MARLBOROUGH, MA – DownStream Technologies announced BluePrint for PCBs Version 1.5. This release is said to include a variety of updates and functionality enhancements including full integration to Mentor’s Boardstation and Expedition, as well as Zuken’s Visula and CADStar PCB layout tools.

“Until now, BluePrint integrated only to Cadence’s products Allegro and OrCAD plus Mentor’s PADS Layout,” said Rick Almeida, one of DownStream’s founders. “We did this to ensure the product’s stability and acceptance in the mainstream market before we committed to expanding the integration. With this new release, the product now integrates with all of the most widely used PCB layout tools on the market and allows them access to a solution that was designed specifically to address the unique issues associated with creating PCB fabrication and assembly documentation.”


BluePrint uses the available PCB design intelligence to automatically create and link unlimited PCB views and details resulting in a more detailed and accurate documentation package in a much shorter timeframe.

Version 1.5’s reported enhancements include:

- Mentor BoardStation/Expedition interface
 
- Zuken Visula/CADStar interface

- Improved ECO support - BluePrint now retains PCB view formatting, ref des placement, user defined process steps, user defined variants, drill chart formatting and other template table formatting upon the re-import of a CAD design file ECO.
 
- Auto-sequencing text box tool  - Can be used to place procedural text box nomenclature used for wire bond ordering or cut and jumper re-work instructions.
 
- Add a suffix to a measurement and dual dimensions - Displays a measurement suffix (mm, in, mil, etc.) as well as dual dimensions.
 
- Create new drill symbols - Allows users to create their own drill symbols using BluePrint’s drafting tools or by importing the new symbol(s) through DXF.
 
- AutoSave
 
- Search - Search and find any text in a document and locate any component in a document by searching by part name or reference designator.
 
- Drill chart automatic tolerancing and tool type definition - Define a tool type for drill charts by grouping drill attributes imported with CAD design data. Also allows the user to set up tolerances to be automatically applied to plated, non-plated holes and vias.
 
- Improved keyboard bindings – Includes drafting and dimensioning tools.
 
BluePrint for PCBs Version 1.5 is available immediately. DownStream is offering 13 months of free maintenance for any purchase before December 31, 2006.