General

Automatic file backup facility added. When a file is saved, the previous contents of that file (if one exists) is first stored in a backup file with the extension '.~pw'.

Default settings are now better suited to new and inexperienced users. Full control over the default settings is available for more advanced users.

A new tutorial has been added covering the creation of new components. It is available by choosing Tutorials from the Help menu.

Several buttons have been removed to simplify the user interface. The buttons removed are text tool, text spelling, navigation and drawing tools. Of these the text tool, text spelling and drawing tools are now available in the Author toolbar, whilst the remainder can be accessed via the main menu bar.

An option to automatically break any connected wires when a circuit diagram symbol is moved has been added to the Symbol tab of the Tools | Options window.

Flying wires now automatically include a curved bend resulting in neater and better looking designs.

Improved Gerber export

The Gerber export window now includes support for automatic solder mask generation.

Improved automatic component placement

Components are placed more intuitively in PCB Wizard 3.65 so you will find it easier to produce high-quality PCBs.

Simplified conversion process

To simplify the conversion process, users can now choose to skip all of the complex conversion settings. This is particularly useful for those using the software for the first time.

PCB Wizard 3.65 now automatically detects the complexity of the board and adjusts the default settings to suit. Simpler boards, for example, will be routed with thicker tracks and larger pads.

The PCB conversion window includes a slider to allow you to easily adjust the size of the board.

Interactive PCB routing

PCB Wizard 3.65 uses the latest technology to rip-up and re-route tracks as you move components, saving time when editing PCBs. To turn on interactive PCB routing choose Interactive Routing from the Tools | Auto Route menu

Improved netlist support

With PCB Wizard 3.65, automatically routed circuits can be unrouted and if required, routed again. As you move components around, any connected tracks and wires will be ripped-up and converted back into nets. To turn this feature on or off choose Auto Unroute from the Tools | Auto Route menu (it is enabled by default).

To permanently enable or disable this feature you can edit the PCBWiz.ini configuration file which is located in the Settings folder within the application installation folder. Change the AutoUnroute option in the [Layout] section to either 0 (to disable) or 1 (to enable).

Integrated integrity checking now ensures that accidental changes to the connections are avoided. It will detect many of the common mistakes, for example when one component is placed on top of another. It can be controlled by choosing Integrity Checking from the Tools | Auto Route menu (it is enabled by default).

Nets are now locked to their respective components, making it easier to edit circuits. If you wish to edit nets you need to turn off the Lock Nets setting in the Tools | Auto Route menu.

Locked nets can now be selected by holding down the Ctrl key whilst clicking on the net.

For more advanced users, PCB Wizard 3.65 lets you select which nets are automatically routed. You can, for example, route the power connections first using thicker tracks before going back and routing the signal connections with thinner tracks.

To route specific nets, select the required nets and then choose Route Selected Nets from the Tools | Auto Route menu.