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Questions about Pro Free

Printed From: PCB Libraries Forum
Category: Libraries
Forum Name: Altium
Forum Description:
URL: https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2638
Printed Date: 12 Oct 2024 at 5:20pm


Topic: Questions about Pro Free
Posted By: gerrybeacn.com
Subject: Questions about Pro Free
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2020 at 1:49pm
Hi there,

I just installed the Pro Free version last night and so far it looks pretty good.

I noticed that I cannot edit the preferences, I assume this is a limitation of the free version.

There also seems to be no way to change the default layers that the footprint primitives are placed on. Is this available in the Enterprise edition?

One more thing, do you support Altium layer types?

Cheers,

Gerry


Replies:
Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2020 at 2:20pm
There are 3 versions of V2019 Library Expert. 

Pro - free, but limited to simply creating footprints and 3D models from package dimensions using default preferences
  • No access to Global Preferences but you have Local Preferences
  • No access to Library Editor to save package dimensions to FPX format
  • No access to Parts on Demand (POD)
  • No Batch Build
  • No FP Designer for automation of non-standard package footprint generation
  • Output to 25 CAD tools and 3D STEP
POD Builder - free software but purchase a subscription to POD or purchase POD credits
  • Standard parts - $1 each
  • Non-standard parts - $2 each
  • Access to Preferences, Library Editor, Batch Build, FP Designer 
  • Cannot enter or save package dimensions
  • POD Builder is 100% dependent on POD for library parts 
  • Output to 25 CAD tools and 3D STEP
POD Builder - www.pcblibraries.com/downloads 

Enterprise - Lease or Purchase
  • Unlimited features - Preferences, Library Editor, Batch Build, FP Designer, create and save your own parts
  • Lease is Free, just pay yearly maintenance for updates (20% of list price)
  • Purchase a POD subscription to access 2.2 million parts
  • Purchase POD Credits to order new parts (not on POD) for $5 Standard or $10 Non-standard
  • Includes 1-year maintenance for technical support all new release updates
V2020 Footprint Expert next month -
  • Pro will be Free and have unlimited features, but only support 12 CAD tools
    1. CADint
    2. DesignSpark
    3. DipTrace
    4. Eagle
    5. KiCad
    6. Pantheon
    7. Proteus
    8. Pulsonix
    9. McCAD
    10. SoloPCB
    11. Target 3001!
    12. Ultiboard
  • POD Builder same as V2019
  • Enterprise same as V2019
V2020 is a 100% code rewrite with a new GUI and new features. 
V2020 will be the most up to date PCB footprint generation tool is the electronics industry

V2020 - 



Contact us if you have any questions.



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Posted By: gerrybeacn.com
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2020 at 3:00pm
Found the way to change layers Smile

Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2020 at 3:05pm
If you're referring to the Altium Layer assignments, they are located in the CAD tool Translator menu. 

Just change the layer # and not the text as it's part of the Altium Script file. 



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Posted By: toshas
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2020 at 7:09am
Originally posted by Tom H Tom H wrote:

only support 12 CAD tools
    1. CADint
    2. DesignSpark
    3. DipTrace
    4. Eagle
    5. KiCad
    6. Pantheon
    7. Proteus
    8. Pulsonix
    9. McCAD
    10. SoloPCB
    11. Target 3001!
    12. Ultiboard
Couldn't find CircuitStudio there. It's same level of tool as Eagle or DipTrace. Why it is not included too ?
Thanks!
 

Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 12 Jun 2020 at 7:52am
CircuitStudio uses the Mentor PADS Export for library parts can be used with Altium, PADS and many CAD tools. That's why it's not free. 

However, you'll be able to Lease the full featured V2019 Library Expert Enterprise for CircuitStudio for $99 a year and get all the updates for a year including the new V2020 Footprint Expert next month. 

You can also purchase a POD subscription for $99 a year to access 2.2 million parts on POD. 

We're trying to produce the best CAE/CAD/CAM library tools and lease them for affordable prices. 

Leasing software starts next week. 

Note: when V2020 is released, V2019 will be taken offline (discontinued). People can still use V2019 Library Expert Enterprise for as long as they want, but the POD Builder will be immediately released becasue the new PCBPOD.com website will only be distributing V2020 format FPX data which will include schematic symbols, footprints and 3D models. V2019 Pro will stay active until September 1 and then it will be disconnected from the internet, forcing everyone to upgrade to V2020. 

V2020 Symbol and Footprint Expert library tools will be the future in PCB library automation.



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Posted By: toshas
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2020 at 4:31am
Originally posted by Tom H Tom H wrote:

POD subscription for $99 a year
 
Will prepaid POD scheme be lost ?
I mean currect scheme:
1-2usd per part and 5-15usd per build request

Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2020 at 7:46am
When V2020 is released there will be 3 versions - 
  1. Footprint Expert Pro, free full featured supporting 12 CAD tools. POD Subscriptions are sold for as low as $99 a year and POD credits can purchase new part requests for $5 or $10 depending on complexity.
  2. Footprint Expert POD, free full featured supporting 25 CAD tools and 3D STEP, purchase parts for $1 or $2 each or new part requests for $7 each.
  3. Footprint Expert Enterprise for Lease or Purchase full featured program where each CAD tool interface is sold separately, but the Cloud License Lease gives you 1 year of 3D STEP for free. POD Subscriptions are sold for as low as $99 a year and POD credits can purchase new part requests for $5 or $10 depending on complexity.



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Posted By: wawaus
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2020 at 3:27pm
1. what does "POD" mean?
2. with the Pro and POD free versions, I assume we will be able to generate our own footprints?
3. I assume it is access to your libraries and expertise in creating footprints which costs, am I correct?

Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2020 at 3:41pm
  1. POD = Parts on Demand - millions of mfr part numbers available for download - schematic symbols, footprints, 3D STEP models http://www.pcblibraries.com/POD " rel="nofollow - www.pcblibraries.com/POD 
  2. Pro you insert package or mfr. recommended footprint to calculate footprint using your personal Preference file with over 1,000 options. V2020 is limited to 12 CAD tools but has all features, the V2019 is limited to Standard Parts with no access to POD or Preferences and the POD version is only available with a POD subscription or POD Credits but it's a semi-full featured tool. Every part must be purchased. 
  3. The POD parts are simply package or mfr. recommended dimensions. Your Preference file defines all the specific rules for pad shape, outline widths, solder joint goals, units, density level, origin location, polarity marking, footprint rotation and many other Options. 



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Posted By: wawaus
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2020 at 9:42pm
Thank you

Posted By: toshas
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2020 at 4:16am
Thanks!

Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2020 at 8:23am
We will release V2020 Symbol Expert as soon as we have enough Beta Testers to provide feedback and test the schematic tool interfaces. 

It's a great tool and will be connected to PCBPOD.com for downloading symbols next month. 



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Posted By: toshas
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2020 at 11:38pm
Originally posted by Tom H Tom H wrote:

as soon as we have enough Beta Testers to provide feedback and test
Is it possible to join beta test now ?
I placed request here https://www.pcblibraries.com/forum/request-for-beta-evaluation-users_topic2625.html" rel="nofollow - https://www.pcblibraries.com/forum/request-for-beta-evaluation-users_topic2625.html  , then sent pm to symbol_guru and was unable to get beta to test.

Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2020 at 8:19am
You need to ask in the Symbol Expert Forum here - 
https://www.pcblibraries.com/forum/request-for-beta-evaluation-users_topic2625.html" rel="nofollow - https://www.pcblibraries.com/forum/request-for-beta-evaluation-users_topic2625.html

Do it so you're part of the beta group. 



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Posted By: LarryJoy
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2020 at 1:14pm
For the schematic symbols I hope you are adhering to IEC 60617, which mainly can be found in IEEE 315A; especially for connectors including coaxial plug and socket.
--Regards, Larry


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