i-net Crystal-Clear and i-net DesignerXML version 8.x requires at least Java 5.
In previous versions the file crystalclear.properties file was the storage for the properties of i-net Crystal-Clear.
Since version 8, i-net Crystal-Clear no longer uses a crystalclear.properties file but rather stores its configurations in the Java Preferences of the system on which it runs.
Version 8 contains a new Configuration Manager with which it is possible to manage the settings in the configuration. Also, it is now possible to manage multiple different configurations, e.g. for multiple instances of the report server or for testing purposes.
Note: Configurations can be created in the System or User scope. If you use the User scope then you should be sure that the server is running with the same user with which you created the configuration.
Starting with version 8 of i-net Crystal-Clear, it is no longer necessary to restart the Listener or application server after changing a configuration property - i-net Crystal-Clear automatically detects the change in the configuration and reloads the configuration the next time a report is requested.
In version 7 data sources were introduced in addition to the existing database DLL names to simplify the configuration of the database connections.
In version 8, the database driver DLL names have now been fully replaced with the data sources.
After a data source has been created, it can be used for multiple reports and can also be exported to the server running the i-net Crystal-Clear reports. If you would like to execute the report on another database just set the name of the new data source at runtime.
It is not necessary to configure the same database connection each time you create a report. Just select the data source at design time in the Connection Manager.
The properties for the database connection, e.g. host name, user, password, … need to be set only during data source creation. Data sources can be imported/exported in i-net DesignerXML and in the Configuration Manager of the i-net Crystal-Clear server (see above).
With report locations you can limit the locations from which reports can be loaded for execution. Only reports from the given locations and their subfolders will be permitted to be executed. This does not require any user information. The default option is that it is possible to open reports from all local (server) and file locations.
With report permissions it is possible to set access rights for specific users or user roles (groups). This requires the login information of the current user. There are 3 ways to receive this login information:
For more information please read the Security Guide.
i-net Crystal-Clear embeds static pictures, blobs, Java Beans and charts as pictures into the exported XLS file.
i-net Crystal-Clear Plus now offers the ability to export signed PDF files. Signatures guarantee that the PDF file has not been changed since its creation. Additionally it confirms the identity of the signer with more trustworthy certificates.
In the Configuration Manager it is possible to activate and configure the creation of signed PDF files.
Boxes span multiple sections, for example, from the page header to the detail area, now are displayed behind any elements which are in one section only. Unlike earlier versions, they no longer cover these elements. This now makes it possible, for example, to underlay certain parts of a report with a colored box. If these elements overlap other elements span multiple sections, it can be chosen which of these elements is to be in front and which in back.
Version 8 of i-net Crystal-Clear supports an entirely new Chart API (Chart2) with many new features and an improved look to the charts. It is highly recommended to switch to the new Chart API to take advantage of these new features. The old Chart API is deprecated.
You can continue to use the old API by setting the property “Compatibility Level” to “compliant to version 7.x” and making sure you only use old reports. Any reports saved with version 8 will not run with the old Chart API.
Charts with Continuous Axis
The group axis of the new chart types “Continuous Bar”, “Continuous Line” and “Continuous Area” is continuous and arranged numerically or by date.
Pareto (combined) Charts (charts with dual axis)
The i-net DesignerXML version 8 contains a new implementation of the “Chart Properties” dialog. To use this new chart dialog together with the Chart API of i-net Crystal-Clear it is necessary to use the new Chart2 API of version 8.
On the right side of the dialog it is possible to display a preview of the chart. The preview use default data for the chart.
The older “classic” Java report viewer of version 6 and older is no longer supported. If you did not migrate to the new Java report viewer in version 7, you will have to do so now in version 8.
i-net software strives to provide accurate product documentation. Please give us your feedback using the form below.
NOTE: This form is for documentation feedback only. For technical assistance, please send an email to clearreports@inetsoftware.de.
