April 09

Envision – what's new, changing and over the horizon

Welcome to the April 2009 edition of Envision, our regularly updated collection of insights, news and views from Altium. In this update we tackle the western view of innovation, shake up traditional thinking on EDA tools and find out about radio astronomy, missing footprints and competing robots – plus more.


Our innovation is not superior to theirs

	China, India, and other countries are investing more in R&D, are exporting more high-tech goods and seem more enthusiastic about accelerating these effects, or moving into new areas. Re-skilling, combined with innovation, is setting their agenda for managing the current economic downturn, and preparing for the future. Read the full story


The high cost of the status quo

	The cost of traditional point tools has been both prohibitive and limiting instead of contributing more to real long-term growth for the electronics design industry. It's a good time to assess the high and hidden costs of continuing with that approach. Read the full story


Altium supports the next generation of robot designers

	Altium is sponsoring the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) again. The FRC teams, which are all teams of high-school students, will be able to use Altium Designer to develop custom circuits and modules for their competition robots. Game on! Read the full story

Altium events

See the next generation in electronics design at our events and seminars across the globe:
All upcoming events
Altium training events

Evaluate Altium solutions

Check it out for yourself. To help you quickly and efficiently evaluate the powerful capabilities of Altium Designer and discover its extensive feature set, we have a simple four-step evaluation process that allows you to see the benefits of Altium Designer.

Choose from a range of on-line demonstrations, book a live Web Conference session and request an evaluation license at the evaluation information page.

APRIL TECH TIP

Finding the missing footprints

For every component on the schematic you'll need a suitable PCB footprint. Often the first time you realize that you don't have all the footprints is when you're attempting to transfer the design from schematic to PCB. Since you're all jeed-up and ready for board design, sorting them out is the last thing you feel like doing. It's much easier if you call on the Footprint Manager.

Dave Warren on technology, innovation and invention

Altium non-executive director Dave Warren has been interviewed by ABC Radio on the future of Australian innovation and invention. In the interview Dave discussed what motivated him to pursue physics as a career, and how innovation – in electronics design, astronomy, and in ecological industries – has unfolded in Australia.

See MCAD-ECAD co-design in action

Any company that develops electronic products needs to be able to accurately merge the board assembly into its matching mechanical enclosure or case. Watch this video to see how the STEP format is used to work between Altium Designer and SolidWorks – very cool.

Meet the Envision team

There's real people behind the creation of Envision, and we've stopped hiding.


KEEP IN TOUCH No matter where you are in the development process, we're here to help. Contact Altium in your region at www.altium.com/buy/contactus	COMMENTS Questions or comments regarding Envision? Email us at envision@altium.com WANT MORE? Previous issues of Envision are available at www.altium.com/community/newsletters	SUBSCRIBEReceived this link from a friend or colleague? Subscribe to Envision at any time at www.altium.com/envision

Altium

Next generation electronics design solutions