CircuitWorks versus Desktop-EDA
CircuitWorks versus Desktop-EDA
(OP)
I need an IDF file translator to import circuit board assemblies from OrCad into SolidWorks. Does anybody have experience/opinions/advice on CircuitWorks and/or Desktop-EDA.
Thanks
Thanks






RE: CircuitWorks versus Desktop-EDA
RE: CircuitWorks versus Desktop-EDA
I was hoping to find someone who has actually lived with one or both of these products just to hear what their experience has been. Desktop-EDA is considerably less expensive so it is probably a moot point but I thought I'd check. Thanks again.
RE: CircuitWorks versus Desktop-EDA
RE: CircuitWorks versus Desktop-EDA
We actually start out with the board outline model and any components (especially connectors) that we need to place for mechanical reasons and send the contractor the file. They then take if from there through layout and send a file back for us to update our model. It may go around a couple of times before everything is finalized so having this capability is a real time saver in many ways.
We use this quite happily with SmarTeam PDM and it functions fine. As with every new piece of software, it took a little learning to find the best options for our needs, but not much pain compared to most things. If you need more information, I could put you in touch with our resident expert.
One thing to bear in mind is that the PC layout world is essentially flatland (2D). So in CircuitWorks you have to have side 1 of your boards and the relative component and board assembly orientations in Front view. (Remember for file import and export basic mathematical coordinates do not change even if you rename the Top/Front/Right views even though SolidWorks knows internally about these things. So even if you rename Top to Front inside Solidworks, it will still export as CPL 1 or "top view" orientation.) Also the origin of the boards model must be your PC layout 0,0.
Most of these issues are more than likely similar in the other systems.
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RE: CircuitWorks versus Desktop-EDA
RE: CircuitWorks versus Desktop-EDA
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Scott Baugh, CSWP

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RE: CircuitWorks versus Desktop-EDA
RE: CircuitWorks versus Desktop-EDA
Thanks again to all and best regards,
Mike
RE: CircuitWorks versus Desktop-EDA
Pete Yodis
Harold Beck and Sons
RE: CircuitWorks versus Desktop-EDA
Down the road I could imagine the native OrCad files also being checked into PDM/Works (I have not verified that this works yet). Is till don't see a conflict as everything has unique filenames, or at least file extensions, and is thus a unique entity for PDM to manage.
The way we use these products I don't envision any "juggling". Hope this helps.
RE: CircuitWorks versus Desktop-EDA
RE: CircuitWorks versus Desktop-EDA
RE: CircuitWorks versus Desktop-EDA
RE: CircuitWorks versus Desktop-EDA
RE: CircuitWorks versus Desktop-EDA
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