Welcome to the 13.0 QA Testing Guide, please check with your developer to make sure 13.0 Migration is successfully completed before testing.

*Most illustrations used in this guide are dynamic, it runs continuously in a loop.

13.0 Migration Workshop Additions

Property Dialog Docking and Return

In CET 13.0, we've improved the way you work with quick properties. You can now dock your quick properties in proximity with the snapper, then it follows wherever your snapper is dragged in the entire 2D/3D space. It provides convenience of toggling through features or materials of your snapper within reach.

Animation 1 below shows the docking process of the quick property, and how it responds when the snapper is dragged around in the drawing space.

Animation 2 below shows return process of the quick property box. Once clicked, it returns to the location of origin.

Follow test instructions of:

1. By using your extension snappers, try to dock your quick property to your snapper in selection. You should be able to snap the dialog in proximity. *2D and 3D space
2. Ensure the features and values are still available, not missing in the process. They should still be applicable (materials, features etc.). *2D and 3D space
3. Reposition your snapper anywhere in drawing space, ensure the docked quick property follows. *2D and 3D space
4. Click on the ‘Return’ button, the dialog should return to its location of origin.
5. The next time you launch CET, it should remember the mode that you are in.
   • For example, If I close CET in ‘Docked’ mode in my last use, I’ll be seeing ‘Docked’ mode in my next launch too.

 

 

Property Show/Hide

You can now hide your quick properties when not in use. Simply just click and the 'eye icon👁️‍🗨️' to show/hide your quick properties.

Follow test instructions of:

1. By using your extension snapper’s quick property, click on the ‘eye icon👁️‍🗨️’, ensure the dialog can be shown and hidden with just a click away. *2D and 3D space
2. Ensure the features and values are still available, not missing in the process. They should still be applicable (materials, features etc.). *2D and 3D space
3. The next time you launch CET, it should remember the mode that you are in.
   • For example, If I close CET with my dialog hidden in my last use, It will start CET with the property box hidden.

 

 

cm.core.dwg

There were some code changes in cm.core.dwg . Thus, a major part of functions and methods were changed to return a different variable. Hence, it's very important to make sure the rudimental functions of the CAD module still works as usual. To make sure no adverse changes are experienced, please follow smoke test instructions of:

1. Open CAD dialog, Import and Insert your desired CAD file and make sure it can be inserted into drawing successfully.
2. Verify the correctness of the inserted CAD file against a CAD viewer (AutoCAD, etc).
3. Try out basic CAD features, go to 'CAD layers' tab and try hide/show or even changing the layer's default color.

   

4. Try save/loading the drawing, make sure everything is intact and there are no anomalies.
5. Try making your DWG a block, then export as DWG and check its correctness:
   • Against a CAD viewer (AutoCAD, etc)
   • By re-importing back into CET

 

 

cm.core.featureSearch

Developers implemented a new feature search system called 'Compact Feature Search (CFS)' for better optimised performance when working with points, lines, arcs,circles. In CET 13.0, it's crucial to make sure the snapability and behavior doesn't see unintentional changes.

We recommend these smoke test instructions:

1. Using your manufacturer extension, make sure dimensions [Straight, Angle, Radius, Chain] still snaps onto your extension snappers, and snapping behavior should be smooth and not jerky.
2. Repeat test case 1 with Helplines, construction tools, 2D lines, 2D circles, 2D arcs, 2D rectangles.
3. Repeat testing in paper space environment and with your extension's elevation view.
   • You can use CET elevation tool to check if there is no specific elevation tool in your manufacturer extension.

 

 

Paper space

Internal development work has been done by developers. This causes changes not only code wise but also graphical wise. One of it is the interface in choosing and organizing papers in paper space.

Paper selection in CET 12.5 [Left] vs CET 13.0 [Right].

• PaperSelectionPanel no longer supports "scrolling" via buttons, but instead uses a conventional scroll bar.

Conventional scroll bar in CET 13.0 [Left] vs "scrolling" via buttons in CET 12.5 [Right].

• Drag and drop behavior for rearranging papers is supported (and is also supported in the Paper Manager dialog).

To ensure your manufacturer extension works well with this changes in paper space, we recommend running smoke test on:

1. Using your manufacturer extension, generate auto papers and perform basic operations like add/delete papers, drag and drop papers and copy/paste papers.
   
2. Using paper tools, add 2D view clip, 3D view port, images, dimensions, text and lines to your manufacturer paper. Ensure these operation does not cause any undesired outcome.
3. Focus more on 2D view clip, perform more test in this area.
4. Also verify the output through 'Print Preview' or a generated 'PDF'. Ensure the manufacturer logo, header and related information is still intact.

 

 

Distance Unit

Developer has made changes especially in renaming of some method in checking whether a distance unit is Metric. Also new method is added to check whether a unit is in Imperial to ensure more accurate representation of the units.

With this changes we recommend a smoke test using your manufacturer extension in these areas:

1. Using your manufacturer extension, place snappers which has dimension shown in the 2D view (Especially Kitchen Manufacturers) or use the dimension tool to measure the snappers. Ensure that the distance unit used is still correct and dimension measured is as expected.
2. Using manufacturer specific elevation tool (e.g., panel type elevation, storage elevation), generate elevation for your manufacturer snappers. Ensure the distance unit and dimension shown in the elevation is correct and expected.
• You can use CET elevation tool to check if there is no specific elevation tool in your manufacturer extension.
3. In paper space, use auto paper if your manufacturer extension has it, or insert 2D view clip with elevation in paper space. Ensure that distance unit and dimension shown in elevation generated in paper space is as expected.

 

 

Precise Dimensions

The Precise Dimensions checkbox in Control Panel - Region tab has been removed. Reason behind this is that the setting has never work before in any CET releases. It does nothing to the dimension tool in CET which in the end caused confusion to user with the precision settings in Dimension Style in Style Editor.

With this changes we want to make sure it does not affect your manufacturer extension. Please refer to this test instructions:

1. Using your manufacturer extension, use dimension tool and take measurement your snappers. Ensure decimal places still show correctly as set in Style Editor - Decimal Style.
2. Change Precision Settings in Dimension Style. Ensure the changes are updated and decimal places are shown correctly on the dimensions placed in drawing.

 

 

Material Lab

New Material Thumbnails

We've done minor changes to the material thumbnails. Striving for consistency, the latest thumbnails show the user a more accurate picture of what the material would look like before it is real time rendered. If you intend to have your PBR collection to adopt the new thumbnails, do take a look at the 13.0 Developer's migration guide.

Below, you are looking at the latest 13.0 [Top] against 12.5 [Bottom]

Material Category: Stone

Material Category: Metal

 

New Material Pack

We're also targeting to release new material packs that are industry specific. This means each industry will get their fair share of new materials to work on. However, we are only rolling out this latest addition specifically just for the 'Commercial Interior' CET edition / industry at the moment. So, manufacturers from the other industries, if you are reading this, please stick around! 😄

 

Aside from the new thumbnails and material pack, we're making sure the rest still works for you with these smoke test instructions.

With your extension snappers, try:

1. Changing to different materials in the quick properties or scheme manager, make sure they look correct as before, watch out in 2D/3D.
2. Perform a rendering and ensure the materials still look as accurate.
3. Save and Load new/existing drawings to make sure no unintended visual changes happen.
4. Create 'Customer Own Materials'(COM) and ensure they still work, refer to photo below.

   

 

 

General SIF Export Improvements

Configura SIF will now default to the Configura Standard for SIF formatting.  Previously when exporting as Configura SIF some manufacturers’ line items followed a manufacturer-specific standard for value mapping to SIF codes.  This is now prevented by default.  The ability to revert to the old method exists when accessing a new checkbox through the “Settings” button.  Clicking Settings will bring up a checkbox that will allow for the old method to be used rather than the standard Configura SIF method.

The checkbox will be unticked by default

Ensuring it doesn't give a negative impact towards your usage, please test by:

1. You may not have any custom value mapping happening during Configura SIF export. A good first check is to determine if your extension has any customizations for mapping fields when exporting to Configura SIF.  If you extension does not, then there is no need to verify anything specific relating to the Settings button or the “SIF export behavior” checkbox.  
   • If your extension has unique information (manufacturer specific tags) used in the drawing. In BOM, perform 'Order export' of 'Configura SIF' and ensure these manufactuer specific tags with information are shown correctly in the exported SIF document. This is when you have the 'Use manufacturer specific export' checkbox ticked.*If you have a specific manufacturer SIF format, you may make comparison to ensure its accuracy.
2. Making sure the entire 'Order export' isn't broken on your side, test an order export of 'Custom SIF' and ensure these unique columns with values can be configured with default/custom code in 'Custom SIF' settings, and be shown correctly in the exported SIF document.

   

3. You may also test by creating new categories and tags in 'Part Tagging' dialog,
   for example: tag category (tag name) : TAG1 (TAG1_HERE), TAG2 (TAG2_HERE), TAG3 (TAG3_HERE) TAG4 (TAG4_HERE) , TAG5 (TAG5_HERE),
   

   

   
   Have some of them applied in the drawing, in Build Of Material, verify that the expected TAG values are shown on the items, columns likely will need to be turned on. Export as 'Configura SIF' and verify the TAG values appear as they should.

   

 

 

Abstract Wall

Improvements are done on wall system especially on panel wall and partition wall. Specifically on these areas:

• New door behavior: New implementation are done to support new door behavior specific for "Doors in panes" and not the "Standalone" type.
• Alignment help: Added a new feature in Wall Animation Properties to help user align wall another snapper when placing new wall.
• Joint behavior: Improvement done to Joint animation direction behavior that affect Change Joint animation behavior in general.

However, these features are only available if customization has been adopted by Developer partners. 

Test Instructions (Only test this if changes are adopted):

1. Using your manufacturer wall extension, Insert walls and office door. Ensure that behavior when stretching walls with door is working correctly.
2. Insert a wall, then insert second wall and enable “Alignment help” in property box. Ensure dotted help line appear and works accordingly. Test with different snapping directions as well.
3. Connect new wall to previous inserted walls to create a joint connection. Try snapping on all around connection areas. Ensure joint connections work correctly.

If the above mentioned changes are not adopted:

1. Please run a general smoke test to ensure everything is still correct in your panel wall/partition wall extension.
2. Focus on the stretching behavior. Fixed and improve overall stretching behavior especially when working with door pane at the outer end of a wall.

 

 

Catalogue Upload and Download

In CET 13.0 bug fixes and improvements are made to catalogue upload and download process. This is done to solve known catalogue download issues and to improve it's performance.

We would like you to focus on these areas when testing with your manufacturer's catalogue extension:

1. General download when extension installed.
2. Ensure no repeated download.
3. Symbols downloaded are accurate and can be stretched/edited.
4. Symbols are present (Not showing missing symbol black box).
   • Load old drawing
   • Insert catalogue symbols.
5. Component tab display/icons.
6. Overall performance when catalogue download in progress.

 

Visibility

Developer fixed performance regarding on how layers are handled in CET.

So when running regression test for CET 13.0 using your manufacturer extension please pay attention to these areas.

1. Categorization
2. Visibility
3. View Modes
4. Filter
5. View Clip

 

New Features

Realtime Render API (Twin Motion) *Paid license extension, software is free to install.

Trial license available during migration period by this month (April 2022), request for your 1 month free trial at 'qasupport@configura.com'.

We've added support of direct linkage from CET to TwinMotion external rendering software. This will ease manufacturers creating demo materials as well as flythroughs and renderings in an actual sales workflow. In CET, this is made possible with an entirely new extension which also requires a license of 'Twinmotion for CET' applicable to all CET editions. Not to forget to launch and have a completed installation of TwinMotion software prior in your computer.

Simple workflow

With the license added from the marketplace, turn on the new extension and click on 'Start' to load your drawing into Twinmotion. Also important to not have more than 1 CET open (dev and build) if you are a developer.

In Twinmotion, do a direct link source, by pointing it to your drawing.

Here's what you see in CET.

Here's what you will see in TwinMotion external rendering software.

If you are trying out using your drawing, please check these items below using your manufacturer extension snappers:

1. Compare against CET, make sure there are no missing materials in TwinMotion, check for material accuracy, especially transparency.
2. Make changes to your drawing in CET, status should show 'pending changes', clicking on 'Update Changes' should reflect in Twinmotion.
3. Check that if Twinmotion extension is switched on, it should not stop other extensions to start. Make sure your manufacturer extension is still able to use with Twinmotion extension enabled.

Shortcomings of Twinmotion, note that this new feature is slightly premature and will improve in the later CET updates.

• Only supports 1 to 1 connection, working with multiple drawings, viewmodes, alternatives may not work correctly.
• Physical lights does not get transferred to Twinmotion.
• Rotation does not update in Twinmotion.
• Light leak and inaccuracy between wall and ceiling/ground in Twinmotion.

 

 

Categorization Undo & Redo

There is support for undo/redo for categorization. Any categories assigned to a snapper will now have the ability to undo or redo depending on user's needs. Take a glimpse at the animation below to understand better!

To ensure your manufacturer extension works well with the updated categorization, we recommend running smoke test by:

1. Using your manufacturer extension, assign them with any categories (New, Default or manufacturer specific), perform an undo/redo and ensure the sequence of actions are correct.
2. Test to see if these tag categories (New, Default or manufacturer specific) appear and can be used in 'Filter, 2D viewclip, 3D viewport'.
3. Save and load existing/new drawings and ensure categories assigned are still intact.

 

 

Part Tagging Remove From Selection Feature

Part tagging functionality has improved for easier usability. There should be a 'Remove from selection' button in the part tagging dialog which removes any prior applied tags from selection or individual.

To ensure your manufacturer extension works well with the updated part tagging dialog, we recommend running smoke test by:

1. Using your manufacturer extension, apply [individual / selection] tagging to your extension snappers. Clicking on 'Remove from selection' should remove the applied tags completely. Ensure the tag count on the category is correctly updated.
2. Please test part tagging using alternatives. As both the original and alternative uses centralised controlled part tagging, make some updates to the part tag's label or color and ensure it is updated across all alternative drawings.
3. Ensure the existing animation property for 'Tag individually' still works for tag application and removal.

 

 

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

1. To ensure the best performance possible, please switch off unused extensions, which will contribute to faster CET loading and startup.
2. 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'.

 

New Tool in Release Debug

Measure Globals

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:

1. 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.
2. Open up Release Debug menu using Ctrl+Alt+Shift+F12. Click on "Measure Globals". Some users might have clashes with Intel HD Graphics shortcut.
3. 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]

 

 

Have additional questions?