Proteus 8.9 15 Million new library parts through Samacsys, Auto Complete Routing and much more.

Proteus 8.9 - New Features

We are pleased to announce that Proteus 8.9 is now released. This version involves a file format change which is not backwards compatible with older versions of the software.
The New features include:

  • Library Web Search: Version 8.9 sees the completion of the library part import work by introducing a live web search directly into the library pick form. Now, when you search for a part you can move from installed results to web results at the press of a button. Then you simply double click on the web result to import straight into Proteus. Both the schematic component and the PCB footprint will be imported and, in most cases, the 3D STEP file will also be included. There are over 15 million parts in the web search but if the part you want doesn’t exist you can request it be built for you. This is a free service and typically takes 24-48 hours. A free account needs to be registered with our partner Samacsys but this can be set up from inside Proteus the first time you try to import a part.

  • Auto Complete Route: When routing tracks on the PCB Proteus will now search ahead of the mouse and display a shadow track to a legal destination. You can then simply hit the ENTER button on the keyboard to automatically complete the route as shown by the shadow track. The shadow track will update as you route with the mouse. This allows you to guide the process and then auto-complete when you are happy with the result.

  • Panelization Improvements: When panelizing, the positioning of the incoming boards often needs to have specific clearances from the panel boundary and between other boards on the panel. We’ve updated the Gerber Editor so that when you are creating a panel the procedure is now:
    • Set the world area to be the size of your PCB panel.
    • Import your first PCB specifying number of copies and clearances.
    • Repeat if necessary with other PCBs.
    • Draw final board edge around the world area to represent the panel.


Many other VSM models and fixes are also included! As well as work on 8.10 has now started. Watch this space for more information!

New Features in V8.7.

Proteus 8.7 - New Features

One of the main goals of the V8.7 release was to build on the high speed design support we first introduced at V8.6. The main addition is an extension of the length matchgroup functionality to allow a single section of track to belong/contribute to several matchgroups. This is necessary for fly-by topology routing such as is recommended for DDR3. We've also added browsing of length matchgroups via Connectivity Highlight mode and have improved the length match report to include more relevant information. Finally, we've allowed for the specification of internal lengths within a component body in ARES via a context menu command.
Another significant area for development was in automating the stitching of zones which can now be done directly from the zone context menu. You can also select to shield zones (picket fence) via a similar command and we've extended the functionality to routes so that you can better isolate high speed routes.
Library manager has been re-written and now includes both part previews and property information. You can also select two parts and launch a differencing tool that will highlight both the physical (e.g. footprint dimensions) and property (e.g. stockcode) differences between them.
The autoplacer has seen significant improvement in V8.7. First, we have made it dual-sided so that it can place on both component and solder side of the PCB. We've then introduced placement rooms which enables basic floorplanning of the PCB prior to placement.
A full list of features and fixes is available from the Updates and Fixes Support Forum. Proteus 8.7 is available free of charge to all customers whose USC is valid as of 1st September 2017.

IoT Builder is a complete workflow for the design, test and deployment of IoT connected appliances with the Arduino Yun hardware.

Introducing IoT Builder

IoT Builder is a new product module, offering a complete workflow for the design, test and deployment of IoT connected appliances with the Arduino Yun hardware. It works with either the Proteus VSM for Arduino product or the Visual Designer for Arduino product to allow the development of remote user interfaces to Arduino products.
This initial release of IoT Builder is ideally suited for use in education and hobby projects with additional features for commercial use planned in subsequent releases.
More information can be found on the IoT Builder page.

Proteus 8.6 includes automatic serpentine routing, layer stackup management, assembly variants support and much more.

Proteus 8.6 - New Features

Version 8.6 is a significant release in our PCB development schedule with three main areas of focus.
First, we have introduced comprehensive support for automatic length matching on the PCB. Having configured tolerances and the serpentine shape the user can simply select the relevant tracks and then the invoke the match command from the context menu.
We've also introduced a more formal layer stackup wizard where the build up of the physical PCB can be specified and then passed to the fab house. This allows the user to specifically define the drill passes (drill ranges) used in the board which for multi-layer boards in particular then allows us to provide intelligent via options during track placement.
Finally, we've re-written the design explorer module to enable :

  • System wide support for Assembly Variants, allowing the user to create a product variant and specify the 'fitted' or 'not fitted' state of individual parts in that variant.
  • More powerful search and filtering on the schematic, together with property replacement. This makes it fast and simple for example to change the package on all 10nF capacitors in the design.

Progress on the 'push-and-shove manual routing' feature remains on target for beta testing at the end of the year.
Meanwhile, on the Proteus VSM side, we are pleased to announce the completion of the popular STM32 ARM Cortex-M3 family, along with several new variants in the PIC microcontroller families and several new embedded peripheral models.
Finally, we have added support for popular Arduino robot turtle simulation to the Visual Designer module.
Please see the Support Forum for more information.
Proteus 8.6 is available free of charge to all customers whose USC is valid as of 3rd November 2016.

All NEW Visual Designer product.

Proteus 8.5 - Introducing Visual Designer

Version 8.5 is an interim release in the PCB development schedule and features a complete re-working of the CADCAM output engine. The RS274X output has been upgraded to make full use contours and polygonal apertures whilst the new code can also generate the latest Gerber X2 format as well as an IPC-D-356 bare board netlist.
Other features added are significant improvements to the large pin count BGA workflow which are included in the release of 8.5 SP0. Meanwhile, our major development focus on 'push-and-shove manual routing' remains on target for the end of the year.
8.5 also sees the introduction of Visual Designer for Arduino AVR - a flowchart based programming environment for the Arduino ecosystem that makes full use of the simulation capabilities of Proteus VSM.
A full list of features and fixes is available from the Updates and Fixes Support Forum. Proteus 8.5 is available free of charge to all customers whose USC is valid as of 1st June 2016.

Proteus 8.4 features

Proteus 8.4 : New Features

Proteus 8.4 was largely an interim release to provide official support for the recent Windows® 10 operating system. Main highlights of this release include:

  • Support for Windows 10
  • System wide update to make text and iconography DPI aware and therefore better render on high dpi devices (e.g. 4k monitors).
  • Added design rule aware curved track support to the PCB layout module.
  • Improved smoothness of power plane step-off from curved tracking.
  • Completed work on the MSP430G2X family of microcontrollers.
A full list of features and fixes is available from the Updates and Fixes Support Forum. Proteus 8.4 is available free of charge to all customers whose USC is valid as of 1st December 2015.

Proteus 8.3 Features

Proteus 8.3 : New Features

Proteus 8.3 was based around re-working the way in which we transition from PCB Layout (ECAD) through to mechanical layout (MCAD). Over the last few years the STEP file format has become the de-facto standard for data exchange and we have therefore implemented full support in the Version 8.3 release.
We have also taken a close look at our customer feedback logs and implemented several of the most requested features. Main highlights of this release include:

  • Support for MCAD data exchange via STEP and IGES file formats. Both import of component STEP/IGES files and export of the resulting STEP Assembly is supported (requires L2 or higher)
  • Extensive modifications to existing libraries to include pre-supplied STEP files for radial electrolytics, connectors and some other common parts.
  • Support for multiple track editing operations and enhancements to track necking.
  • Enhanced support for design re-use via sub-circuit binding on the Replicate command.
  • Enhancement of print sets in ARES to allow paste and soldermask prints alongside copper layers.
  • Addition of single layer options for keepout objects (ctx menu command on the keepout object).
  • Significant rework of the PDF output to address various issues with the existing implementation. Also added SVG output.
  • Addition of MSP430G2x variant set.
  • Addition of PIC18F45K50 variant set.
  • Addition of ILI9341 TFT LCD (SPI & Parallel Mode Only) and associated Arduino Shield

A full list of features and fixes is available from the Updates and Fixes Support Forum. Proteus 8.3 is available free of charge to all customers whose USC is valid as of 1st June 2015.