Rel 5 was the biggest leap in functionality for DirectSOFT EVER. Rel 5 created macro-type "instructions" called IBoxes (Intelligent Boxes) that boiler plate common coding logic, e.g. MATH, NETRX, NETWX, but also added a bunch of functionality for ECOM100 modules, like sending EMAILS from your PLC! (can't do that with DS Rel 4).
Rel 6 adds more IBoxes, along with the coolest debug tool, Trend View.
Here's a list of Rel 6 Features:
The Trend View is a cool new debugging tool for tracking multiple elements values over time. (164)
Right-click on your favorite Data View and select "Trend All" to automatically create a new Trend View that tracks the Data View elements!
Over 40 new IBoxes
Faster status updates! (Like in Do>more Designer!) -- Thanks to Bob! =)
The DirectSOFT Comm Server now auto-detects the PC's Serial COM ports. (4144)
Added ability to select a particular Network Interface Adapter Card ("PIC-A-NIC") in the Comm Server Link Wizard. (4126)
DirectSOFT now automatically Checks for Updates on startup. Also added ability to manually "Check for Updates..." under the Help menu.
Crisp new graphics-based displays in Ladder View and Stage View with alpha-blended Block Cursors. (4162)
Boxes in Ladder View now display Input Leg Labels.
Graphical indicator denotes edge-triggered (vs. level-triggered) Boxes and IBoxes in Ladder View. (163)
Can now ZOOM IN / ZOOM OUT to eleven (11) levels via new drop-down Zoom control on the main offline toolbar. (200)
Ladder, Stage, and Mnemonic Program Views now support ZOOM IN / ZOOM OUT via CTRL+SHIFT+PLUS and CTRL+SHIFT+MINUS HotKeys, or via CTRL+Mouse Wheel. (4628)
Ladder Editor: When entering a rung with no contacts, now asks if you wish to 1. Tie to the power rail (when valid) 2. Insert an _On (SP1) contact, or 3. Merge with the previous rung. (4313)
Small and large Toolbars with Text.
Here's a list of Rel 5 features:
Cool Features in 5.0
Intelligent Boxes (IBoxes) - modularized/parameterized ladder logic that perform common, simple, but also some complex PLC ladder logic (not user definable). The IBoxes are grouped by categories: 200s-Memory, 300s-Discrete Helper, 400s-Analog Helper, 500s-Math, 700s-Communications, 1000s-Counter I/O. Check the Help system or the Box Browser (F7) for details on each IBox. If you try to download them to a PLC that does not support IBoxes you will get an error before the transmission would actually start. The 05, 06, 250-1, 260, and 450 CPUs have firmware available for IBox support.
New Toolbar Buttons, new Toolbars, completely configurable Toolbars (edit, create, move around, dock, float, etc.). See View-->Toolbars and View-->Toolbars-->Customize.
Dockable/Floating Views - including Cross Reference, Data Views, and Output window. These can auto-hide (click on push pin in upper right, then float your cursor over the tab), float (grab the title bar on the XRef or Data View and have it float), or can be "tabbed" or "tiled" to share real estate (tabbed is similar to Excel's tabbed spread sheets, but the tabs are large and at the bottom; tiled is what you would expect). Just play around with it - you'll see grayed-out borders give you feedback on what it will do once you "drop" it (tiled, floating, tabbed).
Tabbed main views (tabbed Ladder, Stage, Mnemonic, PID, and Documentation Editor). You can also change it back to the Rel 4 traditional way (Window-->Cascade will get it to start behaving like Rel 4).
Online Status Bar is now integrated as part of the primary status bar on the bottom of the application. Also, each Online Status Bar field is a "button" which will bring up an appropriate dialog (you can float your mouse over each of the fields to bring up a tooltip to see what it would do).
We've added a Tip Of The Day to highlight the new (and some existing) features. If you have any new or existing features you think should be a Tip du jour, please let us know!
Support for the new D0-DCM module. Allows you to configure both serial ports. When online, do PLC-->Setup-->D0-DCM.
Support for the new Hx-ECOM100 module using all new IBoxes, including Sending EMail, Reading/Writing TCP/IP Configuration via ladder logic, simplified RX/WX Neworking, and more!
Every instruction's Help topic shows a table of which specific CPUs support that specific instruction.
What Was New in Version 5.1
We invite you to visit "DirectSOFT on the Web" for Today's News about DirectSOFT, including timely tips, FAQs, Release information, FREE Downloads and more. Look for "DirectSOFT on the Web" under the DirectSOFT HELP menu, on the Toolbar, or on the DSLaunch window.
Includes D0-DCM ASCII Instruction Support - Added support for slot parameter for various ASCII instructions in the 05 and 06 instruction sets for the D0-DCM. This includes PRINT instruction in the 05 and 06 PLCs, and the MRX, MWX, AIN, PRINTV, and ACRB for the 06 PLC. You can now execute these ASCII type instructions with either the local CPU port (Port 2) or with the new D0-DCM module's Port 2.
Added support for up to 199 COM Ports (COM1 thru COM199). User must still add entries to the DS500.INI file devasync.dll group,
What Was New in Version 5.2
CommServer - DirectSOFT now supports 57600 Baud and 115200 Baud Rate on serial links. Currently (in 6/2007), only the D0-DCM supports these faster baud rates as a DirectNet or K-Sequence slave to DirectSOFT.
Topic: DirectSoft 6 vs DirectSoft 32 Ver. 4 (Read 27317 times)