| Title: | Corporate Directory of CAE,CAD,CAM,CIM Tools |
| Notice: | Digital Confidential |
| Moderator: | CADSE::COUPER |
| Created: | Thu Nov 12 1987 |
| Last Modified: | Wed Nov 13 1996 |
| Last Successful Update: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Number of topics: | 122 |
| Total number of notes: | 243 |
+---------------------------+ TM
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| d | i | g | i | t | a | l | INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
| | | | | | | |
+---------------------------+
DATE: 21-JUN-1991
FROM: Bill Donahue
DEPT: CADME
GROUP: DP&A
LOC/MSTP: CTC2-1/J9
ENET: ALLVAX::DONAHUE
DTN: 287-3225
TO: Distribution
CC: CTC
SUBJECT: MODEX v1.0 Available for Field Test
The MODEX v1.0 ECAD/MCAD Data Translator will be available to internal
Digital on June 28, 1991. Due to CTC funding shortfalls and realignment
within CTC over the last several weeks, the level of QA and Testing
originally planned for MODEX has been reduced. This release of MODEX
will therefore serve as a field test release, rather than a production-
ready release.
Those interested in field testing MODEX v1.0, or in learning more about
the translator, can contact Tricia Heim at DTN 287-3380 or reach her
via E-mail at CADSE::HEIM.
Also, this memo is to serve notice that as of July 2, 1991 MODEX Project
Management will be administered through the CADSE group in CTC. Your
commments, questions, and concerns regarding ECAD/MCAD Integration will
continue to be addressed by a joint CADME/CADSE MODEX Development team
for FY92. The ECAD/MCAD Steering Committee will continue its work with
CTC in FY92.
I'd like to thank all the folks involved in this ECAD/MCAD Integration
project for their help over the past year - those involved in the
ECAD/MCAD Steering Committee, the ELEMINT upgrade, the distribution of
M2V, and the development of MODEX. I look forward to assisting CADSE
with your groups implementation of the MODEX translator.
A brief overview of MODEX v1.0 functionality is provided on the next
page.
Regards,
Bill
MODEX v1.0
~~~~~~~~~~
An ECAD/MCAD Data Translator aimed at facilitating
the exchange of PWB design data between
the two CAD systems/disciplines
The MODEX v1.0 Translator is a bi-directional, ECAD/MCAD data translator
designed to facilitate the exchange of PWB design information between
an ECAD and an MCAD system. With MODEX, designers will be able to create
new PWB designs, or verify designs in progress, utilizing the LATEST
CAD data from EITHER discipline, thus eliminating redundent design
efforts, assuring the use of the same PWB conditions, and making
efficient re-use of existing designs.
MODEX v1.0 has been designed to capture component related data and
board outline data from an ECAD system or an MCAD system and translate
that data into either an IGES file format for use in an MCAD system, or
into an ADS (.VBL) file format for use in an ECAD system.
MODEX v1.0 translation capabilities include a limited set of data types
for each translation direction, and are from a primary group of data
types as identified by the ECAD/MCAD Steering Committee.
MODEX v1.0 is accessible from a DCL prompt, and provides options for
either an ADS -> IGES or an IGES -> ADS translation. The neutral files
generated with MODEX assure their use in most of the CAD systems used
in Digitals' design processes today.
The MODEX v1.0 release will include User Documentation for ease of
installation and translator operation.
| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 109.1 | MODEX Tool Description | ALLVAX::DONAHUE | Wed Jul 24 1991 13:32 | 118 | |
CAD TOOL SUBMISSION FORM ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TOOL NAME: MODEX Translator (MOdule Design EXchange) TECHNOLOGY: ELECTRICAL CAD (ECAD) <-> MECHANICAL CAD (MCAD) data translation FUNCTION: A bi-directional data translator used to exchange module design information between ECAD and MCAD systems using neutral file format GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The MODEX v1.0 Translator is a bi-directional, ECAD/MCAD data translator designed to facilitate the exchange of PWB design information between an ECAD and an MCAD system, utilizing the neutral file formats of ADS (ECAD) and IGES (MCAD). Target data for translation includes: PWB board outline, board thickness, tooling holes, restrict areas, component outlines, part numbers, part height, reference designators, pads, and pins. Future versions of MODEX will address additional data types, PWB features, and ECAD and MCAD systems. STATUS: MODEX v1.0 AVAILABILITY: Available June 28, 1991 for field test INTERFACES: MODEX v1.0 will translate ECAD data in ADS format into IGES format for MCAD system translation. The IGES entities produced in MODEX v1.0 output are: #100 (arc), #110 (line), #212 (general note, text), #402 form 7 (group), colors, levels (layers 200-205) MODEX v1.0 will translate MCAD data in IGES format, entities #110 (line) and #212 (general note, text) into an ADS format .VBL file for reading into an ECAD system. MODEX v1.0 has successfully translated ADS designs into IGES format which have been read into the following MCAD systems: Unigraphics II EUCLID-IS Pro/ENGINEER DECview3D AutoCAD MacBRAVO MODEX v1.0 has successfully translated IGES designs in- to ADS format .VBL files which have been read into the following ECAD systems: VLS PADS-PCB CPU/OPERATING SYSTEM: VAX/VMS SOURCE LANGUAGE: C, BLISS ADVANTAGES OF TOOL: With MODEX, designers will be able to create new PWB designs, or verify designs in progress, utilizing the LATEST CAD data from EITHER discipline, thus eliminating redundent design efforts, assuring the use of the same PWB conditions, and making efficient re-use of existing designs. MODEX v1.0 has been designed to capture component related data and board outline data from an ECAD system or an MCAD system and translate that data into either an IGES file format for use in an MCAD system, or into an ADS (.VBL) file format for use in an ECAD system. MODEX v1.0 is accessible from a DCL prompt, and provides options for either an ADS -> IGES or an IGES -> ADS translation. The neutral files generated with MODEX assure their use in most of the CAD systems used in Digitals' design processes today. LIMITATIONS OF TOOL: MODEX generated .VBL files are a subset of the ADS format file, and do not represent ECAD design entities. The .VBL file can be read into the ECAD system as a documentation symbol, for use as a new design template or as an ECAD documentation view. MODEX generated IGES files require UNFORMATing with the use of the UGII IGES translator module. Other MCAD IGES translators may require an unformatting operation to be performed before translation to the MCAD system MODEX v1.0 supports subsets of the IGES and ADS specifications, listed in the INTERFACES section above. RESPONSIBLE CTC CADSE group ORGANIZATION: Contact Tricia Heim of CADSE at DTN 287-3380 or on E-mail at CADSE::HEIM TRAINING: No formal training course available. A User Guide will be provided. When possible, MODEX consultation or specialized training will be available for an additional fee. SUPPORT: The CTC Support fee for MODEX will provide for MODEX support. DOCUMENTATION: The MODEX v1.0 release will include a User Guide | |||||