Changes and Improvements for DS|Design 5.4
This release adds some great new functionality and general improvements. As promised there are also changes to the labeling panels for DS|Manage (Web) and Legacy DS|Quote/Manage users.
Overview of the contents of this release:
- New Features for v5.4:
- Mouse wheel zoom
- Plant List network sharing and protection
- Design Label Panel changes:
- Directly label with items from the DS|Manage (Web) Cost Book
- Directly label with items from the Legacy DS|Quote/Manage Price List
- Other Improvements for v5.4:
- Text rendering changes
- File Locking feature improvements
- Added the ability to export drawings as a JPG file
- Windows 7 compatibility - My Documents folder redirection
- SiteCapture Pro import: improved how windows and doors are imported
- Plant List Editor improvements
- Plant and Design Label panel improvements
Mouse Wheel Zoom: New for v5.4 is the function of zooming using the mouse wheel. This was one of the most requested features DynaSCAPE users have been asking for, especially those coming from the AutoCAD world. Like all DS|Design zoom tools, the mouse wheel zoom is an in-stream command, meaning you can use it at any time without having to stop what you are doing.
This tool requires you to press the [Shift] key to activate the mouse wheel zoom function. Holding [Shift] and rolling the mouse wheel forward zooms in, while rolling it backwards zooms out. DynaSCAPE will shift the center of the zoom focus to where your cursor is on the screen, allowing you to zoom in and out from one area of a drawing to another smoothly.
Plant List network sharing and protection: Companies with more than one DS|Design user can now safely share their Plant List file (.dpl) for labeling plants. V5.4 users can put their Plant List file on their network and point their Plant Labeling panels to this file in order to share a common list when labeling drawings. Users will be warned if more than one user tries to open the Plant List Editor at the same time, preventing them from overwriting each other's changes in the process.
Design Label Panel Changes:
Directly label with items from the DS|Manage (Web) Cost Book: In addition to linking Design Labels to your DS|Manage (Web) Cost Book, DS|Manage (Web) users can now label directly with any item or kit in their Cost Book. When connecting their Design Label panel to their Manage website, users will see an option to 'Use Estimating Labels'. When this option is selected, users will be able to access items from their Cost Book and label with these items (Note: Plants are not available through this panel).
Directly label with items from the Legacy DS|Quote/Manage Price List: In addition to linking Design Labels to your Legacy DS|Quote/Manage Price List, DS|Quote/Manage users can now label directly with any item or kit in their Price List. When connecting their Design Label panel to their Quote/Manage database, users will see an option to Use 'Estimating Labels'. When this option is selected, users will be able to access items from their Price List and label drawings with these items (Note: Plants are not available through this panel).
Note: DS|Quote/Manage must be updated to v4.6 in order to be compatible with this new DS|Design 5.4 feature.
Other Improvements for v5.4
Text rendering Changes: Changed how text appears on the screen when zooming out: text no longer becomes an boxed outline and dots (and periods) will be visible at all zoom levels now.
File Locking feature improvements: When a user performs a Save-as, the lock file (.LCK) is now removed, allowing the original file to be opened and edited by another user, without having to remove the lock file manually.
Added the ability to export drawings as a JPG file: The PDF writer driver has been updated which resolves issues for some Windows 7 users and restores Save-as JPG functionality. Please Note: The save-as JPG process may take longer than it did for previous versions, especially for large paper sizes, so please be patient. Also note that saving as a PDF is still the recommended format for sending drawings to print shops for printing.
Windows 7 compatibility - My Documents folder redirection: Fixed an issue with Windows 7 where users who redirected their My Documents folder to a network location did not get some of their toolboxes to appear.
SiteCapture Pro import - improved how windows and doors are imported: SiteCapture Pro v3.0 allows windows and doors to be inserted into building lines. When imported into DS|Design, these windows and doors will now appear as unfilled building lines.
Plant List Editor improvements: Changed 'Exit' button to read 'Save and Close' to remove any confusion users had about wondering if their changes would be saved (changes were and still will be saved automatically). When overwriting the 'None' size, the change is now being saved. An error that occurred when two new plants were matched to same plant at DynaSCAPE.com, has also been fixed
Plant and Design Label panel improvements: When searching for plants at DynaSCAPE.com, the need to type a search string has been removed when other filters such as Plant Type, Exposure etc. are used. However, if the Plant Type, Exposure etc. results in too many plants returned, users will still be reminded to make their searches more specific.
How to receive this update:
Using v5 already? If you are currently using DS|Design version 5.0 to 5.3, this update can be downloaded by going to Start > (All) Programs > DynaSCAPE > Design > Check for DynaSCAPE Design Updates
If you are using Legacy DS|Quote/Manage v4.5, the Legacy DS|Quote/Manage v4.6 update can be downloaded by going to Start > (All) Programs > DynaSCAPE > Quote (or Manage) > Check for DynaSCAPE Quote (or Manage) Updates.
Not using v5 yet? If you are using a pre-v5 version of design (v4.4 or older), you cannot upgrade using the internet update. Version 5.0-5.3 requires a new upgrade CD that can be ordered through the My Account page or by calling DynaSCAPE at 1.800.710.1900 (free to current subscribers)
Questions? Call DynaSCAPE at 1-800-710-1900