Capilano DesignWorks - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2014, 04:02:11 pm
content: During my crawls through the internet I found this schematic capture program and company.What I want to know is.1: Does anyone have experience using it?2: Is it a current product? I can't tell the latest version seems to have many release dates over 2 years.Before some says use Altium. I can not afford it. I will not pirate it. I choose to use OSX.Because of Eagle's new licence scheme I am renewing my search for an alternative that has pad stacks. Something EagleCAD doesn't. I was told about a non-standard but very interesting program call Osmund PCB. Now I am looking for a schematic capture program to use with it.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2014, 04:44:45 pm
content: i won't say it : too bad, good , wrong operating system.capilano has been around for a long time. we had that at school back in late 1980's. it's not really cheap ...

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2014, 05:13:42 pm
content: After I asked the question I am finding it maybe AbandonWare.The mentioned multiple release dates. Now I find the company is BBB registered but not registered in the Vancouver Chamber of Commerce as Capilano and their sales number is not in service.Looks I am looking again. What do you mean OSX is the only real operating system

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2014, 07:00:15 pm
content: Well I gave in and downloaded the DipTrace Trial.I followed their instruction on how to import what I consider a small schematic from Eagle.Well it freaked out, trying to convert the file their ulp made and locked up. That maybe expected in widows but it is not on accepted in OS/X

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2014, 07:07:17 pm
content: Update: I just got in contact with Capilano. They are still going. Figured out what happened.Found out that the sites I found that say "release date", it means news release date, not version release date.They did make an pops by not removing their toll free number from their contact page. If you call use the number on their home page instead,So I think I will give them a try.

author: Wilksey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2014, 09:06:17 pm
content: Diptrace is a borland thing, so I don't think it will run native OSX in any case?I think Eagle will run native, have you tried the free KiCAD software?

author: GeorgeOfTheJungle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2014, 09:12:01 pm
content: I have used DesignWorks + simulator in the mid 90s and it was excellent back then.

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2014, 03:56:56 am
content: Quote from: Wilksey on August 01, 2014, 09:06:17 pmI have used Eagle for years but I am voting with my dollar against the new licence system.I tried KiCAD I must have gotten the joke copy. Following the idiot guide in the getting started instruction was not possible due to missing files and features.I DIPTrace again followed the beginner guide to import what I con cider a small Eagle design and it started, freaked out, the froze up. Waited about 10min then force killed and deleted it.Tried McCAD very disappointing for the money. Best part and the cheapest part was schematic capture. But even that is being out done by the less expensive DesignWorks.In the end I did get DesignWorks I like how you can install design kits to work with external programs like spice and layout.

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2014, 04:07:06 am
content: Quote from: GeorgeOfTheJungle on August 01, 2014, 09:12:01 pmOne thing I haven't figured out. There are several ways to handle power distribution. I always have multiple power sources and some times have isolated grounds. What is best implicit visible connections by using sub parts., implicit invisible connections by using sub part with a distribution table, invisible pseudo signal connectors with a distribution table or multiple attribute scanned table?The best would be what will get the job done with the least chance for net list errors. I will be exporting to Osmund for layout maybe export to LTSpice if someone ever makes the Design kit for me.I have seen good schematics using all four methods so in the end any type will be good for me. I am not contracting out, and not seeking contracts at this time.

author: GeorgeOfTheJungle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2014, 08:21:50 am
content: Quote from: WarSim on August 02, 2014, 04:07:06 amWith respect to that I'm afraid I can't help, that was 15+ years ago and I've never used it again. Ought to see if they are offering any upgrades from my 68k/MacOS "Classic" version :-)I still remember that I liked the UI a lot, for example the way the zoom in/out works. I don't like the way LTSpice does that.The project I was doing had an 8051 connected to an rs485 bus, and lots of opamps and analog switches to select, mix and route a few audio signals onto a couple of differential audio lines. I used +5 and +12 and -12, IIRC. Or perhaps it was +5 and -5 only, I'm not sure.But the message is: I enjoyed working with it very much.

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2014, 02:16:42 pm
content: You mat like to know, the Mac version is$ 200 and the Windows version is$ 500. So it is kind of an upgrade price? If it is a discount it would have to be a rebate. The only source is via App Store.I am still learning it but seems to be a good choice. Being a programer I like the way the 300+ page manual tells what it will not do and why by explaining how it dose what it can do. No more "what the heck where they thinking!"