The Model Viewer team is proud to release the new version 1.3.4! Model Viewer now includes an extended version of the signal tracing feature. Aside from that, we fixed some bugs and made it to add some new features also.
Signal tracing
The main focus of this release is a reworked signal tracing functionality, based on our users’ feedback. We stabilized and optimized the related functionalities as well as improved the robustness of the signal tracing solution.
In a previous signal tracing version, users mainly had to interact with the context menu to start, continue or clear a signal trace. In feedback discussions, we came to the conclusion that these interaction patterns can even be simplified. For example, we decided to cleanup the context menu items regarding signal tracing so that just Trace signal and Clear trace remained in the new version.
The context menu items to interactively extend the current trace have been removed. Now you can use a simple double-click interaction on any line that allows for trace continuation.
Signal trace view
Another thing we found out in feedback discussions was that it was hard to follow a highlighted signal, or a chain of signals, in the main view – especially if a signal trace spans many subsystems, goto and from blocks. So we came up with the idea to create a special view that shows all elements that are included in the current signal trace and across all hierarchy levels involved.
The new signal trace gives a clear overview of the complete signal trace at a single glance, including all hierarchies. Users can easily navigate to elements included in the signal trace by simply clicking on them.
We will publish another blog post in the near future, detailing the signal tracing feature in greater depth.
Traceability extensions
Besides signal tracing improvements, we are proud to provide another powerful Model Viewer extension. Often it is desirable to link elements of Simulink models to various other artifacts, like requirements, test specifications, source code, etc.
Traceability data can be integrated into Model Viewer allowing users to easily inspect them and directly navigate to the linked artefact, e.g., a Microsoft Word file containing a test specification.
Supported tools are
- IBM Rational DOORS
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.)
- ALM tools (PTC Integrity, Polarion, etc.)
- Enterprise Architect
- C source code, XML, etc.
- many more …
This feature is currently not included in the standard download package, so please contact us if you are interested.
Miscellaneous
In addition to the major improvements explained above, we also included the following features, bug fixes and usability improvements.
Features
- The tree in the outline view now highlights systems that contain a traced signal.
- It is now possible to extend an existing signal trace to an arbitrary line in the model.
- New signal trace view allows for a decent overview of the traced signal.
- Signals are correctly traced through cascades of bus creators and selectors.
- Documentation overhauled.
Bugfixes
- Fixed a visualization problem for signal traces through bus creator and mux blocks.
- Fixed a bug which prohibited signal trace continuation in certain situations.
- Fixed a visualization problem in the signal trace view with broken library references involved.
- Fixed context menu action Open in new tab for stateflow models.
- Context menu items Open in new tab, Open in Simulink, and Copy path to clipboard now also work on background canvas by taking the parent system as context.
- Several fixes for signal trace highlighting, especially when dealing with multiple models and tabs
Usability
- Back and forward buttons, as well as context menu entries, are now only enabled if these actions are possible.
Feedback appreciated
The Model Viewer is available from our download section and you can start using it with a 30 days trial license. We would be pleased for any kind of feedback and are looking forward to you comments!
Comments