UR save as default options

[kittmaster]

Is it possible to put a check box for each index tab like the main globals and pcb settings where whatever settings you have used in the past will be recalled during startup.

I know that their are "technology" files.....but those really are only specific to a project. The autorouter should be able to remember what the user wants or load from the default button if needed. Its always so many extra steps to get the options back every time.

[lacy]

I read up on the technolgy files. You can use them across designs. It it simular to Multisim's Save Simulation Settings function. So you can select what options you would like as a default in the current design project save it and load it as default in the next design project. I will post what the manual says about this and you can decide if this is what your looking for. The only thing is I don't know what options are changed for the one's already there yet. At least if you create your own you already know how Ultiboard will be set up each time you load it.

Saving Technology Specifications from a Design

You can save the technology specifications from the current design into a technology file. This technology file can be used to import technology settings into another design.

To save a design’s technology specifications:

Have the desired design open in Ultiboard.
Select File/Save Technology. The Technology File Settings dialog box appears.
Select the technology parameters you want to save and click OK. A standard Windows Save dialog appears. Select the desired filepath for the technology file, enter its name in the File name field and click Save

[lacy]

I may not have really answered your question with the above post. I have not found a way of retaining previous settings on starting Ultiboard other than the technology files. Both Ultiboard and Multisim seem to start each time with a pre-set default and I don't think that can be changed. The only option I can see is the technology files in Ultiboard and the Save Simulation Settings in Multisim.

I hope this helps somewhat. If Nestor, Max, or someone else has a better option please let us know.

Have a Nice Day

[lacy]

Update: After more investigation I have the following to report. Ultiboard will remember all of your option under the PCB Properties if the Set as Default box is checked in the dialog box. The autorouter does not seem to have this option and resets back to default values.

This may be something that needs to be on a feature request if there is no way for it to remember previous settings other  than the Tech. files. At least I couldn't find a way of doing it.

[kittmaster]

Lacy,

I've seen and used these in the past, but they have always been linked to the project that they were set up for. Like a motherboard tech file setting would remain for motherboard needs only vs say my wireless gateway.

The technology file approach is obsolete. They did that because not everyone owned ultiroute and you had to pay for it. The only way to save the data was to use a technology file because the checkbox would parse the UR settings and save them.

Now that they are trying to synergize the entire suite, the old behavior needs to go away. As it stands now, if you save your file with modified UR settings, those values are saved within the file shell automatically and then recalled when you reopen the file. I think it was just an oversight on the redesign for the save a default option.....

Thanks for taking a look at it.

Chris

[lacy]

I don't know. Are we talking about 2 different programs? I am referring to Ultiboard and If I am wrong I apologize.

If it is Ultiboard, then I did an experiment and I will let you decide what to make of it. I loaded one of your board designs and then I used the Save Technology to save your setting to a file of my choosing. I then loaded one of my designs that I use for testing. Erased all copper. Loaded the tech file I just created and re-routed my board. It seems to me that it followed all your setting when routing my board.

Let me know your thoughts.

[kittmaster]

I understand your confusion:

In version 6-8, there was two tiers of autorouters, if you didn't have ultiroute, they gave you some POS bitmap based router....its was garbage but worked for those that didn't want to route it manually......high via counts, very little options. OR you could have bought ultiroute which was a $2000 ADDON and vector based!! It was obviously much better.

When they moved to version 9, they integrated the engine of Ultiroute but without a user interface with the basic options. Now in version 10, it IS ultiroute with all the options. The pro vs power pro determines whether or not you have the autoplacement option.

So my company purchased all three at the time in version 9 MS UB UR and with the SSP we are at V10 and all of these issues. The problem is that UR was not a very big hit because of the staggering cost of MS and UB alone, who wants to spend another $2K for an autorouter when specttra is a lower cost and must faster and accurate autorouter.....so most likely this is why we are here.

I've sent MASSIVE boards to EWB for engineering to help get UR up to snuff, while better in some ways, its still has many issues. Look at the user options....like a rip up depth of 0-999.....come on, who the hell is going to sit there with 999 iterations to see if its going to work?

that is part of the reason the technology files exists....a generic template to cover 90% of the designer needs.

The help files help a bit more as to how to handle many of the options, but overall I find my self continually rereading the meanings and some of the options values are opposite in logic, like a 0 means as many vias as possible while 5 means hardly any if possible....and then other options that flip flop.....POOR DESIGN!

It should be labeled like this "Low via count" <-----> "High via counts" and use a slider not a numerical system. Sliders are more intuative...

But it just needs a whole lot of retooling and features to be added or modified to be easy and successful IMO.

[lacy]

I think I am understanding what you are saying. I would like to hear what Nestor would have to say on this subject. Maybe he could clear it up , because I think I am definitely confusing myself.

[Tien_P]

Hi Chris,

Ultiboard does not have the option to save default Ultiroute settings at the moment, I will create a feature request for this.  Right now, you have to manually load your technology file every time you start Ultiboard.