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ViewMasterPRO - Specifications

At a Glance
ViewMasterPRO is an advanced pre-production CAM editor for Gerber, HPGL, and NC Drill data. ViewMasterPRO adds netlist extraction and automatic CAM processing modules to ViewMaster’s proven combination of 98/ME/2000/XP ease-of-use; input, output, editing and conversion capabilities; and "PentaLogix speed." RoutMaster is also included with ViewMasterPRO. Now with the added capability of running scripts, ViewMasterPRO can improve efficiency and consistent quality from your CAM department.

Highlights

· 98/ME/2000/XP interface
· Import and export multiple PCB data formats
· Import and merge multiple aperture list formats
· Import multiple netlist formats
· Multiple database units of measurement
· Up to 255 layers of data
· Up to 10,000 simultaneously used apertures
· Graphical PCB editing
· Graphical NC drill editing
· Layer editing operations
· Step & repeat
· Aperture building
· Drill optimization
· Print to multiple output devices
· Translucent colors that reveal stacked elements
·Design rule checking
· Netlist extraction
· Run VBA-compatible Scripts 		· Venting & thieving
· Polygon filling
· Snowman and teardrop filleting
· Soldermask generation
· Outline generation
· Centroid data generation
· Polygon contour generation
· Silkscreen clipping
· Bi-directional draw-to-flash conversion
· Trace/pad overlap correction
· Non-functional pad removal
· Drill to Gerber pad snap alignment
· Layer comparison
· Copper area calculation
· Includes RoutMaster
· Unmatched speed, advanced graphics, and rapid redraw
· One year of free technical support
· Many more key features!
Please read the following specifications for complete details.

Input Formats
PCB Data Import
· Lavenir .BIN file
· Gerber Basic
· Gerber Extended (RS-274X)
· MDA Autoplot
· HPGL/ HPGL2

 · ODB++
· DPF

NC Drill Import
· Excellon · Wessel · Sieb & Meyer

Aperture List Import
The Aperture Wizard allows you to define and save a method for importing aperture list formats that ViewMasterPRO does not automatically recognize. In addition, ViewMasterPRO can automatically transcode and merge the following CAD aperture lists:
· Apple
· Associated
· Designers
· Cadence
· Cadnetix
· Cadstar
· CAM Bridge
· Compaq
· Consultech
· Daystar
· Eagle
· EE Designer
· EZ Board 		· Gap
· GC CAM
· GerbTool
· Hiwire
· HNS
· IGI
· Interactive
· Intergraph
· KLA
· Megatek
· Mentor
· Optrotech
· OrCAD 		· PADS
· P-CAD
· Plan Master
· Protel
· Racal Redac
· Report File
· Sun
· Tango
· Theda
· TS
· Valor
· Zuken

Netlist Import
· Lavenir Format 2 · Lavenir Format 4 · IPC-D-356/356A
Output Formats
PCB Data Export
· Lavenir .BIN file
· Gerber Basic 		· Gerber Extended (RS-274X)
· MDA Autoplot		 · Cutter Code (HPGL)

NC Drill Export
· Excellon · Wessel · Sieb & Meyer

Aperture List Export
· Lavenir .ENV File

Netlist Export
· Lavenir Format 2 (IPC-D-356) · Lavenir Format 4 (IPC-D-356 and trace data)  
Printing
Share your jobs with your colleagues or customers before fabrication.
· Print the Screen
· Print All Board Layers
· Print Only a Single Board Layer
· Print Black on White or Vice Versa		 · Print Screen Colors on a Background Color or on White
· Set a Scale Factor or Automatically Scale to Fit on a Page
· Add a Header to the Page

Print to Bitmap file
BMP is a handy format to create reports or PDF files.
· Print the View or Selected Frame
· Print View or Frame by Board Layers
· Print Only a Single Board Layer		 · Print Black on White or Vice Versa
· Print Screen Colors
· Set Resolution (BPI)

Text Database Report
Export a text report with the following information about the loaded database.
· Aperture List
· Element Counts		 · Plot Size
· Data Format		 · Arc Analysis
Database
Layer Database
· 255 Layers
· Positive and Negative Layers		 · Paint and Scratch Layers
 · Composite Board Layers

Aperture Database
The D Code table defines aperture shape codes and dimensions for D Codes 4 to 10,000. PentaLogix supports the following aperture types:
· Blank
· Circle
· Polygon Fill Trace
· Heat Relief
· Obround 		· Rectangle
· Square
· Targets 0-6
· Octagon
· Rounded Rectangle 		· Drawn Rectangle
· Drawn Obround
· Drawn Crosshair
· NC Drill Hole (D Code is mapped to a Tool Code on the Tool Code Table).
· Custom Aperture

Drill Database
D Codes defined in the D Code Table as NC Drill Codes (shape N) are further defined with types and diameters on the Tool Code Table. The Tool Code Table defines Tool Codes 1 to 255. PentaLogix supports the following Tool Types:
· Plated
· Non-Plated 		· Tooling
· Via 		 
Viewing Data
Layer Viewing
· Display layers in unlimited custom defined colors
· Display layers in solid or translucent colors		 · Turn On and Off Visibility for Layers
· Simple board layer definition and organizing

Pad and Trace Viewing
· Turn On and Off Visibility for Pads and Traces
· Show pads in the same color as traces or in contrasting color		 · Show traces at true width or at zero width
· Show pads filled or outlined

Selected Element Viewing
· Turn On and Off Visibility for Selected Elements · Show selected elements highlighted in white or in contrasting color to unselected elements

Unselected Element Viewing
 · Turn On and Off Visibility for Unselected Elements

Zoom
Zoom range is from .001 to 7000.
· Mouse-controlled Zoom Tool for Zooming Up, Down and on an Area
· Zoom Up and Down
· Zoom to Reference Level 		· Zoom On Reference Frame
· Zoom To Show All Data

Pan
· Pan Up, Down, Left, Right · Pan to First and Next Screen
Editing
Insert Elements
Insert the following types of data:
· Pads
· Lines
· Orthogonal Lines
· 90-Degree Lines
· Rectangles		 · Chord and Tangent Arcs
· Chord and Point Arcs
· Center and Chord Arcs 		· 3-Point Arcs
· Circles
· Text

Select Data for Editing
Some types of editing commands work on selected elements. Use the following commands to select data for editing.
· Specified Layers or All Layers
· Specified D Codes or All D Codes
· Specified Nets or All Nets
· Specified Classes of Elements Such as Pads, Traces, and Arcs or Any Type of Element
· Single Elements
· Groups of Elements Inside or Outside an Area		 · Add to or Remove from a Selection
· Clear a Selection
· Invert a Selection
· Select Globally using Selection Criteria
· Select All Data

Edit Selected Elements
Use these commands on elements that have been selected using the selection commands.
· Delete
· Copy
· Transfer to other layers
· Replicate to other layers
· Mirror		 · Move
· Rotate
· Scale
· Step and Repeat
· Transcode to Different D Code		 · Snap to Grid
· Swell
· Bi-directional conversion of polygons to/from F-type D Code outlines

Editing Aids
These features make editing easier and more precise.
· Auto Save Binary Job File with User Definable Time Period
· Undo Editing (Limited only by memory allocation)
· Save/Revert To Milestone File
· Measure Distance
· Absolute/Relative Coordinate System
· XY/Polar Coordinate System
· Go To Coordinates
· Go To Origin
· Screen Grid, Fixed Interval or Variable with Zoom		 · Draw a Reference Frame
· Align Cursor to Element
· Query Properties of Single or Multiple Elements
· Go To First/Next/Previous Element
· Go to Other End of Element
· Go To Center of Arc
· Mark Reference Point
· Go To Marked Reference Point
· Go To Center of Data

Special Editing Commands
These manual editing commands do not require element selection.
· Insert Text
· Break Traces and Clip Filled Area 		· Stretch Traces
· Insert Elbows in Traces		 · Insert 90-Degree Elbows in Traces
· Insert Frame-Sized Pads

Layer Editing
These commands act on entire layers and do not require element selection.
· Delete Layer
· Transfer Layer
· Replicate Layer
· Swap Layer		 · Move Layer
· Move Layer by Displacement
· Align Layer		 · Center Layer to Other Layers
· Center Layer to a Frame
· Rename Layer Files in the Layers Table

Aperture Selection
Use these selection commands to select D Codes for editing in the D Code table.
· Select a Single D Code
· Select a Range of D Codes
· Add or Remove from the Selection
· Select All D Codes		 · Invert the Selection
· Select D Codes of the Same Shape
· Select D Codes that are Used in the Database
· Select by Size the Smallest, Next Smaller, Next Larger, or Largest D Code

Aperture Editing
You can insert and manually edit D Code definitions in the D Code Table. In addition, you can use the following operations on selected D Codes.
· Copy D Code Definitions to New D Codes
· Delete D Codes from the Table
· Rotate D Code Dimensions by 90 Degrees
· Scale D Code Dimensions
· Scale D Code Area
· Swell D Code Dimensions
· Grow D Code Dimensions		 · Transcode Elements of One D Code to Another D Code
· Build Custom Shapes
· Unbuild Custom Shapes
· Store Custom Shapes
· Unique Shapes (Compress the D Code Table by automatically transcoding all duplicate shapes to a single D Code)
Automatic CAM Editing Tools
Venting & Thieving
Generate Venting and Thieving Patterns and Solid Fill line drawings at any angle. Mix patterns for different layer types in a single job. Use variable border types for copper balancing. Pick from among the following patterns:
· Solid
· Dots
· Interlocking Dots		 · Positive VPI
· Negative VPI
· Starburst		 · Hatched
· Crosshatched.

Filleting
Add Snowman or Teardrop Filleting at the intersection of pads and traces. Filleting can be added at variable size, percentage and position. Perform multiple operations on multiple layers simultaneously.

Fill Polygons
Fill simple or complex polygons. Fill inside or around circuit elements. Define fill and keep out areas with Nested Polygons. Automatically identify or repair Open, Crossed, or Overlapped polygons. Fill with one or two D Codes. Use the following fill patterns:
· Solid
· Hatched		 · Crosshatched
· Fill Inside Elements

Soldermask Generation
Automatically duplicate Padmaster pads using swelled D Codes in a Soldermask layer. Use existing D Codes for the Soldermask pads or generate new D Codes.

Overlap Correction
Retract traces to pad borders or edges of holes in circular or square pads. Transfer covered or duplicate traces and pads. Process multiple layers simultaneously.

Global Draw to Flash Pad Conversion
Convert drawn pads into standard or custom D Codes. Process single or multiple layers simultaneously using one of these two methods.1) Stand alone pads, such as elements found on soldermask layers, will allow you to quickly convert all drawn pads in a selection into standard or custom shapes. 2) Only flash elements exposed by a guide, such as the soldermask, leaving all other pads and traces unchanged.

Snap to Padmaster
Automatically snap misaligned data, layers of different resolution, or scanned artwork to a padmaster or drill file. Snap all or a selected part of the loaded data. Snap both pads and traces, or pads only, or elements of a selected D Code only. Process multiple layers simultaneously.

Copper Area Calculation
Analyzes the copper area of any combination of layers, venting patterns, test coupons, targets, and drill data. Capable of including the copper area of plated through-holes using the hole diameter and PCB thickness. Bitmap analysis accounts for element overlap. Text Copper Area Report file shows the analysis results in square inches, square cm, or percentage of analyzed area.

Centroid Data Generation
Calculates the component location of groups of lands converted to a single D Code. Outputs an ASCII file of component numbers and X, Y locations. Creates a Gerber file of Shape or Component outlines.

Delete Non-Functional Pads
Automatically deletes or transfers unconnected pads and padstacks. Uses tolerance values to determine whether pads are unconnected or stacked. Exempts some specified classes of pads from deletion or transfer. Operates on multiple layers simultaneously.

Clip Silk Screen
Clips silkscreen traces to clear soldermask pads. You have the option to automatically discard traces that have been clipped to shorter than a specified length.

Generate Outline Data
Generates trace outlines of the elements of a layer. Outlines can be swelled by a margin value. Outline data from a soldermask layer can be used to generate a laser cutting path for making stencils.

Arc Conversion
· Break 360-Degree Arcs into Quadrant Arcs
· Approximate Arcs with Chords

Sort Elements by Proximity
· Hypotenuse and Max XY Methods.
Design Rule Checking
Run a Design Rule Check on all or only a selected part of the loaded data. The operation outputs a text Error Summary Report and flags error locations in the loaded data with selected error elements. Check the following Design Rules:
Vector-Based DRC
Vector DRC uses the Gerber description of the position, size and shape of elements to determine clearance and contact between elements. You can run a vector DRC on all or only a selected part of the loaded data. The operation outputs a text Error Summary Report and flags error locations in the loaded data with selected Gerber error elements.
Check the following Design Rules with vector DRC:
· Air Gap (Trace-Trace, Trace-Pad, Pad-Pad)
· Annular Ring Gap (Drill-Outer Layer, Drill-Plane Layer, Drill-Other Layer, Drill-Thermal)
· Power-Ground Shorts (Drill contact on more than one power or ground layer)
· Soldermask Clearance (Mask-Outer Layer Pad, Mask-Outer Layer Trace)
 · Outline-Copper Area Clearance
· Pad-Pad Contact
· Centerline Disconnection (Trace-Trace, Trace-Pad)
· Trace Intersections
· Unterminated Traces
Netlist Extraction
Vector-Based Netlist Extraction
Vector Netlist Extraction uses the Gerber description of the position, size and shape of elements to determine if the elements intersect. The Vector Netlist Extraction routine defines elements that intersect to be in the same net.
· Buried and Blind Vias
· Automatic power and ground short identification		 · Multiple power and ground splits

The Vector Netlist generates a variety of netlist information and files:
· Lavenir Format 0 Netlist
· Lavenir Format 1 Netlist
· Lavenir Format 2 Netlist (IPC-D-356)
· Lavenir Format 3 Netlist
· Lavenir Format 4 Netlist (IPC-D-356 with Trace Data) 		· Net Count Report
· Gerber Reference Plot
· Short Circuit Report
· Short Circuit Gerber Plot
· Split Plane Error Report

Scripting Capabilities
CAM ActiveX Automation Object Library
The CAM Automation Object Library is a library of CAM ActiveX methods and properties that you can use to create scripts. Using these methods and properties (objects), you can easily insert and use CAM functions in your scripts, and you can also have your scripts get values from the currently loaded job file.

RoutMaster
Included with the ViewMasterPRO graphical edtor is RoutMaster. RoutMaster is a stand alone Graphical NC Drill and Rout solution to today’s PCB design challenges. RoutMaster automates the optimization of NC data for your drill and routing. For more information, please see the specifications for RoutMaster.

Current as of March, 2003 Specifications are subject to change without notice