What is new in VideoCAD 13 Professional (October 2023)

 

What is new in VideoCAD 12 Professional (September 2022)

 

What is new in VideoCAD 11.1 Professional (February 2022)

 

What is new in VideoCAD 11 Professional (May 2021)

 

What is new in VideoCAD 10 Professional (January 2021)

 

What is new in VideoCAD 9.1 Professional (December 2019)

 

What is new in VideoCAD 9.0 Professional (March 2019)

 

What is new in VideoCAD 8.2 Lite (April 2016)

 

What is new in VideoCAD 8.1 (18 May 2015)

 

What is new in VideoCAD 8.0 (September 2014)

 

What is new in VideoCAD 7.0 (March 2011)

 

What is new in VideoCAD 6.1 (October 2008)

 

What is new in VideoCAD 6.0 (October 2007)

 

What is new in VideoCAD 5.0 (April 2006)

 

What is new in VideoCAD 4.0 (April 2005)

 

What is new in VideoCAD 3.0 (June 2004)

 

       13. What is new in VideoCAD 13

 

The next level of Fisheye camera simulation

 

See about Fisheye lenses in Wikipedia

 

Modeling Fisheye cameras with the field of view limited by the image sensor (Cropped circle and Full frame), as well as any intermediate variants of the Fisheye field of view.

 

 

 

Fisheye cameras with a limited field of view allow you to use the image sensor more fully. With the same video sensor, Fisheye cameras with a limited field of view compared to Fisheye cameras with a circular field of view allow doubling the pixel density at a given distance (for a 16:9 sensor) or, at a given pixel density, increasing the distance up to 2 times. The cost of this improvement is a slight loss of vertical and/or horizontal field of view.

 

New ability to change the maximum (circular) angle of view of Fisheye lenses in the range of 110-250 degrees. Thus, it is possible to simulate both narrow-angle and ultra-wide-angle Fisheye cameras.

 

 

 

 

Fisheye cameras with limited field of view and arbitrary circular angle work with all VideoCAD Professional tools that work with regular (circular) Fisheye cameras: Shading, PiP, pixel density visualization, gradient, resolution multiplication, motion blur, sensitivity modeling, animation.

 

 

FishEye cameras can be freely rotated in two planes and around its axis, modeled in 2D and 3D. VideoCAD is able to build complex horizontal projections of FishEye camera view areas in any position, as well as any other cameras.

 

 

Possibility of modeling the Mapping function of a Fisheye lens. The Mapping function determines the distribution of the pixel density of the video sensor between the center and edges of the field of view and depends on the internal construction of the lens.

 

Equisolid angle - typical for miniature Fisheye lenses, the pixel density depends only on the distance between the camera and the target, the space looks compressed at the edges of the field of view, the circular angle can be up to 250°;
Equidistant - less common, the pixel density is less in the center of the field of view and more along its edges, the space looks more natural at the edges of the field of view, the circular angle can be up to 250°;
Stereographic - rare lenses, pixel density is reduced in the center of the field of view and greatly increased along its edges, circular angle up to 250°;
Orthographic - rare lenses, pixel density increased in the center of the field of view and greatly reduced along its edges, circular angle up to 180°;
Rectilinear - normal perspective projection, not FishEye, circular angle up to 140°;

 

See more about the Mapping function in Wikipedia

 

 

It is important that for Fisheye cameras with the field of view limited by the image sensor (Cropped circle and Full frame) the Mapping function determines the view angles.

 

 

In VideoCAD13 all types of Mapping function are fully modeled in the 3D Video and 3D World window.

In the Graphics window, the Mapping functions are modeled when constructing the shape of view area projections, and when distributing the pixel density the Equisolid angle function is used.

 

Taking DORI distances into account from FishEye camera specifications.

 

 

The DORI distances (Detection, Observation, Recognition, Identification) in the specifications of most camera manufacturers are close to the values ​​calculated by VideoCAD and do not need adjustment. However, in reality, the resolution at the edges of the field of view may be worse than the resolution in the center of the field of view, which is more pronounced in high-resolution Fisheye cameras. To take into account the decrease in resolution at the edges of the field of view, several manufacturers provide in the specifications specially reduced values of DORI distances for the case of installing the camera on a low ceiling (~3m), since in this position the edges of the field of view determine the DORI distances. To take into account a possible reduction in resolution, the DORI factor has been added to the parameters of FishEye cameras in VideoCAD. The factor can be set in the range of 0.5.1 separately for each camera, which ensures that different Fisheye cameras are modeled exactly according to the DORI distances in their specifications.

 

In the 3D World, for Fisheye cameras of any type, the view area border is now drawn when the Fisheye>Show>Full image item is selected on the Image parameter panel, Panoramic tab.

 

 

Added an ability to change the direction of the optical axis of Fisheye cameras in space by shifting the image with the mouse in the 3D Video window with the left button pressed, just like it is implemented for conventional cameras.

 

 

 

The PTZ or Fisheye panel now has a combobox called Axial rotation angle. The angle can also be changed in the 3D Video window by rotating the image with the mouse while holding Shift.

 

Buttons have been added to the PTZ or Fisheye panels to quickly assign camera angles for placing Fisheye cameras on the ceiling, on the floor (table) and on the walls.

 

 

Buttons have been added to the PTZ or Fisheye panel for quickly assigning viewing angles for the current frame format to switch the Fisheye lens type: Circular, Cropped circle and Full frame.

 

In the PTZ or Fisheye panel, when fisheye, PTZ, or None are selected, unused panels are hidden.

 

 

Added an ability to set different view angles for different aspect ratios/resolutions of the same Fisheye camera via the List/range of lens focal lengths. Using the List/Range and the List of Resolutions, you can set complex dependences of view angles on the aspect ratio, resolution and the lens focal length of a camera model.

 

 

The ability to independently set the circular angle of view of the lens, the limitations of the field of view by the size of the image sensor, the aspect ratio, and the Mapping function allows you to simulate a variety of wide-angle cameras with angles up to 250 degrees using the Fisheye parametric model. One camera can be modeled as a camera with lens distortion and as a FishEye camera depending on the chosen focal length, resolution and crop.

 

Displaying view areas of Fisheye cameras in the Vertical projection of the Graphics window.

 

 

Updated example Modeling cameras with Fisheye lens. Modeling of two modifications of the camera BOSCH FLEXIDOME IP panoramic 6000 is considered in detail.

 

 

NDS-6004-F360E

NDS-6004-F180E

 

Circular FishEye lens

FishEye lens of Cropped circle

 

Pixels:2640 x 2640

Pixels:3640 x 2160

 

View angles: 180° (H) x 180° (V)

View angles: 180° (H) x 93° (V)

 

 

NDS-6004-F360E

 

NDS-6004-F180E

 

 

Fixed an error of rotating by shifting the dewarped image of Fisheye cameras in the 3D Video window .

 

New in PTZ Camera simulation

 

The circular projection of the control area of PTZ and Fisheye cameras is displayed even when the projection of the view area of the rotary part of the camera in the specified height range does not exist (for example, the camera is looking up).

 

 

In the vertical projection of the Graphics window, the vertical projection of the view areas of PTZ cameras is visualized.

 

 

Added simulation of PTZ cameras with unusual up and down tilt angle limits (negative or greater than 90 degrees). The boundaries of the tilt angles up and down can be set arbitrarily in the range of -90..+180 degrees.

 

Fixed a bug in modeling the coverage and borders of the up and down tilt angles of PTZ cameras in the 3D World, which appeared when the sides of the 3D World window were not equal.

 

 

Modeling dependence of Aperture of varifocal lenses from the focal length

 

In the specifications of cameras with varifocal lenses, as a rule, 2 open aperture values are given:

with minimum focal length (WIDE)
with maximum focal length (TELE).

 

Camera parameters in VideoCAD now include 3 aperture values:

open aperture with minimum focal length (WIDE);
open aperture with maximum focal length (TELE);
closed aperture (for autoiris lenses).

 

During camera simulation, the open aperture of a varifocal lens is calculated from WIDE to TELE depending on the current focal length.

The calculated aperture is used in modeling camera sensitivity and depth of field.

 

 

The AutoIris Lens checkbox in the Depth of Field window and on the Image Parameters panel has been renamed to Calculate Aperture. When this checkbox is checked, when calculating the depth of field, the aperture value obtained by calculation from the current focal length (for varifocal lenses) and / or lighting simulation (for a lens with auto iris) is used.

 

 

Improved Day/Night camera simulation

 

According to EN 62676-5, paragraph 4.2.3.1, the camera specifications separately provide minimum illumination values in black&white and color modes. Day/night camera sensitivity in VideoCAD is now also characterized by two parameters:

minimum illumination in black&white mode;
minimum illumination in color mode.

 

Thus, VideoCAD allows you to simulate sensitivity of day/night cameras according to their specifications.

 

 

Added the ability to change the switching threshold from color to black&white mode through the threshold signal-to-noise ratio (default 20dB).

 

 

IR illumination is now also modeled for Easy Day/Night cameras (without movable IR filter), since this type of camera can be with a constant IR filter and without an IR filter, often the implementation of the day/night mode is not clear from the camera specification.

 

New in the Table of Camera Models

 

Added tools for comparing camera models in the Table of Camera Models:

 

Filter out selected models allows you to display only selected camera models in the table. Models can be selected with the mouse in any order. You can also filter models for display by arbitrary combinations of conditions using filters.
Highlight differing parameters allows you to highlight by color the differing parameters of the displayed models.
Show differences parameters only allows you to hide all columns with matching parameters for all displayed models.

 

 

New checkbox Set defaults values to empty parameters next to the Assign button. If the checkbox is checked, then default values are assigned to the parameters of the active camera that are absent (empty) in the assigned model. If the checkbox is not checked, then the existing values of the corresponding parameters of the active camera are saved.

 

The , buttons on the Table of cameras and Table of camera models toolbars allow you to hide the toolbars.

 

The functionality of the + New and + Dupl buttons has been simplified.

The + New button simply adds a new blank line at the bottom of the Table of camera models. The + Dupl button copies the current model to the bottom of the Table of camera models. The tabbed form does not open.

 

To the Table of camera models and the Table of cameras the following parameters have been added: Min scene illumination in Color mode, Color>B/W swithing S/N (dB), Iris>Open TELE, FishEye>DORI, FishEye>FishEye Type, FishEye>Mapping function, Smart features.

 

Fisheye camera simulation is now enabled by selecting fisheye in the Distortion/Fisheye>Model. /Fisheye field.

 

The value of the Real angles in the section Lens>Distortion/Fisheye determines the view angles limited by the sensor and the circular view angle of the FishEye camera if the parameter Distortion/FishEye>Model/FishEye is set to fisheye.

 

New in the Camera Model Database

 

The database of camera models has been updated. New parameters have been added.

 

The databases of Axis (September 2023) and Hikvision (October 2023) cameras have been updated. Added the latest camera models.

 

Models from the BOSСH (December 2022) and Hanwha Techwin (November 2022) catalogs have been added to the default camera model database.

 

Increasing the functionality of  the Vertical projection of the Graphics window

 

Taking into account the Base height of cameras when placing them in the vertical projection, Displaying the pixel density of several cameras at the same time, Limiting the length of the vertical projection of view areas.

 

Displaying view areas of PTZ or Fisheye cameras in vertical projection.

 

The Height in the vertical projection of the Graphics window has been added to the parameters of the Camera Groups. When drawing a camera in the vertical projection of the Graphics window, its height will be equal to the sum of the camera installation height, the Base height of the camera and the Height in the parameters of the group to which the camera belongs,  if the Base heights of cameras in vertical projection checkbox is checked.

 

 

New features allow wider use of Vertical projection to create illustrations of design decisions.

 

More detailed vertical projection can be worked out in 3D using the 3D World window and layers.

 

 

Simulation of long-range CCTV cameras / Thermal imagers

 

The range of possible focal lengths of lenses has been expanded up to 5000mm.

 

The maximum distance of the camera view area has been increased.

* It is required to increase the Space limits and the Maximum distance of drawing view area. The maximum drawing distance for 3D models may be limited by the graphics card.

 

 

Interface improvements

 

On the Toolbar of the Graphics window, the comboboxes Model of active camera and Active camera were expanded. To do this, some of the buttons from the right edge of the upper part of the toolbar have been moved to the lower part of the Toolbar. The 3D Test and 3D Test on view area borders buttons have been moved to the right edge of the Toolbar.

 

In the 3D Video window, the same control of the camera position with the mouse is made for conventional cameras and FishEye. Moving the cursor over the 3D Video window with the left mouse button pressed changes the direction of the optical axis of the camera. For conventional cameras, the tilt change is done by changing the View area upper bound distance, and if Ctrl is held, then the tilt change is done by changing the View area upper bound height.

For any cameras, if Shift is held, then the camera is rotated around its axis.

 

 

Added progress indicators to procedures that take time to complete (Launching VideoCAD, importing 3D models, exporting to Collada).

 

A pop-up menu has been added to the Internet link button of the Camera model Card. Copy address to clipboard in case the browser is not opened by clicking on the button.

 

Added button to the Setting number of pixels panels to swap the number of pixels horizontally and vertically.

 

The Default button has been added to the Illuminator calculation window to return lamp parameters to default.

 

Expanded comboboxes for distances and lens focal length in the Camera Geometry box.

 

The item Select 3D model on layout in the menu of the 3D Test window is not checked by default.

 

After assigning a model to the active camera, the camera parameters in the Sensitivity and Resolution box remain available for change.

 

New in Pixel density calculation

.

Due to the influence of lens distortion, for short focal length lenses with strong distortion, the average over the field of view horizontal and vertical pixel density may differ significantly. In the original European Standard EN 62676-4 2015, pixel density was calculated based on the frame height, but nowadays pixel density is often calculated based on the frame width. VideoCAD provides both options for calculating pixel density and flexible control of their switching when rotating the camera around its axis and enabling Corridor mode.

 

Added the "European Standard EN 62676-4 2015 Horizontal" pixel density pattern to the default pixel density patterns to model horizontal pixel density.

 

In the Options box you can select how to calculate pixel density in the Graphics window, Camera Geometry, 3D test, 3D Test on View area bounds, Table of cameras and in the PDF report:

Horizontal pixels (default) or Vertical pixels.

If the pixel density is calculated horizontally, then after the value pmh (pixels per meter horizontal) or pfh (pixels per foot horizontal) is added.

If the pixel density is calculated vertically, then after the value pmv (pixels per meter vertical) or pfv (pixels per foot vertical) is added.

 

The When rotating camera around its axis or in corridor mode, bind horizontal/ vertical combobox in the Options box, Pixel Density panel determines the effect of rotating the camera around its axis and enabling Corridor mode on the horizontal and vertical positions in the frame in all cases of calculating pixel density.

 

Added an ability to select a default Pixel Density Pattern for new cameras.

 

Pixel density visualization when modeling lens distortion can be calculated based on the number of pixels per area or on the number of pixels along the radius, depending on the state of the Pixel density by area checkbox. In previous versions, only the number of pixels along the radius was used.

 

Other

.

The vectorization algorithm for view area boundaries in 3D has been improved. In the Options box, 3D modeling tab, control over the accuracy of vectorization of view area boundaries in 3D has been added.

 

Default exposure time when determining sensitivity is now 40mc (1/25 s) according to EN 62676-4 clause 4.2.3.3. For individual cameras, it is possible to set any exposure time when determining sensitivity.

 

The 3D Test on view area bound tool continues to work even when the view area projection in the specified height range does not exist (for example, the camera looks up).

 

The Maximum distance of drawing view area limits the View area in Dome mode, as well as when simulating FishEye and PTZ cameras.

 

Fixed tool for storing positions of additional program windows. If you select Keep window positions, window positions are saved. If this item is checked, then window positions are saved when exiting the program and are restored at the next start. Otherwise, default window positions are assigned at startup.

 

Motion blur and depth of field visualizations can again work simultaneously with lens distortion modeling.

After acceleration of 3D graphics in VideoCAD11 version, simultaneous modeling of motion blur or depth of field with lens distortion was broken.

 

 

Fixed a bug that occurred when generating a PDF report and exporting to AutoCAD when special characters are used in the names of layouts, layers or cameras. Now special characters are automatically removed.

 

Fixed error in calculating shading in some camera positions when an obstacle is parallel to the optical axis.

 

Fixed minor glitches related to selecting and assigning a camera model via the Model of Active Camera list on the Graphics Window Toolbar.

 

Fixed a bug where the Graphics Window freezes after using the Optical Axis, Focal Plane and Point tools.

 

Many minor improvements in different parts of the program.

 

Changing VideoCAD versions

 

VideoCAD 7 Starter, VideoCAD 8 Lite and VideoCAD Professional (max 70 cameras) are discontinued. Support for legacy versions is ending. Licenses that have not reached the end of their annual support period will be supported until it expires.

 

One basic version of VideoCAD 13 is released. Compared to the VideoCAD 13 Professional version, VideoCAD 13 has restrictions that are acceptable in most projects:

 

No more than 70 cameras in one project;
No export to 2D DXF DWG formats (to AutoCAD);
No export to 3D COLLADA format (to SketchUP);
No accurate lens distortion modeling, only simplified lens distortion modeling;
No simulation of camera sensitivity;
No animation.

 

Demo version restrictions

 

VideoCAD Professional 13 demo version cannot process more than 5 cameras and cannot save the project to a file.

 

The Rules of upgrade from previous VideoCAD versions

 

For customers who have purchased (or upgraded) VideoCAD Professional after 30 October 2022 this upgrade is free of charge *.

 

Licenses of discontinued VideoCAD Lite and VideoCAD Professional (max 70 cameras)  purchased (or upgraded) after 30 October 2022 can be upgraded to VideoCAD 13 (basic version) free of charge.

 

Other registered users of any VideoCAD version can upgrade their licenses to VideoCAD 13 or VideoCAD 13 Professional at the user's choice,  for half the cost of a new license *.

 

When updating a license with USB dongle, you are given a choice of one of the update options:

 

1. License for the user's USB dongle;

 

2. License with activation without USB dongle. In this case, the user's USB dongle must be blocked;

 

* Option 2 requires additional payment.

 

For the customers, whose original valuable suggestions have found application in VideoCAD 13, an additional discount for upgrade is given.

 

Updates are only possible to the latest version offered for purchase. Paid and free upgrades to outdated versions are not possible.

 

Update rule for the next versions

New license of VideoCAD or paid upgrade includes free updates to the same modification of VideoCAD for one year after purchase, regardless of the version number. After a year, the update becomes paid.

 

       12. What is new in VideoCAD 12

 

Databases of real camera models

 

The VideoCAD distribution kit includes a database of real camera models from well-known manufacturers. At the time of release of VideoCAD12, the database contains more than 2000 camera models of Axis, Hikvision and Dahua from the 2022 catalogs. The database contains parameters that VideoCAD can model and the most important reference parameters of camera models.

 

 

New databases of camera models from other manufacturers will be released. All databases are available for download directly from the program. The Download button for loading new databases of camera models and deleting unnecessary databases from the local database on the computer has been added to the Table of Camera Models window. From the downloaded databases, you can duplicate only necessary models into the local database, and then delete the databases themselves.

 

 

By analogy with the existing models, self-adding camera models to the database has become much easier. Added an example Adding a camera model to the Camera model database.

 

You can order special Camera model database add-on file, including parameters of user-defined models, entered according to their specifications.

 

Camera manufacturers wishing to make their cameras easily accessible for VideoCAD users can create their own databases of camera models by analogy with existing databases and freely place them on the cctvcad.com site. To place the databases, please contact us.

 

VideoCAD12 is adapted to modeling all types of modern camera models according to their specifications. Many improvements and additions have been made and bugs have been fixed in working with camera models. Unfortunately, compatibility of the new model database with previous versions of VideoCAD is not guaranteed.

 

Changed the set and position of the columns for the Normal view of the Table of Camera Models. The Edit buttons have been renamed to Tabs, as it is more convenient to edit parameters in the table itself. Parameter Max. frame rate (fps) renamed to Max. frame rate at max. resol. (fps). When assigning a frame rate to a camera that is higher than the maximum frame rate, the frame rate box turns pink, but the assignment itself is not prohibited.

The Built-in IR Illumination>Wavelength (nm) parameter has been renamed to Built-in Illumination>Source/Wavelength (nm). Added White LED, White +IR and Laser options. You can enter an arbitrary wavelength in the IR range, while modeling the built-in illumination, VideoCAD will choose the nearest value from its tables.

The Built-in IR Light>Power (W) parameter has been renamed to Built-in Light>Power (W) / Light. flux (lm).

Reference options renamed: Sync renamed to Analytics, S-Video to Label, Sync to Series, Other to Processing>Noise Reduction.

Sizes of the fields Name, Key Features, Compression, Vendor, Protection, Analytics and Internet link have been increased.

 

In the parameters of camera model, you can set the maximum possible resolution for the corridor mode. If the camera model is set to the maximum resolution for the corridor mode, then when you turn on the corridor mode at a higher resolution, a warning is issued.

 

The Label field allows you to mark models with custom labels (eg OK, BAD, Order, In stock, Used, Outdated..). You can filter models by labels, as well as by any other table fields and their combinations.

 

Fields Lens>Distortion>Real angles>Horizontal, Vertical, Diagonal>Set. are set to "Set". If the angle value is set, then it is considered set, if the angle value is not set or the Set value is set to "Calc", then the angle will be calculated by the program.

 

The equality of the minimum and maximum lens apertures for lenses without aperture adjustment is no longer checked, as this difference is present with varifocal lenses.

 

The Assign button in the Table of Camera Models window has a submenu that allows you to choose whether to close the window after assigning a model to the active camera.

 

In the camera model tables and the camera table, the number of frozen columns on the left is stored in the Table Views.

 

The procedures of loading and supplementing the databases of camera models have been improved.

 

In the pop-up menu of the Table of Camera Models, the Paste text in selection item has been added.

 

New in lens distortion modeling

 

Simplified modeling of lens distortion. Lens distortion modeling in VideoCAD is a powerful and precise mechanism, but this mechanism requires accurate view angle values. However, the accuracy of view angles in real specifications is often insufficient to model lens distortion. Errors in the parameters, imperceptible when viewing the specification by a person, with strict modeling lead to distortion of the view area shape.

In addition, accurate modeling of distortion requires a lot of computing resources, and when dozens of cameras with distortion are displayed on the screen at the same time, the redrawing of the plan occurs with a delay.

To circumvent these shortcomings, a simplified lens distortion modeling mode has been added. In fact, this is just the ability to separately set the horizontal and vertical view angles, regardless of the lens focal length and the image sensor size. In this mode, the horizontal and vertical view angles are modeled equal to their specification values, even if those values ​​are incorrect. The effects of distortion on the diagonal view angle and on the pixel density distribution are ignored. As a result, the resulting model formally complies with the specification and looks "correct" even with incorrect view angles. At the same time, the correspondence of the obtained model to the real camera is always worse than with accurate modeling of lens distortion.

 

 

In automatic mode, the lens distortion modeling method is selected using an empirical algorithm, depending on the initial data, their availability and the expected accuracy. The goal of the selection is the maximum achievable modeling accuracy for the available input data. All that is required from the user is to select the name of the camera model in the database of camera models, select the camera resolution in the list of possible resolutions of this model and the lens focal length from the list or in the range of possible focal lengths for this camera model.

 

It is possible to quickly switch between accurate, simplified and automatic distortion modeling modes both for separate cameras and for the entire project.

 

Improved control of the lens focal length of cameras with lens distortion by moving marks on the layout.

 

Improved distortion modeling for varifocal/zoom lenses.

 

When calculating position of a camera with lens distortion, the real angles are used, taking into account distortion, not angles calculated from the image sensor size and the lens focal length (calculated angles). This allows to calculate the optimal camera tilt closer to reality.

 

As you know, the pixel density of real cameras is not constant over the entire field of view. Starting from VideoCAD12, in the 3D Test, 3D test at view area borders, Camera geometry, Pixel density windows, as well as in the tooltips in the Graphics window and in the PDF report, when calculating the pixel density and sizes of the view area of cameras with lens distortion, the average pixel density on the field of view is used. Previous versions used the maximum pixel density at the center of the field of view.

 

When calculating the areas of detecting and identifying a person, reading a license plate for cameras with lens distortion, real angles and average pixel density are used. Previous versions used calculated angles and the maximum pixel density at the center of the field of view, as in most lens calculators.

 

When forming the angles between directions of modules of multi-sensor cameras with lens distortion, real rather than calculated view angles are taken into account.

 

When forming the projection of the built-in illumination of cameras with lens distortion, real, not calculated, view angles are taken into account.

 

New in camera simulation

 

Added simulation of cameras with built-in visible light illumination and mixed illumination (IR + visible light).

 

 

Added 3D modeling and displaying of the projection of hemispherical built-in illumination of fisheye cameras.

 

 

The maximum shutter speed of cameras can exceed 1 second. To set the shutter speed in seconds, instead of the integer denominator of the fraction 1/X, enter a number with a dot X.Y, for example 1.0; 2.2.

 

You can set the size of the image sensor by the interval between pixels (Pixel Interval) in microns, for example "17mcm". This is useful for thermal cameras.

 

An example Modeling thermal cameras is added.

 

Electronic shutter simulation is possible when auto iris simulation is enabled. If auto iris and electronic shutter are enabled at the same time, the electronic shutter has priority. This is used for camera models whose specifications do not specify the minimum lens aperture.

 

The default exposure when determining the camera sensitivity (minimum illumination) is now 200ms, in previous versions it was 20ms. The exposure value for each model or camera can be changed in the parameters of camera models or in the Sensitivity and resolution box.

 

New in the List of Resolutions and the List/Range of Lens Focal Length

 

If the aspect ratio of the image sensor is not specified (in the vast majority of specifications), but a List of Resolutions is specified in which the first character is the letter "A", then the aspect ratio of the sensor will be calculated from the maximum number of pixels in the list of resolutions.

 

In the List / Range of lens focal lengths, you can set the aperture values ​​of the lenses in the list or the aperture values ​​at the extreme focal lengths of a varifocal lens.

 

In the List / Range of lens focal lengths, you can set several ranges of focal lengths for different resolutions (different aspect ratios of the active area of ​​the image sensor, different crops).

 

The first letter in the List / Range of lens focal lengths can be used to set the lens distortion modeling method. <No letter> - simulate accurately; "S" - simulate simplified; "A" - automatic selection of lens distortion modeling method.

 

If the camera is assigned a list of possible lens focal lengths, then the focal length selection box is grayed out, and focal lengths can only be selected from this list.

 

If the camera is assigned a range of focal lengths, then when the range limits are reached, the focal length selection box turns gray.

 

New in the Camera Model filter

 

Filtering algorithms in real databases of camera models have been significantly improved.

 

When filtering camera models by the fields Sensor size, Protection, Vendor, filtering is performed by matching a part of the string.

 

When filtering models by Horizontal view angle and Lens focal length, you can take into account focal lengths of all possible lenses of the models and focal length ranges of varifocal lenses.

 

Filters by Output type (Network, TVI/AHD/CVI/CVBS... ) and by Label have been added to the Camera Models Filter panel.

 

New ability to save filtered table records to a file.

 

Other

 

The Camera Model Photo window has been renamed to Camera Model Card. The window contains a photo and basic parameters of a camera model. Added the ability to resize the Model Card, move the border between the photo and parameters, and new items in the pop-up menu. Displaying model parameters in the card has been improved.

 

 

Now it is possible to simulate a "seamless" picture from multi-sensor cameras with any view angles, tilt, rotation around its axis.

 

 

The Internet tab has been added to the Options box with the ability to configure connection through a proxy server.

 

The default compression type in the Bandwidth and Storage Space Calculator is H.264.

 

In the main menu of the 3D Video window, the View branch, the PiP item has been added to quickly enable/disable the PiP (Picture-in-Picture) mode.

 

 

When trying to open minimized child windows, they open in maximized state.

 

Fixed disappearing bug of horizontal view of pixel density table.

 

 

Fixed disappearing bug of covering PTZ and Fisheye cameras on surrounding objects in 3D, which appeared when these cameras are not active.

 

 

Fixed bugs in automatic direction of modules of multi-sensor cameras in some positions.

 

 

 

Fixed an error in calculating the maximum distance of the built-in illumination, which appeared if the exposure time or lens aperture when determining the camera sensitivity did not match the current exposure time or lens aperture.

 

Lots of minor improvements in different parts of the program.

 

Licensing system

 

Auto-detection of Internet connection parameters through a proxy server and the ability to manually configure proxy server parameters.

 

Ability to activate/deactivate licenses without USB dongles on computers without Internet access via a web interface.

 

VideoCAD Professional license includes access to camera model database updates on the cctvcad.com website for a year after the purchase or update of the license.

 

The section Personal data has been added to the license agreement:

In case of a license without USB dongle, the Software can transfer to the developer's site only information necessary for the operation of the licensing system in form of hashes. A hash is a digital fingerprint. Using hashes, it is impossible to restore the original information about the computer and the user. The Software does not transmit any other information. In case of a license with USB dongle, the Software does not transfer anything.

Thus, with any type of license, you can be sure that your personal data, information from your projects about the equipment used is not transferred outside your computer.

 

Demo version restrictions

 

VideoCAD Professional 12 demo version cannot process more than 5 cameras and cannot save the project to a file.

 

The Rules of upgrade from previous VideoCAD versions to VideoCAD12

 

For customers who have purchased (or upgraded) VideoCAD professional after 25 September 2021 this upgrade is free of charge *.

 

For customers who have purchased VideoCAD Professional before 25 September 2021 updating cost makes half of the VideoCAD12 cost *.

 

When updating a license with USB dongle, you are given a choice of one of the update options:

 

1. VideoCAD 12 license for the user's USB dongle;

 

2. VideoCAD 12 license with activation without USB dongle. In this case, the user's USB dongle must be blocked;

 

* Option 2 requires additional payment.

 

Upgrade from versions Starter, Lite, Professional (max 70 cameras) to Professional is paid in addition.

 

For the customers, whose original valuable suggestions have found application in VideoCAD 12, an additional discount for upgrade is given.

 

Update rule for the next versions

VideoCAD Professional 12 new license includes free updates to the same modification of VideoCAD for one year after purchase, regardless of the version number. After a year, the update becomes paid.

 

       11.1. What is new in VideoCAD 11.1

 

Licensing system without USB dongle

 

New VideoCAD Professional licenses are now supplied only with a registration code. USB dongle is not required.

 

 

A personal license allows you to simultaneously install the program on two computers (work and home or mobile) belonging to the license owner. The username on both computers must be the same.

 

A corporate license allows simultaneous installation and launch on the number of computers specified in the license at ordering.

 

With a personal or corporate license, you can freely reinstall the program on new computers. To reinstall the program on a new computer, just uninstall the program from the old computer and install it on the new computer. The number of reinstallations is not limited.

 

Licenses with USB dongle are supported too. A license with USB dongle does not limit the number of computers on which the program can be installed simultaneously, but the program can only be run on a computer with connected USB dongle. The program with dongle does not use the Internet. Changing a license without dongle to a license with dongle and vice versa is possible by request of the user.

 

Low cost One-year licenses are now available for purchase.

 

Other

 

For users of several licenses with USB dongle, the procedure of changing the registration code in the case when the installed code does not fit the USB dongle is simplified.

 

Added notification about new versions when the program starts and checking for the latest version through the main menu.

 

 

Displaying the built-in IR illuminated area borders is disabled by default for new cameras.

 

Fixed an installer bug of  *.vc7 file extension association with VideoCAD in Windows 10.

 

Demo version restrictions

 

VideoCAD Professional 11.1 demo version cannot process more than 5 cameras and cannot save the project to a file.

 

The Rules of upgrade from previous VideoCAD versions to VideoCAD11.1

 

For customers who have purchased (or upgraded) VideoCAD professional after 14 February 2021 this upgrade is free of charge *.

 

For customers who have purchased VideoCAD Professional before 14 February 2021 updating cost makes half of the VideoCAD11.1 cost *.

 

When updating a license with USB dongle, you are given a choice of one of the update options:

 

1. VideoCAD 11.1 license for the user's USB dongle;

 

2. VideoCAD 11.1 license with activation without USB dongle. In this case, the user's USB dongle must be blocked;

 

* Option 2 requires additional payment.

 

Upgrade from versions Starter, Lite, Professional (max 70 cameras) to Professional is paid in addition.

 

For the customers, whose original valuable suggestions have found application in VideoCAD 11.1, an additional discount for upgrade is given.

 

Update rule for the next versions

VideoCAD Professional 11.1 new license includes free updates to the same modification of VideoCAD for one year after purchase, regardless of the version number. After a year, the update becomes paid.

 

       11. What is new in VideoCAD 11

 

Significant acceleration of 3D graphics

 

The drawing speed in the 3D World and 3D Video windows has been increased up to 50-100 times depending on the scene and the capabilities of the video card. Acceleration allows you to use more beautiful 3D models of objects and more complex 3D models of territories. Working with VideoCAD in 3D has become more comfortable.

 

 

Faster drawing of Walls with windows in 3D and 2D, which allows you to work with more complex layouts.

 

This acceleration is realized due to the use of resources of the video card, therefore VideoCAD11 is more demanding on the video card than the previous versions of VideoCAD. Support of OpenGL 3.0  is required. Most modern video cards are suitable. Please report if VideoCAD11 does not draw 3D images on your computer.

 

Despite significant changes in the program, functionality of all unique tools for modeling cameras (lighting, sensitivity, movement, depth of field, lens resolution, PiP, Rolling Shutter, animation) has been preserved. These tools are now faster, but still require resources, so when you need maximum drawing speed in the 3D Video window, you should turn off image processing in the main menu of the 3D Video window. Enable image processing only when simulating camera parameters is required.

 

New in the 3D World window

 

Significantly faster navigation.

 

Accelerated drawing of 3D camera view areas in the 3D World window.

 

 

Faster drawing coverage of camera view areas on surrounding objects. You can now visualize coverage by view areas of multiple cameras at the same time, not just the coverage of the active camera.

 

 

To enable / disable the visualization of camera coverages in the 3D World window, the 3D Coverage button has been added to the Toolbar of the Graphics window and the 3D Coverage menu item. The button can be used to enable / disable both the coverage of the active camera and the coverage of all selected cameras simultaneously.

 

3D coverage can be gradient again.

 

In case of gradient color is chosen, the colors at the far region bounds equal to the colors of the pixel density pattern, but between the bounds color changes smoothly, as well as the pixel density in reality.

Gradient reflects reality more accurately and looks impressive, but discrete colors are more intuitive and easy to use. You can switch discrete or gradient coverage for individual cameras or for all selected cameras at once.

 

 

In the upper left corner of the 3D World window there is a duplicated button to return to the front view of the scene in case you get lost in the 3D world. The views on the left, on the right, at the back, at the top, at the bottom are available on the Navigation tab of the 3D World window.

 

Improved mouse control at the start of navigation in the 3D World window.

 

New in the 3D Video window

 

Significant acceleration of drawing 3D images.

 

It is now possible to change direction of the camera by moving the image in the 3D Video window by the mouse with left button pressed in all modes, not only in the PTZH mode. If Ctrl is not pressed, the camera tilt changes by changing the view area upper bound distance. If Ctrl is pressed, the camera tilt changes by changing the height of view area upper bound.

 

 

The lens focal length of the active camera lens is displayed in the titles of the 3D Video window.

 

New in Lens Distortion modeling

 

An important possibility to set the lens distortion by any two real view angles of three (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and the aspect ratio of the image has been added. The aspect ratio can be calculated automatically from the image resolution in pixels.

 

Modeling lens distortion has never been easier. Specifications of many modern cameras have 2 real view angles and resolution in pixels. With VideoCAD11 you can easily accurately simulate the view areas of such cameras, taking into account the lens distortion. If any 2 view angles and resolution in pixels are known, then the exact sizes of the image sensor active area and  exact lens focal length are not required to simulate lens distortion.

If the camera specification contains only one real view angle, then the exact sizes of the image sensor active area and lens focal length are still required to build distortion model.

 

The example Modeling lens distortion has been rewritten to illustrate the possibility of setting the lens distortion of a real camera model by two view angles.

 

Models of images taking into account lens distortion in the 3D Video window are now displayed without loss of resolution and much faster.

 

 

3D Test and 3D Test on view area bounds tools have become more visual

 

Test models at the view area bounds are now displayed in both projections of the Graphics area in 2D and in the 3D Video and 3D World windows.

 

Added link dashed lines between test models and the active camera.

 

3D test windows and link lines are painted in different colors.

 

 

The Pixel density box has become interactive

 

When you move the cursor over an image in the table, the expanded image under the cursor is displayed in the upper part of the box.

 

 

For a more advantageous display of images in the working area of the program, the Pixel density box can take the form of the tables of images.

 

 

The tables display images of pixel density and field of view at the far bounds of regions, as well as distances to the far bounds of regions and sizes of the field of view at the far bounds of regions for the active camera. The tables are built automatically based on test images, the selected pixel density pattern and the parameters of the active camera. Tables can have several appearance options.

 

The tables can be included in the PDF report instead of the screenshot of the Pixel density box.

 

 

The pop-up menu of the Pixel density box has been developed.

 

 

The License plate set in VideoCAD by default can be overlaid on the test images.

 

A New tool to quickly create test images from custom photos. Using photos allows you to take into account specifics of real targets and scenes.

 

 

 

 

New Camera Models Filter panel

 

Using the panel, you can filter camera models in the Table of Camera Models and in the Model of active camera combobox on the Graphics Window Toolbar.

 

As parameters of the Camera Model Filter, you can set part of the model name, camera type, sensor size, resolution ranges, lens focal length, horizontal view angle, maximum IR illumination range, cost. You can select the camera key feature, form of case, environmental protection, supply voltage, manufacturer and provider.

 

In addition to filtering camera models using the new panel, it is still possible to build detailed filters by any parameters at the top of the Table of camera models.

 

The Camera Model Filter panel works in conjunction with the Model of active camera combobox and the Photo of camera model box. During filtering, the Model of active camera combobox expands and shows the filtered models, and the Photo of camera model box opens and displays the photo and important information about the model from the Model of active camera combobox drop-down list over which the cursor is located. It has become more convenient to choose camera models.

 

New in the Photo of camera model box

 

The Photo of camera model box now displays the photo and the most important parameters of the camera model (model name, camera type,key feature, sizes and resolution of the image sensor, lens focal lengths, view angles, built-in IR illumination distance, environmental protection, supply voltage, manufacturer, provider, cost).  

 

 

The Photo of camera model box appears and disappears automatically when viewing the Model of active camera combobox in the Graphics window. The box displays the photo and the most important information about the camera model in the drop-down list, over which the cursor is located.

 

When the Photo of camera model is open, while moving the cursor in the Graphics area, the Photo of camera model box displays the photo and the most important parameters of the camera model, over which the cursor is located. If the cursor is not over the camera, the Photo of camera model box displays the parameters of the active camera model.

 

It is now possible to load a picture of the active camera model into the Photo of camera model box through the pop-up menu when the Photo of camera model box is opened from the Graphics window.

 

Added Photo of camera model button to open the Photo of camera model box in the Table of cameras and Table of camera models.

 

New in the Table of Cameras and the Table of Camera models

 

A panel with the photo and the most important information about the camera model selected in the table, visible without scrolling the table, appears under the selected line. To open the panel, click + at the left end of the line.

 

 

Added Photo of camera model button to open the Photo of camera model box.

 

Added Camera models filter button to open the Camera models filter panel.

 

Other

 

New ability to conveniently change the default license plate.

 

The default license plate is used by default with 3D models with license plates, as well as in the 3D Test, 3D Test at the view area bounds and on test images of the Pixel density box.

In addition to the default license plate, you can assign different license plates for different 3D models with numbers using the Assign license plate button on the Current construction parameters panel. In addition, in the 3D Models window, you can add  license plates to any 3D models (even if they do not have plates), set the places and angles of rotation of license plates.

 

Snap to Circles and Arcs and their selection has been improved. Snapping works on the entire lines of arcs and circles, not just on the extreme points.

 

The Find Camera button has been added to the Toolbar to quickly search for the active camera across all layouts.

 

Double click on the 3D Model window starts the rotation of the 3D model in the window.

 

3D models have been added to the library.

 

Numerous minor interface improvements in various places in the program.

 

IP Camera CCTV Calculator is integrated into VideoCAD11 Professional as the Bandwidth and Storage Space Calculator

 

The Calculator opens by the Bandwidth and Storage Space Calculator button on the Toolbar or from the main menu of the Graphics window.

 

 

Calculation can be carried out for IP cameras that generate up to 3 simultaneous video streams (Viewing, Recording, Alarm recording) with different resolution, compression, frame rate and recording time.

 

Calculation can be carried out for a single IP camera, all cameras in the project, as well as for isolated groups of IP cameras, that is useful to estimate the load of separate network segments or equipment. Filtering and sorting are possible in the Table. It is possible to group cameras by models, plans, groups, scenes,templates or by any combination of parameters with calculation of traffic values for each camera group.

 

It is possible to correct intermediate results of calculations (frame size, traffic) if you know more accurate experimental data.

 

The Calculator can be a simple calculator for simplified calculation only one stream from IP cameras, and a complex calculator, which takes into account three independent streams, color, sound, scene features, compression algorithm and hardware in use. The Calculator can work with different sets of input data, depending on their availability and required accuracy. Default values will be assigned to unused fields. Unused columns in the table can be hidden and excluded from the calculation. Created Table Views can be saved and restored when needed.

 

Source list of IP cameras can be entered manually or imported from VideoCAD working project, from VideoCAD project file or copied from MS Excel table.

 

Table of results or its fragments can be printed or exported to the formats: *. txt, *. csv, *. htm, *. rtf, *. xls, *. xlsl, *. xml.

 

It is possible to include the table of calculation results in the PDF report.

 

Using calculation patterns, you can customize the calculator taking into account any compression algorithms, processor features of any camera model, various scenes and your practical experience.

 

See more about the capabilities of the built-in Bandwidth and Storage Space Calculator.

 

Demo version restrictions

 

VideoCAD Professional 11.0 demo version cannot process more than 5 cameras and cannot save the project to a file.

 

The Rules of upgrade from previous VideoCAD versions to VideoCAD11

 

For the customers who have purchased (or upgraded) VideoCAD9 or VideoCAD10 after 01 June 2020 this upgrade is free of charge.

For the customers who have purchased VideoCAD Professional before 01 June 2020 updating cost makes half of the VideoCAD11 cost.

Upgrade from versions Starter, Lite, Professional (max 70 cameras) to Professional is paid in addition.

For the customers, whose original valuable suggestions have found application in VideoCAD 11.0, the additional discount for upgrade is given.

VideoCAD 11 Professional can work only with USB Senselock dongle. Senselock dongles from VideoCAD 6.XX,-VideoCAD 10.XX are supported.  In case of absence of USB Senselock dongle it is necessary to purchase it.

Update rule for the next versions

VideoCAD Professional 11.0 new license includes free updates for one year after purchase, regardless of the version number. After a year, the update becomes paid.

 

       10. What is new in VideoCAD 10.0

 

Export of 3D constructions of VideoCAD to 3D file COLLADA (* .dae)

 

The results of 3D modeling of VideoCAD can be exported to a file of the open 3D format COLLADA. COLLADA files can be imported into a variety of 3D editors, including SketchUP, and converted to other 3D formats. See more about COLLADA file https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COLLADA

 

Constructions, 3D models, cameras can be exported in the form of 3D models, 3D camera view areas taking into account shading, distortion and pixel density, camera coverage on surrounding objects, background and grid. Almost everything that you see in the 3D World window can be exported.

 

Exporting is simple:

1. Select what you want to export on the layout in the Graphics window (2D).

2. Chose Main Menu> 3D Models> Export selection to 3D file COLLADA

 

You can adjust some of the export options in the Options box> Export>COLLADA

 

VideoCAD can also import COLLADA files. It is now possible to import a 3D layout, for example, created in SketchUP, from a COLLADA file, place cameras and export the design result with 3D camera view areas back to SketchUP.

 

 

New handy tools: 3D Test and 3D Test on view area bounds

 

3D Test allows you to quickly evaluate how any 3D model from VideoCAD library can look anywhere in space through the active camera.

 

 

The 3D test takes into account only the relative position of the camera and the test model in space and the pixel density at the location of the test model. Actual picture may differ slightly. In the 3D Video window, you can get a more accurate model, but the 3D Test is faster and more convenient.

 

You can select any 3D model from the library, specify by clicking its location on the layout and evaluate how it will look. On the Current construction parameters panel you can change the dimensions of the 3D model and its height above the ground. You can rotate and scale the test model with the mouse in the 3D Test window to examine it closely.

 

The 3D Test window can also be freely scaled, expanded and collapsed.

 

Instead of selecting a 3D model from the library, you can click on 3D models directly on the layout and evaluate the detail of their view through the active camera.

 

 

The 3D Test at view area bounds tool is similar to and related to the 3D Test tool, but it allows you to see how any 3D model will look at the near and far bounds of the view area of the active camera.

 

The tools have additional options available through the pop-up window menu:

swaying the 3D model;
titles;
setting the field of view height by real pixels, real height of the active camera's field of view or 1x1 meter;
taking into account length of the 3D model;
taking into account the base height of the camera.

 

Windows of 3D Test and 3D Test at view area bounds are stored in cameras and can be included in the PDF report.

 

 

Modeling Multisensor cameras with Linked modules

 

Modeling multisensor cameras with linked modules and arbitrary position in space (tilt angle, rotation angle around its axis).

 

Possibility of coloring positions / sensors of the multisensor camera with different colors in the 3D World window.

 

 

Modeling matrix multisensor cameras with linked modules directed in two dimensions and arbitrary position in space.

 

 

Independent of positions of cameras, setting the view area upper bound and the view area lower bound for drawing horizontal projections (sections) of the view areas of multisensor cameras in any range of heights.

 

 

 

PiP(Picture in Picture) now works again with multisensor cameras.

 

 

Upgraded built-in infrared illumination modeling tool

 

The IR illumination modeling tool allows you to calculate and draw the projection the zone in which the image quality of the target in complete darkness is not worse than the specified one. At the same time, the tool allows you to simulate the expected picture in 3D.

 

 

The Built-in IR illuminator panel was added, which can be called from the Toolbar  . The Built-in IR (infrared) tab has been removed from the Image parameter panel.

 

New parameter = Max. view angle. If it is marked, then the Radiation angle is set equal to the maximum of the view angles (horizontal or vertical).

 

New Concentration parameter as the ratio of the radiation intensity at the edges of the radiation cone to the radiation intensity at the axis of the radiation cone.

 

New Maximum distance parameter as the maximum distance of the IR illumination along the axis of the radiation cone.

 

Based on the Maximum distance, Angle of radiation and Concentration, VideoCAD can draw horizontal and vertical projections of the built-in IR illumination zone.

 

The calculated projections of the IR illumination area can be displayed on the layout together with the view area projections. You can enable or disable their display for the active camera or selected cameras.

 

The Maximum distance can be set by the user from the specification of the camera manufacturer. Or you can get the Maximum distance by testing the camera.

 

The Maximum distance can also be automatically calculated based on the parameters of the IR illumination, camera sensitivity, lens aperture and the required image quality of the target. The quality criterion is the signal-to-noise ratio of the image of the target in the frame.

 

 

New line type for displaying the boundaries of the built-in IR illumination was added. You can arbitrarily assign line parameters.

 

Improvements in working with background

 

Significant improvement in processing vector PDF files of drawings. PDF files can be imported in vector form, without loss of resolution and without memory overload.

 

New tool Paste background from Windows clipboard.

 

New possibility Crop background in a frame for any PDF and raster backgrounds.

 

These tools allow you to quickly turn a screen image from any graphics program, Google, OSM, Yandex maps into a background:

 

1. Expand the program window with the terrain map on the screen. To display a full screen map from the Internet browser, press F11 on the keyboard .

2. Press Print Screen (or Alt + Print Screen) on the keyboard.

3. Open VideoCAD and select Menu> Drawing>Paste background from clipboard.

4. Click Crop background on the appeared Adjust background panel, then cut out only the desired portion of the map. Next, scale the background in the usual way.

 

This handy method of importing maps is suitable for any program, allows to get background of several monitors size and does not depend on third-party services.

 

 

The selection of visible layers of the background in AutoCAD format is now saved in the project between program launches.

 

The box of visible layers of the background in AutoCAD format is replaced with a list with visibility marks. Buttons to show and hide all layers were added.

 

If the background is already loaded, then when loading a new background a selection dialog is displayed. You can place the new background exactly in place of the old one or place the background afresh.

 

The move background tool has been made more convenient.

 

Interface improvements

 

Learning mode is activated when installing the program. More prompts are shown in this mode. You can disable learning mode in the Options box>Interface tab.

 

If you press Ctrl at the end of moving objects, then copying occurs.

You can edit the just completed construction or 3D model without turning on the editing mode: the 3D model can be rotated and stretched, many constructions can be rotated. You can change  parameters on the Current construction parameters panel. To get all editing options, click Edit.

 

You can set and fix the angle, length, width, height of an object during construction.

 

You can set the angle of rotation of a 3D model during placement and fix it during successive placements of the same 3D model.

 

If only one object is selected, then it itself turns into editing mode.

 

An object in editing mode is affected by tools for selected objects.

 

If you press Shift while selecting with the selection window, then not only objects that fit into the frame as a whole, but also partially getting objects will be selected.

 

Added Main Menu> Project> Default window positions menu item. Additional VideoCAD windows can be placed and scaled for your convenience. Changes to the position of windows will be remembered if the Keep window positions item is checked. By clicking on the Default window positions item, you can return the default positions and sizes for all additional windows.

 

The speed of 3D models can be specified in m / s or km / h (feet / second and miles / hour).

 

When placing 3D models, the velocity vector is directed to the left by default.

 

The choice of wall thickness has been moved from the Line type panel to the Current construction parameters panel and the new Selection editing panel.

 

You can change wall thickness not only during construction, but also during editing

 

Improved show of placed or edited 3D model in the 3D model window by clicking on the 3D model window button on the Current construction parameters panel.

 

You can adjust automatic selection of the grid spacing to a coarser or smaller step.

 

Search dialog (Ctrl + F) on layouts has been upgraded.

 

To select, activate and move, you can click not only on the camera lens, but also on the body. This is convenient for cameras located at one point.

 

Several improvements of snap work.

 

You can change the background color in the Graphics window.

 

 

Upgraded Current construction parameters panel

 

The Current construction parameters panel has been upgraded. The Tools were grouped, new icons were added, simple boxes were replaced with combo-boxed with lists for easy parameter selection.

 

Added the Own height in 3D combo-box for more convenient setting the vertical size of constructions.

 

Added: Horizontal angle to parameters of 3D models, buttons to set the material of the front side of the Wall and turn the Wall to parameters of Walls, a button to set material for the top of the Polygon .

 

Added the Change 3D model . button. The button allows you to quickly replace 3D models with others and rotate them.

 

Materials and license plates of editing object are shown on the panel.

 

During drawing constructions, the tools on the Current construction parameters panel affect not only future construction, but also the construction that has just been completed.

 

It is made more convenient to enter and fix length, width, height or angle during construction.

 

When working with a 3D model, a picture of the placed or edited 3D model is displayed at the right end of the panel.

 

Click to expand

 

New Selection editing panel

 

The Selection editing panel appears in place of the Current construction parameters panel when there are more than one selected object on the layout.

 

Only the tools are applied to the currently selected objects are available on the panel.

 

Tools on the panel have an effect on all selected objects at once. For example, using the panel, you can raise all selected objects to another floor in a few clicks, replace the wallpaper in the room, color, thickness and height of walls, replace 3D models, replace door windows, etc.

 

Click to expand

 

New Tool - Selection filter

 

The Selection filter allows you to quickly filter selected objects and cameras by many features and their combinations: type of construction or 3D models, camera models, lens focal lengths and camera resolutions, layers, line types, color in 2D and 3D, materials.

 

You can filter only objects that fit fully or partially within the specified range of heights.

 

Together with the Selection editing panel, this tool provides great opportunities for group operations for quick and easy editing of VideoCAD projects. For example, with their help, in a few clicks you can raise objects of the specified types to another floor, replace the wallpaper in the room only of a certain style, color, thickness and height of walls of a certain color, replace / rotate only certain 3D models, replace doors or windows of a certain type only on the specified height, etc.

 

 

Updated Status bar at the bottom of the Graphics window

 

 

On the Status bar on the left end the type of the Origin is shown: CAM - active camera, ORG - specified origin. On the left area there is a pop-up menu for selecting the type of origin and specifying the origin point on the layout.

 

To the right there is the name of the active layer with parameter string. There is a pop-up menu for quickly switching the active layer, calling the Layers table and moving selection objects to any layer.

 

To the right there is the name of the active camera group. This area also has a pop-up menu to quickly switch the active camera group, calling the Camera groups window and quickly assigning selected cameras to any group.

 

When the cursor is over a construction, 3D model or camera, all available information about the object over which the cursor is located appears in the Status bar.

 

Colors, Materials and License plates of object under the cursor are shown on the Status bar.

 

During using the selection window, the Status bar displays the size, area and diagonal of the selection window.

 

When moving the selected objects, the distance of movement is displayed in the Status bar, and the movement line is displayed in the graphics area.

 

The rest of the time, tips are displayed in the Status bar.

 

New in the Camera Geometry box

 

Patterns of two camera positions were added, when the height of the view area upper bound is equal to the camera installation height. In this case, the projection of view area is infinite.

 

 

The definitions of the near and far bounds of the view area projection have been introduced.

 

When the view area projection is infinite, in the boxes at the bottom of the Camera Geometry box and in the Status bar the parameters at the Maximum drawing distance of the view area projection are displayed instead of the message "view area is infinite". In this case, the link with the maximum distance is displayed in the Camera Geometry box with a green dashed line (see the figure above).

 

When the Maximum drawing distance of the view area is less than the view area far bound, the parameters at the Maximum drawing distance of the view area are displayed instead of the parameters at the far bound of the view area projection. In this case, the link with the maximum distance is displayed in the Camera Geometry box with a green dashed line.

 

When the Maximum drawing distance is less than the far bound of the view area or the view area projection is infinite, then the Maximum drawing distance plays the role of the View area far bound in many places of the program.

 

By default the Aspect ratio of the active area of ​​the image sensor (and the image) is calculated from the ratio of the number of pixels horizontally and vertically. However, possibility to set the Aspect ratio independently remains.

 

Corridor mode allows you to quickly switch the active camera between standard and corridor modes. The button is duplicated on the Toolbar and in the Main Menu.

 

 

The Lens focal length boxes are colored green - active camera is PTZ, yellow - active camera is multisensor.

 

New in the Pixel density box

 

Added distances to far borders of regions for the active camera (or for a camera with the specified number of pixels).

 

Added sizes of the field of view at the far borders of regions for the active camera (or for a camera with the specified number of pixels).

 

Added the Digital ZOOM slider to select the magnification of images and to select a fixed size of the field of view in the Resolution column.

 

Added From file, To file and Default buttons to save pixel density patterns to file, load from file or assign default criteria in this version of VideoCAD.

 

Added Johnson criteria in the Axis interpretation for thermal cameras: for persons, for cars and for persons and cars.

 

 

 

New in the Monitor window

 

You can make monitors from pictures with non-standard aspect ratios without losing the monitor area. This is useful when simulating Fisheye cameras, multi-sensor cameras, and corridor mode cameras.

 

Pictures of Monitors can be included in PDF report.

 

 

Changes in lens distortion modeling

 

You can specify only one of the real view angles: horizontal (preferred), vertical, or diagonal. The remaining angles must be calculated by VideoCAD based on the internal distortion model. If the difference between the calculated real angles and the values ​​of the corresponding real angles in the camera specification is large, then an error in sizes of the image sensor active area is likely. Check and change the size of the active area of ​​the image sensor. This approach to modeling lens distortion has worked well in practice.

 

More new tools

 

The Extension line for camera name  tool allows you to neatly associate names with cameras, for example, when cameras are close to each other.

 

 

The Polygon allows you to place flat objects with a complex profile. A polygon can be closed or open and has several convenient functions, including the ability to set a copy of the image from the layout for the top of the polygon, calculating perimeter and area.

 

Exterior wall materials have been added to the library for modeling box houses.

 

 

Improvements of existing tools

 

The Default PiP mode has been added to the PiP tab of the Image parameters panel. You can set disabled PiP for new cameras.

 

The tool Wall allows you to set different materials for different sides of the wall and swap the sides of the wall .

 

Limiting Maximum angle between the direction to the camera and the horizontal has been added to the criteria of reading license plate.

 

Ability to drag ( sort manually) camera groups in the Camera groups window. The order of the camera groups in the table determines the order of the camera groups in the PDF report.

 

Ability to drag (manually sort) camera positions in the Positions of active camera/ Multisensor window. The order of camera positions in the table determines the order of displaying images from positions in the 3D Video window.

 

Ability to drag (manually sort) layers in the Layers window.

 

In the 3D World window, the Tool panels are hidden by default. The panels can be opened using the button in the upper left corner. Nearby, in the upper left corner, there is a button for updating shading from all cameras in the 3D World window.

 

If during changing the line type of selected objects you hold down Ctrl, the colors, as well as the minimum and maximum heights of the construction will become equal to the parameters set in the new line type. If Ctrl is not pressed, the colors and heights of the editing construction (constructions) will not change.

 

New in the Options box

 

The Interface tab has been added. The tab contains interface parameters moved from other tabs and new parameters: Background color in Graphics window, Automatic grid step, Learning mode.

 

Export> 3D COLLADA tab has been added. The parameters on the tab affect 3D export from VideoCAD to the COLLADA file.

 

New parameters on the 3D modeling tab: Unit of speed for 3D models, Default PIP mode.

 

On the Lines tab, a system line has been added for the boundaries of the built-in IR illumination on the layout.

 

A button for calling the Options box has been moved to the Toolbar.

 

New in the PDF report

 

You can add images from monitors. The monitor sheet can have a special large size.

 

You can add images from the new tools 3D Test and 3D Test at view area bounds.

 

You can add pictures from the Camera Geometry box.

 

When generating views of camera view areas from the side in 2D and 3D, as well as layouts, the selected angles (Shooting points) are remembered and can be used for repeated generation of same images.

 

 

It is possible to automatically generate images of 3D View areas in the 3D World window from memorized angles.

 

Improved automatic image alignment.

 

The Parameter string has been added - several camera parameters placed in one line. Parameters for the Parameter string are selectable. The Parameter string can be used for compact reports, since the parameters in the string take up less space than in the tables.

 

Compact report pattern Compact2 has been added to the list of default report patterns.

 

 

From file, To file and Default buttons has been added on the Pattern panel to save patterns to a file, load from a file and assign default patterns in this version of VideoCAD.

 

When opening a PDF report pattern file created at another workplace, VideoCAD offers to rewrite the paths to pictures and third-party files.

 

On the Create/update images panel buttons for clearing image directories have been added.

 

New in the Table of camera models

 

Corridor mode parameter. Whether the corridor mode possible for this camera model.

 

Built-in IR illumination parameters: = Max. view angle, Concentration, Max. distance.

 

Parameters of Multi-sensor camera: Multi-sensor, Angle, Order, Add. lines.

 

Only one of the Real view angles can be set to simulate distortion. The rest of the angles must be calculated by VideoCAD.

 

On the search bar, remembering the last queries and autocomplete are added. Search dialog (Ctrl + F) has been added.

 

During copying a camera model from the Used models tab to the All models tab, if such a model already exists on the All Models tab, it is proposed to overwrite it.

 

Menu items Update cameras of the selected model  and Update cameras of all models are added to the pop-up menu on the All models tab. These items allow to quickly transfer changes of models in the All models tab to cameras of these models.

 

New parameters in the Table of cameras

 

Corridor mode. ON - if the Corridor mode is enabled.

 

Camera installation parameters on the layout: X, Y, Horizontal angle.

 

Parameters of the near and far bounds of view area: Distance, Field of View, Pixel Density, Target 1.6m.

 

License plate reading area> Maximum angle between the direction on the camera and horizontal.

 

Built-in IR illumination parameters: = Max. view angle, Concentration, Max. distance, Calculated from S/N, S/N (dB).

 

Multisensor camera parameters: Multisensor, Angle, Order, Add. strings.

 

On the search bar, remembering the last queries and autocomplete are added. Search dialog (Ctrl + F) has been added.

 

Other

 

The PTZ or Fisheye menu item has been moved from the View main menu branch to the Camera branch.

 

Help system has been updated. Examples of Modeling built-in IR illumination, Getting PDF report have been added.

 

Program speed and system requirements chapter has been rewritten. It is highly recommended for reading.

 

Many minor improvements in various places in the program.

 

Demo version restrictions

 

VideoCAD Professional 10.0 demo version cannot process more than 5 cameras and cannot save the project to a file.

 

The Rules of upgrade from previous VideoCAD versions to VideoCAD10

For the customers who have purchased VideoCAD9 (or upgraded to VideoCAD9) after 20 January 2020 this upgrade is free of charge.

For the customers who have purchased VideoCAD Professional before 20 January 2020 updating cost makes half of the VideoCAD10 cost.

Upgrade from versions Starter, Lite, Professional (max 70 cameras) to Professional is paid in addition.

For the customers, whose original valuable suggestions have found application in VideoCAD 10.0, the additional discount for upgrade is given.

VideoCAD 10 Professional can work only with USB Senselock dongle. Senselock dongles from VideoCAD 6.XX,-VideoCAD 9.XX are supported.  In case of absence of USB Senselock dongle it is necessary to purchase it.

Update rule for the next versions

VideoCAD Professional 10.0 license includes free updates for one year after purchase, regardless of the version number. After a year, the update becomes paid.

 

       9.1 What is new in VideoCAD 9.1

 

New possibilities of modeling environment using constructions and 3D models

 

Direct import of ready 3D models of objects and territories without using SketchUP. You can import 3D models from files: *.3ds, *.ase (3D Studio max), *.dae, *.xml (Collada), *.obj and more than twenty 3D formats. You can download 3D models in Collada format (*.dae) from free SketchUP 3D Warehouse library, use 3ds Max models from designer's libraries, 3D models from game model libraries, create 3D models in SketchUP, save them in *.dae and import in VideoCAD.

 

 

You can create 3D models in VideoCAD itself from selected constructions and existing 3D models in any combinations, you can merge 3D models and constructions.

 

You can transform, rotate and tilt 3D models (including 3D models created from constructions).

 

 

You can cut out parts from 3D models, import parts from complex 3D models.

 

 

You can delete parts from 3D models.

 

 

You can colorize not only 3D models without textures, but also textured 3D models.

 

 

Added new ability to correctly display 3D models with double-sided surfaces. The Double-sided surfaces switch has been added to the View tab of the 3D model window.

 

A new binary file format for 3D models *.vbm, reducing size and accelerating loading 3D models. In the pop-up menu of the Save button you can choose to save the 3D model in *.vbm or *.vcm format (if this 3D model is intended for older versions of VideoCAD before 9.1).

 

Tens of 3D models and Materials have been added to the library.

 

 

Horizontal projection of a 3D model for the menu and display in the Graphics window is automatically created when opening a 3D model file or importing.

 

The example Import of 3D models has been reworked.

 

Numerous improvements in working with 3D models have been made.

 

In the 3D model window, the Sizes tab was renamed to Transform, the Plate tab was added. The Texture checkbox has been moved from the View tab to the Colors tab. Added the Disable clipping button on the View tab.

 

Other

When exporting to AutoCAD (* .dxf * .dwg), view area fillings can be placed on special layers for convenient adjusting their transparency in AutoCAD.

View areas on special layers, High resolution on top options and other improvements and bug fixes in export to AutoCAD files have been made.

 

You can hide the Toolbar on the left in the 3D World and 3D Model windows.

Main Menu> Project>Keep window positions menu item was added. VideoCAD will store positions and sizes of tool windows between program launches and when placing windows on different monitors.This option is especially useful when VideoCAD windows are placed on several monitors. Due to the multi-window interface, VideoCAD is ideal for working on several monitors.

 

.

The Norman  test target has been added.

Parameters of near and far bounds of view area projection are displayed in the Camera geometry box for the active camera and in the Status bar for any camera, when the cursor approaches its icon.

While editing a camera model, the Hide invisible parameters checkbox makes editable all parameters of the editing camera model.

Tools Assign chosen model to the active camera, Add new model, Create a copy of selected model, Create a modification of selected model, Edit model, Delete model, Copy to "All models" table are duplicated in the pop-up menu of the Table of Camera Models.

Show of VideoCAD capabilities at program starting was returned to demo and full versions.

The rules of upgrade

 

Upgrade is free for all users of VideoCAD 9 Professional. To update, please download the new version using the link and password from your registration email.

 

Upgrades from earlier versions are carried out according to the rules of upgrade to VideoCAD 9.0.

 

 

       9. What is new in VideoCAD 9.0

 

Camera positions - a versatile tool for simulating Multisensor cameras, presets of PTZ cameras and Fisheye cameras

 

Position is a “snapshot” of position and parameters of a camera. Each camera can contain unlimited number of positions.

Positions can be displayed simultaneously in the Graphics window and the 3D World window.

Images from positions can be displayed simultaneously in the 3D Video window, on the Monitors, included in the PDF report.

 

 

Positions are linked with parent camera in the Table of Cameras.

 

 

To control camera positions, the Position of active camera window has been added.  The button to open the window has been added to the Toolbar.

 

 

You can change visibility, hiding, visibility in 3D and color of each position separately.

 

You can highlight individual positions in a more or less saturated color.

You can select positions for inclusion in the report and for displaying on the Monitor.

You can copy positions to the parent camera and copy parameters and position of the parent camera to the positions.

You can control visibility of icons and names of positions.

Positions can be combined with the parent camera. Combined positions are always located with the parent camera at one point.

 

Modeling multisensor cameras based on the positions

 

To create a multisensor camera model you need just set the number of sensors in the Position of active camera window on the Multisensor tab. VideoCAD will create a multisensor camera based on the active parent camera.

 

 

The sensor modules can be automatically directed horizontally with exact joints or tilted without dead zones. You can change parameters and directions of the modules.

 

 

 

A special icon for multisensor cameras was added. This icon allows to direct several camera modules from one point.

It is possible do not display icons for specified cameras and positions.

 

Camera groups - a versatile tool for extensive projects

 

Within the same layout, cameras can be combined in groups.

New buttons Camera groups and Activate the next camera in the group are added to the toolbar.

To manage groups of cameras the Camera groups window has been added.

 

In this window you can change simultaneously: visibility, accessibility, hiding, visibility in 3D and color of all cameras included in a group.

Cameras included in a group may be combined. Combined cameras will be selected, copied, moved, rotated at the same time. Groups can be used to model multisensor cameras as well as positions.

In the PDF report, cameras can be divided into groups. The report may include separate fragments of large layout with groups of cameras.

 

Materials

All constructions can be not only painted, but also covered by materials. Any raster images in the formats *.bmp, *.jpg, *.gif, *.tif, *.png can be used as materials. Using materials you can significantly improve appearance of images of the project.

Materials can be dimensionless and stretch on the target surface, or have a fixed size. If the size of the material is smaller than the size of the target surface, then the material will be repeated.

Examples: wallpaper, tile, brickwork, fence or pattern.

Materials can be transparent, mix its own drawing with the color of the surface. An example is shadow simulation.

 

VideoCAD supports a Library of materials with ability of replenish, viewing and editing.

 The Inclined rectangle can now display translucent materials..

 

The List / Range of lens focal length and the List of Resolutions allow a simple and accurate simulation of camera view area taking into account the Lens distortion and real size of active area of the Image sensor

The Lens focal length in VideoCAD 9 is specified by one current value and additionally by the List / Range string.

Depending on type of the lens, the List / Range string may contain:

the list of possible focal lengths;
the range of possible change of the focal length;
the list of possible focal lengths with values ​​of real angles for modeling lens distortion;
the range of possible change of the focal length with the values ​​of real angles for modeling lens distortion.

If modeling distortion is not used, the List / Range string can only set the limits of the lens focal length by a list or a range.

But if the List / Range string includes the values ​​of real angles, the string allows to accurately describe the dependence between the focal length values ​​and viewing angles, taking into account the lens distortion.

For example, using the List / Range string you can simulate the distortion of varifocal / Zoom lenses.

 

The List of Resolution contains the list of possible camera resolutions in pixels. The user can select from this list resolutions for the active camera.

In addition, each resolution in the list can be assigned a factor for reducing the active area size of the image sensor - the Crop factor.

There is also an option of automatically calculating the aspect ratio from the ratio of the numbers of pixels horizontally and vertically.

Thus, using the List of resolutions you can accurately describe the dependence between the selected resolution in pixels and the actual size of the active area of ​​the image sensor. Thus you can improve the accuracy of modeling camera view area.

The List / Range and the List of resolutions are, in fact, parameters inherent in camera models. These strings can be composed from the parameters of camera models available in the manufacturer’s specifications. Then these strings can be assigned to camera models in VideoCAD.  If correct List / Range and List of resolutions are specified in the camera model parameters, the user can just select the camera model, lens focal length and resolution from the drop-down lists to get the exact model of the camera's view area.

For the convenience of filling in the List / Range and List of resolution, special drop-down forms are available in the boxes and cells of these strings.

Modeling cameras with built-in IR illuminator

Simulation of built-in IR camera illuminator has been added to the existing model of illumination and sensitivity of cameras.

 

The model takes into account the Wavelength, the Optical Power and the Angle of Radiation.

Modeling PTZ cameras

New PTZ or Fisheye panel and the PTZ or Fisheye button on the Toolbar to call it were added.

It is possible to model the view area of PTZ cameras in 2D and 3D, taking into account the maximum angle of rotation of the camera horizontally and the maximum tilt angles up and down.

There is an option to take into account view angles with the current lens focal length when creating a wide view area of a PTZ camera.

Modeling presets of PTZ camera based on positions.

 

New in modeling Fisheye cameras

Fisheye camera tools were moved to the PTZ or Fisheye panel.

A schematic image of the Fisheye camera position has been added to the panel. The camera can be installed with any inclination not just on the ceiling or on the wall.

VideoCAD can generate a full round image (360/180 degrees) with screen resolution.

It is possible to generate a combined image of the full round image with screen resolution and one superimposed fragment with real camera resolution (picture in picture PIP). Position and size of the picture in picture are adjustable.

 

VideoCAD supports modeling exposure, motion blur, sensitivity, animation and lens resolution on the round Fisheye images.

It is possible to display on one image several dewarped fragments of the Fisheye camera with real resolution.

 

 

VideoCAD can generate a full round image from a Fisheye camera with real resolution exceeding the screen resolution. Images from Fisheye cameras with resolutions of tens of megapixels can be modeled as a whole, as well as images from usual megapixel cameras.

 

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New in 3D models

More than 150 3D models have been added to the library.

VideoCAD9 supports large libraries of 3D models on the hard disk. There are new options for partial loading 3D models at program start.  

The guide of importing 3D models from SketchUP has been supplemented by new advises.

In the 3D model selection menu, enlarged images of two projections of 3D models are displayed. The right image in the menu can display a vertical projection or a free view of the 3D model.

It is possible to upload any pictures instead of 3D model projections for displaying in the Graphics window and menu. You can use pictorial symbols of equipment.

Texture processing of 3D models was improved.

Transparency display on 3D models was improved.

It is possible to include specified 3D models in the project file.

You can change any colors from palette of any 3D model. If a color on the 3D model is covered by texture, then its change will not be visible. You can turn off texture.

It is possible to mirror 3D models in the horizontal plane, to make mirror copies.

It is possible to resize 3D models along the X, Y, Z axes, change presence and location of the license plate.

You can change pictures of license plates on the 3D models-cars. There is the library of license plates, with possibility of replenishment and editing.

New option for 3D models: When a 3D model touches a wall on the layout, it automatically cuts opening in the wall. This allows to one-click build windows and doors into walls, by placing 3D models of windows and doors over the walls.

If during placing a 3D model, to hold Ctrl, the model will be placed rotated on 90 degrees, if you hold Shift - it will be rotated on 180 degrees; if Shift + Ctrl are pressed the model will be rotated on 270 degrees.

New in PDF Report

See description of updated PDF Report window.

See examples of VideoCAD9 PDF reports:

 

To see the Real camera resolution, zoom-in images in Acrobat Reader. Especial interesting are Camera 3 and Camera 4.

 

 

Texts

The code page is initially selected automatically.  You can to change it if you need.

Font sizes are set in pt (1/72 inch). You can change font style, color, alignment.

You can set different fonts for texts of different types.

Pictures and tables have captions with consecutive numbering.

The PDF file includes the Table of content, links, and bookmarks.

You can create complex headers and footers, different for odd and even pages. The headers and footers can contain text and images.

Support for HTML tags on the Cover, header and footer allows you to create multi-line multi-colored headers and footers with different font styles.

Text variables in the header and footer text: "P/N" is replaced by the current page number, "P/W" - by the number of pages in the report.

It is possible to insert into the report two arbitrary multipage texts (Introduction and Conclusion) with html formatting.

Images

New Images have been added: 3D view of camera view areas from the side, 2D projections of camera groups, Pixel density patterns, Photos of camera model.

New Wizard for capturing Images allows you to get the most informative views of camera view areas, layouts and camera groups.

New ability of manual adjusting of capturing each image.

When generating images of camera view areas, all the cameras, except the one whose projection is displayed, are grayed out and are moved back.

During generation the resolution of the images is calculated based on the specified resolution of the PDF document.

Resolution of 2D projections of layouts and camera groups may exceed the screen resolution.

Resolution of 3D images from cameras can exceed the screen resolution and amount to tens of megapixels.

3D images from cameras at night are not generated for cameras with the Model illumination disabled. This option allows including night images for specified cameras only.

Images for the PDF report are saved on the hard drive in the specified directory. You can delete, replace, export and edit images before generating the report.

Images and tables are placed on the report pages automatically with possibility of manual adjustment of the placement.

You can set a special page size for large images and tables.

Tables

Camera parameters are grouped into horizontal or vertical tables with adjustable parameters.

The Table of cameras with parameters of all cameras selected for the report, the Table of camera models and the Table of cables have been added.

Integration

PDF report is integrated with the Table of cameras and the Table of camera models in VideoCAD. Flexible filters of these tables are used to filter and sort cameras for inclusion in the PDF report.

Table Views are used to select the set and order of parameters of cameras and camera models in report tables.

New ability to attach third-party PDF files to the beginning and to the end of the report.

It is possible to design the report in a corporate style by a model - third-party PDF file. You can overlay specified pages from the PDF file as a background on all pages of the report (different pages on even, odd pages and on the cover). Not needed content from background pages can be masked by empty images.

Other improvements of the PDF report

The PDF report window is divided into panels for easy management. The Report Tree panel has been added for convenient access to the parameters of each report section.

There is selection of page size and orientation from the list of standard sizes.

New ability of mirroring the sizes of margins on even pages.

You can add a blank page after the cover.

You can set colors of frames and lines.

You can save report settings to patterns, select saved pattern from the list, save report patterns to a file, and load from files.

An example of a normal PDF report. PDF report with horizontal tables. PDF report with megapixel images (the resolution of the images is visible only with magnification on the screen).

New in the Table of Cameras and Table of Camera Models

New modeled parameters of camera models have been added: Number of sensors, Number of pixels> List, Aspect ratio> Calculate from pixels,  IR illumination> IR, Wavelength (nm), Power (W), Angle (degree), Focal length> List / Range, PTZ camera> PTZ, Maximum angles.

New non-modeled camera model parameters have been added: Network, WDR, SD-Card, ONVIF, Encryption, Speaker, Sensitivity> Camera mode.

The following parameters of camera models have been removed:  TV System, Auto white balance.

The renamed parameters: Fixed, PTZ, Dome, Mini renamed to Icon; Distortion> On renamed to Model.; Type of current renamed to Source.

Special drop-down forms were attached to the table cells; the type of the forms depends on the type of parameters in the cells.

In the cell Add. Information you can enter a large text description of the camera model.

The Icon cell displays icons assigned to camera models. The appearance of the icon also depends on the Protection parameter.

To the list of color parameters the value ‘thermal’ was added.

New cell Photo was added to the tables. It is possible to assign photos to camera models. The cell has a drop-down menu for saving, loading, copying, and pasting photos of camera models.

New window Photo of camera model for displaying photos of camera models has been added. The window can be opened by clicking a cell with photo in the Table of camera models or the Table of cameras or by new button Photo of camera model on the Toolbar of the Graphics window. If the window was called from the tables, then it displays photos of camera models from selected rows.

If the Photo of camera model window is called up from the Toolbar, then it shows a photo of model of the active camera.

You can scale and move the picture in the Photo of camera model window. There is a drop-down menu for saving, loading, copying and pasting photos of camera models.

Sets of displayed columns / camera parameters (Views) are added to the Camera model table: Short - basic camera parameters for model selection, Normal - camera parameters from manufacturer specifications, Extended - extended camera parameter list.

 

In the Table of Cameras, in addition to the Short, Normal and Extended views, the Resolution, Sensitivity, Cables, Installation views were added. By selecting a view, you can display only parameters related to the name of the view. You can edit the Views and create your own ones.

Search panel with a set of options have been added to all tables in the lower left corner.

 

The +Dupl button has been added to the Table of Camera Model to create a copy of the current model.

In the Table of camera models, the +Mod button has been added to create a modification of the current model. You can create multi-level tree structure of modifications in the Table of camera models.

 

It is possible to move rows in tables by the mouse. By moving, you can turn models into modifications and vice versa.

New button to prohibit editing camera models to prevent accidental changes.

To the camera model editing window a checkbox has been added, which allows you to make not visible parameters of not visible columns.

When you hover the cursor over a cell whose contents are not fully visible, a prompt appears with the whole string.

When you select a cell in the table, the entire row is highlighted.

An open format for storing the database of camera models in one file has been added, along with photos of models as a zip archive - *.cdz.

Added an open format for saving the database of camera models in the single text file with photos -*.cd2.

New export formats for Tables of camera models and Tables of cameras: UnicodeText, OLE XLS, Xlsx, XML Spreadsheet.

When exporting to CVS format, you can change the separator.

Filtering of cameras and camera models in tables, copying and pasting have been improved, bugs fixed.

 

Camera models can be with the same names.

VideoCAD stores 2 backup copies of the database of all camera models and used camera models. New items for restoring the database were added to the pop-up menu.

New in the Graphics window

Speed and stability of shadow calculation were increased.

Redrawing layouts containing rotated 3D models was accelerated.

Control of multiple simultaneously open windows was improved.

Open windows Table of cameras, Table of camera models, Signal cable and Power cable do not block work in the Graphics window.

New cameras have the following parameters of the view area projection: Discrete color , Filling. Shadows: Within projection.

The vertical projection is hidden by default. To show it, release the Hide vertical projection button.

Only camera models used in the project are displayed in the Model of active camera combo box.  To display all models, select + Show all models in the list and open the combo box again. Or use the pop-up menu of the combo box.

During the simulation of lens distortion in the lens focal length combo boxes a green bold underlined font is used.

Colors of constructions and cameras

New buttons for changing colors of editing construction, regardless of the color of the line type, were added on the Current construction parameter panel.  You can set colors in the Graphics window, in 3D and the color when printing. Initially the colors are taken from the selected line type. Colors can be assigned during creation and editing a construction, as well as heights.

The Camera Color button was added on the toolbar. Use the button to set color for view area and camera icon. View areas are colored only when the pixel density visualization is disabled. White color means that no color is assigned.

New in the Camera Geometry box

A new combo box with the numbers of active pixels horizontally and vertically was added. In the drop-down form of the combobox, you can enable automatic calculation of the aspect ratio from the ratio of the numbers of pixels horizontally and vertically.

If the List of resolutions is assigned to the active camera, then in the Active pixels combo box you can select resolution from this List.

Thus, for simple tasks, in addition to the Graphic window, only three windows are now enough: Camera geometry, 3D Video and Pixel density.

If the List / Range of lens focal length is assigned to the active camera and this string is not to long then it is displayed in the Camera Geometry box.

Thus, for simple tasks, in addition to the Graphic window, only three windows are now enough: Camera geometry, 3D Video and Pixel density.

If the List / Range of lens focal length is assigned to the active camera and this string is not to long then it is displayed in the Camera Geometry box, above the Lens Focal length combobox.

New in the Sensor and Lens box

Two new boxes: the List of resolution and the List / Range of lens focal lengths have been added. The boxes have drop-down forms for easy creation of the strings.

Fisheye camera settings are moved to the new PTZ or Fisheye panel.

The Sensor and Lens box can be opened by a new button Sensor and Lens on the Toolbar.

New in the 3D Video window

Modeling images with lens distortion has been improved.

Image processing in the 3D Video window is disabled by default. When you try to activate features that require image processing, a message is displayed.

Modeling distortion and the round Fisheye image can now be used without image processing.

Lighting simulation bug with Intel integrated graphics was fixed.

New item in the Main menu>Speed>Show all objects.

New in the Monitor window

Cells of the monitor window can display without stretching images with any aspect ratio, including composite images from multisensor cameras.

Images from camera positions can be shown on the monitor in one cell and in separate cells.

 

The default aspect ratio of the monitor is 16: 9

4K , 5K, 8K, 10K monitor resolutions have been added.

Up to 130” (3.3 meters) monitor diagonals have been added.

Editing monitors is allowed by default. Editing can be prohibited and allowed by the button on the monitor window.

New options in the Options box

Inking texts.  All texts can be outlined by a contrast color, which makes them better distinguishable.

It is possible to set resolution of shadow calculation. The lower the resolution, the less time it takes to calculate shadows.

You can switch optimization of shadow calculation for complex 3D models or for large number of spaced obstacles.

New option to disable accounting of apertures while calculating shadows from walls.

 

New options of loading 3D models at starting the program: headers - load only headers, wholly - load 3D models entirely.

It is possible to change the separator when exporting the camera model database to CSV format.

The Illumination tab has been added to which the options of modeling lighting and camera sensitivity have been moved.

New in the Sensitivity and Resolution box

New box Camera sensitivity mode was added.

New cameras are created with the parameters:

Color: day / night.
Resolution in pixels: 1280 * 720.
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Minimum illumination: 0,2 lux.
Gamma Correction is disabled.

New in the Spatial resolution (Pixel density) box

The Spatial resolution box was renamed to the Pixel density box. The term Spatial resolution was changed to Pixel density.

Criteria from standard EN 62676-4 2015 was added.

Minor errors in rounding values ​​of the criteria were fixed.

New cameras are assigned criteria according to EN 62676-4 2015

New in the 3D World window

Background is visible by default.

 

New in the New Camera and the Camera List boxes

The Camera Type / Protection parameter was renamed to the Camera Icon.

 

Help system

The Help system has been revised to reflect changes and new features.

Several old examples of working with VideoCAD were removed, new examples were added.

A great training example for novice users First project with VideoCAD step by step  was added.

Demo version

The demo version of VideoCAD 9 Professional does not have limitations on the lens focal length and sensitivity of cameras. VideoCAD Professional 9.0 demo version cannot process more than 5 cameras and cannot save the project to a file.

The Rules of upgrade from previous VideoCAD versions to VideoCAD9

For the customers who have purchased VideoCAD8 (or upgraded to VideoCAD8) after 30 September 2018 upgrade cost makes a difference between cost of VideoCAD9 and VideoCAD8.

For the customers who have purchased VideoCAD8 (or upgraded to VideoCAD8) before 01 October 2018 updating cost makes half of the VideoCAD9 cost.

For the customers who has VideoCAD3..VideoCAD7 and didn't upgrade to VideoCAD8, updating cost makes 3/4 of VideoCAD9 cost.

Upgrade Lite version to Professional is paid in addition.

For the customers, whose original valuable suggestions have found application in VideoCAD 9.0, the additional discount for upgrade is given.

VideoCAD 9 Professional can work only with USB Senselock dongle. Senselock dongles from VideoCAD 6.XX,  VideoCAD 7.XX and VideoCAD 8.XX are supported.  In case of absence of USB Senselock dongle it is necessary to purchase it.

Change of update rules

VideoCAD Professional 9.0 license includes free updates for one year after purchase, regardless of the version number. After a year, the update becomes paid.

 

       8.L. What is new in VideoCAD 8.2 Lite

 

New features of VideoCAD 8 Lite have been chosen from features, available in VideoCAD 8 Professional.  In addition: VideoCAD 8 Lite does not need dongle or HID, demo version allows to change lens focal length and the demo is free for non-commercial usage, upgrade from VideoCAD Starter and VideoCAD Starter II Kit to VideoCAD Lite and VideoCAD Professional is now allowed, VideoCAD Lite is supplemented to all new VideoCAD Professional licenses for free.

 

 

MORE PRECISE MODELING  IMAGE SENSOR SIZES AND ASPECT RATIO OF MODERN CAMERAS

 

 

8L.1 The following parameters have been separated:

 

image sensor size and size of active area of the image sensor;
aspect ratio of image sensor and aspect ratio of output image of the camera.

 

8L.2 The Image sensor format box has been renamed to the Image sensor size.

8L.3 New abilities to specify the size of image sensor through arbitrary sensor format (type) in inches or through the length of diagonal in millimeters, or through width and height in millimeters.

8L.4 New ability to set aspect ratio of image sensor separately from the aspect ratio of output image for a given format in inches or length of diagonal of the image sensor.

8L.5 New ability to set the Crop factor to model image sensors with active area does not touch the edges of the image sensor.

8L.6 Detailed guide of specifying the active area size of image sensors of modern cameras has been added.

8L.7 The Sensor and Distortion box has been renamed to Sensor and Lens. Its interface has been changed.

8L.8 The Image sensor calculator was added.

 

IMPROVING USABILITY OF WORKING WITH 3D MODELS AND CONSTRUCTIONS IN EDITING STATE

 

8L.9 Switching 3D models from the selected state to the editing state by double clicking on its projections was added (previously it was possible to switch a 3D model to the editing state only from the normal state).

8L.10 In the editing state, 3D models are displayed with square grips and pink circle.

You can rotate the 3D model by the mouse using the circle, scale 3D model on X and Y axis using the square grips. You can move the 3D model by pressing the left mouse button on the 3D model, as well as in the selected state.

8L.11 In the 3D Video views of 3D models in editing state and in the selected state differ.

 

 

8L.12 New possibility to rotate around its axis in editing state Rectangle, Wall, Aperture in wall, Stairs, Mask, Filling, 3D Image.

 

MODELING VIEW AREA AND CAMERA POSITION

 

8L.13 The Style of line type assigned to a camera determines not only style of lines, but hatching style of view area projection.

 

8L.14 The Maximum distance of drawing view area is added to the camera geometry parameters. This distance limits view area in 2D and 3D drawings. It is convenient in case of infinite view areas.

8L.15 The ground is no longer the lowest possible height limiting view area. Height of installation, heights of the lower and upper bounds of view area can be negative​​. A camera can see from under the ground and under the ground.

 

8L.16 Constructing the horizontal projection of camera control areas including shadows from obstacles on the scene. In VideoCAD Lite  obstacles can be constructions only. In VideoCAD Professional 3D models also can be obstacles.

 

Click to expand

 

8L.17 Choosing the best positions and calculate control areas of PTZ cameras, Dome cameras and 360 degree cameras.

 

 

MODELING FISHEYE CAMERAS (360°/180°)

 

8L.18 Simulation of image resolution and view area limits of panoramic cameras in the 3D Video.

 

 

8L.19 Model pixel density of Fisheye cameras in the 3D Video window.

 

 

8L.20 Simulation of the horizontal projection of the view area and visualization of the pixel density distribution of panoramic cameras in the Graphics window.

 

 

8L.21 New icons for panoramic cameras were added and .

8L.22 In the Sensor and Lens box a new Panoramic panel was added. On the panel the Pan and Tilt angles of panoramic camera installation can be specified.

 

 

8L.23 To the list of camera model parameters: Type>Fixed, PTZ,Dome, Mini a new panoramic item was added,

8L.24 To the list of camera model parameters: Lens>Type a new fisheye item was added,

8L.25 Lens focal length boxes in the Graphics window and the Camera geometry box are colored in Aqua when the active camera is Fisheye. .

8L.26 In reports panoramic cameras have fisheye word instead of lens focal length value;

 

WORK WITH 3D MODELS

 

8L.27 Support of 3D models with textures, transparent texture and opacity of materials.

8L.28 New version of VideoCAD Plugin for SketchUP was released with possibilities of export textures, transparent textures, opacity of materials and scaling.

 

 

8L.29 Import of new 3D models was simplified. The special 3D models window was added  for creation of 3D model projections. In the window , you can create 3D model projections with specified resolution.  In the 3D Models window you can also: save 3D model to a file, make copy of the 3D model.

 

 

8L.30 Tools related to 3D models were moved to special branch of the main menu.

8L.31 Ability to distribute 3D models by folders in the menu.

8L.32 Loading files of 3D models via a dialog box.

8L.33 3D model file name can contain spaces.

8L.34 During placing or editing 3D models, on the Current construction parameter panel the 3D Models button appears to quick open the 3D Models window .

 

3D VIDEO WINDOW

 

8L.35 A window, which shows models of camera images, named 3D Window in the past, was renamed to the 3D Video window.

8L.36 3D visualization of the location plan and camera view areas in the 3D Video window by other cameras. Visualization of the pixel density. Flexible adjustment of displaying view areas from the side.

 

Кликните чтобы развернуть

 

8L.37 In the main menu of the 3D Video window, in View submenu, a new 3D view areas item was added. It allows to enable visualization of view areas of other cameras.

8L.38 In the main menu of the 3D Video window, in View submenu, a duplicating Ground item was added for quick hiding the ground surface in the 3D Video window.

8L.39 In the main menu of the 3D Video window, in Image submenu, a new Copy to clipboard item was added.

8L.40 In the PTZH mode a camera is panned and tilted by moving mouse cursor on the image with left mouse button pressed..

8L.41 Background representation in the 3D Video window was improved.

8L.42 Ability to switch image generation thread: in separated thread or in the main thread.

 

SPATIAL RESOLUTION

 

8L.43 Ability to specify pixel density in  pixel density patterns not only vertically but also horizontally. To do this, a new switch to the Pixel density box was added.

 

 

8L.44 Numbers of pixels horizontally and vertically can be specified.

8L.45 Additional Pixel density patterns were added based on the Standards:

Australian Standard AS4806: Closed Circuit Television;
European Standard EN50132-7;
ISO/IEC 19794 Biometric data interchange formats.

8L.46 As a result of right-click on the Pattern combo box a pop up menu will appear. Selecting the Default patterns item, you can erase all changes in the patterns and return to the patterns set by default.

8L.47 To the Pixel density box new test images were added.

 

 

 

IMPORT AND EXPORT TO AUTOCAD

 

8L.48 Import module was upgraded. Up to AutoCAD DWG 2015 formats are supported.

8L.49 The dialog box Scale background was renamed to the Adjust background. For backgrounds in DWG or DXF formats, abilities to choose Layout in the background, control visibility of layers, hide texts were added. For backgrounds  in PDF format you can choose page and resolution of the background.

8L.50 Export module was updated.

 

IMPORT AND EXPORT TO OTHER FORMATS

 

8L.51 Supporting PDF files to use as background including multi-page PDF files.

8L.52 Export to PDF (raster).

8L.53 Export  tab in the Options box is divided into two sub-tabs: "DXF" and "BMP,WMF,EMF,GIF,TIFF,PNG,JPG,rPDF".

8L.54 To the options of export to BMP, JPG, EMF, WMF, GIF, TIFF, PNG, rPDF possibility to set hatch step factor was added.

8L.55 In the 3D Image you can load images in BMP, JPG, PNG, GIF TIF  (early BMP and JPG). Transparency  of PNG files is supported.

8L.56 New PDF report was added. Unlike the Text report, the PDF Report can include images from the cameras, fragments of layouts with camera placed, a cover with logo. Report parameters and the structure of information in the report is configurable. See example of PDF report.

 

PRINTING

 

8L.57 New mode Use buffer was added. Using this mode, you can get the correct results and print transparent gradient fills, projections of 3D models even on printers do not support these tools, including most of free virtual printer to print to PDF.

8L.58 New mode Scale Hatching was added. Using this mode, you can get the correct hatching even on printers do not support scaling hatching.

8L.59 Menu item Print setup remains enabled even VideoCAD can not get access to the current printer.

 

DATABASE OF CAMERA MODELS

 

8L.60 Maintain database of camera models with the most important parameters (22 fields for each camera model). You can add your models, assign different models to cameras in project, compare models with each other.

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

8L.61 Ability to change the minimum and maximum heights of several objects at once through changing their line type. If during changing the line type of selected objects by the Change line type tool, to press and hold Ctrl, then the selected objects will also change their minimum and maximum height according to the chosen line type . If Ctrl is not pressed, the heights remain unchanged.

8L.62 Autosaving the project in specified intervals during running the program in a chain of files (up to 100 copies of the project are saved and rewritten in the regular intervals around the ring).

8L.63 Image update with lots of rotated projections of the 3D models was accelerated.

8L.64 New construction - Stairs.

 

 

 

8L.65 Added a possibility to draw legends of Pixel density patterns on the layouts.

 

 

8L.66 New tool Merge contour was added.

8L.67 New possibility to adjust transparence of filling view area projections in the Graphics window.

8L.68 A mode to improve visibility of thin lines at scaling background in BMP, JPG, PDF formats.

8L.69 The cursor coordinates in the lower left corner of the Graphics window are displayed rounded to the second decimal place .

8L.70 The Export to Text menu item was renamed to Text report.

8L.71 In the Text report for each camera  additional lines were added: layer, the base height , angle of rotation around its axis, number of pixels.

8L.72 Child windows "sticks" to the screen edges.

8L.73 An option of changing registration code via the Main menu was added.

8L.74 Titles of the 3D video window includes camera resolution in pixels.

8L.75 Detected bugs were fixed.

8L.76 The Help system was updated.

8L.77 Examples of work with VideoCAD in the Help were updated according to the new features. Several new examples were added.

8L.78 Project format of VideoCAD7 - *.vc7 is supported. There are possibilities of export and import of the previous project format *.vmp, supported by versions from 4 to 6.

8L.79 The program was tested under Windows 8 and Windows 10.

 

SIMPLIFYING REGISTRATION RULE

 

8L.80 VideoCAD 8 Lite is registered only by personal registration code as well as VideoCAD Starter. This code doesn't depend on computer hardware or a dongle. This code is valid on any computer.

8L.81 One license of VideoCAD 8 Lite, purchased separately, allows the use of the program on two workplaces nonsimultaneously: work and home computers if both workplaces belong to one person.

 

CHANGING DEMO VERSION RESTRICTIONS

 

8L.82 In the demo version of VideoCAD 8 Lite changing lens focal length and image sensor is now allowed. Instead of this, saving working project to a file is prohibited and a limit on the maximum number of cameras (5) in one project is added.

8L.83 Licenses of VideoCAD 8 Professional and VideoCAD 8 Lite allows free use of the demo versions for educational purposes, for research, theses, writing articles, etc. non-profit activities.

 

RULES OF UPGRADE

 

8L.84 The Rules of upgrade from previous VideoCAD versions to VideoCAD 8 Lite:

 

For the customers who have purchased VideoCAD Lite (or upgraded to VideoCAD Lite) after 01 January 2016 upgrade to VideoCAD 8 Lite is free.
For the customers who have purchased  VideoCAD Lite (or upgraded to  VideoCAD Lite) before 01 January 2016 updating cost makes half of the VideoCAD 8 Lite cost.
For the customers who has VideoCAD3..VideoCAD6 and didn't upgrade to VideoCAD 7 Lite, updating cost makes 3/4 of VideoCAD 8 Lite cost.
For the customers, whose original valuable suggestions have found application in VideoCAD 8.0, the additional discount for upgrade is given.
Upgrade of VideoCAD plugin for SketchUP is free with upgrade to VideoCAD 8 Lite.

 

       8.1. What is new in VideoCAD 8.1

 

MODELING IMAGE SENSOR SIZES AND ASPECT RATIO OF MODERN CAMERAS

 

 

8.1.1 The following parameters have been separated:

 

image sensor size and size of active area of the image sensor;
aspect ratio of image sensor and aspect ratio of output image of the camera.

 

8.1.2 The Image sensor format box has been renamed to the Image sensor size.

8.1.3 New abilities to specify the size of image sensor through arbitrary sensor format (type) in inches or through the length of diagonal in millimeters, or through width and height in millimeters.

8.1.4 New ability to set aspect ratio of image sensor separately from the aspect ratio of output image for a given format in inches or length of diagonal of the image sensor.

8.1.5 New ability to set the Crop factor to model image sensors with active area does not touch the edges of the image sensor.

8.1.6 Detailed guide of specifying the active area size of image sensors of modern cameras has been added.

8.1.7 The Sensor and Distortion box has been renamed to Sensor and Lens. Its interface has been changed.

8.1.8 The Image sensor calculator was added.

 

IMPROVING USABILITY OF WORKING WITH 3D MODELS AND CONSTRUCTIONS IN EDITING STATE

 

8.1.9 Switching 3D models from the selected state to the editing state by double clicking on its projections was added (previously it was possible to switch a 3D model to the editing state only from the normal state).

8.1.10 In the editing state, 3D models are displayed with square grips and pink circle.

You can rotate the 3D model by the mouse using the circle, scale 3D model on X and Y axis using the square grips. You can move the 3D model by pressing the left mouse button on the 3D model, as well as in the selected state.

8.1.11 In the 3D World and 3D Video views of 3D models in editing state and in the selected state differ.

8.1.12 New possibility to rotate around its axis in editing state Rectangle, Wall, Aperture in wall, Stairs, Mask, Filling, 3D Image.

 

OTHER

 

8.1.13 Import and export modules of AutoCAD were upgraded. Some improvements were added.

8.1.14 An inaccuracy of snap operation during construction of walls and aperture in wall has been fixed.

8.1.15 New tool Merge contour.

8.1.16 Printing on some virtual PDF printers has been improved.

 

RULES OF UPGRADE

 

8.1.17 Upgrade from VideoCAD 8.0 is offered free-of-charge. Upgrade from earlier versions is performed according to rules of upgrade up to VideoCAD 8.0

 

       8. What is new in VideoCAD 8.0

 

MODELING VIEW AREA AND CAMERA POSITION

 

8.1 Ability to display horizontal projection of the view area as two sections by planes on the minimum and maximum heights of the view area (Camera 23). One of the sections is drawn by a transparent filling, the other in the form of hatching. In many camera positions such representation is more informative than standard volume projection (Camera 22).

 

8.2 When the projection of the view area is displayed as two sections by horizontal planes located at height of lower and upper bounds, the shading from obstacles appears as shadows from objects on these planes.

 

Click to expand

 

8.3 When visualizing pixel density with two levels, lower section is not at the view area lower bound but at the height of measuring pixel density, determined in the pixel density pattern assigned to the camera. Pixel density is rendered on this level.

 

8.4 If the height of measuring pixel density is set to AUTO, then:

if the view area projection bounds is set to 2 Levels, the height of measuring pixel density is set at the view area lower bound;
if the view area projection bounds is set to Projection, the height of measuring pixel density is set at the halfway between the lower and upper bounds of the view area ( as in previous versions ).

 

8.5 Simulation of camera rotation around the main optical axis. Even a slight turn significantly changes the view area projection.

 

 

8.6 The Style of line type assigned to a camera determines not only style of lines, but hatching style of view area projection.

 

8.7 The Maximum distance of drawing view area is added to the camera geometry parameters. This distance limits view area in 2D and 3D drawings. It is convenient in case of infinite view areas.

 

 

8.8 The ground is no longer the lowest possible height limiting view area. Height of installation, heights of the lower and upper bounds of view area can be negative​​. A camera can see from under the ground and under the ground.

8.9 The Base height is added to the camera geometry parameters. All heights related to a camera  (height of installation, heights of the lower and upper bounds of view area, heights of person detection, identification, license plate reading areas) counted from the base height. The Base height together with layers is used in work with multilevel 3D constructions.

 

 

MODELING LENS DISTORTION

 

8.10 Simulating lens distortion. Distortion is especially pronounced in the short-focus lenses and may lead to significant deviation of form of view area of real cameras from regular pyramid.

8.11 Modeling the influence of lens distortion on a 3D image model (pincushion and barrel distortion), the shape of the view area and its projections, on the distribution of pixel density.

 

 

8.12 Correct modeling wide-angle lenses with strong distortion.

8.13 The Special sensor size box was renamed to the Sensor and Distortion.

8.14 The order of calculation in the Sensor and distortion box was changed. You can enter any image sensor size, then from it the calculated view angles and the aspect ratio are calculated.

8.15 To the Sensor and distortion box a box with a calculated diagonal angle was added..

8.16 To the the Sensors and distortion box new Distortion panel was added. On the panel you can specify Real view angles from the camera and lens specifications. Distortion is calculated from the ratio between the calculated and real angles.

 

 

8.17 In the PTZH mode, FOV frame is drawn taking into account lens distortion.

 

8.18 The following camera model parameters were added: Distortion>ON, horizontal, vertical, diagonal real angles.

8.19 Using PiP and Real frame size for simulating real camera number of pixels with distortion.

 

3D WORLD WINDOW

 

8.20 New 3D World window with 3D navigation. There are the main tools for 3D navigation (Orbit, Move, ZOOM, Walk, Look around, Zoom frame).  In the window you can observe the layout in 3D representation. You can work on the project in usual 2D projections and watch it in 3D. You can "walk" on the floors of 3D models of buildings and study every detail.

 

Click to expand

Click to expand

 

Кликните чтобы развернуть

 

8.21 3D visualization of the camera view area surface taking into account pixel density, shadows, lens distortion.

 

 

 

8.22 3D visualization of the active camera coverage on the environment taking into account pixel density, shadows, lens distortion.

 

 

 

8.23 3D visualization of control areas of PTZ cameras, Dome cameras and 360 degree cameras.

 

 

 

 

8.24 Free cutting 3D layout by six planes to provide access to any point of complicated 3D buildings.

 

Кликните чтобы развернуть

Кликните чтобы развернуть

 

 

8.25 Export images from the 3D World window to any of the following formats: *.bmp, *.jpg,*.gif,*.tif,*.png. Size in pixels of the exported file can exceed the Windows screen size.

8.26 3D camera view area and camera coverage constructed in the 3D World taking into account distortion, pixel density and shading can be exported to a DXF file for insertion into a 3D project processed in another 3D program. This important feature makes possible to use VideoCAD to build 3D models of the view areas for designers working with any 3D design software that support import DXF files, including SketchUP.

 

 

 MODELING PANORAMIC CAMERAS (FISHEYE, 360°/180°)

 

8.27 Simulation of image resolution and view area limits of panoramic cameras in the 3D Video.

 

 

8.28 Simulation of the horizontal projection of the view area and visualization of the pixel density distribution of panoramic cameras in the Graphics window.

 

 

8.28 Visualization of camera coverage area and pixel density distribution of panoramic cameras on the surrounding objects in the 3D World window.

 

 

8.30 New icons for panoramic cameras were added and .

8.31 In the Sensor and Distortion box a new Panoramic panel was added. On the panel the Pan and Tilt angles of panoramic camera installation can be specified.

 

 

8.32To the list of camera model parameters: Type>Fixed, PTZ,Dome, Mini a new panoramic item was added,

8.33 To the list of camera model parameters: Lens>Type a new fisheye item was added,

8.34 Lens focal length boxes in the Graphics window and the Camera geometry box are colored in Aqua when the active camera is panoramic. .

8.35 In reports panoramic cameras have fisheye word instead of lens focal length value;

 

LAYERS

 

8.36 Constructions, 3D models and cameras can be distributed by layers.

8.37 Each layer can have its own Base height. All constructions belong to the layer will be shifted in 3D by the Base height. This feature is useful in work with multilevel 3D constructions.

8.38 In addition to the Base height, each layer has the following parameters: Active, Enabled, Visible, Hidden, Snap, Shadows, 3D Visible, Color.

8.39 To the main and pop-up menus of the Graphics window the Move to Active layer item was added to move constructions and cameras between layers.

 

 

 

WORK WITH 3D MODELS

 

8.40 Possibility of using 3D models-territories, to place inside them cameras, constructions and other 3D models.

 

 

 

8.41 Support of 3D models with textures, transparent texture and opacity of materials.

 

8.42 New version of VideoCAD Plugin for SketchUP was released with possibilities of export textures, transparent textures, opacity of materials and scaling.

 

 

8.43 Import of new 3D models was simplified. The special 3D models window was added  for creation of 3D model projections. In the window , you can create 3D model projections with specified resolution, brightness, create projection in the form of faces, points and lines.

 

 

8.44 Ability to make projections in the form of sections of 3D models at the specified range of heights. These projections of 3D models of buildings can be used as background for placing cameras in the Graphics window.

8.45 Ability to create 3D model projections with exceeding Windows screen resolution.

8.46 Possibility to create a projection of individual area of 3D model with even higher resolution using PiP (Picture in Picture) tool.

8.47 To use the 3D models as territories, and their projections as a background, a new ability to block the projection of certain 3D models from selection by mouse click was added.

8.48 Ability to consider a 3D model as obstacle in the calculation of shadows.

8.49 In the 3D Models window you can also: save 3D model to a file, make copy of a 3D model, earn 3D models using 3D interface similar to the 3D World window.

8.50 Tools related to 3D models were moved to special branch of the main menu.

8.51 Ability to distribute 3D models by folders in the menu.

8.52 Loading files of 3D models via a dialog box.

8.53 3D model file name can contain spaces.

8.54 During placing or editing 3D models, on the Current construction parameter panel the 3D Models button appears to quick open the 3D Models window .

 

MODELING RESOLUTION OF CAMERAS AND LENSES

 

8.55 Ability to obtain full-size image models of cameras with number of pixel exceeding Windows screen size, without using PiP. See examples of exported files: 5 megapixels,10 megapixels, 25 megapixels.

This feature can be useful to model real resolution model of images with distortion.

 

 

8.56 Resolution modeling algorithms were reworked.

8.57 As an unit of measuring resolution instead of actually ambiguous TVL (TV lines), the Lines per Picture Height (LPH) is used. For analog cameras the LPH is the same as "actual" TV lines, ie the number of vertical lines fit within the part of picture width equals to the picture height.

8.58 Accuracy of modeling resolution in LPH was increased. When you set the image resolution in LPH, you can also set the drop of contrast in %.

8.59 In modeling the camera resolution in LPH, it is possible to model as only horizontally resolution (for analog cameras) as the resolution in both directions (for IP cameras).

8.60 The Test chart EIA1956 is tied to the frame height and saves equal aspect ratio regardless of the aspect ratio of the simulated images that allows you to watch resolution of the simulated images in LPH (lines per picture height) in any aspect ratios of the frame.

8.61 Size in pixels of the Test chart EIA1956 is increased twice.

8.62 Ability to display the Test chart EIA1956 in reduced-size (up to 64 times), what extends the range of estimates resolution using the test chart up to 100 000 LPH.

 

 

8.63 Simulating lens resolution in line pair per millimeter at specified contrast drop by MTF (10%, 20%, 30%, 50%).

 

8.64 The following camera model parameters were added: Rolling shutter>Up (scan direction); Resolution>LPH (lines per picture height); Resolution>Contrast %; Resolution>Horizontal only; Lens>Resolution>lp/mm (line pair per mm);Lens>Resolution>Contrast %.

 

3D VIDEO WINDOW

 

8.65 A window, which shows models of camera images, named 3D Window in the past, was renamed to the 3D Video window.

8.66 In the main menu of the 3D Video window, in Image submenu, a new Real frame size item was added. If it is checked, then saving the image in the 3D video window will be with the number of pixels of the camera, which can exceed the screen size in Windows. This item is also used to simulate resolution of image with lens distortion.

8.67 In the main menu of the 3D Video window, in View submenu, a duplicating Ground item was added for quick hiding the ground surface in the 3D Video window.

8.68 In the main menu of the 3D Video window, in Image submenu, a new Copy to clipboard item was added.

8.69 View area faces of cameras are invisible in the 3D Video window, they are visible in the 3D World window.

8.70 In the PTZH mode a camera is panned and tilted by moving mouse cursor on the image with left mouse button pressed..

8.71 Background representation in the 3D Video window was improved.

8.72 Ability to switch image generation thread: in separated thread or in the main thread.

8.73 Ability to model Rolling Shutter with line scan order from up to down was added.

8.74 Accuracy of positioning PiP and accuracy of working  PiP together with Rolling Shutter was increased.

 

SPATIAL RESOLUTION

 

8.75 Ability to specify pixel density in  pixel density patterns not only vertically but also horizontally. To do this, a new switch to the Pixel density box was added.

 

 

8.76 To the Option box an option of switching direction of the pixel density calculation in dependence of the camera rotation around its optical axis was added.

8.77 Additional Pixel density patterns were added based on the Standards:

Australian Standard AS4806: Closed Circuit Television;
European Standard EN50132-7;
ISO/IEC 19794 Biometric data interchange formats.

8.78 As a result of right-click on the Pattern combo box a pop up menu will appear. Selecting the Default patterns item, you can erase all changes in the patterns and return to the patterns set by default.

8.79 The Vertical resolution of camera field in the Pixel density box was renamed to the Vert. (Horiz) number of pixels.

8.80To the Pixel density box new test images were added.

 

 

8.81 Pixel density visualization on the view area faces and on the active camera coverage in the 3D World window.

8.82 Pixel density visualization taking into account lens distortion.

 

8.83 A new option for drawing regions of pixel density in the Graphics windows in ascending resolution - High resolution on top was added. With this option enabled all cameras remain visible despite the shading of projections of different cameras. While regions with higher pixel density are drawn on the top.

 

Usual drawing

High resolution on top

 

IMPORT AND EXPORT TO AUTOCAD

 

8.84 Import module was upgraded. Up to AutoCAD DWG 2015 formats are supported.

8.85 The dialog box Scale background was renamed to the Adjust background. For backgrounds in DWG or DXF formats, abilities to choose Layout in the background, control visibility of layers, hide texts were added. For backgrounds  in PDF format you can choose page and resolution of the background.

8.86 Export module was updated and reworked. Export to AutoCAD was improved. Export accuracy was increased.

8.87 Cameras with view areas are exported as AutoCAD blocks, view area bounds are exported as polylines. In attributes of the block the most important parameters of the camera are recorded: Name, Model, Lens focal length, Height of installation, Base height, Heights of view area lower and upper bounds, View angles, Number of pixels, Pixel density pattern, Quality level.

8.88 Illuminators are exported as AutoCAD blocks. In attributes of the block the most important parameters of the  illuminator are recorded: Lamp type, Number and power of lamps, Height of installation.

8.89 Distribution by layers, set in VideoCAD is saved.

8.90 Hatching and filling of shadows are saved.

8.91 Styles and weights of lines set in VideoCAD are saved.

8.92 Point of origin is saved.

8.93 Grid is exported as AutoCAD block with attributes.

8.94 In the exported file the references to raster insertions are saved: background and 3D model projections. Raster images are exported along with DXF or DWG file into a separate directory.

8.95 In addition to the DXF format, export to the following vector formats was added: DWG, vector PDF, PLT (HPGL/2), CGM (Computer Graphic Metafile), SWF (Adobe Flash).

8.96 When you export a drawing with the background in AutoCAD DWG/DXF format, VideoCAD constructions can be added to the background on separate layers or the background can be added as an external links to the file of the background. In both cases the structure of the background is saved.

8.97 Possible scheme of the combining AutoCAD + VideoCAD:

1. Load drawing in AutoCAD format as a background;

2. Import AutoCAD lines to VideoCAD 3D constructions automatically;

3. Adding cameras and constructions on special layers.

4. Export the obtained drawing to AutoCAD format to work with it in AutoCAD.

 

 

8.99 Export to DXF file 3D view areas and camera coverage taking into account lens distortion, pixel density, and shading.

 

This feature allows the convenient scheme of work with combination of 3D BIM Software (SketchUP) + VideoCAD.

1. Export layout as a 3D model-territory through SketchUP and loading it into VideoCAD.

2. Adding cameras with 3D view areas in VideoCAD.

3. Export 3D view areas in DXF format, loading them into 3D BIM Software and combining with the original layout in 3D.

 

8.99 Import  constructions from a 2D background in AutoCAD formats to 3D VideoCAD constructions automatically. Use of this tool allows to reduce efforts of outlining background to convert it to 3D constructions.

 

 

IMPORT AND EXPORT TO OTHER FORMATS

 

8.100 Supporting PDF files to use as background including multi-page PDF files.

8.101 Export to PDF (raster and vector), AutoCAD DWG, PLT (HPGL/2), CGM (Computer Graphic Metafile), SWF (Adobe Flash).

8.102 Because of the increased number of export options, Export  tab in the Options box is divided into two sub-tabs: "DXF,DWG,PLT,CGM,SWF,vPDF" and "BMP,WMF,EMF,GIF,TIFF,PNG,JPG,rPDF".

8.103 To the options of export to BMP, JPG, EMF, WMF, GIF, TIFF, PNG, rPDF possibility to set hatch step factor was added.

8.104 In the 3D Image you can load images in BMP, JPG, PNG, GIF TIF  (early BMP and JPG). Transparency  of PNG files is supported.

 

8.105 New PDF report was added. Unlike the Text report, the PDF Report can include images from the cameras, fragments of layouts with camera placed, a cover with logo. Report parameters and the structure of information in the report is configurable. See example of PDF report.

 

PRINTING

 

8.106 New mode Use buffer was added. Using this mode, you can get the correct results and print transparent gradient fills, projections of 3D models even on printers do not support these tools, including most of free virtual printer to print to PDF.

8.107 New mode Scale Hatching was added. Using this mode, you can get the correct hatching even on printers do not support scaling hatching.

8.108 Menu item Print setup remains enabled even VideoCAD can not get access to the current printer.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

8.109 Ability to change the minimum and maximum heights of several objects at once through changing their line type. If during changing the line type of selected objects by the Change line type tool, to press and hold Ctrl, then the selected objects will also change their minimum and maximum height according to the chosen line type . If Ctrl is not pressed, the heights remain unchanged.

8.110 Autosaving the project in specified intervals during running the program in a chain of files (up to 100 copies of the project are saved and rewritten in the regular intervals around the ring).

8.111 Image update with lots of rotated projections of the 3D models was accelerated.

8.112 New construction - Stairs.

 

 

 

8.113 Added a possibility to draw legends of Pixel density patterns on the layouts.

 

 

8.114 New possibility to adjust transparence of filling view area projections in the Graphics window.

8.115 A mode to improve visibility of thin lines at scaling background in BMP, JPG, PDF formats.

8.116  In the Test object box at calculation of the part of frame occupied by the test object, tvl (TB- lines ) and p ( pixels) are not used.

8.117 The Quality level combo box with a list of quality level was removed from the Camera geometry box. You can assign a quality level to the active camera in the Quality levels box.

8.118 The item Assign to active camera was removed from the pop up menu of the Quality levels table. A quality level is assigned when you select a line with the quality level name. To save your selection, click Save. To cancel - click Cancel.

8.119 In the graphical editing state of the active camera, selection and rotation of the active camera is blocked to prevent displacement of the background, constructions and cameras relative to each other on other layouts.

8.120 The cursor coordinates in the lower left corner of the Graphics window are displayed rounded to the second decimal place .

8.121 The Export to Text menu item was renamed to Text report.

8.122 In the Text report for each camera  additional lines were added: layer, the base height , angle of rotation around its axis, number of pixels.

8.123 When lens distortion is modeled, the exported text file contains real angles taking into account the distortion and in parentheses calculated angles.

8.124 Child windows "sticks" to the screen edges.

8.125 Maximum number of lamp in a illuminator was increased up to 250 for modeling LED illuminators.

8.126 An option of changing registration code via the Main menu was added.

8.127 An option of typing sensor size in millimeters was described in the Help system. Checking invalid sensor sizes was added.

8.128 Detected bugs were fixed.

8.129 The Help system was updated.

8.130 Examples of work with VideoCAD in the Help were updated according to the new features. Several new examples were added.

8.131 Project format of VideoCAD7 - *.vc7 is supported. There are possibilities of export and import of the previous project format *.vmp, supported by versions from 4 to 6.

8.132 The program was tested under Windows 8.

 

RULES OF UPGRADE

 

8.133 The Rules of upgrade from previous VideoCAD versions to VideoCAD8:

 

For the customers who have purchased VideoCAD7 (or upgraded to VideoCAD7) after 01 July 2014 upgrade cost makes a difference between cost of VideoCAD8 and VideoCAD7.
For the customers who have purchased VideoCAD7 (or upgraded to VideoCAD7) before 01 July 2014 updating cost makes half of the VideoCAD8 cost.
For the customers who has VideoCAD3..VideoCAD6 and didn't upgrade to VideoCAD7, updating cost makes 3/4 of VideoCAD8 cost.
Upgrade Lite version to Professional is paid in addition.
For the customers, whose original valuable suggestions have found application in VideoCAD 8.0, the additional discount for upgrade is given.
Upgrade of VideoCAD plugin for SketchUP is free with upgrade to VideoCAD 8.

 

VideoCAD 8 Professional can work only with USB Senselock dongle. HID registration with the Professional version is not applied. Senselock dongles from VideoCAD 6.XX and VideoCAD 7.XX are supported.  In case of absence of USB Senselock dongle it is necessary to purchase it. Guardant dongles are not supported by VideoCAD 8.0.

 

VideoCAD 8 Lite can work with USB Senselock dongle and with the HID registration.

 

VideoCAD 8 Starter and VideoCAD 8 Starter II are registered only by personal registration code, without dongle, without hardware locking.

 

       7. What is new in VideoCAD 7.0

 

NEW PROJECT FORMAT

 

7.1 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.

7.2 Unlimited quantity of cameras in one project. In the previous versions each project could contain no more than 100 cameras.

7.3 Unlimited quantity of constructions on each layout.  In the previous versions each layout could contain no more than 5000 constructions.

7.4 Quantity of line types is increased to 2000.

 

SPEED OPTIMIZATION

 

7.5 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.

7.6 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.

7.7 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.

7.8 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.

7.9 In the PTZH frame mode image processing is disabled to increase speed of image redrawing. Titles are disabled too.

7.10 The algorithm of modeling sensitivity of megapixel cameras is accelerated.

7.11 Image redrawing in the Graphic window was accelerated too. Bottlenecks were optimized.

 

CALCULATING SHADOWS IN THE VIEW AREA

 

7.12 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.

7.13 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.

7.14 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.

7.15 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.

7.16 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.

Click to expand
Click to expand

 

COLORS, FILLING AND HATCHING OF VIEW AREA PROJECTIONS

 

7.17 View area projection of different cameras can have different color according to parameters of line type of these cameras (in case of disabled pixel density visualization).

7.18 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

 

7.19 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:

 

pixel density (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).

 

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

 

 

7.21 The new Pixel density box was added in which it is possible to create and edit patterns of pixel density and field of view size visualization. In the box there are prepared pixel density 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 pixel density. Different patterns can be assigned to different cameras.

7.22 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 Pixel density box.

Click to expand
Click to expand

 

MODELING RESOLUTION OF MEGAPIXEL CAMERAS

 

7.23 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.

7.24 Digital ZOOM in the PiP mode allows to additionally magnifying specified area on the 3D window for detailed analysis.

7.25 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.

Click to expand
Click to expand

 

7.26 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

 

7.27 You can specify speed and direction of movement for 3D models in a velocity vector form and in a numerical form.

7.28 On the Current construction parameter panel when choosing 3D models there is an additional Speed box.

7.29 Frame rate was added to the camera parameters.

7.30 It is possible to model movement of 3D models and rotation of the Rotakin object.

7.31 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.

 

 

7.32 Exposure time and Row time of Rolling shutter were added to camera parameters.

7.33 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.

7.34 When modeling exposure time in the 3D window Titles current exposure time value is displayed.

7.35 Modeling distortions of moving 3D models and rotating Rotakin from Rolling shutter and Global shutter.

7.36 Modeling interlace distortions of moving 3D models and rotating Rotakin.

 

 

CREATION OF ANIMATED IMAGES

 

7.37 Possibility of creation of animated images with moving 3D models.

7.38 On the Image parameter panel, View tab the Number of frames box was added.

7.39 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.

7.40 Animated images can be saved as animated GIF files and displayed on the Monitor window.

 

See an example of animated monitor (file size about 4 Mb).

 

NEW IN THE MONITOR WINDOW

 

7.41 Scaling the Monitor window in Windows 7 was improved.

7.42 New sizes of monitors were added.

7.43 Possibility of setting resolution of digital monitors.

7.44 During loading monitors it is possible to interrupt the long operation, having pressed ESC.

7.45 It is possible to set correcting factor for exact modeling physical sizes of monitors.

7.46 Displaying on the monitors animated images with moving 3D models.

7.47 Saving image of the monitors in formats *.gif, *.tif, *.png.

7.48 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.

See an example of animated monitor (file size about 4 Mb).

 

NEW OBJECTS AND TOOLS

 

7.49 New object - Rotakin  - an animated rotating test target for visual estimation of pixel density and motion distortions on the 3D images. In the Options box it is possible to change rotation speed of the Rotakin.

7.50 New object - Wall.  It allows drawing walls with different thickness.

7.51 New object - Aperture in Wall.  It allows making in 3D walls any apertures, for example for windows and doors.

7.52 New object - Polyline.  It allows drawing line segments continuously.

7.53 New tool - Scale.  It allows scaling selected constructions relative to a base point.

7.54 New tool - Mirror. It allows getting mirror copies of selected constructions relative to a horizontal or vertical line.

 

 

7.55 Existing Copy and Cut tools are renamed to Copy with base point and to Cut with base point.

7.56 New Copy and Cut tools were added. In the new tools the base point is set automatically at the center of copied objects.

7.57 Several new 3D models were added to the library.

 

CABLE REPORT

 

7.58 Possibility of using in the project a lot of brands of cables. Line types can be considered as cables.

7.59 Possibility of drawing main cables, which is not associated with cameras.

7.60 Possibility of getting the Cable report. The report contains lengths of all cables separated by brands and cameras, including the main cables.

7.61 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

 

7.62 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.

7.63 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.

7.64 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.

7.65 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.

7.66 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

 

7.67 A new menu for switching visibility of separate columns was added.

7.68 Several new possibilities of filtering data in the tables.

7.69 Several new parameters of camera model were added: Exposure time at measuring sensitivity, Maximal frame rate, Row time (parameter of the Rolling Shutter).

7.70 To the Table of cameras these three new parameters of model were added and in addition: Current frame rate, Name of the assigned Pixel density pattern, Signal cable brand and Power cable brand.

 

INTERFACE IMPROVEMENTS

 

7.71 Possibility to adjust visibility of buttons on the Tool bar.

7.72 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.

7.73 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.

7.74 In the Options box the Default button was added. Using this button you can assign default values to all parameters on the opened tab.

7.75 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.

7.76 Manual scaling 3D window in Windows 7 was improved.

7.77 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.

7.78 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.

7.79 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.

7.80 Links to the last 10 used project files are accessible in the Main menu>Project.

7.81 Accuracy of 3D model selection in the Graphics window was improved.

7.82 In the Main menu>Help new items with links to our web site and VideoCAD user forum in the Internet were added.

 

UNDO

 

7.83 Buffer of last operations (UNDO) stores now all parameters of cameras.

7.84 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.

7.85 The REDO button was added for moving in the UNDO buffer in the opposite direction.

 

NEW FORMATS OF IMPORT AND EXPORT

 

7.86 Support of import as background and export drawing in the following formats: EMF +, GIF, TIFF, PNG. Blend color and gradient color are supported.

7.87 Support of export drawing to JPG format (Import of the JPG format is present in the previous versions).

7.88 Possibility of saving image from the 3D window in formats: GIF, animated GIF, TIF and PNG.

7.89 Possibility of saving image from the Monitor window in formats: GIF, TIF, PNG, HTML with PNG, HTML with animated GIF.

 

CHANGES

 

7.90 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.

7.91 Double line rotates as a whole, with keeping distance between lines that is more convenient at construction of walls.

7.92 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.

7.93 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.

7.94 Setting of export to raster formats on the Export tab of the Options box by default correspond to an exact copy of the screen.

7.95 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.

7.96 Name of the loaded (active) camera is not red colored when exporting and printing.

7.97 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.

7.98 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

 

7.99 The Loaded camera term is changed to the Active camera.

7.100 Menu item Project> Export is renamed to Project> Export to Text.

7.101 Button Actual view area projections and the corresponding Main menu item are renamed to Fill projections.

7.102 The Interface tab in the Options box is renamed to Miscellaneous.

7.103 Coaxial cable is renamed to the Signal cable (the Russian version).

 

UTILITIES

 

7.104 Utilities for measuring camera and image parameters were separated out from VideoCAD in the separate product - CCTVCAD Lab Toolkit.

7.105 Utilities in the CCTVCAD Lab Toolkit become more stable in Windows 7.

7.106 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.

7.107 In the Image analyzer, showing separate image lines as a oscilloscope can be separated by color.

7.108 In the Spectrum analyzer, a possibility of calculating spectral efficiency of infra-red LEDs of different wavelength for different image sensors was added.

7.109 In the Spectrum analyzer, spectral sensitivity curves of modern CMOS and CCD megapixel image sensors (SONY, Cypress, Micron) were added.

7.110 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.

7.111 Procedures for measuring camera exposure time and the row time of rolling shutter of IP cameras were developed.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

7.112 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.

7.113 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.

7.114 Displaying background in the 3D window was improved.

7.115 A new possibility of adjusting resolution of a vector background (in AutoCAD format) in the 3D window.

7.116 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.

7.117 In the Sensitivity and resolution box a new camera parameter Exposure time at measuring sensitivity was added.

7.118 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.

7.119 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.

7.120 Help system was considerable improved; a lot of pictures were added.

7.121 Examples of work with VideoCAD in the Help were updated according to the new features. Several new examples were added.

7.122 Program was adapted for modern wide-screen monitors with high resolution.

7.123 Program was tested under Windows 7. Detected incompatibilities are eliminated.

 

RULES OF UPGRADE

 

7.124 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.
Upgrade Lite version to Professional is paid in addition.
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 and VideoCAD Starter II are registered only by personal registration code, without dongle, without hardware locking.

 

       6.1 What is new in VideoCAD 6.1

 

6.1.1 VideoCAD_Lite is released.  VideoCAD_Lite  is an inexpensive version of VideoCAD with limited features. VideoCAD_Lite offers only the most useful and easy-to-master tools for CCTV design.

 

6.1.2 A new possibility to assign any model to all selected cameras simultaneously

 

6.1.3 A possibility to change the following parameters of all selected cameras simultaneously: lens focal length, Image sensor size, installation height, parameters of view area, quality level.

 

6.1.4 Exposure time range is expanded up to 1 sec. for convenience in modeling modern IP cameras with increased exposure time.

 

6.1.5 Line color in the 3D window is displayed on the Line type panel.

 

6.1.6 Changing Number and Model Name is disabled on the Used models tab in the Table of camera models. Earlier such changes resulted in loss of the model from the model list.

 

6.1.7 If size of video sensor is standard, at closing the Special sensor size box, the standard designation of the sensor size is kept.

 

6.1.8 The Help system is updated.

 

6.1.9 VideoCAD installer is updated.

 

6.1.10 Found bugs are fixed: running under a user account, error at starting VideoCAD by double clicking on a project file, an erroneous message ' Your graphics card does not support this tool ', directory path of jpg images saving is not kept, error at editing text on the drawing.

 

6.1.11 Updating from VideoCAD 6.0 is offered free-of-charge. Updating from earlier versions is performed according to rules of updating up to VideoCAD 6.0.

 

       6. What is new in VideoCAD 6.0

 

IllUMINATION AND LUMINARIES

 

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

 

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

 

6.3 Different wavelength Infrared LED illuminators modeling.

 

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

 

CAMERA, LENS AND DVR PARAMETERS

 

6.5 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).

 

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

 

6.7 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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

UTILITIES

 

6.12 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.

 

6.13 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.

 

6.14 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

 

6.15 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.

 

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

 

6.17 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).

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

IMPORT AND EXPORT

 

6.22 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.

 

6.23 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

 

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

 

6.25 3D models now can be scaled in any direction.

 

6.26 3D models can be placed in vertical projection. Models placed in vertical projection will not be visible in 3D window.

 

6.27 Convenient 3D model selection from the tool bar.

 

6.28 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.

 

6.29 Background can be visible in the 3D window.

 

6.30 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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

WINDOWS

 

6.35 Quality level box contains corresponding quality level criteria..

 

6.36 Sensitivity and resolution box with camera and lens parameters.

 

6.37 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.

 

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

 

6.39 Tab quantity in the Options box has been increased.

 

6.40 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.

 

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

 

6.42 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

 

6.43 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

 

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

 

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

 

6.46 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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

INTERFACE

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

6.59 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.

 

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

 

6.61 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.

 

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

 

6.63 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.

 

6.64 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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

6.68 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.

 

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

 

6.70 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

 

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

 

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

 

6.73 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.

 

6.74 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.

 

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

 

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

 

OTHER

 

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

 

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

 

6.79 Many functions are improved, detected errors are corrected.

 

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

 

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

 

6.82 The regulations of upgrading previous VideoCAD versions to VideoCAD 6:

 

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 USB dongle.

 

       5. What is new in VideoCAD 5.0

 

5.1 Monitor window has been added. Monitor 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.

 

5.2 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 Monitor window this tool offers a new method of 3D CCTV design.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

5.7 Snap panel allows fast switching of snaps during drawing.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

5.11 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.

 

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

 

 

5.13 The new tools: Combine to block and Destroy block.

 

5.14 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.

 

5.15 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.

 

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

 

5.17 Displaying cameras' names and titles can be switched separately..

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

5.26 Reloading speed of cameras is increased.

 

5.27 The range of drawing scaling is expanded.

 

5.28 The range of focal lengths of lens is expanded.

 

5.29 Many functions are improved, detected errors are corrected.

 

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

 

5.31 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.

 

       4. What is new in VideoCAD 4.0

 

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

 

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

 

4.3 Line type parameters include minimum, maximum height and color in the 3D window.

The number of line types has increased to 100.

 

4.4 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.

 

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

 

4.6 There is the depth-of-field and hyperfocal distance calculation.

 

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

 

4.8 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.

 

4.9 It has become possible to change the scale factor of nonscalable elements when exporting.

 

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

 

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

 

4.12 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).

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

4.17 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.

 

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

 

4.19 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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

4.23 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.  

 

4.24 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.

 

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

 

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

 

4.27 Default parameters of quality levels are changed.

 

4.28 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.

 

4.29 Many functions are improved, detected errors are corrected.  

 

4.30 Multilingual version of VideoCAD 4.0 has the possibility of registration with the dongle.

 

4.31 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 Russian Integrated security system "Intellect".  

 

4.32 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, the updating is chargeable only for one license. Other licenses can be freely updated.    

 

       3. What is new in VideoCAD 3.0

 

3.1 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.

 

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

 

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

 

3.4 The opportunity of using texts was introduced.

 

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

 

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

 

3.7 New objects is a Circle, an Arc, a Double line.

 

3.8 New operations are Align, Move loaded camera name.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

3.12 The size of a project file was reduced.

 

3.13 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.

 

3.14 The opportunity of precise scaling using Ctrl  was introduced.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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