It would be must more convenient to be able to import from POD directly into the currently selected library instead of downloading a new fpx file for each part.

The PCB Library Expert to POD interface is "under construction".

Nick and the programmers are working on the ability to directly upload from & download to Library Expert. The POD will not be built by PCB Libraries, Inc. alone, but by users worldwide uploading their FPX file data.

Also, right now while you're waiting for this new feature, you can download and import multiple FPX files from any folder. i.e.: download 20 - 25 POD parts as individual files but import them into Library Expert with Click (the first FPX file) > Shift Click (the last FPX file) and import all of them into the same FPX file.

We have started talking with a few component manufacturers as well as distributors. We most certainly do not want to build everything manually. Keep in mind though, only the standard parts (symmetrical w/ similar size/shape pads) can be mass build/translated from manufacturer data. Other parts will have to be build using the FP Designer module or made available in P/D files that get translated to the various CAD tools using the Library Expert.

We do plan on implementing a new feature for customers to auto-upload parts from Library Expert to POD.

Like Nick mentioned, PCB Libraries, Inc. can't upload 50 million mfr. part numbers by ourselves. We need to involve the global electronics industry and make it really easy for everyone to upload missing mfr. part numbers.

If users are to upload their FPX files to POD, when another user comes along and downloads that same part - will it be identified as "user created data" or "PCBL created data"?

And how will it be checked for accuracy?

Someone could create what is essentially a very bad part that then gets downloaded, the downloader trusts its correct as it comes from PCBL and then when they use it in a product it could end up as a costly problem should it not be correct.

Right now POD is in beta and every part must be checked and rated by the person who downloads it. When the user qualifies the data then it gets relocated from beta to rated. We're currently working on that part of POD right now.

In a future release for V2014, the PCB Library Expert will have an upload to POD feature. Each customer will be able to define their own personal profile with avatar and contact info on POD to earn credits for the FPX files they upload. The credits can be used toward the purchase of many things that are coming to POD and it includes software.

So when you download a POD part in the future, you'll know who created the data and you'll be able to rate and comment on the quality.

ALL parts are "unrated" and require QC until someone rates the part as checked and approved and then marked (identified) as such. So you will know who created the part and who approved the part.

Once we get the POD programming completed, it will be a fine tuned library part resource that will eventually have well over 100 million items to download. The items will include FPX files, PADS p/d Files (used for translation), 3D STEP or master SolidWorks 3D models, schematic symbols and much more.

The new PCB Libraries, Inc. is focused on library content and not just software tools.

We're also currently redesigning the Library Expert Ribbon Toolbars to make them larger with text and more user friendly. There will be DXF import in FP Designer used for verification of accuracy (as this data is subject to human error).

I just call the Toolbar a Ribbon. I didn't know about "select a ribbon first". I use SolidWorks every day and they refer to there toolbars as "Ribbons".

What I mean is that every icon will have the function "text" below it so that you do not have to mouse over the icon to get pop-up text. Pop-up text will still exist but the current selection icons will be a bigger target to select.

You'll like the new look.

Well it's safe to say that if James rates a POD part it's good to go.

I don't think we'll need ribbons just yet. You only introduce them when the number of icons exceeds the length of the working window.

However, there might be a Toolbar Drop-down icon in some special case to reduce the number of toolbar icons to prevent reverting to Ribbons. Example: POD > Upload / Download might be a single icon (future feature).

The more features we add the longer the Toolbar gets and eventually it turns into a Ribbon. But that's down the road. The primary Ribbon will be the most common commands and a secondary Ribbon might be less used commands. We'll see what the future holds.

But you will like the new updated Toolbar with the command text under the icon so you'll know each function at a glance.

Thanks for your input, Mike. This is the direction we're moving towards.

Regards,
Nick