Orcad Layout(new file)

[Matt]

I am going through a Layout Tutorial, and it has asked me to create a
board template file by clicking File->New and clicking cancle on the
dialog box. The tutorial says a blank workspace is supposed to appear,
but nothing happens. Is there a setting I should uncheck? I am using
orcad layout version 10.3. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[qrk]

On 7 Aug 2006 14:01:48 -0700, "Matt" <metalimi@gmail.com> wrote:

I am going through a Layout Tutorial, and it has asked me to create a
board template file by clicking File->New and clicking cancle on the
dialog box. The tutorial says a blank workspace is supposed to appear,
but nothing happens. Is there a setting I should uncheck? I am using
orcad layout version 10.3. Any help would be much appreciated.

Beware of Orcad documetation, it's usually a couple years out of date.
10.3 still has a few features undocumented. Hopefully, 10.5
documentation covers the newer stuff. Version 10.x is developed in
India, so along with the plethora of bugs and things that they broke,
there is larger lag between the program and documentation than
previous versions.
I believe the tutorial you're using is for version 9.x or 7.x. If you
want a blank workspace, go to Tools|Library Manager, then close the
library manager. This will take you to a blank Layout drafting window.

To use Layout the way <fill in your favorite deity> intended you need
to do the following:
1. Create a Layout netlist file from you're schematic program. It
should have a .MNL extension. Need to have proper footprints
associated with your parts that can be found in the Layout footprints
directory or your custom footprints directory.
If you're using a non-Orcad schematic program, Layout has a few
translators under the File|Import menu function.

2. File|New gives a dialog box. Fill in the following:

2a. Use a template file. This is a file with an extension of .TCH,
..TPL, or .MAX. This can be one of the canned templates from Orcad
(default.tch is a good one) or you can create your own. For complex
board shapes, I'll create the board outline under a 2-D CAD program
and import a DXF version of the board outline to Layout.

2b. Fill in the net list file name you created in step 1.

3. Hit the Apply ECO button and presto, you have a window with your
footprints and a hairy rats nest.

---
Mark

 

[Matt]

qrk wrote:

On 7 Aug 2006 14:01:48 -0700, "Matt" <metalimi@gmail.com> wrote:

I am going through a Layout Tutorial, and it has asked me to create a
board template file by clicking File->New and clicking cancle on the
dialog box. The tutorial says a blank workspace is supposed to appear,
but nothing happens. Is there a setting I should uncheck? I am using
orcad layout version 10.3. Any help would be much appreciated.

Beware of Orcad documetation, it's usually a couple years out of date.
10.3 still has a few features undocumented. Hopefully, 10.5
documentation covers the newer stuff. Version 10.x is developed in
India, so along with the plethora of bugs and things that they broke,
there is larger lag between the program and documentation than
previous versions.
I believe the tutorial you're using is for version 9.x or 7.x. If you
want a blank workspace, go to Tools|Library Manager, then close the
library manager. This will take you to a blank Layout drafting window.

To use Layout the way <fill in your favorite deity> intended you need
to do the following:
1. Create a Layout netlist file from you're schematic program. It
should have a .MNL extension. Need to have proper footprints
associated with your parts that can be found in the Layout footprints
directory or your custom footprints directory.
If you're using a non-Orcad schematic program, Layout has a few
translators under the File|Import menu function.

2. File|New gives a dialog box. Fill in the following:

2a. Use a template file. This is a file with an extension of .TCH,
.TPL, or .MAX. This can be one of the canned templates from Orcad
(default.tch is a good one) or you can create your own. For complex
board shapes, I'll create the board outline under a 2-D CAD program
and import a DXF version of the board outline to Layout.

2b. Fill in the net list file name you created in step 1.

3. Hit the Apply ECO button and presto, you have a window with your
footprints and a hairy rats nest.

---
Mark

Mark,

Thanks, it worked like a champ. Hopefully I wont run into many more
of those "well now what" moments.


Matt