I am not a network guru and it is rare I can add 2 cents to this forum but happily I believe I can somewhat help clarify the one aspect Michael mentions regarding the "network places" issue because this problem also exists for every other tool... Mapping to the network \\server (or \\connection alias) can change over time and there are likely other networking variables that I am not aware of that make this a bad practice. However, mapping a drive letter to a "work" directory (or folder) on a network server keeps your design database intact even if the server name changes or your folder (directory) is moved to different server. (Of course if the server is moved or changed you will need to remap the drive letter to the new path.) Mapping a drive letter to an application and project folder instead of the entire network path keeps the EDA projects isolated from any networking functions or changes outside of the Tx's and Rx's of the application and design data path(s). just as an example: On a single server, I have projects mapped to a folder named "project" with the letter P: and the library mapped to another folder named "library" with the letter L: (my applications all run from my local drive C:) It doesn't matter what letter is used except... make sure you are consistent and check with IT to make sure they are not using or planning to assign a specific drive letter for your machine (such as user ID, etc.) With my projects and libraries mapped to different drive letters, they can be moved separately to different network servers and the path for the design data remains intact by the drive letter. Hope this helps! Ed Ed Caldwell PCB Designer USA 678-473-8707 mailto:ed.caldwell@xxxxxxxxxx EDS http://www.eds-pcb.com "Baumstark Michael-EMB043" <M.Baumstark@xxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent by: icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 01/30/2007 04:22 PM Please respond to icu-pcb-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx To <icu-pcb-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> cc Subject [PCB_FORUM] Re: ?????: Re: DEFAULT BRD OR DRA I would like to hear a good answer to that one myself. But here is what I think I know. I believe the default conditions of an un-named.brd are hard coded into the Allegro executable. (Launched from a File--> New command in Allegro or a blank input board file for a packaging operation from schematic or Project Manager. We get around this limitation by storing a collection of "template board files" in a defined location and performing a file "Save as". Since the Technology data is embedded in the .brd database along with any pre-existing assignment table matrixes including the physical constraint sets that link to them, as well as available for selection: we have all that we need. I suppose if you could change the menu opcodes of the File New command you could more directly get what you want. But we are hesitant to alter the "out of the Box" commands to customize in this way. It is not a big deal to do a File open command to get a starting template board from a reserved location. One note of caution. If you are ever tempted to create a "My Network Places" link such that you have a shortcut to a predefined location, do not get into the habit of doing it to have a startup location for your .cpm file. (Although it may work just fine for a starting location to retrieve a template.brd file) Reason: We have noted problems with packaging schematics and also using the Netlist comparison utility within Allegro. There is something is does not like about the format of \\server\sub_category\refined_path_folder versus the explicit file mapping of L:\sub_category\refined_path_folder. (Cadence also advertises that they do not fully support this method of address mapping, so you have been fully disclaimer(ed), should you "creatively" want to go down that path.) There is a proper name the the former addressing scheme, which is the way "My_Network_ Places" uses, although that word eludes me at the moment. But you should get the idea. By the way that is a very good question to be answered prior to the upcoming SPB 16.0 tools release at mid-year. I hope this supports your question. Sincerely yours, Michael Baumstark Sr. Electrical Engineer / PCB Design, CID+ Motorola - Advanced Product Technology Center 8000 West Sunrise Blvd. Mail Stop: 8E8 Plantation, FL USA 33322-9947 Intra: http://rprc.mot.com ; http://pcbadvisor.mot.com web: http://www.motorola.com --------------^------------------^-----------------^------------------^-------------- >---^-.--- >---^-.--- >---^-.--- Motorola Internal Use [ ] Motorola Confidential Proprietary [ ] From: icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Tmi Systems PCB Design - Amin Aslan Sent: Monday, January 29, 2007 11:35 PM To: icu-pcb-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [PCB_FORUM] ?????: Re: DEFAULT BRD OR DRA HOW DO I TELL CADENCE TO ALWAYS LOAD A DEFAULT BRD OR DRA ( WHICH CONTAINS ALL MY TECHS AND CONSTRAINTS) THANKS AHEAD...