Numerical Cloud is a monthly online subscription for all NI products. Provides access to upgrades at no additional charge with an active subscription. The subscription includes FAB 3000 - GerberCAM/DFM; ACE 3000 - CAD/EDA/3D translator; access to Windows and Linux version of desktop application; activation on up to three computers; secure login access; unlimited free technical support; new activation code(s); download access 24/7; free software upgrades, and access to pre-released versions of software.

Numerical Innovations, www.numericalinnovations.com

ACE Translator 3000 v 7.0 offers two-way translation between most common EDA, CAD, and 3D formats, in a single intuitive environment. Converts DXF, GDSII, Gerber, Postscript, PDF, ODB++, TIFF, BITMAP, STEP, STL, and more. Built-in viewer verifies translation results. Includes rulers, measurement tools, query, cell browser, hierarchy browser, HighLite broken polygons, plus new editing and repair features.

Numerical Innovations, numericalinnovations.com/collections/ace-translator-3000

OsmondCocoa v. 1.1.28 PCB design software comes with complete library of text characters by default if other text libraries are not available. Fixes issues that could cause opaque white patches to appear, particularly with Yosemite, when performing peg dragging or clearance checking operations. Full trace length of trace nearest cursor is now automatically displayed at the upper right, along with the X and Y position of the cursor. Two new Lua commands: "path_to_file()", and "path_to_directory()", return strings that contain the full path to the design file and to the directory that contains the design file, respectively. Fixes a bug that could cause a trace or a portion of a trace to not highlight correctly when performing a clearance checking operation.

Osmond PCB, www.osmondpcb.com

2021 Footprint Expert tool is for auto-generating PCB library parts from package dimensions and personal options.

Library Expert's output to Altium Designer has a new “Script” interface; can import footprints and 3D Step into an existing library or a new library with one part at a time or 10,000 parts in minutes. Automatically applies user-defined user preferences for pad shapes for each component family, working units, drafting outlines, footprint Pin 1 zero orientation, construction rules, solder joint goals and layer assignments. Has a footprint designer; can create footprints using manufacturer recommended pattern data. Pads ASCII still an option, but no longer required. Outputs to formats readable by Allegro, OrCAD PCB, OrCAD Layout, CADint, DesignSpark, Expedition, Pads Layout, Cadstar, CR-5000, Pantheon, Pulsonix, P-CAD, Ultiboard, Target 3001!, Eagle, DipTrace, Board Station, SoloPCB, and Proteus. Outputs 3D Step models readable by an increasing number of CAD tools.

PCB Libraries, www.pcblibraries.com

Tips for better communication and preparation.

The PCB designer is often the recipient of a file or series of files that provide the working parameters of the board. These documents will come from a physical designer who does the mechanical engineering for the project. In some cases, the PCB designer wears that hat themselves.

When the PCB outline is straightforward, do it yourself. One-off test jigs come to mind. We’re probably working with a rectangle that provides ample real estate for the intended circuit. There will be room to grow and iterate, but also space for plenty of text to ease setup and debugging. Put a hole in each corner so standoffs can be installed to raise the board above the test bench.

SANTA CLARA, CA – Mistakes were made.

PCB Designer 7.2.3 CAD tool fixes an error that occurs at the time of printing NC drill tables. Software performs panelization, transmission line analysis, mesh plane creation, design rules checks, test pin hole auto-generation, and sets keepout areas and height restrictions, and more. Outputs in Gerber and ODB++.

Quadcept, https://www.quadcept.com/en/product/pcb.html

PLANO, TX – Rutronik24 has partnered with Ultra Librarian to launch a new feature, enabling developers to download CAD models of components available at rutronik24.com.

THIEF RIVER FALLS, MN – Digi-Key Electronics is collaborating with SnapEDA to provide more than 1.5 million verified symbols, footprints, and 3-D models for Digi-Key parts.

SAN FRANCISCO – SnapEDA and Labcenter Electronics have partnered to allow engineers to search and import SnapEDA’s CAD models directly within Labcenter’s Proteus Design Suite without leaving their design environment.

A new free plugin for Altium Designer is for searching, finding and placing parts directly within PCB design tool.

SAN FRANCISCO – SnapEDA and electromechanical component manufacturer Switchcraft are collaborating to distribute digital models for Switchcraft’s products.

Consolidation is the enemy of innovation. Don’t believe me? Look at how, ahem, fast AT&T rolled out changes during its early heydays.

Ma Bell – the colloquial name for the telecom monopoly – took three years of testing (!) before it rolled out touchtone phones (aided by the invention of low-cost transistors, which Bell also patented). That was 1963. And the rotary dial was still the norm when I grew up in the 1970s. It wasn’t until the early ’80s that we made the shift, and even then AT&T was still offering rotary for wall-mounted units.

In 1982, the US government forced the breakup of Ma Bell. Cordless phones were starting to take hold about that time. The breakup unleashed a slew of digital features that to date had been wasting away in research labs. Call waiting was a revelation. Conceived by Western Electric in the 1970s, it was offered an option and hardly commonplace until the mid to late ’90s. Voicemail was invented in 1979.
It was picked up first by businesses and made its way to consumer accounts only as cellphones began their relentless penetration.

Today I’m talking about the gradual convergence of EDA single tools to integrated systems. In the early days of HiFi home entertainment systems, specialist vendors provided separate record (vinyl!) decks, amplifiers and speakers, then left it to the ingenuity of the customer to build their own system – they still do for the serious audiophiles.

What is with all the design freeware? Has the market changed so much that software has become a loss leader? And if so, on what products will CAD developers earn a profit, given that they don’t have hardware divisions?

Showing up might be 80% of life, but even that maxim can be stretched too far. 

R12-SP2 v. 13 multi-CAD interoperability software enables open standards for CAD/CAM/CAE software applications.

ROCHESTER, NY – Ultra Librarian partnered with Trinamic and Cadence to provide intelligent reference designs for download.  

Revision 2016.11 permits inclusion of CAD netlist to Gerber files. New X2 attributes include CAD netlists in Gerber fabrication data; ability to attach component reference designator, pin number and net name to the component pads in outer copper layers; attach netlist name to any conducting object on any copper layer; and attach component reference to any object.

Ucamco, www.ucamco.com