ComfortClient

[juwi_uk]

Hi

I\'m working on the next major release of ComfortClient.  You will be able to build Floorplans directly in the Editor and changes their look-and-feel via templates.  A wizard will be available to quickly build floorplans for the new starters out there!

More on this later.

Screenshot is an alpha example of a rotated, scaled and manipulated \"T-Shape\" Room object, manipulated via the white and yellow drag handles respectively.

So question out there for you all.   Can you post the most complicated room shapes you all have in your building designs as I want to make sure I can configure and manipulate these as a single entity in the new Floorplan Editor.

Julian

 

 

 

[juwi_uk]

New extensible \"Shape Factory\" screenshot from an Alpha build.

[juwi_uk]

Playing with the new Shape Factory that will be coming in the next version!

[juwi_uk]

If you are a registered user and want to opt in to the Beta programme then send me a PM and I\'ll let you know how.  

I\'m pleased to let a first public beta of version 5 (5.1.1.11) escape into the world if you want to play with it. You can use the new ShapeMe! in-built helpdesk to report issues or request new features.

I\'m going to work now on more and more items in the Shape Factory and improve existing ones future (more colour & texture options etc for lines and fill).

Fixes and new features in v5 so far relative to the last release are: 

 

Bug Fixes/Changes

• Send-to-Back, Bring-To-Front was ignored for Linear Gauges object types in Floorplan Editor.
  
• Object Report in Floorplan Editor now hides Tabs containing no Objects.
  
• Object Tooltip now shows in Floorplan Editor when hovering over an Object.
  
• Improved mouse selection accuracy on Object grab handles in Floorplan Editor.
  
• In Floorplan Editor, hit testing of rotated objects nested inside another object would sometimes incorrectly pick the wrong object when using the new selection method introduced in the last release.   In addition this newer selection methodology has been improved further to improve hits.
  
• In Floorplan Editor rubberband selection would sometimes fail to correctly identify rotated objects.
  
• Max Object border width property is changed from max 10 to 255.
  
• Updated OpenXML API from 2.0 to 2.5.
  
• Updated Sauntinsoft RTF-to-HTML API from 4.5.4.8 to version 5.0
  
• The Rotation Centre handle does not show now until you first hover over the Rotation Handle;  this makes it easier to drag smaller items around without the rotation centre accidentally triggering.  It hides again automatically when the object selection is cleared.
  
• ClickResponses of type “Output” did not send the command to comfort when clicked at runtime.
  
• Changing the Object state value from OFF to ON/OFF and then changing the ClickResponse values for type OUTPUT would cause an exception.
  
• Cloning an Object in FlooorplanEditor did not create a new initial Object Name; the “Friendly” name of the object.
  
• License checks are now also added to FloorplanEditor (needed for ShapeMe).
  
• In Floorplan Editor Object Properties, Object State is now available for Gauges and Plugins.  A state other that “” (empty) will set the objects visibility at runtime.  An addition empty (“”) state is added to the Object State dropdown for when a statically visible object is required.
  
• Decode for the CS command did not correctly decode the state property.

New Features

• New extensible Floorplan Shape Factory is introduced.  Shapes are classed as either “basic” or “room” types;  the latter are formatted by a central Room Template Manager. The Shape factory is updatable from the FuturehomeSoftware website to automatically incorate newly introduced shapes when Floorplan Editor is started.
  
• New ShapeMe! Help Desk.  Use ShapeMe! To log new Requests for additional Shapes or enhancements to existing ones.  Use also to log new bug and enhancement Requests for ComfortClient as a whole.
  
• Print Preview and Print menu actions are added to Floorplan Editor and ComfortClient.
  
• Adding a new Object to the Floorplan will not open the Object Properties window when the SHIFT key is held down. This aids the fast addition of objects to the Floorplan.
  
• Rotation menu items added to Floorplan Editor; you can now rotate in 90 or 180 increments or return to zero rotation or reset the rotation point back to centre. The same buttons are available in object Properties so you can quickly rotate objects on creation.
  
• “Back One” and “Forward One” are now available to change order of objects in the z-Order in increments of one.  Works with multi-selections too.
  
• In the Object Matrix, cells can now be selected or de-selected via mouse double-click.

 

By the way make sure you keep copies of your floorplans from the current release or test this in a sandbox PC/VM as the floorplans will be upgraded to v5 format if you save any new features (Shapes etc). 

Regards

Julian

[juwi_uk]

Hi,

A new beta build (12) is advertised for those in the v5 Beta programme..

This one includes a lot of Shape Factory code clean-up and improvements and includes a host of new shapes:

• Base & Wall unit shapes and new Kitchen Sink shapes;   you should now be able to construct any kitchen floorplan layout. There\'s a challenge! 
  
• Existing objects have a lot more configurability;  Line types and fills.
  
• New Arrow Shapes.

I think the Shape Factory is now pretty close to everything people should need at day 1 of v5 release to build feature rich floorplans but I stand to be challenged!.

Ju

[juwi_uk]

Build 13 is also advertised today, hot on the heals of Beta 12.  The first fix below was really the driver for this.

Ju

· Fixed issue with drag small objects being difficult as rotation centre was instead selected. Makes shape movement a lot easier as some shapes can be quite small (its one that's bugged me for a while and finally got around to debugging today!)
· Removed need to have Visual Studio power pack add-on in the distribution media as was unnecessary
· Adding sliding door shape
· Added fireplace shape
· Further clean-up, reliability and performance tweaks.

 

[juwi_uk]

You\'ll notice when playing with shapes that whilst all have a default size but can be subsequently resized (and other properties further tuned),  some are locked so that they scale correctly to proportion.

Resizing options can be any of the following and implemented per shape.

• Unlocked - Full corner and mid point scaling in x and y planes
  
• Locked - Corner resize only to maintain proportions.
  
• Allow X-Plane:  As locked but with additional horizontal stretch.
  
• Allow Y-Plane:  As locked but with additional vertical stretch.

Let me know if you find any anomalies.

Ju

[juwi_uk]

Note we now have print preview and print in V5.

So now along with shapes you have a very cheap 2D drawing program as well as everything else CC does.  Below is print from FloorplanEditor but you can also print LIVE data floorplans as well in ComfortClient!

Ju

 

[juwi_uk]

The next beta makes it a bit easier to configure the objects as I\'ve added shape specific property naming and help.

In this example I\'m going mad colour here to demo some of the properties for a sink object. the draining slot colour can be changed for example to be subtlety different from the main unit colour so to signify depth etc. 

These are \"Active\" so for example if you had a sensor on the taps you could change the bowl colour to say blue to signify it is now holding water.

Available in Beta Build 14 anyway.

 

[juwi_uk]

I\'ve now advertised build 26 (RC3) for those of you testing the ComfortClient Beta so you will see it advertised when you start the application.

This build is code complete save for any showstopper issues that arise during final testing.  Changes/fixes since the last release are below.

I still plan to add a few more shapes to the ShapeFactory library before final release.

I\'ll leave you with a sample test floorplan created completely in the ComfortClient v5 FloorplanEditor; no Visio or other drawing app needed anymore as in previous versions.  
[indent]

BUG FIXES/CHANGES

• Send-to-Back, Bring-To-Front was ignored for Linear Gauges object types in Floorplan Editor.
• Object Report in Floorplan Editor now hides Tabs containing no Objects.
• Object Tooltip now shows in Floorplan Editor when hovering over an Object.
• Improved mouse selection accuracy on Object grab handles in Floorplan Editor.
• In Floorplan Editor, hit testing of rotated objects nested inside another object would sometimes incorrectly pick the wrong object when using the new selection method introduced in the last release.   In addition this newer selection methodology has been improved further to improve hits.
• In Floorplan Editor rubberband selection would sometimes fail to correctly identify rotated objects.
• Max Object border width property is changed from max 10 to 255.
• Updated OpenXML API from 2.0 to 2.5.
• Updated Sauntinsoft RTF-to-HTML API from 4.5.4.8 to version 5.0
• The Rotation Centre handle does not show now until you first hover over the Rotation Handle;  this makes it easier to drag smaller items around without the rotation centre accidentally triggering.  It hides again automatically when the object selection is cleared.
• ClickResponses of type “Output” did not send the command to comfort when clicked at runtime.
• Changing the Object state value from OFF to ON/OFF and then changing the ClickResponse values for type OUTPUT would cause an exception.
• Cloning an Object in FloorplanEditor did not create a new initial Object Name; the “Friendly” name of the object.
• License checks are now also added to FloorplanEditor (needed for ShapeMe).
• In Floorplan Editor Object Properties, Object State is now available for Gauges and Plugins.  A state other that “” (empty) will set the objects visibility at runtime.  An addition empty (“”) state is added to the Object State dropdown for when a statically visible object is required.
• Decode for the CS command did not correctly decode the state property.
• Improve performance of System Information by only requesting serial numbers for Modules that exist.
• Added decode for future KP04A and KP06A keypads.
• Fixed an obscure internal exception “catch” in filename full path when an image picture box is missing; does not affect the user but internal code cleanup best practice.
• Fix GroupID was “Misc” instead of “MISC” on a couple of decodes.
• Added decodes for RD and WD/WE.
• Updated .NET Checking for Later .NET versions; 4.5.1, 4.5.2, 4.6 etc
• Added “Connected” and “Disconnected” Event hooks to the Plugin Framework API.
• Extended ValueTransforms adding \"{Value}*10\", \"{Value}*100\", \"{Value}*1000\" for Counter Objects. 
• Sensors can now use ValueTransforms.
• Important:  ValueTransforms are now applied BEFORE temperature and percentage conversions.
• Added “Disconnected” status to Plugin Framework API “GetLogonStatus” function.
• ObjectMatrix now displays and decodes 16 bit counters correctly and they can be set in HEX mode. The minimum value for decimal “Set” Sensor changed to -32768 (was -32767).
• In FloorplanEditor, custom colours set in colour dialog are now preserved/shared across all dialogs and saved to the FloorplanEditor config file so that can be used across all Floorplans.
• Add RIO type 254 for Ingo Arduino project.
• Change Lock/Unlock UI window title to be in context.
• Fix CM command was sent during refresh when feedback type is also blank instead of “None” in Home Control menu; will reduce time to refresh.
• In object Properties, all object types (Pictures, Labels, Gauges, Shapes) now observe the rotation property when showing small and large previews.
• Label previews now also observe the Opacity property in Object Properties; previously hardcoded to 100 percent.
• Fix issue in B? decode where it didn’t audibly announce the state.

[/indent]
[indent]

NEW FEATURES

• New extensible Floorplan Shape Factory is introduced.  Shapes are classed as either “basic” or “room” types;  the latter are formatted by a central Room Template Manager. The Shape factory is updatable (can be turned off in via Options Panel) from the FuturehomeSoftware website to automatically incoporate newly introduced shapes when Floorplan Editor is started.
• New ShapeMe! Help Desk.  Use ShapeMe! to log new Requests for additional Shapes or enhancements to existing ones.  Use also to log new bug and enhancement Requests for ComfortClient as a whole.
• Print Preview and Print menu actions are added to Floorplan Editor and ComfortClient.
• Adding a new Object to the Floorplan will not open the Object Properties window when the SHIFT key is held down. This aids the fast addition of objects to the Floorplan.
• Rotation menu items added to Floorplan Editor; you can now rotate in 90 or 180 increments or return to zero rotation or reset the rotation point back to centre. The same buttons are available in object Properties so you can quickly rotate objects on creation.
• Ã¢â‚¬Å“Back One” and “Forward One” are now available to change order of objects in the z-Order in increments of one.  Works with multi-selections too.
• In the Object Matrix, cells can now be selected or de-selected via mouse double-click.
• Implement decode of  the b?00 (Query all zones bypass state) command from UCM firmware v7.069 onwards.

[/indent][/quote]

Julian