February 2009
 
Envision – what's new, changing and over the horizon
   
What's next?
Welcome to the February 2009 edition of Envision, our regularly updated collection of insights, news and views from Altium.
As usual there's plenty of activity in the electronics design industry and of course, here at Altium. Find out how Bang & Olufsen is creating the latest in stylish consumer products, check out Altium's own super-cool JTAG adapter, and read about the path to rapid prototyping in today's competitive industry - plus more.
   
 
Expanding your horizons with rapid prototyping
   
Innovation Station
It's no secret that electronic design R&D activities can be ramped up by using rapid prototyping for exploring design possibilities and testing market trends. There are challenges with mainstream techniques though because of the inherent disconnected nature of most EDA tools.
Read about what's needed for ‘instant' rapid prototyping capability, and the advantages it delivers.
Read the full story
   
 
Creative freedom at Bang and Olufsen
   
B&O Serenata
The Innovation and Prototyping section at Bang and Olufsen needed to rapidly create prototypes while not restricting engineering creativity.
Find out how this respected manufacturer of unique, high high-end audio, video and multimedia products provided its 'Ideas factory' with the freedom to explore and experiment.
Read the full story
   
 
Altium events
 
See the next generation in electronics design at our events and seminars across the globe:
All upcoming events
Altium training events
 
 
Evaluate Altium solutions
 
Check it out for yourself. To help you quickly and efficiently evaluate the powerful capabilities of Altium Designer and discover its extensive feature set, we have a simple four-step evaluation process that allows you to see the benefits of Altium Designer.

Choose from a range of on-line demonstrations, book a live Web Conference session and request an evaluation license at the evaluation information page.
 
 
Episode I: Next Generation Electronics Design
 
Watch what happens when you rethink the electronics design process.
 
 
FEBRUARY TECH TIPS
Fast, or very fast 3D graphics – your choice
The winter 09 release of Altium Designer has introduced enhanced performance in the PCB design engine. It now uses less memory and runs up to six times faster. To help you exploit the power of 3D PCB design in the most cost-effective way, we've completed performance tests of commonly available graphics cards.

Interactive routing
– the power of one
Interactively routing a board is a highly iterative process, where you gradually transform the tangled ratsnest into a set of well-crafted routes. The winter 09 release of Altium Designer delivers a suite of interactive routing tools through the one, consistent routing engine.
 
JTAG adapters go cool!
Altium's stylish new USB JTAG Adapter allows you to fully experience the benefits of LiveDesign and interact live with your chosen development board, or product, via Altium Designer.
 
Meet the Envision team
There's real people behind the creation of Envision, and we've stopped hiding.
 
  
     
 
KEEP IN TOUCH No matter where you are in the development process, we're here to help.

Contact Altium in your region at www.altium.com/buy/contactus
COMMENTS Questions or comments regarding Envision? Email us at envision@altium.com

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