tjs@earth.wustl.edu (tom sullivan) (05/20/91)
About a week ago, I posted to the net requesting information about PCB layout programs for the Macintosh or Sun, as well as schematic entry software. I promised to post a summary of the responses. Well, this may be a bit longer than a summary, but it should let those of you who are interested know what I learned from the net. I'd like to add one product to the list that no one mentioned. It's a schematic package for the Sun called CAPFAST, which is available from Phase III Logic in Beaverton Oregon. (Sorry, I'm a home right now and don't have their phone number.) We've been using it for schematics of full custom VLSI chips (including a switched capacitor analog design and two DSP chips of 53,000 FETs and 83,000 FETs.) It was designed for the IBM-PC and that shows through, but the university pricing was excellent (about $100 or $200 as I remember.) Also, their customer support has been super. As for the packages mentioned in the email I received, I am expecting information from Douglas Electronics and the CAD/CAM Group. I have already received a copy of EasyTrax from Protel and have tried it on both a IIcx and a Mac Plus and am impressed. I'd like to thank John Morris, Ken Hillen, and John Richards for their responses. tom sullivan Washington University in St. Louis Now for the responses...... >There's an excellent value-for-money package for PC's and Macs >called AutoTrax: contact is: >Protel Technology, Inc >50 Airport Parkway, >San Jose, CA 95110 >Tel: (408) 437 7771 >Fax: (408) 437 4913 >I am using DesignWorks for schematic capture on the Macintosh. It >will simulate digital designs, create netlists for just about >everything (including pspice for analog simulation, and a number of >layout packages). Call Capilano Computing (604) 669-6343, applelink >D0816. They have a good demo disk. They also make MacAbel the best >PAL compiler available. >There are a number of good layout packages available. I use a package >from Douglas Electronics (415) 483-8770. There are also packages >available from Protel and Vamp and possibly others. TechExpress >1-800-743-7074 sells most of these as will as others. >For programming PALs & ROMs, check out the Turpro1 from System General >(408) 263-6667. They are busy creating a Mac interface for it. >Prices: Designworks < $1000, MacAbel > $1000, Douglas Layout <$2000 > Turpro1 $1500 >A package called Engineering Capture System ok >runs on Sun 4 (& Sun 3), Macs and PCs (under Windows 3). It handles >schematic capture for PCBs and ASICs, can produce netlists in various >formats (eg EDIF, SPICE, and HDLs such as VHDL and ELLA, and many others). >Options allow design analysis and checking, and the connection of ECS to >simulators. There is also a Programmer's Interface Kit which allows you to >write your own netlisters. >The Mac and PC versions are cheaper than the Sun version, but I don't know >the US pricing, or anything about educational discounts. One advantage in >your situation would be that the user interface is compatible on all >machines, allowing users to move easily to different hosts. >The software is from CAD/CAM Group Inc., 20480 Pacifica Drive, Suite B, >Cupertino, California 95014. >Tel: (408) 725 0204. Fax: (408) 725 0207.