Dear SweepMe! users,
We are pleased to announce the release of SweepMe! version 1.5.7. This release focuses on maintaining stability and continuity while introducing some exciting new features. SweepMe! 1.5.7 is currently in beta, but we’re making it available for early adopters to try out in parallel with the existing 1.5.6 installation. This will allow you to transition smoothly to the new version without disrupting your workflow.
Key Highlights
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Free Add-on Module Download and Configuration: Add-on modules are additional components that can be integrated into SweepMe! to provide new features and capabilities for professional measurements and automation tasks.
You can now download Add-on modules for free without a license. Simply open the Version manager and download the latest version of the respective module. This allows to explore the capabilities of the Add-on modules, configure settings, and even place them in the sequencer. You can also create, load, and edit settings for Add-on modules in another environment, e.g. on your office computer.
However, running a measurement still requires a valid license. -
Interface for Remote Operation: The Interfaces for SweepMe! have left beta and are now available as a Pro Feature. Interfaces allow to communicate with SweepMe! remotely, like starting or stopping a measurement, or checking current measurement values.
Further Changes and Compatibility
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Python environment and compatibility: Version 1.5.7 of SweepMe! focuses on maintaining stability and continuity. This release aims to introduce no breaking changes, ensuring a seamless experience for users. The Python environment remains the same as in version 1.5.6, with Python 3.9 and the same python packages. This approach allows users to continue working with their existing configurations and scripts without requiring significant updates.
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No driver changes: Driver support in Version 1.5.7 remains unchanged from the previous version. Users can expect no changes in how they develop, download, and use drivers in SweepMe!.
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64bit only: SweepMe! 1.5.7 will only be available in 64-bit versions. However, users with older instruments for which the manufacturer only provides 32-bit SDKs can still use these instruments by utilizing the interface-proxy library available on PyPI which runs the instrument communication in a separate (32bit) pysweepme process. This library provides a compatibility layer, allowing users to continue working with their existing 32-bit instrument libraries.
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Settings: The settings for SweepMe! 1.5.7 are compatible with those of version 1.5.6. Users can seamlessly transition between the two versions without requiring changes.
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Pro Features: Version 1.5.7 introduces Pro Features, a new set of advanced capabilities exclusively for SweepMe! Pro subscribers. These features go beyond the scope of a simple measurement and are designed to provide additional comfort and functionality. Pro Features offer a more comprehensive and advanced user experience, allowing users to unlock new possibilities and streamline their workflow. As a subscriber of SweepMe! Pro, you will gain access to these exclusive features, enabling you to take your measurements to the next level and get the most out of SweepMe!
Switching to SweepMe! 1.5.7 - Important considerations for SweepMe! 1.5.6 Users:
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Parallel Installation: When installing SweepMe! 1.5.7, it will be installed in parallel to an existing 1.5.6 installation. This means you can continue to use version 1.5.6 while experimenting with the new features in 1.5.7. We recommend keeping both versions installed until you’re satisfied that 1.5.7 is working as expected for your needs.
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Module Compatibility: Add-on Modules for SweepMe! Version 1.5.7 need to be downloaded from the Version Manager. This is because the module format has been updated to accommodate the new features and changes in Version 1.5.7. If you plan to use both SweepMe! 1.5.6 and 1.5.7 in parallel, it is essential to update to SweepMe! 1.5.6.29, which includes a necessary bug fix addressing incompatibility issues between new modules and older SweepMe! versions.
You can download and install SweepMe! 1.5.7 from our website or click on Help & Info → Upgrade in the SweepMe! menu and select version 1.5.7 from the version dropdown.
We appreciate your feedback and look forward to hearing about your experiences with SweepMe! 1.5.7.