This page includes links to items that answer the most commonly asked questions about P-CAD 2002. Information on which version the question applies to can be found at the top of each item.
- How do I install the Mixed-Signal Circuit Simulator?
- How do I install CAMtastic!?
- Will macros recorded in P-CAD 2001 work in P-CAD 2002?
- I am Tango DOS user, where can I find information regarding migrating from Tango to P-CAD?
- What are the System Requirements for P-CAD 2002?
- Are the P-CAD 2001 Library files included with P-CAD 2002?
- What is the File>>Design Technology Parameters used for?
- How would I utilize the new Visual Placement area command?
- Does P-CAD 2002 Support EPD 2.0?
- Can P-CAD 2002 export data in ODB++ format?
- When placing components with multiple gates, why do I sometimes see the first gate placed over and over again, thus incrementing the Reference Designators, but not the gates?
- When placing wires, and buses, why do I get the message "A net can only be renamed to an existing net if both nets are global"?
- I am using the Sheet Number Field, but no matter which sheet I am on, this value seems to always be 0. How do I set this up so that it will accurately show the correct sheet number?
- What file formats can be imported into P-CAD 2002?
How do I import Protel DXP format files into P-CAD 2002?
To import Schematic and PCB documents created in Protel DXP, they need to be saved in P-CAD format before they can be opened in P-CAD 2002. To do this, follow these steps:
- From the File menu, select "Save Project As..."
- Select the file type "Export P-CAD V16 ASCII Schematic File (*.sch)" from the dropdown list
Note: The schematic sheet(s) must be part of a project to do this.
For schematic library files;
- From the Projects panel, right click on the library file to be exported
- From the popup menu, select "Save As..."
- Select the file type "Export P-CAD V16 Schematic Library(*.LIA)" from the dropdown list
This will then need to be translated to a Binary library using
Library Translate in
Known Limitations:
- Component RefDes, Type & Value will appear in the default positions from the library created for the loaded schematic file.
- Text size & position may not be accurate.
- The bus entries might be oriented in the wrong direction.
- The ports pins might not be correctly translated (E.g. 1 instead of 2 pins).
- For Protel common power / ground pins always set the Swap Pin Id to 0 before starting the export, otherwise the pins might be translated as PCAD common pins.
- If the Component Pin Designator field in Component PCB Model Implementation Map in Protel is not a number (E.g. A1) then the exporter will convert it to a number (the similar field in PCAD - padNum must be numeric).
- Protel hierarchical schematics are not fully exported.
- Multi-channel schematic projects are not supported by the exporter.
- The Gate Equivalence field for each pin in all components in a
Protel Schematic Library should be set to a valid PCAD value
before exporting (not empty).
What is the new Design Manager panel used for?
The Design Manager panel has been integrated into the PCB Editor,
allowing you to easily manage your design data.
How do I install the Mixed-Signal Circuit Simulator?
To install the Mixed-Signal Circuit Simulator, follow these steps:
1. Once the previous Setup dialog closes and you have returned to the P-CAD 2002 Installation Screen, click the Simulator button to commence the installation of the Mixed-Signal Circuit Simulator. Step through each dialog in the simulator installation.
2. During installation, you will be prompted to enter a 16 character access code for the Mixed-Signal Circuit Simulator. Enter the same code that was entered earlier during the P-CAD 2002 Suite or P-CAD Schematic Analyzer Suite installation. Note that the Mixed-Signal Circuit Simulator can only be installed if you have a P-CAD Suite license.
3. Continue through the installation dialogs until the Mixed-Signal Circuit Simulator installation is complete.
4. After clicking Finish at the end of the Mixed-Signal Circuit Simulator installation you will return to the P-CAD 2002 Installation Screen. You have now completed the installation process, click the Exit button to close the P-CAD 2002 Installation Screen.
To install CAMtastic!, follow these steps:
1. Once the previous Setup dialog closes and you have returned to the P-CAD 2002 Installation Screen, click the CAMtastic! button to commence the installation of CAMtastic!. Step through each dialog in the CAMtastic! installation.
2. During installation you will be prompted to enter a 16 character access code for CAMtastic!. This code is not necessary for P-CAD 2002 Suite owners. P-CAD 2002 Suite owners should check the Use Protel or P-CAD License check box.
3. Continue through the installation dialogs until the CAMtastic! installation is complete.
4. After clicking Finish at the end of the CAMtastic!
installation you will return to the P-CAD 2002 Installation Screen.
You have now completed the installation process, click the Exit
button to close the P-CAD 2002 Installation.
Will macros recorded in P-CAD 2001 work in P-CAD 2002?
It is not guaranteed that macros recorded in P-CAD 2001 and before will work correctly in P-CAD 2001 because of dialog changes.
I am Tango DOS user, where can I find information regarding migrating from Tango to P-CAD?
If you are a Tango DOS user, many of the concepts in P-CAD will be instantly familiar. However, we diverged from the Tango tradition when it made sense for the P-CAD product. Use the 'Help Series II Commands' command in P-CAD to view the available online help information. The Series II help information lists the new P-CAD command or operational equivalent for each of the old Tango DOS commands.
What are the System Requirements for P-CAD 2002?
Recommended System
- Windows NT 4/2000 Professional/XP
- PC with Pentium III Processor 500+MHz
- 256MB RAM (512MB for high component/net count)
- 600MB Hard Disk Space
- 32-bit Color Palette
- CD-ROM Drive
- Mouse or compatible pointing device
Minimum requirements
- Windows 95/98
- PC with Pentium II 300MHz
- 128MB RAM
- 400MB Hard Disk Space (without ISO component libraries)
- Desktop area 1024x768 pixels
- 16-bit Color Palette
- CD-ROM Drive
- Mouse
Are the P-CAD 2001 Library files included with P-CAD 2002?
The P-CAD 2002 libraries are not included in this version. These library files are constantly updated and can be freely downloaded from this site. Please note: the library section is currently not available.
What is the File>>Design Technology Parameters used for?
Use the Design Technology Parameters tool to capture design data, including pad and via styles, net classes, layer sets, and design rules, and store this data in a design technology parameters file. This design technology file and its included data can be used in any P-CAD design. Thus, this file becomes a template from which you can selectively use the captured design data in any design.
How would I utilize the new Visual Placement area command?
When laying out your design, you have the ability to visualize the impact of design rules on component placement. There are three rule domains that can be used when determining the legal area available for component placement. They are the Physical, Electrical and Room rule domains. These domains are used as overlays within the area defined by the board outline.
When a component is selected for placement, the regions available for placement satisfying the selected rules are highlighted within the board outline. These regions can be viewed for all rule domains either individually or in combination. The valid placement area is displayed as a colored region on the board surface, otherwise known as the Visual Placement Area.
Does P-CAD 2002 Support EPD 2.0?
The P-CAD 2002 PCB Editor will operate with EPD 2.0 (eProduct Designer) through the P-CAD Ties/ViewDraw interface.
Can P-CAD 2002 export data in ODB++ format?
You can now export data in ODB++ format through the File >> Export ODB++ command.
When placing parts into my Schematic, I receive a "mismatch in symbol pin" error message and cannot place the part. Why can I place this part in a new design, but not in my current design?
In the current design, you already have a part placed that is using the same name. The placed part is different than the one you are currently trying to place, despite the identical name. You can delete the previously placed part or use Utils >> Force Update to update that part to the one that you wish to place. Once the part has been updated or removed, you can perform the placement without errors.
When placing components with multiple gates, why do I sometimes see the first gate placed over and over again, thus incrementing the Reference Designators, but not the gates?
When placing homogenous parts, by default, each gate within that part will be placed before starting to place a new component. When placing heterogeneous parts, you will need to use the hot keys D and Shift + D to increase and decrease the reference designator respectively while in the Place Part command. Look at the status line where it will say, for example, "Placing Refdes : U33:B", this will be the next gate placed.
When placing wires, and buses, why do I get the message "A net can only be renamed to an existing net if both nets are global"?
Buses are graphical items only and do not have intelligence as to which nets are connected. Any non-contiguous wire segments must be designated as global. To designate these nets as global, there must be a power symbol attached somewhere on the net or in most cases, you will need to place a port. Placing a port on both segments of the wire will enable both segments to carry the same net information and they will be considered global.
I am using the Sheet Number Field, but no matter which sheet I am on, this value seems to always be 0. How do I set this up so that it will accurately show the correct sheet number?
Under the title sheet section, make sure each sheet is set to "Custom" instead of "Global". After setting each sheet to "Custom", the correct sheet number should then appear
What file formats can be imported into P-CAD 2002?
P-CAD 2002 can import the following file formats:
- P-CAD 2000/2001 Binary and ASCII files
- ACCEL EDA V12/V13/V14/V15 Binary and ASCII files
- Master Designer 8.x files (subject to translation limitations)
- Master Designer PDIF files
- TangoPRO files
- Tango DOS 2.x PCB ASCII files
- Tango 1.x Schematic ASCII files
- DXF files (AutoCAD V9 - V14/2000) (subject to translation limitations)
- IDF (Intermediate Design Files) V2 and V3 files
- PADS ASCII files (PCB only)
- PowerPCB® V1, V1.1, V1.5, V2, V3.0, V3.5. V4.0
- PADS® Perform
- PADS® 2000 V3, V4
- PADS® PCB V5
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