[PCB_FORUM] Re: X-Keys 20 key, any good?

From: Dave Seymour <dave.seymour@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: icu-pcb-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2006 13:46:15 -0400

And then....

I have a couple of scripts set up as a hold over from the old Allegro days..

These script re-alias the function keys to align with where I am in the design.

ST - "set up"  alias function keys that go with setting up a design.

PLC- "placement" sets up move, rotate, mirror.

RT - " Route" sets up add connect line, slide.

OT - "Output" sets up fab, assy and artwork related function keys.

You get the idea. With the above idea, one will have Func, ctrl, Shift, x 10 function keys per master script. 120 functions. And yes, in my case, some of the keys are the same in all four master scripts.

dave

Baumstark Michael-EMB043 wrote:

Still another idea. Have you ever considered using the 315,000 plus, function key solution? Granted there are a few select commands that work great off of a single function key execution. However, I simply find them hard to remember if I start using too many of them. So what I have done is set up over 200 functions, that I can remember with an intuitive alpha-numeric sequence. For me, it works great and I will never go back the the CTRL, Shift, Alt Function key solution; although I still use a select few. I have a mixed use model of macros that I have recorded along with a preferred set of commands. These are assigned in a similar way as you would do an alias command. However, I use the "funckey" assignment to accomplish this. Here is a small sample of functions that I have macros assigned to.
#
funckey pkoo replay package_keepout_on.scr
funckey pkox replay package_keepout_off.scr
funckey pkoto replay package_keepout_top_on.scr
funckey pkotx replay package_keepout_top_off.scr
funckey pkobo replay package_keepout_bottom_on.scr
funckey pkobx replay package_keepout_bottom_off.scr
#
funckey vkoo replay via_keepout_on.scr
funckey vkox replay via_keepout_off.scr
The nice thing about using multi character funckeys is that (they are very intuitive to me - ones I can remember for a long time even with intermittent repeated usage) I simply type the character seqence and the command executes immeditely. The way I used to do it for multiple alpha-mumeric keys was by aliasing them. But I would have to type the multi characters in the command console followed by a Enter command.

Obviously with this methodology, the usage of simply one or two alpha-numeric function keys is very limiting to what you can do with them, and they may not be very intuitive. So I have simply eliminated from my vocabulary, single alpha-numeric functions (with a few exceptions, like my layer views). Again I also have a very limited assignment of two character functions. Most of my functions are in the 3-4 character sequence, with a few that go to 5 characters. (The Cadence doumentation I believe said that you could only go up to 4 characters but that but be an obsolete specification I am remembering because, I am using a few 5 character functions.

Since we are on the subject matter and the main reason I am here on the forum today. Can anyone tell me how they can get the arrow keys to to advance only a single grid tick at a time, say while moving a component, etc. I am just getting back into the Allegro toll flow after a long time out of production mode and I do not remember that one. The present behavior of the arrow key seems to advance me by some larger amount (I am thinking of some type of roaming command). But maybe someone can just give me the solution without having to hunt for it. Thanks.

P.S. - enjoy the function tip if you have never used it that way before. Just in case you need to de-assign an alpha character
unalias funckey b
unalias funckey d
------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of richard moffat Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 5:38 PM To: icu-pcb-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [PCB_FORUM] Re: X-Keys 20 key, any good?

Just another idea: I have eight dedicated keys to select the active layer you want and start the route function. My non-mouse hand hovers over these eight keys when routing. You can get really fast at laying copper by doing this, as you don't mess around with the 'Act' or 'Alt' buttons on the RHS of the Allegro screen or the '+' and '-' keys on the normal keyboard. Even on a 2 or 4 layer board I find it's good. It needs a couple of scripts to set it up to do this, as different boards have different layer counts. Let me know if you're interested in trying it. Cheers, Richard
>>> gary.macindoe@xxxxxxx 27/04/2006 2:41 a.m. >>>
Hey Paul,
I was thinking of getting the 20 key, but then decided on the 58 key. I've got the desk space and the extra keys can't hurt!
Man, you guys from NZ seem to be ahead of the curve!  Thanks.
Regards,
Gary E. MacIndoe
PCB Design Engineer
Advanced Micro Devices
Longmont, Colorado
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Paul Gilmore Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2006 5:44 PM To: icu-pcb-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [PCB_FORUM] Re: X-Keys 20 key, any good?

I am using the 20 key version, and haven't assigned a function to every key yet. By assigning one key as CTRL and another as SHIFT each key can preform three functions (four counting the CTRL SHIFT combination) then double that if you set up the second x-key layer the same way. The rest of the x-keys are assigned F2-F12, Insert, Home etc.
Then a few lines from my Allegro Env,
alias F11 iangle 90
alias CF11 spin
alias SF11 shape void circle
and since we also use concept, in the "concepthdl_key.txt" file
F11 _EDIT_ROTATE;
CTRL+F11 _EDIT_SPIN;
--
Paul G.
Senior PCB Designer
Tait Electronics Ltd
535 Wairakei Road
Christchurch
New Zealand
Gary MacIndoe wrote:
Hey again,
So here's another one. Anybody use the Pi Engineering X-Keys 20 key programmable supplemental keyboard? Is it easy to program, works well?
Thanks for any input.
Gary E. MacIndoe
PCB Design Engineer
Advanced Micro Devices
Longmont, Colorado
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--
Dave Seymour, CID+
Catapult Communications Inc.
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References:
- [PCB_FORUM] Re: X-Keys 20 key, any good?
  - From: Baumstark Michael-EMB043

[PCB_FORUM] Re: X-Keys 20 key, any good?

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