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Ver: Version: 1.1
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New in this Release

Created: July 05, 2018 | Updated: August 29, 2019 | Applies to version: 1.1
Now reading version 1.1. For the latest, read: New in this Release for version 5.0

This documentation page references NEXUS Server (part of the deployed NEXUS solution), which has been discontinued. All your PCB design, data management and collaboration needs can now be delivered by Altium Designer and a connected Altium 365 Workspace. Check out the FAQs page for more information.

Altium NEXUS Server 1.1

Released: 09 October 2018 - Version: 1.1.4 (build 125)
Released: 11 July 2018 - Version: 1.1.3 (build 111)

This release sees further beneficial enhancements to the Altium NEXUS Server and its related technologies. In addition, numerous fixes have been made to resolve issues raised by customers through the AltiumLive Community.

While the Altium NEXUS Server 1.1 installer includes automated backup of your existing Server, it is always a good idea to make a pre-update backup of your data yourself - taking a redundancy copy off to one side as it were. This provides additional safety, should any unforeseen technical difficulties arise. It is advised to test out a new release of the Altium NEXUS Server on a different machine, before updating your production instance. Use of Virtual Machines can be invaluable in this respect.
While connection to Altium NEXUS Server 1.1 is possible from previous versions of Altium NEXUS, users are encouraged to update to the latest version of Altium NEXUS - especially where Server enhancements relate to changes to the user interface within Altium NEXUS (such as the Explorer panel).
 
 
 
 
 

PLM Integration

This release brings the ability to hook up your NEXUS Server to one or more PLM instances, with out-of-the-box support for Windchill PLM and Arena PLM. Interface configuration is performed through the NEXUS Sewrver's browser interface, with most configuration defined within an XML-based configuration file (uploaded to the Server). With the interface set up and working, features and functionality are provided when working in the following distinct areas:

  • Library (components) - catering for the uni- or bi-directional synchronization of your components, component parameters, and part choices, between your NEXUS Server and your PLM instance. Configuration allows you to specify which parameters are mastered in which system. In addition, the arrival of Item parameters enable you to update properties in Altium NEXUS (configurable per field), without having to formally release a new revision of that Component Item. A dedicated Part Request workflow is also now available that supports the automatic creation of a Component in your PLM instance, and then propagation of the generated part number back to the component in NEXUS.
  • Design (projects) - a dedicated Project Creations workflow is now available that supports the automatic creation of part numbers in your PLM instance, and then propagation of these as Server Parameters of the NEXUS Managed Project. Such parameters can be used in special strings (e.g. for sheet border annotations). You now have the ability to publish your design to your PLM instance, as part of running the Project Releaser in Altium NEXUS. The publishing operation uses a publishing template - defined as part of the PLM instance integration configuration - to control how data should be propagated to the PLM. And if you're publishing for the first time and part numbers (on the PLM side) are not yet associated with the managed project, those part numbers will be created in the PLM and associated to the project as part of that initial publication. You also have the ability to define component entries for NEXUS managed components in the PLM instance, as part of the publishing operation (optional, based on configuration). And you'll always be able to see exactly what has been created, such as part numbers in the PLM instance, as part of the process workflow's history (History tab).
Read more...

Managed Project Enhancements

This release sees the detailed project page for a managed project extended with additional capabilities, including an enhanced Releases tab that provides the ability to view information for any released revision of a project. Within this view, you'll be able to see:

  • Release details.
  • Graphical preview.
  • Parameters.
  • Parts list.
Read more...

Enhancements to Comments for Managed Projects

 
 
 
 
 

On the design-side, the Comments panel has been enhanced to provide an improved user interface, with support for avatars, and comment filtering.

 
 
 
 
 

On the design-side, the Comments panel has been enhanced to provide an improved user interface, with support for avatars, and comment filtering. There is also the possibility to tag a comment with a particular workflow activity, so that comments could be easily grouped, for example in the context of a particular design review process workflow.

Read more...
 
 
 
 
 

Web Review Enhancements

This release brings some powerful enhancements to the Web Review arena. Firstly, you no longer have to worry about adding and configuring a WebReview Output Job as part of the release of a managed project - it's all handled for you, automatically by the system. Release your project and enjoy the fruits of the Web Review feature. You can also now start a Web Review session for any released revision, of any managed project, directly from the NEXUS Server's browser interface. This cements the use of this powerful, browser-based collaboration feature, putting access literally at your fingertips - true on-demand reviewing. And when you're in a Web Review session, why not check out the new support for a Light Theme.

Read more...

Enhancements to the Component Editor

Previously, when creating/editing a managed component through the Component Editor in its Single Component Editing mode, newly-created domain models for that component would automatically be created in a Models sub-folder, beneath the parent component. This release brings a beneficial enhancement in that you can now define default target folders in which models should be created, or override those to specify a different target folder, should you need - affording you greater control and flexibility over how your models are created and stored. In addition, the revision state is now presented directly under the graphical view of a referenced model Item, so you can now see, at-a-glance, the lifecycle state of that Item Revision, and whether it is the latest revision.

Read more...
 
 
 
 
 

Part Request Functionality Restored

This release sees the return of Part Request functionality - restoring the ability for designers to request parts they need - and don't currently have - either through their design software, or through the NEXUS Server's browser interface. For an organization that employs a dedicated library department to grow and maintain its design components - accessible to all engineers and designers in that organization - it makes sense to submit requests for new (missing) components to that department. The Part Requests feature allows an engineer to put in a request for one or more parts to be created, to a member of a librarian-nominated role, and get notified when that request has either been processed, and the component(s) made available, or rejected (and why). The requestor supplies as much key information to support their request as possible (manufacturer and part number(s), description(s), any relevant datasheet (PDF or URL)). Stub Component Items can even be created that the librarian can then run with (and finish off).

 
 
 
 
 

Legacy Part Request Functionality Restored

This release sees the return of legacy Part Request functionality - to complement the workflow-based Part Request functionality already present. The legacy Part Requests feature allows an engineer to put in a request for one or more parts to be created, to a member of a librarian-nominated role, and get notified when that request has either been processed, and the component(s) made available, or rejected (and why). The requestor supplies as much key information to support their request as possible (manufacturer and part number(s), description(s), any relevant datasheet (PDF or URL)). Stub Component Items can even be created that the librarian can then run with (and finish off).

Part Request functionality based on Workflows is enabled by default, but should you wish to use this legacy approach, you can. To do so, enable the Legacy Part Requests Active option, on the Admin - Settings - Vault - Legacy Part Requests page of the Server's browser interface. Once this is done, an additional page - Legacy Part Requests - will appear as part of the Server's browser interface.
Read more...
 
 
 
 
 

Additional Features &  Enhancements

A number of additional new features and enhancments are available with this release, including:

  • Wizard-like workflow execution - if the same user is assigned to multiple actions in a workflow, these will be triggered in sequence, saving time and streamlining the execution of that workflow.
  • User forms have been enhanced - you now have the ability to open (as well as download) attachments, click navigatable links through to related objects, use long (in addition to short) text, and enter default values for simple types.
  • For the signed-in user within Altium NEXUS, the Tasks panel has been improved with respect to its readability, and also to show tasks for which that user is a candidate - so no longer having to go to the browser interface to claim a task.
  • Item-level (Dynamic) parameters
  • Server-level parameters
Read more...

 

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