PCB Design Tool Update Improves Mechanical-Electrical 3D Integration

Electronic design automatoin software provider Pulsonix has launched Pulsonix 14.0, its latest PCB design software platform. According to the company, the update strengthens simulation and enhances mechanical-electrical 3D integration, comparison tools, and usability features.

Updates in Pulsonix 14.0 include:

PulsonixSim - Fully Integrated ngspice-based Simulator
PulsonixSim is a new simulation option built on the ngspice engine and tightly integrated into the Pulsonix schematic environment. It allows designers to attach models, place stimuli and run mixed-mode SPICE analysis, including transient, AC, DC, Monte Carlo, noise, transfer functions, and more, all without leaving the design environment and utilizing the same library used for design and PCB layout. Simulation results can be plotted to full screen graph windows or local 'in-design' graphs.

3D Flexi Bend & Clipping Plane Enhancements
A new "lift-off" state for Flexi bend regions allows the flexible portion of the board to originate inside existing boundaries rather than exiting the board edge. The bend region transforms adaptively based on bend-radius parameters.

Additionally, a 3D clipping plane feature lets users selectively hide parts of the design along X, Y or Z axes (and reverse clipping direction) to inspect internal layers or buried elements more effectively.

Interactive HTML BOM & Graphical Comparison Tools
Pulsonix 14.0 supports the Interactive HTML BOM option that exports design and BOM data into a searchable, browser-friendly HTML format.

The Symbol / Footprint Compare and Design Revision Analyser tools highlight differences between design versions or symbols, either in dialog view or using overlaid graphics with dimming/lowlighting.

Usability Upgrades & Window Workflow
The user interface sees multiple enhancements: tear-off windows, dock bars, “find in dialog grids,” and faster category switching to streamline navigation and reduce friction when working with large designs or complex dialogs.

Circular Hatching Style
Pulsonix 14 adds a circular hatching style alongside traditional linear hatching. Circular hatching reduces sharp corner effects during etching, which helps minimise impedance variation for tracks adjacent to hatched copper zones

Major Update to Scripting and Automation
Version 14.0 replaces the legacy ActiveX automation system with a completely re-engineered, modern scripting framework developed in-house by Pulsonix. The new scripting environment provides greater flexibility, improved security, faster execution, and direct access to more Pulsonix objects and functions. Users can now automate complex design operations, customise workflows, and build bespoke productivity tools using industry-standard scripting languages.

Vault Integration & Version Control Enhancements
Vault improvements in Version 14 include visual thumbnail previews of items, “synchronise selected items” folder path alignment, definable permissions, Spice Model and Formal files in Vault and type-specific revision naming schemes - helping design teams maintain data integrity and traceability.

“Version 14.0 represents our commitment to evolve Pulsonix in step with real user needs,” said Bob Williams, Marketing Director. “By deepening simulation, enhancing 3D inspection, and refining workflows, we believe 14.0 gives engineers a more powerful, cohesive tool - helping them to confidently deliver complex, high-performance electronics designs.”

Pulsonix Version 14.0 is available now. Learn more about the new features and enhancements by visiting www.pulsonix.com/latestversion.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.