# Flux April 2026 release: upgrades that make a real difference Flux April 2026 release: faster editing, true 1:1 scale, Eagle & PADS imports, smarter AI, and easier part creation for PCB designers. Written by [Nico Tzovanis](https://www.flux.ai/nico) Published Apr 2026 - 3 min read ![Flux April 2026 release: upgrades that make a real difference](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/april-2026-updates/main.webp) If you’ve been using Flux week to week, you’ve probably noticed a steady drumbeat of small changes. This release is a snapshot of what we shipped across January to March, the concrete stuff that makes designing in Flux faster, more reliable, and a little less fiddly. ## Core EDA improvements ![](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/flux-april-2026-release-upgrades-that-make-a-real-difference/frame-2.webp) ### Accuracy: calibrate screen size (true 1:1 scale) You can now calibrate your screen so components and projects appear at real-world physical scale. ***Why it matters:*** when you’re working in tight mechanical constraints (enclosures, board outlines, connector placement), “close enough” on-screen scale is still friction. Getting to true 1:1 helps you make better placement decisions faster. ### Editor speed: faster editing + undo/redo We made the editor more responsive and improved undo/redo performance. ***Why it matters:*** when you’re iterating quickly, latency breaks flow. This is the kind of improvement you feel constantly, even if it’s hard to point to one “feature.” ### PCB Layout workflow: Layout Rules panel in the Inspector We added a dedicated Layout Rules panel in the Inspector. ***Why it matters:*** rules and constraints are easier to discover and adjust when they’re surfaced where you’re already working. This shortens the loop between “what’s going wrong?” and “fix it.” ### Pads/Silk etc. can now be placed directly from the PCB editor canvas ***Why it matters:*** It enables a faster and more natural workflow, simply place vias, pads, and silkscreen features right from the context menu accessible by right clicking on the PCB canvas. ## Interoperability: importing existing designs ![](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/flux-april-2026-release-upgrades-that-make-a-real-difference/frame-1.webp) ### Import Eagle into editable schematics You can import Eagle schematic files (.sch) into Flux and keep them editable. ***Why it matters:*** migration is only useful if you can keep working once you land. This makes Flux a more practical option for teams with real legacy designs. ### Import PADS ASCII footprints Flux now supports importing PADS ASCII footprints. ***Why it matters:*** footprints are often the blocker when moving between tools. Every new import path reduces busywork and makes it easier to reuse what you already trust. ## AI improvements ![](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/flux-april-2026-release-upgrades-that-make-a-real-difference/frame-3.webp) ### AI Agent: more reliable, longer conversations We improved Flux Chat’s ability to stay stable and usable in longer threads. ***Why it matters:*** when an assistant loses context (or becomes slow) mid-task, it’s not just annoying — it breaks the workflow. The goal here is: you should be able to keep going without “resetting” the conversation. ### Simulator: chats stay responsive on long threads We made simulator chats stay responsive as threads get longer. ***Why it matters:*** simulation is iterative. You shouldn’t have to restart the loop just because you’ve been working for a while. ### AI Agent: better “hands-off” finishing AI Agent now does more cleanup work automatically before it finishes. ***Why it matters:*** the best automation removes the boring steps without you having to babysit it. This is one of those changes that turns “AI could help here” into “AI did help here.” ## Part Creation Improvements ![](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/flux-april-2026-release-upgrades-that-make-a-real-difference/frame-7.webp) ### Place pins on top and bottom of parametric symbols Flux now supports the placement of pins on top and bottom of parametric pins by specifying the Pin Orientation property. ***Why it matters:*** This allows users to create clean and readable symbols. ### Pad numbers now auto increment when placing Terminals ***Why it matters:*** Pad numbers don’t have to manually entered for each Terminal anymore speeding up the workflow greatly. ### Key component properties are now auto-added ***Why it matters:*** Certain properties are required for a high-quality BOM. We now automatically add Manufacturer Part Number, Manufacturer Name, Part Type, Datasheet URL, and Designator Prefix to ensure a strong baseline across symbols. ## What’s next Flux is moving fast. The goal isn’t change for change’s sake — it’s to keep tightening the loop: faster iteration, fewer workflow breaks, and better support for the formats and tools you already use. If there’s a part of your day-to-day flow that still feels slower than it should (or a paper cut you hit every session), tell us. Those are often the highest-leverage fixes, and they’re exactly what we’re prioritizing. [Open Flux and try it today!](https://www.flux.ai/login) ## About the author [Nico Tzovanis](https://www.flux.ai/nico) Nico is a professional electronics and PCB design engineer at Flux. Find him on Flux [@nico](https://www.flux.ai/nico) Let’s start building Build your big idea together with Flux. All you need to do is describe what you want to make, or what problem you want to solve. Flux will work with you to make it a reality. ![Close-up photo of a PCB made with Flux, with an ESP32 module, buttons, and a microSD slot.](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/miscellaneous/sidebar-cta-pcb.webp) [Try it Free](https://www.flux.ai/signup) ## Related Content [ ![PCB Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Rules and Best Practices](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/pcb-design-for-manufacturability-dfm/main.webp) ### PCB Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Rules and Best Practices 8 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/pcb-design-for-manufacturability-dfm)[ ![An electronic device taken apart, with every component laid out. Anyone who buys a product can do this, so a trade secret that a teardown would reveal stops being a trade secret once the product ships.](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/fearn-defensive-publication/main.webp) ### What is a Defensive Publication? (vs. Patents and Trade Secrets) 7 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/what-is-a-defensive-publication)[ ![Schematic diagram of arduino uno board with all of its passive and active components](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/arduino-uno-schematic-diagram/main.webp) ### Arduino Uno Schematic Diagram: A Comprehensive Guide 8 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/arduino-uno-schematic-diagram)[ ![Top 10 Popular Microcontrollers for Embedded Systems including STM32F103C8T6, ESP32, ESP8266, ATtiny85, PIC16F877A, ATmega32U4, ATmega328P, and more. Essential MCUs for IoT, DIY projects, and professional PCB designs with key features like Wi-Fi, USB, and Bluetooth support.](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/top-10-popular-mcu/main.webp) ### Design Your First PCB: 10 Popular Microcontrollers to Get Started 5 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/design-your-first-pcb-10-popular-microcontrollers-to-get-started)[ ![3d rendered of an ESP8266 microcontroller board, showing its compact size with the Wi-Fi module, chip antenna, and GPIO pins clearly visible, ideal for embedding wireless internet connectivity into DIY electronics projects.](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/everything-about-esp8266/main.webp) ### ESP8266 Pinout Guide: Complete GPIO Reference & IoT Project Tips 10 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/esp8266-pinout-everything-you-need-to-know)[ ![Attiny85 chip in two different packages viewed on top, also showing pinout diagram](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/blogs/attiny85/main.webp) ### Introduction to the ATtiny85 Microcontroller 12 Min Read](https://www.flux.ai/p/blog/introduction-to-the-attiny85-microcontroller) See All (6) ## Let’s start building. Let’s build your idea together. All you need to do is describe what you want to make, or what problem you want to solve. Flux will work with you to make it a reality. [Try it Free](https://www.flux.ai/signup) ![Close-up of a Flux-designed printed circuit board](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/mission-visual.webp)