The objectives of this first tutorial are very simple, to help new users become familiar with the software and its various functions. Below we will see them in detail, presenting them in sequence starting from downloading and installing the free version of the program, up to “using the program’s first features such as” entering CAD and BOM data and visualization.
1) Software Download and Installation
To download the free viewer version of the program, you must first fill out the form below.
[contact-form-7 id=”3606″ title=”Download ProntoVIEW-MARKUP”]
When you receive the program via email, you need to extract the VIEW5.ZIP file and then double-click on VIEW5.exe and follow the instructions to install the software.
Once the installation is complete, the program is ready to use.
2) First Program Launch and Opening CAD Files or an Entire Project (Complete PCB)
Once the program is installed, you can easily open it from the desktop, if you agreed to create a shortcut during installation, or from the start bar within the all programs list on Windows-based computers.
When you open the program, a window will appear reminding you that the software version in use is the free one and therefore limited in its functions and in the maximum number of components and nets that can be handled (about 300 nets or up to 150 components). If you use it as a viewer, there are no limitations, but obviously whoever created the project must have purchased at least one license. This feature may seem useless, but it’s actually quite effective. Think, for example, of a company that has numerous customers/suppliers and has a program license. Once they have created all the necessary documentation, they can easily share it with all their customers/suppliers, who will only be able to view it (without being able to make changes), but can verify it without any problems. After this window, the classic program window with the green background will appear (visible in Figure 1.1).
Fig. 1.1 – The Main Window
From here, the first operation we’ll do is open a CAD file to view. Depending on the type of file we want to open, we’ll need to go to File and choose between Open and SmartOpen. The Open command is used to open individual CAD files, while the SmartOpen command can open an entire project contained in a folder or compressed file. Alternatively, you can also open entire projects with the simple Open command, but it depends on the format in which they were saved. For example, once your first project is complete, this software will allow you to save it in .f2b or .f2p format and then open it with a simple Open command. This is possible because through these two formats, you can generate a 100% complete board project and combine it into a single file that the program, having generated it itself, can handle without problems.
Alternatively, if you haven’t changed the program’s installation folder, at this address c:program filesunisoftdata-files on your computer, you’ll already have the ability to open various sample files or projects. As an example, it’s recommended to open the SAMPLE2 file to appreciate the visualization of an entire project, even if it’s very simple.
3) Importing a BOM File
Once the program is open, click on File and press Clear Bom Data, doing this will delete all Bom data related to the last opened file or project. To load new Bom data, simply click on File and press Import Bom File. Remember that with Bom data alone you won’t be able to view anything, so before doing this operation, you must have already inserted a CAD file (operation performed in the previous step). Obviously, the CAD and BOM must have the same references for the components, and if this is true, once both files are loaded, you can view all the information contained in them, since “the association between the two happens automatically and instantly”.
In the same previous folder (c:program filesunisoftdata-files), it’s recommended to open the sample3 project with the Open command (visible in Figure 1.2) and once opened, press AssemblySheet/1st Inspection and then select Open Smart Color Operations to open the Bom associated with that CAD file in the lower part of the viewer window.
Fig. 1.2 – A simple project example
This last project, although very simple, can give you an idea of the software’s potential, especially for generating electronic documentation. In it, we can view the board schematic (top side on the left and bottom side on the right), all text or image notes, the assembly sheet, and the complete BOM; basically all necessary information in a single window, all easily accessible and modifiable with the ability to print them at any time.
4) other Small Features
In the toolbar, besides the first command to zoom (magnifying glass icon) and the second to move the observation plane (grasping hand icon), we can perform some other very useful operations. In this first tutorial, not all program features will be covered right away, so below you won’t find an explanation for all available buttons, just the basic ones.
- Info Tool (icon with an i on a blue circle): allows us to select an object on the board that is a component, testpoint, or via, and immediately provides us with all known information about that object.
- Selection Tool (multicolored target icon): allows us to select items “within” an area we define.
- Measurement Tool (mouse selector icon with a meter): allows us to click on an item and, while holding down, reach a second object to get absolute and relative position measurements from the reference.
- Rotate (blue arrow icon): allows us to rotate the board 90° with each click.
- Find (telescope icon): allows us to find items as desired.
- Top/Bottom/Schematic (third group of icons): allows us to view the top or bottom part of the board.
- From Label to Annotations (last group of icons): allow us to choose what to display on the work area, equivalent to the Show button in the command bar.
This first tutorial about the program concludes with these last features. In the second lesson, which will be published soon, we will present the customization of BOM data entry, the assembly cost estimate, with the related component cost report, and finally the solder joint count – Defect Per Million Operations (DPMO) Report.
At the bottom of the page, there is the possibility to leave a comment or ask questions related to this article. Don’t hesitate to let us know your opinion and describe your experience with this program…
