Miscellaneous Questions and Suggestions

1. Can't delete multiple rows with right click when many are selected.  Have to use edit  > delete
2. 'Import' icon text should be called "Add to Library" instead.  The term import is very ambiguous.  Depends on which side of the horizontal line you are on.
3. Browse for folder always places the window such that I cannot reach the new folder or the ok button without moving it up.  Is that me, my display or a software bug?
4. When I go to create the footprint, there are two prompts for library name, and one for part type name that I cannot fill in.  What is the difference between create, restore etc?  Needs hovering help on all items on the Create Footprint page.  I have not found the help on that yet.
5. PCB Libs often hangs when I do a create, or a create and close.  I have to shut it down with the task manager.  No idea why.
6. Needs an automatic release of the licenses on exit for use with shared licenses on a network license server.
7. I cannot edit the path to the Library Directory or the default library without browsing to it.
8. There is no library close without saving on the menu.  It seems to be implicit in other operations.  Better to be explicit.
9. It does not show me what library is open when I have the library view alone with no parts creation going on.  I need to see that before I save or doing any line item deletes.
10. I have to keep changing the Output Directory name in Create Footprint.  Where is the default setting for that if I do not want it to go to the PADS library directory?  I just want to see if the files are being created right without opening.
11. How do I unselect a library row once I select it.
12. Is the difference between l, p, d vs ln/ld, pt, pd just a name change across PADS generations?  I see both in my Mentor directory.

Thanks Nick,  

When I restart the program after exiting, it seems to remember the last license options I had checked.

So if I understand you, that will not hurt anything as long as they do exit.  

It would still be helpful to have a way to clear all options but librarian when they exit.  That way when they restart they do not automatically hog everything they were last using (and may have forgot to clear).

12. Is the difference between l, p, d vs ln/ld, pt, pd just a name change across PADS generations?  I see both in my Mentor directory.

PADS has 4 pieces to their library which are Binary Format -

1. PD = Part Decal - this is the Lines, Text and Pads of the Footprint
2. PT = Part Type - this has the attributes that tie the schematic symbol and decal together
3. LD = Logical Decal - this is the Lines and Text of the schematic symbol
4. LN = 2D Lines - you can save 2D lines to a library (such as logo's, title blocks, charts, etc.)

The ASCII Format of these 4 pieces are -

1. .d = PD - Part Decal (Footprint)
2. .p = PT - Part Type (Attributes)
3. .l = LD - Logical Decal (Schematic Symbol)

In the V2014 release, we will introduce a PADS Library Translator that will allow the Pro Version User to import a PADS .d & .p file and export to any other CAD tool.

This feature is intended for really complex unique footprints that can be built in PADS Layout Library Editor and then translated to 20 CAD tool formats. This will reduce duplication of effort as the "Parts on Demand" (POD) website will have thousands of unique footprints available in PADS .d & .p format.

2. 'Import' icon text should be called "Add to Library" instead.  The term import is very ambiguous.  Depends on which side of the horizontal line you are on.

OK, we'll change that.

We're sending out our 1st Newsletter soon and it has a link to a customer POLL to allow users to rate new features posted in the "Product Suggestions" forum.

We'll be sending out monthly Newsletters with new POLL questions so we can create the features that you want and need.

10. It does not show me what library is open when I have the library view alone with no parts creation going on.  I need to see that before I save or doing any line item deletes.