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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I try CircuitWorks before I buy?
Yes, currently a fully functional version of CircuitWorks for SolidWorks is available to download
here.
Once installed it will run for 20 days.
At the
end of the 20 day period, the software will revert to becoming the free CircuitWorks
Viewer.
CircuitWorks can be used indefinitely in View-Only mode, or you can
simply remove it using Add/Remove Programs in Windows.
From SolidWorks Office Premium 2008 sp4.0 onwards, it will only be possible to evaluate
CircuitWorks as part of an evaluation of SolidWorks Office Premium. Your SolidWorks Reseller will be able to assist you with this.
Can I get a demo?
CircuitWorks is sold through the SolidWorks worldwide reseller channel, so the best way to get a personal
demonstration of the software is to contact your local SolidWorks
reseller, who will be happy to help.
You can also watch video demonstrations of CircuitWorks on this website, which
is probably the fastest way to get an overview of how the software works. Click
on the
Product Tour
menu item in the menus on the left to watch the videos, or to download them to your
computer to watch later.
How much is CircuitWorks?
CircuitWorks is only available as an add-in to SolidWorks in SolidWorks Office Premium,
so it is free for existing SolidWorks Office Premium users with subscription. Existing
SolidWorks and SolidWorks Office Professional users will need to upgrade to SolidWorks
Office Professional to obtain CircuitWorks. Please contact your SolidWorks reseller
for upgrade pricing.
How do I know if my ECAD system produces the files CircuitWorks needs?
IDF is a very common format for interchanging ECAD data, so it's likely your ECAD
system can produce these files. There's a limited list of some of the most common
ECAD systems capable of producing IDF
here,
but this list not exhaustive, so there's a good chance many systems not listed can
also produce the files required. Even if your system doesn't produce IDF directly,
there may be an additional translator available to enable it to produce the files
required. Don't forget that CircuitWorks can also read the Mentor PADS
(*.asc) format too.
Can CircuitWorks read Gerber files?
No, CircuitWorks products currently only read IDF 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and Mentor PADS
(*.asc) files. They cannot read Gerber files. As Gerber is basically a 2D plot format
it doesn't contain the height information CircuitWorks for SolidWorks needs to create
3D solid models in SolidWorks.
Can CircuitWorks read CADSTAR files?
CircuitWorks can't read files from CADSTAR directly, but there is a CADSTAR translator
available optional translator that allows customers using the CADSTAR ECAD system
to produce the IDF files that CircuitWorks requires. As it is part of CADSTAR rather
than CircuitWorks, one translator per seat of CADSTAR is required rather than one
per seat of CircuitWorks. This translator is written by StarTec and is available
from
www.star-tec.com.
How do I recognise an IDF file?
Unfortunately, it's not as straightforward as you'd think. Whilst the IDF 4.0 format
consists of a single file with a suffix '*.idf', the much more common IDF 2.0 and
3.0 formats each consist of two files. CircuitWorks needs both the files present
with the same name and same location to open the data. Normally, the two suffixes
used are *.emn and *.emp, so CircuitWorks would need a both parts of the IDF file
present - 'C:\Examples\IDF_Example.emn' and 'C:\Examples\IDF_Example.emp'
for example. The 'File/Open dialog in CircuitWorks only prompts the user to
browse to the first *.emn' part of the file, but needs both parts present to display
all the data.
Just to confuse matters further, *.emn/*.emp are not the only two file suffixes
used for IDF 2.0 and 3.0 files - *.brd/*.lib, *.brd/*.pro, *.bdf/*.ldf, *.idb/*.idf
are also used. If in doubt, consult the literature for your ECAD system.
Does CircuitWorks come with a library of components?
CircuitWorks comes with a couple of detailed component models to
show users the difference between a detailed user-generated model, and the more
simple SolidWorks models it creates automatically. Some users prefer to use the
simple models CircuitWorks creates in SolidWorks which may be more suitable for
FEA analysis, while others prefer the appearance of more detailed models which are
more suitable for sales presentations etc.
CircuitWorks for SolidWorks subscription customers can download detailed component
models from this website. The current models available are shown
here.
Does CircuitWorks only work with SolidWorks?
Yes, we don't offer
equivalent products for other MCAD systems like Inventor or Solid Edge.
What version of SolidWorks do I need to use CircuitWorks for SolidWorks?
CircuitWorks will work with SolidWorks 2005 and later versions. However, we recommend using the latest version
of SolidWorks available. As CircuitWorks for SolidWorks is an add-in to SolidWorks,
it must be installed on the same computer as SolidWorks.
I use the 64 bit version of SolidWorks, is CircuitWorks for SolidWorks compatible?
Yes, CircuitWorks will work on Windows XP x64 and Vista x64
with SolidWorks x64 and run as a native 64 bit application. However, please note
that the 64 bit version of SolidWorks is a separate download from the 32 bit version,
and the two versions must run on their specified operating system to work correctly.
Versions of CircuitWorks prior to version 9 will not run on Windows XP x64.
Will CircuitWorks run on Windows Vista?
Yes, CircuitWorks version 9 onwards will run with Windows Vista..
Isn't CircuitWorks built into SolidWorks now anyway? What's the difference?
Every seat of SolidWorks from SolidWorks 2005 onwards contains CircuitWorks Lite
IDF Import functionality. CircuitWorks Lite is a simple product to allow SolidWorks to convert IDF 2.0 and IDF 3.0 files
into a SolidWorks Part file. There are significant differences between CircuitWorks
and CircuitWorks Lite. Click
here
for an overview of how the two products differ.
What specification computer do I need?
As CircuitWorks runs as part of SolidWorks,
any computer capable of running SolidWorks will be able to run it adequately. The resources CircuitWorks standalone requires depends on the size of the IDF or PADS
file open, but it should run adequately on any reasonably modern PC.
All versions of CircuitWorks require Windows NT, 2000, XP or Vista and are available
for the PC only.
What's the difference between IDF 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 files?
The IDF file format has increased in complexity over the years. The early version
2.0 only really supported simple 3D geometry. Version 3.0 added features such as
the ability to interchange more advanced feature types and thermal properties. The
latest version, IDF 4.0 can support much more complex geometry, but is not yet supported
by most ECAD systems.
Does CircuitWorks support IDF 3.0 custom properties?
CircuitWorks supports the attributes defined in the IDF 3.0 format.
CircuitWorks puts them in the custom properties of the SolidWorks part files it
creates, so you can then show them in Bills Of Materials (BOMs) and SolidWorks Drawing
Borders.
Can CircuitWorks read PADS ASCII files?
PADS ASCII (*.asc) file translation is available built into all versions of CircuitWorks
to enable it to read PADS ASCII files from the PADS Power PCB range of ECAD software.
Currently this translator is import only, so CircuitWorks cannot export SolidWorks
assemblies as PADS files, only as IDF files. If you wish to use CircuitWorks bi-directionally
with PADS Power PCB, an additional translator is available from PADS to enable it
to read and write the IDF format supported by CircuitWorks.
CircuitWorks Lite built into SolidWorks 2005 onwards cannot read PADS ACSII files
or IDF 4.0 files.
How do I get technical support?
CircuitWorks is designed to be very simple to use and quick to learn and has a comprehensive help system. However, if you encounter a problem you can't
solve, try looking at the technical resources on this website. If you still have
a problem, get in touch with your SolidWorks reseller who'll try their best to
help you out..
Has CircuitWorks been around long? Who uses it?
CircuitWorks for SolidWorks was one of the first add-in products developed for SolidWorks,
and the first UK developed product to get Gold Partner certification from SolidWorks in 1999.
CircuitWorks is now sold by
more than 100 resellers worldwide and is in use by over 700 of the world's major electronics companies. CircuitWorks was originally
developed by Priware who were acquired by SolidWorks Corporation in March 2008.
What's a SolidWorks Gold Partner Product?
A SolidWorks Gold Partner product is an add-in for SolidWorks which has been tested
by SolidWorks and approved as meeting their highest level of integration and associatively
with SolidWorks. CircuitWorks for SolidWorks was granted Gold Partner product status
in 1999 and became an integrated part of the SolidWorks product range in 2008.
Is CircuitWorks available in English only, or are any other languages supported?
Currently CircuitWorks is only available in English. Support for all the major languaues
supported by SolidWorks will be added to CircuitWorks by Summer 2008.
What do other people think of CircuitWorks? Can I read an independent review?
You can read independent reviews and articles about CircuitWorks on
our Press & Reviews page
here..
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