VB Scripts

[therage!]

On PCB Standards is there a list that describes more in detail what each VB script does? Yeah some of them are self explanatory but it seems that the PADS web site use to have a list but I can't find it on Innovedas site.

[Tom]

I totally agree with you. There should be a written description of what each VB Script does and how it works. I will work on that.

To start, I really like the "Drill Info" script.

It brings up a dialog box that illustrates the Plated, Non-plated drill sizes and via drill sizes.

I use this VB script to combine drill sizes to minimize my drill chart and reduce the number of drill bits and drill symbols. If two holes are within 0.05mm of each other, I will merge the smaller size with the larger size.

Here's how it works. When the Drill Info dialog box is open, select the drill size that you want to change. By selecting the value, every part in the design that has that drill size will highlight. Then you Right Mouse Click and select Query/Modify and change the drill size.

You just need to remember to use the "Deselect Drill Size" when you want to select another value. This will unhighlight your previous selection. Otherwise you just keep highlighting more parts.

This VB Script is the only way you can locate drill sizes in a PowerPCB database. Drill Sizes are not in the "Find" dialog box.

[Mark Larson]

I have 4 VB scripts that I have made that are different than anybody else, these can be found on my web site: http://communities.msn.com/MarkakaSparkyakaCadBoyWebsite , but it may be better to include them here for wider distribution. Here's what they do:
1. generates a sorted BOM by part number in Excel, all parts with same part number appear on same line, can be run from PPCB or PLogic, use this if your company part number is defined by an attribute instead of part type name
2. same as above except Pick n Place data has seperate line for each part but does not output parts without part numbers
3. comp heights to Excel (and a whole lot more)
4. a variation of the plane net thermal tool script, if you have surface Split/Mixed planes, this script may be for you

I update these as I improve them, so I keep them on my web site, Is there a place for them here? I'd like more people to try them, both to find problems and also perhaps someone might see a way to improve them.

[Tom]

Mark,

I will download them from your website and we'll place them in the folder: Padspwr/Ole/VBscripts on pcbstandards "Site Index". Just let us know when you update them, or send the updated versions directly to us.

One of the tasks I am doing right now is creating a written description of all the VBscripts. What they do and how to use them. Thank you for contributing your VBsripts.

Mark, you should just e-mail me or Randy Chase those VBscripts. I tried logging on to your website and had difficulty getting in.