Welcome to the 16.5 QA Testing Guide, please check with your developer to make sure 16.5 Migration is successfully completed (if any) before testing.
Recording of the Webinar 🎦
We have conducted our testing guide webinar not long ago. If you have missed it, feel free to watch the recording below:
Bug fixes and improvements🪲
As with any other releases, we're trying to improve by ruling out as much bugs as possible in order to maintain that awesome CET user experience. Hence, these relevant bugs and changes were handpicked for your information, divided into different CET component areas.
CAD Related
Test instructions for sections below will be combined into one for easy reference.
Improved loading progress bar
The loading progress bar of DWG insert has been improved in the case of multiple DWG insertions over the old where it has been the single progress bar that does not clearly show the progress of the entire process, as the 2D and 3D steps did not have dedicated progress bars as it runs silently in the background.
Top bar shows the (Overall) and bottom bar shows the (Individual task).
Added support for multi selection
In CET 16.5, users can now multiselect different rows of dwg on the left to make bulk changes on the properties or layers. To accommodate this feature, there are also multistate checkboxes which can display 3 different states accordingly. For instance, if there are multiple dwg(s) in selection that has its different state on its own (some are checked, some do not), it will be shown as (-) in the checkbox. Making a bulk change to check or uncheck can now reflect to all dwg(s) in selection at once.
Too early for a full facelift for the CAD dialog☺️
In CAD layers tab, it already supports multi selection and that makes it a bliss to have the dwg(s) in selection to have the layers modified in bulk. A noticeable change is when there are more than 1 dwg selected, the dwg name will get appended in grey before the dwg layer's name.
Neither here has anything changed in terms of look.☺️
DWG filter
A search field has been added to the CAD dialog for easy filtering and search. DWG(s) that are selected prior filtering will be included until deselected.
DWG filter by keywords
Cannot re-import same DWG after it has been blocked and removed
Developers have fixed a bug where the same dwg cannot be reimported into CET after it has previously been blocked and removed. It is important to ensure this fix is reflected on your dwg(s) by following the test instructions below.
DWG in a block created
*What to look out for?
- By using your desired dwg(s), import and insert multiple dwg(s) using the CAD dialog. When inserted, ensure the new progress bars can work successfully and still retains the same loading performance when completed, the insert process should not be slower than before or in any chance freezes CET. After dwg is inserted, verify that it still looks correct and has no missing entities. (Compare with a CAD viewer if applicable)
- Have multiple dwg(s) in selection and ensure changing properties in CAD properties tab and making layer changes in CAD layers tab works as intended with the correct multistate displayed in checkboxes.
- Make a search for your dwg(s) by using the filter to ensure it can filter precisely, check that any of the dwg(s) that are irrelevant to the keywords, but in selection will still be included in the filter.
- Create a block on one of the dwg(s), remove it and attempt and reimport in the CAD dialog. Ensure that it can still be imported and inserted back into CET.
- Create PDF or print preview and ensure the CAD layers are correctly layered and generated like in model space. This is specific to CAD with multiple layers overlapping each other.
User Interface Related
With the CET Facelift introduced a while back, we are continuously rolling out improvements to address minor defects to shape up to perfection. The smoke *test instructions are all combined into one at the section below. Fixes are as follows:
Use of 'DibImage' replacing 'MemoryImage'
Developers have replaced 'MemoryImage' with 'DibImage' format that is responsible for all CET icons for better memory optimization in overall.
All icons within your manufacturer extension toolbox
Refine 'MessageWindow' to adjust when resized
'MessageWindow' is responsible for all message, warning ribbons found in CET. It is improved now so that it can auto adjust itself when the dialog is resized.
An example of a message or warning ribbon found in CET, it can be in different colors
Tab switch button does not work
There are times where implementation of tab buttons does not switch when clicked on. If your manufacturer has similar buttons, see *test instructions below.
An example of a tab switch buttons from one of the manufacturer extensions
*What to look out for?
- Ensure your manufacturer extension's icons (those in transparent background) and images in toolboxes are consistent as before.
- If your manufacturer extension has implemented warning or message ribbons, ensure that when the window or dialog has been resized, it should automatically stretch and adjust its depth, so that there are no truncated texts, abrupt cut offs.
- If your manufacturer extension uses tab switch buttons, ensure the toolbox can build, and be switched to, when clicked on the respective tab buttons. Make sure the toolbox shows the correct products and tools.
- Using your manufacturer's products (especially catalogue based), ensure insert, drag animations still work as before and has not changed, check that changing the quick properties still work.
- Alongside the changes above, code refactoring and cleanup was done.
- Check that multiple manufacturer drawings works with switching and closing and does not crash.
- If your manufacturer extension has 'Elevation view' feature, ensure that it can still work and render accurately.
CET Core Related
Project Info saved old entries after dialog is closed
Developers fixed problem with data still being saved in fields in the Project Info dialog when pressing 'Cancel' or 'X'. Only works when pressing 'OK'. This is due to the close method in code not handling information correctly if the user clicks on 'X' or 'Cancel'.
Information should not retain after clicking on 'X' or 'Cancel'.
*What to look out for?
- If your manufacturer extension has 'Project Information' feature, ensure that information is only kept when clicked on 'OK'. Otherwise when clicked on 'Cancel' or 'X'.
- With the project information filled, generate a manufacturer printout (if any) of 'PDF' or 'Print Preview' to ensure the project information variables are still kept and is accurate.
Email drawing feature upgrade
The “Email drawing" feature in CET was found incompatible with New Microsoft Outlook late 2024, due to the discontinued support for the MAPI protocol. It is replaced by MAPI with *.eml method to ensure continuity and minimize disruption to users. Ensuring manufacturers are not impacted by this, follow *test instructions below:
*What to look out for?
- If your manufacturer extension has implemented the use of 'Send email / email drawing' feature, ensure that it still works as intended. Commonly found areas among extensions that uses the email feature include (Project Info, Print report, Bill of Material, etc).
2D, 3D Graphics Related
Copying connected objects will not affect the connectivity
Referring to the illustration below (Left 16.0) against (Right 16.5), the old behavior tend to change the connector to 'Connected (cone)' after being copied, though it was 'Disconnected (cylinder)' shaped before.
This has slightly impacted manufacturers where extra parts that were not there will appear after being copied as connected objects may have automatic generated parts. For instance, joints, junctions for a panel. This will be fixed so that copying objects that are not connected will stay as it is. Follow *test instructions below:
Notice how the left connector changes after it is being copied.
*What to look out for?
- Using your manufacturer products, ensure that it can still snap and connect like before and should not be adversely affected. Disconnecting and reconnecting, copy and pasting should work as before without any graphical glitches.
- If there are any automatic generated parts, it should be generated as well. Check that it is the correct part generated in the Bill of Material (BOM) with the right SKU and options.
- If your manufacturer extension has a feature to copy and apply options, ensure this feature is still working as well as before.
Calculation Related
Standardized main article view - Due to unforeseen circumstances, the release of this feature will be withdrawn from the 16.5 release.
The main article view will be standardized and controlled, where it will lock the addition of columns strictly to core components, preventing extensions from injecting custom ones. However, users will still be able to add allowed columns via the View Settings dialog. Thus, manufacturer extension-based article will present in a new view with extension-based columns.
Take a look at the example here, the 'Main' article has no manufacturer extension custom columns until it is switched to the manufacturer extension-based article.
I'm the main article view that you're looking at 😊
I'm the manufactuer extension-based article view that you're looking at 😊
*What to look out for?
- If your manufacturer extension has customized article views, ensure that it is now present in a new view with the correct columns and accurate information (SKU, part number, description, list price), total amount. The main article view will remain as it is and will not have custom extension columns.
- Loading old drawings, view setting files (.cmclc) will still be preserved and displayed as saved previously, any new saves of these files onwards will only be reflected in the customized article view and not the main view.
Query dialog cell highlight
When using query dialog, any changes will now be color highlighted for user feedback. Referring to the picture below, any new options added will be highlighted in purple, where as updates to existing options will be highlighted in cyan. Follow *test instructions below:
How it looks like in the query dialog
Also reflected in Bill of Material (BOM)
*What to look out for?
- Manufacturers need to check cell highlighting in their own implementations of their Query dialogs works properly and shows correctly in Bill of Material (BOM).
Excel export improvements
There are improvements implemented to the Excel Export function. If your manufacturer extension uses Excel Export and has dependency on core developed one, it is important to ensure the exported copy is still accurate and has no missing information. Improvements added are as follows:
New formatting in the Excel file
Product options are exported
Error handling and warnings
Timestamps and versioning
Project Info gets exported to a sheet in the Excel file
Bug fixes for pricing
Manual Sort column removed from the export
Below shows the comparison of exported Excel output of CET 16.0 (above) against 16.5 (below).
The new exported Excel output has a new formatting that definitely improves its readability.
*What to look out for?
- Using your manufacturer products in the Bill of Material (BOM), perform an export of the Excel and verify that:
- Set columns, groupings, and Summary sections match their article views.
- Part numbers, pricing and options are correct.
- If your manufacturer extension uses upcharge and base columns in their pricing, ensure that the list price is still accurate.
- All the above should also work with older CET drawings.
Drawing Tools Related
Improvement of imperial dimensions precision
There is an improvement made in dimensions in fraction units where it precisely reflects the true denominator of imperial units. Shown below is a snippet where it in the new (on the right), the denominator will now always round to the smallest denominator that is a power of 2 to better match industry standards.
All imperial fraction units will round up to the smallest denominator with a power of 2 (Old vs New)
*What to look out for?
- Switch to fraction units in Control Panel > Region and ensure dimensions / chain dimensions work precisely on your end by measuring your manufacturer products. Ensure the denominator is always rounded up to the smallest denominator that is a power of 2, verify that manual entry in the animation property will reject any non-power of 2 denominators.
- If your manufacturer has any dimension specific features such as customized elevation, product legends, customized paper templates, etc. Verify that this change is also reflected in these areas and should be as consistent if there are updates to the measures.
- Test loading existing drawings and ensure the measures are still precise and will be re-rounded up if there are any non-power of 2 denominators.
New features🆕
We're continuously improving in each releases to provide more features that brings more value into CET. Here's what you need to know, divided into different CET component areas.
New Extension
Sketch and Build
It has been a while since we have had a new feature extension. In CET 16.5, we are introducing 'Sketch and Build' extension allowing users to create freeform structures of endless possibilities. Some key features below:
- Users can freely sketch in 3D on (x, y, z) axis to create a structural foundation (extrusion) and also modify by line editing tools to cut, merge, split, etc.
- Users can build by applying different AISC industry standard profiles to extrusion and use the extrusion editing tools to create seamless joints, insert bracing, cuts, etc with 2 or more extrusions.
- Ability to create a mezzanine by adding a surface on the extrusions to crafting a customized article view by creating an assembly of the structural extrusion built.
This section is just a surface introduction of the extension, more details will release in the help article (work in progress) soon.
Literally sketch a line and build off limits🛠️
There are no manufacturer specific testing instructions for this feature as it is well tested internally. However, feel free to try out this feature on an exploratory basis.
Visibility / Categorization / Tags Related
Installation text can display Ind. Tags or Part number
This new feature allows users to show Part Numbers instead of Ind. Tags in install text in 2D/3D views. A new tab called “Drawing Settings” has been added to the Control Panel. Ensuring it works for your manufacturer products, follow *test instructions below:
User: Now I wish to have part numbers shown instead of tags!
*What to look out for?
- Using your manufacturer extension, check the new option under 'Drawing Settings' in Control Panel. Using an installation view mode (if applicable), ensure that the install text shows the correct part number for all the products in the drawing.
- The part number / SKU should match what is shown in Bill of Material listing.
- Objects that are part tagged, frozen, in blocks should still work.
- Existing drawings with manufacturer products inside should work.
- Printouts in PDF and print preview should work.
Added Check buttons in categorization dialog
'Check (number)' and 'Uncheck (number)' buttons have been added in the categorization dialog so that users can now check and uncheck subcategories at ease.
As shown in the snippet below, 'Picklist' category in selection consist of 2 subcategories. When in selection, the buttons have a dynamic counter of categories detected and can check or uncheck main and subcategories. Follow *test instructions below:
Check and uncheck your categories at ease
*What to look out for?
- In categorization dialog, verify that the 'Uncheck (number)' is accurate with the number of the categories and subcategories in selection. Clicking on it will uncheck the categories and button will become disabled when there is 0 category count. If there are manufacturer categories, try the button to verify that it also works with them in the same consistent manner.
- Briefly check that visibility configurations (filter, manufacturer viewmodes, viewclip & viewports) still has the same behavior and not adversely affected when categories are unchecked by the button.
Calculation Related
'Lead Time' column in Bill of Material (BOM)
A new 'Lead Time' column is added in Bill of Material (BOM) as manufacturers tend to monitor the time taken from initiation to completion of a certain process. Previously, manufacturers have to update lead times in their catalogs manually in Catalogue Creator and then publish it to the server for users to get updates. They can now plug in to the new Lead Time column to display up-to-date lead times without all the manual hassle.
Lead Time configuration for the specific product in Catalogue Creator shown in the new column
*What to look out for?
- In catalogue creator, a leadtime program created that is tied to any products will reflect its 'Day' value in the new 'Lead Time' column after it has been published.
- If your manufacturer extension has a custom 'Lead Time' column, verify that it still works after migrating to the new one.
Performance Testing 📊
Performance is a very important aspect that drives CET's usability experience. As we strive to provide more enhancements and new features in the later CET versions, performance is taken into strict consideration to ensure its consistency and does not introduce an unintended ripple effect throughout. With that said, we would like our manufacturers to run some basic performance tests, to make sure they are not affected.
Basic checklists
- To ensure the best performance possible, please switch off unused extensions, which will contribute to faster CET loading and startup.
- Test for possible memory leak issue using Window's Task Manager (Open using shortcut CTRL + SHIFT + ESC). Look for 'CETDesigner.exe' under 'Processes' tab and make sure overall memory consumption is not maxed out, with CET eating up most of it. Check that CET's memory consumption makes negligible difference between old and new, report if you experience abnormally high memory consumption by 'CETDesigner.exe'.
Measure memory usage
A new tool to inspect memory allocation for packages installed in CET. This tool can be used to determine memory leak of certain packages if memory is growing overtime and not being release.
What you can do:
- To be used whenever there is a memory spike or memory maxing out in Windows Task Manager. Or unusual sluggishness or slowdown were felt while using CET.
- Open up Release Debug menu using Ctrl+Alt+Shift+F12. Click on "Measure memory usage". Some users might have clashes with Intel HD Graphics shortcut.
- The traces will be written to CET log file. Send the log file together with relevant information to devsupport@configura.com for investigation.
Response Monitor tests
We highly recommend using 'Response Monitor' under 'QA Tools' to trace the time taken for different actions done in CET. Compare the time taken for the same actions done between the old and new versions of CET. If time taken difference is of a huge margin, you may report to 'devsupport@configura.com' for assistance.
By using your manufacturer extension, we suggest checking time differences for these actions:
- System startup time
- First snapper placement, and subsequent continuous placement
- Stretching (check if its smooth and not jerky)
- Copy and Paste
- Creating Alternatives
- Save and Load drawing
- Material application in [Animation, Quick Properties, Customer Own Material, Scheme Dialog]
That's all we have for you!
The QA Support team would like to wish you all the best in your 16.5 Migration journey. 👍
Have additional questions?
Links that may come handy to you
Release and Migration Best Practices
As always, reach out to us at qasupport@configura.com if you have questions
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