Altium's script capability pales in comparison to open source PADS. I have
100's of scripts. But that does not matter if Altium can get the job done
without scripts.
My impression is that Altium could obtain the highest seat count than any
other CAD tool worldwide if the momentum stays on the same track. Altium is
already #1 in China, with more seat installations than any other CAD tool.
However, no one in China ever paid for their license (cracked!). But that's
another story.
Our new upcoming "Parts On Demand" website (POD Library Vending Machine)
will allow Altium users (and every other CAD tool user) to upload
non-standard library parts in native CAD tool format if they meet high
quality construction standards. I believe that Altium Users will be the
largest contributor and #1 customer to the POD project, but time will tell.
My passion is with the PCB design profession, not any specific CAD tool. My
goal is to automate the library creation process and eliminate duplication
in the PCB Library aspect regardless of CAD tool. So I'm CAD nuetral in that
respect.
BTW: My CAD tool path has been ComputerVision 1981 - 1983 (Magnetic Tape),
CALAY Systems 1984 - 1990 (8" Floppy Disks), PADS 1991 - 2012 (5" floppy, 3"
floppy, CD-ROM & DVD)
Tom
-----Original Message-----
From: DesignerCouncil [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Brooks,
Bill
Sent: Friday, May 18, 2012 12:50 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [DC] What CAD tools do you use?
Interesting Tom, ... I know Altium allows you to save the board in an ASCII
format... the program is written in Delphi (Pascal) if I am not mistaken...
And they allow users to write their own Delphi script routines to interface
with the Altium Program... there are many such routines available to
download. I don't know about this 'super secret' thing... except it sounds
like you had a difficulty in getting them to work a utility into their
program that would interface with the PCB Libraries group in some fashion...
So far they have been very helpful to me... hmmm... I have a bunch of
'scripts' (25) that were written by users and some by Matt Berggren at
Altium that do tasks within the Altium Program. As far as I know they have
not disabled that capability... I'll have to ask the tech support guys about
it.
Bill Brooks | Datron World Communications, Inc.
PCB Designer/Engineer | Office: 760-602-7004| Fax: 760-597-3777 |
[log in to unmask]
3055 Enterprise Court, Vista, CA 92081 | www.dtwc.com
Performance You Require. Value You ExpectTM
-----Original Message-----
From: DesignerCouncil [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tom
Hausherr
Sent: Friday, May 18, 2012 11:52 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [DC] What CAD tools do you use?
I was going to stay away from the topic - What is the best CAD tool? But I
responded to - What CAD tool do you use?
I forgot to mention one MAJOR feature that PADS has and Altium does not...
PADS has an open ASCII interface to allow 3rd party programmers create
fantastic tools for super automation that is pretty much unlimited. And
Mentor is willing to generously help those 3rd party developers with free
tools, support and even programming help. PADS puts the ASCII format
instructions right in the installation or on the CD-ROM.
On the other hand, Altium is super secret Binary Code that they will never
share with any 3rd party developers. I've never seen a 3rd party tool for
Altium and Altium's response is - "We don't need to share our code with 3rd
party developers. Just tell us what features you want and we'll develop
them" - Good luck with that.
Bottom line is - PADS is Open Architecture (good for developers) and Altium
is Closed (bad for developers).
However, Altium does do a great job at importing PADS data, but of course
the only reason they can is because "PADS is OPEN"!
As far as which is a better tool, that is subject to the time someone spends
on the tool. Everyone has bias opinions in this category. If I used Allegro
for 20 years I'd be telling you it's the best tool in the world with the
best features. I'm not sure anyone go compare CAD tool feature to feature.
It's all about price, learning curve and can you get the job done. I'm sure
I'd like Altium if I was an expert at it. It seems that everyone I know who
uses Altium likes it and conversly, everyone I know who uses PADS likes it.
Same with Allegro or OrCAD PCB Editor, Pulsonix, CADSTAR and Expedition. If
you use it every day and can get the job done it's the best CAD tool for
you.
Also, I don't want to buy features I'll never use. I wish I could buy
televison service by the channels I watch, but no, I have to buy a package
that has 500 channels and I only watch 10 of them. Sheesh!
Tom
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