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DraftSight Changelog

What's new in DraftSight 2022 SP0

Feb 4, 2022
  • Create Custom Blocks with Multiple Variations:
  • Real world objects represented by blocks can often be built into various variations, such as different sizes, shapes, and orientations for a door. These variations have led to a large amount of separate blocks and DWG files which have been hard to manage and take up a lot of storage space.
  • Now in DraftSight 2022, you can integrate multiple variations into one single block. Custom Blocks can greatly reduce block and file quantities by the total number of variations, saving dozens, hundreds, even thousands of files.
  • Convert and Edit AutoCAD Dynamic Blocks:
  • AutoCAD Dynamic Blocks integrate multiple variations into a single block, which has been widely used by AutoCAD users. Since DraftSight 2021, users has been able to view Dynamic Blocks with full configurability. Now you can go one step further in DraftSight
  • 2022, with the ability to convert Dynamic Blocks into DraftSight Custom Blocks and edit them with their configurations. This will help efficiently reuse your legacy data and significantly ease your transition to DraftSight.
  • Organize a Large Number of Sheets Efficiently with Sheet List Tables, Selection
  • Sets, Reference Packaging, and DWF Publishing:
  • Now with DraftSight 2022, you can package drawings and references together with one click to share easily and more accurately. DWF is a popular format to communicate
  • 2D drawings 2D drawings with other project stakeholders.
  • DraftSight 2022 helps automatically publish multiple selected sheets into DWF to lower the barrier of collaboration and save time.
  • Enjoy the Dark Mode to reduce eye strain
  • Create and edit Splines more easily:
  • Splines are used to create a smooth curve which generally passes through a set of predefined points. Besides the existing ‘Control Vertices’ method, DraftSight 2022 added a new option under the Fit method called “Knots.” Knots is one of the computational methods that determines how competent curves between specific points are blended.
  • You can also quickly switch between the ‘Control Vertices’ and ‘Fit’ methods, even after a spline has been created. This supports the translation of legacy data created with the Fit method into the Control Vertices method. We have also added a dedicated command,
  • Spline Edit, to quickly edit splines on the go.

New in DraftSight 2021 (Oct 13, 2021)

  • Run Visual LISP directly in DraftSight:
  • Visual LISP routines are frequent and important automations created in AutoCAD to speed up repetitive tasks and ensure quality.
  • In addition to the existing support of Auto LISP, DraftSight 2021 can now run Visual LISP directly.
  • You can now simply load a LISP similar to opening a file and execute the routine as designed by the LISP.
  • Modify patterns associatively and directly with graphical grips:
  • Patterns are common objects to ensure consistency and increase productivity.
  • With DraftSight 2021, you can easily drag and drop graphical grips to adjust pattern location, instance, and spacing.
  • To edit the parameters more accurately, you also type in numbers on the in-context input boxes.
  • The associative patterns are supported in both 2D and 3D DWGs
  • Control image qualities on PDF Prints:
  • Images are frequently referenced in drawings such as logos and watermarks.
  • Now with DraftSight 2021, to improve PDF output presentations, speed up the printing process and cut file sizes, you can control the quality of the vector and raster images.
  • Modify the model viewport background color directly with a command:
  • A common practice has been to adjust model viewport colors according to personal preferences.
  • Now you can set up colors easily to relax your eyes and protect your vision by simply typing in this command: MOD-ELBACKGROUNDCOLOR

New in DraftSight 2018 SP3 (Nov 6, 2018)

  • Enhances Select Matching (“Anpassung auswählen”) to work more easily in German language to avoid
  • typing additional word to show settings.
  • Improves the stability of DraftSight 2018 with Mac OS 10.14 Mojave.
  • (P.S. The latest release of Mojave 10.14 is a very new Mac OS, therefore it is not yet “officially”
  • supported by the current release of DraftSight 2018.)
  • Improves Title.dcl file to work properly in DraftSight.
  • Improves printing experience and stability when using HP DesignJet 800 driver with “Print Error: The
  • handle is invalid.”
  • Corrects a problem in the German version of DraftSight where option “Einstellungen” is not recognized
  • unless the entire word is typed.
  • Fixes the problem when creating DWG files from DraftSight 2013 or other CAD system encountering
  • limited functionality with the latest version of DraftSight 2018.
  • Improves the Options for “Entity Frame Control” so that the settings can be saved.
  • Fixes the problem where incorrect values are captured in G-code from G-Code Generator.
  • Corrects the behavior where Toolbars in Tool Matrix becomes greyed out and inaccessible when closing
  • all files and using command File > New.
  • 1076074 Fixes the problem where DraftSight to PDF task failed with error “The supplied object ID is not valid.”
  • 1074461 Enhances the stability of Scale (command) entities to avoid the application hanging or stopping with no
  • recovery.
  • Allows changing the values of block attributes from command line.
  • Improves the stability of DraftSight 2018 while using Batch Print (specific to Windows 7 OS).
  • Improves the performance when moving exploded blocks with a high resolution 4K monitor.
  • Corrects the behavior where Toolbox Weld Symbol changes appearance when Edit definition.
  • Improves the stability of DraftSight when closing the application (German OS).
  • Enhances DraftSight to remember the default file open location.
  • Fixes the problem where content of DWG/DXF is not displayed fo

New in DraftSight 2018 SP2 (Apr 3, 2018)

  • Corrects the Spanish translation on the Close button of “Print Configuration Manager” window dialog by replacing the word Apretado with Cerrar
  • Corrects the Spanish translation on the Close button of “Clean” (Limpiar) window dialog by replacing the word Apretado with Cerrar
  • Corrects the Spanish translation on the Close button of “Batch Print” (Impresión de lote) window dialog by replacing the word Apretado with Cerrar
  • Corrects the Spanish translation on the Close button of “About” (Acerca de) window dialog by replacing the word Apretado with Cerrar
  • Fixes the issue when modifying the value of dimension split gap affecting and changing unexpectedly the Dim scale linear previously assigned
  • Enhances to display properly the toolbox hexagon socket head hole shape in side view
  • Corrects the Japanese translation for the word "Reassociate Dimensions" on the menu
  • Corrects the Japanese translation for the word "Intersection" in the entity snap setting
  • Corrects the Japanese translation for the word "View Tiles Manager" on the menu
  • Corrects the Japanese translation for the word "Get Mass Properties" on the menu
  • Corrects the Japanese translation for the word "Continue" on the dimension menu
  • Corrects a problem when zooming out on certain blocks displaying some mysterious or extra lines
  • Rectifies the redundant entries with name DELMIA getting added multiple times unexpectedly in the list of customized interface ribbon panel every time launching the software
  • Improves the print quality and clarity (texts/sketch entities /lines) of certain .dwg files when print directly from DraftSight
  • Corrects the behavior where add-ins toolbar is removed from Tool Matrix if disable and enable add-in
  • Fixes the issue when printing to PDF there is no prompt or warning if the current PDF file is opened causing the new print won’t get generated
  • Fixes the problem when editing PrintStyle table the print styles line color will be reset unexpectedly if switching to other styles
  • Adds the functionality that allows the display of plot styles while on sheet view

New in DraftSight 2018 SP1 (Jan 23, 2018)

  • Fixes a script failing issue where the PrintOut Method (IPrintManager) throws up an exception.
  • Rectifies the error 404 page not found problem when clicking on the 'Renew DraftSight Professional…' command under the Help menu
  • Removes irrelevant texts in Help documentation on Centerlines option 'Keep extension constant in Viewports' as such option is unavailable.
  • Creates a new icon for the 'Paste to Active Layer' command
  • Fixes the issue where the Modify > Scale operation using the Points option no longer works
  • Corrects the behavior when editing Note with In-Place Editor if deleting texts and hitting the Esc key the dialog box to save text changes did not show up
  • Improves the Czech translation of some words in dialog boxes
  • Fixes the issue where the LineStyle of the layer mapped to DraftSight entity type (Toolbox > Setting) is changed unexpectedly to another LineStyle after close and reopen the file
  • Rectifies the PDF output with missing table when printing an inserted OLE object from Microsoft Excel using Print > PDF (Print/Plotter).
  • Adds ability to the command –REFERENCEs by allowing it to select references in drawing graphics are
  • Fixes the problem where dimensions in copied sheets are linked to the original sheets causing if changing dimensions in original sheets it also reflected unexpectedly in copied sheets.
  • Corrects a problem where DraftSight Free version activation remains in loop after clicking 'Activate'
  • Enhances robustness when creating circle with Tangent, Tangent, Tangent (_TTT) option
  • Adds ability to pin an item to Recent Documents list.
  • Improves result for command variable GETACTTAB.
  • Corrects the behavior of Modify > Split at point when repeated using Repeat SPLIT

New in DraftSight 2018 SP0 (Oct 16, 2017)

  • NEW COMMANDS:
  • Helix. Creates a 2D spiral or a 3D helix.
  • CurvedText. Places text along an arc. You can control the text direction and location, and modify the text format and style.
  • DGNAdjust. Adjusts the appearance of DGN Underlays against the graphics area background. You can adjust fade, contrast, and monochrome values.
  • Block commands. More tools for Blocks and BlockAttributes.
  • RedefineBasePoint (*). Sets a new base point for a Block.
  • RemoveAttribute. Explodes Blocks with BlockAttribute and keeps attribute
  • value as text.
  • Dimension Bounding Box commands. Lets you align dimensions of objects located within a Dimension Bounding Box along the box margins at defined offsets tlet them appear in a uniform arrangement.
  • DimBoundingBox. Creates a dimension bounding box that encloses selected entities talign dimensions.
  • DelDimBoundingBox. Deletes unused Dimension Bounding Boxes.
  • AppendToDimBoundingBox. Adds entities tan existing Dimension Bounding
  • Box and changes the extents of the bounding box.
  • RemoveFromDimBoundingBox. Removes entities from an existing Dimension
  • Bounding Box and changes the extents of the bounding box.
  • UpdateDimBoundingBox. Manually updates Dimension Bounding Boxes.
  • Options tcreate, delete, append to, and update are available on editing contextual menu.
  • NEW FEATURES:
  • Placing dimensions automatically with dimension widgets. Dimension widgets let you place dimensions automatically along Dimension Bounding Boxes (a) aligned with other dimensions, (b) spaced from the existing dimensions, and (c) spaced with the predefined offset distances.
  • Quick Input methods. Quick Input provides a command entry interface near the cursor, syou can keep focus on geometry. The main elements of Quick Input are the tooltips near the cursor, which act as inputs for coordinates, distances, and angles.
  • Entity highlighting (*). Colored highlighting replaces legacy dashed-style highlighting. Entities are highlighted when you move the cursor over them (preselection highlight) or when you select them (selection highlight).
  • Arrow key nudging entities. You can use the Shift + Arrow keys tmove selected entities according ta specified increment.
  • Clicking anywhere on a dimensions tre-position. Click anywhere on the dimension, then press and drag tre-position.
  • Hatch Layer (*). You can set a layer for hatches and gradient fills in the corresponding dialog box.
  • Copying entities tthe active layer. During the Copy command, a new option lets you copy selected entities tthe active layer instead of the source layer.
  • Pasting content from clipboard tthe active layer. During the Paste command, an option lets you copy content from the clipboard tthe active layer instead tthe source layer.
  • Tool tip display over the status bar button (*). Add the appropriate “F” hot key as a part of the tool tip when mouse hovers over.
  • Print configuration manager improvement (*). Allow disassociation the link between the sheet name and print configuration name.
  • SmartDimension improvements (not available in Beta version):
  • Ability tselect twentities (twcircles, twparallel lines, a line and a circle)
  • and add dimension between them.
  • Ability tselect an EntitySnap point (for example, Endpoint, or Midpoint)
  • when the cursor passes over a respective point.
  • G-code enhancements:
  • Rework the user interface tmake it consistent with the Task Pane UI in
  • DraftSight.
  • Optional comments at the top.
  • Line numbers option for beginning of each line. Relative coordinates.
  • Program append capability.
  • API:
  • New project templates. Now ships with Visual Studi2015 templates for C++, C# and VB.Net sthat add-in developers can create new projects in Visual Studi2015.
  • API enhancements. Following are some enhancements tthe API:
  • Provides an interface tcopy entities from one document tanother
  • document.
  • Expands the Ecport and Prnt interfaces by providing additional options (e.g,
  • papersize, printstyle table, etc..) texport (Printmanager and
  • DocumentExporter).
  • Provide new interfaces tadd, edit and remove layer states.

New in DraftSight 2017 SP0 (Dec 1, 2016)

  • Over 200 enhancements driven by user feedback. Introducing new productivity, interoperability and customization tools to reduce your design time and streamline your processes:
  • DGN Import: Directly import and convert DGN files into DraftSight for direct editing.
  • Insert Centerline: Easily create a centerline that divides the distance equally between two selected segments.
  • Polyline Editing Improvements: Edit polylines with more options like taper, create arc in polyline segment and add vertex at midpoint.
  • Dimension Snap Offset Distances: Provide “snaps” to accomplish placing and locating dimensions with more precision.
  • Pattern Along a Path: Create a pattern along a predefined path.

New in DraftSight 2016 SP0 (Feb 24, 2016)

  • NEW COMMANDS:
  • DrawingTabs. Shows drawing tabs at the top of the drawing window area.
  • HideDrawingTabs. Hides drawing tabs at the top of the drawing window area.
  • LayerState. Saves, restores, and manages configurations of layer properties and states.
  • HideEntities. Hides selected entities.
  • IsolateEntities. Isolates selected entities by hiding all other entities.
  • UnisolateEntities. Shows entities that were hidden with the IsolateEntities or HideEntities commands.
  • SelectMatching. Selects drawing entities of the same type and with shared properties for subsequent commands.
  • New commands for Annotation Scaling:
  • AnnEntityScale. Adds and removes annotation scales for specified annotative entities (dialog box variant).
  • AnnEntityScale. Adds and removes annotation scales for specified annotative entities (command window variant).
  • AnnEntityScaleAdd. Updates annotative entities to support the drawing's active annotation scale.
  • AnnEntityScaleRemove. Updates annotative entities to remove the drawing's active annotation scale from the entities' annotation scales.
  • AnnReset. Resets all scale representations of specified annotative entities to their original positions.
  • AnnUpdate. Updates existing annotative entities to match updated TextStyle or DimensionStyle settings.
  • NEW FEATURES:
  • Ribbon Based User Interface provides the following UI elements:
  • Application Button / Application Menu
  • Quick Access Toolbar
  • Ribbon Tabs
  • Quick Access Toolbar and Ribbon Customization
  • Creates and modifies quick access toolbars, ribbon tabs and panels.
  • Properties palette
  • Supports collapsing and expanding of property groups.
  • Multiline BlockAttributes are supported by the MakeBlockAttribute, EditBlockAttribute and EditAnnotation commands. The Multiline BlockAttribute Formatting popup toolbar helps you edit and format multiline BlockAttributes.

New in DraftSight 2015 V1R6.2 SP2 (Jun 23, 2015)

  • Resolved Issues:
  • Cursor always move to End when entering attribute value in ‘Edit attribute value’ window
  • Test DraftSight Pro dialog, fix user interface for countries other than the US
  • Toolbars disappear when new file is launched / open
  • DWG embedded in Word 2013 document doesn't launch DraftSight on double click
  • DraftSight windows/dialogbox (example Options window) are out of screen at screen resolution 1366x768
  • Wrong warning message when trying to install 32 bit version 64 bit machine.

New in DraftSight V1R5.0 (Feb 19, 2014)

  • The free version of DraftSight now includes:
  • Search in Options:
  • With this new feature, simply type in the search box what you are looking for in the Options menu, and you will be provided with the path to the location of the topic in the Options dialog.
  • iQuestions Integration: Using the Community tab, log into the DraftSight SwYm community to search and ask questions in the iQuestions section of the community.
  • Standard Compliant Drawings:
  • Use the VerifyStandards command to check that the current drawing conforms to industry, corporate, and custom standards. The command checks whether names and properties of Layers, LineStyles, DimensionStyles, and TextStyles in the current drawing match those in associated standards files. Users can replace nonstandard items to be compliant, flag them to be ignored, or leave them as they are. It is recommended to run the Clean command to purge unused objects before running the VerifyStandards command.
  • Quick Group:
  • Use the QuickGroup command to quickly create EntityGroups.
  • Mouse Gesture:
  • Now supporting Mouse Gestures for Mac and Linux.
  • Improved Performance:
  • Improved Pan and Zoom performance.
  • The Professional Pack and Enterprise Pack Offerings for DraftSight now include the following additional enhancements:
  • PDF Underlay:
  • Use the AttachPDF command to attach pages of a PDF document to a drawing. The command links the specified file as a reference to the current drawing
  • Batch Printing:
  • Use the BatchPrint command to send a set of drawings and Sheets to printers in a batch job. Users can save batch print jobs to Batch Print List (*.bpl) files for subsequent use.
  • Note: Users can only batch print Sheets with PageLayouts and Print Configurations associated to them, either directly for the specific Sheets or by PageLayouts stored in other drawings/Print Configurations stored in Print Configuration files. Also, within each PageLayout and Print Configuration used in batch prints, users must specify a printer.
  • Mass Properties Calculations. Use the GetMassProperties command to calculate and display the mass properties of Regions. The command reports the included area, perimeter, and centroid of the specified Region. Additionally, information about the custom coordinate system (CSS) for the Region is displayed (CCS name, CCS origin, and definition of the X-, Y-, and Z-axes of the CCS).
  • Macro Recording:
  • The quickest and easiest way to start programming with the DraftSight API is to record a macro, which contains the DraftSight API calls that corresponds to the actions performed interactively in DraftSight.
  • Toolbox Enhancements:
  • Revision Table: A document revision can be added step by step in an alphabetic or numeric sequence and can be attached to a revision symbol.
  • Enhance Toolbox to support 3 more hole categories. These hole categories are: Hole (Simple), Tap and Slot.
  • Enhance Toolbox commands with additional option keywords. These additional keywords are all creation methods currently available for a selected hardware or hole type. A creation method can still be changed in hardware or hole dialog and is applied initially for the block insertion as default keyword. In addition creation methods can be also switched continuously via keywords. No need to go return to dialog or to rerun command.
  • Add new balloon shapes:
  • Triangle, Hexagon, Box, Diamond, Pentagon, Flag (Five Sided), Flag (Triangle), Underline, Square, Square (Circle) and Inspection. Enhance Toolbox to support editing of Bill of Materials.

New in DraftSight V1R4.0 (Sep 14, 2013)

  • Windows 7 Preview: This feature will show a preview thumbnail for each opened DraftSight file when a user hovers over the DraftSight taskbar button. This functionality allows the user to activate/close a document through the taskbar button.
  • Enhancements to EXPORTPDF - Dialog boxes have been combined for ease of use (DraftSight for Windows only).
  • Slide Library: A slide library is a file containing one or more slides. Slide library files are used for creating custom image tile menus and for combining several slide files for convenient file management. Users can create slide libraries from slide files using the MAKESLIDELIBRARY utility. After users have set up a slide library, they can view slides by specifying the name of the slide library and the slide (DraftSight for Windows only).
  • Print Scale List: We have a list of some pre-defined scales that can be used to setup view scale size in ratio to model space. Instead of calculating size and setting up that size at each place, users can use the pre-defined scales to speed up tasks – being able to add to the pre-defined scale list, edit values and remove unwanted scales.
  • True Type Font improvements for Asian texts.
  • Migration to ODA3.8.
  • Enhancements to DraftSight APIs (application programming interfaces) (for the Enterprise Pack Offering for DraftSight only).
  • The name changed for DraftSight Premium Pack to the Enterprise Pack Offering for DraftSight.
  • The addition of a Drawing compare tool to the Enterprise Pack Offering for DraftSight (formerly the Premium Pack). This add-on can be used to graphically compare entities between two drawing documents. The differences between the drawings are displayed in color codes. Note: Drawing Compare compares the bitmaps of two drawings at the bit level. Only visual changes are captured when the drawings are compared. For example, if you move an annotation 2mm to the left, this change is reflected in the comparison. Conversely, if you change a custom property such as the Description, this does not reflect in the comparison (DraftSight for Windows only).
  • The addition of a Design Library to the Enterprise Pack Offering for DraftSight (formerly the Premium Pack). This add-on utilizes a tab in DraftSight's task pane to provide a central location for user-defined reusable elements, such as blocks. These elements are added to the drawing file and contain the properties associated with the content file, such as Line Style and Layers. Simply drag and drop the content from the palette into the task pane (DraftSight for Windows only).
  • The addition of Toolbox for DraftSight to the Enterprise Pack Offering for DraftSight (formerly the Premium Pack) (DraftSight for Windows only).