E2studio 3.0 adds numerous plugins, features

Embedded designs keep getting more complex, but fortunately the tools for crafting them keep getting better. Renesas has just updated its Eclipse-based e²studio IDE to take advantages of the latest Kepler release as well version 8.3 of the Eclipse Code Development Toolkit (CDT). E²studio version v3.0 adds a number of new plugins and features that greatly expand the power of the program.

With 12 pages of release notes, it’s hard to know where to begin. A few highlights:

• New Visual Expression elements (Meter, sliders, thermometer)
• New waveform memory rendering
• New stack analysis plugin
• New device support (RL78, RX, RZ)
• Pin View for new devices
• Improved integrated code generation
• Improved Real Time Chart
• Easy project import from e²studio 2.0, HEW, and CubeSuite+
• Many improvements to installer, debugger, and UI functionality

The screen shot below highlights some of the new features of e²studio v3.0:

Renesas has just posted an excellent video that introduces e²studio v3.0, highlighting all of its features while building and debugging two demo programs that run on the RPBRX111 RPB. I downloaded the program, installed it, and followed the instructions in the video, which then became a hands-on tutorial. All I can say is I wish they’d had this video when e²studio first came out!

Whether you want to run the program in tandem with watching the video—for which I recommend having two monitors or at least a large screen—check out the video for a good look at e²studio v3.0 in action.