HAM Radio 1

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ HAM Radio 1 / HamRadio.cdr / tech / schemati / scfile21.doc < prev next >

Wrap

Text File | 1989-09-24 | 28.1 KB | 886 lines

Schematic Filer Version 2.1 --------------------------- Copyright (c) 1989, By Jeff Cutcher 08/26/89 Updated on: 09/24/89 Schematic Filer 2.1 Page 1 WARRANTY ======== Schematic Filer is provided AS IS without any warranty, expressed or implied. The user must assume the entire risk of using this software. LICENSE ======= Schematic Filer 2.1 is SHAREWARE and NOT public domain. You may distribute the software as long as it is: - Distributed in its entirety - NOT modified in any way - NOT Distributed for a FEE.(*) You are limited to 30 days of use for this software, but you are URGED to register your copy if it suites your needs. If you continue using this software without registering it, you are violating the copyright laws and depriving me of my rights and profit. The registration fee for Schematic Filer 2.1 is $25. Upon receiving your registration, you will be sent a disk containing the most recent update to the program and the manual. You will also receive a basic set of libraries pertaining to electronics. Also, being that you are registered, technical support will be given to you. This entitles you to call me and I will help you in any way possible. BUT, if you are NOT registered, I would then not be able to help you! The future of this software will depend mostly on registrations. If I don't get registrations, then no more features will be added. If you are registered I will gladly take any suggestions into consideration. When a new version comes out which has added features, another fee will be asked for the new version. (*)NOTE: This does not include those companies that distribute shareware as a service. If you do provide this service, the maximum you may charge is $10. Most services are less, but that is the maximum. Page 1 Schematic Filer 2.1 Page 2 WHAT YOU GET ============ At this point I can only assume you have this program because you downloaded it from a BBS or some form of telecommunications network. The files you should have after you unpacked SCFILE21.ZIP should be as follows: (Not necessarily in this order) SCFILE21.EXE Program. SCFILE21.HLP Help file for SCFILE21.EXE. SCFILE21.DOC Documentation. HISTORY.DOC History of SCHEMATIC FILER. LIBS.ZIP A Few sample Libraries. DWGS.ZIP A Few sample schematics. Page 2 Schematic Filer 2.1 Page 3 INTRODUCTION ------------ Schematic Filer is a concept I came up with to simply help me out during school. I attend school for electronics and was required to do labs. Using my program I could store all kinds of integrated circuits (chips) on disk along with schematics. Schematic Filer will allow you to do this. It does not compete in any way with the more PROFESSIONAL cad systems. Schematic filer does not do rotations, zooms, layers, etc. The reason being, it is a simple all-purpose cad-type program. I classify it as all-purpose because you really can with ease draw anything you want. The only thing that keeps it classified as electronics-only is the set of libraries and a special menu of functions pertaining to schematics. Schematic filer stores graphics as vectors, meaning that the SCREEN is not saved in memory but instead a table of numbers representing X-Y locations, colors, and the type of object to be drawn. This allows less disk and memory space, and faster screen scrolling in all four directions. Schematic Filer stores the vectors one right after in other. This allows you to simply step backwards or forwards through the vectors, inserting or taking out certain ones. Schematic Filer allows you to create libraries. The process is simple. You mark the start of the vectors, and the end of the vectors and from there that set gets saved as a library. You also define where the pins are and in what direction, so that while placing the library, you know how big it is, and where the pins are (if any). All graphics modes are recognized EXCEPT for monochrome. Also, to keep things simple, all graphics modes used are forced into 640x200. That way, a schematic or drawing done on CGA, can be seen on a EGA with no problem. Although this is done on other cad systems, they take aspect ratios into consideration and doing that means more code and more money for you to spend. To run Schematic Filer you will need at least 512K RAM memory, a hard drive is preferable, and you will also need a mouse. The keyboard is also used, but NOT for cross-hair movement. The cross-hairs are taken care of via your mouse driver. I suggest that the most recent version of your mouse driver be used, so that no problems will occur while in EGA or VGA. Page 3 Schematic Filer 2.1 Page 4 FEATURES ======== Schematic Filer has the following features: - Rubberbanding. - Circles, Boxes, Arcs (which can be elliptical), Lines, and Text. - Fill patterns and Line Styles. - 2 color CGA or 16 color EGA-VGA. - Libraries. - Test-point Data for schematics. - Scrolling. - Crosshair cursor with optional horizontal and/or vertical cursor line(s). - Measuring function. As said before, the future of this package is solely dependent on the registrations. If registrations occur, then most likely added features will happen. These may consist of rotations, printer output, more graphics abilities, etc. If any suggestions come in from registered users, those suggestions will be taken highly in consideration and be dealt with. Suggestions can range from enhancements to dislikes. Page 4 Schematic Filer 2.1 Page 5 STARTING THE PROGRAM ==================== Starting SCHEMATIC FILER is simple and easy to do. If you are using a floppy drive system then the easiest way to use SCHEMATIC FILER would be to place the program on a floppy along with the sample schematics. As you work with the program you can save your schematics to this disk. Next, place the libraries on a separate disk. And if you have a second drive, use it for the libraries. Upon running SCHEMATIC FILER you can go to the OPTIONS menu and setup your particular configuration. You can set aside two directories for SCHEMATIC FILER. This becomes useful if you have a hard drive. If you are using floppies then you would place the drive letter(s) in the appropriate directory(ies). NOTE: When SCHEMATIC FILER is run, it looks for "SCFILE21.CFG". If this file is NOT found then the current drive/directory is used, and the default parameters are used. Otherwise, if the file is present, then that file gets loaded and those settings go into effect. The following is an explanation of the different settings in the OPTIONS menu: Schematic Directory : Directory for Schematics. Library Directory : Directory for Libraries. Scroll Factor : A factor to determine the amount of pixels for scrolling. Extended Pins : Yes/No. Deals with the way libraries are shown while pasting them. Save Options : Use this to save your options. The file, "SCFILE21.CFG" will be saved to your current directory. Upon loading schematic filer another time, this file will be loaded and those options will be used. Page 5 Schematic Filer 2.1 Page 6 Keyboard Usage ============== Along with the mouse, the keyboard is also used to do certain tasks. Below is a list of these commands and their functions. ALT Keys: - = Delete vectors. A = x B = x C = Clear work area. Starts program over as if just loaded. D = x E = x F = x G = x H = Toggle horizontal cursor line ON or OFF. I = x J = x K = x L = Load Schematic. Bypasses Menu. M = Display memory and vector information. N = x O = x P = x Q = x R = Redraw Screen. S = Save Schematic. Bypasses Menu. T = Mark location for MEASURING. (Toggle ON/OFF) U = x V = Toggle vertical cursor line ON or OFF. W = x X = Exit to DOS. Y = x Z = x Function Keys: F1 = Simple Help Screen. Shows Keyboard Commands. F2 = Mark beginning location in vector table for REPEAT function. F3 = Mark ending location for vector table and execute REPEAT function. F4 = x F5 = Act as middle button of mouse for 2 button mice. F6 = Mark beginning location in vector table for defining a library. F7 = Mark ending location in vector table for defining a library and begin library definition sequence. F8 = x F9 = x F10 = x Control Keys: End = Go to bottom of VECTOR Table. <-- = Go backwards in VECTOR Table x times. --> = Go forward in VECTOR Table x times. Cursor Keys: Scroll left,right,up, or down. Page 6 Schematic Filer 2.1 Page 7 Menu Selections =============== Near the top of the screen will be some selections that will do a particular function or pull down a menu. To execute one of these, just place the cross-hair on the selection and click the first button. If a menu gets pulled down, you can then press the CAPITAL character of the function or use the mouse in the same fashion as previously done. HELP ---- This selection displays a one page summary of the keyboard commands. Upon executing this function, the file "SCFILE21.HLP" will be read in and displayed on the screen. If this file is NOT present and audible tone will signify that. FILE ---- This menu contains the following functions: Save file Load file Get library Directory-schematic diRectory-library SAVE FILE - This will save the current drawing in memory. It will first display the last filename used, and ask if you want to use it or not. During the saving process, if the file exists already, you will be warned, and allowed to take appropriate action. LOAD FILE - This will ask you for a filename, or you can use the one previously entered. Then it will bring in that drawing into memory. GET LIBRARY - This function will load in a library file and allow you to stamp it anywhere in your drawing. After the loading procedure is finished, the library will be displayed on the screen along with the vector count. After viewing, press any key to continue. Next, use the mouse to move the box around the screen. This box is the outside perimeter of the library, along with extending lines showing where the pins are, if any. Use the ESC key to stop stamping the library. DIRECTORY-S...- This will display all the .SCH files from the designated directory. Which is set in the OPTIONS selection. DIRECTORY-L...- This will display all the .LIB files from the designated directory. Page 7 Schematic Filer 2.1 Page 8 DRAW ---- The selections are: Boxes, Circles, Lines, Arcs, Text Line styles Line Thickness Use the mouse to make the selections you want. COLOR ----- If in CGA you will only be allowed to select BLACK or WHITE. If in EGA or VGA you will see sixteen different colors to choose from. Use the mouse to select the color you want, and also to select the fill patterns. The BLACK fill pattern will do nothing when filling. Also, to fill in an area, make sure the area is surrounded by the same color you are filling it with. Use the center button or F5 to fill. SPECIAL ------- This menu contains functions specifically for electronics applications. The functions are: Create test point data Add test point data View test point data --------------------- cReate parts list aDd to parts list Search for part --------------------- Print test point data prInt parts list CREATE TEST P...- This starts the process of entering test point information. A test point is commonly used in schematics to provide information about that point [Usually with ground as the reference] such as voltage, current, resistance, etc. ADD TEST POINT...- After creating the file, down the road you may add more test points. This function allows you to do just that. VIEW TEST POINT...- Use this function to search for a test point and view its information. A very helpful feature for technicians. Circuits can be created using schematic filer, and then have test points in which they can be viewed at a later date when troubleshooting that circuit. Page 8 Schematic Filer 2.1 Page 9 CREATE PARTS...- This starts the process of saving information about individual parts of the circuit. Three lines are used. One for the part identification, one for the part number [ie: 2N3904 or 74LS00], and one for a value. The value could be used for resistors and capacitors or any part having some value. Or if it is an IC you could enter a small description. ADD TO PARTS...- When you want to enter more part information to an existing file (one that has been created already) then choose this command. SEARCH FOR PART- Use this command when you want to search for a part in the file. Enter the PART ID and the computer will display its information (if it exists). PRINT TEST...- Prints all the test points of the schematic to the printer. PRINT PARTS LIST- Prints all the parts of the schematic to the printer. When searching for data, if a match is found that data will be displayed, if no match is found then the very LAST record is displayed. Once the desired data is displayed, you may edit it. To do so, press 'E'. Now you may use the ARROW keys to place the check mark (_/) on the line you want. Next, press <ENTER>. Now you may type the line over. If you hit <ESC> the old text will re-appear. Hitting <ESC> will moving the check mark will take you back to the menu. Drawing ------- To draw a particular object you must select it from the DRAW menu, then to DRAW : NOTE: Any reference to PRESSING the mouse buttons means press and release, do not hold. A BOX - just move the cursor to a location on the screen, press the FIRST button. This starts the rubberbanding action. Now move the mouse in any direction to get the desired BOX or RECTANGLE. Next press the third button (right-most) and the object will be drawn. A CIRCLE - just do the same as above. Except this time you will be adjusting the size of the circle. NOTE: This is just a circle, the rubberbanding action only varies one radius, no ellipse. To get an ellipse you would need to use the ARC command. A LINE - same as above. Press the first button, rubberband the line to a desired size, and then press the third button. Press <ESC> when finished. Page 9 Schematic Filer 2.1 Page 10 AN ARC - This process takes the most steps. The reason is because you need to define the center point, then define radius A and radius B. Then you must define the starting and ending points of the arc. First, press the first button and you will see a vertical and horizontal line joined at the centerpoint. Now adjust the vertical line. This represents radius A. Once you have that set press the first button. This toggles between the two lines. Now adjust the horizontal line. This sets radius B. You can still toggle back and forth to the different lines if necessary. NOTE: It may take two or more times pressing the button before it toggles. Now, when you have your desired radii press the center button (or F5). Now move the mouse. The line you see moving is the STARTING point. Move that line in a circular motion and place it in the desired location for the starting angle. Now press the first button to move the other line and set the ENDING angle. You may toggle back and forth. Now press the third button and the ARC will be drawn. NOTE: the angles are as such, 3 o'clock is 0, 12 o'clock is 90, 9 o'clock is 180, 6 o'clock is 270, and back to 3 o'clock is 360. Also, the arc is drawn COUNTERCLOCKWISE. TEXT - Place the cursor at the desired location and press the first button. A window will be displayed showing MAXIMUM length for that particular line. Now type the text. The ESC key will exit and the DEL key will delete characters. Press ENTER when finished. UNDO FEATURES ------------- Since the objects are stored as VECTORS in a list, you can easily UNDO them, insert them, or delete them. Two keyboard commands are CTRL left arrow and right arrow. When using the left arrow, you will move back X amount of vectors (OBJECTS), or if you use the right arrow you will move X amount of vectors forward. You can also press the third button on the mouse and the vectors will be UNDONE from the last one to the one your cursor is on. After going backwards in the vector table use the CTRL right arrow to get them back. But, if you want to get them all back again, just press CTRL END. Also, after UNDOing vectors, all vectors drawn will be inserted. Then you can bring back all the other vectors. You can also press ALT (-) and specify how many vectors to permanently UNDO (erase). Page 10 Schematic Filer 2.1 Page 11 Making Libraries ---------------- The best thing about a CAD system is to have sets of libraries. These libraries are individual files containing one or more vectors making up an object. The object could be a transistor, block, screw, or anything you want. Schematic Filer allows you to group together vectors and save them, thus creating a library. Later you can "GET A LIBRARY" and paste it on your drawing or schematic. To start a library from scratch first hit F6. This marks the beginning position in memory. Now you may draw your object. Up to 500 vectors can be used, but you will mostly find that your libraries will only consist of an 1/8 of that. Most of my objects are in the range of 10 to 50 vectors. After your object is drawn press F7. This marks the end of the vector table. NOW, after hitting F7 you will be put into BOX mode. Now you must outline the object completely with a box. The best way to do this is to use the CURSOR LINES, (ALT-H and ALT-V). Enclosing the object is for your benefit ONLY. It helps determine the size of the object when you are pasting it. After rubberbanding the box, press the 3rd button on the mouse to draw it. Now your cursor will be limited to INSIDE the box. Now you will tell the computer were the pins are, if any. This pertains to ICs, transistors, resistors, etc. You could use it for other types of objects as well. Place the cursor where a pin is and press the 1st button on the mouse. Now hit the appropriate key to tell the computer what direction it is pointing or extending. Do this process for all pins. You can set up to 10 pins total. When finished press the 3rd button and then enter the name of the object to be saved. After that, you are finished. Any time in the future you can use the object by going to the FILE menu and selecting GET LIBRARY. Enter the filename and then it will be loaded. The first thing you will see is the object itself and the total amount of vectors that make it up. After seeing that press any key to continue. Now you may paste the object anywhere by pressing the 3rd button. You may still SCROLL the drawing too. When finished, press <ESC>. Repeating Vectors ----------------- Another feature to make drawing easier is a REPEAT function. If one needed to draw 10 lines down, why do them separately when you really only need to draw one, and let the computer draw the rest. Here is how it is done on Schematic Filer 2.1. Press F2 key to mark the beginning of the vectors to be repeated. Then either draw them or use the UNDO features to bring them back. After having the appropriate vectors, press F3. Now they are grouped together. After that process, three questions will be asked. First, you will be asked the direction. Answer it with the appropriate letter. Next you will be asked how many times to repeat. Answer that with a number and then hit <ENTER>. The last question then asks how many pixels. This means, how many pixels(dots) in between each object repeated. Enter the number and press <ENTER>. The object will now be repeated as requested. Page 11 Schematic Filer 2.1 Page 12 Using Schematic Filer 2.1 as an IC/Parts Data Book -------------------------------------------------- I have created a .SCH file called "DATABOOK.SCH". This is a template for you to place an IC (Integrated Circuit) or any part into the box. This will serve as a pictorial reference for future use. You can also place text to specify different aspects about the chip. I use this while doing labs at school. I save the files as such "??????DB", that is, the filename is the chip number and after that is DB for data base. (IE: 7400DB.SCH, 7408DB.SCH, 555DB.SCH) If you want, you can also design your own template to accommodate your specific needs. Page 12 Schematic Filer 2.1 09/24/89 Registration Form ================= NAME: ________________________________________________________________ Last First ADDRESS: _____________________________________________________________ CITY: _______________________ STATE: ________________ ZIP: _________ Send this along with $25 to: Jeffrey L. Cutcher 174 Lehigh Street Brick, NJ 08724