[comp.lsi] octtools or Menter Graphics' package

deogun@unocss.UUCP (deogun) (10/01/89)

   We have octtools version 2.0 and also Menter Graphics' VLSI packages.
As functions of these overlap, I would like to know from the users of 
these packages which one is better to have. 
   Please send your suggestions to vijay@fergvax.unl.edu.

   Thanks in advance.


   Vijay Gangaram

   vijay@fergvax.unl.edu

ricks@shambhala.Berkeley.EDU (Rick L Spickelmier) (10/01/89)

At the very least, you should get the latest Oct Tools, version
3.4.  As far as how they compare, the Oct Tools are the result
of University research, are supported to a limited degree, run
on many machines, have limited documentation, come with full source,
and are free.  The Mentor tool suite is the result of professional
CAD tool builders, are fully supported, run on the Apollo, has binders
and binders of documentation, and costs you money.  Which one you
want to use depends upon what platforms you have, how much money you
have, and how much support you want.

As the manager of the Oct Tools distribution,  I can say that there
are many happy users of the Oct Tools, although there are some problems.
The Oct Tools are used primarily in Universities (for VLSI and CAD tool
courses, and VLSI/CAD research).  They are also used at some Industrial
sites (mainly in CAD research groups).  One major advantage of the Oct 
Tools is that you get all of the source and there is a well defined
procedural interface to the system so you can add your own CAD tools.

For more information on the Oct Tools, mail to 'octtools@eros.Berkeley.EDU'.
There are also various journal and conference papers describing the
framework of the Oct Tools and the tools that make up the distribution.


				Rick Spickelmier
				Oct Tools Manager
				UC Berkeley
				ricks@berkeley.EDU

deogun@unocss.UUCP (deogun) (10/01/89)

    I think my previous message was misleading. We HAVE both 
						------------
    Oct Tools and Menter Tools WITH US. We are planning to install 
    ----------------------------------
    some Menter Tools. We have all the tapes and documentation. We 
    would like to know from the users of these, which is better to 
    use (in terms of performance and user-friendlyness).

    Currently, we are using misII package of Oct Tools and we are 
    happy with it. I thank Mr.Spickelmier for his reply. He cleared 
    most of my doubts.

    We want to use these tools for academic research. Please give 
    suggestions considering the fact that both the tools are available.


    thanks

    Vijay Gangaram

    vijay@fergvax.unl.edu