HighDesign R8 Release Notes

Version: 2024.1 Status: released

New features, changes & improvements

  1. Overall speed and refresh optimizations for up to 2x performance improvements.
  2. New Table tool (SE/Pro) with support for title, headers, merged rows, functions, cell and table formatting, Excel and CSV data link.
  3. Schedules (Pro): a new project item that extracts information from the project and displays the data in table form. Schedules are live as each row is linked to the element and changes on the schedule are reflected on the element and vice-versa. Data can be defined by property filters, grouped, sorted, and displayed with totals and counts.
  4. Symbols: added new visual symbol browser.
  5. Symbol settings panel, library: a single click now selects the library item, a double-click applies the item to the selection.
  6. Symbol settings panel, library: added “Apply” menu item to the current item’s pop-up menu.
  7. Symbols now retain the original layers used the symbol was created. This allows to hide symbol elements by switching on and off their layer.
  8. Symbols: the resources used during the creation of the symbol, such as line-types, hatches and layers, are now added to the project when the symbol is first inserted.
  9. Symbols: improved support for sub-symbols contained inside the main symbol.
  10. Symbols: added new “Select All Instances” command on the pop-up menu of the Symbol Settings window.
  11. Symbols: project symbols can now be deleted when the last instance has been removed from the project.
  12. Documentation: completely revised and expanded.
  13. Redesigned the layout of tool settings panels to be narrower and use less screen space.
  14. Updated most tool and command icons for better clarity.
  15. Reorganized the Project menu and moved the Group commands to the Drawing menu.
  16. Project Units Settings: added volume units.
  17. Walls and columns: added Height parameter.
  18. Walls and columns: added fields for base area, side surface and volume in Object Info.
  19. Doors and Windows: added parameters for sill height and opening height.
  20. Doors and Windows: new on-screen controls to flip the opening direction and side.
  21. Columns can now be selected with a click inside.
  22. Hidden wall openings, for example windows placed on a hidden layer, are now rendered as rough openings.
  23. Added pop-up notifications for confirmation of operations like Export Image, publish to PDF and similar.
  24. Improved support for full screen.
  25. Improved UI on Windows.
  26. HighDesign is now a one-package application for all three editions. There is no longer a separate download for HighDesign LT.
  27. Groups now retain the original layers of the member objects so that switching off a layer hides the elements as expected, even when inside a group.
  28. The main toolbox can now be scrolled when the layout is set to one column and the visible buttons do not fit the available height.
  29. Multiple linear dimensions now offer new Baseline mode in addition to Continued.
  30. DXF/DWG: improved support for hatches with spline boundaries.
  31. DXF/DWG: added support for Table entities.
  32. Print: removed checkbox for generic printer output on macOS as no longer necessary.
  33. Improved export of images with transparent background.
  34. Texts can now be edited directly with a click over the object.
  35. Project Browser: added new contextual menu.
  36. Project Browser now remembers the state of each group.
  37. General Settings: removed the option to not include symbols in the documents as it is now on by default and required.
  38. Publish to PDF no longer automatically opens the exported file and shows instead the notification that allows to reveal the file in the Finder/File Explorer.
  39. HighDesign LT: the Print options now include the ability to print construction objects and grids.
  40. Autoscrolling now behaves more consistently, is easier to activate, supports the accelerator key (Alt) and shows a visual feedback when active.
  41. Edit Group workspace: increased margin between the group items and the dashed group bounding box.
  42. Arcs: added mid-point handle for easier snapping and resizing.
  43. Find Objects panel: improved layout and added support for Cmd/Ctrl- W command to close the window.
  44. The Tool Settings window can now be moved to a different location on screen.
  45. Miscellaneous speed improvements on data loading and user interface items.
  46. Viewport: when selected, a new on-screen button allows quick access to the viewport’s settings panels.

Bug Fixes