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bigmik

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Joined: 20/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 2948

Posted: 10:05pm 19 Dec 2014

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Hi All,

I know there are a few other users of Autotrax DEX out there and maybe are as frustrated as me with some of the included components.

I also lost a few parts I created myself when I had a HDD crash a few months back.

So I have started this thread to offer my designs to other users out there and welcome additions back here as well.

I redesigned these parts as they either did not exist or the ones supplied didnt suit my requirements.

NOTE!! Some components in this list could do with some improvements/enhancements but at least they are a start and can be easilly editted.

A couple of parts are NOT MINE and are ones I copied out of the existing library.

The list includes

10214-6212PC.part
1N4728 mik.part
2x3 solder short pads .part
3x2 solder short pads.part
8Pin-DIP-SMD.part
BC337.part
DB25F-Solder.part
DB25F.part
DIP8 Mik.part
Header mik DIL 6.part
LED-Mik.part
Mini DIN 6.part
Mini USB Through Hole.part
PIC32MX150.part
PIC32MX170-SSOP.part
PIC32MX170F256-QFN.part
PIC32MX170F256-SSOP.part
PIC32MX250 .part
RCA R-A.part
Rotary 16p.part
Screw Jack 2 Pole.part
Screw Jack 4 Pole.part
SIP 2 - Mik.part
SIP 5 - Mik.part
SIP 6 - Mik.part
SIP 8 - Mik.part
SIP Header 10 mik.part
SIP Header 14 mik.part
SIP Header 16 mik.part
SIP Header 2 mik.part
SIP Header 3 mik.part
SIP Header 4 mik.part
SIP Header 8 SMD mik.part
TRIMPOT mik.part
VGA F.part

2014-12-20_080227_Mik_DEX_parts.zip

Regards,

Mick

Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<<

viscomjim
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Joined: 08/01/2014
Location: United States
Posts: 925

Posted: 03:32am 20 Dec 2014

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As a fellow Autotrax Dex user, alls I can say is.... AWESOME SAUCE!!!

Thanks Mik!

bigmik

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Joined: 20/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 2948

Posted: 04:06pm 20 Jan 2015

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Hi All,

I notice that as of today Autotrax DEX is FREE for non-commercial use, NO board size, time bombs or feature restrictions... You only have to pay the $49 license fee if you are doing it for commercial profit. I assume that is an `honesty box' policy.

For those that havent tried it I suggest giving it a go.

You can also convert EAGLE PCBS/SCH and Libraries to DEX.

Regards,

Mick

Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<<

TassyJim

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Joined: 07/08/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 6266

Posted: 04:08pm 20 Jan 2015

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That's good news. I wasn't looking forward to the renewal fee.
Now all I have to do is get around to using it a bit more.

I wish he had kept the yahoo group going. I don't like his forum layout much.

Jim

VK7JH
MMedit

bigmik

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Joined: 20/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 2948

Posted: 04:26pm 20 Jan 2015

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Hi Jim,

The renewal fee is ONLY if you want the later updates.. You are still allowed to keep using the latest version (at the time your license expired) as long as you like.. If new features that you want come out you can either (so I believe) pay for a new 12 months of updates if you are doing commercial jobs or use the free version.

The Yahoo groups was painful and whilst I dont mind the new forum at http://forum.kov.com/ I received better feedback to my questions (I have received NO feedback on the new forum) when it was on the Yahoo groups.

I dont know what he terms Commercial, if it is selling ANY board for a profit or generally selling boards with the intention of commercial gain.

All that aside I wont mind coughing up for a renewal fee when the time comes around in March this year, however I may sit back for a while until new features that I want appear before I then resubscribe.

Regards,

Mick

Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<<

ajkw
Senior Member

Joined: 29/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 290

Posted: 10:45pm 20 Jan 2015

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Damn, I just paid up. Oh well it does seem a pretty good program from the examples of others boards produced and the developer does need to eat. Too bad my first batch from DEX/itead seem stuck in Japanese customs for the last 3 days. They must be marvelling at the ground breaking design

If any of my new parts work out I will be happy to load them up here. Thanks for yours Mick.

Cheers,
Anthony.Edited by ajkw 2015-01-22

bigmik

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Joined: 20/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 2948

Posted: 11:22pm 20 Jan 2015

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Anthony

,

Yeah that must be it, In my case I think they hold onto the boards because they are so funny..

I have converted the entire eagle libs if there is any interest.. But it amounts to a 50MB ZIP file..

If someone, (You listening Don) wants to temporarily host the file I can get it to them.

Regards,

Mick

Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<<

TassyJim

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Joined: 07/08/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 6266

Posted: 11:30pm 20 Jan 2015

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I have plenty of spare web space now Mick.

Jim

VK7JH
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donmck

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Joined: 09/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 1313

Posted: 02:36pm 21 Jan 2015

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bigmik said Anthony

,

Yeah that must be it, In my case I think they hold onto the boards because they are so funny..

no worries Mick, I'll make a sub called "eagle libs to DEX" or whatever you like, and it can live there with your other files.

Cheers Don...
Edited by donmck 2015-01-23

https://www.dontronics.com

bigmik

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Joined: 20/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 2948

Posted: 09:16pm 21 Jan 2015

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Gday Don,

TassyJim has beaten you to the punch... You must be getting slow ..

Anyway I think there might only be half a dozen or so who would want these files so there wont be much demand I reckon..

They can be generated individually in any case (although I think you would need to install eagle to get the library in the first place)

Either Jim or I will update this thread when a home is available for the eagle library,

Regards,

Mick

Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<<

TassyJim

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Joined: 07/08/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 6266

Posted: 10:59pm 21 Jan 2015

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Here is the link to Mick's eagle library

http://www.c-com.com.au/stuff/Eagle.zip

Jim

VK7JH
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bigmik

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Joined: 20/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 2948

Posted: 01:29am 22 Jan 2015

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Thanks Jim,

Your support is greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Mick

Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<<

ajkw
Senior Member

Joined: 29/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 290

Posted: 05:47pm 23 Jan 2015

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Thanks for the eagle files Mick. Downloaded and installed. They look very useful.

WhiteWizzard
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Joined: 05/04/2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 2931

Posted: 10:57pm 23 Jan 2015

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Hi All DEX users,

OK I believe I may be converted to give this a try. I scanned their website (the link that was in the OP) and it looks pretty amazing - meeting my needs very well.

But I have to go out in about half an hour and don't have any time to study the detail - hence please can I ask some 'basic' questions and hopefully by the time I'm back home tonight I will have some answers!!
(I know the answers are on probably on the website but I want to start playing with this tonight IF the following answers are what I'm hoping they are)

Here goes:
1> Can it be used on an iMac on MacOS?
2> Can it be used for SMDs? (The 3d-pictures make it look like through hole only)
3> Is it easy to add parts?
4> Is there a 'Ground Fill' feature? (called various things i.e. Copper Pour')
5> Can you export Gerbers for iTead or is there a 'translation' process to go through (I seem to remember there was a post on the BSF about there being an 'issue')
6> What format are the 3d-views? I know I could grab a screen shot; just wandering if there is an inbuilt image save!
7> What are 'your' negative comments about the product? (i.e. "It can't do ....."). I ask this as I want to buy this product but wish to know feedback from you users as to what the 'limitations/issues' are.

Many thanks for your feedback - can't wait to start using this . . .

WW
Edited by WhiteWizzard 2015-01-25

Zonker

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Joined: 18/08/2012
Location: United States
Posts: 767

Posted: 11:14pm 23 Jan 2015

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Thank you VERY much Mick..!

I have Eagle... But... It's version 5x... So I couldn't convert any of the LIB's... Only if you have version 6x... So, this is awesome that you have done the conversion and provided the LIB's for DEX..! I had noticed when I first started using DEX, that many of the LIB's that came with it LOOKED like EAGLE stuff... Now, we can have the whole shebang in one go... (sweet)...

THANKS Gent's...!

ajkw
Senior Member

Joined: 29/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 290

Posted: 11:45pm 23 Jan 2015

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From a novice so any one else with more experience please also chime in.

1> Can it be used on an iMac on MacOS?
Not native but there is a mention of a way on KOV.com I recall.

2> Can it be used for SMDs? (The 3d-pictures make it look like through hole only)
Yes

3> Is it easy to add parts?
Getting easier, helps with good user/BSF libraries.

4> Is there a 'Ground Fill' feature? (called various things i.e. Copper Pour')
Yes

5> Can you export Gerbers for iTead or is there a 'translation' process to go through (I seem to remember there was a post on the BSF about there being an 'issue')

Yes, you just have to change the file name and extensions. Itead website tells you what you need (or BSF if required) Easy enough.

6> What format are the 3d-views? I know I could grab a screen shot; just wandering if there is an inbuilt image save!
Formats seems to be STL, Collada & Active3D. I've not played with those.

7> What are 'your' negative comments about the product? (i.e. "It can't do ....."). I ask this as I want to buy this product but wish to know feedback from you users as to what the 'limitations/issues' are.
None that I have really come across but I am a novice.

... and I'll really know more about how good or bad it is (or I am at it) when I get my first batch of boards next week.

bigmik

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Joined: 20/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 2948

Posted: 11:51pm 23 Jan 2015

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WhiteWizard,

To answer your question in order..

1.
To use it on a Mac requires some software called VMWare fusion see link

2.
Certainly, I used SMDs on my MuP and NanoMite boards.

3.
Quite easy to create a custom part, although I sometimes struggle with the auto part maker but easy enough to manually edit a part.

4.
Certainly they have a copper pour feature that allows the pour to be linked to any NET you like but the net needs a name created for it, except the power and gnd as these are auto named .

5.
The gerbers are created with descriptive names.GBR eg "Top Layer.GBR" just rename it to suit the pcb fab house requirements, I have a batch file to do mine. I will upload it when I am back on the PC, on iPad now.

6.
I don't use 3D view at all, none if my parts have a 3D part. But you can import STL and XML and the project it creates is also XML so I guess it is XML.

7.
I will answer that in another post as I don't want to risk losing all I have typed on the iPad so far.

Regards,

Mick

Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<<

bigmik

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Joined: 20/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 2948

Posted: 12:11am 24 Jan 2015

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WW,

OK negatives,

Firstly the internal router sucks BIG time, it does one layer vertical and the other layer horizontal and often doesn't route every track even when there is an easy enough route. It also sometimes runs 2 parallel tracks to a pad from two other pads that are near each other, silly just do one track then link the two closer pads.. The author says that Q1 this year he hopes to release a better shape based internal router. It does come with a trial period for Electra router which is excellent but costs an arm a leg and a testicle to purchase, I think $300 or so compared to the $49 price for commercial DEX.

2.
My biggest issue is what they call courtyards which is a purple rectangle showing the size that a part needs to clear its neighbours , I turn that layer off but then it keeps turning itself back on so the board space gets cluttered by all these courtyards.. I have worked out to turn the courtyard invisible on EVERY Part as I load them.. I shouldn't have to, if I turn the courtyard layer off it should stay off.

3.
Sometimes when I start DEX it won't load I have to go into task manager and delete it and restart the application, this could be a windows 8.1 problem..

4.
There is a new version updated nearly every day, these are often hefty loads from memory about 100MB each, I worry that there might be a bug I don't know about and so I update every time, I don't know if it's critical update or not..

All in all I am extremely happy and my $49 is well spent, it is no worse than protel 99se I used to use which cost my company $4000 back in 1999.

The author is quick to fix bugs, just like Geoff does, and that alone gives me faith in the product.

Regards,

Mick

Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<<

bigmik

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Joined: 20/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 2948

Posted: 12:27am 24 Jan 2015

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Zonker said
I have Eagle... But... It's version 5x... So I couldn't convert any of the LIB's... Only if you have version 6x...

Hi zonker,

I had both ver 5 and ver 6 on my PC to try it but I really didn't like eagle, not that I gave it a fair show for that matter. I wasn't sure which lib the conversion picked up, now I know ..

I am paranoid about hole sizes and pin spacings so I always check a part before I commit to it and copy it into my parts catalog so I don't need to hunt for it again next time, there are often many duplicate names,

Regards,

Mick
Edited by bigmik 2015-01-25

Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<<

viscomjim
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Joined: 08/01/2014
Location: United States
Posts: 925

Posted: 10:03am 24 Jan 2015

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From the perspective of someone that has NEVER used a CAD program for PCB, always have made my own using adobe illustrator, after the beta of uMite was released, I wanted to make more projects. I did a bit of reading on the web and decided to jump in and get DEX. I am very happy I did. It is true that it is constantly being updated, which can be a good thing. All the "additions" since I started have been positive ones and have only helped. I am running DEX on a Mac using parallels, the newest version, and everything seems to work ok with the only weirdness is when I manually route. It mouse behaves a little weird, but I am getting used to it. I believe the site says to use fusion if you are using a mac, but I don't want to switch and again, I can get things done.

I have made a few boards using Itead and DEX without ANY problems. Just rename the files to what Itead requires and all is well. I have also taken advantage of the trial period to use the Electra router and holy crap that thing is great. Now I manually route due to the trial running out, but my boards aren't motherboards for Xeons for anything like that so I can get by quite nicely. If I ever have the spare change laying around, I would DEFINITELY get the electra router for DEX. It is quite awesome and fun to watch doing its thing.

For what it's worth, I would definitely recommend giving DEX a whirl. It is nice that people like Mik are willing to share parts, etc. so that helps too. All my boards so far have been thru hole, but after I get my oven going, I will use dex to do the surface mount thing!!! Fingers crossed.

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