[PCB_FORUM] Re: ?????: Re: DEFAULT BRD OR DRA

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



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[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 
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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...

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