Major
upgrade to CADSTAR delivers 44 improvements to cut time-to-market
September
11, 2001. Zuken has announced CADSTAR 5.0, a major upgrade to
its Windows-based desktop PCB design software. The new version features
44 improvements to increase user productivity and cut time-to-market
for new designs and design variants. Newly introduced variant support
now enables one set of design documents to be used to structure
a design that requires multiple variants, significantly reducing
design time and costs. Other improvements include hierarchical libraries,
board dimensioning tools, the ability to move design origins, intelligent
symbol connection, workspaces and the addition of frequently used
tools to customisable menus.
The
introduction of a hierarchical library for symbols, components and
parts makes it easier to find and store schematic and component
footprint symbols in a structured way. It also enables structuring
of a library into part types and families of components. The new
board dimensioning tools eliminate the need to create a separate
drawing with a different design tool, and movable design origin
means greater convenience in the placement process.
Significant
time can be saved using the new intelligent symbol connection feature.
This connects symbols into the design and provides automatic connection
breaks, connection of coincident pins, connection of pins to buses,
pins to connections, and automatic welding to danglers.
The
CADSTAR 5.0 user interface has been enhanced by the introduction
of customisable menus, to which users can add their most frequently
used applications and workspaces that allow quick navigation of
designs, design data and libraries. Workspaces can be saved and
used to assist with project management. Toolbar colour files have
also been added as an effective method of organising and changing
the required colour files used in the design process.
CADSTAR
5.0 also features a tool for checking the separation between items,
a mouse-driven Pan and zoom that can also be used in routing mode,
and schematic auto-routing for rapid addition and connection of
components. Other improvements boost productivity in placement and
routing and in providing accurate and comprehensive DXF files for
right-first-time manufacturing.
Commenting
on the new version, CADSTAR Business Unit Manager, Mark Thompson,
said:
"The
improvements in CADSTAR 5.0 have been driven by the clearly expressed
needs of our customers. This will ensure that it continues to be
the most comprehensive, productive and cost-effective solution for
digital and analogue PCB design, test board design, rapid prototyping,
engineering scratchpad work, and now variant design too. Using CADSTAR
5.0 is the most effective way for customers to ensure that they
can be first to market with their new electronic products."
+++ends
For
further information and reader enquiries:
Ev Milker, Zuken Ltd., 1500 Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol, BS32
4RF, UK
Tel: +44 1454 207800 Fax: +44 1454 207803
E-mail: Ev.milker@zuken.co.uk
For
further information, text and graphics by email or to discuss feature
article opportunities:
Bob Jones, Publitek Ltd. Tel: +44 1225 470000
E-mail: bob@publitek.com
Editors'
note:
About Zuken
Zuken is one of the world's leading providers of professional software
solutions for the design of PCB/MCM/IC packages and systems. These
advanced tool sets facilitate schematic capture, placement, routing
and analysis, and manufacture and test. Used by the world's top
30 electronic product manufacturers, the solutions operate under
both UNIX and Microsoft Windows. Zuken is the market sector leader
in Japan and has offices throughout Europe and the USA. It is a
global organisation employing over 1000 people and the company is
listed on Level 1 of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
For
more information, visit http://www.zuken.com.
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