Leaving Circuit Studio and the Option of Backdating - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: trophosphere
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2017, 02:40:25 am
content: I found the following email quite interesting as I have decided to let my Circuit Studio subscription expire as I don't see a reason to update it given what has been done to it so far - no significant improvements and they have further limited the Design Rules and Constraints Editor in regards to the rule wizard.I have bolded the interesting part as shown below. Looking around it seems a lot of software with upkeep licenses do it this way as it helps in paying for the development of new features/bug fixes should one chooses to renew as doing so will give the person the benefit of those new features/bug fixes.QuotePrior to purchasing Circuit Studio, I had been using FreePCB to do layout so I went in expecting features and polish that would be worth the price. Things that I have found in Circuit Studio which bring a definite advantage include things such as arbitrary rotation of components and the design rules editor. Things that are lacking in Circuit Studio, which FreePCB does better, include netlist management, custom hotkeys, and the footprint wizard. I didn't like the schematic layout of Circuit Studio and actually drew my schematics in Orcad Capture then imported the project into Circuit Studio prior to layout as Circuit Studio doesn't seem to support importing netlists for whatever reason.Given the limiting feature-set of Circuit Studio and what has been done so far I don't think it is worth the money. I guess I'll be going to Orcad as there is a good deal on it (Schematic and PCB package) and I am more familiar with it as I use it for work.

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 27, 2017, 07:38:41 am
content: It's a shame you are leaving CS but you have some valid points and when you are using OrCAD at work it makes sense to use it for hobby too.I see the free Lite version of OrCAD is very restrictive (75 nets) but maybe let us know which version you go for and how much you get quoted.For me, I actuallylikeenjoy using CS and accept it's shortcomings for the price.

author: trophosphere
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2017, 08:41:47 am
content: Quote from: voltsandjolts on September 27, 2017, 07:38:41 amI had high hopes for Circuit Studio but it just didn't do it for me given the price. It's a good CAD despite its shortcomings but the price point I purchased it at makes me reconsider especially since I purchased it when it was 995USD and that was after the price was reduced from 3000USD.I went ahead and pushed the button on going for the deal OrCAD is having now which is a bundled Schematic and PCB package for430USD.Looking at it in a positive note... I at least got a taste of the Altium ecosystem and it's good to be somewhat familiar with other offerings.Edit: Also of note if it puts things into perspective is that I am not the main layout person at work since I am more into the circuit design and validation aspect. It's more fun IMHO as I get to design electronic medical devices such as implantables (pacemakers/defibrillators) and monitoring/diagnostic equipment.

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2017, 08:47:47 am
content: It would be really good to get some insight into the learning curve on Orcad and how it compares after using CS.

author: Dubbie
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 27, 2017, 09:00:31 am
content: The main gripe I have about CS is how inconvenient it is to clone footprints from the vault. And the fact that there is no footprint wizard like the real altium has. I haven’t got time to draw a 54pin tssop! I wish I had a footprint library with all the usuals in there

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 27, 2017, 10:42:35 am
content: To clone from the vault is just a couple of copy and paste operations, for the pcb library and sch library parts. It's quite easy.I too miss the Designer IPC generator but you can use array paste to quickly generate rows of pads.Alternatively, there are 3rd party footprint generators but I haven't tried any with CS - anyone got any recommendations?

author: slowertech
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2017, 01:52:25 pm
content: Quote from: voltsandjolts on September 27, 2017, 10:42:35 amI use Library Expert Lite

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 27, 2017, 03:18:25 pm
content: Have you been able to get CS to run the script from Library Expert Lite?

author: slowertech
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2017, 06:39:05 pm
content: Here is what I have been doing. Little annoying.https://www.element14.com/community/message/225844/l/re-ipc-compliant-footprint-wizard#225844

author: Dubbie
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 27, 2017, 07:50:17 pm
content: Thanks for the tip Slowertech

author: kaz911
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2017, 09:48:23 am
content: I just paid for an annual update 2 weeks ago through Farnell. Still nothing received.....I'm going to wait this out and see what happens as I'm in no rush to get any updates.I did speak to a Farnell Account representative at the Farnell "IoT" seminar (which was mostly toe-curling terrible btw apart from the social part of it) - who said he would get back to me. Still nothing on that front either.So much for 1-3 day delivery of a license update......

author: jc101
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2017, 04:17:43 pm
content: Quote from: kaz911 on November 22, 2017, 09:48:23 amI gave up waiting and posted on the Farnell CS forum, after a few posts someone from Altium responded and it was all sorted in a few hours. There is a disconnect between the order and them doing anything, as they don't have to ship anything to make it happen it seems to just get left for someone to deal with it.

author: Dubbie
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 22, 2017, 08:55:24 pm
content: There seems to be a footprint wizard in there now.It doesn't have many options, but it's better than nothing.

author: pwenzel
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 27, 2017, 07:58:54 pm
content: Quote from: kaz911 on November 22, 2017, 09:48:23 amVery sorry to hear about this kaz911. Could you provide me details so I can look into this and address it for you? Please send me a private message with your order detail information or contact me at pwenzel@premierfarnell.com. Thanks!Pete WDirector of e14 SW

author: kaz911
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2017, 09:33:45 pm
content: Quote from: pwenzel on November 27, 2017, 07:58:54 pmThanks - details sent. As I said this has happened quite a few times before - not only to me.

author: negativ3
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2017, 03:43:21 am
content: Quote from: slowertech on September 27, 2017, 06:39:05 pmAnd you can just copy/paste from the new library into your own repository of parts. Much more efficient. Shame the full licence is more than 3x the cost of CS!

author: kaz911
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2017, 01:18:07 pm
content: Quote from: kaz911 on November 27, 2017, 09:33:45 pmAnd we have now reached a full MONTH with no delivery - despite talking to Farnell about it at Bracknell and sending Pete W all the details .... And now today called Farnell UK HQ again...Darn - Farnell vs Altium - are a messy bunch!

author: kaz911
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2017, 09:22:44 pm
content: Quote from: kaz911 on December 08, 2017, 01:18:07 pmFinallysuccess - got my license update today - and with today's date as the start date without askingThanks for Farnell & Altium for waking up before Christmas.Now we just need some CS updates!