SCHEMA-Windows - Universal Schematic Package

October 22, 1992 -- Responding to customer and industry requests for a
comprehensive, multi-platform, Windows based schematic to front end both
Omation's SCHEMA PCB and other major board layout systems, Omation has
introduced its new SCHEMAx Windows based universal schematic capture
program. This schematic software accepts a number of netlist inputs and
allows both forward and back annotation of ECOs with PCB layout packages
from PADS, Tango, OrCAD, Massteck, PCAD and a number of other systems. The
IBM and compatible 28613861486 PC based Windows system is currently
shipping. In January, 1993 Omation will begin shipping UNIX, OS2 and
Japanese NEC9800 versions of the software. The system was written to take
full advantage of Windows 3.1, MDI, and Windows NT and still retain the
broad range of features traditionally associated with SCHEMA. SCHEMAx
accepts drawing files from all older versions of the DOS based SCHEMA
schematic packages. To preserve the investment which competitive package
users have made in designs, SCHEMAx includes an automated converter to
modify most competitors' schematics such that they are compatible with
SCHEMAx.

The package incorporates a large number of new features not found in older
DOS based schematic capture packages. In SCHEMAx, all parts and text are
fully scalable and rotatable. In crowded schematics, large parts may be
scaled down and rotated such that they will fit into available areas of
the schematic. Text, including reference designators and part names, are
location independent of the part. Up to eight lines of parts descriptions
may be displayed on the schematic. Text may be placed at a user designated
location, scaled, and rotated in as little as 1 degree increments. A full
range of geometric shapes, filled and unfilled, are available to the
designer. Parts may be mirrored, rotated, scaled, and presented in the
user's choice of colors; users may opt to color code parts, pin types,
reference designators and labels. Signals, geometric shapes, and non
electrical lines may be displayed in a user selected line type and size
(including dot/dash combinations) and user selected colors. Lines are
drawn by dragging a mouse; multiple segments may be drawn in a series of
mouse clicks/drags. Any segment of a signal line may be erased or moved
upon command. Two special new features improve the engineer's ability to
change drawings; a dot to break signal lines and automatic rubber banding
of the ends of wires. Any wire drawn over a part is detected by SCHEMAx
and automatically routed around the part. Geometric shapes may be altered
and sized on command. True bussing, including labels specifying signal
range, is supported in SCHEMAx. Auto assignment of reference designators
is standard as is automatic gate increment. Regions or groups of parts may
be moved, single copied, multiple copied or array copied and still allow
the auto assignment or increment of gates and reference designators.

SCHEMAX has maintained the hierarchical structure and now permits both off
sheet label blocks as well as the SCHEMA III feature of maintaining a
single net name across hierarchies. Any region may be redefined as a
hierarchy and a new drawing sheet immediately defined. When the region is
removed from the current drawing it may be replaced with a top level
object/component from the SCHEMAx library or a user defined component.
Dynamic, smooth panning which traditionally differentiated SCHEMA has been
retained and is triggered as the cursor reaches the screen edge; users may
alternatively use the Windows standard scroll bars or a fast rubber band
zoom. Zoom capabilities include continuous scalable zoom level from .01 to
1000, zoom to window, return to previous, and bird's eye to determine
position on the page. ASCII hierarchies, providing internal documentation
capabilities, have been retained in SCHEMAx. Documentation as well as
electrical hierarchies may be displayed by clicking on a component or a
user assigned icon.

Library parts count has increased to 15,000 with the addition of new PLD,
microprocessor, analog and digital libraries. In addition, parts
definition has been greatly expanded; SCHEMAx permits the user to address
up to sixteen parameter and descriptor fields of eighty characters each
for part naming and information. Additional fields define the PC board
layout package reference and PSpice model information. The universal back
annotation feature of SCHEMAx searches first for the appropriate schematic
capture package part name. Should the part not be found, the back
annotator next searches a user defined field for the appropriate part
name. Should the part not be found by either search, SCHEMAx will conduct
a "near match" search and present the user a number of options. At any
time, the user retains the option of renaming or modifying an existing
part or creating a new part with the on-line parts generator.

SCHEMAx design rule checker provides both a report of violations and a
visual marker indicating the point and type of DRC violation. Similar to
earlier DOS versions, SCHEMAx provides PostScript, dBASE, DXF, ADF, and
EDIF outputs. Over twenty netlist outputs are available in most major
workstation formats including Calay, ComputerVision, EDIF, ViewLogic, and
IBM as well as PC vendor formats including FutureNet, PCAD, PADS, OrCAD,
Tango and others. Parts lists and Bill of Materials may be customized to
meet specific company needs including format, parts names, and parts
information.

An optional autorouter will be available for the package in January. This
module will automatically route the schematic, clean up signal lines
following a part or region movement and dynamically connect pins on
schematics imported from other systems. Point to point routing where the
user specifies end points of the line to be drawing will be supported.
SCHEMAx is priced at $ 595 worldwide; upon release, the autorouter option
will be priced at $149. SCHEMAx has been designated by Omation as an
upgrade; special upgrade pricing is offered to current SCHEMA users.
SCHEMAx is now available and shipping from Omation Incorporated, 801
Presidential Drive, Richardson, TX 75081 (800) 553-9119 FAX (214)
783-9072.

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