Protel 2004 by Altium

[Fred]

I've been using Protel 99SE for a few years and it's become a good tool
for me. It was the first PCB layout package I've ever used and the
learning curve was a lot of effort and not something I would relish
undertaking again.

I got a notice from Protel (now Altium ) that there was an upgrade path
to Protel 2004. Their sales rep told me the user interface was different
and would take some time to learn (how convienient).

My questions:

1) Does anyone on the net use Protel 2004? How does it compare to the
Pads and Orcads of the world?
2) How much trouble to learn Protel 2004 already somewhat versed in 99SE?
3) Is it worth the effort to go from 99SE to 2004?

Thanks in advance for any information.

Regards,

Fred

 

[nospam]

1) Does anyone on the net use Protel 2004? How does it compare to the
Pads and Orcads of the world?

Big question, very few people know more than one CAD package well enough to
make an informed and unbiased comparison.

2) How much trouble to learn Protel 2004 already somewhat versed in 99SE?

Much more than you would expect.

3) Is it worth the effort to go from 99SE to 2004?

Ought to be a no-brainer but the answer far from simple.

Go to http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ and read
some of the discussions.

 

[Bob Stephens]

I've been using Protel 99SE for a few years and it's become a good tool
for me. It was the first PCB layout package I've ever used and the
learning curve was a lot of effort and not something I would relish
undertaking again.

I got a notice from Protel (now Altium ) that there was an upgrade path
to Protel 2004. Their sales rep told me the user interface was different
and would take some time to learn (how convienient).

My questions:

1) Does anyone on the net use Protel 2004? How does it compare to the
Pads and Orcads of the world?
2) How much trouble to learn Protel 2004 already somewhat versed in 99SE?
3) Is it worth the effort to go from 99SE to 2004?

Thanks in advance for any information.

Regards,

Fred

I've been using Protel since 98, then 99, then 99SE, then DXP and recently
2004, mainly because I've just got in the habit of upgrading. The learning
curve from 99SE to DXP/2004 is fairly significant. Lots of 'look and feel'
differences and conceptual differences as well. My 2 cents would be, if
99SE is doing a good job for you - as it probably is - stick with it and
save yourself the heartache and $.


Bob

 

[Brad Velander]

Fred,
Besides reading the posts to the Protel EDA forum, join the
forum and receive posts directly to your Email. The members of
that listserver include many Protel professionals from around the
world. If anybody can answer you questions or give opinions, they
can. it is without doubt the best technical support system for a
CAD package and the cost is "zero". If you gain from the forum I
would suggest that you also take the time to participate and post
advice for others when you can, nobody likes someone who is
always just taking. The forum is essentially a user run forum so
good solid participation is what keeps it alive.

In short, the biggest difference from P99SE is the Query
system. It replaces the older global edits and ties into rules
and other aspects of utilizing the package efficiently. You can
download tutorials and white papers on using the query system
from Altium/Protel's website. I would strongly suggest getting
those materials and downloading the demo product. Then play with
the demo product and run through all the tutorials. Check the
website for all the tutorial and how-to materials as well. Then
you will be in some sort of a position to make your the best
decision for you based upon your own experience and the
assistance/comments from users on the Protel EDA Forum.

--
Sincerely,
Brad Velander

Big question, very few people know more than one CAD package well enough to
make an informed and unbiased comparison.
versed in 99SE?

Much more than you would expect.


Ought to be a no-brainer but the answer far from simple.

Go to

http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ and
read

 

[Ruediger Kluge]

Hi Fred,

I've been using Protel 99SE for a few years and it's become a good tool
for me. It was the first PCB layout package I've ever used and the
learning curve was a lot of effort and not something I would relish
undertaking again. ....

I'm also using Protel 99SE SP6. It took a long time before 99SE got
stable. I had a look at DXP and Protel 2004. Also I use Camtastic. There
seems to be a lot differences in the new systems.
In the moment I don't have any advantages of the newer systems. So I
will wait.
What are the functions of 2004 that you need, and that are not available
in in 99SE? Also it disturbs me, that Protel depends on XP.

 

[George]

Hi Fred,


I'm also using Protel 99SE SP6. It took a long time before 99SE got
stable. I had a look at DXP and Protel 2004. Also I use Camtastic. There
seems to be a lot differences in the new systems.
In the moment I don't have any advantages of the newer systems. So I
will wait.
What are the functions of 2004 that you need, and that are not available
in in 99SE? Also it disturbs me, that Protel depends on XP.

If you can keep the 99SE SP6 and the Computer and the OS alive then no
need to change. But someday you'll need a new computer and then WIN
XP will probably be the OS and that's the time to make the change.

I'm in the same boat as you. But I also needed some of the parts that
came in the Protel 2004 libraries. So I made the change and crawled
up the learning curve.

George

 

[Fred]

If you can keep the 99SE SP6 and the Computer and the OS alive then no
need to change. But someday you'll need a new computer and then WIN
XP will probably be the OS and that's the time to make the change.

I'm in the same boat as you. But I also needed some of the parts that
came in the Protel 2004 libraries. So I made the change and crawled
up the learning curve.

George

I can't say that there are any new functions that I need at the moment.
I'm window shopping so to speak.

My first information regarding Protel was their Protel98 package. It was
full of bugs and the folks I knew using it went berserk trying to get
even simple designs done. It took quite a while for Protel to fix the
bugs but I guess they got there.

I started designing PCBs with Protel99. It was again loaded with bugs
but gradually I got to know the program and it became a good tool after
99SE was available (and alot of elbow-grease). But one thing that really
stuck in my mind with Protel is that when they offer a new product,
beware. It ain't gonna be fun! So I was looking to see what others have
experienced with the newer Protel packages.

Incidentally, I am using Protel99SE (SP6) with XP. At first there were
some strange occurances (functions that used to work in 98SE stopped
working or worked differently). I contacted Protel and they said they
knew of no problems using 99SE with XP. I must have grown use to the
differences cause it works fine now.

I will look into the USersgroup. I've never tried that approach and am
gratified to know it's of value.

Thanks,

Fred

 

[Bob Stephens]

If you can keep the 99SE SP6 and the Computer and the OS alive then no
need to change. But someday you'll need a new computer and then WIN
XP will probably be the OS and that's the time to make the change.

I'm in the same boat as you. But I also needed some of the parts that
came in the Protel 2004 libraries. So I made the change and crawled
up the learning curve.

George

Wouldn't it have been easier - and cheaper - to build the parts you needed?

 

[Ruediger Kluge]

Hi,
George schrieb:

If you can keep the 99SE SP6 and the Computer and the OS alive then no
need to change. But someday you'll need a new computer and then WIN
XP will probably be the OS and that's the time to make the change.

No I'm running Protel 99SE on XP.

I'm in the same boat as you. But I also needed some of the parts that
came in the Protel 2004 libraries. So I made the change and crawled
up the learning curve.

How long did it take? Only for the parts I would not change or upgrade.

 

[Ruediger Kluge]

Hi Brad

Fred,
Besides reading the posts to the Protel EDA forum, join the
forum and receive posts directly to your Email. The members of
that listserver include many Protel professionals from around the
world.

Which forum do you mean?

 

[Brad Velander]

The Techserve "Protel EDA Forum".