Here's the Complete, Unabridged List of DesignWorks Schematic Capture Features

User Interface

Standard Libraries

Extensive Symbol Libraries with over 13,000 parts in ANSI and IEEE format. The list includes all 5400, 7400, 7500, 4000, and ECL familites, plus an extensive collection of processors, memories, interface parts, discretes and others. Libraries include full package assignment data for assignable parts. Floating parts palette allows quick selection of devices at any time.

DesignWorks is shipped with an extensive set of over 12,000 device symbols. Digital components are provided in Compact, ANSI (rectangular) and IEEE formats. Gate devices are provided in monolith (i.e. one package = one symbol) and with DeMorgan equivalents. All digital devices have full gate packaging information.

Library Creation and Editing

Schematic Editing

Packager Module

Custom Sheet Settings

DesignWorks supports full customization of sheet borders, grids and graphics. The default border which is created for each new design can be updated from a "sheet template" file with a single operation. Template files are really just design files with custom settings for border size, text font, grid spacing, company logo, etc. Templates for the standard ANSI sizes A - E and other common sizes are included.

Attribute Operations

DesignWorks allows text attributes to be associated with any device, signal or pin in a design, and with the design itself. Attribute Editing - Attributes can be entered individually on each object through a standard select and Get Info operation, or collectively using the Browser tool. Any attribute that is displayed on the diagram can be edited right on the diagram.

Attribute Display Options - Attributes can be displayed on the diagram adjacent to the associated signal, device or pin. Each field can be moved and rotated individually. A default display position can be specified for device attributes. Field names can be optionally displayed with each item. Text style for attribute display is set globally for all attributes in the design. Attribute Global Operations - Attributes are defined centrally for a design. Global Duplicate, Merge and Delete operations allow all data associated with a field to be modified throughout the design. User-defined attribute fields can be added at any time. Report Generation - All attribute fields can be used in custom report formats.

Spreadsheet-style Design Browser

Hierarchical Design

DesignWorks provides a number of powerful operations for working with device or hierarchical block symbols and internal circuit definitions. Hierarchy Mode - Three hierarchy modes are available to accommodate different design requirements. "Flat" mode provides the simplest possible structure for smaller designs. "Pure" mode implements a pure hierarchical structure, i.e. each part type is defined only once and all instances of a type are identical. "Physical" mode allows full hierarchical operation, but allows separate attribute data to be associated with each physical instance of a part.

Hierarchy Operations - Hierarchical designs can be created "top-down" or "bottom-up". Attach and Detach commands allow separately-created designs to be merged into a single hierarchy, or vice-versa. Internal circuit definitions can be saved with a part in a library or as a separate circuit file. Part definitions can be saved from a schematic sheet to a library. Devices in a schematic can be updated from their original library or from any selected new source.

Netlisting and Report Generation

DesignWorks includes a powerful Custom Report Generator tool for netlist and text report generation. The report format is driven by a "form file" which contains formatting commands and constant text. Form file features allow you to control: Overall report structure, e.g. netlist formats by signal or by device, listings by device for bills of materials, etc. Design, device, signal and pin attributes to be included. Selection of devices or signals to include in the report, by name or attribute value. Selection of attribute fields to be used as sources for power and ground connections. Sorting and merging of lines within the file. Format of each pin connection entry, each line and each page. Hierarchy format, including flattened and hierarchical netlists. Error checking, including checking for missing attribute fields. The package includes 20 or more form files for standard industry formats. These can be used as-is or used as a guide for creating your own formats.

Searching and Error Checking

The Find tool allows you to interactively locate devices, pins or signals by name or attribute value. Matching items can be viewed one at a time, or all items can be selected at once and then accessed with another tool. The ErrorFind tool is similar to Find, but locates items by possible error conditions, including: Unnamed devices Unmatched port connector Unnamed signal Undriven signal Multiply driven signal Unconnected signal Fanout > X Unmatched page connector Unconnected pin Unnumbered pin Unmatched port pin Any located errors can be flagged as OK so they are not located again.

Report generator - error reports

Back Annotation

Two back annotation tools are included with the DesignWorks/Schematic package. The PCB Back Annotation tool "BackAnno" allows device package assignments to be automatically updated from a "was-is" text file created by an external system. Formats supported include Cadnetix (SCICARDS), Douglas, Racal-Redac RINF and XCAD. Pin and gate swaps, and component renaming are supported in flat or hierarchical designs. A general attribute back annotation tool called "Updater" is also included. This tool reads a simple tab-separated text file format and will update arbitrary device, signal or pin attribute fields throughout a design. This can be used as a general mechanisn for applying user-supplied part numbers, simulation information or other data from a text database.

System Compatibility and Environment