What's new in 14.1

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What's new in 14.1

This overview covers the 14.10 release series.

The 14.1 series expands re-estimation and variant comparisons, improves the workflow from automatic estimation to saved project estimates, and adds database storage for Crystal Reports templates. Import, custom-code units and reporting also receive improvements and important corrections.

New features

Re-estimation and variant comparisons

A new Re-Estimate window displays estimates in a hierarchy and highlights results that differ from the current values. A parameter view shows changed inputs alongside current and recalculated results.

Create variants to compare different parameter assumptions. Run re-estimation explicitly with the button or context-menu commands, for all groups or a selected group, rather than recalculating automatically whenever a parameter is edited. Re-estimation settings can be saved, and progress feedback is provided during calculation.

Crystal Reports templates stored in the database

Crystal Reports templates can be saved to and opened from the database through the Crystal Report Viewer. Existing registered report files can be transferred into database storage on first use, after which the template is read from the database.

Configurable estimation method names and availability

Standard estimation method sets can be renamed, and Options controls which standard method choices are available. The Estimation window reflects the configured names and adds a toolbar drop-down for method selection. Auto Estimation can also hide standard methods according to these settings.

Comments attached to estimates

The Estimation window adds an editable comment/log field, providing space to record the reasoning or context behind an estimate.

Import data into multiple projects

ProjectID can be mapped in Data File Import so that data can be directed to different projects. A project record can be created when the mapped project does not already exist.

Excel data preview

Excel (.xlsx) input can be read into a grid before import, with mapped data highlighted. This makes it easier to inspect how source columns relate to the import mapping.

Improvements

Automatic estimation and saved settings

  • Saving Auto Estimation results into weight groups also saves the estimation settings and sets the groups to estimated status.
  • The results list adds a context menu for copying, printing, recalculating, saving into weight groups and opening the Estimation window.
  • Estimate selection and opening of weight, VCG (Z) and LCG (X) results have been improved. Opening an individual estimate is disabled while All Estimates is selected.
  • The sister-project field in Estimation Settings uses a drop-down selection. Method-set and coefficient-selection information is more accessible.

Custom codes and units

  • Custom-code definitions can specify whether values follow the configured weight-field units. Summaries convert these fields accordingly, and relevant column headings and field labels show their units.
  • Code mappings can be applied during manual input, controlled by an option on the Codes tab.
  • The DefaultCodeID label in Code Definition is changed to DefaultValue.

Data File Import and Export

  • Imported list-type code values can be added to the available codes, and configured custom-code default values are applied during import.
  • Import logging provides additional information. Import date and time can be written to a custom-code field when the project is configured for automatic creation dates.
  • Duplicate-handling and automatic item-number settings are saved in the Default import setting. This version does not provide multiple settings for those choices.
  • File-specific settings are clearer: CSV settings are hidden for Excel input, and character-position labels are shown for fixed-width text input.
  • Flat-text export is restored following an earlier restriction.

Item editing and duplicate handling

  • Moving an item to another weight group provides choices for handling an existing item with the same identity.
  • Find Duplicates can remain open while you work elsewhere in the application.
  • Change Field Value is available from the item context menu. F3 moves to the first column of the selected item row.
  • Double-clicking between column headings can fit column widths to the contents in the main-window item table and Gyradius window.

Reports and project browsing

  • Report Setup can be resized and provides Select All on Selected Level and Show All Selected commands.
  • For the documented input-level report variant, selecting Sum allows weight-group codes and descriptions to be exported in separate columns.
  • The Project Browse folder table can be copied.

Important fixes

  • Re-estimation stability: corrected crashes during variant re-estimation and when estimates used renamed standard methods.
  • Auto Estimation units: corrected storage of estimates when displayed coordinate units differed from the internal units, including millimetre-based CoG results.
  • Weight and inertia units: corrected item totals and labels, kilogram-project logbook values, inertia results in Gyradius, and double conversion in comparison views for pound-based projects.
  • Loading-condition updates: changed the Lightship-change detection threshold so that small changes in large projects can trigger an update. The documented limits are 1 kg for tonne-based projects and 1 g for kilogram-based projects.
  • Item movement and copying: corrected errors and hangs when moving or copying an item into a weight group containing an existing item.
  • Import values and mapping: corrected problems importing small numbers and automatic mapping of TCG_max (Y_max), which could previously map to TCG (Y).
  • Saved estimation choices: corrected method-set names, coefficient selections and renamed-method references in saved settings.
  • Calculated parameters and formulas: corrected saving standard deviations for calculated parameters and saving weight formulas that use parameter aliases.
  • Item editing and filters: corrected selection errors when combining filters with Change Field Values, restored editing of affected non-numeric fields, and avoided registration-date changes caused only by different numeric text formats.
  • Reports and calculated extents: corrected missing CoG values in report 4 and zeroing of TCG_max (Y_max) when applying re-estimated results.
  • Permissions: added permission checks in Auto Estimation.

Compatibility changes

The 14.1 series requires the corresponding database update. Changes include storage for re-estimation variants, additional estimation-setting values and database-backed report templates. The update script also checks keys on new tables.

Deprecated Creo-import functionality is hidden in the legacy import tab; the change list places the newer Creo import implementation in the ShipWeight Automation tool. Check the appropriate import workflow for your installation.