- Other tracks and vias are pushed out of the way.
- New Visual DRC displays where you can or cannot route accordingf to the DRC Rules.
- A new Route Command Center provides all routing options in one form.
Proteus 8.16 - New Features
We are pleased to announce that Proteus Design Suite 8.16 has now been released. It can be downloaded from the home page of the software. Note that this version involves a file format change which is not backwards compatible with older versions of the software.
New features include:
- Push and Shove Routing: There are now two main placement mods, namely Push mode and traditional FMR mode. The former allows the route being placed to move other tracks (and optionally vias) out of the way while the latter is more akin to a hug mode which will obey design rule clearances but will not affect other objects on the PCB. Keyboard shortcuts enable you to seamlessly switch between modes at any time.
- DRC Aware Route Editing: Track editing operations are now by default all design rule aware, allowing you easily make the most of the available board space and keep a tidy board layout. This can be disabled via keyboard shortcut or through the Route Command Centre.
- Route Command Centre: The Route Command Centre is the home for all route placement, editing and Visual DRC configuration options in Proteus. It can be launched from the Tools Menu or, more commonly, via the 'R' keyboard shortcut. Importantly the keyboard shortcut can launch the dialogue form while in the middle of placing or editing a route meaning that you can make changes or adapt the routing modes at any time.
- Visual DRC: Visual DRC provides a viewport around the mouse and each object shows an expansion corresponding to it's design rule clearance in an overlay. This instantly lets you see whether the route being placed can move where you want it to go and then take action such as toggling push mode or changing track style to squeeze through a tight gap.
- Status Bar Messaging: Status Bar messaging has been upgraded during route placement and editing to include live route lengths, current routing mode and route styles and net information.
- Length Matched Tracks Viewer:New matchgroup view directly in the parts bin gives a live board insight on length matched routes and their compliance status with target lengths.
For a full listing of features and fixes please log on to our support forums and look under the 'Updates and Fixes' section. Proteus 8.16 is available free of charge to all customers whose USC is valid as of 20th March 2023.
- New MECH layers added.
- Improved Curved Routing and Editing.
- Overhauled Mitring including curved mitres.
Proteus 8.15 - New Features
We are pleased to announce that Proteus Design Suite 8.15 has now been released. It can be downloaded from the home page of the software. Note that this version involves a file format change which is not backwards compatible with older versions of the software.
New features include:
- Curved Route Editing: The editing of curved routes has been overhauled to work in a similar way to linear routes. Curved corners can be dragged to enlarge or contract their radius and straight segments between curves can be dragged exactly like linear segment dragging.
- Linear Route Editing: Various improvements to segment dragging, node dragging and small segment removal. The goal of all editing is to maintain 90 and 45 degree segments as this both enables future segment drag editing and software tidy operations.
- Via Dragging: Via dragging is a special case since you don't often move by a large amount and any direction will often do. Considerable work has taken place to maintain editable routing following a user via drag.
- Curved Mitring: Routes can now be switched between linear and curved mitring either individually, on a selected group or globally. This again depends on the routes maintaining 45 and 90 segments when linear.
- Additional Layers: The layering system has been upgraded to include:
- An additional four mechanical layers.
- A dedicated slot layer.
- Dedicated top and bottom assembly layers.
In previous versions you specified which mechanical layer to specify as the slotting layer. When imported into 8.15 the contents (if any) of this specified layer will be moved automatically onto the new slotting layer.
For a full listing of features and fixes please log on to our support forums and look under the 'Updates and Fixes' section. Proteus 8.15 is available free of charge to all customers whose USC is valid as of 20th September 2022.
- Full support for placed and designated testpoints.
- New differential pair configurator.
- Set an area of vias or individual vias to be resin filled.
Proteus 8.14 - New Features
We are pleased to announce that Proteus Design Suite 8.14 has now been released. It can be downloaded from the home page of the software. Note that this version involves a file format change which is not backwards compatible with older versions of the software.
New features include:
- Testpoints: Set minimum requirements and clearances, then use live coverage monitor to achieve compliance.
- Dedicated support for testpoints throughout the software.
- Set minimum numbers on a net class basis.
- Define clearances, board sides and other rules.
- Use the live coverage monitor to work towards compliance of your testpoint strategy.
- Dedicated testpoint report and output plot.
- Either place and wire or designate existing pads/vias.
- Diff Pair Configurator: We’ve added a differential pair configurator dialogue on the schematic to simplify the setup and make it easy to specify pass through components on the diff pair signal lines.
- Diff Pair Start point: Some extra work has been done on the routing algorithm for the automatic start of differential pair routing. This ensures that the uncoupled distance is minimised while also cornering in at 45 degrees, rather than at right angles.
- Resin Filled Via Support (NCVF): We've added support for resin filled vias, typically used with via-in-pad. Simply drag a selection box around the area (e.g. BGA) and invoke the via filling command from the right click context menu. Filled vias are exported in a separate drill file and marked as IPC-4761 type VII (filled and capped) in the Gerber X2 output.
- Manual Route Editing - Preserving 45 Corners: The manual route editing algorithms have been improved to better maintain 45 degree cornering during route editing operations. This is the first of several planned phases of route placement/editing development now underway.
- Track Tapers / Teardrops: Apply tapers to changes in track widths (E.g. from normal to neck style) to avoid sudden changes in track widths. Can be applied globally at the end of the design process and gated on the width of the track.
- Align and Distribute Commands: The recently added align command has been complemented by a distribute command, making it easy to quickly arrange rows of placed passives.
- New Manufacturing Rule: We’ve added a new manufacturing rule (defaulted off) for minimum solder dam. Also called the minimum solder mask sliver or green oil bridge this lets you set a minimum feature width for the solder dam between pads.
- Assembly Drawings Output: The assembly drawing output has been tweaked to include a BGA marker beside ball A1. A new property ASSEM_NO_MARK can be added to any component to suppress the pin 1 marker. This can be done en-masse with the Property Assignment tool or, more easily, with Design Explorer in search mode.
- Proteus VSM for PIC18: A major upgrade to the PIC18 family with the following new variants added: PIC18F24Q10, PIC18F25Q10, PIC18F26Q10, PIC18F27Q10, PIC18F45Q10, PIC18F46Q10, PIC18F47Q10, PIC18F26K40, PIC18F45K40, PIC18F46K40, PIC18F24K40, PIC18F25K40, PIC18F27K40, PIC18F47K40.
- STM32 Arduino with Blue Pill: We've added support for the STM32F103C8T6 processor variant, used in the popular Blue Pill Arduino board. Support for Blue Pill board is included with both the VSM for Arduino and Visual Designer for Arduino products.
- Zone Inspector showing plane properties of a PCB.
- Libary Parts can be updated with custom properties and values.
- Updated Pre Production Checker results list.
Proteus 8.13 - New Features
We are pleased to announce that Proteus Design Suite 8.13 has now been released. It can be downloaded from the home page of the software. Note that this version involves a file format change which is not backwards compatible with older versions of the software.
New features include:
- Zone Inspector: Zone Inspector is a powerful new analysis and management tool for power planes:
- Easily locate and tag planes on the layout.
- View plane configuration at a glance.
- Filter the view by layer and sort data.
- Edit plane settings and set draw order.
- Library Part Property Editing: We've enhanced our library management tools to allow direct property management of library parts in a simple spreadsheet view. Works together with the Manage Changes dialogue to apply changes to the master libraries into any given project.
- Design Walk: Design Walk is a new feature on the schematic that lets you follow a net through the various sheets on the schematic. Users can select a net directly from the context menu on a schematic wire or pin and then use the PGUP and PGDOWN keyboard commands to cycle through the sheets on the schematic with the specified net tagged on each sheet. Alternatively, the context menu can be invoked again to navigate to a specific target sheet. More detailed net analysis can take place in the Design Explorer module as needed.
- Pre-Production Check: We've made some changes to the Pre-Production check in two main ways. First, we've made all of the checks selectable so that users can disable them for the current session if need be. Second, we've persisted the last log so that errors can be worked through with the log as a reference. The log is clearly marked as invalid as soon as the project is changed and a new PPC run should then be made before creating any outputs from the system.
- Multi-Board Project Notes: The multi-board system introduced in Version 8.12 has been expanded to the reporting module so that board specific reports can be generated as needed.
- Use the SnapEDA Web search to access many many more parts!
- Differential Pair Pass through Components is now possible in ARES.
- Proteus now supports multiple PCB boards per project.
Proteus 8.12 - New Features
We are pleased to announce that Proteus Design Suite 8.12 has now been released. It can be downloaded from the home page of the software. Note that this version involves a file format change which is not backwards compatible with older versions of the software.
New features include:
- Multi-Board Support: A formal scheme for product designs which have multiple rigid boards but a single schematic. Each board can have its own stackup and design rules and work on specific boards can be switched via a simple combo box. The design explorer module provides a global overview of the project and all of the output systems such as Bill of Materials and CADCAM are board aware.
- Differential Pair Pass Through: It's very common for passive devices to be part of the differential pair (between source and destination pins). This makes it harder to treat the signal as a single entity and complicates things like length matching. In this release we've introduced a scheme whereby you can specify these passives as pass through devices. They will then contribute any specified pin length (x2) plus the pad->pad distance on the PCB (footprint distance) to any length matching calculations.
- Non Functional Pads: Despite the name non functional pads are typically vias on which the annular ring is removed on layers where no connection is made. This can make a little more space in a tight area of the board or serve to reduce stray capacitance near sensitive signals. We've introduced support for NFP either via global command or to all vias inside a selection box. Design rules measurements take place either from the hole edge for depleted layers or from the edge of the annular ring where present. Users can remove and restore NFP as needed and the system will automatically restore the annular ring if the via is manually routed to on a layer that is currently depleted.
- SnapEDA Web Search: We've added integration with SnapEDA as a second vendor in the integrated web search, allowing direct access to their vast online library of parts and direct import into the Proteus application.
- Cloud Licensing: We've added access to log files, a heartbeat indicator and an authorised IP list to the web portal for enterprise customer cloud licensing.
- Differential Pair Length Matching now supported!
- Component Placement reports for Schematic Layout.
- Licence management though the Web Portal.
Proteus 8.11 - New Features
We are pleased to announce that Proteus 8.11 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:
- Differential Pairs: Support for differential pairs length matching both against other differential pairs and to target length. Work continues on differential pairs and the next release will see the inclusion of support for pass through components.
- Report Generation: We've introduced a new report for component placement which lists the component references of each part against a grid reference on the schematic border. This is intended for use along with printed schematic documents.
- Enterprise Licensing: We've introduced cloud licensing solution for both enterprise and education. This allows clients to license a session via a URL and provides a dedicated web portal where seats can be allocated, credentials set and reservations made.
We've also fulfilled several user requests and, on the simulation side, a lot of work has gone into supporting the MQTT protocol in the fledgling IoT Builder product.
A full list of features and fixes is available from the Updates and Fixes Support Forum for more information. Proteus 8.11 is available free of charge to all customers whose USC is valid as of 1st September 2020.
- Differential Pairs now supported!
- ARES now supports circular holes and diagonal cross-hatch power planes.
- Project Notes now includes multiple reports.
Proteus 8.10 - New Features
We are pleased to announce that Proteus 8.10 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:
- Differential Pairs: Support for differential pairs is the main addition to this release. We've added configuration options and constraints and included a dedicated routing mode to handle both tracks at the same time. Phase matching or skew correction happens automatically after route placement and both linear and curved routing modes are fully supported. Work continues on differential pairs and we aim to introduce both target length specification and pass-through component support in subsequent service pack releases.
- Report Generation: A significant amount of work has been devoted to the Project Notes module to enable various useful report types to be generated for a given project. Each report is a template that includes one or more data objects (E.g. the length matching table is a data object). All of these data objects are available to the user and can be inserted into new or customized templates for future use. Currently supported report types include:
- PCB Manufacturing Report. Includes Layer Stackup, Drill table, Fiducial data, Assembly drawings and more.
- Variant Comparison Report. Tabulates the differences between variants of the project.
- Design Rule Report. Lists in a linear table all of the design rules that have been specified for the current project.
- Single Pin Net Report. Lists all single pin connections that have not been assigned to the NC net.
- Length Matching Report. Lists all length matched routes including compliance status.
- Differential Pairs Report. Contains detailed information on each differential pair including compliance status.
- Power Plane Enhancements: We've added the following extra configuration options to the power plane system:
- Circular Holes vs Octagonal Holes.
- Diagonal Cross-Hatch Fill
A full list of features and fixes is available from the Updates and Fixes Support Forum for more information. Proteus 8.10 is available free of charge to all customers whose USC is valid as of 1st January 2020.
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!
- Import from SamacSys, SnapEDA, Ultra Librarian, Digikey & PCB Libraries Expert.
- DRC now supports specific design rules for areas of the board.
- Design Explorer now supports different properties for different variants of the board.
Proteus 8.8 - New Features
Proteus Version 8.8 is a major release and includes several important new features.
Creating library parts for schematic and layout can be tedious and error prone and diverts the engineer from the task of actually making the product. Fortunately, there are now a variety of third party websites with catalogues of literally millions of library parts available for import. We’ve created a simple import interface designed to work with multiple tools such as SamacSys, Ultra-Librarian, SnapEDA and PCB Library Expert. This allows you to download and import any parts that don’t exist in the installed libraries with a minimum of fuss. Both schematic symbols and PCB footprints can be imported at the same time along with the pin mapping between them. The existing BSDL import and pin layout editor functionality has also been integrated into the new import workflow.
We have upgraded the design rule manager to allow the definition of board constraints that apply to a specific area of the PCB. Reducing the scope of the design rules down to a specific area can be used for setting different clearances for things like:
- Escape area for a BGA.
- Pad and trace clearances around a fine pitch SMT device.
- High Voltage protection area.
- Edge connectors.
Following customer requests, we have added the ability to specify different properties (including the part value) for particular components in each variant of a design. This allows variants to carry alternate pin compatible parts each with its own value, stockcode, cost and so on. Alternate property values can also be used in circuit simulation. The only restriction is that all variants of a component must carry the same PCB footprint.
A full list of features and fixes is available from the Updates and Fixes Support Forum for more information. Proteus 8.8 is available free of charge to all customers whose USC is valid as of 1st July 2018.
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.
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 - 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.
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.
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.
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.