Protel DXP

[Mark Larson]

We use it in addition to Orcad & PowerPCB. Somebody has to get a thread going here.

Is there anybody who can give a simplified explanation of the project structure? I am familiar with ViewDraw, the concept seems the same but the particulars are different. Is there an ASCII file that can be editted to modify the project?

[mabildgaard]

I think the Project format can best be described as follows. For every new project you start it is divided into two main sections. There is the schematic entry side and the pcb layout and generation portion. You can obviously further subdivide this system. There are project rules you can set in the project options menu that govern your project as a whole. You cancustomize your error messaging and the general hierarchy of your project. Protel provides default settings but I have found you normally need to tweek things as you need. Protel unfortunately is not the most intuitive program as I'm sure you are aware of. You can find a lot of the sheet formats you will need if you go under file>>new. you should find things in there for new schematic sheets and printed circuit board layout. I hope this description helps some. Let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Mark

[r_canor]

We use it in addition to Orcad & PowerPCB. Somebody has to get a thread going here.

Is there anybody who can give a simplified explanation of the project structure? I am familiar with ViewDraw, the concept seems the same but the particulars are different. Is there an ASCII file that can be editted to modify the project?

Although I am not familiar yet with PROTEL DXP, but there is a way to deal with ASCII from a generated EIA of PROTEL..

You could somehow import these files to an outside software..say ViewMasterEz..
Then export this to ASCII, eventually you could see how it translated to ASCII.

I hope I understood what you want to clarify..

Nevertheless it is the final data considered in fabrication..editing in this format is -- I would say not recommended. But if you know some other software that process ASCII the same way as designing in PROTEL environment, then its good! But if it is regarding CAM files..inconvenient and unsafe.