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This release is more powerful than ever, packed with numerous innovative features and improvements that are sure to impress.

Once again, we have aligned ourselves with the evolving needs of our customers, delivering even stronger performance and more impactful solutions. Our focus remains on providing an intuitive and self-explanatory user experience, while seamlessly integrating practical insights and real-world feedback from our dedicated user community. V16 sets a new standard, combining greater power with an experience that’s designed to convince and inspire.

What the V16 can offer you:

1. PCB-Investigator:
   • Upgrade to .NET 6
     • PCB-Investigator now runs on .NET 6, moving away from the previous .NET Framework 4.7.2. This change provides better performance, enhanced security, and long-term support, ensuring the software remains future-proof and aligned with modern development standards.
   • Add Object Dialog
     • Completely redesigned for more convenient addition of new layer objects, including the use of anchor points and a built-in short circuit test during editing for enhanced reliability and efficiency.
   • Edit Object Dialog
     • Direct net name editing is now possible within the edit dialog, complete with an integrated short circuit test to ensure accuracy and reliability during modifications.
   • Component Manager
     • The Component Manager has been revamped, now offering editing features and detailed statistics for improved efficiency and insights.
   • Simple Package Editor
     • Direct measuring possibiliy
     • Many other improvements
   • Component Height Dialog
     • New options added for adjusting component height settings
     • Many other improvements
   • Support for the legacy SOD license server and old floating server has been discontinued
   • Minor improvements and bug fixes
   • API extensions
2. PCB-Investigator Physics:
   • Minor improvements and bug fixes
3. Importer/Exporter:
   • Cadence Fabmaster Importer
     • New symbol/shape definitions added for better compatibility
     • Minor improvements and bug fixes
   • DPF Importer
     • Improved performance when importing DPF files
   • DXF Importer
     • Added options for filling sub-elements within the DXF file format
     • Minor improvements and bug fixes
   • GDS2 Importer
     • Supports scaling and text options for imported GDS2 files
   • GenCAD Exporter
     • Enhanced panel export with support for any rotations and negative objects
     • Minor improvements and bug fixes
   • IPC2581B/C Importer
     • New options for importing designs from KiCad
     • Support for fill properties (hollow, hatch, mesh, fill)
     • Minor improvements and bug fixes
   • IPC2581B Exporter
     • Added MPN outline support for IPC2581B exports
   • IPC2581C Exporter
     • Supports new types specific to fabrication, stencil, testing purposes and more
   • Pads Importer
     • Minor improvements and bug fixes
   • Zuken (pcf/ftf) Importer
     • Enhanced support for test points as components and new rounded rectangle pads
     • Minor improvements and bug fixes
4. Analysis:
   • AOI/AXI Analysis (New)
     • New combined AOI/AXI analysis with the ability to define machines with different hardware parameters and set inspection rules for each package group
   • Bare Board Analysis (DRC)
     • Enhanced detection for DRC stub issues
   • Boundary Scan Analysis (New)
     • Import your BSDL files and perform a quick infrastructure and interconnection analysis
     • The result can be added to the overall Test Coverage Report
   • Creepage Analysis
     • Better performance and error handling for multi-net creepage analysis
   • Hazard Analysis
     • Refined calculation for ignored areas covered by components, ensuring more precise analysis
5. Fabrication / Production Control:
   • Barcode/QRCode
     • Added multi-line support for barcodes and QR codes
   • Machine Format MEK AI Export
     • New export format added for MEK AI machines
   • Mycronic MY300 Pick&Place Export
     • As an alternative to generating ‘.gen’ files, PCB-Investigator can now send placement/board data directly to the machine over the network
   • Panel Builder
     • New options for routing, including multiple tool usage and V-shear handling. Save/Load Panel now includes drill/routing and fiducial data
   • Seica Machine Export
     • Additional PCK file is generated
   • Siplace OIB Connector
     • We’ve improved the Siplace OIB connector by moving the connection to the OIB server to a separate, managed wrapper executable, enhancing performance and reliability
   • Siplace QD/XLSX Exporter
     • Now supports exporting standardized Pick & Place files in XLSX format
     • Insertion point and rotation direction can now be specified
   • Stencil Generation
     • New function in the context menu to show package rules for stencil generation
     • The library now merges existing data during exports automatically, instead of overwriting it
   • Test Coverage Report
     • Added support for the new Boundary Scan Analysis
     • Minor improvements and bug fixes
6. Miscellaneous:
   • 3D Library
     • Support for organizing STEP files in subdirectories
     • Minor improvements and bug fixes
   • Component Report
     • New features and fixes, including polarity pin handling and profile line thickness adjustments
   • Database Compare
     • Minor updates, including package names in comparison lists
   • Extended Design Report (HTML)
     • Added support for the new Boundary Scan Analysis
     • Minor improvements and bug fixes
   • Package Expert 365 (New)
     • a powerful new web service integrated with PCB-Investigator, delivering realistic 2D package contours and 3D STEP files for every design. These enhancements significantly improve analysis and simulation accuracy. Powered by machine learning, Package Expert 365 also facilitates seamless knowledge sharing within your organization
   • PCB-Investigator 365
     • Minor improvements and bug fixes
   • Production Tool Editor
     • Minor improvements and bug fixes
   • Remote Control Server (New)
     • New PCB-Investigator server feature enabling remote operations and monitoring via REST
     • Custom routes and instruction sets can be defined
   • Solution Explorer 365 (New)
     • New standalone tool designed to enhance project and solution navigation and organization within PCB-Investigator 365
   • All executable and most library files are now digitally signed for enhanced security and trust

If there are any questions concerning the latest release, please feel free to contact us.