VideoCAD Lite Changelog

What's new in VideoCAD Lite 8.2.0.0

May 26, 2016

MORE PRECISE MODELING IMAGE SENSOR SIZES AND ASPECT RATIO OF MODERN CAMERAS:
The following parameters have been separated:
image sensor size and size of active area of the image sensor;
aspect ratio of image sensor and aspect ratio of output image of the camera.
The Image sensor format box has been renamed to the Image sensor size.
New abilities to specify the size of image sensor through arbitrary sensor format (type) in inches or through the length of diagonal in millimeters, or through width and height in millimeters.
New ability to set aspect ratio of image sensor separately from the aspect ratio of output image for a given format in inches or length of diagonal of the image sensor.
New ability to set the Crop factor to model image sensors with active area does not touch the edges of the image sensor.
Detailed guide of specifying the active area size of image sensors of modern cameras has been added.
The Sensor and Distortion box has been renamed to Sensor and Lens. Its interface has been changed.
The Image sensor calculator was added.
IMPROVING USABILITY OF WORKING WITH 3D MODELS AND CONSTRUCTIONS IN EDITING STATE:
Switching 3D models from the selected state to the editing state by double clicking on its projections was added (previously it was possible to switch a 3D model to the editing state only from the normal state).
In the editing state, 3D models are displayed with square grips and pink circle.
You can rotate the 3D model by the mouse using the circle, scale 3D model on X and Y axis using the square grips. You can move the 3D model by pressing the left mouse button on the 3D model, as well as in the selected state.
In the 3D Video views of 3D models in editing state and in the selected state differ.
New possibility to rotate around its axis in editing state Rectangle, Wall, Aperture in wall, Stairs, Mask, Filling, 3D Image.
MODELING VIEW AREA AND CAMERA POSITION:
The Style of line type assigned to a camera determines not only style of lines, but hatching style of view area projection.
The Maximum distance of drawing view area is added to the camera geometry parameters. This distance limits view area in 2D and 3D drawings. It is convenient in case of infinite view areas.
The ground is no longer the lowest possible height limiting view area. Height of installation, heights of the lower and upper bounds of view area can be negative??. A camera can see from under the ground and under the ground.
Constructing the horizontal projection of camera control areas including shadows from obstacles on the scene. In VideoCAD Lite obstacles can be constructions only. In VideoCAD Professional 3D models also can be obstacles.
Choosing the best positions and calculate control areas of PTZ cameras, Dome cameras and 360 degree cameras.
MODELING PANORAMIC CAMERAS (FISHEYE, 360°/180°):
Simulation of image resolution and view area limits of panoramic cameras in the 3D Video.
Model spatial resolution of panoramic cameras in the 3D Video window.
Simulation of the horizontal projection of the view area and visualization of the spatial resolution distribution of panoramic cameras in the Graphics window.
New icons for panoramic cameras were added and .
In the Sensor and Lens box a new Panoramic panel was added. On the panel the Pan and Tilt angles of panoramic camera installation can be specified.
To the list of camera model parameters: Type>Fixed, PTZ,Dome, Mini a new panoramic item was added,
To the list of camera model parameters: Lens>Type a new fisheye item was added,
Lens focal length boxes in the Graphics window and the Camera geometry box are colored in Aqua when the active camera is panoramic. .
In reports panoramic cameras have fisheye word instead of lens focal length value;
WORK WITH 3D MODELS:
Support of 3D models with textures, transparent texture and opacity of materials.
New version of VideoCAD Plugin for SketchUP was released with possibilities of export textures, transparent textures, opacity of materials and scaling.
Import of new 3D models was simplified. The special 3D models window was added for creation of 3D model projections. In the window , you can create 3D model projections with specified resolution. In the 3D Models window you can also: save 3D model to a file, make copy of the 3D model.
Tools related to 3D models were moved to special branch of the main menu.
Ability to distribute 3D models by folders in the menu.
Loading files of 3D models via a dialog box.
3D model file name can contain spaces.
During placing or editing 3D models, on the Current construction parameter panel the 3D Models button appears to quick open the 3D Models window .
3D VIDEO WINDOW:
A window, which shows models of camera images, named 3D Window in the past, was renamed to the 3D Video window.
3D visualization of the location plan and camera view areas in the 3D Video window by other cameras. Visualization of the spatial resolution. Flexible adjustment of displaying view areas from the side.
In the main menu of the 3D Video window, in View sub-menu, a new 3D view areas item was added. It allows to enable visualization of view areas of other cameras.
In the main menu of the 3D Video window, in View sub-menu, a duplicating Ground item was added for quick hiding the ground surface in the 3D Video window.
In the main menu of the 3D Video window, in Image sub-menu, a new Copy to clipboard item was added.
In the PTZH mode a camera is panned and tilted by moving mouse cursor on the image with left mouse button pressed..
Background representation in the 3D Video window was improved.
Ability to switch image generation thread: in separated thread or in the main thread.
SPATIAL RESOLUTION:
Ability to specify spatial resolution in spatial resolution patterns not only vertically but also horizontally. To do this, a new switch to the Spatial resolution box was added.
Numbers of pixels horizontally and vertically can be specified.
Additional Spatial resolution patterns were added based on the Standards:
Australian Standard AS4806: Closed Circuit Television;
European Standard EN50132-7;
ISO/IEC 19794 Biometric data interchange formats.
As a result of right-click on the Pattern combo box a pop up menu will appear. Selecting the Default patterns item, you can erase all changes in the patterns and return to the patterns set by default.
To the Spatial resolution box new test images were added.
IMPORT AND EXPORT TO AUTOCAD:
Import module was upgraded. Up to AutoCAD DWG 2015 formats are supported.
The dialog box Scale background was renamed to the Adjust background. For backgrounds in DWG or DXF formats, abilities to choose Layout in the background, control visibility of layers, hide texts were added. For backgrounds in PDF format you can choose page and resolution of the background.
Export module was updated.
IMPORT AND EXPORT TO OTHER FORMATS:
Supporting PDF files to use as background including multi-page PDF files.
Export to PDF (raster).
Export tab in the Options box is divided into two sub-tabs: "DXF" and "BMP,WMF,EMF,GIF,TIFF,PNG,JPG,rPDF".
To the options of export to BMP, JPG, EMF, WMF, GIF, TIFF, PNG, rPDF possibility to set hatch step factor was added.
In the 3D Image you can load images in BMP, JPG, PNG, GIF TIF (early BMP and JPG). Transparency of PNG files is supported.
New PDF report was added. Unlike the Text report, the PDF Report can include images from the cameras, fragments of layouts with camera placed, a cover with logo. Report parameters and the structure of information in the report is configurable. .
PRINTING:
New mode Use buffer was added. Using this mode, you can get the correct results and print transparent gradient fills, projections of 3D models even on printers do not support these tools, including most of free virtual printer to print to PDF.
New mode Scale Hatching was added. Using this mode, you can get the correct hatching even on printers do not support scaling hatching.
Menu item Print setup remains enabled even VideoCAD can not get access to the current printer.
DATABASE OF CAMERA MODELS:
Maintain database of camera models with the most important parameters (22 fields for each camera model). You can add your models, assign different models to cameras in project, compare models with each other.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Ability to change the minimum and maximum heights of several objects at once through changing their line type. If during changing the line type of selected objects by the Change line type tool, to press and hold Ctrl, then the selected objects will also change their minimum and maximum height according to the chosen line type . If Ctrl is not pressed, the heights remain unchanged.
Auto saving the project in specified intervals during running the program in a chain of files (up to 100 copies of the project are saved and rewritten in the regular intervals around the ring).
Image update with lots of rotated projections of the 3D models was accelerated.
New construction - Stairs.
Added a possibility to draw legends of Spatial resolution patterns on the layouts.
New tool Merge contour was added.
New possibility to adjust transparency of filling view area projections in the Graphics window.
A mode to improve visibility of thin lines at scaling background in BMP, JPG, PDF formats.
The cursor coordinates in the lower left corner of the Graphics window are displayed rounded to the second decimal place .
The Export to Text menu item was renamed to Text report.
In the Text report for each camera additional lines were added: layer, the base height , angle of rotation around its axis, number of pixels.
Child windows "sticks" to the screen edges.
An option of changing registration code via the Main menu was added.
Titles of the 3D video window includes camera resolution in pixels.
Detected bugs were fixed.
The Help system was updated.
Examples of work with VideoCAD in the Help were updated according to the new features. Several new examples were added.
Project format of VideoCAD7 - *.vc7 is supported. There are possibilities of export and import of the previous project format *.vmp, supported by versions from 4 to 6.
The program was tested under Windows 8 and Windows 10.
SIMPLIFYING REGISTRATION RULE:
VideoCAD 8 Lite is registered only by personal registration code as well as VideoCAD Starter. This code doesn't depend on computer hardware or a dongle. This code is valid on any computer.
One license of VideoCAD 8 Lite, purchased separately, allows the use of the program on two workplaces non-simultaneously: work and home computers if both workplaces belong to one person.
CHANGING DEMO VERSION RESTRICTIONS:
In the demo version of VideoCAD 8 Lite changing lens focal length and image sensor is now allowed. Instead of this, saving working project to a file is prohibited and a limit on the maximum number of cameras (5) in one project is added.
Licenses of VideoCAD 8 Professional and VideoCAD 8 Lite allows free use of the demo versions for educational purposes, for research, theses, writing articles, etc. non-profit activities.

New in VideoCAD Lite 8.1.0.0 (May 26, 2016)

MODELING IMAGE SENSOR SIZES AND ASPECT RATIO OF MODERN CAMERAS:
The following parameters have been separated:
image sensor size and size of active area of the image sensor;
aspect ratio of image sensor and aspect ratio of output image of the camera.
The Image sensor format box has been renamed to the Image sensor size.
New abilities to specify the size of image sensor through arbitrary sensor format (type) in inches or through the length of diagonal in millimeters, or through width and height in millimeters.
New ability to set aspect ratio of image sensor separately from the aspect ratio of output image for a given format in inches or length of diagonal of the image sensor.
New ability to set the Crop factor to model image sensors with active area does not touch the edges of the image sensor.
Detailed guide of specifying the active area size of image sensors of modern cameras has been added.
The Sensor and Distortion box has been renamed to Sensor and Lens. Its interface has been changed.
The Image sensor calculator was added.
IMPROVING USABILITY OF WORKING WITH 3D MODELS AND CONSTRUCTIONS IN EDITING STATE:
Switching 3D models from the selected state to the editing state by double clicking on its projections was added (previously it was possible to switch a 3D model to the editing state only from the normal state).
In the editing state, 3D models are displayed with square grips and pink circle.
You can rotate the 3D model by the mouse using the circle, scale 3D model on X and Y axis using the square grips. You can move the 3D model by pressing the left mouse button on the 3D model, as well as in the selected state.
In the 3D World and 3D Video views of 3D models in editing state and in the selected state differ.
New possibility to rotate around its axis in editing state Rectangle, Wall, Aperture in wall, Stairs, Mask, Filling, 3D Image.
OTHER:
Import and export modules of AutoCAD were upgraded. Some improvements were added.
An inaccuracy of snap operation during construction of walls and aperture in wall has been fixed.
New tool Merge contour.
Printing on some virtual PDF printers has been improved.

New in VideoCAD Lite 8.0.0.0 (May 26, 2016)

MODELING VIEW AREA AND CAMERA POSITION:
Ability to display horizontal projection of the view area as two sections by planes on the minimum and maximum heights of the view area. One of the sections is drawn by a transparent filling, the other in the form of hatching. In many camera positions such representation is more informative than standard volume projection.
When the projection of the view area is displayed as two sections by horizontal planes located at height of lower and upper bounds, the shading from obstacles appears as shadows from objects on these planes.
When visualizing spatial resolution with two levels, lower section is not at the view area lower bound but at the height of measuring spatial resolution, determined in the spatial resolution pattern assigned to the camera. Spatial resolution is rendered on this level.
If the height of measuring spatial resolution is set to AUTO, then:
if the view area projection bounds is set to 2 Levels, the height of measuring spatial resolution is set at the view area lower bound;
if the view area projection bounds is set to Projection, the height of measuring spatial resolution is set at the halfway between the lower and upper bounds of the view area (as in previous versions).
Simulation of camera rotation around the main optical axis. Even a slight turn significantly changes the view area projection.
The Style of line type assigned to a camera determines not only style of lines, but hatching style of view area projection.
The Maximum distance of drawing view area is added to the camera geometry parameters. This distance limits view area in 2D and 3D drawings. It is convenient in case of infinite view areas.
The ground is no longer the lowest possible height limiting view area. Height of installation, heights of the lower and upper bounds of view area can be negative. A camera can see from under the ground and under the ground.
The Base height is added to the camera geometry parameters. All heights related to a camera (height of installation, heights of the lower and upper bounds of view area, heights of person detection, identification, license plate reading areas) counted from the base height. The Base height together with layers is used in work with multilevel 3D constructions.
MODELING LENS DISTORTION:
Simulating lens distortion. Distortion is especially pronounced in the short-focus lenses and may lead to significant deviation of form of view area of real cameras from regular pyramid.
Modeling the influence of lens distortion on a 3D image model (pincushion and barrel distortion), the shape of the view area and its projections, on the distribution of spatial resolution.
Correct modeling wide-angle lenses with strong distortion.
The Special sensor size box was renamed to the Sensor and Distortion.
The order of calculation in the Sensor and distortion box was changed. You can enter any image sensor size, then from it the calculated view angles and the aspect ratio are calculated.
To the Sensor and distortion box a box with a calculated diagonal angle was added..
To the the Sensors and distortion box new Distortion panel was added. On the panel you can specify Real view angles from the camera and lens specifications. Distortion is calculated from the ratio between the calculated and real angles.
In the PTZH mode, FOV frame is drawn taking into account lens distortion.
The following camera model parameters were added: Distortion>ON, horizontal, vertical, diagonal real angles.
Using PiP and Real frame size for simulating real camera number of pixels with distortion.
3D WORLD WINDOW:
New 3D World window with 3D navigation. There are the main tools for 3D navigation (Orbit, Move, ZOOM, Walk, Look around, Zoom frame). In the window you can observe the layout in 3D representation. You can work on the project in usual 2D projections and watch it in 3D. You can "walk" on the floors of 3D models of buildings and study every detail.
3D visualization of the camera view area surface taking into account spatial resolution, shadows, lens distortion.
3D visualization of the active camera coverage on the environment taking into account spatial resolution, shadows, lens distortion.
3D visualization of control areas of PTZ cameras, Dome cameras and 360 degree cameras.
Free cutting 3D layout by six planes to provide access to any point of complicated 3D buildings.
Export images from the 3D World window to any of the following formats: *.bmp, *.jpg,*.gif,*.tif,*.png. Size in pixels of the exported file can exceed the Windows screen size.
3D camera view area and camera coverage constructed in the 3D World taking into account distortion, spatial resolution and shading can be exported to a DXF file for insertion into a 3D project processed in another 3D program. This important feature makes possible to use VideoCAD to build 3D models of the view areas for designers working with any 3D design software that support import DXF files, including SketchUP.
MODELING PANORAMIC CAMERAS (FISHEYE, 360°/180°):
Simulation of image resolution and view area limits of panoramic cameras in the 3D Video.
Simulation of the horizontal projection of the view area and visualization of the spatial resolution distribution of panoramic cameras in the Graphics window.
Visualization of camera coverage area and spatial resolution distribution of panoramic cameras on the surrounding objects in the 3D World window.
New icons for panoramic cameras were added.
In the Sensor and Distortion box a new Panoramic panel was added. On the panel the Pan and Tilt angles of panoramic camera installation can be specified.
To the list of camera model parameters: Type>Fixed, PTZ,Dome, Mini a new panoramic item was added,
To the list of camera model parameters: Lens>Type a new fisheye item was added,
Lens focal length boxes in the Graphics window and the Camera geometry box are colored in Aqua when the active camera is panoramic. .
In reports panoramic cameras have fisheye word instead of lens focal length value;
LAYERS:
Constructions, 3D models and cameras can be distributed by layers.
Each layer can have its own Base height. All constructions belong to the layer will be shifted in 3D by the Base height. This feature is useful in work with multilevel 3D constructions.
In addition to the Base height, each layer has the following parameters: Active, Enabled, Visible, Hidden, Snap, Shadows, 3D Visible, Color.
To the main and pop-up menus of the Graphics window the Move to Active layer item was added to move constructions and cameras between layers.
WORK WITH 3D MODELS:
Possibility of using 3D models-territories, to place inside them cameras, constructions and other 3D models.
Support of 3D models with textures, transparent texture and opacity of materials.
New version of VideoCAD Plugin for SketchUP was released with possibilities of export textures, transparent textures, opacity of materials and scaling.
Import of new 3D models was simplified. The special 3D models window was added for creation of 3D model projections. In the window , you can create 3D model projections with specified resolution, brightness, create projection in the form of faces, points and lines.
Ability to make projections in the form of sections of 3D models at the specified range of heights. These projections of 3D models of buildings can be used as background for placing cameras in the Graphics window.
Ability to create 3D model projections with exceeding Windows screen resolution.
Possibility to create a projection of individual area of 3D model with even higher resolution using PiP (Picture in Picture) tool.
To use the 3D models as territories, and their projections as a background, a new ability to block the projection of certain 3D models from selection by mouse click was added.
Ability to consider a 3D model as obstacle in the calculation of shadows.
In the 3D Models window you can also: save 3D model to a file, make copy of a 3D model, earn 3D models using 3D interface similar to the 3D World window.
Tools related to 3D models were moved to special branch of the main menu.
Ability to distribute 3D models by folders in the menu.
Loading files of 3D models via a dialog box.
3D model file name can contain spaces.
During placing or editing 3D models, on the Current construction parameter panel the 3D Models button appears to quick open the 3D Models window .
MODELING RESOLUTION OF CAMERAS AND LENSES:
Ability to obtain full-size image models of cameras with number of pixel exceeding Windows screen size, without using PiP. See examples of exported files: 5 megapixels,10 megapixels, 25 megapixels.
This feature can be useful to model real resolution model of images with distortion.
Resolution modeling algorithms were reworked.
As an unit of measuring resolution instead of actually ambiguous TVL (TV lines), the Lines per Picture Height (LPH) is used. For analog cameras the LPH is the same as "actual" TV lines, ie the number of vertical lines fit within the part of picture width equals to the picture height.
Accuracy of modeling resolution in LPH was increased. When you set the image resolution in LPH, you can also set the drop of contrast in %.
In modeling the camera resolution in LPH, it is possible to model as only horizontally resolution (for analog cameras) as the resolution in both directions (for IP cameras).
The Test chart EIA1956 is tied to the frame height and saves equal aspect ratio regardless of the aspect ratio of the simulated images that allows you to watch resolution of the simulated images in LPH (lines per picture height) in any aspect ratios of the frame.
Size in pixels of the Test chart EIA1956 is increased twice.
Ability to display the Test chart EIA1956 in reduced-size (up to 64 times), what extends the range of estimates resolution using the test chart up to 100 000 LPH.
Simulating lens resolution in line pair per millimeter at specified contrast drop by MTF (10%, 20%, 30%, 50%).
The following camera model parameters were added: Rolling shutter>Up (scan direction); Resolution>LPH (lines per picture height); Resolution>Contrast %; Resolution>Horizontal only; Lens>Resolution>lp/mm (line pair per mm);Lens>Resolution>Contrast %.
3D VIDEO WINDOW:
A window, which shows models of camera images, named 3D Window in the past, was renamed to the 3D Video window.
In the main menu of the 3D Video window, in Image submenu, a new Real frame size item was added. If it is checked, then saving the image in the 3D video window will be with the number of pixels of the camera, which can exceed the screen size in Windows. This item is also used to simulate resolution of image with lens distortion.
In the main menu of the 3D Video window, in View submenu, a duplicating Ground item was added for quick hiding the ground surface in the 3D Video window.
In the main menu of the 3D Video window, in Image submenu, a new Copy to clipboard item was added.
View area faces of cameras are invisible in the 3D Video window, they are visible in the 3D World window.
In the PTZH mode a camera is panned and tilted by moving mouse cursor on the image with left mouse button pressed..
Background representation in the 3D Video window was improved.
Ability to switch image generation thread: in separated thread or in the main thread.
Ability to model Rolling Shutter with line scan order from up to down was added.
Accuracy of positioning PiP and accuracy of working PiP together with Rolling Shutter was increased.
SPATIAL RESOLUTION:
Ability to specify spatial resolution in spatial resolution patterns not only vertically but also horizontally. To do this, a new switch to the Spatial resolution box was added.
To the Option box an option of switching direction of the spatial resolution calculation in dependence of the camera rotation around its optical axis was added.
Additional Spatial resolution patterns were added based on the Standards:
Australian Standard AS4806: Closed Circuit Television;
European Standard EN50132-7;
ISO/IEC 19794 Biometric data interchange formats.
As a result of right-click on the Pattern combo box a pop up menu will appear. Selecting the Default patterns item, you can erase all changes in the patterns and return to the patterns set by default.
The Vertical resolution of camera field in the Spatial resolution box was renamed to the Vert. (Horiz) number of pixels.
To the Spatial resolution box new test images were added.
Spatial resolution visualization on the view area faces and on the active camera coverage in the 3D World window.
Spatial resolution visualization taking into account lens distortion.
A new option for drawing regions of spatial resolution in the Graphics windows in ascending resolution - High resolution on top was added. With this option enabled all cameras remain visible despite the shading of projections of different cameras. While regions with higher spatial resolution are drawn on the top.
Usual drawing.
High resolution on top.
IMPORT AND EXPORT TO AUTOCAD:
Import module was upgraded. Up to AutoCAD DWG 2015 formats are supported.
The dialog box Scale background was renamed to the Adjust background. For backgrounds in DWG or DXF formats, abilities to choose Layout in the background, control visibility of layers, hide texts were added. For backgrounds in PDF format you can choose page and resolution of the background.
Export module was updated and reworked. Export to AutoCAD was improved. Export accuracy was increased.
Cameras with view areas are exported as AutoCAD blocks, view area bounds are exported as polylines. In attributes of the block the most important parameters of the camera are recorded: Name, Model, Lens focal length, Height of installation, Base height, Heights of view area lower and upper bounds, View angles, Number of pixels, Spatial resolution pattern, Quality level.
Illuminators are exported as AutoCAD blocks. In attributes of the block the most important parameters of the illuminator are recorded: Lamp type, Number and power of lamps, Height of installation.
Distribution by layers, set in VideoCAD is saved.
Hatching and filling of shadows are saved.
Styles and weights of lines set in VideoCAD are saved.
Point of origin is saved.
Grid is exported as AutoCAD block with attributes.
In the exported file the references to raster insertions are saved: background and 3D model projections. Raster images are exported along with DXF or DWG file into a separate directory.
In addition to the DXF format, export to the following vector formats was added: DWG, vector PDF, PLT (HPGL/2), CGM (Computer Graphic Metafile), SWF (Adobe Flash).
When you export a drawing with the background in AutoCAD DWG/DXF format, VideoCAD constructions can be added to the background on separate layers or the background can be added as an external links to the file of the background. In both cases the structure of the background is saved.
Possible scheme of the combining AutoCAD + VideoCAD:
1. Load drawing in AutoCAD format as a background;
2. Import AutoCAD lines to VideoCAD 3D constructions automatically;
3. Adding cameras and constructions on special layers.
4. Export the obtained drawing to AutoCAD format to work with it in AutoCAD.
Export to DXF file 3D view areas and camera coverage taking into account lens distortion, spatial resolution, and shading.
This feature allows the convenient scheme of work with combination of 3D BIM Software (SketchUP) + VideoCAD.
1. Export layout as a 3D model-territory through SketchUP and loading it into VideoCAD.
2. Adding cameras with 3D view areas in VideoCAD.
3. Export 3D view areas in DXF format, loading them into 3D BIM Software and combining with the original layout in 3D.
Import constructions from a 2D background in AutoCAD formats to 3D VideoCAD constructions automatically. Use of this tool allows to reduce efforts of outlining background to convert it to 3D constructions.
IMPORT AND EXPORT TO OTHER FORMATS:
Supporting PDF files to use as background including multi-page PDF files.
Export to PDF (raster and vector), AutoCAD DWG, PLT (HPGL/2), CGM (Computer Graphic Metafile), SWF (Adobe Flash).
Because of the increased number of export options, Export tab in the Options box is divided into two sub-tabs: "DXF,DWG,PLT,CGM,SWF,vPDF" and "BMP,WMF,EMF,GIF,TIFF,PNG,JPG,rPDF".
To the options of export to BMP, JPG, EMF, WMF, GIF, TIFF, PNG, rPDF possibility to set hatch step factor was added.
In the 3D Image you can load images in BMP, JPG, PNG, GIF TIF (early BMP and JPG). Transparency of PNG files is supported.
New PDF report was added. Unlike the Text report, the PDF Report can include images from the cameras, fragments of layouts with camera placed, a cover with logo. Report parameters and the structure of information in the report is configurable.
PRINTING:
New mode Use buffer was added. Using this mode, you can get the correct results and print transparent gradient fills, projections of 3D models even on printers do not support these tools, including most of free virtual printer to print to PDF.
New mode Scale Hatching was added. Using this mode, you can get the correct hatching even on printers do not support scaling hatching.
Menu item Print setup remains enabled even VideoCAD can not get access to the current printer.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Ability to change the minimum and maximum heights of several objects at once through changing their line type. If during changing the line type of selected objects by the Change line type tool, to press and hold Ctrl, then the selected objects will also change their minimum and maximum height according to the chosen line type . If Ctrl is not pressed, the heights remain unchanged.
Autosaving the project in specified intervals during running the program in a chain of files (up to 100 copies of the project are saved and rewritten in the regular intervals around the ring).
Image update with lots of rotated projections of the 3D models was accelerated.
New construction - Stairs.
Added a possibility to draw legends of Spatial resolution patterns on the layouts.
New possibility to adjust transparence of filling view area projections in the Graphics window.
A mode to improve visibility of thin lines at scaling background in BMP, JPG, PDF formats.
In the Test object box at calculation of the part of frame occupied by the test object, tvl (TB- lines ) and p ( pixels) are not used.
The Quality level combo box with a list of quality level was removed from the Camera geometry box. You can assign a quality level to the active camera in the Quality levels box.
The item Assign to active camera was removed from the pop up menu of the Quality levels table. A quality level is assigned when you select a line with the quality level name. To save your selection, click Save. To cancel - click Cancel.
In the graphical editing state of the active camera, selection and rotation of the active camera is blocked to prevent displacement of the background, constructions and cameras relative to each other on other layouts.
The cursor coordinates in the lower left corner of the Graphics window are displayed rounded to the second decimal place .
The Export to Text menu item was renamed to Text report.
In the Text report for each camera additional lines were added: layer, the base height , angle of rotation around its axis, number of pixels.
When lens distortion is modeled, the exported text file contains real angles taking into account the distortion and in parentheses calculated angles.
Child windows "sticks" to the screen edges.
Maximum number of lamp in a illuminator was increased up to 250 for modeling LED illuminators.
An option of changing registration code via the Main menu was added.
An option of typing sensor size in millimeters was described in the Help system. Checking invalid sensor sizes was added.
Detected bugs were fixed.
The Help system was updated.
Examples of work with VideoCAD in the Help were updated according to the new features. Several new examples were added.
Project format of VideoCAD7 - *.vc7 is supported. There are possibilities of export and import of the previous project format *.vmp, supported by versions from 4 to 6.
The program was tested under Windows 8.

New in VideoCAD Lite 7.0.0.1 (Jul 14, 2011)

New project file format *.vc7. There are possibilities of export and import of the previous project format *.vmp, supported by versions from 4 to 6.
Unlimited quantity of cameras in one project. In the previous versions each project could contain no more than 100 cameras.
Unlimited quantity of constructions on each layout. In the previous versions each layout could contain no more than 5000 constructions.
Quantity of line types is increased to 2000.
Resource-intensive operations are allocated in separate threads. This allows working in the graphics window without delays and also get considerable gain in efficiency on modern multicore processors.
3D image generation is allocated in a separate thread. This allows working in the graphics window with opened 3D window without delays for redrawing 3D images. The priority of the 3D window thread can be switched. During image generation in the 3D window on the 3D window button blinking red frame appears.
New items were added to the 3D window's main menu: Speed>Disable image processing and Update image only by clicking. These items duplicate the same items in the Options box. When image processing is disabled the 3D image redraw speed considerably increases.
Possibility of two-stage image generation in the 3D window. At the first stage the image without processing is quickly generated and displayed. Then resource-intensive per-pixel processing is carried out and the processed image is shown.
In the PTZH frame mode image processing is disabled to increase speed of image redrawing. Titles are disabled too.
The algorithm of modeling sensitivity of megapixel cameras is accelerated.
Image redrawing in the Graphic window was accelerated too. Bottlenecks were optimized.
Constructing horizontal projection of camera control area taking into account shadows, arisen from obstacles on the scene environment. In three dimensions, shadows from any constructions (including 3D models) can be automatically calculated and displayed.
New definitions are introduced: Camera control area and Control area projection. Camera control area forms by subtracting shadows of environment objects (uncontrolled areas) from camera view area.
Constructing the Camera control areas of PTZ(dome) cameras taking into account shadows, created by obstacles on the scene environment. The tool is also useful for choosing the best location for fixed cameras to make reachable required areas.
In the Line type properties there is new item: Shadow. If the item is checked then all constructions made by this line type are considered as obstacles at calculating shadows.
On the Current construction parameter panel when a 3D model is editing, there is additional checkbox- Shadow. If the checkbox is checked, then the 3D model is considered as an obstacle at calculating shadows.
Shadows - a new powerful yet easy-to-use tool of VideoCAD 7. Shadows are calculated for all positions of cameras, shading objects can be located at any point of space. You should only enable calculation of shadows.
View area projection of different cameras can have different color according to parameters of line type of these cameras (in case of disabled spatial resolution visualization).
View area projection can be semitransparent. The Fill projection button and corresponding item of the main menu have a drop-down list in which it is possible to choose blend filling or hatching view area projection.
Camera view area can be divided into regions filled by different color and (or) type of hatching. Regions can differ depending on the following criteria:
spatial resolution (pixels/meters, pixels/foot);
vertical field of view size (meter, foot);
vertical number of pixels covered by an object of the specified height (meter, foot);
the part of the frame (%) covered by an object of the specified height (meter, foot).
The spatial resolution is measured at the specified height and can be displayed in the Horizontal projection in all modes. In the Vertical projection the spatial resolution is displayed in the loaded (active) camera editing mode only.
The new Spatial resolution box was added in which it is possible to create and edit patterns of spatial resolution and field of view size visualization. In the box there are prepared spatial resolution patterns according to the following criteria: Home Office Scientific Development Branch, Home Office Guidelines for identification, P 78.36.008-99. Also in the box there are examples of images of group of people are automatically displayed for each region of spatial resolution. Different patterns can be assigned to different cameras.
View area projections can have gradient colors. In this case key colors of the gradient correspond to the colors in the assigned pattern from the Spatial resolution box.
On the Image parameter panel a new tab PiP (Picture in Picture) was added. The PiP mode allows to model in the 3D window images with resolution exceeding the 3D window resolution and even the resolution of the Windows screen.
Digital ZOOM in the PiP mode allows to additionally magnifying specified area on the 3D window for detailed analysis.
If the image resolution differs from the 3D window size and artificial decrease of resolution is performed or the PiP is displayed, in the Titles of the 3D window in separated lines the image resolution and the screen resolution are displayed.
New values of resolution in the drop-down lists. Lists of resolution are stored in files H_res.txt and V_res.txt in the VideoCAD installation directory. To add new resolution it is possible to edit these files. As well as in the previous versions you can type any resolutions by the keyboard.
You can specify speed and direction of movement for 3D models in a velocity vector form and in a numerical form.
On the Current construction parameter panel when choosing 3D models there is an additional Speed box.
Frame rate was added to the camera parameters.
It is possible to model movement of 3D models and rotation of the Rotakin object.
Visual estimation in the Graphics window how many times moving object will get into the frame, depending on speed and direction of movement of the object, location and frame rate of the camera and the view area form.
Exposure time and Row time of Rolling shutter were added to camera parameters.
It is possible to model blur of moving 3D models (motion blur) and rotating Rotakin depending on the speed, direction of movement and exposure time of camera.
When modeling exposure time in the 3D window Titles current exposure time value is displayed.
Modeling distortions of moving 3D models and rotating Rotakin from Rolling shutter and Global shutter.
Modeling interlace distortions of moving 3D models and rotating Rotakin.
Possibility of creation of animated images with moving 3D models.
On the Image parameter panel, View tab the Number of frames box was added.
When the Number of frames is more than one, in the 3D window's titles the Frame rate value is displayed and in the 3D window animated image with specified Frame rate is generated.
Animated images can be saved as animated GIF files and displayed on the Monitor window.
Scaling the Monitor window in Windows 7 was improved.
New sizes of monitors were added.
Possibility of setting resolution of digital monitors.
During loading monitors it is possible to interrupt the long operation, having pressed ESC.
It is possible to set correcting factor for exact modeling physical sizes of monitors.
Displaying on the monitors animated images with moving 3D models.
Saving image of the monitors in formats *.gif, *.tif, *.png.
Exporting images on the monitors to the *.html file with static or animated images. Camera’s images are saved in the camera's original resolutions in the form of separate files PNG or animated GIF.
New object - Rotakin - an animated rotating test target for visual estimation of spatial resolution and motion distortions on the 3D images. In the Options box it is possible to change rotation speed of the Rotakin.
New object - Wall. It allows drawing walls with different thickness.
New object - Aperture in Wall. It allows making in 3D walls any apertures, for example for windows and doors.
New object - Polyline. It allows drawing line segments continuously.
New tool - Scale. It allows scaling selected constructions relative to a base point.
New tool - Mirror. It allows getting mirror copies of selected constructions relative to a horizontal or vertical line.
Existing Copy and Cut tools are renamed to Copy with base point and to Cut with base point.
New Copy and Cut tools were added. In the new tools the base point is set automatically at the center of copied objects.
Several new 3D models were added to the library.
Possibility of using in the project a lot of brands of cables. Line types can be considered as cables.
Possibility of drawing main cables, which is not associated with cameras.
Possibility of getting the Cable report. The report contains lengths of all cables separated by brands and cameras, including the main cables.
Continuous drawing cables. The end of each segment is the start of the following one. To stop drawing cable press ESC.
The Height parameter was added to the depth of field parameter list. At the set Height the analysis of depth of field is performed do display the depth of field bounds in the Horizontal projection. The height can be different for different cameras.
When the Depth of field box is opened, all cameras in the horizontal projection have displayed borders of the sharpness area, hyperfocal distance, focus distance measured at the set height. In the vertical projection the borders of the sharpness area, hyperfocal distance, focus distance are displayed in the loaded (active) camera editing mode.
It is possible to specify focus distance by clicking on the view area horizontal projection of the loaded (active) camera. The Specify focus plane button is always accessible.
When the Specify focus plane button is pressed, during cursor movement over the view area horizontal projection of loaded (active) camera, on the Status bar the resolution under the cursor limited by the depth of field is displayed.
In the Depth of field box the new Default button was added. As a result of clicking this button, default values will be assigned to input parameters in the Depth of field box: the boundary resolution = 0.7*horizontal pixel count, focus distance = hyperfocal distance, height = AUTO (middle height of the camera's view area).
A new menu for switching visibility of separate columns was added.
Several new possibilities of filtering data in the tables.
Several new parameters of camera model were added: Exposure time at measuring sensitivity, Maximal frame rate, Row time (parameter of the Rolling Shutter).
To the Table of cameras these three new parameters of model were added and in addition: Current frame rate, Name of the assigned Spatial resolution pattern, Signal cable brand and Power cable brand.
Possibility to adjust visibility of buttons on the Tool bar.
When Alt is pressed, it is possible to move drawing in the Graphics window using arrow keys and to change scale using plus and minus keys irrespective of the input focus.
In the PTZH frame mode of the 3D window you can pan and tilt the camera by moving the image in the 3D window with left mouse button pressed like moving drawing in the Graphics window.
In the Options box the Default button was added. Using this button you can assign default values to all parameters on the opened tab.
Sign of the Scaling factor when turning the mouse wheel in the Option box determines the reaction for direction of rotation the mouse wheel in the Graphics window.
Manual scaling 3D window in Windows 7 was improved.
On the Processing tab of the Image parameter panel and in the Sensitivity and resolution box between combo boxes with horizontal and vertical numbers of pixels, new buttons with a cross were added. These buttons are intended for fast calculation of vertical number of pixels from the specified horizontal number of pixels and on the contrary. Calculation is carried out using the Aspect Ratio.
On the View tab of the Image parameter panel near to a box with the horizontal number of pixels, the calculated value of vertical number of pixels and the Aspect ratio are displayed.
At the left top corner of the Tool bar the Save project button was added for convenient regular saving the current project to a file.
Links to the last 10 used project files are accessible in the Main menu>Project.
Accuracy of 3D model selection in the Graphics window was improved.
In the Main menu>Help new items with links to our web site and VideoCAD user forum in the Internet were added.
Buffer of last operations (UNDO) stores now all parameters of cameras.
Depth of the undo buffer can be adjusted on the Miscellaneous tab of the ptions box. This depth can be up to last 50 operations.
The REDO button was added for moving in the UNDO buffer in the opposite direction.
Support of import as background and export drawing in the following formats: EMF +, GIF, TIFF, PNG. Blend color and gradient color are supported.
Support of export drawing to JPG format (Import of the JPG format is present in the previous versions).
Possibility of saving image from the 3D window in formats: GIF, animated GIF, TIF and PNG.
Possibility of saving image from the Monitor window in formats: GIF, TIF, PNG, HTML with PNG, HTML with animated GIF.
When editing by points a rectangle, an inclined rectangle or 3D image, the rectangle remains rectangular by default. By pressing Ctrl it is possible to edit separate points and to change distance between lines. In the previous versions it was on the contrary.
Double line rotates as a whole, with keeping distance between lines that is more convenient at construction of walls.
When editing by points a double line, it rotates as a whole by default. Keeping Ctrl it is possible to edit separate points and to change distance between lines. In the previous versions it was on the contrary.
The Post in the 3D window is hidden by default. It is possible to show post on the View tab of the Image parameter panel.
Setting of export to raster formats on the Export tab of the Options box by default correspond to an exact copy of the screen.
At the moment of closing the Image parameter panel the According to camera parameters box on the Processing tab becomes marked automatically and all parameters on this tab get values from the loaded (active) camera. This is to avoid mess with displaying resolution of loaded (active) and inactive cameras.
Name of the loaded (active) camera is not red colored when exporting and printing.
When modeling interlaced fields, the vertical resolution of video sensor (if it is set) decreases twice. In the previous versions the vertical resolution of the whole image in the 3D window was decreased.
From the Camera tab of the Image parameter panel duplicating controls are removed to clear a place for new tools. The controls remain on the Sensitivity and resolution box.
The Loaded camera term is changed to the Active camera.
Menu item Project> Export is renamed to Project> Export to text.
Button Actual view area projections and the corresponding Main menu item are renamed to Fill projections.
The Interface tab in the Options box is renamed to Miscellaneous.
Coaxial cable is renamed to the Signal cable (the Russian version).
Utilities for measuring camera and image parameters were separated out from VideoCAD in the separate product - CCTVCAD Lab Toolkit.
Utilities in the CCTVCAD Lab Toolkit become more stable in Windows 7.
The Video analyzer has a possibility of automatic measuring signal/noise ratio of static image or live video on the computer screen, in a window of any third party program.
In the Image analyzer, showing separate image lines as a oscilloscope can be separated by color.
In the Spectrum analyzer, a possibility of calculating spectral efficiency of infra-red LEDs of different wavelength for different image sensors was added.
In the Spectrum analyzer, spectral sensitivity curves of modern CMOS and CCD megapixel image sensors (SONY, Cypress, Micron) were added.
The technique of measuring sensitivity of cameras was refined on the base of practice of measuring the sensitivity of IP cameras. A new method of measuring the sensitivity using the Video analyzer was added.
Procedures for measuring camera exposure time and the row time of rolling shutter of IP cameras were developed.
Possibility to make camera and luminaries icons scalable together with the other constructions on the drawing. In this case the size of icons is specified in meters (foots). This possibility allows setting the exact sizes and positions of icons and names of cameras for exporting and printing.
Possibility of assigning scalable fonts to the camera names and specifying displacement of camera names in meters (foots) for scalable icons and in pixels for no scalable icons separately.
Displaying background in the 3D window was improved.
A new possibility of adjusting resolution of a vector background (in AutoCAD format) in the 3D window.
In the Options box on the 3D tab a slider was added which allows adjusting realism of modeling depth of field, exposure time and rolling shutter.
In the Sensitivity and resolution box a new camera parameter Exposure time at measuring sensitivity was added.
In the exporting text file for each camera the following information was added: Horizontal angle of camera, Coordinate X, Coordinate Y, Model, Producer and Cost.
Help system was considerable improved; a lot of pictures were added.
Examples of work with VideoCAD in the Help were updated according to the new features. Several new examples were added.
Program was adapted for modern wide-screen monitors with high resolution.
VideoCAD 7 Lite can work with USB Senselock dongle and with the HID registration.

New in VideoCAD Lite 6.1.0.0 (Mar 15, 2010)

Camera parameters modeling (spectral response; number of pixels; resolution; minimum scene illumination at known signal-to-noise ratio, IRE and aperture; maximum signal-to-noise ratio; electronic shutter; AGC; Back Light Compensation; gamma correction).
Lens parameters modeling (focal length; aperture; Auto Iris DC and Video Drive). Calculating and modeling Depth of field based on calculated aperture.
Modeling cameras, switching into black and white mode in case of low illuminance: day/night with removable IR filter and easy day/night with permanent IR filter.
Enhanced modeling of DVR parameters (vertical and horizontal digitization, brightness, contrast, compression, vertical and horizontal sharpness).
Modeling specific distortions which are arisen as a result of mismatching output image size and number of pixels on camera's video sensor.
Modeling images based on scene, lens, camera and DVR models. Calculating and modeling signal-to-noise ratio and contrast.
Image models at different illumination levels are tested against real video cameras. Very high level of coincidence has been achieved.
Image analyzer tool allows measuring signal-to-noise ratio, brightness and brightness amplitude of an image, size and contrast of an object relative to background, building histogram, calculating image size at different compression levels, analyzing certain lines of an image similarly to oscilloscope, as well as modifying certain image parameters. By analyzing saved images using this tool it's possible to calculate sensitivity and resolution of a real camera for precise modeling in VideoCAD.
Live video analyzer tool allows measuring brightness, average brightness and noise in certain point, as well as screen frame rate in window containing live video created by any program.
Lamp spectrum analyzer tool allows to determine the spectral efficiency of any light source for various camera types based on spectral power distribution curve. Determined value of spectral efficiency is used in VideoCAD for precise modeling various types of light sources.
Table of camera models support (over 100 parameters for each model), ability of assigning models for project cameras. It's possible to adjust a view of model table by hiding unnecessary columns. Table of models supports sorting and filtering. Automatic calculation of sums of power consumption and prices. Ability of printing tables and their parts, importing and exporting into Excel, Word, *.txt, *.csv, *.htm.
Modern IP cameras support (16:9 Aspect Ratio, different image sensor sizes and aspect ratio, high image resolution).
Criteria in Quality levels concerned with limiting image resolution (maximum vertical field of view size, minimal parts of screen occupied by a license plate and a face) are related to the number of pixels for modeling and comparing digital cameras with different resolution. These criteria are now known as: Minimal vertical resolution (pixel/meter), Minimal vertical size of face image (pixels) and Minimal vertical size of license plate image (pixels).
Varifocal and ZOOM lens support. Adjusting lens focal length by moving view area bound on a layout within set limits using a mouse.
Icons for internal, outdoor and PTZ cameras may be different.
For each camera icon various line types can be set. Thus, the camera icons can vary in color and line thickness.
Lens focal length range has been widened to 1000mm.
A background in *.dwg AutoCAD™ 2007 format support, AutoCAD™ PROXY records support, loading speed of complex *.dxf files is improved. Bug fixed. All ANSI code pages support, and other improvements concerned with *.dxf and *.dwg files import.
Export to*.dxf file is improved. It's possible to set camera icons and illuminator size in AutoCAD™ units. Ability of exporting large background files.
Several new 3D models were added, including dark-skinned person for testing the ability of detecting dark-skinned people at low illumination.
3D models now can be scaled in any direction.
3D models can be placed in vertical projection. Models placed in vertical projection will not be visible in 3D window.
Convenient 3D model selection from the Tool bar.
Raster images in the 3D window. Usual photos and pictures in *.bmp or *.jpg format can be placed in 3D space. Raster images can be transparent, and can replace difficult-to-make 3D models. Raster images can be scaled, placed at any angle, used for modeling variety of objects, from banknotes and plates to a complex background.
Background can be visible in the 3D window.