Problem in merging .prz files from ADI

[zenith]

I downloaded the file ADI_All_MultiSim_Symbols.zip from analog device's website and want to merge AD8538 symbols in the user database.

http://www.analog.com/UploadedFiles/Drawing_Templates/ADI_All_MultiSim_Symbols.zip

However, when I open the AD8538AUJZ.prz and AD8538ARZ.prz files.

Error messages come out:

Error: Failed to open the component packed file [E:\AD8538AUJZ.prz].
The file format/version does not match, and cannot be imported.
If the prz file is from a different version, use the same version's application to import the file.

How to deal with .prz file in Multimsim10.0.343?

[lacy]

Thats a good one because the update process is automatic and there is really nothing you can do. This error may need to be reported to Analog Devices as they may not be aware of it. You have already made NI aware of it by posting here.

The thing that bugs me is that the .prz files for Multisim should be one file that has everything in it including the symbols. This might be what is causing a problem. I can't be for certain though.

Sorry that there is nothing else that I can think of that can be done.

Message Edited by lacy on 12-24-2007 09:50 AM

[zenith]

I don't know how and where to ask Analog Device for help on this issue.

Since Multisim is NI's product, I think maybe I can get an answer here.

[lacy]

I will wait on the NI Support Team to further address this as I am not certain who is responsible for the .PRZ files. Maybe after they read this post they can contact whoever is responsible and get it straightened out.

 It may be a while on a response since it is a holiday time of year. In fact, it has been a while since any of them has responded to any questions so they may be on vactation until after the 1st of the year.

I don't work for NI, I am just a user like yourself that does have a fair amount of experience with their products and has volunteered to answer what questions I can. I thought you might like to know this information.

[M.I.]

Hello Zenith/Lacy,

Sorry for the delayed response. Lacy was correct, many of us have been on vacation for the passed week and are now slowly trickling into the office.

In response to your question. ADI is aware of the problem and is in the process of correcting it. The issue is that the .zip file posted on their website was created for Multisim Version 9. Therefore, users with V9 are able to extract those components but users with V10 cannot. I wont go into the details behind it, but there was some underlying database structural changes made from V9 to V10 and that is the reason the prz file is not compatible with your current version. 

Hope this answers your question and hopefully ADI will post the updated version soon.

[lacy]

Thanks M.I. for your reply to this. I have a quick question. Does .PRZ files contain both the model and symbols or is it just symbols (I can't remember)?

[M.I.]

Hi Lacy,

Actually a .prz file is simply a compressed version of a database. You can think of it as a zip file for components that is extracted and merged directly into the users database.

Therefore a prz file contains everything required to create a component (symbol, model and footprint/landpattern)

[lacy]

Thanks M.I. for refreshing my memory about this. Your help is greatly appreciated.

[designer]

I'm facing the same problem. Is it possible to read the ADI prz file with multisim version 9 and then save the database in a format
which allow users of multisim 10 to read it? If so I would suggest that NI can do the job once and provide the data to all of us. Would that be a way to go?

[lacy]

I think NI is working on this to get it corrected or updated. I think I read a post where they mentioned getting it corrected (I could be wrong so don't shoot me if I am)