I do it the easy way, with good 'ol Bishop Graphics stick-on lines &
donuts. Never believed in that new-fangled "CAD" stuff.
Bob
I guess its like sex, you don't know what you're missing until you've tried
it. Yes I used to do the stick and donut thing about 25 years ago but I wish
I had CAD then. This stuff makes it soooo easy.
Try Autotrax for starters - the following will help you. Reprinted from
site.
<<< R.C.S. Radio Pty Ltd - 651 Forest rd. BEXLEY - 22O7 >>> PROTEL
EASYTRAX (AUTOTRAX) ARTWORK GUIDE OVERVIEW
PROTEL EASY-TRAX Overview Bob Barnes - VJ2R - VK2RCS
Tel (o2) 587-3491 B. Hours
EASYTRAX.RCS Fax (o2) 587-5385 24 hours
Items to be discussed
UPLOADING THE PROGRAM
Create a sub-directory on your hard drive and call it say ET (keep it
small) or path it off another sub-directory called CAD. Upload all the
files from the floppy, including RCSCOMP1.PCB & RCSCOMP1.LIB. Now run the
2 EASYZIP*.exe files to uncrunch.
This will produce many files and a few meg for later usage.
MONITOR REQUIREMENTS
VGA is ideal - however EGA or CGA is quite ok. The use of a monochrome
screen (HERCULES etc) is the first indication of a hereditary insanity
problem - get this diagnosed quickly.
Before loading the Program EASYEDIT.exe I suggest you run the batch
file VGA64O or EGA or CGA (Batch file Graphics loaders).
SET PATHS
After you have copied all the files into a sub-directory, run the
video batch file driver of your choice, we have to set up some paths so
that the computer knows next time you turn it on and read the
defaults. I will outline quickly here and later on do a step by step
check list. As you are in the sub-directory with the files EASYEDIT.exe &
EASYPLOT.exe, now type in EASYEDIT [ENTER]. This will load the main
editor/generator program, the main cover page comes up then press
[ENTER].
If you look in the top Left Hand corner a small path box will appear,
press enter and see if you get a 'blip', if you get a blip then type
in eg. the Drive etc. C:\ET\ [ENTER] If you were successful, a
little box will display showing you all the ********.PCB files you have
ready to edit etc. You should see at least DEMO.PCB and RCSCOMP1.PCB.
Please note all the extensions on EASYTRAX (or AUTOTRAX) are of the
identifiable xxxxxxxx.PCB. Move the cursor (normal key board arrow
movements) and set it on the file YOU want then press [ENTER] - and
presto the file will upload and present.
Now I know a lot of you (who drag knuckles on the ground) will say to me
'use the mouse' - The mouse is next to useless because it can get you
into a lot of trouble if you are not CAREFUL. The mouse offers only one
advantage in that you can scoot around the
screen from one corner to another v e r y q u i c k l y .
Designers who use it to establish manufacturing cut marks always manage
to design a rhombic/trapezoid, never a square/rectangle. If you just
press [ENTER] a EASYEDIT 2.O6 menu box will appear in the top LEFT Hand
corner.
Now onto the setting up of defaults within the program. After you went
past the start-up page of EASYTRAX - Press escape now press [ENTER].
A menu called EASYEDIT 2.O6 will appear in the top left hand section of
the screen. The following commands are presented and a brief summary as
to what they do, follows ......
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<<< R.C.S. Radio Pty Ltd - 651 Forest rd. BEXLEY - 22O7 >>> PROTEL
EASYTRAX (AUTOTRAX) ARTWORK GUIDE OVERVIEW
BLOCK
This is used when you wish to create a component or if you want to mark
an area for deletion or removal. It is menu driven as you use it and it
is best used early in the piece to do some BLOCK Copying of an ARTWORK
(experiment on some rubbish)
Remember you can do some fatal artwork modifications using this procedure
-use with extreme caution.
CURRENT
Move the cursor down to the Current then press [ENTER] This will
display some basic settings the program should have in the default state.
We will go through each setting and suggest default settings.
Cursor Mode : Absolute Please leave this in this mode, at a later
date you may be more adventurous to use this
feature.
Floating Origin : 0,0 Again, Please do not touch.
Layer : Bottom Leave this as such as this is the normal
startup default layer.
Pad Type : Round70 Press [ENTER] if this is NOT so
as this should be your MINIMUM default PAD
(do-nut) size in thou. I recommend Round85
for most use.
Pad Orientation : Normal Leave this, do not waste time.
Track Width : 30 Most of your artwork should be this. in
thou. You will 'thin' down to 15 thou if
close proximity demands this and you will
'neck' down to 1O thou when you going between
IC Pads.
String Size : 84 Normal or select 60 - Your choice entirely as
to how much info you want on the cluttering
the screen.
Via size : 62 The absolute minimum - better still press
[ENTER] and choose 70 Mil/thou The term via
is a wankers name for a hole to connect both
sides of a PCB and not have use a component's
lead tails do the honours. Mostly used in
Plated Through Hole designs.
Arc Line Width : 10 Unimportant, this you change on the run
normally so don't loose any sleep on this
setting.
Grid : Imperial LEAVE THIS ON IMPERIAL - DO NOT USE METRIC !
! !
(REAL MEN USE IMPERIAL - ? USE METRIC)
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<<< R.C.S. Radio Pty Ltd - 651 Forest rd. BEXLEY - 22O7 >>> PROTEL
EASYTRAX (AUTOTRAX) ARTWORK GUIDE OVERVIEW
DELETE
This routine is used with caution. i.e. Delete Pad, Track, Component, -
USE WITH CARE !!!
EDIT
In this routine you can edit a track - make thinner/thicker etc. Also
you can edit the pads on an existing component. This routine is not
Global.
FILE
At this point you can upload an old file for editing or you can save a
new file. Be warned to check the file destination - it can be very easy
to overwrite an existing required file. BE WARNED !!
GRID
The Current settings should be SNAP (invisible) 25 and VISIBLE of 100 .
That means visible grid is 1/1O" or 1OO thou and the snap cursor
movements are in 25 thou steps (or 4 per 1/1O").
You only change the grid during an artwork generation if you have to do
the final connections eg. a DB25, metric based component (relay) or any
other idiotic non-imperial based component.
At this stage it may be prudent to slip down to a 5 thou grid do the
final connections then immediately change back to 25 thou.
Remember part of an artwork is professional presentation and not just a
CLANCY OF THE OVERFLOW special.
Another matter for IMPERIAL v METRIC is in the arena of BARE BOARD
testing.
If you want this added procedure during manufacture then a normal drop
the test pin in and make your own tester is of minor costings to make the
Imperial Jig based on 1/1O" component pad placings, But if a special
Metric one have to machined up, then my friend your wallet will be a lot
thinner to the tune of thousands.
HIGHLIGHT
Use the HIGHLIGHT NET command to verify a track and its associated
connection. An excellent de-bugger. (H N means Highlight Net)
INFORMATION
Data regarding Board Dimensions, Pads, Holes Tracks, Strings etc.
JUMP
To be used in trying to locate a component buried in a ton of tracks,
used now and again, cute.
LIBRARY
An excellent section, it allows you to upload NEW Libraries as well
create New, do repairs etc. When you have loaded EASYEDIT for the first
time it will load in the PROTEL Standard Lib.
After you have hit the Library command you will get another
Sub menu called LIBRARY
Add : This is used when you wish to add your masterpiece of
designed component to a *.LIB
Browse : Shows all the components in the *.LIB
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<<< R.C.S. Radio Pty Ltd - 651 Forest rd. BEXLEY - 22O7 >>> PROTEL
EASYTRAX (AUTOTRAX) ARTWORK GUIDE OVERVIEW
Compact : General Housekeeping routine
Delete : A Track, Pad, Component, etc. - Use with caution
Explode : Used to modify a component, to change the pad sizes
etc. At this point you cane DELETE the component from
the *.LIB or you can just use the exploded component as
is, or BLOCK Define and save as a new Component name.
File : Check paths and upload other *.LIBraries of your
choice. You will have a few libs mainly the
EASYSTD.LIB -Protels Standard Library. I suggest you
don't use. RCSCOMP1.LIB -Being modest, this is the
best you will ever use. It uses common-sense pad sizes.
etc.
xxxxxxxx.LIB - This will be your own LIB.
MOVE
Move components, tracks, etc. and of course the most excellent Re-route
-a trick bit of track alterations. Every thing else
self explanatory. Again use with caution.
PLACE
Components, tracks, vias, etc. - common-sense.
REPEAT
A most dangerous command in the military and a most dangerous
way of stuffing an artwork you could imagine. Practice on some rubbish
no good artwork and witness the carnage you can do.
SETUP
Component Text : Leave this as is - experiment later, this only sets up
the default text sizes, norm. 6O thou.
Layer Colours
The settings are for your eye sight choice. The de-facto standard which
has been adopted by US Standard 275 is COPPER SIDE (Bottom Solder Layer)
is to be RED with the COMPONENT Side (Top Tracked side) to be BLUE. Most
PCB software comes (owing to ignorance - vice versa).
The history of RED or BLUE is a fairly simple one of DOLLARS $$$.
In the beginning (just after the earth was covered with water)
Pre-cut Tapes and Do-nuts were made by a few early companys, and in
summary they were furry and poorly punched rubbish. Artworks had to be
4:1 to get any sort of line definition.
The company BISHOPS GRAPHICS improved the Tape & Donut items for us
future PRINTED WIRING BOARD designers/makers (PCB). And so BISHOPS
GRAPHICS produced vast varieties in 2 styles, being the BLACK CREPE
flexible tapes and the RED Pre-slit tapes & do-nuts. It was a matter of
economics that we all used standard KODAK ORTHO Type 3 Graphic Arts Sheet
film to make negs for photo-resist exp. This film in 2O" x 16" was
approx $4.oo per sheet , and as black or red artworks could be viewed
under standard RED wratten filter in the dark-room then cheap negatives
on 7 thou mylar were the go.
Thus this made proto typing fairly cheap to make.
Page 4
<<< R.C.S. Radio Pty Ltd - 651 Forest rd. BEXLEY - 22O7 >>> PROTEL
EASYTRAX (AUTOTRAX) ARTWORK GUIDE OVERVIEW
Then years later the "other side" that is double sided PWB's were
developed for more dense needs. So some brite person at KODAK working
with the development at BISHOPS made the discovery that if RED & BLUE
slit transparent tapes were used on transparent mylar representing BOTTOM
& TOP Layers, then with rear lighting and the appropriate filters in
front of the separation camera, the 2 layers of tapes could be
photographically separated by using wratten drop out filters to remove
the unwanted taped-up side and make different negative films for each
side.
The summary is, if you use BLACK Donuts (or edge connectors) then this
becomes common to both sides where as the RED and the BLUE can be
separated out in the darkroom to produce the negs.
The only problem is to drop out a RED & pick up the BLUE you need to use
B/W PANCHROMATIC (High ASA) film and you MUST work in TOTAL Darkness. NO
SAFELIGHTS and the film is mega-bucks per box. (Like normal 35mm B/W
film). This was the death knock on doing single sided prototypes in
BLUE. A BLUE SEPARATION today is going to cost you in excess of $9
o +
if you're lucky, where a RED/BLACK generated neg. is approx $15.oo In
conclusion it was a matter of economics as to the standards of A/W
pattern layers. So choose similar screen colours.
I suggest you adopt these because you may invite some-one to assist you
in tracing a circuit out and it is a real pain in the *#!^$#@$#&^% if
these colours are not adopted from machine to another.
thus settings should look like ........
Layer Colours : Top Layer : BLUE 9
: 1 Mid Layer : Off ÄÄ¿
: 2 Mid Layer : Off ³ No specific
: 3 Mid Layer : Off ³ colours.
: 4 Mid Layer : Off ÄÄÙ
: Bottom Layer : RED 12
: Overlay : YELLOW 14
: Ground Plane : Off Leave Off or 10
: Power Plane : Off Leave Off or 4
: Board Layer : Off Leave Off or 5
: Multilayer : GREY 7
: Background : BLACK 0
: Highlight : green 2 (grid dots etc.)
: Palatte No. :
MENU COLOURS
Entirely your choice - how ever I have mine set at
Background .... : 0 Text : 10 Lines : 2 Shadow : 8
KEYS
Leave these alone until you have more time to tread in Dangerous waters.
OPTIONS
Auto Pan : On (saves hitting <F1O> all the time)
Backup : 5 (minutes for a safety backup)
Cursor Type : Small Cross (Your choice of 3 variances)
Drag : None (I find it ok - again your choice in case
you move a component then all the tracks
drag over auto.)
Page 5
<<< R.C.S. Radio Pty Ltd - 651 Forest rd. BEXLEY - 22O7 >>> PROTEL
EASYTRAX (AUTOTRAX) ARTWORK GUIDE OVERVIEW
Ortho Mode : Off (makes tracks hard to put down)
Via Mode Auto : On
Flash Cursor : On (attention getter)
Question Delete : Yes (most definitely !!!)
REDRAW : Ignore this section - LEAVE AS IS, as you get more
experienced then experiment at making the Arcs, Fills,
Pads, Strings, Tracks, Vias from Final to Draft (Ghost
outline).
STRINGS : Leave as is - experiment with later for default string
(TEXT) placement sizes. 60, 60, 60
TOGGLE LAYERS : Top Layer : On (In case of Double Sided)
: 1 Mid Layer : Off
: 2 Mid Layer : Off
: 3 Mid Layer : Off
: 4 Mid Layer : Off
: Bottom Layer : On (Always ON !!!)
: Overlay : On (Yellow Comp. layer Toggle)
: Ground Plane : Off (Only on for RF circuits)
: Power Plane : Off
: Board Layer : Off
: Multi Layer : On (Always ON for Pads etc)
UN-DELETE : Brilliant , used a lot to save ones mistaken scrub-
outs. This feature will replace the last number of xx
nominated steps for components, or of track & pad
deletions. Be very CAREFULL !!!
ZOOM : Basic feature to allow you (depending on what monitor
you are using to examine closely the placement of
components or track layout closeups The features are
self explanatory, however the one I mostly use is ZOOM
ALL. (see short cuts)
THE QUICK WAY OF LAYING OUT ARTWORK DESIGNS
Track width min eg 1O thou, be on the OVERLAY Layer and make or define
the size of the artwork to be, i.e. box size etc. Next by using the +
-change to the BOTTOM Layer layers and now put your corner cut marks in.
This defines the size of the PWB for manufacturing purposes. Place the
components in cluster, similar to a schematic near each other for short
IC, R, C, track connections. If need be, save this file and do a
printout showing all the pads, then play pencil in the trackwork. Now
transfer the pencilled up sketch to the BOTTOM Layer using 3O thou tracks
everywhere, then lay in the TOP Layer (or use links).
Check and recheck, use the HIGHLIGHT NET to check out the track circuit.
With the artwork now finished, play it out to the LAZER or PLOTTER, make
negatives, next do the exposure on RISTON coated copper, then develop,
etch, drill, solder plate, trim and wrap/pack - easy isn't it ?.
Page 6
<<< R.C.S. Radio Pty Ltd - 651 Forest rd. BEXLEY - 22O7 >>> PROTEL
EASYTRAX (AUTOTRAX) ARTWORK GUIDE OVERVIEW
Miscellaneous Information
IMPERIAL v METRIC
Only IMPERIAL - NO METRIC !!! - as IC's are 1/1O" pin spacing then
there is no valid reason for Metric. 2 Major PCB makers charge more
for Metric layouts because NC Drilling takes longer as the NC machines
are of American origin and have to to metric conversions. We here at RCS
will be putting an approx 25% to 3O% next year 1995 on non-imperial
artwork PCB production. Forget the metric board they are not making the
electronic components we use.
CONTROL KEYS
The CONTROL (Ctrl) Keys are a quick way to change defaults on the run.
examples follow ....
Ctrl P - will allow you change PAD sizes on the run without going back to
main menu and into the CURRENT Section.
Ctrl T - as above, quick change into new amended TRACK width
for continuing a track width, many reasons.
Ctrl S - changes STRING (TEXT) - Quick change between 6O or 84 etc or
between any string size. The default is saved.
Ctrl G - for changes to the existing Grid - Jump between 25 to 5 thou for
connecting Imperial tracks to Metric components.
SHORT CUTS
P P means to PLACE PAD (or what-ever the default is at cursor)
D P means to DELETE PAD (at this cursor location)
<F1> means to PLACE PAD (or what-ever the default is at cursor) <F2>
means to DELETE PAD (at this cursor location)
P T means to PLACE TRACK at this Starting point using the default
track size as per current.
D T means to DELETE TRACK at this cursor location
Always remember to hit <ESC> at the conclusion of a track placement, so
you can continue elsewhere at the touch of a P T
P C means to PLACE a COMPONENT, If none in the stack then it will open
up the default library and you put the cursor on the selected one
for placement.
D C means DELETE the COMPONENT where the cursor is on.
Z A means to do a quick ZOOM ALL of the A/W for an overview as to the
general layout of the design.
This also will show as a warning if the A/W does not fill the
screen then you have misc.junk on the outriggers or you may have a
corrupt component. Every now and again you should check the
Information Board dimensions
( I B ) to see if there is no idiotic board dimensions being
displayed. If you get either Z A or I B to appear to be out of
character then cease work, save the file so far on a floppy and
start deleting dots, tracks, components out at the so called layout
location, next start deleting components then give me a ring on
(o2) 587-3491 BH.
* ALWAYS use the + or - keys to change layers (Bottom/Top etc)
Page 7
<<< R.C.S. Radio Pty Ltd - 651 Forest rd. BEXLEY - 22O7 >>> PROTEL
EASYTRAX (AUTOTRAX) ARTWORK GUIDE OVERVIEW
If you want to place another component of the same type press [ENTER] or
P C and it continues, however if you need another component then when the
[ENTER] button is operated and the last style of component appears at the
"grab this component line" then back space to the left and the put a ?
question mark. hit [ENTER] and the library will reappear for you to
choose a new item .
The PLACING of STRINGS (TEXT) is a very important feature in the
generating of an artwork, firstly it assists the manufacturer in
identifing the correct side of the which board faces 'out' and secondly
it correctly labels the owner of the finished PWB.
These 2 reasons may seem unimportant however it is very easy in the
subdued yellow light to 'print' the NEG on to the RISTON upside down
without some sort of assistance from the designer.
In the Placing of STRINGS (TEXT) I suggest you move the cursor to a clear
area on the artwork (on screen) make sure you ON the correct layer, in
this case the RED or BOTTOM COPPER SOLDER SIDE
Layer and type P S this puts you into the correct mode.
A little box will appear in the Top Left hand area of the screen
prompting you to enter your TEXT, ARGUS TUFT ELECTRONICS or 15vAC or Ref.
V etc. Get the idea , type your text the press [ENTER] then [ENTER]
again to confirm location. Press <ESC> to escape this routine or type in
more text etc.
There are 2 changes you can make to the STRING/TEXT , size of TEXT and
flipped in case you want it to appear 'correct' on the bottom layer
(copper solder side).
The flipping of the STRING/TEXT is done by now typing M S (MOVE STRING)
and if the cursor is on the desired string and you have captured the
string you can whilst in the capture mode press X this will flip the
string in an EAST WEST movement. STRINGS are allways 'X' ed. for the
correct placement on the copper/solder side. Note you can move the string
around 9O degrees whilst in the M S mode press the [SPACEBAR], if you
want the TEXT to run N S "North South" then press [ENTER] at this point
for final capture, or press [SPACEBAR] a few times to rotate the STRING
on this axis.
After mastering the placement/movement of the STRING/TEXT the last change
you can do is to alter the size.
If this item is to be edited or changed in size then type E S
then [ENTER] to EDIT the STRING. Up comes our little edit box in the top
left hand corner with the edit location on the SIZE, press
[ENTER] and you will see various STRING/TEXT sizes available from 48 thou
to 56O thou, most of the time your CURRENT setting will
be on 60 or 84, but for company name or company part number use 120 or
160 thou so as to stand out from the usual text clutterings on the PWB
A/W. Move the cursor up/down to the appropriate STRING
size and press [ENTER] then <ESC> and now the STRING/TEXT will have
changed to you latest request.
So in summary .....
P S to Place String/Text
M S to Move String using cursor, space bar, X or Y
E S to Edit String to change String/Text size or text content.
Although EASYTRAX does not give an infinite variety of STRING sizes -
commonsense will prevail that you are designing an A/W
for a PWB - you are not writing TOLSTOY'S WAR and PEACE.
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<<< R.C.S. Radio Pty Ltd - 651 Forest rd. BEXLEY - 22O7 >>> PROTEL
EASYTRAX (AUTOTRAX) ARTWORK GUIDE OVERVIEW
Another area to look at is the EDITING of COMPONENTS. (PADS etc.)
In this case you can change the size of component pads in the case
real estate becomes a problem or you may need LARGER LANDS or PADS for
soldering to. Simply place the cursor on the PAD to be EDITED
and type E P to do the job, up comes a little advisory box in the
T.L.H.Cnr, move the identifing bar down to the word SHAPE.
Press [ENTER] and select you new pad size for the component,
this is a tempory edit and it will NOT effect the LIBRARY. Move
the SELECT BAR to the PAD of your choice, press [ENTER] then <ESC>
This will now drop you out of the EDIT Pad routine and show you the
finished result. Do this many times for practice on a PAD you have
placed external to your "masterpiece".
Generating NEW or Modifying Existing Components.
Earlier I suggested you will have 3 or more component librarys
and to this I suggest you do the following
1. Observe the EASYTRAX Lbrary and leave it. It is only a guide.
2. The Supplied RCSCOMP1.LIB should be COPIED to another directory
and renamed to say Your Surname eg BLOGGS1.LIB, then MOVED back into
the EASYTRAX directory. Why do you ask to you have 2 Librarys the
same in content ?, well this is the Library which is yours to
alter/edit/add etc. In case you ever get a later RCSCOMP1.LIB then
all your hard work will not be lost.
3. In the general layout arena type L F - then move the cursor on our
LIBRARY FILE NAME BOX to the end, fix up the correct path,
and type in YOUR file name BLOGGS1.LIB [ENTER].
Your auto load default library is now installed when ever you reload
EASYEDIT.
Right, what to do now is to upload a component you which to EDIT
i.e. P C - select - [ENTER], Put the cursor in the middle of the
component and Type L E (Library Explode) and this will reduce the
generated component into a set of individual primitives, ie
what was used to make the component.
Now do your shoving, pushing, edit pads,.... etc. O.K. you have now
produced your latest 9 pin NE555, move cursor out to say a tenth of an
inch above and to the right extremity of the NEW component, next hit the
[ENTER] - this will bring up the EASYEDIT 2.O6 MENU, the BAR cursor will
be on the Statement named Block
so press [ENTER] - you are now in the Block Menu with Cursor Bar on
Define , hit [ENTER] [ENTER] now move the cursor, (see the square
enveloping your new component), to the Bottom Left Hand side of the
component - out past the extremities ( size is not important ) and press
[ENTER] - next move the cursor to the
MIDDLE of the component or pin 1 (your choice), this to choose
the placement reference point for now on with this component.
Press [ENTER] on YOUR Reference point - thus this fixes the ref.
point ad-infinitum. If you are in your BLOGGS1.LIB the next thing to do
is to store your super 9 pin NE555, so type L A
meaning LIBRARY ADD, give it a commsense name eg. 9PIN555 in the NEW
LIBRARY COMPONENT NAME Box at the cursor, then press [ENTER].
To prove your handiwork P C (place component) NAME IN LIBRARY
type in 9PIN555 [ENTER], COMPONENT DESIGNATOR = U1 etc,
COMMENTS = 9PIN555 [ENTER]. ok practice some more.
Moving Components is similar to Moving Strings, M C [ENTER]
X, Y, SPACEBAR etc. whatever, this will flip E W or N S or rotate.
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EASYTRAX (AUTOTRAX) ARTWORK GUIDE OVERVIEW
Other editing of tracks can be carried like thus....
MOVE RE-DRAW on a track allows a cut and bend, in case you wish to
'neck' a track between an IC, easy with experience.
The saving of files should be done with great care, be aware you can
write over your last masterpiece if you do not RETITLE it.
To begin on a new sheet you can always F C File Clear this will give
you a clean sheet, but be aware the first thing you do is F S
(File Save) your new blank sheet to the NEW FILE Name.
A mouse can be used with this program, but as stated earlier this device
was invented for the knuckle draggers who use APPLE MAC's and is not of
very much assistance in this program. The cut marks for production are
important to be linear, and to date artworks I have seen completed with
a mouse, leave a lot to be desired.
True, using DTP on a MAC make the IBM's look like a bucket of bolts and
being biased as to how simple it is for us PWB Makers to download these
IBM files, output them and use easilly. Viva IBM !
There are other programs in the CAD game, AUTOCAD version 2.17 to version
13 - all excellent programs, however as we have no down load or playout
software so overall they are collectively useless.
AUTOCAD is the unquestionable giant in CAD - but for laying out Art Works
it is like using a D9 Caterpiller to shell peanuts.
Numerous other packages are available for PC Artwork (PADS PC, ORCAD,
PCAD, smARTWORK, EASY PC etc ) - Forget them. HST PROTEL had the
foresight to see by releasing the ouput drivers to any PWB Manufacturer
free of charge, this spelt the end of any other real competition in the
normal Australian Electronic A/W design areas. (By the way PROTEL is
made in TASMANIA -South of Victoria) PROTEL AUTOTRAX and EASYTRAX would
dominate in excess of 99% of all my customers artworks presented to me,
for manufacture. It is some 3 years since I have seen some one come to
me with a artwork plotted out on mylar, wow !!! The advent of the LASER
has made my 6 pen plotter the most expensive coffee table at the factory.
P.S. forget the windows versions - too &*^%$#@#* s l o w !
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Finally the output of your masterpiece - using EASYPLOT.exe
Menu driven, screen colours not important, setup the type of output
device you are intending by uploading the drivers etc.
I have mine on a HP7475 for serial A3, HP 3P Postscript A4 or A3 LAZER
printer and finally an EPSON FX8O/1OO for el-cheapo draft outputs.
Fairly simply, upload your file, choose the output device and play it
out. Note misc things like FLIP layers for the bottom etc.
Again give me a call on (o2) 587-3491 AFTER BH - Bob Barnes for clues.
end of file EASYTRAX.DOC - (January 11 1995)
ask for RCS Guide sheets 3993s together with 3585s (A,B,C,D)
Get the RCS Radio COMPONENT Librarys for easy visual placements.
Page 10
end of file .......................
