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Does anyone have much epxerience with using Pro/E in a pcb layout environment?
I have yet to purchase and ECAD system - I have more demos on my deskptop than you can shake a stick at. I have to work with precise placement of mechanical details as laid out on pcbs. I need a bi-directional solution - design is driven at both ends sometimes.
I am somewhat surprised at the miserable level of interchange ability that exists. I have PADS - for instance, there are many others though - and I have set up some config files to bring parts in / out of that using the usual file routes. I honestly don't think much of the process. Reminds me of the state ofCAD a decade ago.
Yes I am on 2001 still, but the total lack of integration really frustrates me.
I completely understand the difference in design intent of CAD and ECAD. I just don't understand why nobody is making something better - maybe I am missing something?
I work in lighting and todays lighting needs to mate electronics with mechanical parts as seamlessly as I mate sheetmetal with solids in CAD. I am sure I am not the only engineer out there that needs this.
If I redisgn a lens profile I want the pcb traces to move with what I am doing... the usual 3d cad justification of avoiding collisions and ensuring fit.
Programs like Altium look like a close cousin graphically to our 3d cad world. A company needs to step up and make them the same world IMHO.
If I had 5 years and a backerI would go ahead and develop my own - thats how far away from a solution I find the industry to be... after a month or twoof looking.
PTC has some major clients in lighting and I can't beleive they are not getting their doors beaten down - specially considering solid state lighting is considered to be the number one growth prospect in engineering ove rthe next decade.
Someone writeand change my opinion please.
I am about to make the jump from 2001 to WF 3.0 - thanks all for the advice on that previously given btw.
regards,
Jon Connell, IESNA
John, did you get an answer to this question from 2 years ago? A group here just started using Altium, but we are still working out the bugs of exchanging information with Wildfire 5. Any suggestions on how to do this would be greatly appreciated.