Michael, Newbie questions are always welcome! The terms FLASH and TRACE (which I will assume is the same as DRAW or LINE) refers to the operation of the older photoplotters that used a high-intensity light source. This light would be routed via lenses and shutters to a table bearing a sheet of photographic film. In between this stuff was a aperture wheel. Each size of pad or trace to be plotted would be inserted into the wheel (max of 24 apertures). The apertures for FLASH and TRACE were slightly different, because with a FLASH, the table was moved to the desired location and the pad shape was flashed via a quick open/close of a shutter. When drawing a line or trace, the shutter would be opened while the table would move underneath to create the trace or line. A special filter aperture had to be used to control the flooding that would occur due to the shutter being open for a longer period of time, and this would allow for sharp definition of traces. (asked my comrade here at SP to verify this, since he used to operate one way back when...) With laser photoplotters, the difference is there is no difference. Laser plotters create a raster image in memory, and then draw the desired image into a rotating piece of film. We no longer differentiate between FLASH and TRACE for RS274 (D or X) output. For those that remember way back when, if I didn't get something right, let me know. Learning never stops. Roger M. Stoops, C.I.D., PCB Designer Spectra Precision Inc./Trimble Navigation Ltd. 5475 Kellenburger Rd. Dayton, OH 45424-1099 USA Ph: 937.233.8921 or 937.233.4574 ext 288 Fax: 937.233.7511 michael <michael@UNIC To: [log in to unmask] .COM.TW> cc: Sent by: Subject: [TN] Flash TechNet <[log in to unmask] ORG> 07/19/00 11:29 AM Please respond to "TechNet E-Mail Forum."; Please respond to michael Hi Excuse the newbie question, but what exactly is FLASH in the sense of d-code type? I've checked the archives but can't find the answer. It appears to be in contrast to TRACE. Someone suggested that the latter is an outline, and FLASH is a solid (filled-in) shape. Is that right? Is there a standard list of shapes and sizes for TRACE and FLASH? I.e. if I run across a d-code which I don't know (listed as FLASH), how do I find out what shape it is? Actually, that's several questions. Sorry. Thanks IA. Michael Fennema, Uni-Circuit Inc. ############################################################## TechNet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8c ############################################################## To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the body: To subscribe: SUBSCRIBE TECHNET <your full name> To unsubscribe: SIGNOFF TECHNET ############################################################## Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional information. If you need assistance - contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315 ############################################################## ############################################################## TechNet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8c ############################################################## To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the body: To subscribe: SUBSCRIBE TECHNET <your full name> To unsubscribe: SIGNOFF TECHNET ############################################################## Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional information. If you need assistance - contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315 ##############################################################