Ultiboard/Multisim versus Altium

[stressed_user]

Hi,

Last week I had the chance to follow a 2 day Altium 'for beginners' course.

It has a numer of advantages compared to Ultiboard, mainly around its database structure....

It's also nice to see that all runs in one environment, so cross-probing is great!

I don not speak about simulation here, it is my opinion that simulation has nothing to do in a schematic/layout program...

I must say, that in comparison to Altium.

Ultiboard is not doing so poor as some might think...

For the schematics, Ultiboard is more efficient with its busses and drawing schematics runs probably faster than Altium...

And on the Layout, there's a number of functions that Ultiboard uses that are just great.

The (easy, just click) selection filter for instance is something I really miss in Altium...

I have not upgraded Ultiboard since V10.1 since my customers also work in V10.

The spreadsheet view of Ultiboard is great for adapting nets.... 

Sure, you can do that as well in Altium, but it opens windows, in ultiboard it is just there...simpeler...

What are the major changes in Ultiboard since V10.1?

And not about simulation, real changes about Schematic entry and Routing....

Simulation is something that must be done in a separate program....

Stressed as usual...

[ThiCop]

Hello Stressed_user,

Normally the changed features in each new release are mentioned in the Circuit Design Release Notes.
You can just search for this on the NI website and for example enter the following search text:

"Circuit Design Release Notes 11.0"

Here you could replace 11.0 by any of the versions released in the last years (10.1.1, 11.0.1, 11.0.2, 12.0, 12.0.1,13.0)

These pdfs include a New Features section.

Unfortunately, I do not have a cumulative list of all new features since version 10.1, but these pdfs should give you a good idea of what has changed.

What you of course could also do is just download the trial of the newest version from the following website:

http://ni.com/ultiboard

Since version 10.1 there have been alot of improvements to Ultiboard.
S if you have any question or concerns about certain features, then do not hesitate to post them here.

[_user32]

stressed_user,

Sorry to hear you are still stressed...

For Multisim there is a nice page showing the differences from various version (headline type features): 

Multisim (click on 'Compare Versions'): http://www.ni.com/multisim/whatsnew/

For Ultiboard there are many new features (but its been 4+ years since v10/10.1, so I may be missing several)...

- [Ultiboard]  One of my favorites is the shortcut 'Q' for layer pair swapping when routing.  Prior you had to select a drop down layer or use the F'x' function keys to setup layer shortcuts (was a real pain for creating vias to link routes between layers).  Now the user can simply click 2 layers in the Layers tabs (to pair them) and then start routing (such as from a pin on the Top Layer).  Once a via needs to be dropped, hit 'Q' and the via automatically is placed at the last clicked corner and the user can continue routing on the other 'paired' layer.   Its not really a headline feature, but its a real nice one... that I use all the time.

- [Multisim & Ultiboard]  We added a new/enhanced back/forward annotation system in v11. (http://www.ni.com/white-paper/12096/en/)   This made 'out of sync' designs hihgly unlikely as the net exchange is now time stamped.   Also users can see all back/forward annotated changes and even choose to delay specific annotations to be done (until later).    Also this improved adding parts in Ultiboard and back forwarding them into Multisim - a discussion was created on this topic (http://forums.ni.com/t5/Circuit-Design-Suite-Multisim/Back-annotate-with-Multisim-v11-and-Ultiboard-...)

- [Multsiim & Ultiboard]  Added WYSIWYG net naming (stands for: What You See Is What You Get).   This allows better consistency for nets and adds some specific connector identification for designs that are spread across multiple pages or heirarchical blocks.  This also helps eliminate confusion when working in Ultiboard.   (My personal preference is still multipage designs, but I do see value in heirarchical designs in some situations).  More information here: (http://www.ni.com/white-paper/11219/en/)

- [Ultiboard]  We added 1500 new SMT standard footprints with IPC names in v11.   The IPC standard is useful, but you have to understand the naming (Which is part of the standard).   See this link (http://www.ni.com/white-paper/12014/en/).  Also we understand not every Mfr uses IPC names, instead they may use JEDEC or IEC names so we created a handy lookup guide to map between standard names and the IPC standards (your're welcome).  The lookup information is here: (http://www.ni.com/white-paper/11669/en).  The user is still responsible for due dilligence and has to verify the IPC shapes with the specified Mfr's name. (Also combined with my part creation tool below, part creation should be extremely easy for v12/13 users).

- [Ultiboard] In v12 we enhanced the DXF import, whereas before you had to merge to a single Ultiboard layer, now you can map DXF to Ultiboard layers (which is extremely useful for a variety of import tasks such as board outline, etc..).   (http://www.ni.com/white-paper/13722/en/)

- [Ultiboard] In v13, we improved the fabrication file export.  Before you had to select and export each file type (such as Gerber, Drill, Mechanical) and export one at a time (which was a slow process).  Now you can select all fabrication files via a checklist (setup defaults too) and click one button to export all the files you need. 

- [Multisim & Ultiboard]  For v12/13, I worked to help create 2 useful part creation tools.  
A) the first is a Digi-Key part creation tool (even if you dont' use Digi-Key) its useful for creating/mapping symbols to footprints.   It even has a guage/dimensioning tool when you select the footprint to allow you to know exactly the shape/size/padsize of the footprint (from the Mfr datasheet) before linking the symbol to footprint.  It also has all 1500 new SMT footprints and you can select from custom ones in your USER database.   You can also search and add order/part number information from DigiKey if you like.  Also you can create a spreadsheet and createa a single/multisection symbol from the spreadsheet (useful for FPGAs and Micros).   I think you'll like this tool if you create alot of custom PCB level parts... (See here: https://decibel.ni.com/content/docs/DOC-26943)
 B) Second is we again worked with our friends at PCB Libraries (the IPC guys) and worked to create an interface to their PCB Footprint Expert tool.   They have a paid version (a few hundred dollars) which includes pre created library to many manufacturers or a free 'lite' version where you type in the footprint specs and it autocreates a shape exactly to the specifications.  Here is the tutorial:  (https://decibel.ni.com/content/groups/circuit/blog/2013/01/08/new-footprint-creation-tool-for-ultibo...)  and here is the link to PCB Libraries (Note the Lite download button)  (http://www.pcblibraries.com/LibraryExpert/).  It also includes the 3D information, so when imported into Ultiboard, you get the pads, shape outline at the silkscreen level, and a 3D part model all in one.

- [Ultiboard] In v12, we updated how ground planes are created with our new 'polygon' update.  Before you had to draw a plane, but to update you had to adjust vertex values in a listed sheet.  Now you can simpley drag/move points to redefine the plane and also the constraints and net links are much more improved in the new feature. Again not a headline feature, but some nice improvements.  There is some additional information here:  (http://forums.ni.com/t5/Circuit-Design-Suite-Multisim/different-ground-planes-in-Multisim/td-p/19985...)

- [Ultiboard] Myself, together with Jay Skolnik (MSM/UB certified instructor) created a set of 'best practices' guides for Ultiboard (in v10, we updated them in v12) to show how to do certain tasks in Ultiboard to aid in developing PCBs in our tools (the approach in the manual is to just explain functions and buttons, etc...).   This approach is much more use-case driven and explains the PCB development process much better in Ultiboard.  See here for the documents: (https://decibel.ni.com/content/docs/DOC-26701)

- [Multisim and Ultiboard] We created a new template ability.   Its preconfigured with some NI hardware designs (so you can create accessories for NI hardware), but the concept is extendable to the user for creating templates that can be reused (with both a schematic and PCB in mind).   For example you could create a power supply design and save as a template (or other 'starter' designs that can be saved and tweaked with additional design elements).  See here (http://www.ni.com/white-paper/14835/en)

- [Multisim & Ultiboard]  In v12 when you upgrade or buy new Multisim/Ultiboard software, you get access to our SSP (software support and maintenance).  We also now include our free self paced training (Note we still have instructor led training).  But basically the self paced training is the same content as a our 3 day onsite course, but broken down into video modules that you can access at your convenience.   They are extremely popular and can make users get started more quickly and overall become more successful with our tools.  Here is some more information, with some samples of the content: (http://www.ni.com/white-paper/14419/en/)

Like I mentioned, its been a while since v10 and I'm probably forgetting a few nice features that have been included since, v10 to make Schematic/PCB level design better, but I hope I've captured some of the important ones.   Obviously we've added new parts, new connectors, enhanced the schematic entry process in Multisim, etc... but we love to hear from users on their personal favorites. 

If there are additional new features (since v8/9/10) that our users want to highlight, please include here!!

Thanks,
Patrick Noonan
National Instruments

[stressed_user]

Patrick, Thierry,

Thanks for all the answers, I had a lot of reading to do 🙂

There's a lot of things that I like about the features you mentioned...

and a lot of them are solutions to things that cause me stress 🙂

By the way, one of the things that causes me stress from time to time is that V10 (and earlier versions) would sometimes place a via in a SMD pad.

that is a nightmare in productions since the paste flows away in the via, resulting in a poorly soldered pin.

Forward an backward annotation sound great but I'll need to experience with it some day...

and the IPC part simulation is great too, but IPC gives me headaches sometimes...

Let me explain my situation. 

I work for a PCB manufacturer, we place SMD (icl BGA etc) and TH, but we do some engineering / routing / design as well.

mainly for small customers that need a board that fits their specific demands.

those are FR4 (usually max 4 layers) and metal core.

I have about 20 designs a year... some large, some tiny...

Some customer come to me especially for routing their boards:

-some work with Ultiboard Multisim (V10) and give me a schematic to start from.

-some just give me a sheet of paper with a drawing...

-the one I design most boards for (at least, the largest ones) switched to Altium, so we'll need to follow them there.

That means we'll need to use both Ultiboard and Altium.

And my boss is poor 🙂 so i'll need to stick to V10.1 for some more time...

And my customers using V10 are even worse....

Most of the designs include transformers, power leds, custom built parts etc.

So each new design usually includes 5 up to 10 new odd footprints.

With the current wizard in Ultiboard, i'm doing quite well, and I try to give each footprint a basic 3D view.

that's good for me and for the customers...

By the way i just posted a new 'problem' about creating a test point report...

teh problem is not creating it, but keeping it 🙂

Thanks again for your help!

stressed-user, but relaxed, it's nearly weekend

[dbur]

Altium is vastly more powerful in almost every way than MS/UB, but IMO an inferior user experience.  It takes me much longer to do the same things in Altium that I do without even thinking much in MS/UB.  Maybe 5-10x more mouse clicks are needed to do many tasks compared to MS/UB.   I also have never found that extra power to be much of an advantage over MS/UB unless the project gets too big.  I don't have much use for all the fancy bells and whistles in Altium.

Altium is actively developed and supported, though it seems MS/UB is the unloved stepdaughter at NI, which is sad and why I finally dropped my support contract.

UB is nicer to work with, but if you get a very large project it slows down in be unacceptable.  Needs to be made into a 64b app, and the database needs to become much more efficient.  If you don't exceed several hundreds of parts and nets you may not notice this.  A 12 x 12" 16 layer board with 4500 parts was virtually impossible in UB.

MS simulation is quite nice and easy.  I've never tried any simulation in Altium.

Most of my customers are going to Altium nowdays.  I've probably done 25 projects in Altium but still much prefer MS/UB when it can handle the job.

[dbur]

I also should mention I am using 14.1 which has many improvements over V10.  Even so not much has been fixed of updated for quite a few years (since V14 came out).

[stressed_user]

Hi Dbur,

Well, we're 10 years older (and hopefully wiser) since my post from 2013...
I'm still using Ultiboard V10 and I cancelled my support many years ago too.

My younger collegues are using Altium. 
Ultiboard is graphically very strong in my opinion and I draw my layouts 2 to 3 times faster than they do in Altium.
I'm usually making boards from 10*10 mm tot 300*360 mm in 2 or 4 layers, sometimes 6 layers (from 2 to 1000 nets).
Altium demands at least 5 times more mouse-clicks to get the same result, that's true.

Just try to do a DRC check in Altium and in Ultiboard.
My largest boards in UB tend to have a DRC check time between 2 to 3 secondes (for a full DRC, on all layers and parts)
A full DRC check in Altium takes much longer, you can go to the coffee machine on the next floor, have a chat with a colleague and get back before Altium finishes the DRC check.

In UB, I usually have the full time DRC check on while routing.

When Ultiboard slows down, the trick is to close the project and reopen it.

Then it looses its history and you can go on...

I'm still using V10 as my customers still use it too, one has switched to V13a couple of years ago.
I gave him a 2 day course and now he draws his own designs...

MS/UB seems to be the unloved stepdaughter at NI, which is a shame.

They  have a powerfull professional tool and should more proud of it and maybe try to do some more marketing for it.

I briefly switched over to Altium a coule of years ago, but got very frustrated.
I was arguing with the computer and Altium, getting angry, so my wife (I do my layouts at home) told me to switch back to Ultiboard! Now I tell my customers that the doctor forbid met to use Altium... 🙂

Ultiboard: for stress-free layouts 🙂