Protel Autotrax DOS Libraries from Bob Barnes (RCS - Australia) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: scopeman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2020, 05:24:37 pm
content: I know this is a old program but does anyone have copies of the component libraries originallyavailable from Bob Barnes for Protel Autotrax DOS at RCS Radio?Sadly Bob passed away several years ago but I found his site on the wayback machine andeven attempted to contact his son Andrew but the email bounced.SamW3OHM

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2020, 03:49:50 am
content: This the one?QuoteI seem to have an installed copy. Don't know if it needs installing (as opposed to just copying) but you're welcome to a zip of it.

author: scopeman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2020, 01:45:09 am
content: Hi,Thanks but I am not looking for the AutoTrax DOS program installer as I have that. I am looking for a additional collection of library files for footprints for components created by Bob Barnes of RCS Radio.Thanks,Sam

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2020, 01:57:09 am
content: OK. Hadn't realised there was a separate set, but now I know

author: dave_k
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2020, 02:26:37 am
content: These ones?

author: scopeman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2020, 03:24:03 am
content: Thanks I will check them out. Sorry to take so long to respond.SamW3OHM

author: scopeman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2021, 01:36:19 am
content: Well I finally got around to this after a fellow in Oz needed some help with some AutoTrax (DOS) files.Attached are the files after TraxMaker converted them if someone needs them. The PCB files will open in AutoTrax or TraxMakerSamW3OHM

author: HackedFridgeMagnet
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2021, 02:36:12 am
content: Found these 5.25 floppies this morning.Not sure if that's what you mean.I haven't got a floppy drive though.

author: scopeman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2021, 07:46:33 pm
content: Sorry to be so late in getting back on this. I have found what I needed and was able to create a document forconverting Protel EasyTrax and AutoTrax 274-D gerbers and drill files into 274-X files and drill files thatmodern PCB makers will readily accept. I also added to that document a procedure for importing the converted files directlyinto SprintLayout6.0 to make an editable PCB file. In addition TangoPCB Series II DOS ASCII files can be converted to 274-X gerbersand also imported into SprintLayout6.0 for editing also.I worked this out for several reasons:It is getting difficult to run these programs natively on modern operating systems. Sure you can use DOSBox and VirtualBox butyou are still stuck with 274-DThe programs are very old and do not produce 274-X Gerbers and PCB board houses do not work with 274-D files anymore.It serves as a means to import older designs into modern programs for archiving and editingIt all started out to help a new found friend on the other side of the world resurrect an old design so that he could have PCB's produced.It was a fun little project and I would like to thank Les Hildenbrandt for modifying his wonderful cadcentric conversion program so thatcould be used to convert Protel program data from EasyTrax/AutoTrax/TraxMaker/Protel for Windows and TangoPCB.The program modification not only allowed the conversion process to happen but also allowed easy import of the converted files intoSprintLayout6.0.I have attached a copy of the document I wrote on this. You may find the program and the sample files in the SprintLayout group on groups.ioI hope these may be useful to members on the forum.SamW3OHM