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Electronic Toolbox News RF-Toolbox News

Electronic Toolbox Version 13 released

Electronic Toolbox Version 13 released

Finally, Version 13 of Electronic Toolbox and RF Toolbox have been released. 

With version 13, a lot of changes have been implemented. Several additional parts have been re-coded in Swift 5.0. Along with this, version 13 focuses on improved export capabilities and improved displaying of circuit diagrams inside Tools.

These are the changes of Version 13 in detail:

Additional iOS 13 compatibility

  • a new File and PDF Viewer has been implemented
  • iOS 13 page sheets are now supported
  • and several additional changes to support iOS 13 have been implemented
  • The minimal iOS Version requirement is now 10

Bug fixes

  • Bug fixes in the C-Plate tool
  • Bug fix of the Components tool which could only opened once
  • Due to the new PDF Reader, data-sheets will now rotate correctly
  • Printing from inside the Database tools (e.g. Transistors) now work correctly
  • A bug which prevents to import Online projects was fixed (basically an iOS 13 bug)

SamacSys tool

I found that this tool was underestimated in the past. It is indeed a very powerful tool to find information like specs, data sheet and pin-outs of literally any component. The tool is now called Comp. Search to better suit to it’s purpose.
 
I have also implemented some improvements to this tool.

 

Attenuator tool

This tool now also calculates backwards based on the selected E-Series

Tables tool

  • 3D Printing Filament types added
  •  Power over Ethernet POW Classes added

Circuits diagrams in tools

One of the larger improvements is the use of the internal Circuit drawing feature for the tool diagrams. This way, the circuits (e.g. for the OpAmp Tool) benefit from the following improvements:

  • Improved drawing quality
  • Resistors will now either be displayed in Zig-Zag US or IEEE Style (depending on the country setting)
  • Where possible, the circuits now show the calculated component values inside the diagram
  • All tools now offer Printing and PDF Exporting which also includes the circuit diagram

Circuit Editor

  • New Setting: “Adjust board to fit” under (File -> Board settings) allows to change the board size to fit the whole circuit so you don’t have to move components around if the board is too small.
  • Circuits can now also be printed
  • It is now possible to save circuits as PDF or sent them as circuit file via Email from inside the Circuit Editor

Improved File Viewer, Print and export capabilities

Either from inside the tools or from inside the File Viewer, content like the Tool results can now be exported as PDF as local file or printed

Other improvements

  • A new Tool SMPS for calculating Flyback Transformers for Switched Mode Power Supplies as been added
  • Several images have been re-created in higher quality
  • The Formulas tool has also been improved

In case of questions, issues or suggestions, please use the Support button inside the App of the Form on the website.

Thank you so much for your support.

Please let others know if you like this App to keep it going.

Thank you so much!

Best Regards,

Marcus


Categories
Electronic Toolbox News RF-Toolbox News

Version 12.0.6. of Electronic Toolbox fixes a problem with downloading Online Projects – UPDATE

Sorry, there was an issue when downloading online Projects with Electronic Toolbox for iOS (thanks again for reporting this Claude!).

This issue has now been fixed with Update 12.0.6.

That version also includes some additional minor improvements.

How do you like the new Windows Project Editor ? Two users already sent me their project files, created with this new App. I will add these projects soon to the Online Projects.

Best regards,

Marcus

UPDATE: If you are still experiencing an issue downloading an Online Project, please delete the App from your device and re-install the App from the App Store.…


Categories
App News - General News about my Apps Electronic Toolbox News RF-Toolbox News

It’s finally there: The Windows Electronic Project Editor

Some years ago, a user of my Electronic Toolbox asked me to add a Circuit drawing Tool. I was first a bit reluctant for this idea and didn’t believe that an iPad (not talking about an iPhone) is the ideal device for drawing Circuits. The lack of space (even on an iPad Pro) and the lack of a mouse with it’s pointer, hover and right-click possibilities will make it hard to draw Circuits on an iOS Device, even when using the Apple Pencil.

However, over time, more and more people asked for this so I started developing a Circuit Drawing Tool for my Apps. After several months of development time I found some of my assumptions confirmed but also found the Drawing Tool is better than anticipated. I finally ended up using it quite a lot for quick and simple drawings.

The Circuit Drawing Tool as well as the Project Tool have been improved over time. The Drawing Tool now Synchronizes Components seamlessly, in the Background with more than one Circuit and there is now a Cross Reference and Order List Tool and it is possibility to order Components directly from RS-Components.

Due to these improvements, I was using my Tools more and more often also realized that started missing a mouse for drawing and a larger screen.

That’s why I started developing the Windows Electronic Project Editor early 2018 and now, after 10 Months it’s finally available.

My goal was to have a Project Editor that is fully compatible with the iOS Project Tool of Electronic Toolbox and RF-Toolbox. Now it is possible to start a Project on the iPad and continue on a PC (or vice verse).

I intentionally developed this Electronic Project Editor as Windows Desktop App and not as so called Universal Windows App (UWP) or Mac App. The reason is, Universal Apps are basically Tablet Apps which can run on Desktop PCs, feel a bit like Desktop Apps but have a lot of limitations like limited Mouse support and the restriction on a single window. And regarding a Mac App, even though I have a fantastic 5K 27″ iMac and a MacBook Pro 2018 (which I think is the best Laptop available today), I am maintaining all my Electronic Files, Research and Software on my PC. The same is true for all my HAM Radio activities. I assume, with legitimate and honorable exceptions, most people are doing the same so I didn’t consider a MacOs App.

So for all of you, having the same demand for a PC Circuit Drawing Tool and Project Editor, please have a look to:

http://electronic-toolbox.com/electronic-project-editor

or the online manual:

http://go-to.me/projectedit-manual

or even the Windows Store:

https://www.microsoft.com/store/apps/9PDMN194448Q

 

 …


Categories
Electronic Toolbox News RF-Toolbox News

New Version 12 available

A new Version 12 is available for Electronic Toolbox and RF-Toolbox for iOS.

This version is just a small maintenance update which fixes a few very minor iPhone XR/XS/Max and iOS 12 issues.

Along with this update, I fixed a few minor additional issues that have been reported recently and I updated a few databases.

But there are exciting additional news coming soon!

Just a bit more coding and testing by myself and my dear Beta testers and something really exciting will be available to everybody.

I will reveal more, once there is something to show so please stay tuned.

Best regards,

Marcus

 …


Categories
App News - General News about my Apps Electronic Toolbox News RF-Toolbox News

New Version 11.30

The new iOS App Update 11.30 has just been released for Electronic Toolbox. RF- Toolbox and the Android/Windows versions will follow soon.

This Update contains the following changes and improvements:

Bug Fixes:

  • Missing Image (e.g. DB9 Female to RJ45 in Sockets -Cable connections) fixed
  • Wrong color assignment (e.g. in Tables -Cable Colors -Fiber Optic Cable) fixed.
  • In Circuit Editor, using the Trashcan Icon to delete files is now working

The following tools have been redesigned (Electronic Toolbox):

  • Arduino
  • Raspberry Pi
  • Beagle
  • TI LaunchPad

The following tools have been added in Electronic- and RF-Toobox:

  • Colors (for Color conversion between different standards)

The following tools have been added in Electronic Toolbox:

  • NanoPi
  • Orange Pi
  • Banana Pi
  • ODROID
  • Cubieboard
  • SparkFun

These Tools now contain more than 170 Boards, including offline quick reference, online access to data-sheets and images, all with seamless integration to the Project Tool.

PLEASE NOTE (iOS): All new Tools will always be appended at the end of the list. This way, you can easily see what’s new and this will also not mess up your customization. However, if you like to get all Tools sorted in the right (pre-defined) order, just head to the Organizer (Settings -> organizer) tap on the Action button […] at the top and select “Reset to defaults”.

I really appreciate your enthusiasm and contribution to my App.

Thank you so much!

Best regards,

Marcus…


Categories
App News - General News about my Apps Electronic Toolbox News RF-Toolbox News

New Version 1st of December – Manual available

First of all, thanks for your feedback regarding the Manual. Sorry if I can’t get back to all of you individually.

The Manual

Your feedback was quite different. Some of you prefer a separate online manual, some strongly voted for an offline manual since they use the App often when no or just poor internet connection is available. I now hope I will be able to address both of you. An online manual is now available which will cover basic usage of the App. It even contains some movies which would otherwise blow up the size of the App and it is even available as PDF even for printing (of course the movies will get lost then). Based on your feedback, most people trying to get used with the App and trying to learn how to use it prefer either an online or printed manual so they can read it side by side while trying the App.

On the other hand, I left all Help Texts of the individual Tools still available offline so they can still be opened from inside the App using the (i) button. I think that’s a good compromise and will allow me to add the improvements I wanted to introduce.

If you want to have a look already, here is the link to the english Manual which is almost finished: http://go-to.me/etb-manual. The German version will hopefully follow soon.

Now the good news:

Version 10 of Electronic Toolbox and RF-Toolbox will be available Thursday, December 1st – finally !

There was a lot of work to do for me but I am happy that it’s finally finished now.

Besides many other fixes, improvements and changes (see further below), there are the following highlights:

■ A Circuit Diagram Editor

Yes, indeed, you can now draw your own Circuits from inside the Project Tool. Even though I personally prefer to draw my circuits using PC Software (Eagle or DesignSpark PCB), many of you have asked for such a feature. It is currently quite limited (about 75 components) and lacks a few features I had to postpone for a later update (e.g. block selection with copy/paste and a few more components) but it’s working and most testers found it quite usable.

The Circuit Editor also contains a Sync feature which Synchronizes the Components with the Component list of the Project. This way, the Component list of the Project will be maintained automatically.

■ Project improvements

As Projects now play an even bigger role, I added several improvements. There is now an even better integration between the Tools and Projects. You can now jump back from a Component to the corresponding Tools. For instance, for a Resistor Component entry, you can directly jump to the Resistor Tool so see the color coding for that particular Resistor.

You can now search for (or manually add) a Manufacturer Part Number for Components. This way, I was also able to add a Datasheet Browser to search for millions of Datasheets. For instance, if you add an NE555 Timer Component to a Project, you can Browse for the MPN and select the NE555 from Texas Instruments. Next you can tap on Datasheet and will get the TI Datasheet for the NE555 which can also be added to the same Project as attached Document.

Also, the “Add to Project” feature has been improved further to allow to add the results of a Tool to be used for a Project.

■ Identifying Components

Several users asked me for a possibility to identify Components. Exactly this is the purpose of a new Tool. Here you can browse for a particular component (e.g. Electrolyt Capacitor) and will get some background information as well as pictures of various variants of Electrolyt Capacitors. But it is also possible the other way round, to browse pictures of components for identifying an available Component.

The database currently contains more than 100 Components and I am happy to add more upon request. So if you ran across a certain Component (given that it is not too exotic) which is not included, please feel free to send me the picture so I can add it – even if you don’t know what it is. Maybe I can figure it out.

 

Furthermore, the following changes were implemented:

■ The Sound Generator now allows to select the output device.

Sound can now be forced to the Speaker or can be sent to BlueTooth headsets etc.

■ The unfortunate Formula bug has been fixed
■ Several iOS 10 adaptions were implemented
■ The 3D-Viewer bug was fixed
■ Projects can now be shared via Email
■ 2-Digit SMD Codes were added

Electronic Toolbox:

■ Added Tool: TI LaunchPad
■ Added Tool: Audio Amplifier (1500+ Hybrid amplifiers with circuit diagram)

And finally, the aforementioned Manual has been integrated.

 

All for Free

As you know, I am no fan of In-App Purchases if they can be prevented so all of the above will be for free to all existing users.

I am considering a price increase as all developments, especially the Circuit Editor, required several month development time but again, existing users will get everything for free.

So, like always, as all your great reviews will disappear once the new version is out, please amend your review or add a new one to support me.

Thank you so much!

Best Regards,

Marcus…


Categories
Electronic Toolbox News RF-Toolbox News

New Data Update 9.02

A new data update 9.02. is available for Electronic Toolbox and RF-Toolbox.

This update contains the following changes and additions:

[su_list icon=”icon: check-circle” icon_color=”#464278″]

  • Additional Coax Types (Belden)
  • Mini-DIN Sockets added
  • HAM Radio RIG Socket Pinouts
  • Aviation Pinouts
  • Additional data and information for the packages tool
  • The Tubes had lost their Pinout images for some reason. They are now back, sorry.
  • Quite a few amendments and corrections for the existing databases

[/su_list]

A next App update is also already done and will be available soon.

Meanwhile, I’d like to thank you for your tremendous support.

I wish you and your Families a Merry Christmas and all the Best for 2016!

Best Regards,

Marcus

P.S. Many thanks for your feedback regarding my Windows Project editor. Thanks also for submitting your Projects. I hope I will be able to upload your Projects to the Online Projects soon.…


Categories
App News - General News about my Apps Electronic Toolbox News RF-Toolbox News

Updated Project Editor

prj-editor-v16

 

Thanks for your feedback to the Project Editor.

I have just created a small Project Editor update 1.06 with the following changes:

[su_list icon=”icon: angle-double-right” icon_color=”#464278″]

  • The recently introduced additional Components are now also available in the Project Editor
  • When selecting a Component, the Component symbol will now be displayed
  • The sample Project file and the few Sample Documents (including the two 3D objects) are now installed in the Project Document Directory in two separate Directories
  • The download and the code is now code-signed so you will no longer get scary warning errors when installing
  • The installation program is now an InstallShield .EXE file rather than a Microsoft MSI File
  • The Installer should now also install the .NET framework, if not already installed

[/su_list]

Based on your feedback, I am a little surprised that almost nobody is using iCloud Drive to synchronize Projects between your Windows PC and the Apps. I personally found it the ideal way to share Projects not just between the Windows PC and my Apple Devices but also between my iPads and iPhones and even between Electronic Toolbox and RF-Toolbox. Especially when using the Project Editor, it makes much sense to work with iCloud Drive.

The other options (DropBox, iTunes, email) are still possible but I found that too cumbersome and time consuming.

Don’t be scared, if you don’t like to synchronize your Photos or Keychain by using iCloud (like myself). You really don’t have to, when using iCloud Drive along with Electronic Toolbox or RF-Toolbox. You can use it solely to Synchronize your Projects files if you like.

All information, how to download Project Editor, how install and use it and even how to configure iCloud Drive can still be found on this page:

http://electronic-toolbox.com/project-editor-beta

I still appreciate your valuable feedback about the project Editor.

I am currently finalizing the next update of Electronic Toolbox which will be sent to Apple in a few days.

Thanks for your support.

Best Regards,

Marcus…


Categories
App News - General News about my Apps Electronic Toolbox News RF-Toolbox News

New Versions 9 of Electronic Toolbox and RF-Toolbox available now

The new versions of Electronic Toolbox and RF-Toolbox are available now.

These new App versions contain new tools, many feature improvements and of course some bug fixes.

A Optocoupler, Packages, Microstrip Mitre and PLL Loop Filter tool has been added. The App are now not just compatible to iOS 9 but also support the new iOS 9 features like Multitasking and Split View.

Also some great feature improvements have been implemented like the possibility to jump to the particular component from inside the component databases (e.g. from a suggested compatible/replacement component) or from inside the Project tool to lookup component pinouts or datasheets for components you are using in a project.

To read more about what’s new, just head to the what’s new page.


iPhone-1-e


Categories
App News - General News about my Apps Electronic Toolbox News RF-Toolbox News

Announcements

Some news and announcements regarding Electronic Toolbox and RF-Toolbox:

New Facebook page

Electronic and RF-Toolbox now have a dedicated Facebook Page.

The address is: https://www.facebook.com/electronictoolbox

Some users encouraged me to setup a Facebook page so that it is now easier to stay informed.

Windows Project Editor

As mentioned earlier, I developed a Windows Project Editor. This piece of software was basically developed for myself to create and edit projects on my Windows PC rather than breaking my fingers on the touch screen of my iPad or iPhone.

I thought that I should share this software with you rather then using it just for myself so I invited some of you for testing. The feedback I received from most testers (thank you!) was that the Project Editor is at least “usable” and doesn’t contain any major bugs that prevent it from using. So instead of finalizing this software I decided to release it to you so you no longer need to wait but please keep in mind, it is still beta. I will continue to work on this software once my next App Updates have been rolled out (see below).

You will find more information and the download link for the Project Editor here.

I am still interested in your feedback.

Next App Versions

Even though I sent out some Data updates, you may wonder when next next App updates will be available. I made the following decision:

Rather than releasing a new big update for both Apps, I will release smaller updates during the next weeks and months.

I already finished some very interesting new features, improvements and tools and am still working on some more. Some still need to be finalized and tested, some are already ready to be rolled out.

Instead of waiting until everything is completed, I decided to release Electronic Toolbox and RF-Toolbox in smaller pieces always whenever something can be rolled out. A few weeks later, I will then release a next version with some more features and so on.

The advantage is, that you, as a user, can benefit from the new features sooner. Also, I can directly and faster respond to possible bugs which can then be fixed immediately in the following release.

Disadvantage is, this is causing a little bit more overhead to me as every App Store roll-out is causing extra preparation and effort (sometimes debates with Apple if they claim the App doesn’t comply to a certain App Store guideline rule as happened lately).

Second, and to be honest that was so far one of my most important reasons for bigger updates, I will loose all your great App Store reviews with every update and I don’t want to push you too often to update your review on the App Store. These reviews are very important for the success of any App.

However, I think you will definitely benefit from smaller updates and so I will give it a try.

So during the next months, you can expect many updates with many new features and improvements.

I am really interested about your feedback.

Will keep you updated,

Best Regards,

Marcus…


Categories
App News - General News about my Apps Electronic Toolbox News RF-Toolbox News

New data update available

A new data update 8.10. is available for Electronic Toolbox and RF-Toolbox.

In this update I added the recently introduced BeagleBone Green board. This is a very nice addition to the BeagleBone family as it is available for a much lower price as it lacks of a few features such as a Audio and Video output which is often not needed for projects and made the other boards quite expensive.

Some other changes are some additions and corrections in the ICs section and I also added Copper Current Carrying figures to the AWD tool.

I also added several new Component types for the Project section of the App.

Upon request (many thanks!) I also added a CTCSS / NAC conversion table to the Tables Tool.

In addition, this update also contains many changes which are needed for the upcoming release I am currently working on. Hopefully I can finish it soon but there is still some coding work to do. I will keep you updated here.

The same update is available for both, Electronic Toolbox and RF-Toolbox.

Regarding your mails

I would like to mention something else here as well. I am receiving quite a few mails per day from you. Some mails with questions about certain features. Some mails with suggestions and some even with bug reports (fortunately not too many) and some even with general questions of various Electronic subjects not even related to Electronic Toolbox.

Every single mail is greatly appreciated. I am happy even to help in non App related Electronic questions as this may result in an additional idea for my Apps. I am glad anyway to communicate with people sharing the same enthusiasm to Electronics than I do.

However, sometimes when I am responding to mails I found that the sender’s email address does not exist (maybe due to a typo) or somebody – for whatever reason – doesn’t receive my answer mails. This happened recently with a Gentlemen called Pierre. He was using the form on the Website to ask his questions and tried a couple of times. I also responded a couple of times even from different mail accounts just in case. It still seems he didn’t receive my mails.

I am working through my mails every day, even on weekends and when on holidays. I am responding to and answering every single mail. Sometimes it takes a bit longer and sometimes I am quick (e.g. in case of bug reports). But everybody will for sure receive an answer.

So in case one of you didn’t hear back, please think twice if you may have used the form and probably entered a wrong email address or if my response ended up in your spam folder.

The email address issue could be prevented if you would use the support button inside the app by the way.

Its frustrating for both of us. For me after writing a long response and getting an email error or another email wondering why I didn’t respond. Or for you if you think why I am not responding.

But fortunately, this doesn’t happen too often but it happens and that was why I though I should mention this here.

Now getting back to my development work for the next update.

Thanks for your great support and your kind App Store reviews!

Best Regards,

Marcus…


Categories
Electronic Toolbox News RF-Toolbox News

Windows Project Editor – Anybody interested ?

While maintaining the projects you sent me (again many thanks!) I found it a bit cumbersome to edit the projects in my App, even on an iPad. This is basically because I am used to enter larger amounts of texts on a regular keyboard and also because I have most of the files that I like to attach to projects on my PC (yes, not my Mac).

I am happy, to carry the projects around with my iPad and even make some changes and additions but for the majority of work I like to use my PC or Mac.

For this reason, I developed a small Windows Program which can read, write and edit Electronic (and RF-) Toolbox Project files (.etb4prj).

So far, this program is really Beta and definitely contains some bugs but I am working with this software for quite some time now.

Here is a screen shot of the current version:

project-edit

So I am wondering if anybody else is interested in this program. Again, it is only available for Windows and should run on Windows 7 and newer.

If you are interested, just let me know by using the “Support” Button inside Electronic Toolbox or RF-Toolbox and you will receive the Beta Version.

Looking forward to your feedback.

Best Regards,
Marcus…


Categories
App News - General News about my Apps Electronic Toolbox News RF-Toolbox News

Version 8 is available!

Version 8 of Electronic Toolbox and RF-Toolbox available!

As announced, the version 8 of both apps is finally available on the app store.

This was again a bigger update with a lot of new features, tools, bells and whistles and of course, bug fixes.

The most important changes are:

  • 64 Bit support
  • iPhone 6 and 6 Plus support
  • Native iCloud Drive support
    • Share Projects between apps on different Devices
    • Share Projects between Electronic- and RF-Toolbox
  • iOS 8.x support
  • Introduction of online Projects
  • Introduction of a FAQ
  • New Tools
    • New Beagle Bone Tool (ETB only)
    • New Wheatstone Bridge calculator
    • New Truth table / Karnaugh table / logic formula conversion tool (ETB only)
    • New Frequency counter tool
    • New Logic tool (ETB only)
    • Balun Calculator (RF Toolbox only)

So there are now 77 tools in total in Electronic Toolbox and 60 in RF-Toolbox.

Some more details:

Tool Improvements:

  • Improved Coil calculation now with single- multi- ferrite-core, Tesla flat and straight wire
  • Introduction of scalable formulas. Formulas now look much better throughout the app and not so big anymore.
  • The sound Generator can now still run even when leaving the tool
  • The sound Generator now has a volume slider
  • A double-tap is now necessary to zoom images. No longer accidental image zooming
  • In the scope, the scale for FFT is now linear and easier to read
  • An FAQ has been introduced for common questions regarding this app.
  • Values from the Database tools such as the Transistors tool can now be added to projects and now includes all parameters as it already was for calculation tools
  • Bigger selection lists (e.g. for the color selection in the resistors tool)

Content changes:

  • Tube 807 pinout added
  • Raspberry Pi Model 2 added

Project improvements:

All Project maintenance screens have been improved. However, the most important changes here are the support for iCloud Drive and the introduction of Online projects.

iCloud Drive can now be used to keep your projects in sync between your different devices and even between Electronic- and RF-Toolbox. In the past, you had to export and import projects in order to transfer a Project from one Device to another. When switching on iCloud Drive in the app, Projects will automatically synchronized in the background.

Corrections:

  • Now global search will work again even when in Icon mode
  • Some NTC/PTC tool corrections
  • Some corrections inside the Sockets tool

And of course, several bigger and smaller design changes.

This again a quite long list of changes and improvements. However, some of you might miss something you asked me for but that was just one more update and there are more to come over the time. As usual, I am already working on the next update.

Please don’t forget:

As with every update, please don’t forget to rate this app as all previous reviews will disappear with an update.

Also, since there were many changes and even though there was a quite long testing phase, there might be bugs in the app. If you find a bug, just let me know and I will fix it quickly. Promised!

Thank you so much for your great support and suggestions.

Best regards,

Marcus…


Categories
Electronic Toolbox News RF-Toolbox News

Happy New Year 2015!

The recent data update for Electronic Toolbox contains several changes to many databases. The new app versions of Electronic- and RF-Toolbox are almost finished. Just a bit additional coding and some testing.

The new version will then also fix the searching issue which exists in the current version of Electronic Toolbox. (As a reminder: If you want to use global search for e.g. search for a BC107 without starting the transistor tool, you can enter BC107 in the top search fields. However, and that’s the bug, you need to switch from Icon mode to list mode in order to let searching work).

So stay tuned for further announcements.

Meanwhile, I wish you and your Families a Happy New Year and all the best for 2015!

Regards,

Marcus…


Categories
App News - General News about my Apps RF-Toolbox News

Version 7 of RF-Toolbox has been released

This is a new major release of RF-Toolbox. The development took quite some time as I re-coded huge parts of the whole app.

Basically, this release changes many things under the hood, adds many general features you have asked for quite often and fixes many small or even larger bugs.

As almost 70% of the code has been re-coded, I already apologize for any possible new bug which is not unlikely due to this amount of new code, even though I and a couple of Beta Testers have tested this release (many thanks to you at this point).

As always, please let me know about any bug ideally using the support button inside the app and I promise to fix any bug real quick.

Version 7 contains the following changes to the previous version:

■ UI Improvements
For compatibility reasons, previously I did use some UI Elements such as the Picker control in its old design or the old Keyboard and did not offer some other iOS 7 features even though the app was already compatible to iOS 7. This new release takes now fully advantage of iOS 7 and is now even already compatible to the next iOS Version. However, for this reason I had to drop backward compatibility to iOS 5 and 6. So with this new release, you will now have all the new iOS 7 improvements such as swiping lists to the right, to jump back, new animations, popover selections, new view and icon designs etc. but you have to use iOS 7 in order to install this release.

If you don’t want or can’t update to iOS 7, you can still use the existing Version 6 of the app as it will still be available on the AppStore for downloading and best of all, it will still get improvements via Data updates but the functionality can no longer be enhanced.

Amongst this, all tools have been revised to look and behave consistent.

■ iCloud and improved DropBox and iTunes support
DropBox and iTunes have already been supported to import and export projects. Now, Project import and export has been improved in many ways and iCloud has been added as another option for importing and exporting.

In Addition, app settings and your app customizations by using the Organizer can also be saved and restored to and from iCloud. This way, you can save your work after rearranging all icons to your individual requirements. Moreover, you can restore these settings to another i-Device if you own more than one device. This way, you can use your settings and organizer view consistently on all your devices.

■ New and improved action button
The action button now has a new icon and will now act as a real action button. It now always opens a popup menu with several options based on the current view.

■ New Grouped Tool view
For those of you, who got lost in the numerous tools the app now provides there is a new grouping option available. By selecting this option, tools will now be grouped by the following categories:

  • General Tools
  • Tools dealing with passive components
  • Tools dealing with active components
  • Conversion tools
  • Circuit tools
  • RF related tools

Except for the General group, each group will have it’s own unique icon. Grouping will work in Icon and List view. Regardless of whether you use groups, it is still possible to maintain the Icon location and even create more groups by using the Organizer.

■ Bug fixes and minor improvements
While working on each individual tool, I did also fix many bugs or added numerous improvements to several tools.

Again, many thanks for your feedback and please report any bugs you may find and rest assured they will be fixed timely.

Kind regards,

Marcus…


Categories
App News - General News about my Apps RF-Toolbox News

New RF-Toolbox update available – Happy Thanksgiving!

This RF-Toolbox update 6.08.01 includes the following changes and additions:

[su_list icon=”icon: check”]

  • Resistor/Capacitor/Inductor combinations tool

[/su_list]

This tool helps to create a certain value by calculating various combinations of serial or parallel connected components. This is especially useful if you can’t find a component with a certain value in your shack or if you need to create a value outside the E-Series standard.

[su_list icon=”icon: check”]

  • 4-20mA conversion tool

[/su_list]

This new tool converts values based on the instrumentation systems 4-20mA DC standard.

[su_list icon=”icon: check”]

  • Negative value entering

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For some input fields it was not possible yet to enter negative values. Now, the special keyboard has received a minus sign in the top bar.

[su_list icon=”icon: check”]

  • Support for oz/ft² (Copper Plating Weight in oz)

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Especially for the PCB trace calculation, thickness can now be entered in oz/ft² .

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  • Calculator degree / radian support

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The trigonometric functions like sin() and cos() can now calculate in radians and degrees and there is a new button which can be used to switch between these two. However, the degree button ° can still be used to convert values from degree to radians, thus when set to radians and calculating sin(45°) results in the same value as if the calculation is set to degree and entering sin(45) .

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  • Unit tool improvements

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The unit tool now remembers previously selected unit types and units.

And as usual, there were many other minor changes and corrections.

Some new tools are already under development.

If you find an issue, have a new idea or if you are missing something, just let me know. Please just use the Support button in my app or on the app store.

If you like to support me, please don’t forget to write or update your review as it is only valid for the current version.

Finally to all of you in the US Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families!

Thanks again for all your mails and support.

Kind regards,

Marcus…


Categories
App News - General News about my Apps RF-Toolbox News

RF-Toolbox data and app update

A new app update 6.07.01 and data update will be available tomorrow, Friday October 18th

The new app update adds the Desktop calculator that has been introduced recently in Electronic Toolbox.

Also, there is now a new Newsreader which should now offer news in a more reliable way. The newsreader also has some more features like the ability to not just mark news as read but also to delete them. Also you can see both, RF-Toolbox news and Electronic Toolbox news together in one app if you own both apps.

You will also notice a lot of design changes. Some users requested to adapt the look and feel to the new iOS 7 style with the flat buttons and more simplistic style. I hope everybody of you will like it. Initially, I personally was a bit skeptic so I was with iOS 7 but like iOS 7, I really started to love the new design and quickly adapted to the new look. So now I also like the new design of RF-Toolbox much better and it really fits better to the iOS 7 design.

There is also a major change in the way how input and output fields can be selected. These are the fields with the yellow arrow in front of it. They are now working consistently as follows:

  • If you decide that you like one value to be calculated (you like to get the results for that field), you just need to tap on the button in front of the field and the yellow button appears – this is how it was in almost all tools so far.
  • If you decide that you like to enter a value in a field that has been calculated so far (so it currently has the yellow button but no input box), you just need to tap on the result value (this is were you would expect the white input box) and if you tap on it, the input box appears and you can enter your value.

I think this is much more intuitive like before.

And like always, several additional things have been adjusted and corrected under the hood.

PLEASE NOTE: along with this app update, there is also a data update that is required for the app update. I will release the data update already but the app update will be available by tomorrow. Please don’t forget to install the data update by using the “Check for update now” button in the settings screen of the app. The order of the installation (data update or App update) does not matter.

Thanks again for all your mails and support and please be patient if not everything has been implemented yet – I am already working on the next version.

Kind regards,

Marcus…


Categories
App News - General News about my Apps RF-Toolbox News

RF-Toolbox update 6.05.01 and new data update

A new App update 6.05.01 and data update is available for RF-Toolbox

I almost thought that this new update 6.05.01 will never come out or along with the next update I am already working on.

This update is not just a preparation for iOS 7 but also contains the following new tools:

■ Passive cooling calculator
■ PTC / NTC Temperature Resistance conversion
■ AC Ohms law tool
■ Zener diode circuit calculation
■ Constant current source tool
■ ASCII Table

Some existing tools have been extended such as:

■ The OpAmp Tool now can also calculate an Instrumentation OpAmp circuit
■ The number system tool now also supports IEEE floating point numbers

With this update, it is also possible to copy output results (regardless if this is text or a number) by long-tapping the value. This way, you can easier transfer results from one tool to another or even to another App, a mail or notes.

Finally, as usual, many other things have been changed and corrected under the hood.

PLEASE NOTE: along with this update, also a data update has been released. Please don’t forget to install the data update by using the “Check for update now” button in the settings screen of the App. The order of the installation (data update or App update) does not matter.

Most of these changes will also apply to the next version of Electronic Toolbox but there is much more to come so stay tuned.

Thanks again for all your mails and support.

Kind regards,

Marcus…


Categories
App News - General News about my Apps Electronic Toolbox News RF-Toolbox News

New dedicated website – new ideas

New website

I must admit that I am really overwhelmed with emotions about some of your mails and App reviews. Many many thanks! This really helps me to keep up my work and inspired many new ideas. I wished I would have 48 hours a day to implement all of that much quicker.

As you may have seen already, there is now a dedicated website for Electronic Toolbox and RF-Toolbox and they are no longer part of creating-your-app.com.

This will better suit my future plans with Electronic- and RF-Toolbox. There is much to come over the next months so this new dedicated website electronic-toolbox.com (and .de) will allow me to better inform about these ideas in the future.

Thanks again for all your mails and support.

Kind regards,

Marcus

 …


Categories
App News - General News about my Apps RF-Toolbox News

RF Toolbox updates available

A new update 6.01.01 is available

Fortunately Apple has released my new Update 6.01.01 of RF Toolbox.

This update contains the following new tools:

  • An Antenna calculation tool
  • An Active Filter calculation tool

Also, two tools from Electronic Toolbox have been added:

  • A Wire ampacity or Cable length calculation tool
  • A Delta / Star calculation tool

In addition, the following improvements have been implemented:

  • Diameters can now also be entered in AWG (e.g. in the skin depth calculation)
  • In the Crosstalk tool, rise time can now be entered in time or frequency
  • Documents such as data sheets can now be opened and viewed in any other app on your device even in iBooks
  • Decibel values can now even be entered with negative values when the special keyboard is switched on
  • Resistor 1 of in the Voltage regulator tool can now be modified (again)
  • More accuracy (digits after the decimal point) for the Measurements tool

PLEASE NOTE, along with this update, also a data update has been released. Please don’t forget to install the data update. For this, just press the “Check for update now” button in the settings screen of the app. The order of the installation (data update or app update) does not matter.

If you find an issue, have a new idea or if you are missing something, just let me know. Please just use the Support button in my app or on the app store.

If you like to support me, please don’t forget to write or update your review as it is only valid for the current version.

Thanks again for all your mails and support.

Kind regards,

Marcus

 …


Categories
App News - General News about my Apps Electronic Toolbox News RF-Toolbox News

Update 6.00.06 is out for Electronic Toolbox and RF Toolbox

A new app update is available for both apps

This update contains the following changes:

  • For non-retina devices, there is now a new “small” Icon setting which is different to the “standard” which gives you back the Icon size as before if you prefer this size.
  • A more consistent and correct usage of the “mils” unit
  • Some corrections and changes for 3-Band resistors
  • Some corrections in the OpAmp tool, especially for the inverting and differential OpAmp calculations
  • Some corrections in the Attenuator calculator
  • Now, for iOS 4 devices, the “special keyboard” will be disabled automatically as this is not possible with iOS 4
  • Faster data update download
  • A new tool for SWG (Standard Wire Gauge)
  • And finally, EIA-96 coding support in the SMD resistor tool

Those changes apply to Electronic Toolbox as well as to RF Toolbox.

I am currently already working on some more change requests you sent me and also on some new tools that are hopefully about to come soon.

Thanks again for all your mails and support.

Kind regards,

Marcus

P.S.

I am still receiving questions from people wondering about the changes in Version 6. You can find more information here : Version 6 changes

Information about Electronic Toolbox can be found here: Electronic Toolbox Home

And Information about RF Toolbox can be found here: RF Toolbox Home


Categories
App News - General News about my Apps Electronic Toolbox News RF-Toolbox News

New Data update for Electronic Toolbox and RF Toolbox

A new data update V 1.24 is available for both apps

A new Data update 1.24 is available for Electronic Toolbox and RF-Toolbox which contains the following changes:

  • Corrected resistance per feet dimension in the AWG tool
  • Corrected formula for the RLC parallel and series tool
  • New sockets: Tascam, Yamaha/Apogee
  • Corrected circuit diagram for the differential OpAmp
  • and some other minor changes

Electronic Toolbox also receives new Translations for Portuguese and Italian. Many thanks goes to Rui from Portugal and OM massimo from Italy for their fantastic translations. Thank you so much.

During the last days, I already sent a new app update 6.00.06 to apple which contains some more changes and additions that required an app update.

Thanks again for your support, your help and submitting your findings.

Kind regards,

Marcus


Categories
App News - General News about my Apps Electronic Toolbox News RF-Toolbox News

RF-Toolbox released and Electronic Toolbox app AND data update available

RF-Toolbox available

News for today:

  • RF-Toolbox has been released
  • A new App update V 6.00.05 for Electronic Toolbox is available
  • And finally there is a data update for Electronic Toolbox available

First regarding RF-Toolbox:

This new app is specialized on high frequency electronics for RF professionals, radio amateurs and students. RF-Toolbox is based on my Electronic Toolbox, contains some of the common tools from Electronic Toolbox but contains a wide range of additional tools, specialized for high frequency electronics, RF professionals, radio amateurs and students.

Just checkout the features and screenshots on my website: creating-your-app/rf-toolbox or the AppStore : itunes.apple.com

New app and data update for Electronic Toolbox:

The data update V 1.23 comes along with a new app update V 6.00.05 so please check out the AppStore for an app update as well as pressing “Check for update now” inside the app (settings screen) to get the latest data update. The order of these updates doesn’t matter.

The data update includes new ICs as requested such as the MCP3204, the MCP3208 and the MAX7219. It also contains some more units for the measurements tool as well of some corrections (e.g. the OBD II socket).

The app update V 6.00.05 contains basically some corrections for the NE555 tool, where it was not possible to calculate based on a given time or frequency. Now, it is possible to enter either the time or frequency as unit in order to perform the desired calculation.

Also, the RLC tool has been revised so that either RL, RC, LC and RLC impedances can be calculated either in series and parallel circuits.
Finally, some information texts have been added to some tools.

Thanks again and kind regards,

Marcus

 

 …