NsWare for OrCAD and Allegro PCB Editor

©2015 Nordcad Systems A/S – nsWare
nsWare release 2.42
nsWare is a collection of add-on
products for Cadence™ OrCAD® &
Allegro® products.
1
• Use nsWare framework to get nsWare
menu inside PCB Editor
– Install nsWare framework
• Only installed programs will be available
inside the NsWare menu
• New in 2.42
– Change grid
• New in 2.3x
– Change line width
• New in 2.35
– Added PCB and Footprint flow menu to
help users work through the design
process
• New in 2.31
– Eagle to OrCAD / Allegro PCB Editor
• New in 2.28
– Update nsWare
– Create PCB Stacking Stripe Symbol

nsWare products
• Shape functions
• Net functions
• Display functions
• Symbol functions
• Text functions
• Change width and change grid
• Export
• CAD Translators
• Configuration utility
• Planar designer
• Constraint template
• PDF printing
• Prototype plotting
• Show ISR information
• Update nsWare
• Help
2
• SigXplorer colorsetup

Flow menus
• New in 2.35
• Together with NsWare 2 flow menus are created
– PCB Flow
– Footprint Flow
• Guide the user through the process of creating a PCB design
and a footprint.
• Disable flow menus by setting the variable
– ns_no_pcbflowmenu
• See help and explanations for flow menus at
– http://www.nordcad.dk/flowmenu
3

Shape functions
• 3 shape utilities
– Force update alle shapes: ns_shpfup
– Automatically updates all shapes without looking
at their current status
– Delete all voids: ns_shpdelvoid
– Deletes either all voids or just all autovoids
– Disable all shapes: ns_shpdis
– Set shape display to disabled
4

Net functions
• Assign All dummy nets to Dummy netclass: ns_dummy_net
– Automatically assigns all dummy nets to a netclass named Dummy
– Prompts for view of dummy net assignment table
• Assign dummy nets to netclass: cns_dummy_net
– Show dummy net assignment table
– Cadence built-in command
5

Display functions
• Show symbols in path ns_show_symbols
– Display all footprints (package symbols) in the
current search path
• Highlight net by list: ns_net_highl
– Show a list of all nets. Click a net will zoom
around the net and highlight it
• Display Polar guidelines: ns_polarlines
– Create and display polar guidelines for
snapping etc.
6

Create views from artwork films
• Command: ns_f2v
– Or NsWare→Display functions→Create views..
• Create a view file for each artwork film
– Create a .color file in the current job directory
– Move/copy to %cds_site%pcbviews folder for
use across designs
7

PCB Stacking stripe symbol
• Command: ns_layersymbol
– Or NsWare→Display functions→Create PCB ...
• Creates a PCB Stacking stripe symbol
– Ensures manufacturing quality
• Creates a symbol that has a copper area on
each layer
• If the symbol straddle the board outline the
copper will be cut and a staircase is created if
the board layers are manufactured in correct
order.
• Copper area sizes are controlled by the user
interface.
• Watch the YouTube video
8

Symbol functions
9
• Symbol Revision Management: ns_ar
– Or NsWare → Symbol functions→ Symbol Revision
management
• Check symbol revisions used in board file against library files
• Create revision history on symbols using properties
– First revision:
– NS_REVISION_CODE = 1.00
– NS_REV_100_COMMENT = Month Date Time Year – Username: Initial Relase
– Following revisions:
– NS_REVISION_CODE is updated with new revision number
– New property named NS_REV_xxx_COMMENT created where xxx = NS_REVISION_CODE
without decimal point
– Value = Month Date Time Year – Username: User defined comment
• New in Version 2.11
– Create backup for each version of symbol in ns_symbackup folder: symname_revision.dra
– Create a .txt file with data information for symbol: symname_revision.txt

Symbol Revision Management
10
• 3 cases
– explained further on the following pages
• Case 1 – Program run on symbol with no NS_REVISION_CODE
• Case 2 – Program run on symbol that already have a NS_REVISION_CODE
• Case 3 – Program run on a board file

11
• Case 1 – symbol with no revision
• Will present 3 choices
– ”Set Default Revision Code”: Will set the following 2 properties
– NS_REVISION_CODE = 1.00
– NS_REV_100_COMMENT = Month Date Time Year – Username: Initial
Release
– ”Create Batch update files”: Will create 3 files for batch updating a
directory of .dra files
– ”ns_revision_update.scr” is the script file to create and update
properties
– ”ns_revision_update.bat” run the above script on all .dra files in
directory
– ”ns_revision_update_README.txt” describes how to use the 2 files
above
– ”Do both of the above” will set the default revision code and create
the batch update files as just explained.
• Upon completion:
– Info box regarding revision code
– Possibility to get filemanager (explorer)

12
– ”Create Batch update symbol files”
– Will create 3 files for batch updating a
directory of .dra files
– ”ns_revision_update.scr” is the script file to
create and update properties
– ”ns_revision_update.bat” run the above
script on all .dra files in directory
– ”ns_revision_update_README.txt”
describes how to use the 2 files above
• Case 2 – symbol with revision
• Will show dialog
– Shows the latest revision information
– Revision code
– Revision comment
– Suggests new revision (old + 0.01)
– ”+Major” increases revision code to
nearest major revision (2.00, 3.00 ..)
– ”+Minor” increases with 0.01
– Comment can be added. If no comment is
made it will be ”No comment made”
– ”Reset” will delete all existing revision
history
– ”Set” applies the changes
– ”Cancel” will cancel the dialog
– ”View history” shows the symbol revision
history
– ”Help” will show the online help

13
• Case 3 – board file
• Legend:
– Component is the part inside the PCB
– Symbol is the library part
– Revcode is the current revision code
– e.g. 1.01 (NS_REVISION_CODE)
– Revcomment is the current revision code comment
– e.g., ”Aug 21 16:45:12 2009 - Ole: No comment made”
(NS_REV_101_COMMENT)
• See next page for more information

14
• Case 3 – board file
• Cases
– Case 3.1: Component revcode = symbol revcode
– Component revcomment = symbol revcomment: Everything is fine, component is up-to-date
– Component revcomment != symbol revcomment: There is an issue between component on board and
symbol. Comment has been changed manually inside board or symbol
– Case 3.2: component revcode < symbol revcode
– Component is not up-to-date compared to symbol in library, use Place→Update symbols
– Case 3.3: component revcode > symbol revcode
– Component revision code has potentially been changed in the board file
– Case 3.4: No component revcode
– Symbol revcode exists: Symbol revision is newer in library, use Place→Update symbols
– Case 3.5: No symbol revcode
– Symbol has no revcode, open package symbol and run revision management tool

Calculate package symbol area
• Command: ns_parea
• Calculates the area of psm files occupied by PLACE_BOUND
definitions
– Result is written to psm_area.txt file in current directory
– Report consist of
– Path and name of package symbol
– Total PLACE_BOUND area for package symbols (sum of all place_bound
areas)
– Largest PLACE_BOUND area is the size of the larges place_bound area
• 3 cases
– Case 1 - Package Symbol
– Case 2 – Board file – Report data (best performance)
– Case 3 – Board file – Don’t Report data
15

Calculate package symbol area
• Case 1 - Package Symbol
– Add data for open package symbol to ”psm_area.txt”
file in current directory
• Case 2 – Board file – Create data
– Add data for all package symbols in psmpath to
”psm_area.txt” file in current directory
– Units reported are determined by board unit settings
– Will create 3 files for batch updating a directory of .dra
files
– ”ns_psm_area_calculate.bat” run the script below on all
.dra files in directory
– ” ns_parea_calculate.scr” is the script file
– ” ns_psm_area_calculate_README.txt” describes how to
use the 2 files above
– Scriptfiles will report units for each package symbol
• Case 3 – Board file – Don’t create data
– Create script and batch files as described in case 2
16
Best performance
obtained using Case 2
(Ja/Yes to above dialog)

Create rounded rectangle shape
• Command: ns_rsd
• Or NsWare → Symbol functions → Create rounded rectangle shape
• Can only be used inside a shape symbol for generating padstacks
17

Output functions
• Collection of functionality to create
output data
• Create artwork films: ns_gerber
– With user interface: ”ns_gerber”
– Without user interface: ”ns_gerber t”
• Program
– Creates default artwork films in
Manufacture→Artwork
– Create gerber film for etch and drill layers.
– Optional configuration for other films
– Edit ”ns_gerber.il” to accommodate your
requirements for naming, content etc.
– But rename skill file, functions etc. and
place outside of nsWare directory
18

Automated postprocessing
19
• Run Post Process: ns_postproc
– Or: NsWare→Output functions→Run Post Processor
– Creates most documentation needed for PCB
manufacturing
– Requires ”ads_sdart” variable to be set
– Can either setup gerber films or use existing
– Can zip data and cleanup output directory
– Creates a readme file

Output functions
20
• Pick and place data TOP: ns_pick_top
– Create pick and place data for top layer
– Uses symbol origin
• Pick and place data BOTTOM: ns_pick_bot
– Create pick and place data for bottom layer
– Uses symbol origin
• Pick and place data to Capture: ns_pickdata
– Creates a file with pick and place coordinates that can be backannotated to Capture
• All 3 utilities use symbol origin as component reference
– Can be changed in open-source programs
– ns_pickdata.il
– ns_pick_top.il
– ns_pick_bot.il
– But remember to rename functions and move .il files away from nsWare subfolder

Output functions
• CAMCAD data: ns_camcad
– Creates CAMCAD output data
• ODB++ for BluePrint: ns_odb
– Creates ODB++ data needed for import into
DownStream BluePrint
– Consider using IPC2581 output instead
• CircuitCam data: ns_aegis
– Creates data for CircuitCam equipment
21

Layout 2 PCB Editor footprint names
22
• Command: ns_l2a_footprints
• Or NsWare → Output functions → Layout 2 PCB Editor footprint names
• Creates a report that list reference designators and package symbol (footprint) names
– Can be back-annotated to Capture
– Usefull when translating PCB Designs from other PCB Systems into OrCAD/Allegro PCB
Editor

Text functions
• Update date field: ns_date
– Or NsWare → Text functions → Update date field
– Automatically updates all texts starting with ”Date:”
to ”Date: hh:mm:ss dd-mm-yyyy”
• Replace text: ns_text_replace
– Or NsWare → Text functions → Replace text
– Replace text on board with text from file
– This skill program replace text on a board with text
from a file. File should be named .csv and have the
format below (semicolon separated)
– search string;replace string
– Add as many lines as wanted, search string must be
a single word consisting of a-z, 0-9, _ and –
– replace string can be a sentence
23

Change width
• New in 2.3x
• Command: ns_clwidth
• Or NsWare → Change route width
• Change width
24
• New in 2.42
• Command: ns_grids
• Or NsWare → Change grid
• Changes grid setting
• Assign shortcut for optimal usage
– funckey g1 ns_grids 0.1
– Etc.
– alias g ns_grids
• Click g followed by number for fixed
change or space + number for

Change width
25
• New in 2.3x
• Command: ns_clwidth argument
– argument is number for the wanted line width or if left empty shows the user interface
• Or NsWare → Change route width
– funckey lw1 ns_clwidth 0.1
– Etc.
– alias lw ns_clwidth
• Click lw followed by number for fixed change or space + number for user interface
• Example related to above shortcuts
– lw followed by 1 → Changes line width to 0.1 units
– lw followed by space and 0.5 and Enter → Changes line width to 0.5 units
– lw followed by Enter → Show gui to enter new line width

Change grid
26
• New in 2.42
• Command: ns_grids argument
– argument is number for the wanted grid setting or if left empty shows the user interface
• Or NsWare → Change grid
• Change all grid settings
– Etc.
– alias g ns_grids
• Click g followed by number for fixed change or space + number for user interface
• Example related to above shortcuts
– g followed by 1 → Changes all grids to 0.1 units
– g followed by space and 0.5 and Enter → Changes all grids to 0.5 units
– g followed by Enter → Show gui to enter new grid setting in

Custom IDF export
• Command: ns_idf
• Or nsWare → Export → IDF with multiple heights
• Program
– Exports multiple heights per component and creates
a more realistic 3D view of PCB
– Output to STEP214 through FreeCAD
27

CAD Translators
28
• Translates IPL/DDE/SuperMax data into OrCAD / Allegro PCB Editor format
– Currently only available as a service
– Contact us at info@nordcad.dk or support@nordcad.dk for more information
• Translates Eagle board and library files in xml format to OrCAD / Allegro PCB Editor
– Currently only available as a service or through OrCAD MarketPlace
– Watch movie at YouTube
– Contact us at info@nordcad.dk or support@nordcad.dk for more information

• Translate Eagle board and library files in xml format
Eagle translator example
29

Configuration utility
30
• Command: ns_configutil
• Or NsWare → Configuration utility
• Program makes it possible to change settings from different files
saved in same format as env/site.env file
• Use alias, funckey, set, unset etc.
• Ideal for use at Design bureaus that needs to swap settings or for
support of different manufacturing settings etc.

Generate planar transformers
• Command ns_planar
– Or NsWare → Planar designer
• Program
– Create 3 different types of planar
transformers using parameters
– Currently only available as a service or
through OrCAD MarketPlace
31

Constraint Template
• Command: ns_csv2cm
– Or NsWare → Constraint Template
– Import and creates constraints specified using the Excel
spreadsheet ”constraint_skabelon.xls”
• Constraint Template Help: ns_show_csv2cm_help
– Or NsWare → Constraint Template Help
– Display help information for Constraint Template in Danish
32

PDF Generator
• Command: ns_pdf
– Creates a single pdf file
– Requires
– Adobe Distiller (v5→v9 or Ghostview
enabled PDF generator)
– Each film setup inside
Manufacture→Artwork is one page
inside the pdf document
• Consists of 4 tabs
– PDF Settings
– Printer setup
– Film plot settings
– New in 4.23: Variant plot
• Help command ”ns_pdf_help”
33

PDF – PDF Settings
• General settings for
– PDF file name
– PDF quality
– Paper size
– Font for texts
– Scaling
– Color vs. black/white
– Board outlines on all films
– Drill holes open/closed
– Solid colors
– Add filmname to page
34

PDF – Printer setup
• Settings for PDF program
– Adobe or Ghostview
35

PDF – Film plot settings
• Individual films settings
– PDF Out: Create PDF for film
– Mirror: Mirror plot of film
– Order pages in pdf document
– Up: Move selected film up
– Down: Move selected film down
– Preview film content
– View film: Preview selected film
– Reload visibility: Reload original board
visibility
36

Variant plot
37
• New in 2.32
• Adds variant plot capabilities
– Variants.lst required to read variant information
• Detailed document plots a page per part
number
* Notice that if you select Detailed document each PCB Session has a max of 290
pages it can plot

Prototype plotting with open drill
• 3 commands in nsWare→Prototype plotting
– Set one layer to black plot (ns_pprint)
– Set all etch to black (ns_pprint t)
– Restore color and visibility
(ns_restore_after_pprint)
• Program
– Makes it easy to print/plot etch layers for
prototyping with open drill holes.
– Setup display and color for printing prototypes
– Includes restore to original color and visibility
functionality
38

Show ISR information
• Command: ns_getCCR
• Or NsWare → Show ISR information
• Show the list of hotfixes and QIR’s installed
39

Update nsWare
• Command: ns_update_nsware
• Or NsWare → Update nsWare
• Update the nsWare programs to the newest versions
– Include new functions
• If nsWare functions are installed through OrCAD Marketplace
– Installed programs are updated
– New free apps are installed
• To disable use of this function
– Set variable ”no_nswareupdate” in env or site.env file
40

SigXplorer color setup
41
• New in 2.28
• Command: ns_sigxp_colors
• Or NsWare→Change colors
• Changes colors in SigXplorer to better
facilitate documentation

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