Ultiboard and Multipage Schematics

[lacy]

Here's a chance for someone to help me for a change. On this particular design, I am using a multi-page schematic. What I would like to do is to export this to Ultiboard as 2 separate boards. Is this possible? I know I could do this with 2 separate schematics, but it would be convienient to do it the with just one schematic.

Please let me know your thoughts and suggestions

Thank you and Have A Nice Day

[haklesup]

I haven't explicitly tried this but it seems like as long as each page does not share any nets then you should be able to export it as one single netlist and when you start the layout, simply draw two board outlines and place the components accordingly.

If you had a shared net like ground or Vdd, then you may just have to ignore a few ratsnest lines while you work.

The issue I see is when you go to fab.  You will only be able to make a gerber for a panel containing the two boards together.  (unless you also use CAM software) Communicating that you want the boards seperated or scored between them may be confusing to the fab and likely usually kick you out of the proto pricing category into full spec get a quote with setup charges etc. category.  In most cases proto pricing (low quantity best price deals) is for non panelized rectangular boards only.

So, it may save you time but it may cost you money in the end.

[lacy]

Thanks for your information. I had forgot about how it might effect the manufacturing process. So I guess it would be better to do them separately.

What I am trying to accomplish is to have my main board and then on a separate board have my input switches and output indicators. Then I would mount one board in the bottom of the box, while mounting the switch board to the lid. I think having the switches on a board with connectors running to the main board would look a lot neater than just mounting the switches direct to the lid with point to point wiring.

I was wanting to do this with one Multi-page schematic so I could keep both portions together for simplicity sake. I may have goto project mode and do it that way if I separate them.. It would ne nice in this situation to be able to export one page of a schematic at a time to Ultiboard.

Anyway, I thank you for the information. It was enlightning.

Have A Nice Day

Message Edited by lacy on 09-24-2007 02:40 PM