Softpedia >Windows >Authoring Tools >Help & e-book creators >Dr.Explain >  Changelog

Dr.Explain Changelog

What's new in Dr.Explain 6.7.1293

Feb 15, 2024
  • The new version includes support for intervals and margins for text styles and selected fragments.
  • Import from Word format has been improved.
  • Adjusted status colors for people with special color perception.
  • The drag-n-drop mechanism of sections in the project tree has been redesigned.
  • Optimized work with large images.
  • Optimized the toolbar of the text editor.
  • Improved smoothness of scrolling in the editor.
  • Made several performance improvements and fixes.

New in Dr.Explain 6.6.1272 (Jul 10, 2023)

  • The new version introduces commenting on topic content:
  • You can communicate better by exchanging opinions, suggestions, and feedback through comments directly in the document.
  • You can use new document templates in any language on the startup screen.
  • The speed of network operations in Collaboration mode were increased.
  • A dozen of performance improvements and fixes were made.

New in Dr.Explain 6.5.1252 (Nov 22, 2022)

  • The new version introduces the Text blocks.
  • Text block is a part of the content which has a specific design and logic of export.
  • The two main scenarios of text block usage are assuming:
  • Setting a special design for specific parts of content: warnings, additional information, explanations, quotes, and etc.
  • Setting logic rules for the content parts output: to specify what content should be output into final document under various conditions.
  • The approach is handy for creating documents of various levels of detailing from the same source project.
  • For instance: User manual, Operator manual, and Administrator manual.
  • The speed of network operations in Collaboration mode were increased.
  • A dozen of performance improvements and fixes were made.

New in Dr.Explain 6.4.1244 (Nov 14, 2022)

  • Support of Local Collaboration Servers was added.
  • Read more about Dr.Explain Collaboration Server at https://www.drexplain.com/server/
  • The speed of network operations in Collaboration mode were increased.
  • The responsiveness of online help was improved.
  • jQuery version in online help was updated.
  • A dozen of performance improvements and fixes were made.

New in Dr.Explain 6.3 (Dec 8, 2021)

  • A collection of user manual templates that will help you get started with your new project quickly.
  • A redesigned toolbar in the content editor simplifies and speeds up access to the most commonly used operations.
  • Background color support for text allows you to highlight important content.
  • "Paste as plain text" with the Ctrl+Shift+V hotkey is another way to quickly grab content from external sources.
  • Semantic tags in HTML documents will improve your online manual's SEO factors and content accessibility.
  • More accurate DOC/DOCX document importing simplifies the reusing of your existing documentation.
  • "Search in filenames" simplifies navigation around the project.
  • A dozen of performance improvements and fixes were made.

New in Dr.Explain 6.2.1206 (Jul 1, 2021)

  • Brazilian Portuguese user interface localization was added.
  • Lightbox effect for images in online manuals and CHM files will impress your documentation readers.
  • The new clean and light user interface provides more comfortable work.
  • The new modern style of the default project will make your content looks more attractive and easy to read.
  • The optimized text editor will improve your content editing performance.
  • The HTML preview component now supports all modern web standards and features.
  • The PDF preview doesn’t require Adobe Acrobat Reader anymore.
  • The optimized network component assures faster multi-user work.
  • A dozen of performance improvements and fixes were made

New in Dr.Explain 6.1.1197 (Dec 28, 2020)

  • The new algorithms of automatic annotation for web pages assure better recognition of significant controls and filter out most secondary elements. This is a great new time saver.
  • The ability to annotate web pages captured not only from Firefox or IE, but also from Chrome browser automatically was added.
  • Window capturing process became more convenient and more visual.
  • The new way to create context sensitive help for web pages and web application will take your app user experience to the next level.
  • The ability to set Alt attribute for images will boost the SEO factors of online manuals.
  • Designer window can be detached from the editor and moved as a separate window to another monitor.
  • Ability to add new topics with Enter/Insert keys.
  • Enhanced text styles of print versions of web pages provide better layout and readability.
  • Improved export of nested tables in RTF format assures more predictable and more accurate output.
  • The content editor visual style was improved for more convenient work and better performance.
  • A dozen of performance improvements and fixes were made.

New in Dr.Explain 6.0.1175 (Feb 19, 2020)

  • Ability to insert several annotated screenshots in a single topic.
  • Ability to capture screen regions.
  • New simplified screenshot capturing tool.
  • Magnifier in the screenshot capturing tool.
  • New material design templates for online help.
  • More effective content editor.
  • Revamped Hi-DPI user interface with scalable vector graphics.
  • Many fixes and improvements.

New in Dr.Explain 6.0.1172 Beta (Jan 28, 2020)

  • Ability to insert several annotated screenshots in a single topic.
  • Ability to capture screen regions.
  • New simplified screenshot capturing tool.
  • Magnifier in the screenshot capturing tool.
  • New material design templates for online help.
  • More effective content editor.
  • Revamped Hi-DPI user interface with scalable vector graphics.
  • Many fixes and improvements.

New in Dr.Explain 5.7.1149 (Aug 28, 2019)

  • Fast switch between Web and Print mode
  • Revamped dialogs in the text editor and project settings
  • Faster synchronization process in Collaboration mode
  • Faster page load of the produced CHM files
  • Validation of anchor relations
  • Better export of lists in RTF
  • More accurate import of MS Word files
  • More efficient validation tool
  • Updated and more complete documentation
  • Several nasty bugs were fixed
  • A dozen of performance improvements and fixes were made

New in Dr.Explain 5.6.1130 (Jan 30, 2019)

  • Project autosaving: Your work won't be lost even in case of the system failure.
  • Better anchors support: Insert HTML anchor tags easily.
  • New revamped dialogs in the text editor: New clear and attractive user interface for text editor operations.
  • A dozen of performance improvements and fixes were made.

New in Dr.Explain 5.5.1055 Beta (Aug 14, 2017)

  • New Features to Be Tested:
  • 64 Bit architecture
  • To support big projects and for higher performance, since version 5.5 the Dr.Explain will run on 64 bit Windows OS only.
  • HiDPI monitors support
  • Dr.Explain now also supports high resolution (HiDPI) screens, taking full advantage of fine pixeling for the clearest user interface and better user experience.
  • New revamped user interface
  • The new clear and attractive interface will help you to work more efficiently and with greater comfort.
  • The Import fucntion got more flexible
  • The Export functions were optimized
  • Many issues in different modules were fixed

New in Dr.Explain 5.5.1053 Beta (Aug 9, 2017)

  • New Features to Be Tested:
  • 64 Bit architecture
  • To support big projects and for higher performance, since version 5.5 the Dr.Explain will run on 64 bit Windows OS only.
  • HiDPI monitors support
  • Dr.Explain now also supports high resolution (HiDPI) screens, taking full advantage of fine pixeling for the clearest user interface and better user experience.
  • New revamped user interface
  • The new clear and attractive interface will help you to work more efficiently and with greater comfort.
  • The Import fucntion got more flexible
  • The Export functions were optimized
  • Many issues in different modules were fixed
  • Known issues:
  • Help file is being updated
  • Some issues in UI rendering might appear

New in Dr.Explain 5.5.1052 Beta (Aug 9, 2017)

  • New Features to Be Tested:
  • 64 Bit architecture
  • To support big projects and for higher performance, since version 5.5 the Dr.Explain will run on 64 bit Windows OS only.
  • HiDPI monitors support
  • Dr.Explain now also supports high resolution (HiDPI) screens, taking full advantage of fine pixeling for the clearest user interface and better user experience.
  • New revamped user interface
  • The new clear and attractive interface will help you to work more efficiently and with greater comfort.
  • The Import fucntion got more flexible
  • The Export functions were optimized
  • Many issues in different modules were fixed
  • Known issues:
  • Help file is being updated
  • Some issues in UI rendering might appear

New in Dr.Explain 5.4.1032 (Oct 18, 2016)

  • Simpler page design and layout customization
  • Screenshot capture and analyzing tool was improved
  • Many minor issues were fixed and numerous improvements were made

New in Dr.Explain 5.3.1021 (Mar 7, 2016)

  • New startup screen
  • New single-document interface (SDI) model
  • Improved import functions
  • Many minor issues were fixed and numerous improvements were made

New in Dr.Explain 5.2.1010 (Jul 31, 2015)

  • Responsive layout of online manuals for better accessibility on mobile devices
  • Automatic numeration of the documentation topics
  • Verified Windows 10 compatibility
  • Ability to import very large MS Word files
  • Better RTL (Right-To-Left writing) support
  • More customizable multi-level lists
  • Many issues were fixed and numerous improvements were made

New in Dr.Explain 5.1.1003 (Mar 13, 2015)

  • Ability to insert annotated screenshot in any existing topic
  • Ability to convert any plain image into annotated screenshot
  • Ability to set line and paragraph indents and table dimensions with editor ruler
  • Indicating a topic’s parents in project tree
  • Many issues were fixed and numerous improvements were made

New in Dr.Explain 5.0.920 (Sep 29, 2014)

  • Teamwork and collaboration:
  • The Collaboration module allows multiple Dr.Explain users to work together on the same projects via tiwri.com platform. The Collaboration feature might be useful not only to team of several writers but to single writers as well.
  • As soon as you've created an account at tiwri.com, you're able to create shared projects either via Tiwri web interface or right in the Dr.Explain application. Then you can share the project with other users who also have accounts on Tiwri. You can create either a blank project or upload an existing Dr.Explain project to Tiwri and make it shared.
  • Colored export logs:
  • Spot alerts and error messages easier.
  • Improved and re-styled user interface:
  • Dozens of improvements and tweaks.
  • New start up dialog:
  • All your projects are ready at hand.
  • New hot keys:
  • Work faster!
  • Several dozens of requested improvements and fixes will make your work with the Dr.Explain 5 much more intuitive, faster, and easier.

New in Dr.Explain 4.11.855 (Feb 21, 2014)

  • Includes all changes from the previous development versions

New in Dr.Explain 4.11.854 RC (Feb 20, 2014)

  • Several minor changes were made
  • Help file was updated
  • All new strings were localized

New in Dr.Explain 4.11.852 Beta (Feb 6, 2014)

  • Multilevel lists:
  • Use predefined style of multilevel lists and create your own list styles.
  • Instant publishing of online manuals on Tiwri:
  • The technical writing platform TiWri is a cloud platform that lets multiple users jointly develop technical, reference, or user documentation using Dr.Explain as a client application and then to publish it on the TiWri cloud server directly from Dr.Explain in two clicks.
  • Spell checking settings are now set per project, not globally
  • Several issues in PDF export were fixed
  • Several issues in text editor were fixed

New in Dr.Explain 4.10.820 (Sep 17, 2013)

  • Customizable Table of Content & Title pages:
  • Create custom title page and Table of Contents page for your project.
  • Output settings for each topic:
  • Define for each topic in which formats it must be exported.
  • Help ID dialogs were removed
  • Several issues in PDF export were fixed
  • Several issues in text editor were fixed
  • Several issues in command line mode were fixed
  • Dozens of fixes and improvements in functionality, performance and user interface.

New in Dr.Explain 4.9.712 (May 14, 2013)

  • Features all the fixes and enhancements included in the previous Beta versions

New in Dr.Explain 4.9.710 Beta (May 1, 2013)

  • Help file was updated
  • Some issues were fixed

New in Dr.Explain 4.9.706 Beta (May 1, 2013)

  • New concept of Annotation Designer
  • Undo\Redo engine was rewritten
  • Many bug fixes

New in Dr.Explain 4.9.705 Beta (May 1, 2013)

  • Insert video function

New in Dr.Explain 4.9 Beta (May 1, 2013)

  • Comments and social network integration:
  • Enable comments and user generated content in your online manuals to improve user experience. Add social network buttons "Like-Tweet-Pin-Share-... etc" to your help pages. Allow your customers to spread words about your solutions.
  • Instant PDF Preview:
  • Instanly preview your help topics in PDF format!
  • User interface improvements:
  • Several UI improvements will make your work more efficient.
  • Add video:
  • Insert video into your help files and online manuals.
  • several small improvements and bug fixes.

New in Dr.Explain 4.8.655 (Oct 3, 2012)

  • New modern design of online manuals (see Project Settings\HTML Export)
  • Breadcrumbs navigation in online manuals
  • Updated localization files
  • Better spell checking
  • Dozens of fixes and improvements in functionality, performance and user interface.

New in Dr.Explain 4.7.617 (Sep 17, 2012)

  • A new toolbar in the editor
  • Access to key editing features is now faster and more convenient.
  • Improved import from third-party formats
  • Enhanced import algorithms are capable of processing documents with complex and even incorrect formatting.
  • Improved performance and lower resource consumption
  • Optimized algorithms make it possible to work with large projects without significant consumption of CPU and memory resources.
  • A new help file and online documentation
  • The fully rewritten program documentation makes it easy to learn basic product features, as well as specific techniques and methods of work.
  • Dozens of fixes and improvements in functionality, performance and user interface.

New in Dr.Explain 4.7.613 (Jul 19, 2012)

  • A new toolbar in the editor:
  • Access to key editing features is now faster and more convenient.
  • Improved import from third-party formats:
  • Enhanced import algorithms are capable of processing documents with complex and even incorrect formatting.
  • Improved performance and lower resource consumption:
  • Optimized algorithms make it possible to work with large projects without significant consumption of CPU and memory resources.
  • A new help file and online documentation:
  • The fully rewritten program documentation makes it easy to learn basic product features, as well as specific techniques and methods of work.
  • Dozens of fixes and improvements in functionality, performance and user interface.

New in Dr.Explain 4.05.515 (Sep 27, 2011)

  • Callout Template Constructor:
  • Create callouts of any design, complexity & style.
  • New spell checker:
  • Full Unicode support, extended dictionaries, and simplified settings.
  • Improved RTF\DOC import:
  • More flexible handling of styles & formats upon import.
  • Improved HTML import:
  • More careful handling of complicated HTML markup.
  • Simplified settings of export functions:
  • Create CHM, PDF, RTF, or HTML in two clicks without worrying about basic settings.
  • More obvious CHM compiler settings:
  • Customize CHM compilation settings and CHM viewer window position and size.
  • Better performance of JavaScripts and optimized CSS and HTML markup in on-line manuals:
  • Your on-line manuals will load up to 4 time faster.
  • Auto-update function:
  • Never miss the latest release of Dr.Explain
  • Over 150 improvements, fixes, and optimizations were made

New in Dr.Explain 4.02.465 (Mar 21, 2011)

  • Highlighting of search results in on-line (HTML) manuals
  • Subscript & superscript
  • Import of Microsoft Word DOC \ DOCX files
  • Ability to resize contents menu with splitter in on-line (HTML) manual
  • Improved management of text styles
  • Improved performance of JavaScripts in on-line (HTML) manuals
  • Improved HTML import
  • Improved CHM import
  • Improved RTF import
  • Improved HLP import

New in Dr.Explain 4.01.450 (Dec 20, 2010)

  • User interface is now available in 9 languages: English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, French, Dutch, Swedish, & Italian
  • User interface was modified and is capable for localization into any language, i.e. more languages are coming
  • Import of CHM file
  • Import of HLP file (since build #447)
  • Import of RTF file (since build #449)
  • Import of a single HTML file
  • Batch import of recursive folders with numerous HTML files
  • Optimized graphical algorithms (scaling & resizing) now produce PNG image files of smaller size without quality loss. It may decrease final help file overall size by 1.5 or even 2 times!
  • All images have solid white background by default (previously it was transparent)
  • New "Cell properties" dialog allows to flexibly customize cell borders
  • PDF Export performance was improved
  • {Page break} special object was added
  • Arabic font issues in PDF were fixed
  • Issues with bullet list appearance in HTML were fixed
  • All color pickers support single-click selection
  • Cell vertical alignment property is accessible through editor pop-up menu

New in Dr.Explain 4.01.444 (Sep 1, 2010)

  • User interface is now available in 7 languages: English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, French, & Italian
  • User interface was modified and is capable for localization into any language, i.e. more languages are coming
  • Import of CHM file (In start-up window, in File menu, & under Add Topic command)
  • Import of a single HTML file (same as above)
  • Batch import of recursive folders with numerous HTML files (same as above)
  • Optimized graphical algorithms (scaling & resizing) now produce PNG image files of smaller size without quality loss. It may decrease final help file overall size by 1.5 or even 2 times!
  • All images have solid white background by default (previously it was transparent)
  • New "Cell properties" dialog allows to flexibly customize cell borders
  • PDF Export performance was improved
  • {Page break} special object was added
  • Arabic font issues in PDF were fixed
  • Issues with bullet list appearance in HTML were fixed
  • All color pickers support single-click selection
  • Cell vertical alignment property is accessible through editor pop-up menu

New in Dr.Explain 4.01.440 RC (Aug 17, 2010)

  • User interface is now available in 7 languages: English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, French, & Italian
  • User interface was modified and is capable for localization into any language, i.e. more languages are coming
  • Import of CHM file (In start-up window, in File menu, & under Add Topic command)
  • Import of a single HTML file (same as above)
  • Batch import of recursive folders with numerous HTML files (same as above)
  • All images have solid white background by default (previously it was transparent)
  • New “Cell properties” dialog allows to flexibly customize cell borders
  • PDF Export performance was improved
  • Arabic font issues in PDF were fixed
  • Issues with bullet list appearance in HTML were fixed
  • All color pickers support single-click selection
  • Cell vertical alignment property is accessible through editor pop-up menu

New in Dr.Explain 4.0.415 (Mar 25, 2010)

  • Improved user interface:
  • A wider work area, modern icons and compact toolbars will make your work easy and pleasant.
  • A single page for entire topic's content:
  • No more separate edit boxes for every control. Entire topic content is now presented on a single page and is ready for immediate editing and rearranging. This is a true WYSIWYG in action.
  • Easily modifiable page layout:
  • No more firm page structure. You may freely rearrange objects and layout page content in the editor.
  • On-demand screenshot annotating mode:
  • Screenshot annotating mode is activated by double click on the screenshot image and grabs the workspace area only when it's actually required. The floating panels will help you organize your workspace layout as you need.
  • Search and Index functionality in HTML (On-line) Manuals:
  • Now, your users will be able to search through your on-line manual. This functionality doesn't require scripting capabilities on your server and may be used even on web sites with simple or free hosting.
  • PDF export:
  • A highly demanded function has been finally implemented. Now you are able to create true PDF files with national characters support, images, links, bookmarks, and table of contents.
  • Text formatting styles:
  • Adjust formatting options of headings, sub-headigs and normal text. Create your own custom styles and quickly apply them to your document parts.
  • Updated color themes:
  • The attractive color themes will make your documentation to look really professional.
  • Extended settings for images:
  • Image setting has been enriched with border, margin, scale, and dependency options.
  • HTML code snippets:
  • You can enrich your documentation with ability to insert raw HTML code snippets into your pages.
  • Lots of tiny improvements and tweaks:
  • Several dozens of requested improvements will make your work with the Dr.Explain 4.0 much more intuitive, faster, and easier.

New in Dr.Explain 3.1.194 Beta (Jul 11, 2008)

  • Capturing and auto-documenting of Java (Swing) applications
  • Improvements in menu screenshot capturing
  • Anti-aliased graphics (bullets and lines)
  • More visual effects (e.g. real customizable shadows)
  • Naming rules for controls
  • Insert image in description through capturing
  • a LOT of improvements and fixes

New in Dr.Explain 2.5.95 (Apr 18, 2007)

  • Sub menus (standard Win32) autocapturing
  • Project validation tool
  • Project compacting tool
  • Print versions of pages for on-line help
  • Mouse-over pop-up windows (Java Script) to show the descriptions associated with controls. (See the sample in Dr.Explain online help)
  • Command line generation of HTML, CHM, RTF. (See ...DE oolsdeexport.exe)
  • New way of screen capturing
  • Menu capturing
  • Context Help ID management
  • CHM and HTML settings were separated
  • JavaScript menu with collapsingexpanding
  • Control rectangles inplace editing
  • Grid color settings
  • Grid step settings
  • Absolute path to image folder is allowed
  • Progress bar for file saving
  • Copying associated keywords along with topics
  • Bullet lines can be dragged along with control rectangle (hold Alt)
  • Link property: open in a new browser window
  • CHM index file's title is customizable
  • Screenshot image insertion from clipboard
  • The control scale is visible in control rectangle setup dialog
  • Control clips margin setup
  • NextPrev links are in the bottom of the pages as well
  • Zoom InOut in Control Rectangle dialog
  • Scale shown on the control preview
  • Links to controls
  • Custom colors saving
  • / in paths is allowed
  • F2 - Item rename
  • Control rectangle color settings
  • Compatibility with Internet Explorer 7
  • Navigation through hyperlinks in preview mode
  • Duplicated topics in-place checking was implemented
  • Search in project was improved
  • Two output standards are available: HTML 4.01 Transitional & XHTML 1.0 Transitional
  • CHM output: the HHK, HHP and HHC files are named the same as the CHM
  • aspx was added to predefined list of exportable HTML extensions
  • Print button is always active in preview mode
  • Microsoft Windows Vista support

New in Dr.Explain 2.5.94 (Apr 16, 2007)

  • Sub menus (standard Win32) autocapturing
  • Project validation tool
  • Project compacting tool
  • Print versions of pages for on-line help
  • Mouse-over pop-up windows (Java Script) to show the descriptions associated with controls. (See the sample in Dr.Explain online help)
  • Command line generation of HTML, CHM, RTF. (See ...DE oolsdeexport.exe)
  • New way of screen capturing
  • Menu capturing
  • Context Help ID management
  • CHM and HTML settings were separated
  • JavaScript menu with collapsingexpanding
  • Control rectangles inplace editing
  • Grid color settings
  • Grid step settings
  • Absolute path to image folder is allowed
  • Progress bar for file saving
  • Copying associated keywords along with topics
  • Bullet lines can be dragged along with control rectangle (hold Alt)
  • Link property: open in a new browser window
  • CHM index file's title is customizable
  • Screenshot image insertion from clipboard
  • The control scale is visible in control rectangle setup dialog
  • Control clips margin setup
  • NextPrev links are in the bottom of the pages as well
  • Zoom InOut in Control Rectangle dialog
  • Scale shown on the control preview
  • Links to controls
  • Custom colors saving
  • / in paths is allowed
  • F2 - Item rename
  • Control rectangle color settings
  • Compatibility with Internet Explorer 7
  • Navigation through hyperlinks in preview mode
  • Duplicated topics in-place checking was implemented
  • Search in project was improved
  • Two output standards are available: HTML 4.01 Transitional & XHTML 1.0 Transitional
  • CHM output: the HHK, HHP and HHC files are named the same as the CHM
  • aspx was added to predefined list of exportable HTML extensions
  • Print button is always active in preview mode
  • Microsoft Windows Vista support

New in Dr.Explain 2.5.9.1 (Mar 6, 2007)

  • Menu capturing;
  • Context Help ID support;
  • Dynamic menus;
  • Validation tool;
  • and 40 new features.