What’s New in E³.series 2011
E³.series 2011 delivers new and enhanced features across the entire product line to help you streamline your design process. In addition to the features highlighted below, additional information is available in the product release notes.
Functional Design
Functional blocks are now dynamic, enabling a user to create blocks on-the-fly that can be updated with a complete library part later in the design process. Enhancements to display, search and highlight include highlighting functional units and routed signals, support for signal airlines when moving or placing blocks, and display symbols at block connect points to indicate port-type definition (in, out, inout, GND, undefined). Also included is support of split disconnect point to distribute harnesses with inline connectors on several sheets.
Variant Management in Panels
In E³.panel, each variant can have a completely different panel layout. This includes different size backplate, rails, and component placement. This leaves no unnecessary spaces in designs for components that might be present in another variant, and wire routing can be entirely different to optimize wire length and production costs.
Enhanced Connector Handling
Many improvements in connector handling include support for bulkhead connectors, enhanced definitions for variably configurable connectors (variable inserts in cavities), definition of adapter connectors with several plug sides (no wire connects one side to the other) and distribution connectors (a node on one side, multiple wire connection points on the other side), automatic selection of pin terminals base on wire gauge/conductor width, support for different signal names on each side of a connector or pin, automatic selection of mating connector when one side changes, and checks for valid plug connectors (if you manually create a mismatch).
Windows® 7 Compliant Interface
The new user interface is Windows® 7 compliant and has a new look with new features, but the organization of the menus has not changed. This means you do not have to relearn where to find and how to use commands. New features include windows handling and docking enhancements, more detail in tooltips and images, easy configuration of menus and toolbars, and the E3.DBE (library editor) is now a separate window (process).
Full 64-bit Support
First released in Service Pack 2010-920, E³.series runs natively on 64-bit machines, taking advantage of the extra power and memory for large projects.
Signal Classes
Signals belonging to the same class (even if a different name, such as differing ground signals) can be connected to the same pin.
EMC Class Routing of Wires
Wires with EMC class definition are routed in compliance with EMC design rules. This helps you prevent EMC problems in harnesses.
Dimension Display in E³.formboard
New features for displaying dimensions in E³.formboard include multi-line tolerances (superscript and subscript), changing graphical line length through a dialogue box, optionally show display length, manufacturing length, or any attribute you define. You can suppress part of an arrow display to prevent "arrow nests" at multi-line nodes.
Lock / Unlock Design Objects
It is now possible to lock design objects and layers with optional password protection to prevent modifications (whether accidental or intentional). Locking a device also locks its symbols and pins. This is helpful for releasing parts of a project step by step.