Is there a community repository for models, symbols, and footprints?

[RnDMonkey]

I have noticed a distinct lack of components, especially packages, in Multisim and Ultiboard. As mainstream as some of this stuff is, I am a bit perturbed that I can't even find a TO-263 to use in the Power Pro edition of Ultiboard. If NI isn't going to offer a wide range of packages, why not make a place more conducive to the community sharing things like that. Is there actually a place like that, or is NI's solution really to make every user of Ultiboard make their own TO-263 (etc.) footprint?

If I went through the pain of making a high-quality footprint (i.e. doing NI's job), I would certainly share this with others if there were a supported way of doing this.

[lacy]

I agree with you 110%. I think I have already made comments about this in the past that there should be a one stop source for models and symbols. When Interactive Image Tecnologies was the one that produced this software (called Electronics Workbench back then) they had a thing with edaparts.com to provide symbols and models as well as database updates periodically. This was supoposed to be a free service. It was great while it lasted. Partsminer thereafter took control of edaparts.com and then the free ride ended. They started charging a subscription fee to access it thereby rendering it more or less useless.

The forum is the only place that I know of where users can share information like this, but it is not arranged to where you could look up a part number and then access the post containing this information.

If you search the forum, I made a post with a list of websites that contain a pretty good assortment of part models. I do not think any of them I posted do anything with the symbol though, but you might find them interesting nonetheless.

So if NI is reading this, add a parts website or some other archival system for user/and manuafacturer parts to any feature requests list.

Message Edited by lacy on 05-20-2008 05:35 PM

[RnDMonkey]

With your post count reaching toward 1000, I haven't been able to find the particular post you are referring to, and can't afford the time to continue searching. NI needs to support their product better, considering my company has spent a LOT of money for a product that does not fully meet our needs.

[kittmaster]

hmmmm.......I'm thinking if NI can't do it, maybe I can set up a Content Management System on my server for people to do just this.....

Message Edited by kittmaster on 05-21-2008 04:56 PM

[lacy]

Here's the link to the post I was refering to. It may help you and it may not. I just put it out there in case it would be beneficial to someone.

http://forums.ni.com/ni/board/message?board.id=370&message.id=2976&query.id=27631#M2976

[RnDMonkey]

Seriously, is NI considering something like this? Where is the support for the community?

[lacy]

I haven't read anything from them about whether or not they are considering something. Chris said he might look into doing it on his own without NI, but I don't know how feasible it would be for him to do such a thing.

What I do know is that I am sure they have read all the posts concerning this. Now that doesn't mean much I know, but at least it has been brought to thier attention. The ball is in their court as they say.

There is one option that nobody, including myself, has thought about until now. There is a discussion group on Yahoo Groups that could serve as a repository for such a thing. I can't remeber now whether is is called Multisim or Electronics Workbench, but it is there and if you are a member (it's free) you can post files to it and they would be organized according to what you call it. You could even create an entire parts folder this way. This is just an idea and I do not know if it would work they way we need it to.

[kittmaster]

I didn't get any feedback so I assumed that no one was interested.

If there is a real interest in this, I have a buttload of BW and Gigs of storage space to do it.

I was thinking that Lacy and I could administer the interface and all the joy that goes with it, that is if your interested and have the time.

How serious are you folks about this?

[kittmaster]

lacy, contact me off the boards if you get a chance.

[RnDMonkey]

What kind of interface are you thinking? I run my own server with phpBB forums at home so I'm experienced with implementing SQL and all the other stuff that goes with a phpBB installation and administration.