Envision® New Features


Here you find a list of the new features in Envision. Please refer to the Help Manual from the Help menu within Envision for a more detailed description of the new features.
 



Envision 10 New Features

  • SQL Database Backend:
    • SQL Server login is now used to control access and restrict various access privileges. Windows authentication and Active Directory capabilities are fully supported and work seamlessly with SQL Server login.

  • Vastly Improved Performance for Remote logins:
    • Using the SQL server capabilities and fine tuning the stored procedure capabilities we have been able to create a vastly superior environment for supporting distributed access to projects. Envision 10 now allows multiple users to simultaneously login and work on a common project. It is also very noteworthy to announce that we can even have multiple System Administration users logged on with end users and support all of their operations without a hitch. They can even be logged in from various locations around the globe.

  • Update Login Screen:
    • Offering improved visual preview of projects. A project description has also been added.

  • Side Panel w/ New Project Explorer:
    • A new and vastly more powerful Side Panel now replaces the Data Browser. This new Project Explorer adds Matrices and Reports to the basic view and multiple new tabs offering rich new capabilties.

    • The new side panel allows multiple Search; Show Where Used; and Query Panels to be opened concurrently. A user making complex changes can now leave multiple windows open and easily switch repeatedly between them.

  • Hierarchy Panel:
    • A separate Hierarchy Panel has been added on a new tab in the Side Panel.

  • Improved Show Where Used Panel:
    • Much faster; Shows both diagram and attribute references in the new Side Panel. Multiple Show Where Used Panels can be used as needed.

  • New Search / Replace Feature Panel:
    • Envision now offers a powerful search capability. Allowing users to search the project data for a term in items and attributes. The search can be case sensitive or insensitive; whole word or partial A replace option is also now available which will greatly aid global changes to the repository. Multiple Search/Replace Panels can be used as needed.

  • New Checked Out Report Panel:
    • Allows the user to quickly identify diagrams and items checked out to them or anyone else. If authorized checkout assignments can be reassigned to a different user.

  • New SQL Query Panel:
    • A New Query command tab has been added. The user can enter SQL commands for adhoc reports and analysis. Multiple Query Panels can be used.

Envision 9.1 New Features

  • Event Attributes:
    • Envision's new Event Attribute enables Envision to send emails, open other applications, or change the color of an item when a specific event is triggered.

  • Diagram History:
    • Envision's new Diagram History capability enables you to track the changes that have been made to the diagram. what user made them, when the changes where made, and why/what changes where made.

  • Connection Attribute Matrix:
    • The Connection Attribute matrix will display connections between 2 objects.

  • Capability to restrict, if desired, certain classes of objects in Envision so Only SysAdmin Can Make New Items:
    • This new option in Envision allows ONLY SysAdmin Users to be able to create a new item in a class. Non-SysAdmin users will be able to draw a new item and choose from a list of already created items in the database.

  • New Reporting Options:
    • The Group Assignment Report will allow the System Administrator to view the the Group Assignments for the current project.
    • The Check Out Items / Diagram report displays a list of the items/diagrams that are checked out and who they are checked out to.

  • RTF Diagram Container:
    • A new container reference for the RTF attribute that allows you to link directly to a diagram from within the attribute.

  • Enable SysAdmin Functions when not logged into Project:
    • System Administrators are now able to have access to some of the options on the System Admin menu when not logged into a project.

  • New Document Formatter Capabilities:
    • Envision 9.1 includes a number of new Doc Formatter keywords to aid in creating reports to get data out of the repository.
    • %ancestor keyword to generate a report of an items parents.

  • Item Specific User/Group Assignments:
    • Envision 9.1 allows you to assign specific items to a specific user or group. Only the user or group assigned to the item will be able to check out the item.

  • New Layer Capabilities:
    • The new keyboard shortcuts in Envision 9.1 aid in moving between layers quickly.
    • The new Move to Layer option allow items to be moved in other layers quick and easy.

  • New Exporting Capabilities from Matrix Analysis:
    • Envision 9.1 offers users a new way to export their repository information. Now you are able to export your Matrix as an excel, htm, xml, or txt file.

  • Customize Spec Sheet Upgrades:
    • In Customize Spec Sheet, the System Admin is now able to rearrange the tabs in order.
    • Envision now allows you to put a hyperlink in the static text on a spec sheet.
    • Added a Make same size button to the Alignment toolbar

  • Significantly Improved Help System
    • A user friendly help systems with more information.

Envision 9.0 New Features

System Administrative Changes

  • Relaxation of Naming Restrictions for all Models/Classes/ Attributes:
    • Envision items and file names can now be 255 chars.

  • Improved User/Group/Project Assignment Capabilities
    • Updated Setup Users/Groups/Project capabilities.
    • Drag and drop users to assign to projects or groups.

  • Group level security for Projects, Attributes, Diagrams, Diagram Layers, and Items
    • Access to attributes can now be assigned to specific user/groups.
    • Individual items within the Envision repository now can be assigned to specific users and /or groups. Only the assigned users/groups are allowed to modify the item.

  • Improved Define Models and Classes dialog box:
    • The Define Models and Classes dialog boxes have been redesigned with the models and classes in a list, allowing you to easily drag and copy model "types" and "attributes" from one model or class to other models and classes.
    • Define Model and Class actions and operations are now available via right-click menus to help the System Administrators work more efficiently.

  • Click and Drag Attributes, Classes and Models to Copy:
    • Envision 9 allows you to click and drag attributes from class to class, models from project to project, and classes from models to models.

  • New Subview Layer Attribute
    • This subview layer attribute allows you to use more than one model on a diagram by placing each model on a layer.
    • This attribute must be set up by the system administrator in order for the diagram layers to work in your project.

  • Unified Visual Properties:
    • Visual Appearance and Visual Options are now combined on one dialog box, making editing the visual properties easier and less confusing.

  • Improved Save as Web Dialog Box:
    • The new Save As Web dialog box is better organized allowing you change your web publishing parameters and settings easier and quicker.

  • New Login Reports for System Administrators:
    • A new Login Report has been added to the SysAdmin menu within Envision. This allows administrators a powerful way of analyzing user usage patterns and identify who has been accessing various projects and when they have doing so.
    • The System Administrator can save the login report to a file for viewing at another time.

General User - Usability Changes

  • Open Multiple Projects at one time:
    • You are now able to have multiple Envision projects open at one time.

  • Relaxation of Naming Restrictions for all Meta Items and Files:
    • Envision items and file names can now be 255 chars.

  • Unified Visual Properties:
    • Visual Appearance and Visual Options are now combined on one dialog box, making editing the visual properties easier and less confusing.

  • Updated Name and Rename Dialog Boxes:
    • The Name and Rename dialog boxes have been improved both in speed and intuitive nature to make them more user friendly.

  • Auto Route Drawing for Squared Polylines:
    • Envision has a new smart drawing mode. By toggling a button on the Status Bar a user can turn on an automatic drawing/routing mode for rapidly entering square polylines with the best route between two items on the diagram. The user just selects the starting and ending points and a squared polyline is created between these points.

  • Improved Connector Behavior:
    • When working with overlaid lines in Envision, the lines now will snap together and move as one, making moving connectors in Envision easier.

  • Expand Edge Capabilities:
    • Expand Edge is an automated way for users to insert the child connectors of a connector on an Envision diagram. After you draw and name a connector on a checked out diagram.  Using the right click or the item menu choose Expand Edges.

  • New Diagram and Item SubTrees:
    • The diagram and item sub trees have been updated.

  • Group and Ungroup Objects on a Diagram:
    • A new group and ungrouping feature allows the user to group selected objects and connectors together. After being grouped the items act as if they are one item, the user can move them together. Although they are grouped together they still remain unique items with their own attributes.

  • Diagram Layers:
    • You are now able to have multiple layers on one diagram. This allows you to expose or hide various objects, relationships, or combinations thereof. Each layer has its own model and since it is an attribute can potentially be assigned to restricted users/groups if desired.
    • Envision allows the user to turn on and off the layers that user is authorized to see for better viewing.

  • Hide Non-Existant Subviews:
    • A new option in the Display Subview dialog box allows you to hide the non-existent subviews.

  • Data Browser Hierarchy Node Highlights Navigation
    • When you expand the Hierarchy node in the Data Browser and navigate through diagrams in Envision the data browser will highlight the path that you are taking.

Reporting and Analysis Capabilities

  • New Connection Attribute Matrix
    • Enables the user to analyze the interactions between the attributes of 2 objects and a connector.

  • New Login Reports for System Administrators:
    • A new Login Report has been added to the SysAdmin menu within Envision. This allows administrators a powerful way of analyzing user usage patterns and identify who has been accessing various projects and when they have doing so.
    • The System Administrator can save the login report to a file for viewing at another time.

  • Improved Balancing Capabilities:

  • New Balance Reports:
    • Check the balancing of your project with just a click of the mouse button.
    • This report uses the options that the system administrator sets when the attributes are created.


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