We analyzed the use of Flash components by our customers and concluded that, compared to other technologies, very few of them use Flash. We decided to completely stop supporting Flash, optimize the set of our components, and focus on different platforms that are popular now.
Adobe Flash is an Adobe Systems multimedia platform for creating animated rich web applications and multimedia presentations. The main features are fast work, the identical appearance, and functionality of a ready solution on any computer and operating system.
The first version of Stimulsoft reporting components using Flash was released over 10 years ago - in October 2008. Since then, we have continuously been developing components for designing reports, filling them with functionality, and expanding capabilities. In September 2013, Adobe stopped releasing Flash updates for mobile devices, and in July 2017 recognized the technology as obsolete. The Flash life cycle went to an end in 2019, it was replaced by promising HTML5 and JavaScript technologies. Around this time, our company stopped updating Flash components – patches with only important updates and critical bug fixes were released.
Starting with version 2020.3, all reporting components that use Flash technology will be marked as obsolete. In version 2020.4, we plan to remove these components from all our products. As an alternative, we recommend using HTML5 and JavaScript components that almost completely cover all the functionality of outdated Flash technology, are continually being improved, support dashboards, and work on mobile devices.
Below is a list of obsolete components and options on which we recommend to replace:
Adobe Flash is an Adobe Systems multimedia platform for creating animated rich web applications and multimedia presentations. The main features are fast work, the identical appearance, and functionality of a ready solution on any computer and operating system.
The first version of Stimulsoft reporting components using Flash was released over 10 years ago - in October 2008. Since then, we have continuously been developing components for designing reports, filling them with functionality, and expanding capabilities. In September 2013, Adobe stopped releasing Flash updates for mobile devices, and in July 2017 recognized the technology as obsolete. The Flash life cycle went to an end in 2019, it was replaced by promising HTML5 and JavaScript technologies. Around this time, our company stopped updating Flash components – patches with only important updates and critical bug fixes were released.
Starting with version 2020.3, all reporting components that use Flash technology will be marked as obsolete. In version 2020.4, we plan to remove these components from all our products. As an alternative, we recommend using HTML5 and JavaScript components that almost completely cover all the functionality of outdated Flash technology, are continually being improved, support dashboards, and work on mobile devices.
Below is a list of obsolete components and options on which we recommend to replace:
| Product and Platform | from Flash | to HTML5 |
|---|---|---|
| Stimulsoft Reports.Web ASP.NET |
StiWebViewerFx StiWebDesignerFx |
StiWebViewer StiWebDesigner |
| Stimulsoft Reports.Web ASP.NET MVC |
StiMvcViewerFx StiMvcDesignerFx |
StiMvcViewer StiMvcDesigner |
| Stimulsoft Reports.Web .NET Core MVC |
StiNetCoreViewerFx StiNetCoreDesignerFx |
StiNetCoreViewer StiNetCoreDesigner |
| Stimulsoft Reports.PHP PHP |
ViewerFx_PHP DesignerFx_PHP |
StiViewer StiDesigner |
| Stimulsoft Reports.Java Java |
StiViewerFx StiDesignerFx |
StiWebViewer StiWebDesigner |
From the version 2019.4.1, we added support for HiDPI in the standalone report designer. The report designer automatically adapts to the scaling set in the system. However, sometimes when you change the scaling in the system, the report designer does not automatically ajust to new parameters. In this case, you should check the settings in the report designer and file or add a scaling code to your application.
Please note that after setting a new value for scaling, you must reboot the operating system. Follow the instructions below, if this does not occur after the automatic adaptation of the designer.
Please note! After setting a new scale value, you must reboot the operating system. If, after the automatic adaptation of the designer, the new scale was not applied, follow the instructions below.
Designer Settings
First, check the settings in the report designer:
Step 1 - Download and install Stimulsoft designer version 2019.4.1 or higher;
Step 2 - Run the report designer;
Step 3 - Call the Options window by selecting the Parameters item in the File menu;
Step 4 - Set the Scale Mode parameter to Automatic Scaling;
Step 5 - Click OK in the Options window;
Step 6 - Restart report designer.
File settings
If automatic scaling is set in the report designer, but automatic adaptation does not occur, you should check the application settings:
Step 1 - In the Explorer, open the folder with the report designer installed. By default, the folder path is c:\ProgramFiles (x86)\Stimulsoft Designer\.
Step 2 - Call the properties window of the Designer.exe file. Right-click the file name and select Properties.
Step 3 - Go to the Compatibility tab in the Property window;
Step 4 - Click the Change high DPI settings button;
Step 5 - Uncheck all options with the current window;
Step 6 - Click the OK button in the current window;
Step 7 - Click the Apply button in the Designer Properties window;
Step 8 - Click the OK button in the Designer Properties window.
Step 9 - Run the Designer.exe.
Code for application
If you use our designer in your application, you should add the following line at the very beginning of the code:
Stimulsoft.Report.Win.StiDpiAwarenessHelper.SetPerMonitorDpiAware();
If this instruction does not help to adapt the designer to the system scale, contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Be sure to indicate the following:
- The version of the designer,
- The version of the operating system,
- The scale value in the OS.
Please note that after setting a new value for scaling, you must reboot the operating system. Follow the instructions below, if this does not occur after the automatic adaptation of the designer.
Please note! After setting a new scale value, you must reboot the operating system. If, after the automatic adaptation of the designer, the new scale was not applied, follow the instructions below.
Designer Settings
First, check the settings in the report designer:
Step 1 - Download and install Stimulsoft designer version 2019.4.1 or higher;
Step 2 - Run the report designer;
Step 3 - Call the Options window by selecting the Parameters item in the File menu;
Step 4 - Set the Scale Mode parameter to Automatic Scaling;
Step 5 - Click OK in the Options window;
Step 6 - Restart report designer.
File settings
If automatic scaling is set in the report designer, but automatic adaptation does not occur, you should check the application settings:
Step 1 - In the Explorer, open the folder with the report designer installed. By default, the folder path is c:\ProgramFiles (x86)\Stimulsoft Designer\.
Step 2 - Call the properties window of the Designer.exe file. Right-click the file name and select Properties.
Step 3 - Go to the Compatibility tab in the Property window;
Step 4 - Click the Change high DPI settings button;
Step 5 - Uncheck all options with the current window;
Step 6 - Click the OK button in the current window;
Step 7 - Click the Apply button in the Designer Properties window;
Step 8 - Click the OK button in the Designer Properties window.
Step 9 - Run the Designer.exe.
Code for application
If you use our designer in your application, you should add the following line at the very beginning of the code:
Stimulsoft.Report.Win.StiDpiAwarenessHelper.SetPerMonitorDpiAware();
If this instruction does not help to adapt the designer to the system scale, contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Be sure to indicate the following:
- The version of the designer,
- The version of the operating system,
- The scale value in the OS.
We are pleased to announce the release of the new version Stimulsoft Reports and Dashboards 2020.2, which is now available for download. This release comes with some updates including optimizations in the Region Map and two new chart types - Waterfall and Sunburst.
Waterfall chart
In this release, we have added a new type of chart - Waterfall. Now you can use it to analyze data. A waterfall chart is used to display a running total when you add or remove values.
Sunburst Chart
Now you can use the new hierarchical Sunburst chart to design dashboards. Each level of the hierarchy is represented by one ring or circle, and its top is the circle closest to the center.
Scaling of Regional Map
In the new version, we have optimized the Region Map element in dashboards, and also added the ability to scale and drag the map. So now you can focus even on small geographic objects.
Overall result for the Stacked Area chart
Also, in the current release, we have added the ability to display the total for each argument in the Stacked Area chart of a dashboard. The overall total is the sum of all the values of a specific argument in the chart.
Dark Green theme for dashboards
In addition, in the 2020.2 release we added a new theme for the dashboards and its elements. To apply a new style, select the dashboard and select the Dark Green theme from the styles menu.
Waterfall chart
In this release, we have added a new type of chart - Waterfall. Now you can use it to analyze data. A waterfall chart is used to display a running total when you add or remove values.
Sunburst Chart
Now you can use the new hierarchical Sunburst chart to design dashboards. Each level of the hierarchy is represented by one ring or circle, and its top is the circle closest to the center.
Scaling of Regional Map
In the new version, we have optimized the Region Map element in dashboards, and also added the ability to scale and drag the map. So now you can focus even on small geographic objects.
Overall result for the Stacked Area chart
Also, in the current release, we have added the ability to display the total for each argument in the Stacked Area chart of a dashboard. The overall total is the sum of all the values of a specific argument in the chart.
Dark Green theme for dashboards
In addition, in the 2020.2 release we added a new theme for the dashboards and its elements. To apply a new style, select the dashboard and select the Dark Green theme from the styles menu.
We are pleased to announce the release of the new version Stimulsoft Reports and Dashboards 2020.1, which is now available for download. This major release comes with .NET Core 3.0 support, significant updates in Maps, two new adapters - Data.World and Quickbooks.
Support for .NET Core 3.0
Starting with the version 2020.1, we have added support for the .NET Core 3.0 platform for Stimulsoft Reports.Web and Stimulsoft Dashboards.WEB. It is enough to install or update the appropriate NuGet package to the latest available version, and the components are ready to work. The packages are universal and support the frameworks .NET Standard 2.0 and .NET Standard 2.1, which guarantee the application runs on various operating systems. We also added support for .NET Core 3.0 for WPF and WinForms components, which are part of Stimulsoft Reports.Net, Stimulsoft Reports.Wpf and Stimulsoft Dashboards.WIN. Now you can create, edit and view reports and dashboards in .NET Core desktop applications.
Mobile mode of editing
In the new version, we have added a mobile editing mode for WinForms and HTML5 dashboard designers. Go to the Page tab in the dashboard designer and click the Mobile button. All elements and components will be displayed in a separate window Components. Just drag and drop the necessary items to the dashboard panel and save the changes. In the viewer, the mobile mode will be activated automatically when the width of the device is reduced to a specific value.
Online Heatmap
In the new version, we have added the ability to use the Heat mode in the online map on the dashboard panel in Dashboards.WIN. Set the Heatmap mode and configure this mode in the element editor.
Search for reports from the File menu
In the new version, you may search and download our sample reports and dashboards from the File menu in the WinForms report designer. Based on the downloaded templates, you can design your reports and dashboards. Most examples are located in Stimulsoft Cloud and are not built in the report designer.
New Data.World Adapter
Starting with this release, you can connect to the Data.World online storage and exchange service from the WinForms report designer. To do this, in the window for creating a data source, select the Data.World type, specify the data access to the data storage, or use the authorization dialog. After retrieving the data, you can create reports and dashboards based on them.
New QuickBooks Adapter
Now, in the WinForms report designer, you can connect to the QuickBooks online accounting service. In the window for creating a data source, select the QuickBooks type, specify access data to this service, or use the authorization dialog. After retrieving the data, you can create reports and dashboards based on them.
The new wizard
We have added a wizard to retrieve data in the WinForms report designer. You may use this wizard to make a first data connection or download Stimulsoft Demo Data. To run the Get Data wizard, select the Get Data command in the New item of the File menu.
New Adapters in .NET Core
In 2020.1, we have added new data adapters - ODBC and OLE DB. Now you can retrieve data using these adapters from the storage. In the window for creating a data source, select the ODBC and OLE DB type, specify the connection string to the data storage, and select the data tables. After retrieving the data, you can design reports and dashboards based on these tables.
New maps
We have prepared two new maps – a map of France by regions and a map of France by departments. Put the Map component in the report or Region Map to the dashboard panel and type France in the map selection window. Use these types of maps in reports and dashboards design.
Chart legend settings
In this release, we expanded the chart legend settings and added the functionality to customize the number of legend columns and their sorting. Select the chart, and in the properties panel, open the Legend settings group. Using the Columns property, you can set the required number of columns in the legend, and using the Direction property, specify the order in which they are filled.
Support for .NET Core 3.0
Starting with the version 2020.1, we have added support for the .NET Core 3.0 platform for Stimulsoft Reports.Web and Stimulsoft Dashboards.WEB. It is enough to install or update the appropriate NuGet package to the latest available version, and the components are ready to work. The packages are universal and support the frameworks .NET Standard 2.0 and .NET Standard 2.1, which guarantee the application runs on various operating systems. We also added support for .NET Core 3.0 for WPF and WinForms components, which are part of Stimulsoft Reports.Net, Stimulsoft Reports.Wpf and Stimulsoft Dashboards.WIN. Now you can create, edit and view reports and dashboards in .NET Core desktop applications.
Mobile mode of editing
In the new version, we have added a mobile editing mode for WinForms and HTML5 dashboard designers. Go to the Page tab in the dashboard designer and click the Mobile button. All elements and components will be displayed in a separate window Components. Just drag and drop the necessary items to the dashboard panel and save the changes. In the viewer, the mobile mode will be activated automatically when the width of the device is reduced to a specific value.
Online Heatmap
In the new version, we have added the ability to use the Heat mode in the online map on the dashboard panel in Dashboards.WIN. Set the Heatmap mode and configure this mode in the element editor.
Search for reports from the File menu
In the new version, you may search and download our sample reports and dashboards from the File menu in the WinForms report designer. Based on the downloaded templates, you can design your reports and dashboards. Most examples are located in Stimulsoft Cloud and are not built in the report designer.
New Data.World Adapter
Starting with this release, you can connect to the Data.World online storage and exchange service from the WinForms report designer. To do this, in the window for creating a data source, select the Data.World type, specify the data access to the data storage, or use the authorization dialog. After retrieving the data, you can create reports and dashboards based on them.
New QuickBooks Adapter
Now, in the WinForms report designer, you can connect to the QuickBooks online accounting service. In the window for creating a data source, select the QuickBooks type, specify access data to this service, or use the authorization dialog. After retrieving the data, you can create reports and dashboards based on them.
The new wizard
We have added a wizard to retrieve data in the WinForms report designer. You may use this wizard to make a first data connection or download Stimulsoft Demo Data. To run the Get Data wizard, select the Get Data command in the New item of the File menu.
New Adapters in .NET Core
In 2020.1, we have added new data adapters - ODBC and OLE DB. Now you can retrieve data using these adapters from the storage. In the window for creating a data source, select the ODBC and OLE DB type, specify the connection string to the data storage, and select the data tables. After retrieving the data, you can design reports and dashboards based on these tables.
New maps
We have prepared two new maps – a map of France by regions and a map of France by departments. Put the Map component in the report or Region Map to the dashboard panel and type France in the map selection window. Use these types of maps in reports and dashboards design.
Chart legend settings
In this release, we expanded the chart legend settings and added the functionality to customize the number of legend columns and their sorting. Select the chart, and in the properties panel, open the Legend settings group. Using the Columns property, you can set the required number of columns in the legend, and using the Direction property, specify the order in which they are filled.
We are pleased to announce that, starting with version 2019.4.2, we added support for the .NET Core 3.0 platform for the products Stimulsoft Reports.Web and Stimulsoft Dashboards.WEB. You need to only install or update the appropriate NuGet package to the latest available version, and the components are ready to work:
Stimulsoft.Reports.Web.NetCore
Stimulsoft.Dashboards.Web.NetCore
The packages are universal and support for the .NET Standard 2.0 and the .NET Standard 2.1 frameworks that guarantee the work of the application on various operating systems.
Besides, our team is already on the finish line to add WPF components, which support .NET Core 3.0, and soon we will inform you about their availability. First of all, we expect a component to view reports in your .NET Core applications.
Stimulsoft.Reports.Web.NetCore
Stimulsoft.Dashboards.Web.NetCore
The packages are universal and support for the .NET Standard 2.0 and the .NET Standard 2.1 frameworks that guarantee the work of the application on various operating systems.
Besides, our team is already on the finish line to add WPF components, which support .NET Core 3.0, and soon we will inform you about their availability. First of all, we expect a component to view reports in your .NET Core applications.