Welcome to the ddcToolbox
A site dedicated to tools and utilities that support the creation and maintenance of programs and graphics for Alerton DDC systems.
Supporting EBT, ABS and Compass development environments.
Announcing Px Compiler
Announcing the Px Compiler – a utility program which adds enhanced graphic editing features to Alerton’s Compass software. Px Compiler allows one to embed 1 or more graphic displays inside of another graphic display. This simple, yet powerful, feature makes it possible to “nest” a display (or template) onto many other displays without relying on copy/paste. Read more on the Px Compiler page.
New ddcbar and ddcToolset Releases
Both ddcbar and ddcToolset have available on the downloads page new releases. Please note that these new releases no longer offer a perpetual license but are sold in software subscription form. The following list summarizes some of the new features.
- ddcbar adds auto In/Out-Tabs coloring based on BACnet point type as well as 2 additional colors to select from.
- Viewpoint has been updated to include device-manager database along with tabbed windows. Viewpoint now hosts the ddcBar Project Point Reference database tool which has also been improved.
- The subscription license now allows the account administrator to remove seats using the management portal.
- Upgrades may be available for existing customers who are covered by a current support coverage plan. Contact sales@ddctoolbox.com with your activation code to see if you qualify.
- Multi-user accounts who migrating to subscription are eligible for a free 1 year license for the Px Compiler program. See the Special Offer page for details.
Announcing Software Subscriptions for ddcBar and ddcToolset
ddcBar and ddcToolset have now converted to a subscription based licensing. The new license system allows multi-user/multi-computer support using a single code with end-user seat management now accessible using the account portal. Seat counts follow the perpetual license increments with an additional 2-seat level.
Multi-User
Multi-user licenses are available and can be purchased in the same seat levels as the perpetual products. Using the subscription licensing method now allows the license administrator to remove seats (users) using the management portal web site.
Single User
Single users can purchase a 1 or 2 seat license for work with multiple computers. Using a 1-seat license the user can deactivate the seat on one computer and activate it on another. Or they can purchase the new 2-seat license to work with multiple computers simultaneously..
Timed Licenses for Server Rooms
For those uses who need a license for offline installations (no internet access) there is a timed license available in the same seats counts as the subscription plans. These licenses allow you to purchase a 1-year and higher (in 1 year increments) timed access to use the software. You will still need to perform a 1-time offline activation for each seat which requires the end user to copy a file to a computer with internet access. Timed licenses do not allows the administrator to remove seats using the management portal.
Perpetual licenses will no longer be offered
Older perpetual license will no longer be offered but are fully supported with technical support. No new releases are planned although critical patches will still be applied as needed. To help migrate existing perpetual license holders who are still covered by a support plan there is available a upgrade path.
Updated Viewpoint and ddcbar Project Point Reference
Both Viewpoint and ddcBar’s Project Point Reference have been updated to improve their functionality. Viewpoint has been modernized to allow multiple open tabbed windows in 4 available pane layouts. Each windows can display a point database, a bactalk.mdb device manager file or a ddcBar Project Point Reference. The ddcBar ribbon command to open the project point reference now opens the Viewpoint program which in turn can load the project point database. If you are a licensed ddcBar user the Viewpoint program allows you to access a right-click menu to write point data to shapes in a Visio drawing window much like ddcbar’s Point Editor.
ddcBar Adds Auto Tab Coloring
ddcBar version 21.4.25 adds automatic In/Out-Tab coloring based on point type. Each BACnet point types can be assigned any of the 10 available colors (the 10 colors can also be user customized). A new ribbon command allows you to update all the drawings In/Out-Tabs with a single click.ddcBar monitors and changes the colors as you edit tabs or when a ddcBar process is applied to drawing tabs.
An updated installer for ddcBar 21.2.25 is available
ddcBar version 21.2.25 has been updated with a new installer build. This update fixes an issue with a number of drawing template with a corrupted Device-Settings shape.
February 2021 Software Updates
New software updates for ddcBar and the ddcToolset are available on the downloads page.
ddcBar
- Corrected issues in the ddc script engine where the sequence-devices and substitute-points options were being skipped.
- Changed the minibar window settings to correct issue with visibility on some Visio installations. Also corrected issue with window sizing in Visio 2013.
- Fixed issue where ddcBar could cause Visio to prompt to Save drawing when no edits were made.
- Added support in Point Editor for larger point data sets imported from the Device Settings shape.
- Html context help has been superseded by PDF manuals.
ddcToolset
- Minor maintenance release. No new features.
ddcBar Update Available
Version 20.12.10 of ddcBar is available on the Downloads page. This update includes the following items.
- Corrected issues with the import and export of the COV point data to remote Access and Excel point database files.
- Improved ddcBar load times when Visio starts.
- Improved support for loading multiple drawings from Windows file explorer or command line.
- Added ability to use a range of sequences in DDC Compare.
- Added support for Visio lines and rectangle shapes in DDC Script (some limitations on theme properties support).
Maintenance Release for ddcBar and ddcToolset Available
Maintenance releases for ddcBar and ddcToolset are available on the downloads page.
ddcBar v20.10.13
- This release contains the official support for the latest Alerton VIP-363-HOA_Builder.xlsm workbook (version 2.2).
- This release contains the official support for the latest Alerton VIP-363-VAV_Builder.xlsm workbook (version 2.1).
- Updated the user interface in the Building Controller Configurator for saving point descriptors. Fixed issue where the DEL key in any cell would always delete the descriptor text.
- Fixed issue in writing to Excel workbooks where No-Units was specified.
- Fixed issue where opening multiple files using the Visio file-open dialog would cause point editor to all use a single database.
- Added additional support for office theme colors.
ddcToolset v20.10.13
- Fixed issue in QDC where clicking on the Static-Objects tab would cause an exception error if the grid was empty.
- Fixed issue in DFC where an incorrect message about a missing license file would appear when the product was in fact licensed.
Update to ddcBar Virtual Machine License Extender
ddcBar version 20.8.25 is available with support for using the Virtual Machine license extender with the latest Softworkz activation updates. This release also includes updates to the Shape Update utility to fix an issue where duplicate master shapes would be skipped during the update process as well as an updated Compare utility that fixes an issue where the report listing would not show SUB-0.
Available on the downloads page.
Important Release of ddcbar and ddcToolset
Both ddcbar and ddcToolset have been updated with a new activation library which will fix the issue where Windows 10 updates were invalidating the license file. Applying these new releases should recognize your existing license. If after installing this new release your license becomes deactivated please try the activation process again using your activation code and current password.
Post Updated Aug 11, 2020
This release is no longer available for download. Use 20.8.11 instead.
Updated ddcBar 20.6.2 Release
The original release of ddcBar 20.6.2 included 2 VIP Access database which were for testing purposes only. These files can cause issues with the initial database open process where all point tables are disabled. This 20.6.2-r2 release includes the correct database files. You should upgrade if you are using VIP support in ddcbar.