Key Articles
Enhanced Text Engine for All Design/Documentation Apps
Not just better - faster too... The Stardraw development team has been particularly busy in recent months
and we are delighted to have published several key
enhancements to our family of design and documentation software tools, currently comprising
Stardraw Audio, Stardraw A/V and Stardraw A/V Lite.
A completely rewritten
and optimized text engine bolsters existing functionality with
improved text smoothing, definition and performance. This leads to
greatly enhanced legibility both on screen and in print, as well as considerably
faster on-screen rendering. In the most extreme test, a
document containing over 35,000 lines of text exhibited a worst-case
screen redraw time on a PIII @ 1.2GHz of around 7 seconds
using the old text engine. The new engine reduced this redraw time
to less than 0.2 seconds - a remarkable achievement.
In terms of on-screen legibility, the old text engine required a
text-display height of at least 11 pixels to render the Arial font
legible, however 'jagginess' or 'blockiness' at small display
heights was sometimes an issue. The new engine requires a
height of only 7 pixels for perfect, smooth text rendering. In
practice this represents a quantum leap in perceived quality.
Throughout its 13-year history, the Stardraw drawing engine has
always been highly regarded for its speed, power and flexibility.
With the radical improvements in text introduced this month we
believe it will surprise and delight even our most enthusiastic
users.
The latest versions of Stardraw's design/documentation tools that
include the new text engine are available for free download to
holders of a current subscription.
Connection Scheduling in Stardraw Audio & Stardraw A/V
For some time Cable and Dogleg objects, which show
interconnections between products in the Schematic drawing
environments, have had the ability to 'glue' to and move with
symbols as they are re-positioned. In Stardraw Audio and Stardraw
A/V we have now extended their functionality.
Cables and Doglegs now identify the products they connect.
This allows you to generate reports from schematic diagrams which
tell you what device is connected to what, and via which cable,
without the need for any extraneous data entry - another massive
timesaver for systems contractors.
Two new reports, the Connection Schedule and the Cable + Connection
Schedule, automatically build product connection details. In
addition, a new default Attribute, Product ID, has been added to
allow the unique identification of each product within your project.
The latest versions of Stardraw Audio and Stardraw A/V that
include connection scheduling are available for free download to
holders of a current subscription.
 Middle Atlantic Products'
RackTools 3.0 is Live
RackTools 3.0, the newest version of Middle Atlantic Products Inc.'s advanced rack
specification and layout software is live after a successful roll-out at InfoComm 2005.
RackTools 3.0 is based on a Stardraw engine and allows you to configure rack enclosures with all
required accessories graphically, store and print out your drawings, and generate purchase orders based
upon your individual user profile. It has been designed to exploit internet connectivity and can also
function as a stand-alone application, thus offering users the best of both worlds; when online, RackTools
3.0 automatically installs application and data updates, including pricing, transparently. This means that
you are always working with the latest and most complete version of the application and product information.
Furthermore, each product has links to online information, so you are only one mouse-click away from full
technical specifications for any Middle Atlantic product. When working offline, all data from the previous
online session is cached locally, so you can still design racks, and generate and print purchase orders
with the most recent pricing information.
According to Stardraw.com CEO David Snipp, the criteria for the new application were very clear. "Middle
Atlantic Products asked us for a solution that would be accessible and functional 24/7, whether the user
was on- or off-line, with seamless delivery of updates" he explained. "Secondly, it had to support all
manner of custom rackshelves, allowing customers to create their own designs quickly and easily, and
build their own libraries where necessary. Thirdly, it had to be AutoCAD-compatible with the ability to
read and write DWG files. We were able to achieve all of this for RackTools 3.0 using a Stardraw engine,
which offered very significant advantages over the previous version of RackTools."
Middle Atlantic Products' Marketing Communications Manager, Michael Cukrow, added, "Stardraw.com has
provided us with a solution that accommodated all of our requirements.
RackTools 3.0 is based on a simple drag-and-drop principle with full access to a library of our entire
product database, with the option to create your own custom rack shelves using a specially designed wizard.
It really is a one-stop solution and should immensely simplify the ordering process both for us and our
customers.“
RackTools 3.0 is available at www.racktools.com
Stardraw Control Accepted into Microsoft Windows Regression Testing Program
It is the nature of software that changes to one element can have
unforeseen and detrimental effects on other, apparently unrelated
elements. The phenomenon is known as regression and
applies not only to the internal dynamics of a software application,
but also to the relationship between an operating system and the
applications it hosts.
The multi-award winning Stardraw Control has been accepted into
Microsoft's Windows Regression Testing program. As part of
this program, Microsoft's development team ensures that ongoing
maintenance and development of the Windows operating system and
related components has no adverse effects on the Stardraw Control
application. This is particularly important since Stardraw Control
is intended to utilize some of the newest technologies emerging from
the Microsoft labs, notably the Microsoft.NET Framework 2.0 which is
currently in Beta. Participation in the Windows Regression
Testing program ensures that deployment of Stardraw Control will be
stable and future-proof as Microsoft continue to enhance Windows and
the .NET framework.
Free Registration at Integrated Systems Asia
 Integrated Systems Asia (IS Asia) - incorporating InfoComm Asia will take place
from 12 - 14 October 2005 at the Suntec Singapore.
Sponsored jointly by three leading international systems industry associations -
The Custom Electronic Design Industry Association ® (CEDIA ®), the International
Communications Industries Association, Inc.® (ICIA/InfoComm®) and the National
Systems Contractors Association® (NSCA®) - IS Asia is the only dedicated
regional exhibition for the professional systems integration market
with solutions for both the residential and commercial sectors.
Highlights at IS Asia include 2 technology pavilions, showcasing the
latest in audio and residential technologies, and an e-cinema
feature presentation.
Training opportunities abound at IS Asia with over 16
professional development seminars and workshops presented jointly by
the 3 sponsoring associations. Please visit
http://www.is-asia.com/pro_pro.htm for more information on the
programme.
Visitors to IS Asia can also look forward to the Knowledge is
Power Conference. Organised by projectiondesign and in conjunction
with IS Asia, this event will feature a cross-section of expert
speakers from Asia and Europe, who will be on hand to share their
expertise and experience with the visitors at IS Asia. This
conference is open to all visitors of IS Asia at no charge.
Stardraw.com, exhibiting at booth #B141, is pleased to offer you the opportunity to
pre-register for this important regional event.
Upcoming Events
 |
Show: |
PLASA |
Venue: |
Earl's Court, London, UK |
Dates: |
September 11-14 |
Stand #: |
G48 |
|
|
|
Show: |
Integrated Systems Asia |
Venue: |
Suntec, Singapore |
Dates: |
October 12-14 |
Stand #: |
B141 |
|
 |
Show: |
EHExpo |
Venue: |
Anaheim, CA, USA |
Dates: |
November 9-11 |
Stand #: |
1285 |
Symbols Updates
In July the following libraries were updated. Click
on a manufacturer name to see full details of that library, or click on a
link at the bottom of the page to update your application
with the latest symbols.
|
