Re: [PEDA] Protel 99 Export dBase IV
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Protel 99 How can I export from schematic to a dBase IV file (DBF). In Protel 98 it was via File-Exp. dBase IV Thanks Harald * OTOH, Protel DOES mention the feature on page 159 (I think), therefore it SHOULD be available on the standard menu tree. We shouldn't have to 'create' it. Tony Yes, you are right - while it's described in manual it should be there, in menu. The explanation for this I found in Protel's Knowledge Base, Item 1920 Wojtek * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] broken bitmap link in schemaitc template...
Bernhard Koss wrote: ...always when I import the template the bitmap is shown but the next time I open the schematic there is just a broken link to the bitmap... As the images (whether .bmp or .wmf) are not placed inside the schematic or template but linked, then Protel should always be able to find this linked image file to display it on the sheet - while the template's definition is included in schematic file, the image is still link-referenced. If Protel doesn't find the image file in the place from which it originated it is still dispalyed properly if it can be found in: 1. Current database (as described in KB2421, to which Ian Wilson directed), 2. Any directory which is in the path, 3. Protel's system directory ( ...\Design Explorer 99 SE\System\) I checked all three workarounds with our template's logo which is a .wmf image - yes, I think these are workarounds only. The real solution is to let Protel see the original files, so I suppose, that even if Dennis Saputelli is not 100% right pointing to the problem with mapped drive letters, the solution is somewhere around it - the problem should be easily fixed by System Administrator or any person of that kind. Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] broken bitmap link in schemaitc template...
Sorry for my previous post - the information I gave there wasn't checked to the botttom. Workaround No.1 - importing image file to the .ddb really works, but ... not always. I was deaply surprised when I discovered, that after closing Protel the knowledge about the image disappeared. After several attempts with different combinations (sometimes the logo was displayed, sometimes not) I figured out that probabily it's not the fact of importing the image file that makes it visible. It's rather the fact, that during import one makes the directory from which it's imported the CURRENT directory. So, even if the image file is in the same directory as the .ddb file itself, the logo is not always displayed. If, after closing Protel, one opens the project from the 'Recent File' list, the current directore may be anything and the logo isn't displayed. I didn't have enough time to check all possible situations and maybe there is a second bottom if it, but I hope that's enough for now. Sorry again for first incomplete information. Two other workarounds are OK. Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] Boardmaker to Protel
Ivor Davies wrote: ... We have a huge number of PCB designs in Boardmaker and require to import them somehow into Protel. It has been suggested that the Gerbers generated by Boardmaker can be imported via Camtastic. I don't feel strong enough to give you suggestions, except general ones. There were many posts about importing designs to Protel through Gerber files and you may find them either in this forum's archive or (I think more easily) in the mail archive of the forum on: http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum%40techservinc.com/ Any suggestions on how to tackle this problem and any general solutions to importing designs into Protel from nothing but Gerbers Is it possible to export your designs in any other format (e.g. ASCII) that could be read by other EDA software (OrCAD, Cadstar, PADS, Tango, etc.)? What I mean is: If you are going to import from your software to Protel with 2 intermediate steps (Gerbers and Camtastic), maybe it's possible to do it another way with 2 or 3 intermediate steps to gain your design with all knowledge about logical connections, components etc., which you won't have with Gerber. Protel can directly import very few formats, but there are third party importers - starting from freeware up to quite expensive utilities. If you have huge number of PCB's, as you said, maybe it will be reasonable to pay the author of such importer to modify it so, that it will read the format that your old software may produce. Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
[PEDA] Pointing to a document being inside another database
I have several questions connected with 2 issues of pointing to a document which is within Protel's database. (Protel99SE + SP6, WinNT4) Issue 1: Adding (to a list of current libraries) specific library file which is within library database containing several libraries. When performing Update Parts in Cache command, it could be useful to be able to exclude, from the list of current libraries, some of the libraries which are normally on the list. However, adding/removing library database (in Change Library File List dialog) adds/removes all libraries which are inside. The problem could be solved by having separate ddb's for each library file (or just .lib files directly on a disk), but I definitely prefer having 1 library database for all our custom libraries. I found an example (in original advpcb99se.ini file) of pointing to PCB Footprints.lib which is in Advpcb.ddb and also found (in KB2200) short explanation of syntax to be used when addressing files in ddb. For PCB libraries it works great - I manually changed the line in advpcb99se.ini file and still everything is OK. But - doing the same with Schematic Library doesn't work - the library list becomes empty. My entry in advsch99se.ini file is as follows: File0=DMSACCESS:$RPC:\Program Files\Design Explorer 99 SE\Library\Sch $RNZU_library.ddb$OP$ONDev_ZU.lib$ID-1$ATTR0$ESCHLIB$STF Questions: 1. Is it possible to do what I'm trying to do? 2. If yes - what I'm doing wrong? 3. If yes, again - is it possible to do it being in Schematic Editor, to avoid manually changing .ini file? Issue 2: Linking a document file which is within another database It's connected with project management - as we deal mostly with prototypes, quite often we have situation of IP Reuse - in new project we use, without any change, some modules from previous projects. From our experience, it is best to have only one file (not counting backups) - in original project and just kind of pointer to that file in any project using this PCB module. With our previous design tools (OrCAD IV + Cadstar) it was difficult to manage, but it seems that Protel gives very good solution to that problem - although I haven't found a word in documentation. When the user adds a link to an external file in a normal way - from the menu File\Link Document or by right-clicking in Design Window (when in Folder View) the dialog window appears - it seems impossible to point to a file being inside another database. But, when the user opens two databases, picks up a file from one ddb, drags and drops it into another's ddb window, he may move, copy or LINK that file. In that way a link to a file which is within another ddb is established. I tried to use such links pointing to documents of several document-types: Schematic, PCB, Text, Autocad Drawing and also (just curiosity) Schematic Library, and it worked well for all of them EXCEPT ONE - Schematic doc. Trying to open one I get a message: Access violation at address ... in module VCL50.BPL Questions: 1. Is it possible to link schematic document which resides within another ddb? 2. Is it safe using such links (does anybody have any experience with documents being corrupted that way)? I'll appreciate any sugestions or links to any documentation. Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] graphic logo on schem
Dennis Saputelli wrote: can someone tell me again how to get a graphic logo to work consistently on a schematic across a network? Here is what I discovered some time ago (and posted on this forum): If Protel doesn't find the image file in the place from which it originated it is still dispalyed properly if it can be found in: 1. Protel's system directory ( ...\Design Explorer 99 SE\System\), 2. Any directory which is in the path, 3. Current directory, 4. Some other directories - maybe (I haven't checked). By opening a schematic you make the directory in which it resides the current directory. But only if you open it with Open Dialog. If you open the project from the 'Recent File' list, the current directore may be anything and the logo isn't displayed. IMO, the clue is that the only place which is globally recognizable is Protel's system directory - probably that's why Protel placed their logo there. Wojciech Oborski * Tracking #: A2C5664428323941ACF7D86F9FCD072A6DF30DD8 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] graphic logo on schem
Dennis, The solution I proposed (with placing a logo file in Protel's system directory) is, IMO, a workaround only. There may be other directories that Protel can see like Protel's main directory or System\Buttons directory but it's still the same - poor workaround only. It may improve portability in the office but doesn't help with portability to customers - I agree and I cannot tell how to help with it. As I checked earlier the solution proposed by Protel's Tech Support (KB2421 - placing the image inside a database) doesn't work - at least on my computer (WinNT, Protel99SE + SP6). I'm afraid that the problem could be solved only by Protel (Altium) - enable the user to import (embed) the image into schematic (or template) so it would be really portable. Regards, Wojciech Oborski * Tracking #: 297F3EFF9AD66348B92079E1C9D23DAB5E67F7EA * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] ''Access violation'' problem
Matt, As I have also experienced Access Violation errors (in different situation) I'd also be interested in learning something about this. Would you be so kind to send me the mentioned Application Note? Thank you in advance Wojciech Oborski My e-mail is: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Matt Daggett wrote: That tech note was sent to me by an altium support representative with the following message: Thank you for sending this error message. It is strange that you are receiving it on a Windows 2000 machine. I am attaching an application note that has information on the MDAC drivers. Changing the MDAC driver version usually resolves ODBC / Access Violation errors * Tracking #: 5F75BD25C3C0FD40919817B0BD6776546313FBF7 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] maybe related to ''Access violation'' problem
Just to drop something to a discussion about Access violation errors. I posted the problem on this forum some 2 weeks ago and received no answer. I also reported this to Protel - no answer too. I paste here a part of that post: -- Issue : Linking a document file which is within another database When the user adds a link to an external file in a normal way - from the menu File\Link Document or by right-clicking in Design Window (when in Folder View) the dialog window appears - it seems impossible to point to a file being inside another database. But, when the user opens two databases, picks up a file from one ddb, drags and drops it into another's ddb window, he may move, copy or LINK that file. In that way a link to a file which is within another ddb is established. I tried to use such links pointing to documents of several document-types: Schematic, PCB, Text, Autocad Drawing and also (just curiosity) Schematic Library, and it worked well for all of them EXCEPT ONE - Schematic document. Trying to open one I get a message: Access violation at address ... in module VCL50.BPL --- I checked it on 3 computers: two running under WinNT4, thirtd - Windows98, all have Protel99SE + SP6 installed (the other software is obviously different) - the same results, only links to schematics do no open and cause access violation errors. And I had 2 questions: 1. Is it possible to link schematic document which resides within another ddb? 2. Is it safe using such links (DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE documents linked that way)? But a few days after posting this query I tried it again on another computer and guess what - everything worked very well. What's interesting is the fact that this computer has exactly the same hardware as one of the other computers I had checked before. And both are running under WinNT4, both have the same service packs for NT and Protel. Just the other software is different. Any guess, any idea, any comments? Thanks in advance for any feedback. Wojciech Oborski * Tracking #: 061A5F1E5F84CC4687DFD05306EE9E60D84A56C8 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] Global changes in schematic libraries.
Michael Binning wrote: Hello all, Does anybody know how I can do a global change to the part field titles of all components in a library? Yes, I do - download a macro from http://www.eda.co.uk/macro1.htm eventually modify it a little and go. It's simple but quite effective - I used it for exactly the same reason as yours - to avoid manually changing all Patr Field Names. Wojciech Oborski * Tracking #: 259D25BC8AB6834C894BF23B1A0817E9783B5A93 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] Hot Linking
Tim Fifield wrote: I want to export a schematic to a database so that I can try some hot linking. The protel handbook (pg. 163) says: Select File Export to Database to pop up the Export Database dialog. Tim, There are, unfortunatelly, 2 things mixed up together. Hot Linking is something a little different than Database Import/Export. Hot Linking (described in Manual on page 159) appears correctly in the menu under Tools\Database Links. Database Import/Export (described in Manual on page 163) - although implemented - doesn't appear in the menu (at least on some installations). It's described in Protel's KB Item 1920. I exported a schematic to a database file changed ONE libref and tried to import the schematic. The computer goes into freeze mode like what happens when I change anything and a really large pcb with out turning off the hatching in polygons and hiding the GND nets. (CPU @ 100%) Then it gave me the typical it's a good idea to restart your computer after you crash, blah, blah, blah. It has been reported here that Database Import works very, very slowly. So when Protel performs import (and counts stars on the sky) you may make coffee and relax :) Wojciech Oborski * Tracking #: 628F0EC3B91FD64DA65FE05FAE37F80F3947429B * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] OT: HTML
Edi Im Hof wrote: Hi all I'm tweaking my Eudora. Does this mail contains HTML? How does it look with an no-html-client? It seems that it's plain text e-mail and looks OK. Wojciech Oborski * Tracking #: B1D9B50068079848AE2FA4D94D89A2463BB77828 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] Timezones - pls check
Ian Wilson wrote: A few people seem to have incorrect timezone settings or maybe the date or time on their PCs is incorrect. This is only a small point but messages are not sort in Eudora (in date/time order) correctly. Anyone else see the same thing? Rene Tschaggelar wrote: It is not only that the time/date are wrong. Quite often members produce an new message by pressing reply to a selected one and then change the subject line. The reference however is still there. There are newsreaders that also sort by referenced subject, then the whole subject tree is mixed up. You are both right - I can see the same and confirm. I'm using Netscape 6 which can sort by thread, date, sender and others. There is often a mess in threads caused by the situation described by Rene Tschaggelar. That's why I used to sort by date/time. But recently, indeed, there is a mess here too - as Ian Wilson noticed. Dear Members of this forum - be more cautious about this, please. Thanks in advance, Wojciech Oborski * Tracking #: B24B40245D98894F8A12AEADCB6AFE669D65EA7A * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] File name way too long on schematic
Jenkins, Charlie wrote: I remember a while back some talk on templates, .dot files and ways to get the path chopped to just the file name in schematic sheets. I was not successful in locating the past posts in the archives. Where do you find the available command syntax? Can an existing sheet be changed or do you have to copy to a template that has been modified? This what you are looking for is called special strings and you may find a list of them on page 69 of Protel 99SE Designer's Handbook. Schematic templates are editable just as schematic documents. Protel placed Template.ddb in ...\System directory - it includes several sch and pcb templates. You may use them or modify them as you wish. There is a pdf document Exploring Schematic Templates in Protel 99 SE on Protel's web site: http://www.protel.com/resources/tutorials/protel99se/index.html Regards' Wojciech Oborski * Tracking #: 7DB04D464B56C044AB27A0D8894B454697775C52 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] GTC - Guaranteed To Crash
Terry, All, It doesn't crash for me, it seems I'm the lucky one. My setup is: Protel 99SE SP6 Windows 2000 SP2 + some Pre-SP3 Hotfixes, AMD Athlon 1600+, 256MB DDR RAM, Matrox G450 At the same time I have open Netscape Mail and browser. I tried it in 2 combinations: 1. Mech Layers 1 and 4 plus Multilayer enabled, 2. Mech Layers 1, 3 and 4, Top and Bottom Overlay, Keepoutlayer plus Multilayer enabled. In both cases * toggles like + (through all layers that are turned on). I have default shorcut setup for * (Process: PCB:SetCurrentLayer, Parameters: LayerName = NextSignal) Wojciech Oborski * Tracking #: A4F6B2F6E4963447A27B26183924D23DF652701C * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] GTC - Guaranteed To Crash
Ian Wilson wrote: snip So it seems that the subject should be NQGTC. snip Ian, What does NQ in your acronym mean ? Sorry for asking, but english is not my native language, so I have difficulties in guessing such things :) As to your suggestion - I checked the behaviour with several of Protel's example pcbs as well as with one of my own. Wojciech Oborski * Tracking #: 1214D414FFDD314F95AB14CD8E182BB3EAC7C6A4 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] Altium Does Listen!
Tony Karavidas wrote: To the contrary, it means a lot. ... Jon Elson wrote: But, after thinking about it for a while, it really doesn't mean much. Yes, as one who DIDN'T pay to get into the ATS system, unless new service packs come out for 99SE (not too likely) I don't get any upgrades, anyway! I do agree with Tony and others that expressed their opinion that in fact it means a lot. And I would like to say that for me too, it was a very refreshing and optimistic news. Even if I, prepared (for many reasons) to be still using 99SE for a long time, won't profit directly! And I would like,like others did, to congratulate Altium for this! Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] converting protel schematic to orcad
Matt Pobursky wrote: Well the Orcad SDT library format is well documented (I still have all the SDT386 manuals even), especially the ASCII format. Someone who is programming inclined could probably whip up a Protel-to-Orcad library translater -- provided they have the Protel library format. Abd ul-Rahman Lomax wrote: The OrCAD SDT library format, decompiled, i.e., .SRC, is an ASCII format that is very similar to the Protel schematic library ASCII format. I did go some distance down the road of figuring out how to make one from the other, but I did not complete that project, the customer bailed Dennis Saputelli wrote: but orcad DSN files are what is needed these days There are 3 things here: 1. This what is needed, in fact, is OrCAD DSN format 2. OrCAD SDT library ASCII format is well documented and easy to understand 3. Obvious one - OrCAD Capture can read OrCAD SDT files and libraries So the conclusion seems to be: - convert Protel library to OrCAD SDT format library, save Protel project as OrCAD SDT file (*.sch) and you may import the whole thing into OrCAD Capture (make *.dsn file). Actually, it may not be so simple. Protel as well as OrCAD Capture support heterogeneous components (each part of a component may be different). For example - somebody reported on this forum that they have separate section for power pins of the package. However, this feature is not supported in SDT format libraries - all components must be homogeneous - all the logical parts have to be identical except pins. Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] converting protel schematic to orcad
vincent mail wrote: okay . who got the format specs . i'll write this thing . Vincent, At the moment I have it only in paper form - it's the whole chapter in old OrCAD SDT Reference Guide - Creating a library source file with a text editor. I'll try to find an electronic version of it. If you wish, I may prepare an example library (just with a dozen of different type components) and send you all versions of it: SDT binary and ASCII + Protel binary and ASCII. Regards, Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] Warning to DXP Users re P99SE files
JaMi Smith wrote: snip DXP opened the file instead of Protel 99 SE ! snip Altium, care to weigh in on this one? snip File extensions assotiation is a Windows thing, not Protel! ICAP/IV (Intusoft's simulation software) we use, has *.dwg extension for it's drawings (schematics), which is also well known extension for Autocad drawings. *.sch extension is used by Protel, our old OrCAD SDT and possibly many other EDA tool I do not use. Others could give you many more examples, for sure. How do you think Protel/Altium could manage this? Please, do not blame Altium for every possible problem or difficulty happening in your professional activity - maybe it's just my personal impression, but it's some of your recent posts that made that impression. Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] How do I change the default font in PCB Lib
JaMi Smith wrote: snip I added a block of 32 components, and used the global edit capability to change the size of the ref des and comment fields, and also to make the comment hidden Now, on these 32 components, I wanted to also hide the ref des, and thought I could simply select my 32 components, and then chek the hidden box on the designator tab, and hit the global button so that I could say same (for hidden) and also same for selection, only to find out that there was no selection feature on the designator - global dialogue, and that I either had to do them all or none, and do each individually. This once again brought up the issue of why can't I controll some of these things when I make the part. snip I'm not quite sure if it will do what you exactly want, but: To globally hide/unhide designators or comments of selected components you should dblclick on component, not the designator or comment, so the component properties dialog pops up - with all 3 tabs. Being on the Properties (first) tab and clicking Global you may choose the Selection scope, then change the tab to Designator or Comment, change Hide status and click OK. It should hide/unhide designators or comments of selected components only. I hope it would help. Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] PROTEL library convertor BETA -1 ( protel to orcad )
vincent mail wrote: snip ( i got some specs but incomplete) snip Vincent, As I mentioned already, I have OrCAD SDT Reference Guide on my desk - opened on the right chapter. So, if you have any specific questions - ask, I'll try to find an answer. I already proposed to prepare a sample library in all needed formats, so - if you need it, let me know. Contact me directly if you wish: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I checked something today, that could be helpful. Sorry if you already have known this. Intro: 1. To import SDT schematic into Capture you need SDT library in a binary format 2. To compile ASCII to binary you use composer.exe (OrCAD SDT utility) 3. Composer won't compile the ASCII without bitmap information - it reports: Unexpected keyword encountered - VECTOR 4. Orcad Capture doesn't need that bitmap information - it uses only vector description of component. My discovery: You may easily cheat the Composer! Instead of the correct bitmap (programmatic preparation of which could be time consuming) you may include single dot (.) which is a representation of 1x1 pixel empty space. Composer compiles then to binary format with a wrong bitmap information but the correct vector description. I haven't observed any odds with Capture reading such a library. Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] Warning to DXP Users re P99SE files
Matt Pobursky wrote: On Thu, 19 Sep 2002 09:22:41 +0200, Wojciech Oborski wrote: ..snip... File extensions assotiation is a Windows thing, not Protel! ICAP/IV (Intusoft's simulation software) we use, has *.dwg extension for it's drawings (schematics), which is also well known extension for Autocad drawings. *.sch extension is used by Protel, our old OrCAD SDT and possibly many other EDA tool I do not use. Others could give you many more examples, for sure. How do you think Protel/Altium could manage this? By asking permission to change the file extension association at install time rather than just doing it! This is what well-behaved Windows applications do. Okay, I agree. I almoast forgot about such possibility - just because it happens so rarely. The ICAP simulator, mentioned already, is one of rare examples known to me. But it's a little different story, IMO, and it was expressed already by others. DXP is a new version of Protel, so it seems to be natural that it grabs file associations from it's predecessor. And it's a common practice. It would be nicer if it asked, yes. Very often there many other things like registry keys, paths, environment variables, license files, etc. that make coexistance of old a new version of software difficult if not impossible. From that point of view I judged this file assotiation problem as a minor one. But again, I agree, well-behaved application could ask. Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] Exporting Protel 99SE Library files
Peder K. Hellegaard wrote: How do you save/export Protel 99SE library files in ascii format ? With SCH Library it's easy - the feature is built in, as mentioned by Steve Wiseman already. With PCB Library it's more complicated but possible - it's more or less a realization of a vision presented by JaMi Smith - go through PCB editor. Then it's possible to save as PCB 4.0 ASCII or export to PCB 2.8 ASCII. After making changes in ASCII, import PCB and then Design\Make Library. I did it several times back and forth after moving our old PCB libraries from Cadstar - several iterations of more or less global changes were needed to make the library usable. Just one basic improvement - ability to automate the process of placing components from library to PCB. There are 2 possibilities that come to my mind: 1. Use freeware version of Library Editor (by Premier EDA Solutions): http://www.eda.co.uk/libView.html The Viewer reads in ASCII format, so to get this format of PCB library they provided additional server Lib2PCB placing all components from a given Library to a given PCB. 2. Use a trick presented on this forum some time ago (I don't remember the name, sorry): Open Library Editor, select all components on the list (in Browse Window), Copy them (to clipboard) then paste them all into open PCB Editor space. All components will have the same Designator (Designator1), perhaps it will be a little problem. Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] Exporting Protel 99SE Library files
JaMi Smith wrote: Is it possible to take the COMP definitions at the beginning of an ASCII .pcb file, or a (library Library 1 . . . definitions at the beginning of an ASCII .sch file, and simply strip off the heading (or replace it) and strip off all of the stuff at the end of the component / library definitions (the rest of the PCB or Schematic), and change the file type to .lib and simply load the thing into Protel? With schematic ASCII file it's technically doable but I'd say - prone to error, at least when done manually. For example - in Library ASCII the section containing names of components' Part Fields goes directly after the section defining components themselves. In Schematic ASCII this section appears at the end of file. If you don't change that names you may trash that section - after importing such ASCII, Library editor will use default names (Part Field 1, ... Part Field 16). Also, you cannot simply remove the header - you should substitute schematic ASCII file header with library ASCII file header. And, while most of elements of those headers are constant, there is at least one, quite important, that is not: - Second line of library ASCII file header contains information about, I guess, total number of primitives (lines, arcs, rectangles, pins, etc.). - Second line of schematic ASCII file header contains information about total number of primitives of all instances of components, template primitives, wires, junctions, ports, labels and components' description fields. I don't know about such possibility with PCB ASCII - as there is no ASCII export from PCB Library editor, then I would be surprised if ASCII import worked. But I haven't tried, so - I'm not sure. More important would be, I think, to ask - what for? I'm truly curious to know. With the possibility (of which you know) to make a library from project (either SCH or PCB) I, personally, would't go the other way unless there were some clear advantages. I'm not trying to say that what you want would be useless - I just cannot justify effort/profit proportions. Perhaps I'm missing something. Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] Exporting Protel 99SE Library files
JaMi, Believe me or not, but ignoring others trying to solve their problems with import/export/conversion is the last thing that could come to my mind. Actually, dealing with such problems has been a big part of my work since the beginning of this year when we, finally, moved from our old EDA environment (OrCAD SDT + CADSTAR) to Protel. And the person dealing with all transfer and customization issues has been me. So I am totally aware that there are different EDA packages and there are many different problems (possibly much bigger than those I coped with) with transferring projects/libraries from one EDA software to another. I am aware that there are of course many different methods of solving such problems. And I always say that any possible method that leads to the target is good. Sometimes it happens that there are two or more possibilities leading to more or less the same result. And that was what I read from your post - the suggestion to go the short way from PCB/SCH ASCII directly to library. I assumed PCB/SCH ASCII in one of Protel formats. Please, correct me if I'm wrong. Having this, I tried to do what I usually do as an engineer - estimate whether one method is/could be more effective than another. This what I posted in reply to your question was a result of my thinking aloud. As the conclusion presented my personal opinion based on my personal experience and limited knowledge I asked what for? Not to depreciate your suggestion. It was pure curiosity, nothing else. I could ask it another way: Is there anything more that would make my knowledge about this less limited and could change my opinion? Or: Is there anything more that could justify spending more time on this particular suggested method? What for? applied to this particular suggested method, not the whole world of import/export/transfer problems. I may assure you that there was nothing else but curiosity standing behind my question. And I may assure you that I am the last person to question the need to develop methods (and share knowledge about them) of solving import/export/transfer problems. I am always willing to learn something new. Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] trouble with change layer [* key ] during manual routing
Anand Kulkarni wrote: Hi everyone , I am trying to manually route a 6 layer board . Right now I have the components that I need to route on the board. I started to use the interactive routing mode; bu twhen I press the '*' key to change layers instead of a via I get a crash that advises me to exit the application. Anybody have a clue about what might be causing this. please do reply with you suggestions Just a shot - do you have your signal layers turned on? It has been reported some time ago by Terry Creer that hitting '*' key when there are no signal layers enabled may cause a crash. It doesn't happen on all systems. Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] Import Orcad SDT 3.22 schematic ?
Pascal PELLIZZONI wrote: First, I use Decomp from Orcad 3.22 to decompile schematic libraries wich I import in protel 99 SE. Second, I import schematic in protel... But It doesn't work : some components are lost and other aren't in their good place... Is there another possibility to import these old Orcad 3.22 schematics ??? Yes, there is, but you need access to OrCAD Capture as a transfer tool. I used this way many times and it produces much better results - there are actually few minor problems. If you have such possibility, I may share some tips resulting from my experience. If not, try to download Moving OrCAD SDT Designs to Protel for Windows Advanced Schematic pdf - it was published by Premier EDA Solutions. It should be available on their web site. You may read detailed description there. Anyway, going through Capture gives better results. Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] Protel99se and win2k fun
Julian Higginson wrote: snip http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com/ there was nothing particularly relevant (in fact it only goes back a month or so...) snip If you just follow Earlier messages link, that's true, but if you use their search mechanism it will go back deeper in time (don't know how much deeper). You may also try accessing the archives of this forum. Below there are just two example threads on similiar topics I found (just a quick scan, so there may be others): Hardware questions (upgrade time - yuk!) started by Ian Wilson (13.07.2002) Fastest possible Protel system, price is not a concern started by Brian Guralnick (21.07.2002) Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] 99SE full reinstall.
Tim Fifield wrote: What are the files I need to delete to do a full 99SE reinstall? Tim, See below, I copied a snip from the post from Brad Velander (5 Jul 2002) This is something he got from Protel Tech Support. Wojciech Oborski +++ Protel 99SE Complete Uninstall.(New version emailed from Lori Quevedo) Version # Protel 99SE/ Service Pack 6: PROBLEM: Is there a specific uninstall procedure for Protel? I have uninstalled and reinstalled using add and/remove programs but Protel is still acting up. SOLUTION: 1) Un-install Service Pack 6 for 99SE 2) Un-install 99SE 3) Delete the Design Explorer 99 SE directory (make sure you have no personal files or libraries stored here before you do this). 4) Delete the files *99SE.* from your Windows or Winnt folder 5) Also delete from the Windows or Winnt folder *.bpl and *.dpl, if they are still remaining. 6) Re-install Protel 99 SE a) If Win 9x then Reboot 7) Re-apply Service Pack 6 a) If Win 9x Then Reboot + * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:proteledaforum;techservinc.com * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:ForumAdministrator;TechServInc.com * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum;techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] [OT] Gun violence
Guys, Why don't you go to: http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html and read the rules of this forum once again. Or why don't you go back and read what the Forum Administrator posted on 12.09.2002: snip ...more members are leaving than joining. The overwhelming reason given is the flood of off topic discussion ... snip Think a while about it, please. I'm not jumping on anybody, I just kindly ask to go back on topic. Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:proteledaforum;techservinc.com * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:ForumAdministrator;TechServInc.com * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum;techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] Error when creating and opening a new shematic.
I haven't had such situation but I think that you may also try 2 other options before reinstalling Protel: 1. Export schematics to ASCII and import them to a new (empty) database. 2. Eventually check whether everything is OK with Client99SE.ini file - if it's too long, some servers are not loaded. I don't remember exactly the size limit (I guess it's 64KB). Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:proteledaforum;techservinc.com * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:ForumAdministrator;TechServInc.com * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum;techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] SDK and Delphi Questions
JaMi Smith wrote: snip Needless to say, I don't want to buy more than I need, and at the same time I certainly don't want to go out and buy something that is not going to do the job. snip As it is now clear from what Ian Wilson and John Williams posted that Delphi 5 is necessary and Delhi 5 Standard Edition is sufficient, I'd like to add my 2 cents: I got my copy of Borland Delphi 5 StdEd together with a computer magazine (the price was the equivalent of 4 US$)- the license was for private use, not limited in time. It's certainly enough to learn Delphi and SDK. Together with this there was an offer for so called Delphi Deployment License giving the right to use it commercially (the price was the equivalent of 75 US$). It's history now, but I think you may find similiar way to get Delphi 5 Standard Edition for personal use for free (or very cheap at least). Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:proteledaforum;techservinc.com * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:ForumAdministrator;TechServInc.com * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum;techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] OrCad to Protel conversion
Fabian Hartery wrote: I am interested in importing a complete Orcad design, within Protel 99SE. I have successfully imported a schematic set, with the typical occurrence of shifted/mis-sized port connections and power objects. I can recover from these nuisance effects. What I need is a way to import the pwb, possibly through the gerbers, to get at a modifiable design. Camtastic does not appear to support multi-layer exports to AutoCad. At least, that is my first impression. Maybe some of the senior folks on the list can comment on this and offer a procedure. I can see a gerber import into Protel being useful. The real trouble, to me would, be in associating nets and planes to an original schematic design. Thanks to all, for any usable input. I'm not a senior folk here but I think I can suggest something :-) You should be able to import OrCAD Layout PCB directly: Create new (empty) PCB in Protel, then go to File/Import, choose OrCad *.max files. Then you will have to map layers (associate OrCad layers to Protel layers). I played with it as a transfer tool only, so I don't know how much manual cleaning you will need, but I'm sure it will be much easier than going through Gerber. Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:proteledaforum;techservinc.com * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:ForumAdministrator;TechServInc.com * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum;techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] OrCad to Protel conversion
Fabian Hartery wrote: snip Still, for this file, importing the .max only left me with the component placements and the board outline. Well... I created a PCB library at least, but no traces, nor planes exist. This requires a surgery where the scalpel is replaced by an axe (a.k.a. a gerber import route). I will look into this some more. snip Strange. As I mentioned before, I used it as a transfer tool for some old DOS pcbs only, but everything was imported. Even more - some entities were multiplicated on different layers. Perhaps looking closer at layer matching configuration could explain something more. If you really need/want gerber import then try to search the archives for the description of a procedure - Mr. Lomax and others posted a lot on this topic. Having correct component placements would make the process a lot easier than normally. Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:proteledaforum;techservinc.com * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:ForumAdministrator;TechServInc.com * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum;techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] Font sizes
Dan, Most of non-system settings like primitives' fonts, colours and other parameters can be set in Tools/Preferences - Default Primitives Tab. This also applies to Designator and Part Type font. Also, read the content of the Inforamtion box about Permanent option. Wojciech Oborski Dan wrote: Greetings all, My protel99se has a default of size 10 every time I start a new schematic. I can change the system font at the start of a new schematic but that only changes the pin and labels of the symbols and not the designator and part type. Of course I can wait until I have finished placing all the symbols then doing a global change but it's a waste of time and makes the schematic looks messy until that time. Is there a way of changing the default font of any of these? Thanks, Dan * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] General component data tracking and library management questions
Brad, Ian, Sorry for jumping in so late, I've had busy days and read this thread just a while ago. The answer for the question: Why is it that we are finding these items now? could be - because they are well hidden :) Seriously, there is Protel's KB Item 1920 explaining briefly why Import from and Export to Database items are not in the menu, although they should have been there since Service Pack 1. It says: They have not been updated properly with the instalation of Service Pack 1. The process can be run manually or added to the menu. I don't know why this statement is still valid with Service Pack 6! I used both tools - Database Linking and Import from Database - they seem to be comparably slow, though I haven't banchmarked them. Sincerely, Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] CADstar 7.1 conversion?
Duane Foster wrote: Anybody know if it is possible to convert CADStar 7.1 files to Protel99SE. There are two posibilities I know of: 1. Use Cadstar to Protel Converter (by Steve Fallon) - you may find it in Files section of Yahoo Protel User's Group (you need to be a member to get to it): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/protel-users/files/ It converts Cadstar7 CDI format to Protel 2.8 or Autotrax PCB format. As far as I know it doesn't convert all entities correctly, but may be quite useful (and it's free). 2. Use Orcad Layout 9.x as an intermediate tool - it imports Cadstar CDI format and then, it may be imported to Protel. I haven't used it to any serious conversion but from my tests I can say that it works better than solution No.1 - playing a bit with Layers Matching may even improve the results. Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/proteledaforum@techservinc.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] Hole Size Constraint
I know this is not exactly what is expected, but maybe it can be considered as a workaround: 1. Specify (using query manager) a selection query looking like: select all pad.hole size which are not equal to 28 and select all pad.hole size which are not equal to 32 and select all pad.hole size which are not equal to 40 and select all via.hole size which are not equal to 24 and select all via.hole size which are not equal to 28 - if there are any SMD components, then add: select all pad.hole size which are not equal to 0 2. Hit Apply - as a result one gets selected pads and vias not meeting desired rule Pads and vias may be processed separately - 2 different queries would be needed. Having all pads (and/or vias) not meeting the rule selected (instead of listed in DRC report) may be a benefit - one may use it to globally edit them or even easily create pad class for them. Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] Hole Size Constraint
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: That would help him if he were using DXP, but since he is using P99SE his only choice is to use the hole size editor and manually check that the holes are in his list. Robert, I'm not talking about DXP - I'm using Protel99SE! The post was about using Query Manager (the tool which IS in P99SE) to SELECT objects not meeting desired rule instead of running DRC (while you cannot specify proper rule in P99SE). I tested the method quickly (in P99SE) before sending the post - I got selected those pads and vias that had there hole sizes out of the desired set. Producing drill file is good - it shows quickly that you have some pads/vias offending your rule, but with the described method you get them selected, which may help with further processing. Sincerely, Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] P99SE crash on opening schematic
Andy Gulliver wrote: snip I've tried an uninstall/reinstall of Protel to no effect. There is no obvious corruption of the Advsch99SE.ini file. snip Have you done full reinstall? If installing latest MDAC drivers won't help try full reinstall according to the procedure posted by Brad Velander a few months ago: 1) Un-install Service Pack 6 for 99SE 2) Un-install 99SE 3) Delete the Design Explorer 99 SE directory (make sure you have no personal files or libraries stored here before you do this). 4) Delete the files *99SE.* from your Windows or Winnt folder 5) Also delete from the Windows or Winnt folder *.bpl and *.dpl, if they are still remaining. 6) Re-install Protel 99 SE a) If Win 9x then Reboot 7) Re-apply Service Pack 6 8) If Win 9x Then Reboot Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] Client Basic
Graham, Visit Premier EDA Solutions's web site: http://www.eda.co.uk/supportProtelMacros.html - they offer some free macros - I'm sure you may treat them as examples. I think you may also find some macros in Files section of Protel User's Group Yahoo site: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/protel-users/files/ (you need to be a member to get access to it). Wojciech Oborski Graham wrote: Hi All Protel 99SE / SP6 I need to begin using the Protel Client Basic language and have gone through the extensive help files on macros. In the help file 'Example Macros' they say there is a \Client99\Macro examples directory, but this does not exist in my install, nor on the installation CD. In fact there are no .BAS files at all and also no DDB that sounds like it might harbor them. It would be really helpful to have some examples other than the three in the help files. Does anyone know where learning materials / examples can be found? Another facility I would like to use is the library import/export to spreadsheet, but the only option available is to PCAD2000 ASCII. Thanks for any help. Graham Brown, Sutter Instrument Co * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] OrCad undo stack?
Leo Potjewijd wrote: At 27/06/2003 02:21, Ian wrote: Is it true OrCad Capture only supports on level of UNDO? For version 3.21 (yes, I still use it) and its predecessors it is, but that probably won't surprise anybody;-) I'm afraid, there is some misunderstanding here: DOS versions of OrCad (4.xx, 3.xx and earlier) were called OrCad SDT. OrCad Capture is a name for Windows versions. I'm sure that one level of Undo in a software developed some 10 or more years ago doesn't surprise anybody. And that was only Delete-Undo. Ian's post as well as referenced document (ICU 2003 OrCad Submitted Issues) is about _current_ version of a software. AFAIK it was like that (one level of Undo) at least until Capture 9.0 or 9.1. But it has changed (fortunately for OrCad users) - at http://www.orcad.com/products/capture/default.asp you may find: snip What's New in Version 10.0 -- - Unlimited undo/redo Schematic Editor: Unlimited undo/redo allows users to remove any of their prior commands or design actions even after their schematic design has been saved. snip Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] Title block
Website Visitor wrote: How do a template schematic with a title block to altium Posted from Association web site by: Aurelie IMO the best way to learn this is to download and read Exploring Schematic Templates in Protel 99SE document: http://www.protel.com/resources/learningguides/protel99se/protel99se_tutorial_schtemp.zip Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] Orcad Library Importing
Terry Creer wrote: Hi all, Just got a few schematics and a library in Orcad format from the Atmel website. The schematics load ok (minus the parts in the .lib file), but when I try to load the lib file, Protel (99SE) tells me DECOMP.EXE must be in the path when trying to imort Orcad libraries. Any ideas where I can aquire this DECOMP.EXE? Terry, There is an article at Premier EDA Solutions's site Migrating data from OrCAD SDT/386+ that explains all necessary deails: http://www.eda.co.uk/download/orcadrev2.pdf Decomp.exe is OrCad's utility - part of OrCad SDT III/IV package. I'm not sure whether it's available as a standalone software. It is used to convert OrCad libraries form binary format to ascii. I still have OrCad IV installed on my computer so I may convert the library for you - just send it offline. Some time ago we moved from OrCad IV to Protel and I converted several old projects. My experience is that going through OrCad Capture as a transfer tool produces much better results than importing directly from OrCad SDT. The only problem is that you need an access to OrCad Capture. I used to have such an access and it was great - it saved me a lot of post-import cleaning. Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] Orcad Library Importing
JaMi, I followed the link too and discovered the same difficulties :) The demo can be requested at: http://www.orcad.com/downloads/form/cdrequest.asp Wojciech Oborski JaMi Smith wrote: Rob, A quich look at the Parallel Systems site shows that the freebie Orchad Lite from them is only for UK distribution (and a few other places), but does not includ the US. Following their link to Cadence, yields nothing in terms of Orcad Lite. I have looked before for such a demo for Orcad, and not been able to find one. Can you offer any other suggestions on how to obtain the demo? Thanks, JaMi * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] Prototype Assembly House - now assembly guides
I sent this message yesterday, but it doesn't show somehow, so I repost it below. Steve Wiseman wrote: snip Is it possible to build an assembly drawing (or, really, a series of assembly drawings) which highlights each component type in turn on a different sheet - f'rinstance highlight all the 22n 0402 decouplers on one page, all the 10K 0402s on the next, etc... snip Steve, There are several possible scenarios, I may think of. Here, there is one I used to follow. 1. Prepare standard assembly drawing. 2. Select the components you want to higlight. If the only common properties of those components that are to be selected are Footprint (like 0805) and Comment (like 10k) then you may do it using Global Edit, or Query Manager in PCB. If the selection criteria is more complicated then use Global Edit in Sch Editor and then use Tools-Select PCB Components. 3. Cut (Ctrl+X) selected components (note the reference point). 4. Modify remaining components to make them less visible, e.g.: - Hide their designators - Make their outlines very thin (e.g. 1mil) (First Un-Lock primitives of all components, then change globally the width of all tracks and arcs on Top Overlay to 1 mil, then Lock primitives back). 5. Paste back the components you previously removed at the same reference point. If you use colour printer then there are obviously more options. Hope it helps a little, Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] SCH library part field names
Leo Potjewijd wrote: snip However, it appears that one has to repeat typing these names for every part in the library, for every library in the database..Highly inefficient, and quite error-prone. Has anyone found out a way to edit those fields per library or per database? snip There is a macro available on the Premier EDA Solutions's web page: http://www.eda.co.uk/supportMacro1.html After you see how it works you may easily modify it to adjust to your needs. Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] how to remove a PCB template?
This time again - I sent a reply on Friday and it hasn't appeared till now so I resend it. Is TechServ server filtering my messages :) Leo Potjewijd wrote: Hi all, I just created a PCB-template using the wizard. Nice, handy an all that but the thing is way too small: mils instead of millimeters. How do I go about removing this from the wizard? For that matter, how do I assign an already existing PCB to the wizard? Open Templates.ddb - it's located in ...\Design Explorer 99 SE\System folder. The Boards folder contains pcb templates. *.pcb files are acompanied by *.bdl files - they are text files containing description of the groups of pcb templates. You may add or remove whatever you wish. Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] how to remove a PCB template?
Leo Potjewijd wrote: Hi all, I just created a PCB-template using the wizard. Nice, handy an all that but the thing is way too small: mils in stead of millimeters. How do I go about removing this from the wizard? For that matter, how do I assign an already existing PCB to the wizard? Open Templates.ddb - it's located in ...\Design Explorer 99 SE\System folder. The Boards folder contains pcb templates. *.pcb files are acompanied by *.bdl files - they are text files containing description of the groups of pcb templates. You may add or remove whatever you wish. Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] Macro with process container
Eric, Perhaps this is a strange question, but - why do you need a macro that would create a process container containing a process which would run Notepad (or any other application). It seems very complicated. 1. If you need to have certain process available in Schematic (or any other) Editor you may assign this process (with approprate parameters) to a new menu entry, toolbar button or a shortcut key. 2. If you need a sequence of processes - then write a macro and create new menu entry, toolbar button or a shortcut key to run that macro. Of course - menu entry, toolbar button or a shortcut key would have the same function for all documents, while a Process Container is sheet specific. But - if you want to create sheet specific Process Container with a macro then you need to modify that macro each time. AFAIK Process Container cannot contain a sequence of processes and this inability makes it's functionality very limited. I'm not saying that what you are trying to do is wrong - I just don't see a good justification for your efforts. BTW, it's a good practice to use ResetParameters Client Basic extention to reset the parameter buffer before setting parameters used by a process. Then the sequence looks like: ResetParameters Addstringparameter ... Addstringparameter ... RunProcess ... Regards, Wojciech Oborski ERIC BOBILLIER wrote: Hi I try to develop a macro who place process container in sch. But i have problems. In my macro before calling the process Sch:PlaceProcessContainer , i give few few parameters like ProcessName,InstanceName,Selection,color etc. But when I run my macro it's just place a process container with the good ProcessName, but without any of others parameters. I have try few testing for InstanceName like InstanceName or Name or Intance but without success. I fact', only ProcessName run good.I have test every parameters for this process. My question is how can I give the good parameters for this process ? is possible? '** 'This process place a simple ProcessContainer in the current sch Sub Main Addstringparameter Process,Client:RunApplication Addstringparameter InstanceName,essai Addstringparameter configuration,application=notepad.exe AddStringParameter selection,True RunProcess sch:PlaceProcessContainer End Sub '** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] Macro with process container
Eric, Sorry for continuing - it doesn't answer your original question, but, see below: But - if you want to create sheet specific Process Container with a macro then you need to modify that macro each time. No not the macro but the parameter of macro.It's bit different. In fact there is the process client:RuncomonDialog who give you path for files and i want use it for define the name of file i want open with notepad. That the reason i want to do that. It still looks like a bit too complicated, sorry, I don't see a point. I think, you may achieve this just with a macro, without a Process Container - just include in the macro a dialog that will prompt the user for any parameter - let it be a name of the file you want to open (or process in another way). My point is: instead of using a macro to create a Process Container that would do some job, just use a macro to do that job. AFAIK Process Container cannot contain a sequence of processes and this inability makes it's functionality very limited. Sorry but it's wrong. You can run a process containing few other process. For this see in the Knoledgebase on Protel site (item N 2772). OK - I didn't know about the features of Sch:ExecuteProcessContainer process. But Protel KB 2772 doesn't say anything being in opposition to what I stated. Process Container may contain only a single process. With a single Process Container you cannot run a sequence of processes directly - instead you may execute a sequence of Process Containers, each containing one process only. It's a nice trick but still - requires a lot of work. Regards Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] Macro with process container
Eric, I think, I begin to understand :) 1. I tried to follow your efforts - it seems that something is wrong with the Sch:PlaceProcessContainer process or with it's description. It doesn't accept any parameters except Process - not even Location.X and Location.Y Unfortunatelly it's nothing new - as it was stated here several times, there are many mistakes in the macro documentation. 2. IMO, there is a problem with reading (by a macro) a string written somewhere within a schematic - there are very few processes that let you read parameters, mainly you may only write. It could be accomplished with a server but the question is - where would you place those strings and how to identify them if there were several ones. From your explanation (...just modify the name of the application...) I assume that you want only 1 Process Container on a sheet - otherwise you would need to modify InstanceName as well. So perhaps it could be one of Address lines in Document Options that would store your string - it could be read by a server. But still - it looks very complicated. As the macro you are trying to develop wouldn't automate very much - you would still need to modify the Process Container on every sheet, perhaps it's easier to create the Process Container once and then copy it to all documents that need it. I know it's not what you wanted but it seems to be one of those situations when the efforts to automate something are more time consuming than doing it manually. If I descover something new, I'll let you know. Wojciech Oborski ERIC BOBILLIER wrote: Perhaps my explain was not clear. I want place process container in sch with macro because it's the only way i have found to run it simply with sch:ExecuteProcessContainer. I want choose document in folder outside DDB, get his address (path), store it via Processcontainer who have 3 parameters: 1)Process : RunApplication 2)InstanceName : Name of document 3)Configuration : application = Nodepad | parameter = address of the selected document And run it with sch:ExecuteProcessContainer. Like that, everytime i open my sch i can run the specific document associate with him. The problem is not to store the path string in the sch,but to read it after to open nodepad with the good document. If you know how read a string (for use in macro)in the sch, i'm very interest. You know,if i can place processcontainer with parameter,after i can associate different kind of document (Like PDF,Image,etc) in the sch.And open there with there specific readers with juste modify the name of the application in (3). Regards Eric * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
[PEDA] Simple server (was: Macro with process container)
Hi Perhaps this should be better posted to DEV Forum but it seems to be dead, so I post it here. Those who followed Macro with Process container thread know that there is some problem with Sch:PlaceProcessContainer process. More precisely - there is some problem with passing parameters to it. I suggested to Eric Bobillier, that perhaps he should find another way of doing what he wants, but finally I decided to write a server that would create a Process Container. I treated it as an exercise - I had written 2 very simple servers before but they didn't read any parameters. The server that creates Process Container is very simple, I limited the number of parameters passed to it to 5: PrecessName, InstanceName, Configuration, Location.X, Location.Y Everything works fine except one thing: The Configuration parameter has to look like Application=Notepad.exe or Color=255 so it includes = sign. And this sign is lost somewhere before it reaches my server. I tried passing this parameter as a plain text, with quotation mark and with an apostrophe (quotation mark and apostrophe can be removed later). When I type: Configuration=Application=Notepad.exe I get: ApplicationNotepad.exe When I type: Configuration=Application=Notepad.exe I get: ApplicationNotepad.exe When I type: Configuration='Application=Notepad.exe' I get: 'ApplicationNotepad.exe' So the Process Container is created and has proper process name, X and Y location and instance name but in any case the configuration field lacks the = sign. I thought that this could be a problem with GetState_Parameter procedure but it's not - when I display a message containing Parameters variable, before I extract single parameters it shows without = mark already. Anybody has an idea how to deal with this? I know that this may be of little interest to the majority of PEDA forum so the continuation (if any) can be moved to DEV Forum or off-line Thanks in advance, Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] Updating parts in cache
Michael Binning wrote: Hello all, Does anybody know if it is possible to update a single component in a schematic, rather than all of the together? Open your schematic document, highlight the component in a list (under Browse Sch Tab in Design Manager panel) and click Edit. In Schematic Library Editor click Update Schematics button (under components list) - it should update the component definition in all opened schematics. I say it should update because this process is not 100% reliable (sometimes the component is not updated) - there was a discussion on the Forum and there were some suggestions how to ensure that the update is actually performed - - I don't remember the details. Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] Global track width changes
William, Steve and others I'm afraid that there was some confusion in this situation. And that confusion was caused by original writer. Because there was no other information in the original post specifying the version of software, I assumed (and so did Steve, maybe others as well) that the question was about Protel 99SE. From the self-answer it can be seen that it was about Protel DXP. My personal (possibly subjective) comment: Although there is a separate (Altiums) forum specifically for DXP and the posts placed here (PEDA forum) concern mainly Protel 99SE, the questions about DXP are neither banned nor prohibited and not even discouraged here in no way. However, IMO it is a good practice to specify clearly which version of the software the question concerns. Especially if it's anything else than 99SE. Regards Wojciech Oborski William Dager wrote: Hi again folks, This may seem like a real dumb question and perhaps it is right in front of me and I am blind to it. In some other EDA tools, you are able to select an entire group of traces, right-click and edit items common to all the tracks such as width. Is there a way to do this in Protel? I want to select an entire group of tracks, and change all the tack widths to one regardless of their current width. Can anyone assist me? Thank you and Best regards, Bill Dager - William Dager wrote: It WAS dumb...I found it...Inspector! Never mind. - Steve Hendrix wrote: I'm surprised nobody jumped in and answered this already. Select your tracks, then dblclk one of them to open the edit box. Bottom right corner, click the global button. In the middle column, set selection to Same. change the track width as you wish, and click OK. Up pops a dialog box telling how many objects will change, and asking for confirmation to proceed. Steve Hendrix * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] Protel 99SE ERC
My post haven't reached the Forum, again, so I repost: Website Visitor wrote: snip If you had a port that was supposed to match a port on another page, but you mispelled one of them, had a space in one of them, etc. you wouldn't know it by using the ERC. That seems really strange to me! snip There is a utility (server) that may help with this: Schematic Port Cross-Reference Wizard by Aspiring Technology, see: http://www.aspiring-technology.com/website/prt_xrf.html Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] Design@rsd.tv
I'm not John A.Ross, however I may confirm that the link is OK. The page titled Comparison Between Protel P99SE and Protel DXP opens without a problem here (Netscape 6). http://www.considered.com.au/DXP_vs_P99SE.htm Wojciech Oborski Kiba Dempsey wrote: Hi John, I can't seem to open the link you gave. Any chance you could check to see if it is correct. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] logo in template does not show
Here is what I discovered (and concluded) some time ago: The template definition contains just the link to the image (logo) file, not the image itself. That link is the full file name (with path - like C:\ ...\Image.bmp ) and points to the directory from which the image file originates. So every time Protel opens a schematic it searches for that image file and it expects to be located exactly where the link points to. One can make the link to be just the file name (like Image.bmp) - it will make Protel to search for the image file in CURRENT DIRECTORY. If Protel can't find the image file in the directory to which the link points to, the logo is still displayed properly if it can be found in: 1. PROTEL'S SYSTEM DIRECTORY ( ...\Design Explorer 99 SE\System\), 2. Any directory which is in the PATH (established in environment variables), 3. CURRENT DIRECTORY, By opening a ddb one makes the directory in which it resides the current directory. But only if one opens it with Open Dialog. If on opens the project from the 'Recent File' list, the current directory may be anything and the logo isn't displayed. As I checked earlier the solution proposed by Protel's Tech Support (KB2421 - placing the image file inside a database) doesn't work. It means it works, but only just after importing the image file. The reason why after such an operation the logo IS displayed is exclusively the fact that while importing the image file one makes the directory containing that file the CURRENT directory. When another directory becomes the current directory and one opens a schematic, the logo won't show. The solution seems to be: Either establish fixed name directory or network directory to keep your image file(s) Or keep your image file(s) in Protel's system directory. IMO, the only place which is globally recognizable is Protel's system directory - probably that's why Protel placed their logo there. So, changing the link or moving the image file after moving the design to another directory (what Jeff suggested) is not necessary. And keeping the image file in the same directory with all ddb files (what Laurie suggested) is not necessary too. Regards, Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] 99SE SP6 updating footprints
I may confirm the behaviour that Leo described - - after adding/removing a component to/from a library, going back to PCB Editor, clicking on a library name in Explorer Window (Browse PCB tab) - - the Components list is updated. It means - it works for me. Regards, Wojciech Oborski Leo Potjewijd wrote: snip John, I just did what you described: opened an existing pcb, went to the library editor via 'edit' in the navigator, copied and renamed an existing footprint (thus creating a new one), clicked on the save button, stepped back to the pcb and clicked on the library name: presto!, the new component showed up in the list I even checked it with removal of components, that works too for me There is defenitely something very weird going on. Be it in my installation, yours, or both. snip * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Re: [PEDA] 99SE Find Files Found
Dennis Saputelli wrote: by right window i meant the main right hand pane when the list of files is showing over there (and only then) I should add - not only then. I mean you don't have to have a ddb open to be able to access this feature. After you start Protel so the Design Explorer's empty window opens you may press F3 - like Windows' Find File, but it executes Protel's Find Files process. I think it's more common that one needs to find a file before any ddb is open. Regards, Wojciech Oborski * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
