GOLDBERG@C.ISI.EDU.UUCP (12/04/86)
This message was sent to me a few months ago, during the dormancy of this
mailing list. The originator, Donald Brandshaft, sent the message to me
via TeleMail, and I am forwarding it on his behalf. If you are interested,
please respond directly to him -- not to me.
-- Joel Goldberg
=========================================================================
WANTED -- BETA TEST SITES FOR PC BASED LAYOUT EDITOR
We are looking for beta test sites for a new graphics editor for
IC design. Beta test should start on november 1-st and last three to four
months.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
The editor requires an IBM/PC/XT/AT or compatible computer with
640K memory, a hard disk, an EGA (Enhanced Graphics Adapter), and a mouse.
Support is available for the Houston Instruments DMP-51/MP plotter. We are
interested in supporting other popular output devices.
The editor runs under MS-DOS 2.0 or later.
ABOUT THE EDITOR
The editor represents 8-10,000 lines of code. It supports
50-layers, nested subcells, manhattanized boxes, plus wires and polygons with
sides at 0, 45, or 90 degrees. Wires and boxes can be displayed in both
filled and outline mode. Polygons can be displayed in outline mode only.
Filled objects are transparent. The inner loops of the draw routines are
coded in assembly language for fast execution.
The editor can read and write CIF files. (We would like to support the
Calma/GDS-II format but require access to a machine that reads and writes such
tapes.)
Editor Commands
"@" - execute a command file
"ADD" - box, cell, polygon, wire, text, or line
"BLANK" - hide specified components
"COPY" - copy selected components
"DELETE" - delete selected components
"DOS" - invoke a new copy of the MSDOS command prossesor
"EXIT" - save file and leave editor
"FILL" - toggle between fill and outline display modes
"GRID" - set up or modify coordinate grids
"LAYERS" - set default layer, layer color, etc.
"MIRROR" - mirror selected components about verticle or horizontal line
"MOVE" - move fully selected components, distorts partially selected components
"PLOT" - DMP-51MP is only currently supported plotter
"PROTECT" - protect selected components from changes
"QUIT" - leave editor -- do not save file
"ROTATE" - rotate selected components about specified point
"SELECT" - specified components or pieces of components - many sub-commands
"SHOW" - provide information about selected cells
"SNAP" - force cursor to snap grid points
"SWAP" - change layer numbers for selected components
"TEMPLATE" - dump certain state variables to a command file
"UNBLANK" - opposite of blank command
"UNDO" - undo last command
"UNGROUP" - unpack components from a cell
"UNPROTECT" - opposite of protect command
"UNSELECT" - opposite of select command
"VIEW" - sets view window - many sub-commands
MARKETING
Our current plan is to offer two versions of the editor priced at
50 and 500 dollars. The only difference between the two would be that the
$50 version would not include the software required to convert from the
editor's internal format to CIF. We hope that the low-cost version will allow
universities to run labs where many students can lay out small cells,
flip-flops, differential amplifiers, etc.
MORE ON BETA TEST SITES
We are looking for three to six beta test sites that can thoroughly
exercize the editor in the three months from november to january. Test
sites near Santa Barbara, California are preferred. Sites should have
the hardware necessary to run the editor. Distant sites should also have
a modem to exchange files (dumps, bug reports, fixes, etc.).
Beta test sites receive free beta test and version 1 software in
return for helping us find bugs and other deficiencies in the code and
documentation. They will be required to sign and abide by a 'standard'
licencing agreement (i. e. no dislosure and no coping). We hope that the
relationships we form with our first beta test sites will extend to future
versions and products.
INTERESTED PARTIES PLEASE CONTACT
Donald Brandshaft
312 Ellwood Beach Drive
Apt. # 42
Goleta, Ca 93117
(805) 968-5722 (I am often away from my phone -- please keep trying.)
Telemail: DBRANDSHAFT/INDIVIDUAL/BUSCOM/HUMANOMICS
-------
-------