magnani@msudoc.ee.mich-state.edu (Steven Magnani EE) (03/09/88)
(I have added comp.lang.postscript to the discussion to get sone feedback on this idea. Note that followups go to sci.electronics --SJM) The problem: In article <1059@PT.CS.CMU.EDU> phd@SPEECH1.CS.CMU.EDU (Paul Dietz) writes: >A recurring problem in this news group [sci.electronics] is the need to post >readable schematics. ASCII circuit representations are just too painful to >create, and are quite inflexible. > >WE NEED A STANDARD FOR EXCHANGE OF SCHEMATICS!!!!!!!!!!! > >Optimally, any standard would have interfaces on many standard >hardware configurations. (Mac, PC's, Xwindows, GKS, UNIX Plot, etc.) >Also, for those stuck with standard, non-graphics terminals, a human >readable form should be generated as a side effect. > >Proposal: If I get sufficient feedback, I will start posting schematics >in binhexed MacPaint format. For you Macintosh hackers, this is a familiar >format. I've also heard rumor that various PC programs read MacPaint files. >Max Hauser / max@eros.berkeley.edu / ...{!decvax}!ucbvax!eros!max A proposed soultion: If one is talking about exchanging graphics only (ie, not an actual circuit description, such as SPICE or MAGIC could deal with), a graphics description language such as PostScript ((tm) Adobe Systems) or Interpress ((tm) Xerox) might be useful. These files may be stored in ASCII format (perfect for E-mail interchange!), and may be interpreted by programs on widely differing systems. Translation programs exist to go between PostScript/Interpress and other graphics description languages (such as HPGL). Also, PostScript-type printers such as the LaserWriter are becoming more common, so even if a particular site has no tools for displaying the schematic on the screen, a hard copy may be generated. Since the Mac tools are capable of generating PostScript output (correct me on this...) this might be a better idea than posting binary files. One disadvantage of this scheme that *I* can think of is that the PostScript files may not be easily edited. It sounds like MacPaint stores its files in binary format, in which case it is probably unable to accept PostScript files as input. FrameMaker ((tm) Frame Technology) is another such graphics editor. There are editors which *can* handle input like this, but I am not sure how widely available they are. The bottom line, I suppose, is that unless the E-mailed copies are able to be edited, only the original designer of a circuit would be able to post his drawing. There would be no way for anyone else to make changes in the circuit without redrawing it from scratch. Is this a real problem, or not? Are there other serious shortcomings to this approach? Steven J. Magnani "I claim this network for MARS! Earthling, return my space modulator!" {_the_world_}!ihnp4!msudoc!magnani With a domain server: magnani@msudoc.egr.msu.EDU