Includes new integration between Cadence® OrCAD® PCB Designer and Allegro® PCB Layout

Marlborough, MA – October 3, 2013 – DownStream Technologies, LLC today announced the release of the latest version of their industry-leading PCB documentation solution - BluePrint-PCB®.

The major component of this software release is the newly developed integration between BluePrint-PCB and Cadence® OrCAD® PCB Designer and Allegro® PCB Layout tools. The integration automates the PCB documentation process for Cadence users and eliminates all manual file transfer between the applications. The release also includes many other new features and performance improvements.

Integration with Cadence PCB Tools

With this release, BluePrint-PCB is now part of the OrCAD and Allegro menu system making BluePrint a seamless step in the Cadence PCB post-processing flow. OrCAD and Allegro users can now choose BluePrint directly from the application menu and all necessary data is automatically extracted and loaded into BluePrint allowing users to easily begin documenting their PCB designs.

The integration between BluePrint and the Cadence PCB tools is designed to work with both new and existing PCB layouts. Users can automatically update BluePrint documentation packages created through the integration with all the new changes contained in the PCB layout.

“The integration allows all Cadence users easy access to BluePrint,” said Rick Almeida, one of the Founders of DownStream. “Since BluePrint was developed specifically to create PCB documentation easily and efficiently, we know Cadence users will benefit greatly from the integration,” he added.

Almeida continued, “We believe Cadence users will see a large benefit when they use BluePrint to document an ECO because the integration eliminates the need to re-create drawings to reflect the new PCB topology from the ECO. Instead all of the topology is automatically refreshed within all instances of the PCB data including board views, details, drill charts, stack ups, BOMs, etc.”

BluePrint-PCB Version 3.2 Highlights

Launch BluePrint Directly from Cadence Allegro

Users can now create or update existing BluePrint-PCB documents directly from the Cadence Allegro PCB Design System menus. New BluePrint-PCB documentation is created using the BluePrint-PCB Documentation Wizard that assists the user in defining the Assembly and Fabrication Drawings. Existing BluePrint-PCB documentation are updated seamlessly. The EDA data transfer occurs automatically in the background without user intervention. DownStream Product Installation automatically links the BluePrint-PCB installation to an existing Allegro PCB Design System installation to enable seamless data transfer.  

Automated Update of Imported Documents

Documents (external files) imported into a BluePrint-PCB file are automatically refreshed with new versions of the file source on file open. Outdated documents that were inserted into a BluePrint document from the Task Pane are presented on file open. Users can select whether or not to update the inserted documents.  

PCB Copper Hatch Patterns

Users can set hatch patterns for copper on PCB CAD layers in a PCB View. Choose from several common hatch patterns when formatting PCB Views.

Board Image Flip Status Labeling for Panel Drawings

For Panel Drawings, users can now display IPC standard annotation labels denoting the flip (mirror) status. Boards are identified with an “A” or “B” label that is flipped and/or oriented accordingly.

Expanded Adaptive Template™ Support

Adaptive Template technology has been extended to include additional templates. Users can now define adaptive templates for Component Coordinate Lists. In addition, Generic Table Templates can be used as Adaptive Templates. Users can make custom edits to expanded tables for Component Coordinate Lists and Generic Table Templates. Custom edits are retained on any ECO Update operation.

Process Steps in PCB View and Process Step Chart

Users can now display a Process Step filtered by an Assembly Variant in an Assembly PCB View or Process Step Chart. Use the settings to display Installed, Uninstalled and/or Substituted part status.

Drill Symbol Sizing in Fabrication Manager

Users can now set Drill Symbol size for each hole size in the Fabrication Manager. Use this to set a Drill Symbol size proportional to the actual hole size, making the Drill Pattern more clear improved correspondence of symbol size to hole size.

Inspection Dimension Type

In support of industry standards, a new Inspection dimension type was introduced. Use the Inspection dimension type to add and identify critical inspection dimensions with a rounded rectangle around the dimension value.

Datum Target Snapping to Dimensions

Datum Targets can now be snapped to any dimension lines in your BluePrint-PCB documentation.  This allows users to move a PCB View or dimension and keep the Datum Target locked to the associated dimension.

Aligned Dimensions Orient to Line Segment Angles

Aligned Dimension drawing elements can now be oriented to the same angle as lines selected for dimensioning. The Aligned Dimension context menu has a new Snap Preference for snapping to either Vertex or Line. Vertex snapping mode works by snapping to any selectable points for snapping. Line snapping mode works by snapping to a line segment or extension and adjusting the Aligned Dimension orientation to match the angle of the selected line segment or extension.

Availability and Pricing

BluePrint-PCB 3.6 is available immediately and is provided at no additional charge to all existing customers with a valid maintenance agreement. Actual content will vary based on end-users configuration. BluePrint-PCB 3.6 pricing starts at $2,500.00 USD. For more information log onto  downstreamtech.com, email Email Contact or contact a DownStream local Value Added Reseller (VAR).

About DownStream Technologies

DownStream Technologies, LLC is a software and services company focused on helping engineering organizations optimize and automate the PCB Release Process. Our tools redefine how engineering professionals post-process PCB designs to create and distribute all the deliverables required for a complete PCB assembly release package. CAM350® provides verification, optimization and output generation to efficiently drive PCB fabrication. DFMStream® is a comprehensive, yet easy-to-use tool suite designed to help engineers and designers verify design and manufacturing rules on PCB design databases, Gerber and NC data any time during the PCB design cycle. BluePrint for Printed Circuit Boards® works with CAM350® (and other PCB CAD systems) to help users quickly produce comprehensive electronic drawings to drive PCB fabrication, assembly and inspection processes. More information about DownStream can be found at  downstreamtech.com



Contact:

Joe Giacobbe
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