Zuken Launches Upgraded Version of Desktop 3D PCB Design Tool CADSTAR 3D 4.4

February, 8th, 2005 Zuken's desktop 3D design tool, CADSTAR 3D, has been upgraded to include increased functionality and performance improvements.

The addition of new Windows XP functions makes CADSTAR 3D 4.4 easier to use, with drag and drop loading of designs, floating toolbars and modeless and dockable dialogues for Design Browser and DRC Results. Registration of file extensions with Windows Explorer also means that a design can be opened by simply double clicking on its icon.

CADSTAR 3D design transfer has also been enhanced to optionally ignore objects on the inner electrical layers, which are unnecessary for carrying out 3D checking functions, reducing memory required and increasing the application speed. STL file importing is also up to 100 times faster, and design file sizes have been reduced by approximately 10 per cent.

Advancements have also been made in versatility and simplicity, with custom views, new commands for grouping and ungrouping geometrical objects, and automatic selection of entities for DRC and collision check functions. Adding to these benefits, keepout volumes can now be viewed in a semi-transparent format and a PCB design can be merged into an existing 3D design, preserving enclosure positions.

CADSTAR 

Zuken's CADSTAR is a Windows-based solution for PCB design that spans schematic capture, placement, routing, library creation and management, signal integrity, EMC analysis, and production of manufacturing data.

More information on CADSTAR 3D CADSTAR 3D provides an optimized solution for the verification of a PCB layout in its 3D environment. Visualization, measurement and design rule checking capabilities allow the electrical design to be verified against the system requirements, and any component placement changes made within CADSTAR 3D are automatically back annotated into the PCB design. The tool is fully integrated with the PCB design flow and loads 3D information generated by mechanical CAD systems via the STEP AP203/AP214, ACIS and STL formats.

About Zuken

Established in 1976, Zuken has evolved into a provider of solutions that maximize the efficiency of the design and manufacturing processes of electronics companies around the world. Zuken holds a leading global share of the PCB/MCM/HIC software market in the field of electronic design automation (EDA). In addition to its longstanding experience as a provider of innovative solutions for PCB design, Zuken's expanded portfolio encompasses proven solutions for the development of information technology (IT) infrastructures. Listed on Level 1 of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the company is headquartered in Japan and has development, sales and support centers in 10 countries including the US, Germany, UK and France. Zuken's customers include the world's top 30 electronics manufacturers from automotive to aerospace, communications to consumer electronics, and medical to military.

www.zuken.com.