What is new in VideoCAD 7.0

NEW PROJECT FORMAT

1.1 New project file format *.vc7. There are possibilities of export and import of the previous project format *.vmp, supported by versions from 4 to 6.
1.2 Unlimited quantity of cameras in one project. In the previous versions each project could contain no more than 100 cameras.
1.3 Unlimited quantity of constructions on each layout. In the previous versions each layout could contain no more than 5000 constructions.
1.4 Quantity of line types is increased to 2000.

SPEED OPTIMIZATION

1.5 Resource-intensive operations are allocated in separate threads. This allows working in the graphics window without delays and also get considerable gain in efficiency on modern multicore processors.
1.6 3D image generation is allocated in a separate thread. This allows working in the graphics window with opened 3D window without delays for redrawing 3D images. The priority of the 3D window thread can be switched. During image generation in the 3D window on the 3D window button blinking red frame appears.
1.7 New items were added to the 3D window's main menu: Speed>Disable image processing and Update image only by clicking. These items duplicate the same items in the Options box. When image processing is disabled the 3D image redraw speed considerably increases.
1.8 Possibility of two-stage image generation in the 3D window. At the first stage the image without processing is quickly generated and displayed. Then resource-intensive per-pixel processing is carried out and the processed image is shown.
1.9 In the PTZH frame mode image processing is disabled to increase speed of image redrawing. Titles are disabled too.
1.10 The algorithm of modeling sensitivity of megapixel cameras is accelerated.
1.11 Image redrawing in the Graphic window was accelerated too. Bottlenecks were optimized.

CALCULATING SHADOWS IN THE VIEW AREA

1.12 Constructing horizontal projection of camera control area taking into account shadows, arisen from obstacles on the scene environment. In three dimensions, shadows from any constructions (including 3D models) can be automatically calculated and displayed.
1.13 New definitions are introduced: Camera control area and Control area projection. Camera control area forms by subtracting shadows of environment objects (uncontrolled areas) from camera view area.
1.14 Constructing the Camera control areas of PTZ(dome) cameras taking into account shadows, created by obstacles on the scene environment. The tool is also useful for choosing the best location for fixed cameras to make reachable required areas.
1.15 In the Line type properties there is new item: Shadow. If the item is checked then all constructions made by this line type are considered as obstacles at calculating shadows.
1.16 On the Current construction parameter panel when a 3D model is editing, there is additional checkbox- Shadow. If the checkbox is checked, then the 3D model is considered as an obstacle at calculating shadows.

Shadows - a new powerful yet easy-to-use tool of VideoCAD 7. Shadows are calculated for all positions of cameras, shading objects can be located at any point of space. You should only enable calculation of shadows.

COLORS, FILLING AND HATCHING OF VIEW AREA PROJECTIONS

1.17 View area projection of different cameras can have different color according to parameters of line type of these cameras (in case of disabled spatial resolution visualization).
1.18 View area projection can be semitransparent. The Fill projection button and corresponding item of the main menu have a drop-down list in which it is possible to choose blend filling or hatching view area projection.

VISUALIZATION OF SPATIAL RESOLUTION AND FIELD OF VIEW SIZE

1.19 Camera view area can be divided into regions filled by different color and (or) type of hatching. Regions can differ depending on the following criteria:

• spatial resolution (pixels/meters, pixels/foot);
• vertical field of view size (meter, foot);
• vertical number of pixels covered by an object of the specified height (meter, foot);
• the part of the frame (%) covered by an object of the specified height (meter, foot).

1.20 The spatial resolution is measured at the specified height and can be displayed in the Horizontal projection in all modes. In the Vertical projection the spatial resolution is displayed in the loaded (active) camera editing mode only.

1.21 The new Spatial resolution box was added in which it is possible to create and edit patterns of spatial resolution and field of view size visualization. In the box there are prepared spatial resolution patterns according to the following criteria: Home Office Scientific Development Branch, Home Office Guidelines for identification, P 78.36.008-99. Also in the box there are examples of images of group of people are automatically displayed for each region of spatial resolution. Different patterns can be assigned to different cameras.
1.22 View area projections can have gradient colors. In this case key colors of the gradient correspond to the colors in the assigned pattern from the Spatial resolution box.

MODELING RESOLUTION OF MEGAPIXEL CAMERAS

1.23 On the Image parameter panel a new tab PiP (Picture in Picture) was added. The PiP mode allows to model in the 3D window images with resolution exceeding the 3D window resolution and even the resolution of the Windows screen.
1.24 Digital ZOOM in the PiP mode allows to additionally magnifying specified area on the 3D window for detailed analysis.
1.25 If the image resolution differs from the 3D window size and artificial decrease of resolution is performed or the PiP is displayed, in the Titles of the 3D window in separated lines the image resolution and the screen resolution are displayed.

1.26 New values of resolution in the drop-down lists. Lists of resolution are stored in files H_res.txt and V_res.txt in the VideoCAD installation directory. To add new resolution it is possible to edit these files. As well as in the previous versions you can type any resolutions by the keyboard.

MODELING MOVEMENT

1.27 You can specify speed and direction of movement for 3D models in a velocity vector form and in a numerical form.
1.28 On the Current construction parameter panel when choosing 3D models there is an additional Speed box.
1.29 Frame rate was added to the camera parameters.
1.30 It is possible to model movement of 3D models and rotation of the Rotakin object.
1.31 Visual estimation in the Graphics window how many times moving object will get into the frame, depending on speed and direction of movement of the object, location and frame rate of the camera and the view area form.

1.32 Exposure time and Row time of Rolling shutter were added to camera parameters.
1.33 It is possible to model blur of moving 3D models (motion blur) and rotating Rotakin depending on the speed, direction of movement and exposure time of camera.
1.34 When modeling exposure time in the 3D window Titles current exposure time value is displayed.
1.35 Modeling distortions of moving 3D models and rotating Rotakin from Rolling shutter and Global shutter.
1.36 Modeling interlace distortions of moving 3D models and rotating Rotakin.

CREATION OF ANIMATED IMAGES

1.37 Possibility of creation of animated images with moving 3D models.
1.38 On the Image parameter panel, View tab the Number of frames box was added.
1.39 When the Number of frames is more than one, in the 3D window's titles the Frame rate value is displayed and in the 3D window animated image with specified Frame rate is generated.
1.40 Animated images can be saved as animated GIF files and displayed on the Monitor window.

NEW IN THE MONITOR WINDOW

1.41 Scaling the Monitor window in Windows 7 was improved.
1.42 New sizes of monitors were added.
1.43 Possibility of setting resolution of digital monitors.
1.44 During loading monitors it is possible to interrupt the long operation, having pressed ESC.
1.45 It is possible to set correcting factor for exact modeling physical sizes of monitors.
1.46 Displaying on the monitors animated images with moving 3D models.
1.47 Saving image of the monitors in formats *.gif, *.tif, *.png.
1.48 Exporting images on the monitors to the *.html file with static or animated images. Camera’s images are saved in the camera's original resolutions in the form of separate files PNG or animated GIF.

Click to see an example of animated monitor (file size about 4 Mb).

NEW OBJECTS AND TOOLS

1.49 New object - Rotakin - an animated rotating test target for visual estimation of spatial resolution and motion distortions on the 3D images. In the Options box it is possible to change rotation speed of the Rotakin.
1.50 New object - Wall. It allows drawing walls with different thickness.
1.51 New object - Aperture in Wall. It allows making in 3D walls any apertures, for example for windows and doors.
1.52 New object - Polyline. It allows drawing line segments continuously.
1.53 New tool - Scale. It allows scaling selected constructions relative to a base point.
1.54 New tool - Mirror. It allows getting mirror copies of selected constructions relative to a horizontal or vertical line.

1.55 Existing Copy and Cut tools are renamed to Copy with base point and to Cut with base point.
1.56 New Copy and Cut tools were added. In the new tools the base point is set automatically at the center of copied objects.
1.57 Several new 3D models were added to the library.

CABLE REPORT

1.58 Possibility of using in the project a lot of brands of cables. Line types can be considered as cables.
1.59 Possibility of drawing main cables, which is not associated with cameras.
1.60 Possibility of getting the Cable report. The report contains lengths of all cables separated by brands and cameras, including the main cables.
1.61 Continuous drawing cables. The end of each segment is the start of the following one. To stop drawing cable press ESC.

DEPTH OF FIELD IN THE HORIZONTAL PROJECTION

1.62 The Height parameter was added to the depth of field parameter list. At the set Height the analysis of depth of field is performed do display the depth of field bounds in the Horizontal projection. The height can be different for different cameras.
1.63 When the Depth of field box is opened, all cameras in the horizontal projection have displayed borders of the sharpness area, hyperfocal distance, focus distance measured at the set height. In the vertical projection the borders of the sharpness area, hyperfocal distance, focus distance are displayed in the loaded (active) camera editing mode.
1.64 It is possible to specify focus distance by clicking on the view area horizontal projection of the loaded (active) camera. The Specify focus plane button is always accessible.
1.65 When the Specify focus plane button is pressed, during cursor movement over the view area horizontal projection of loaded (active) camera, on the Status bar the resolution under the cursor limited by the depth of field is displayed.
1.66 In the Depth of field box the new Default button was added. As a result of clicking this button, default values will be assigned to input parameters in the Depth of field box: the boundary resolution = 0.7*horizontal pixel count, focus distance = hyperfocal distance, height = AUTO (middle height of the camera's view area).

NEW IN TABLE OF CAMERAS AND TABLE OF CAMERA MODELS

1.67 A new menu for switching visibility of separate columns was added.
1.68 Several new possibilities of filtering data in the tables.
1.69 Several new parameters of camera model were added: Exposure time at measuring sensitivity, Maximal frame rate, Row time (parameter of the Rolling Shutter).
1.70 To the Table of cameras these three new parameters of model were added and in addition: Current frame rate, Name of the assigned Spatial resolution pattern, Signal cable brand and Power cable brand.

INTERFACE IMPROVEMENTS

1.71 Possibility to adjust visibility of buttons on the Tool bar.
1.72 When Alt is pressed, it is possible to move drawing in the Graphics window using arrow keys and to change scale using plus and minus keys irrespective of the input focus.
1.73 In the PTZH frame mode of the 3D window you can pan and tilt the camera by moving the image in the 3D window with left mouse button pressed like moving drawing in the Graphics window.
1.74 In the Options box the Default button was added. Using this button you can assign default values to all parameters on the opened tab.
1.75 Sign of the Scaling factor when turning the mouse wheel in the Option box determines the reaction for direction of rotation the mouse wheel in the Graphics window.
1.76 Manual scaling 3D window in Windows 7 was improved.
1.77 On the Processing tab of the Image parameter panel and in the Sensitivity and resolution box between combo boxes with horizontal and vertical numbers of pixels, new buttons with a cross were added. These buttons are intended for fast calculation of vertical number of pixels from the specified horizontal number of pixels and on the contrary. Calculation is carried out using the Aspect Ratio.
1.78 On the View tab of the Image parameter panel near to a box with the horizontal number of pixels, the calculated value of vertical number of pixels and the Aspect ratio are displayed.
1.79 At the left top corner of the Tool bar the Save project button was added for convenient regular saving the current project to a file.
1.80 Links to the last 10 used project files are accessible in the Main menu>Project.
1.81 Accuracy of 3D model selection in the Graphics window was improved.
1.82 In the Main menu>Help new items with links to our web site and VideoCAD user forum in the Internet were added.

UNDO

1.83 Buffer of last operations (UNDO) stores now all parameters of cameras.
1.84 Depth of the undo buffer can be adjusted on the Miscellaneous tab of the Options box. This depth can be up to last 50 operations.
1.85 The REDO button was added for moving in the UNDO buffer in the opposite direction.

NEW FORMATS OF IMPORT AND EXPORT

1.86 Support of import as background and export drawing in the following formats: EMF +, GIF, TIFF, PNG. Blend color and gradient color are supported.
1.87 Support of export drawing to JPG format (Import of the JPG format is present in the previous versions).
1.88 Possibility of saving image from the 3D window in formats: GIF, animated GIF, TIF and PNG.
1.89 Possibility of saving image from the Monitor window in formats: GIF, TIF, PNG, HTML with PNG, HTML with animated GIF.

CHANGES

1.90 When editing by points a rectangle, an inclined rectangle or 3D image, the rectangle remains rectangular by default. By pressing Ctrl it is possible to edit separate points and to change distance between lines. In the previous versions it was on the contrary.
1.91 Double line rotates as a whole, with keeping distance between lines that is more convenient at construction of walls.
1.92 When editing by points a double line, it rotates as a whole by default. Keeping Ctrl it is possible to edit separate points and to change distance between lines. In the previous versions it was on the contrary.
1.93 The Post in the 3D window is hidden by default. It is possible to show post on the View tab of the Image parameter panel.
1.94 Setting of export to raster formats on the Export tab of the Options box by default correspond to an exact copy of the screen.
1.95 At the moment of closing the Image parameter panel the According to camera parameters box on the Processing tab becomes marked automatically and all parameters on this tab get values from the loaded (active) camera. This is to avoid mess with displaying resolution of loaded (active) and inactive cameras.
1.96 Name of the loaded (active) camera is not red colored when exporting and printing.
1.97 When modeling interlaced fields, the vertical resolution of video sensor (if it is set) decreases twice. In the previous versions the vertical resolution of the whole image in the 3D window was decreased.
1.98 From the Camera tab of the Image parameter panel duplicating controls are removed to clear a place for new tools. The controls remain on the Sensitivity and resolution box.

RENAMINGS

1.99 The Loaded camera term is changed to the Active camera.
1.100 Menu item Project> Export is renamed to Project> Export to text.
1.101 Button Actual view area projections and the corresponding Main menu item are renamed to Fill projections.
1.102 The Interface tab in the Options box is renamed to Miscellaneous.
1.103 Coaxial cable is renamed to the Signal cable (the Russian version).

UTILITIES

1.104 Utilities for measuring camera and image parameters were separated out from VideoCAD in the separate product - CCTVCAD Lab Toolkit.
1.105 Utilities in the CCTVCAD Lab Toolkit become more stable in Windows 7.
1.106 The Video analyzer has a possibility of automatic measuring signal/noise ratio of static image or live video on the computer screen, in a window of any third party program.
1.107 In the Image analyzer, showing separate image lines as a oscilloscope can be separated by color.
1.108 In the Spectrum analyzer, a possibility of calculating spectral efficiency of infra-red LEDs of different wavelength for different image sensors was added.
1.109 In the Spectrum analyzer, spectral sensitivity curves of modern CMOS and CCD megapixel image sensors (SONY, Cypress, Micron) were added.
1.110 The technique of measuring sensitivity of cameras was refined on the base of practice of measuring the sensitivity of IP cameras. A new method of measuring the sensitivity using the Video analyzer was added.
1.111 Procedures for measuring camera exposure time and the row time of rolling shutter of IP cameras were developed.

MISCELLANEOUS

1.112 Possibility to make camera and luminaries icons scalable together with the other constructions on the drawing. In this case the size of icons is specified in meters (foots). This possibility allows setting the exact sizes and positions of icons and names of cameras for exporting and printing.
1.113 Possibility of assigning scalable fonts to the camera names and specifying displacement of camera names in meters (foots) for scalable icons and in pixels for no scalable icons separately.
1.114 Displaying background in the 3D window was improved.
1.115 A new possibility of adjusting resolution of a vector background (in AutoCAD format) in the 3D window.
1.116 In the Options box on the 3D tab a slider was added which allows adjusting realism of modeling depth of field, exposure time and rolling shutter.
1.117 In the Sensitivity and resolution box a new camera parameter Exposure time at measuring sensitivity was added.
1.118 In the exporting text file for each camera the following information was added: Horizontal angle of camera, Coordinate X, Coordinate Y, Model, Producer and Cost.
1.119 In the Camera list box new parameters were added: lens focal length and vertical number of pixel. Now you can copy the camera list to the Windows clipboard to paste in MS Excel, MS Word and other software..
1.120 Help system was considerable improved; a lot of pictures were added.
1.121 Examples of work with VideoCAD in the Help were updated according to the new features. Several new examples were added.
1.122 Program was adapted for modern wide-screen monitors with high resolution.
1.123 Program was tested under Windows 7. Detected incompatibilities are eliminated.

RULES OF UPGRADE

1.124 The Rules of upgrade from previous VideoCAD versions to VideoCAD7:

• For the customers who have purchased VideoCAD6 (or upgraded to VideoCAD6) after 01 January 2011 upgrade cost makes a difference between cost of VideoCAD7 and VideoCAD6.
• For the customers who have purchased VideoCAD6 (or upgraded to VideoCAD6) before 01 January 2011 updating cost makes half of the VideoCAD7 cost.
• For the customers who has VideoCAD3..VideoCAD5 and didn't upgrade to VideoCAD6, updating cost makes 3/4 of VideoCAD7 cost.
• For the customers, whose original valuable suggestions have found application in VideoCAD 7.0, the additional discount for upgrade is given.

VideoCAD 7 Professional can work only with USB Senselock dongle. HID registration with the Professional version is not applied . Senselock dongles from VideoCAD 6.XX are supported. In case of absence of USB Senselock dongle it is necessary to purchase it. Guardant dongles are not supported by VideoCAD 7.0.

VideoCAD 7 Lite can work with USB Senselock dongle and with the HID registration.

VideoCAD 7 Starter, VideoCAD 7 Starter II are registered only by personal registration code, without dongle, without hardware locking.

What is new in VideoCAD 6.0

IllUMINATION AND LUMINARIES

1. Modeling background scene illuminantion, considering type and direction of light source, separately for day and nighttime.

2. Luminaries modeling considering lamp type and light efficiency, including discharge lamps with complex spectrum of radiation.

3. Different wavelength Infrared LED illuminators modeling.

4. Illuminator calculation box for creating luminaire models and calculating their parameters.

CAMERA, LENS AND DVR PARAMETERS

5. Camera parameters modeling (spectral response; number of pixels; resolution; minimum scene illumination at known signal-to-noise ratio, IRE and aperture; maximum signal-to-noise ratio; electronic shutter; AGC; Back Light Compensation; gamma correction).

6. Lens parameters modeling (focal length; aperture; Auto Iris DC and Video Drive). Calculating and modeling Depth of field based on calculated aperture.

7. Modeling cameras, switching into black and white mode in case of low illuminance: day/night with removable IR filter and easy day/night with permanent IR filter.

8. Enhanced modeling of DVR parameters (vertical and horizontal digitization, brightness, contrast, compression, vertical and horizontal sharpness).

9. Modeling specific distortions which are arisen as a result of mismatching output image size and number of pixels on camera's video sensor.

10. Modeling images based on scene, lens, camera and DVR models. Calculating and modeling signal-to-noise ratio and contrast.

11. Image models at different illumination levels are tested against real video cameras. Very high level of coincidence has been achieved.

UTILITIES

12. Image analyzer tool allows measuring signal-to-noise ratio, brightness and brightness amplitude of an image, size and contrast of an object relative to background, building histogram, calculating image size at different compression levels, analyzing certain lines of an image similarly to oscilloscope, as well as modifying certain image parameters. By analyzing saved images using this tool it's possible to calculate sensitivity and resolution of a real camera for precise modeling in VideoCAD.

13. Live video analyzer tool allows measuring brightness, average brightness and noise in certain point, as well as screen frame rate in window containing live video created by any program.

14. Lamp spectrum analyzer tool allows to determine the spectral efficiency of any light source for various camera types based on spectral power distribution curve. Determined value of spectral efficiency is used in VideoCAD for precise modeling various types of light sources.

CAMERAS

15. Table of camera models support (over 100 parameters for each model), ability of assigning models for project cameras. It's possible to adjust a view of model table by hiding unnecessary columns. Table of models supports sorting and filtering. Automatic calculation of sums of power consumption and prices. Ability of printing tables and their parts, importing and exporting into Excel, Word, *.txt, *.csv, *.htm.

16. Modern IP cameras support (16:9 Aspect Ratio, different image sensor sizes and aspect ratio, high image resolution).

17. Criteria in Quality levels concerned with limiting image resolution (maximum vertical field of view size, minimal parts of screen occupied by a license plate and a face) are related to the number of pixels for modeling and comparing digital cameras with different resolution. These criteria are now known as: Minimal vertical resolution (pixel/meter), Minimal vertical size of face image (pixels) and Minimal vertical size of license plate image (pixels).

18. Varifocal and ZOOM lens support. Adjusting lens focal length by moving view area bound on a layout within set limits using a mouse.

19. Icons for internal, outdoor and PTZ cameras may be different.

20. For each camera icon various line types can be set. Thus, the camera icons can vary in color and line thickness.

21. Lens focal length range has been widened to 1000mm.

IMPORT AND EXPORT

22. A background in *.dwg AutoCAD™ 2007 format support, AutoCAD™ PROXY records support, loading speed of complex *.dxf files is improved. Bug fixed. All ANSI code pages support, and other improvements concerned with *.dxf and *.dwg files import.

23. Export to*.dxf file is improved. It's possible to set camera icons and illuminator size in AutoCAD™ units. Ability of exporting large background files.

3D MODELS AND 3D WINDOW

24. Several new 3D models were added, including dark-skinned person for testing the ability of detecting dark-skinned people at low illumination.

25. 3D models now can be scaled in any direction.

26. 3D models can be placed in vertical projection. Models placed in vertical projection will not be visible in 3D window.

27. Convenient 3D model selection from the Tool bar.

28. Raster images in the 3D window. Usual photos and pictures in *.bmp or *.jpg format can be placed in 3D space. Raster images can be transparent, and can replace difficult-to-make 3D models. Raster images can be scaled, placed at any angle, used for modeling variety of objects, from banknotes and plates to a complex background.

29. Background can be visible in the 3D window.

30. Redraw 3D image only by clicking mode is convenient in case of complex scenes and\or slow computers, when image repainting in 3D window takes much time.

31. Fixed fuzzy drawing PTZH frame and titles in the 3D window when using certain video cards.

32. Image parameter panel with View, Scene, Camera, Processing tabs. Panel can be activated by right-click or double-click on the 3D window.

33. Setting visibility of different objects in the 3D window on View panel.

34. View, scene and equipment parameters are set individually for each camera. Quality levels no longer include 3D image parameters.

WINDOWS

35. Quality level box contains corresponding quality level criteria.

36. Sensitivity and resolution box with camera and lens parameters.

37. Camera parameter box has been renamed to Camera geometry. Inherited from older versions unnecessary interface elements have been removed. Additionally, this box allows to change aspect ratio, image sensor sizes and view angles.

38. Modeling 16:9 format monitors. Switching day/night illumination modes on the Monitor window.

39. Tab quantity in the Options box has been increased.

40. Model column has been added to the table in the Camera list box. Column width can be adjusted by the mouse. Icon box and Table of camera models button have been added to the Cameras list box.

41. Appropriate camera is loaded by double-clicking on the Camera list box. To rename camera use appropriate pop-up menu item.

42. Camera type box has been added to the New camera box. When creating new camera, line type can be chosen for it's icon on the Line type panel.

REPORTS AS A TABLE

43. Interactive adjustable table reports including any camera parameter sets. Various types of tables can be formed by hiding unnecessary columns. Tables support sorting and filtering. Automatic calculation of sums of power consumption, cable lengths and prices. Ability of printing tables and their parts, importing and exporting into Excel, Word, *.txt, *.csv, *.htm. Convenient editing parameters by double-clicking on any cell.

TOOLS

44. A New Tool for automatic name generation and camera serial numeration on layouts. Various numeration templates and rules.

45. A New Tool for counting length sum of line segments of specified line type. Thus any line type can be used as a cable.

46. A New tools for switching draw order of constructions and cameras: Cameras over constructions, Bring to front, Send to back. These tools simplify work with complex 3D models of buildings, grass, etc., where another 3D models can be placed above (or inside) them.

47. Show all tool considers not only cameras, but the background and constructions as well.

48. Change line type tool can change icon line type of selected cameras.

49. In order to model windows and transparent objects, inclined rectangle in the 3D window can be transparent by 70%.

50. Edit button will appear on the Current construction parameters panel when drawing construction is complete. Click this button to edit last drawn construction.

INTERFACE

51. Assigning and editing keyboard Shortcuts for items in Graphics window main menu.

52. Rotating cameras in both planes by moving view area bound on the layout using the mouse.

53. Adjusting lens focal length by moving view area bound on the layout using the mouse.

54. Loading and saving directories are stored. When recalling same operation stored directory is opened.

55. Horizontal and vertical scroll bars and scaling by + - keys to simplify work on portable computers.

56. Layout tabs in the Graphics window for fast switching, creating and deleting layouts. Layouts button has been removed from the Tool bar.

57. A combo box on the Tool bar for fast loading any camera. Using pop-up menu of the combo box it is possible to search the camera on the layout.

58. A combo box on the Tool bar for fast assigning a model to the loaded camera.

59. Enhanced selecting and loading cameras on the layout using the mouse. Cursor snaps to a camera icon with higher priority, and it's highlighted with red rectangle.

60. Priority of mouse selection of close objects is presetted: 1. Cameras; 2. Constructions; 3. Text; 4. 3D models.

61. A New algorithm of selecting constructions, located over each other. In order to select another construction it is necessary to click the same point again.

62. Snap sensitivity can be adjusted for convenient work with different screen resolutions and mouse accuracy. The snap to a camera has a priority.

63. Following info is displayed at the bottom of the Graphic window on the Status bar when moving cursor close to a camera icon: name, model name and basic parameters of the camera.

64. Field of view size on the Status bar in loaded camera edit mode now is displayed when moving the cursor over view area in vertical projection, not only when clicking.

65. Move mode is set after creating new camera. It's convenient to place new camera on the layout instantly.

66. ESC key stops current operation. If an operation is not performed, Select/edit mode is switched on.

67. Current line type is stored before placing 3D models, cameras and illuminators, and is restored after placing.

68. In case of editing height values on the Current construction parameter panel during drawing, new height value will be kept when drawing is complete. Other parameters of construction located on the Current construction parameters panel are kept as well.

69. Loaded camera icon's color is changed to red.

70. View>All camera cables and View>Loaded camera cables menu item states are not stored individually for each camera; they are stored in common project settings.

INHERITED ELEMENTS

71. Fast scaling mode by rotating pressed mouse-wheel is disabled due to inconvenience of work with certain mouse types.

72. Title button has been removed from the Tool bar. It is possible to show/hide titles using the main menu item.

73. Saving Resolution and Edit Image menu items have been removed from the Main menu. Resolution can be changed in the Options box on Export tab.

74. Measurement format by default box has been removed from the Options box. When creating new project, measurement format concurs with measurement format in the current project.

75. Layout combo box has been removed from the New camera box. The layout of creating camera always concurs with the current layout.

76. Camera>Save as item has been removed from the Main menu.

OTHER

77. VideoCAD Help system is now in Html Help format for compatibility with Windows Vista.

78. Help system has been redesigned taking into account user's suggestions and new program features. Examples have been renovated.

79. Many functions are improved, detected errors are corrected.

80. VideoCAD 6.0 can read projects, created in VideoCAD 4.xx and VideoCAD 5.XX.

81. VideoCAD 6.0 has been tested on Windows Vista. All incompatibilities found have been eliminated.

82. The regulations of upgrading previous VideoCAD versions to VideoCAD 6.0: The cost of upgrading amounts the difference between the costs of previous VideoCAD versions (VideoCAD 3.02, VideoCAD 4.0 or VideoCAD 5.0) and VideoCAD 6.0. Considerable discounts are offered to the users, whose valuable suggestions have found application in VideoCAD 6.0. At upgrading it is necessary to exchange Guardant dongle.

What is new in VideoCAD 5.0

1. Monitors window has been added. Monitors window logically finishes the information transfer process in video surveillance system "from a real object to an operator" and thus, allows to model the video surveillance system as a hole.

2. The new tool in 3D window - PTZH frame allows operating a camera in 3D window similarly to PTZ one and additionally to change camera's installation height. Together with the Monitors window this tool offers a new method of 3D CCTV design.

3. There is a new opportunity to carry out Depth-of-field 3D modeling.

4. There is a new opportunity to carry out 3D modeling of visibility limited by rain, snow, fog according to the Meteorological Visibility.

5. Current construction parameters panel allows creating and editing constructions by input of parameters.

6. The Load camera box is essentially modified and renamed to the Cameras list box. The following options are added: 3D image show, search, sorting.

7. Snap panel allows fast switching of snaps during drawing.

8. An option to set heights in 3D window separately for each construction, irrespective to a line type.

9. The new tool - Inclined rectangle allows modeling 3D inclined objects.

10. The new tool - Filling allows creating fillings and hatchings.

11. Print preview box is updated. There is a new option to save exact position of the drawing and adjustment for reprinting. The print area displacement caused by Line type panel and Font type panel is eliminated.

12. The new 3D models: a boy and a truck.

13. The new tools: Combine to block e Destroy block.

14. VideoCAD 5.0 can use files of the following CAD formats as a background:
*.dxf AutoDesk DXF Release 12, 13, 14 , 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006.
*.dwg AutoDesk DWG Release 12, 13, 14 , 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006.

15. DWG and DXF reference images, SHX fonts, DXF Autocad Table, Hatch gradients, Unicode fonts (important especially for languages based on hieroglyphs - Chinese, Korean, Japanese etc.) are supported in CAD background.

16. Visibility of Camera view area in 3D window can be switched independently of View area visibility in Graphics window.

17. Displaying of cameras' names and titles can be switched separately..

18. Option to switch on/off the display of view area and view area projections for all selected cameras simultaneously.

19. Selected camera changes the color together with it's view area.

20. Construction of person detection area is carried out more precisely, considering additional inflection of bound.

21. Option to move constructions and cameras in Select/Edit mode, without switching to Move mode.

22. While working only with cameras we have a new option to lock constructions.

23. The tool Find loaded camera is updated and renamed to Show loaded camera.

24. Number of redrawings in 3D window is reduced for increasing of program's speed. For forced redrawing, click the image in 3D window.

25. Exact position of the drawing is stored at finishing the work with the program and restored at restart.

26. Reloading speed of cameras is increased.

27. The range of drawing scaling is expanded.

28. The range of focal lengths of lens is expanded.

29. Many functions are improved, detected errors are corrected.

30. VideoCAD 5.0 can read projects, created in VideoCAD 4.xx.

31. The regulations of updating previous VideoCAD versions to VideoCAD 5.0:

· The cost of updating amounts the difference between the costs of previous VideoCAD versions (VideoCAD 3.02 or VideoCAD 4.0) and VideoCAD 5.0.
· For users, whose valuable suggestions have found application in VideoCAD 5.0, updating is free of charge.

What is new in VideoCAD 4.0

1. There is a possibility of full value 3D designing of a video surveillance object with the loading of prepared 3D models (a man, car and other) and the getting images from video cameras in the project.

2. It has become possible to model the 3D image quality from each camera through the image quality parameters, based on the real videosignal distortions.

3. Line type parameters include minimum, maximum height and color in the 3D window.
The number of line types has increased to 100.

4. There are new system fonts and line types:

· title font in the 3D window;
· sharpness area line;
· focus plane line;
· hyperfocal distance line;
· 3D model line.

5. Test object became 3D parallelepiped. Test object can be seen in the 3D window.

6. There is the Depth-of-field and Hyperfocal distance calculation.

7. There is a support for all *.dwg file formats as a background: *.dwg AutoDesk Release 12, 13, 14 , 2000, 2002, 2004.

8. It has become possible to export obtained drawing to the file of *.dxf format on several layers. It is convenient to process the obtained file in AutoCAD.

9. It has become possible to change the scale factor of nonscaled elements when exporting.

10. There is a new function of saving drawing - Save as background.

11. It has become possible to print and export together with the prepared Frames with Title-Blocks.

12. The scaling range and grid step is expanded. Now maximum grid step is 500 m, and maximum area displaying on the screen is 15x20 km (more than 200 square kilometers).

13. It has become possible to change the scale factor when clicking the button Zoom in, Zoom out and by turning the mouse wheel.

14. There are new means of navigation Show all, Find text and Zoom window.

15. Image refreshing is realized without blinking due to the using of the graphics buffer.

16. The speed of image repainting with a big number of video cameras is increased.

17. The text scaling accuracy has become higher. Now Title Blocks and other tables can be filled without a risk of strings getting out of the frames.

18. It has become possible to select one or more constructions located one over another.

19. The Main window is renamed to the Camera parameters box. When launching VideoCAD first Graphics window loads. For showing the camera parameters box the button Show Camera parameters box is used.

20. Real view area filling now is not solid, but as hatching. Due to this it doesn't shade other objects.

21. Graphics background files themselves, not the references to their loading, are included in the project file.

22. All information on program settings (line types, fonts, etc.) is included in the project.

23. The current project is saved now in the VideoCAD database and at the next program launching the last project, on which you worked, will be available and exactly in the place, on which you broke the work.

24. There is a context help not only for the menu items, but also for the tools on the tool bars. To get the context help for the button click it by the right mouse button and then by the appeared Item "What's this?".
The context help is still available for the menu items and other interface elements. To get the context help for the menu item or the interface element select it and press F1.

25. Now the recommended operating system is Windows XP. When working in other operating systems big graphics file displaying errors are possible.

26. From the tool bar and the main menu of the graphics window unnecessary buttons and items are deleted.

27. Default parameters of quality levels are changed.

28. Examples are remade taking into account new possibilities of the program. The example of the person identification criteria determination according to the real image is included.

29. Many functions are improved, detected errors are corrected.

30. Multilingual version of VideoCAD 4.0 has the possibility of registration with the Dongle.

31. VideoCAD MAP is released. VideoCAD MAP is a graphical interface for security systems on the basis of VideoCAD technology. VideoCAD MAP includes all possibilities of VideoCAD and many other additional functions, is partly compatible with VideoCAD by the projects and integrated in the Integrated security system "Intellect".

32. The regulations of updating previous VideoCAD versions to VideoCAD 4.0:

· For buyers of VideoCAD 1.0, i.e. for our first buyers, the updating is free-of-charge.
· For the others the cost of updating amounts the difference between the costs of VideoCAD 3.02 and VideoCAD 4.0.
· For those, who have bought more than one VideoCAD licenses at once before 1/05/2005, the updating is chargeable only for one license. Other licenses can be freely updated.

What is new in VideoCAD 3.0

1. The opportunity of loading the prepared layouts as a background in *.bmp, *.jpg, *.emf, *.wmf, *.dwg, *.dxf formats was introduced. To display *.dwg and *.dxf files the CAD Import module by CAD Soft Tools http://www.cadsofttools.com was used.

2. The obtained drawing can be saved in *.bmp, *.wmf, *.emf formats or copied to clipboard in *.bmp, *.emf formats.

3. The opportunity of quality printing, including the one on several pages to glue them was introduced.

4. The opportunity of using texts was introduced.

5. The opportunity of using various fonts and line types was introduced.

6. New object is a Mask. The masks allow covering any part of a drawing. It is possible to draw new constructions over masks.

7. New objects are a Circle, an Arc, a Double Line.

8. New operations are Align, Move loaded camera name.

9. The opportunity to undo the last four operations was introduced.

10. The opportunity of using a constant coordinate system, that is not dependent on the loaded camera, was introduced.

11. The speed of redrawing the drawing containing many constructions and cameras was increased.

12. The size of a project file was reduced.

13. The maximal quantity of objects on each plan was increased up to 5000 and the maximal quantity of cable segments of each camera was increased up to 500.

14. The opportunity of precise scaling using Ctrl was introduced.

15. The opportunity of quick navigation using the mouse wheel was introduced.

16. The opportunity of operating with inches and feet was introduced.

17. The opportunity of changing the size of a rectangle without distorting its shape was introduced.

18. The displaying of view area edges, view area projection bounds and view area actual projections can be switched on/off separately.

19. The opportunity of copying and pasting constructions, cables and texts between projects was introduced.

20. Many existing functions have been improved, discovered errors have been corrected.

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