What's New at Fiberworks

Nov 11 2021	Good news and bad news: The good news is that macOS 12 Monterey does not seem to present any new problems for Fiberworks version 1.4.0 but USB connections to dobby looms still don't work. The bad news is that an update for macOS 10.15.7 Catalina causes Fiberworks to crash on launch. I have seen the crash reports, and they seem to trace to an error in macOS rather than Fiberworks. The remedy is either to update to Big Sur or Monterey (if you don't run a dobby loom) or roll back to Catalina 10.15.6.
May 28 2021	FTDI now report that they have a USB driver beta version 1.4.7 specifically for mac OS 11 Big Sur and 10.15 Catalina. Download from https://ftdichip.com/drivers/vcp-drivers/. FTDI USB chips are used in AVL Compu-Dobby IV, Little Weaver, Toika ES, Louet manufactured after 2014, Séguin and a number of USB-serial adapter cables.
May 27 2021	Fiberworks version 1.4.0 beta versions are interim versions that eliminate the stuttering when scrolling to view parts of the drawdown that lie off-screen. This was done by using sliders in place of conventional scrollers. To scroll, click and drag the button in the slider. The disadvantage is that sliders do not respond to swiping the trackpad or stroking the surface of a magic mouse.
May 20 2021	Silver version 1.4.0 beta is now available to download on the main Mac page.
May 18 2021	Bronze version 1.4.0 beta is now available to download on the main Mac page; Silver will follow in a few days.
Apr 14 2021	Prolific Technologies have released their USB driver v.2.1.0 for macOS 11 Big Sur: http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowProduct.aspx?p_id=229&pcid=41 Prolific chips are used in a variety of generic or "House brand" USB-serial adapter cables.
Feb 14 2021	Silabs have released their first USB driver (version 6.0) that works with Big Sur. https://www.silabs.com/documents/public/software/Mac_OSX_VCP_Driver.zip The Silabs USB chip is used in Leclerc dobby looms and in pre-2014 Louet dobbies. FTDI (used in AVL Compu-Dobby IV, newer Louet dobbies, Séguin, Toika and some USB-serial adapters) say "by summer". No news yet from Keyspan and Prolific (makers of USB-serial adapters).
Feb 12 2021	We have replaced the .dmg packages for current Mac downloads with .zip packages. This avoids the problem that .dmg contents are read only. This caused some users to get Mac error messages when they tried to Save files back into the package. The zip packages expand into a normal folder when the downloaded icon is double clicked.
Jan 17 2021	Big Sur introduced a new fast scrolling method; unfortunately it wants to scroll the entire window contents whereas Fiberworks wants to keep the threading, treadling and tieup in place, so Big Sur and Fiberworks are in a fight over what to do. There are several ways to deal with this, but it may take some time to determine the method that's most effective and easiest to implement.
Dec 3 2020	We advise Mac users of Fiberworks not to update to Big Sur at this time, especially if you run a dobby loom.
Sept 27 2020	macOS 11 Big Sur is on the way. Dobby loom users may want to be wary about the effect on third party USB drivers. Apple is also about to converge Mac and iPad to work under mutually compatible operating systems. However the change will only apply to new iPadPro and new Macs expected late 2020.
Sept 27 2020	The Thrilling Twills collection of weaving designs is now available as a free download.
July 2020	FTDI have now posted a new driver v.2.4.4 for their USB devices to work with macOS 10.15 Catalina. This is required for AVL Compu-Dobby IV, 4.5, Little Weaver, Louet looms manufactured 2014, Toika ES series and USB-serial adapter cables based on the FTDI chip.
Mar 18 2019	Bronze v.1.3.0 for Mac released - corrects a problem in Block Substitution that occurs with macOS Mojave and Catalina. This version is exclusively 64 bit and OS X 10.5 Leopard is no longer supported.
Feb 19 2019	Silver/Silver Plus v.1.3.0 for Mac released - corrects a problem in Block Substitution that occurs with macOS Mojave and Catalina. This version is exclusively 64 bit and OS X 10.5 Leopard is no longer supported.
June 27 2018	Mac Silver Plus v1.2.5 released - includes the Séguin loom.
June 13 2017	Mac Silver/Silver Plus v.1.2.4 released - - includes a revised protocol for AVL Compu-Dobby IV and 4.5 2017 or later
Feb 15 2017	Windows Silver Plus version 4.2.4.2 released - includes a revised protocol for AVL Compu-Dobby IV and 4.5 2017 or later
June 6 2016	Windows Version 4.2.4.0 released (Silver and Bronze for Windows) adjusts toolbar icons for high resolution screens and now includes the Séguin loom

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