this fix for Windows if you prefer it or run Windows XP x64]
  
• Windows & Linux: Amaya failed to update after second & subsequent [Page -->] & some other selections.
  Workaround: Press F5 while in the browser window immediately after any selection that does not update.
  Fix: Available for download.
  
• Windows only: Help system would lock up after use of [Search] from the browser and clicking on the browser frame.
  Workaround: Ctrl+Alt+Del, select [vtxhelp] and terminate it.
  Fix: Available for download.

Version:    VUTRAX.MNU 10.10b (VUTRAX 13.0a)
Entry Date: 23 Mar 2006
Enhancements:

• Settings for SIDE and SILKSIDE added.
  
• [Set Environment] default changed (only seen on 'clean' installs).
  
• [Edit...] & [View...] in the [Rats-Nest] dialogue
  
• Vutrax 13.0a updates.

Version:    SQUASH 12.02a (VUTRAX 13.0b)
Entry Date: 14 Jul 2006
Problem:

• Appending files to a packed sequence when the last file was empty, or when mixing 32/16 bit version may refuse to append or not be able to access appended files.

Version:    SQUASH 12.01a (VUTRAX 13.0a)
Entry Date: 20 Mar 2006
Enhancement:

• Option -KU, -KL and -K provide control of letter case handling as packed files are moved between Windows and Linux.

Version:    VTXSETUP 13.0b (VUTRAX 13.0b)
Entry Date: 14 Jul 2006
Enhancements:

• Recognises Windows Vista and Windows Vista x64
  
• Finds any updates in the same folder as the selected file and offers to install them in proper order.
  
• Embeds update information in the VERSION file (displayed using [About] from (Help) when the update includes it.

Version:    VTXSHELL 5.06c (VUTRAX 13.0a for Windows)
Version:    VTXSHELL 5.06e (VUTRAX 13.0a for Linux)
Entry Date: 20 Mar 2006

Enhancements:

• OPEN command syntax extended and handles filenames with embedded spaces. OPEN now has limited support in Linux.
  
• TIMESTAMP /F can be used on folder names
  
• Windows XP x64 is detected as specific operating system.

Version:    VTXSHELL 5.06e (VUTRAX 13.0a for Windows)
Version:    VTXSHELL 5.07c (VUTRAX 13.0b)
Entry Date: 14 Jul 2006
Problem: o The dialog call VTXDLG EDIT and VTXDLG PASS fail when sensitivity to original letter case is expected. Significantly the form
VTXDLG EDIT SET varname=
had no useful effect.
Anomaly:

• [Windows only] Command DIR *.xyz (and similar) matches files with longer extension parts. This behaviour derives from Windows core services and matches that of the Windows command prompt, so we are choosing to leave it unchanged.
  

Change:

• The form
  VTXDLG EDIT SET varname=
  now suppresses the space that would normally follow the '='
  

Enhancements:

• The 'IF EXIST <filename wildcard>' directive can additional forms sensitive to attribute settings and/or storing the name of the file when found.
  
• Based on Windows Vista Beta 2, the operating system is identified by the strings:-
  32 bit version: Windows Vista
  64 bit version: Windows Vista x64

Version: TWINLIB32.SO    March 2006 (VUTRAX 13.0a for Linux only)
Change:

• Internally default to 'nochangecase' to prevent upper case paths to initialisation files preventing startup. Embedded in VTXINSTALL stage 1 installer.

Version:    VTXTOSPC 4.05, SPCTOVTX 4.08 (VUTRAX 13.0b)
Entry Date: 13 July 2006
Problem:

• Butt ended lines may become round-end and will usually change to 999'9 (39.99mm) making the error very obvious.