Quick start

1. Start at the home screen

Install and activate the app, then choose View, Edit, New DBC, Log Analyzer, or a recent file. Start with a DBC you know so you can check the definitions in context.

The work tabs preserve their selection, filters, scroll position, and session state when you switch away and return.

2. View tab: inspect a DBC quickly

Open a .dbc from View, select a message, and inspect its signals. Search by message name, signal name, or frame ID when you need a specific definition.

Check its encoding fields, units, values, and file metadata. Follow the viewer guide for the full workflow.

3. Edit tab: change structure safely

Switch to Edit to change a message or signal, or use New DBC to create a file. Check start bit, length, byte order, scale, offset, and limits after changing a definition.

The editor guide covers value tables, Integer / Float32 / Float64 types, and DBC attributes.

Inspect the payload layout

Select a message and inspect its bit layout. For a multiplexed message, use the filter to review the relevant signal group.

See CAN / CAN FD layouts and multiplexed signals for detailed steps.

4. Translate between German and English

With a DBC open, select Translate, choose From and To, and select the content to translate. Install the required language pack from Models if this is your first translation in that direction.

Review the result, save a separate revision, and compare it with the source. Follow the translation guide.

5. Compare tab: review changes

Open Compare, select Primary and Secondary, and choose Compare. Start in Side by Side, then use Unified or Structured when helpful. Work through the differences with previous/next navigation.

Follow Compare DBC files for editing, directional copying, and saving either revision.

6. Analyze ASC and BLF logs offline

Open Log Analyzer, load an ASC or BLF recording, and map the DBC definitions to the recorded channels. Filter the trace, inspect Unknown IDs, and review decoded plots and statistics.

The log-analysis guide covers the session workflow and current format support.

7. Compare and save editor changes

1. Make changes in Edit.
2. Select Compare & Save.
3. Review Original against Modified.
4. Select Confirm Save when the changes are ready.
5. Select OK on the saved acknowledgment to return to Edit.

The compare guide explains this review in detail.