Quick Start Gerber Connection

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UNISOFT ProntoGERBER CONNECTION QUICK START MANUAL

Revised 3/31/2016

Thank you for evaluating the Unisoft ProntoGERBER CONNECTION software. In minutes Unisoft
ProntoGERBER CONNECTION software translates Gerber and Bill of Material (BOM) files into real
reference designators, netlists, theta rotation, part numbers, X/Y component pin geometries,
values, tolerances, etc. This data is then used by Process Engineers to create manual assembly
sheets, process documentation, first article inspection, program SMT and Thru-hole Automatic
Assembly Equipment, AOI/X-RAY inspection equipment, and by Test Engineers to program
Automatic Test Equipment and aid repair, rework, etc. ProntoGERBER CONNECTION is
reasonably priced and available by subscription, rental or purchase.

We are available anytime to go online with you and help you review the Unisoft
software. Also the software has HELP for most menu items by hovering over the
menu item for a second then click any of the videos, manual or website links.

Please note that Unisoft has added a powerful new feature to ProntoGERBER
CONNECTION. You can now automatically create the Netlist from your raw gerber files in
addition to the real reference designators, theta rotation, part numbers, X/Y component pin
geometries, values, tolerances, etc. The netlist is a mandatory item for most Test
Departments and repair technicians. ProntoGERBER CONNECTION does this by
automatically tracking and connecting the copper traces on the PC Board assembly to the
correct components, pins and vias for each net.
In this quick start overview of ProntoGERBER-CONNECTION we will process a sample PC
Board provided and you can also process one of your own PCB assemblies. For help and
questions call (203) 913-0782 or [email protected].

*** It is advisable to print out this document and follow along the procedure below! ***

Pre-Tutorial #1) Open a sample of a completed PC board:


a) Click START on the lower left corner of your Windows desktop.
b) Click PROGRAMS and select the "Unisoft ProntoVIEW-MARKUP Software" folder.
c) Click the icon ProntoVIEW-MARKUP inside that folder. The About UNISOFT Factory
2000 window is displayed, click OK. The "Importing Your CAD File" window is displayed click OK.
d) Click FILE from the main menu, click SMART OPEN and a new window opens.
e) In the new window browse to & select the directory by default c:\program files\unisoft \data-files
or c:\program files (x86)\unisoft\data-files then click OK . A new window opens, select the file
sample3.f2b and click OK. The "Messages from Importer Module..." window opens. Click CLOSE
and the PC Board is now displayed. NOTE: The SMART OPEN feature looks at all the files for your
project in the folder you select and then presents you with only the correct PC Board, CAD and
Gerber files that can be imported into the Unisoft software.
f) From the main menu click QUOTE/QUALITY then click ASSEMBLY COST and in the window
displayed click COST-FULL TEXT. The report displayed is the estimated cost for the assembly
of the PC Board. Click OK and CANCEL to close the windows.
g) From the main menu click QUOTE/QUALITY then click PARTS COST. This report is the estimated
component parts cost for the PC Board. Click OK to close the window. Contract and OEM
Electronic manufactures find this report and the one above useful for generating quotations and
cost estimates.
h) From the main menu click QUOTE/QUALITY then click SOLDER JOINT COUNT. This report is the
total solder joint count for the PC Board broken down by SMT, Thru Hole and part number. This
report is used by Contract and OEM manufacturers for quality tracking. Click OK to close the
window.
i) Also on the QUOTE/QUALITY menu the EXPORT STANDARD BOM allows you to export several
normalized standard BOM formats. All types of Bill of Material (BOM) formats can be imported
into the Unisoft software and then exported to normalized standard BOM formats that can then
be utilized by your other manufacturing software systems such as Part Sourcing, MRP, ERP, etc.
This feature is located on the main menu item QUOTE/QUALITY under
"Export Standard BOM file".
j) From the main menu click ASSEMBLY SHEETS/1ST ARTICLE then click OPEN SMART COLOR
OPERATIONS and a new window appears at the bottom.
k) This SMART COLOR OPERATIONS window at the bottom is sortable either by Part Number, Step
Number, N=number of components for that part number, operation, number of pins on the
component, etc. First article inspection, assembly process sheets creation, kitting labels, etc. are
all done here. More detail on this and the other menus and features are outlined in the tutorial
below.

l) Click FILE from the main menu, then click EXIT then click NO and the software exits.

Pre-Tutorial #2) Importing a CAD and BOM file:


1) Import the CAD file:
a) Click START on the lower left corner of your Windows desktop.
b) Click PROGRAMS and select the "Unisoft ProntoVIEW-MARKUP Software" folder
c) Click the icon ProntoVIEW-MARKUP inside that folder. The About UNISOFT Factory
2000 window is displayed click OK. The "Importing Your CAD File" window is displayed click OK.
d) Next click FILE from the main menu, click OPEN, click CONTINUE and click the pull down
menu next to "LIST FILE TYPES", for the sample PCB select the "Accel PCAD file (*.PDF)" file
type (note the list sorts by extension so you will find it about 8 up from the bottom).
e) Next select the directory the CAD file is located in by clicking the pull down menu next to LOOK
IN at the top of the window. Select the directory "C:\PROGRAM FILES\UNISOFT" then select the
file SAMPLE.PDF and click OPEN.
f) The Assembly Cost window is displayed. Click OK to close this window. Under the Assembly
Cost window a shareware trial mode version window is displayed, click CLOSE to close this
window. The PC board is now displayed.
2) Import the Bill of Materials (BOM) file:
a) Click FILE from the main menu then click CLEAR BOM DATA.
b) Click FILE on the main menu then click IMPORT BOM FILE. Make sure [Default] in the
window displayed is selected. Click IMPORT and select the file SAMPLE.BOM in the window
displayed , then click OPEN. The BOM importer window is displayed. Click CLOSE to shut the
BOM window.
c) The BOM data has been imported. To display the BOM data from the main menu click
ASSEMBLY SHEETS/1ST ARTICLE then click OPEN SMART COLOR OPERATIONS and a new
window appears at the bottom. Note the correct part number, description, device type, etc. from
the BOM is displayed.
d) Click FILE from the main menu, then click EXIT then click NO and the software exits.
Later in this tutorial you can import your own CAD and BOM files if you wish. The tutorial continues below and
details the other menus and features of the software.

Overview of this ProntoGERBER-CONNECTION quick start procedure:


1) Importing the Gerber layers.
We will import the top artwork gerber layer on the sample PC Board provided.
2) Making Components.
This step teaches the system some intelligent information about a component U1.
Next we will have the software automatically find similar component shapes to U1
and quickly teach those parts.
Note steps 2 & 3 adds intelligence to the gerber files by defining the components on the
display. If you simply wish to display the PC assembly gerber layers, print them or add
annotation notes then you need to perform only step 1 above.
3) Import a Bill Of Materials (BOM) sample file.
4) How to Tutorials:
- Tutorial 1: Creating assembly/process sheets, annotation overlays and kitting labels.
Assigning operations text to each part number.
Assigning step numbers to each part number.
Adding F2P annotation overlays to steps.
Assigning colors and patterns to each part number.
Print assembly sheets and matching load lists for each process step.
Creating Kitting Labels.
Creating .F2P annotation overlays for adding text & graphics.
Line draw tool.
Selecting annotation (.F2P) overlays to be displayed.
- Tutorial 2: Color, blink and check off part numbers one at a time for "first article
inspection" cross check, hand assembly, etc.
- Tutorial 3: Review the FIND feature.
- Tutorial 4: Review the cross probing of hyper-linked Schematic and Assembly feature.
5) Saving your work.
6) Importing your own CAD file and sample CAD & Gerber files.
7) Optional: API FUNCTION - In addition to controlling the software in the standard
manual method via the mouse and keyboard an API function for external control is
included. This API allows you to write a program to automatically direct
ProntoVIEW-MARKUP from your application or equipment without the use of the
mouse or keyboard.
8) Additional details on the Unisoft software features.
9) Where the software is installed.

Start of Tutorial:
*** We suggest you printout this document to follow along. ***
To start the software click START on your Windows desktop then click PROGRAMS and select
the "Unisoft ProntoGERBER-CONNECTION Software" folder and click the icon ProntoGERBERCONNECTION inside that folder. The ABOUT UNISOFT window is displayed click OK. The
"Importing Your CAD File" window is displayed, click OK. By default it comes up in split screen
mode. Place your mouse on the split screen divider line hold down the mouse key and drag the
divider line all the way to the right.

Below is the pull down GERBER CONNECTION menu we will be working with for the majority of this
process.

1) Importing the Gerber layers:


Click FILE from the main menu, then click SMART OPEN, from the dialog box displayed select the
directory DATA-FILES (note it will either be located in the directory c:\program files\unisoft\data-files
or c:\program files (x86)\unisoft\data-files ) . Click OK.

The following window will be displayed. Scroll down the window until you see the file "samplegerber.ger" and click on that file to select it. Click OK.

The following window will be displayed.

Next put a check mark in the box to the left of "Add sample-gerber.ger to list of files to be imported".

Importing additional gerber layers:


Note for this demonstration we are importing only one gerber layer file. The software can also import
additional gerber layers such a silk screen to provide added information and detail. For example to add
a TOP Silk Screen layer go to the top of the screen above and click the thumbnail of the silkscreen
gerber file you wish to import. Next put a check mark in the box to the left of "Add sample-gerber.ger
to list of files to be imported". Next select the layer type as TOP SILK

Repeat this process for any additional layers that need to be added.)

Next click IMPORT FILES.

The following confirmation window will be displayed. Click YES.

The top of the PC board is now displayed.

Next zoom into the lower left quarter of the PCB. There are several ways to zoom in or out. The simplest
is to position your mouse in the center of the area you want to zoom into and then use the thumb wheel
on the mouse to zoom in. Another way to zoom in is from the main menu click TOOLS then ZOOM
TOOL then click and hold down your left mouse button and drag a rectangle in the lower left section of
the board and release.

2) Making Components:
Select component:
Click the SELECT tool (bulls eye) then locate the component U1 (U1 is the component in the lower left
corner of the PC-Board see illustration below.). Click the left mouse key and drag a rectangle around
the 64 pins on the component and release the mouse. The 64 pins should now be selected and will be
enlarged.

Click GERBER CONNECTION from the main menu and then click MAKE COMPONENT. For item
REFDES type U1 and default the other items, click Ok.

Select pin one:


Click the SET PIN 1 from the GERBER CONNECTION menu. Now click Pin One of the selected
component U1 (pin 1 is in the upper left corner of the component). From the dialog box displayed select
the direction that the other pins on the component sequence in (clockwise, counter clockwise, etc.). For
our example click OK to use the default counter clockwise. The component U1 is now defined.
(Note: Pins must be assigned to all components made via the MAKE COMPONENT feature to insure a
stable database. You can do this by either using the SET PIN 1 menu item outlined above or using the
SET PIN NUMBER menu item. Pin numbers need to be defined even for 2 pin non-polarized devices.
You only need to define the pins once for a shape and then when you use the FIND SIMILAR SHAPES
feature the pin pattern will be automatically assigned to the next shape.)

Find similar shapes:


Click the SELECT TOOL (bulls eye) from the icons at the top, click on pin 1 of the U1 component you
previously assigned pins to (pin 1 is the red pin in the upper left corner of the component). Component
U1 should now be red in color which indicates it has been selected . Go to the GERBER
CONNECTION pull down menu and click FIND SIMILAR SHAPE. The software will find similar shapes
to the U1 footprint. A similar package shape should now be highlighted directly above U1. The MAKE A
COMPONENT box is automatically displayed asking you for identifying information for the selected
component. Note that the REFDES box has automatically been incremented to the next component
label U2. At this point you would normally enter the correct information for that component but for this
demonstration please click AUTO. Note that all the components U1 through U64 have been
automatically MADE.

(Note: It is important to import the Bill Of Materials (BOM) to as outlined in step 3 below to insure a
stable database.)

Removing a component:
It is important to import the Bill Of Materials (BOM) to as outlined in step 3 below to insure a stable
database before removing components.
To remove (Kill) a component that has been assigned either an incorrect reference designator,
device type or has been assign to the wrong surface.
Click the SELECT tool (bulls eye) then select the component in question.

Click KILL COMPONENT from the Gerber Connection menu and click YES.

The component can now be assigned the correct reference designator by following the
procedure above "2) Making the component".

Making the Netlist:


By using the Assign Nets feature ProntoGERBER CONNECTION can automatically create the
Netlist from your raw gerber files in addition to the real reference designators, theta rotation, part
numbers, X/Y component pin geometries, values, tolerances, etc. The netlist is a mandatory item
for most Test Departments and repair technicians. ProntoGERBER CONNECTION does this by
automatically tracking and connecting the copper traces on the PC Board assembly to the correct
components, pins and vias for each net. For this demonstration we will not be creating a netlist.

Above we outlined the basic process for ProntoGERBER-CONNECTION. Quickly we can teach
the entire PC board by repeating this process for each unique shape component. The standard
order is the largest part shape is defined first then the next largest and so on in order of
decreasing size.

3) Import a Bill Of Materials (BOM) sample file:


Note: It is important to import the Bill Of Materials (BOM) to as outlined below to insure a stable
database.
You may import a Bill Of Material (BOM) and upon doing so the part number and descriptions
contained in the BOM will be associated with the components on the display.
Click FILE on the main menu then click IMPORT BOM FILE. Make sure [Default] in the
window displayed is selected. Click IMPORT and select the file SAMPLE-GERBER.BOM in the
window displayed , then click OPEN. The BOM importer window shows:
Totals: 1 items, 64 references.
Complete.
Click CLOSE to shut the window.
Windows users: If the BOM importing above was successful then please skip this step. If
the BOM importing above did not perform as outlined then please follow this step and try
the BOM step above again: On installation a file named markup.ini is copied to the
c:\windows directory. This file helps to import the BOM. Window security sometimes prevents the
copying of this file. Please manually copy the markup.ini file located in c:\program files\unisoft
directory to the c:\windows directory. When you copy the file Windows will ask you if it's okay to
copy it, answer yes. If the file is already there it is ok to overwrite it. Try the BOM importing step
above again. Please contact Unisoft if you need assistance, 203-913-0782.

Next click the INFO TOOL icon


click on U1 on the display!

which is the third icon from the left on the top menu. Then

Note that the U1 BOM information including Part#, Tolerance, Package, Description, etc. have been
imported.
For details on how to import your own Bill of Material (BOM) click the following link:
http://www.unisoft-cim.com/features.htm#Importing-Your-BOM-Files

Making your assembly, AOI, Test, etc. files to program


your manufacturing equipment:
At this point using the ProntoGERBER-CONNECTION software features
above we have created the real reference designators, theta rotation,
part numbers, X/Y component pin geometries, etc. This data is then
used by Process Engineers to program SMT and Thru-hole Automatic
Assembly Equipment, AOI/X-RAY inspection equipment, Selective
Soldering and Test equipment. Also create manual assembly sheets,
process documentation, kitting labels first article inspection, etc.
- Programming your SMT and Thru-Hole machines:
If at this point you wish to see the process for programming your SMT and Thru Hole
assembly machines then go to the ProntoPLACE online manual by clicking or cut and paste
into your browser the following link: http://www.unisoft-cim.com/place_download.htm .
Once there then jump to the section "3) CREATE THE OUTPUT FILE USED TO SETUP
THE ASSEMBLY MACHINE." and continue this tutorial from that point forward. NOTE: The
manual that you are being redirected to contains all the same features below in this manual
so you will not be omitting anything in your evaluation by going there.

- Programming your AOI machines:


If at this point you wish to see the process for programming your Automatic Optical
Inspection (AOI) machines then go to the ProntoAOI online manual by clicking or cut and
paste into your browser the following link: http://www.unisoft-cim.com/aoi_download.htm .
Once there then jump to the section "3) CREATE THE OUTPUT FILE USED TO SETUP
THE AOI MACHINE." and continue this tutorial from that point forward. NOTE: The manual
that you are being redirected to contains all the same features below in this manual so you
will not be omitting anything in your evaluation by going there.

- Programming your Selective Soldering Machine:


If at this point you wish to see the process for programming your Selective Soldering
machines then go to the ProntoSELECTIVE-SOLDERING online manual by clicking or cut
and paste into your browser the following link:
http://www.unisoft-cim.com/soldering_download.htm . Once there then jump to the section
"3) CREATE THE OUTPUT FILE USED TO SETUP THE SELECTIVE SOLDERING
MACHINE." and continue this tutorial from that point forward. NOTE: The manual that you
are being redirected to contains all the same features below in this manual so you will not be
omitting anything in your evaluation by going there.

- Programming your Test equipment (In-circuit, Flying Probe,


Boundary Scan, functional test, etc.)
Unisoft offers many options for using gerber or CAD files for programming your Test
equipment such as In-Circuit ATE, Flying Probe, Boundary Scan, functional test, etc. Please
contact Unisoft directly to have the correct option demonstrated.

4) How to Tutorials:
For this tutorial we will open a PC Board with additional annotation notes and steps we have
previously added. From the main menu click FILE click OPEN, click CONTINUE and select the file
SAMPLE3.F2B and click OPEN and click NO in the Save Changes to sample window. The PC
Board is displayed and click CLOSE in the Messages from importer module window.

There are over a 100 features of the Unisoft basic software module ProntoVIEW-MARKUP below
are a few example tutorials.

Tutorial 1: Creating assembly/process sheets,


annotation overlays and kitting labels:
The Unisoft software allows you to quickly create matching assembly lists and assembly
drawing sheets for each step in the assembly process. Part numbers are automatically
assigned to the assembly step you wish (for example: Step 1 for Hand Inserts, Step 2 Chip
Shooter components, etc). The part numbers are then automatically uniquely colored. If
needed, overlay annotation notes can be added to each step. Next for each step matching
assembly lists and assembly drawings are created. These drawings can either be printed or
save to a file (PDF Adobe, etc.) or displayed on the screen.
To create assembly and process sheets on the main menu click ASSEMBLY SHEETS/1ST
ARTICLE then click OPEN SMART COLOR OPERATIONS and a new window appears at the
bottom.

The SMART COLOR window at the bottom is sortable either by Part Number, Step Number,
N=number of components for that part number, Operation, number of Pins on the component, etc.

Assigning operations text to each part number:


To assign an Operation to each part number from the main menu click EDIT then BOM then
IMPORT LIBRARY (.OPR) and a new window will appear. In the window click on the file
SAMPLE.OPR to select it then click OPEN. The result is that under the OPERATION field at the
bottom of the screen each part number has been automatically assigned a operation step, for
example Part Number 390579-03-3 is assigned Operation "MYDATA AUTO INSERT".

The Operation field is optional and it is easily populated by the .OPR file which is a simple text file.
The .OPR file contains the Part Number followed by a tab then the Operation text for that part
number (Example: 396051-01-4
HAND INSERT SOCKET PRE-WAVE). The Operation
information in the .OPR file is automatically assigned to every part number on the assembly. The
SAMPLE.OPR file used in our example is located in the directory by default c:\program
files\unisoft or c:\program files (x86)\unisoft . Also the Operations can be manually entered by
double clicking on the Part Number and editing the OPERATION field directly in the window
provided. Then you can export and save the Operation information you have manually entered to
an .OPR file by clicking EDIT then BOM then EXPORT P/N operation (NOTE: This exported file
does not append to an existing .OPR file it simply exports the Part Number and Operation field to a

new file. Of course if you wish at that point you can manually append that file to another
existing .OPR file.).

Assigning step numbers to each part number:


In the bottom window to the right of the PART NUMBER field you will find the STEP field. In this
field you may optionally add STEP NUMBERS to part numbers in order to create separate unique
steps in the PC Boards assembly process (for example: Step 1 for Hand Inserts, Step 2 Chip
Shooter components, etc). To assign a STEP NUMBER to a part number at the bottom of the
display double click on a part number and edit the STEP field with a step number. When the PC
Board and BOM are first imported all steps are defaulted to step 1. Note that we have previously
added step numbers 1 through 5 for our sample PC Board.

Adding F2P annotation overlays to steps:


If needed overlay annotation notes can be added to each process step. To do this click ADD F2PS
TO STEPS.

The following window appears!

For our sample board we have previously created five process steps. Now for each one of these
steps we can optionally add .F2P annotation overlay notes. In the figure above for example Step 1
is selected on the left and on the right 3 .F2P overlays boxes are checked. These four overlays will
be printed on top of the PC Board display for step 1. The results would look something like the
figure below. Please click on step 2 through 5 on the left side and you will see the .F2P overlays
that will be printed for those steps.
(NOTE: The sample PC board we are working with already has 7 .F2P annotation overlays preloaded into it. It is not necessary now but in the future to add F2P Annotations to the Window
above you need to Load them first. To Load Annotations from the Main menu click EDIT, click
ANNOTATIONS then click LOAD ANNOTATIONS and select the .F2P file you wish to load then
click OPEN.).

Assigning colors and patterns to each part number:


In the window at the bottom click the COLOR ALL P/NS button. The Select Components window
below opens. Put check marks in this window the same as illustrated below and then click OK.

The result is that each part number and the components associated with that part number have
been assigned a unique color and pattern according to the sort sequence of the part numbers in
the SMART COLOR window at the bottom of the display. You also have the option to repeat the
color sequence for each Step Number in the process. To do this in the window at the bottom click
the REPEAT COLORS/STEP button and the colors on the PC Board will change. Note the same
color will appear for different part numbers because these part numbers are in different steps. Click
the UNREPEAT COLORS/STEP button again to toggle the colors to their previous state.

To manually color a part number or change a color thats applied to a part number click on a part
number in the lower left of the SMART COLOR window. Next click the CHANGE COLOR button
located in the center right of the SMART COLOR window and the CHANGE COLOR/BRUSH
ORDER window appears. Select any color in that window and click OK. Click any other part
number in the lower left of the SMART COLOR window in the previous part number displays the
new color.
To freeze the colors that are currently applied to the part numbers click the FREEZE COLORS
button located in the center right of the SMART COLOR window then click YES in the window that
appears. Click UNFREEZE COLORS to unfreeze the colors applied to the part numbers.
To view the order that the colors are applied on the main menu click ASSEMBLY SHEETS/1ST
ARTICLE and click SET COLOR/BRUSH ORDER and the Change Color/Brush Order window is
displayed. This window displays the order of the colors on the left and the order of the brush
patterns on the right. The order can be changed if you wish. Click OK to close the window.

Print assembly sheets and matching load lists for each process step:
The assembly instructions for this PC Board are now complete. For this PC Board we have
previously added 5 process STEPS. To Print Assembly Sheets and matching Assembly Load Lists
for each process step in the window at the bottom of the display click the button PRINT
ASSEMBLY DOCUMENTS .

The following window is displayed!

There are two options for printing Assembly Documents. The first option is SINGLE PAGE EACH
STEP which results in a document that looks like the one below where each Step in the assembly
process is printed on one sheet for each side of the PC Board assembly. Note in the figure below
that the load list of the components to be inserted at that step are listed by part number at the top
of the same sheet with the PC Board assembly under it and on the PC Board the components to
be inserted at this step are colored with matching colors to the load list above it.
To print this drawing below in the window above under PRINT select SINGLE PAGE EACH STEP
and under STEPS select SELECT ALL STEPS. Next click OK and select the printer or PDF file
you wish to print to and Click OK and the document will be printed.
Note: The check box above Create additional sheet for part numbers that exceed maximum listing
length if checked will add an additional sheet for any part number with more components then will
fit on the single sheet printout.

The second option for printing assembly documents is SEPARATE PAGES EACH STEP which
results in a document that looks like the two figures below. The assembly drawing and the load list
for each step are on separate sheets and this allows for additional space to print more information
on the load list. Note in the two figures below that the load list of the components to be inserted is
on its own sheet and the PC Board assembly drawing is also on its own sheet. The load list and
PC Board assembly drawings have color matching components to be inserted at this step.

Note in the two drawings above that in the second drawing which is Assembly Sheet #1 of 5, CR1
to CR32 are colored green. Also printed are the 3 .F2P annotation overlays selected earlier for
step 1 including Hand insert all diodes that are this color, insert J1 custom bend connector,
and the legend box ABC Electronics. In the first drawing above which is the matching
Assembly Load List Sheet #1 of 5, the third item is part number 385-848-05-6 which are
components CR1-CR32 and for this item we have included automatically the part number, the
operation text hand insert diodes, the quantity of 32, the device type THD, the component part
number color of green, and optionally additional Bill Of Material (BOM) information of
tolerance/package/description and top side reference designate listings of CR1 through CR32.
To print the drawings above at the bottom center of the main display click the button PRINT
ASSEMBLY DOCUMENTS and the window below appears. Under PRINT select SEPARATE
PAGES EACH STEP and then put a check mark in all the 6 boxes located under SEPARATE
PAGES EACH STEP. Next under STEPS select SELECT ALL STEPS. Then click OK and select
the printer or PDF file you wish to print to and Click OK and the document will be printed.

Creating Kitting Labels:


The Unisoft software allows you to quickly create Kitting Labels for fast and accurate electronic
component kitting. Quickly select the component part numbers for which you wish kitting labels
created. Each label contains the part number, unique part number color, step number, p/n
description, reference designator, etc. Fast and easy electronic kitting labels for kitting work
orders.

To use this feature the Smart Color window should be open at the bottom of the display and there
you will see the field KITTING LABEL. By default all the thru hole component Part Numbers under
the KITTING LABEL field are checked. All checked component part numbers will be included in
the Kitting Label to be printed. You may add and remove checks as you wish.

To print the Kitting Labels for the checked part numbers click PRINT ASSEMBLY DOCUMENTS at
the bottom middle of the display. Next select the PRINT KITTING LABELS button and click OK
and OK again and select your printer output.

The labels created are the default standard Avery 5160 type (30 labels - 3 across & 10 down).

Creating .F2P annotation overlays for adding text & graphics:


Additional text and graphics can be added to the Assembly by creating .F2P annotation overlays.
To add annotation notes to the assembly similar to the figure below click the Annotation Tool button
on the top toolbar. Your cursor will change to

Drag a rectangle within a top or bottom view window. Release the mouse button after dragging
your rectangle. The tabbed Object Properties dialog opens. This is where you can specify
properties for your annotation.
Click the TEXT tab (if necessary). In the Text box, type the text you want to appear in the
annotation. Click OK. The display contains the annotation.

With the Annotation Tool selected, click the annotation you just added. A shortcut menu appears.

Click Call Out. A callout line appears to the right of the annotation. With the annotation cursor, click
and hold the tip of the callout. Drag the callout to the desired location. While you drag, a thick line
will stretch from the center of the annotation to the tip of your cursor. Note: If the tip of the callout
is not in view, you may have to use the panning tool (TOOLS / PANNING TOOL) to move it into
view. Release the mouse button. The callout line will move to the desired location.

Click and drag the annotation to the desired location and note that the other end of the callout has
not changed its anchor position.

Line draw tool: To create a line use the Line Draw tool by clicking the Annotation Tool
button
on the top toolbar until you see this icon
with a vertical line on the left side
of the yellow note then you are in the Line Draw mode. Similar to annotations, if you left-click on
the line, you have the choice of deleting the line or changing its properties.

Selecting annotation (.F2P) overlays to be displayed:


The CHOOSE F2PS TO DISPLAY window allows you to turn on and off individual F2P annotation
overlays that have been loaded.

Click the ANNOTATIONS icon


at the top of the display (it is the 3rd icon in from the right) and
the "CHOOSE F2P'S TO DISPLAY" window below appears.

Our sample SAMPLE3.F2B file we are working with has the 7 sample .F2P Annotation
overlays listed in the window above already loaded into it. These same 7 .F2B files are also on the
directory by default c:\program files\unisoft or c:\program files (x86)\unisoft . The list of the 7
F2P's are in the figure above starting with SAMPLE2-assembly-sheet-2-of-6.f2p . Feel free to load
and unload them as you wish to get a feel for this feature.
NOTE: When you first start a new project no F2P annotations will appear in the window above. To
add F2P Annotations to the Window above you need to Load them first. To Load Annotations from
the Main menu click EDIT, click ANNOTATIONS then click LOAD ANNOTATIONS and select the .
F2P file you wish to load then click OPEN.

The CHOOSE F2PS TO DISPLAY feature is also in the free VIEWER software so for example in
the figure below an assembly person on the production floor can select the HAND INSERT
overlays to help guide them with assembly.

Or as in the figure below PC Board Test personnel can use the free VIEWER software
to select the "SAMPLE2-test-adjust-r12-to-3 volts.f2b" overlay to guide them with a test setup
procedure.

The ProntoVIEW-MARKUP free Viewer software can display these aid results for personnel at their
computers on your production floor or if you do not have computers they can be printed for exact

assembly instructions, for example (PART NUMBER / OPERATION / NUMBER OF PARTS /


COLOR).

Tutorial 2 - How to blink and color part numbers one


at a time. Useful for check off in first article
inspection process, hand assembly, etc.:

Generally First Article Inspection is done on the first PC Boards assembled. When the assembly
inspection is satisfactory at that point the PC Board can be built reliably in quantity.
After completing the tutorial above in the lower left of the SMART COLOR window at the bottom
right of the display click REMOVE COLORS. A new window opens put check marks in all the
boxes and click OK. The result is all component coloring is now cleared. Now single click the first
part number displayed in the SMART COLOR window at the bottom under the "PART NUMBER"
field. Then click BLINK 1 P/N located on the right side of the SMART COLOR window. This will
blink those components with that part number. In real life the person doing the first article
inspection would check each of those components for the correct part number installed. If all
components with that part number are correct then they would check off that part number to
indicate it is correct. Please do this now by clicking CHECK OFF 1 P/N located on the right side of
the SMART COLOR window. Note a check mark has been inserted to the left of the part number
indicating it has been completed and also a color has been inserted to the right of the part number
in that same color has been applied to components with that part number on the displayed PC
board. The inspector would continue this process for each part number until all part numbers are
checked off and colored at which point that would indicate all components on the PC Board have
been assembled correctly. At that point the PC Board can be built in quantity as needed.

Use for hand assembly, etc.:


This feature of Blinking and Coloring by part number can also be used for other production floor
operations. For example for hand assembled components the operator can select the part number
they are assembling by clicking that part number displayed in the SMART COLOR window at the
bottom under the "PART NUMBER" field. Then click BLINK 1 P/N located on the right side of the
SMART COLOR window. This will blink those components with that part number. At that point the
person would assemble those components that are blinking. After all components with that part
number are installed then they would check off that part number to indicate it has been installed by
clicking CHECK OFF 1 P/N located on the right side of the SMART COLOR window. At that point a
check mark has been inserted to the left of the part number indicating it has been completed and
also a color has been inserted to the right of the part number in that same color has been applied
to components with that part number on the displayed PC board. The hand assembly personnel
would continue this process for each part number they are installing by hand.
Note: Many customers that use this feature of Blinking and Coloring by part number for slide line
hand assembly add additional instructions for the assembler in the Operations Field (see figure
below). For example: Mary hand insert - bin tray #8 - RESISTOR 4.75K_1/4W_1% - p/n391729-02-0 . Information such as this can be easily added automatically via the Operations
Library or manually inserted.

Tutorial 3 - The Find Feature:


Using the FIND feature allows you to find a component or component pin. You can find a net trace
or 2 net traces to identify where a short between two traces maybe. Search and find by netname
or by part number. Also find by description field from the Bill Of Materials (BOM), for example find
all 0.1uf capacitor. You can also find a Test Probe X/Y location and Test Probe number for your
Bed Of Nails test fixture.
To open the FIND window either at the top of the display click the FIND icon
or from the main
menu click EDIT then FIND. Next to search for a component type U4 in the top left field and click
APPLY. The result is the cursor moves to U4 and U4 is highlighted in red. Note that APPLY
finds what you are looking for and leaves the FIND window open for further finds or clicking OK
closes the FIND window and locates the item you requested.

To locate a short between two traces in the FIND window in the top left field type U4.4 and in the
top right field type U4.5 and click APPLY . Note as in the figure below the two traces in question
are highlighted. One trace is in yellow and the other blue. A technician would then follow along the
two traces and where they came closest to each other would be the most likely place to find the
short.

Choose any of the other tabs to experiment with the different types of search options available.
Click CLOSE to close the FIND window.

Tutorial 4 - Cross probing of hyper-linked Schematic &


Assembly:
Click VIEW from the main menu then click RIGHT PANE. Click VIEW again then click
SCHEMATIC. The right pane now displays "No Net Selected". Click VIEW from the main menu
then click LEFT PANE and select a net by either clicking the Select tool (Bull's-eye icon) then
clicking on a pin on the display or using the Find feature to select a net. The result is the
schematic should be displayed in the right pane. The schematic view in the right pane is also an
active display so by clicking any signal name or pin number on the right side on the components
displayed will now navigate to that signal. You can now navigate any signal down its resultant path.

For further details on features and operations please review the manuals by clicking the
"ProntoVIEW-MARKUP VIEW Manual" icon and clicking the "ProntoVIEW-MARKUP MARKUP
Manual" icon in the Unisoft folder.

5) Saving your work:


You will want to save your work initially or after adding annotations to your file. You can save your
work as a .F2B file (complete board save) or as a .F2P overlay file (saves only annotations you
have added).
To save as .F2B - On the FILE menu, click SAVE.
Note: If you want to save the file with a different name, on the FILE menu, click SAVE AS. The
Save dialog box appears. Type a name in the FILE NAME box. Click OK.
An .F2B file contains all of the board information, plus the annotations. The board file is loaded first
and then the annotation file is loaded on top of the board file. When you save the file, the system
defaults to the original file name with a different extension. This file can be viewed by anybody
using the VIEW-MARKUP software or any of the other Unisoft software modules. If you plan to
send your annotated board along with the free VIEW-MARKUP program to another person, the
F2B file is more convenient.
To save a .F2P overlay file - Click EDIT from the main menu, then click ANNOTATIONS and SAVE
ANNOTATIONS. The Save dialog box appears. Type a name in the FILE NAME box. Click OK.
An .F2P file contains just the annotations you have added to the PC Board assembly display such
as component coloring, notes and graphics. The .F2P can be viewed in conjunction with an .F2B
or CAD files at a later time. If you want to develop multiple visual aids based on the same CAD file,
or if you receive updated CAD files in the future, it is better to save F2P files. These files can then
be loaded against the similar or updated PC Board design saving you the time of recreating the
annotations. F2P's can be overlayed individually or stacked in combination.
PCB Viewer:
All Pronto software modules have all the features found in the ProntoVIEW-MARKUP software and
are compatible with MARKUP.EXE our royalty free PCB Viewer software. Normally this viewer is
used throughout the plant floor or given to vendors or clients for better communications. The
viewer has over 100 features that make it the ideal ONE TOOL for the various departments of a
typical electronic manufacture. Features include viewing and printing out of the display, find by
Reference Designator, Part Number and more. To give the free viewer to someone simply send
them the MARKUP.EXE and the .F2B file for your PC Board (MARKUP.EXE is usually located by
default in directory c:\program files\unisoft or c:\program files (x86)\unisoft).

6) Importing your own CAD file and sample CAD &


Gerber files:
To open your own cad files you can use the smart open feature which will automatically detect cad
files in a directory that can be imported into the Unisoft software.
To use SMART OPEN click FILE off the main menu then click SMART OPEN and point to the
directory that contains your CAD files and follow the instructions to display your PC Board
assembly.
Sample CAD and Gerber files: The Unisoft software imports the standard ASCII file that CAD
systems create. Each CAD system has its own format. To view a variety of the latest full CAD
samples please see the directory by default c:\program files\unisoft or c:\program files
(x86)\unisoft and look for the files starting with SAMPLE_ . For example you will find
SAMPLE_PADS.ASC which is the PADS CAD systems ASCII output file. This and the other
sample CAD files can be directly imported into the Unisoft software. Simply match your file to one
of the samples and your PC-BOARD can be displayed with the Unisoft software.

7) Optional: API Function:


An API function for external control is included if you need to operate the Unisoft software from
your application or equipment.
The API is contained in the file REMOTEAPI.ZIP in the directory ...\unisoft where you installed
the software. Please unzip this file into the ...\unisoft directory. The result should be
directories ...\unisoft\remoteapi\rapi_test .
See the file README.TXT in the directory ...\unisoft\remoteapi\rapi_test on how to use the API.
Also the files API.H and RAPI_TEST.C explain the functions.
FUNCTIONS:
ShowCurView
ZoomCurView
OpenBoard
SetCurView
ShowCurView
ZoomCurView
Rotate
Flip
MoveCurView
ClearBom
ClearAnnotation
ImportBom
ImportAnnotation
FindComponents
FindNets
We have supplied a function tester program. You can test out the functions by running
RAPI_TEST.EXE in directory RAPI_TEST . See the file README.TXT in the directory
...\unisoft\remoteapi\rapi_test for details (For example run RAPI_TEST.EXE and type HELP to
get general help or type HELP FindComponents to get specific help for FindComponents. If you
type FindComponents 1 U11 the 1 will zoom the display to where U11 is located and component
U11 will be highlighted. If you type FindComponents 1 U11.3 U6.9 then both the component
U11.3 and U6.9 pins and traces will be highlighted.).
More on the API:
RAPI_Test - contains samples of how you can use the API via a DOS prompt.
Please note that when using the DOS command prompt test program - if you type Help at the
command prompt (Enter>) you will get a list of all the API functions available to you. If you type
'help' and then the functions name (e.g. Enter>help OpenBoard) it will explain how to use that
particular function. You should go through this tutorial to become familiar with the functionality of
the API.

If you review the C code in the file (RAPI_Test.c) you will see how the actual DOS prompt program
was written. You can write similar functions in your own code that will call up the program and
launch the necessary API functions you wish.

8) Additional details on the Unisoft software features:


Additional details on the Unisoft software features can be found on the following webpage
http://www.unisoft-cim.com/features.htm
Some features detailed are:
- NETLIST window and blinking of all pins on the selected net
- Gerber Preview thumbnail importer
- Customize the Menus and Splash Page templates option
- Modify Rotation by Part Number menu
- Smart Color Inspection tool menu
- BOM import into Sequence field option
- Edit multiple assembly step numbers and text option
- LABELS Plus Toggle menu
- BOM-only Importing option
- Export standardized BOM files to Part Sourcing, MRP and ERP software
- Importing X/Y Center, Rotation file Wizard
- Include/Exclude part number Operations menu
- Units displayed in inches and millimeters option
- Assembly Cost Estimation Report for Quoting templates menu
- Printing Assembling Process Documents multiple format options
- Importing Your BOM Files Wizard
- Smart Open CAD file importing Wizard
- Solder Joint Count - Defect Per Million Operations (DPMO) Report menu
- Component Part Cost Report templates menu
- Importing X Y Rotation (XYR) File templates
- Kitting Labels Wizard

Features of ProntoVIEW-MARKUP: All Unisoft Pronto software modules have the


basic features of ProntoVIEW-MARKUP ( www.unisoft-cim.com/pcbview.htm ).
Some of these features are:
- Create process assembly aid documentation sheets quickly.
- Create kitting labels.
- Fast 1st article inspection.
- Assembly & parts cost estimation reports to aid job quotations, etc.
- Report of the total solder joint count for Defect Per Million Operations (DPMO).
- Export a standardized BOM for Part Sourcing, MRP, ERP, etc.
- Free production floor PC Board viewer for your assembly department, general inspection,
test departments, repair & rework areas, design group, etc. Aids PCB troubleshooting
technicians to find components, pins, finds shorted traces, schematic hot linked to the
assembly, etc. Distribute the free viewer to vendors & customers for better
communications.
- Importing of all virtually all CAD, Gerber and BOM file formats
( http://www.unisoft-cim.com/importers.htm ).

9) Where the software is installed:


If you chose the default path on installation the software was installed to the directory c:\program
files\unisoft or c:\program files (x86)\unisoft . The executable program for the Unisoft software is
MARKUP.EXE . The Icons group are installed in the PROGRAM GROUP under the Unisoft folder.
Also shortcuts to the software and this quick start manual have been placed on your desktop.

Thank you for evaluating the Unisoft software. Please contact (203) 913-0782 or
[email protected] with any questions.

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