"Variant Reports" script for furniture variants

The PADS Layout software has long included support for variants (Assembly Variants). Its primary purpose is to create and document board versions that are implemented by changing the board’s components while keeping the PCB layout the same.

In the configuration options, a component can either be omitted or replaced with another, provided that the housing (decal) is the same. Sometimes a slot on the board is reserved for two different components, either of which can be installed. In such cases, it is simplest to show both in the schematic, although this may slightly reduce the schematic’s readability.

It’s easy to create a print routine for variants using the PADS Layout Script Wizard, but there was a need for additional functionality. That’s why we ended up writing the Variant Reports script.

Parts Lists and Center Point Lists

Each furnishing option generally requires its own parts list, most commonly in Excel format. The parts list is often printed as a summary list, where similar components are shown on a single row and a list of part numbers is provided in a single cell.

The center point list requires the components’ location data, installation angle, and layer (top or bottom). Each component is listed on its own line because the coordinates are different.

Using List Templates

The script can be configured to use an Excel file as a template. The advantage is that the list’s formatting (fonts, column widths, logos, company information, etc.) can be set up in advance, so using the template allows you to generate a finished list with less effort. More on this in the Settings section.

Logic PDF – Variant Printing

Logic does not have built-in support for variants, but its programming interface enables a wide range of functions. If a Logic file is available that matches a Layout file, Variant Reports can generate a customized version for each variant and export it directly to a PDF file.

The variant name can be entered in the “Field” field in Logic, after which it is updated in the header table. Unassigned and replaced components are marked on the circuit diagram so that the variant diagram is easy to interpret.

Layout STEP Files

Unfortunately, the STEP Export function does not support variants. The script works around this limitation by generating variant files from the original Layout file, modifying their contents to best match the variant—specifically by removing unfitted components from the variant version. STEP files can then be generated from these semi-automatically. It is not recommended to include wiring diagrams in these STEP files, as removing a component from the Layout causes changes to the wiring diagrams.

Installation

The script is saved in an appropriate directory with the extension ` .bas ` and enabled via the ` Tools – Basic Scripts – Basic Scripts` dialog. It is recommended to set the most frequently used macros to `In Menu` mode, so that they appear directly in the ` Tools – Basic Scripts` menu.

The default location for the parameter file is the same as the Layout script directory.

Startup and Settings

If the parameter file cannot be found (as is usually the case the first time you use the program), the script will display a message. When you continue, the Settings dialog box will open.

• Use the arrow button to move the desired data from the “Attributes” list to the set of columns to be printed. If a particular attribute is not currently present in the workfile, you can add its name to the list by clicking the “New” button.
• If an Excel template is in use, the “Attributes vs. Template Titles” list displays the selected attribute alongside the title read from above the “BOM insertion” row in the Excel template. This means the attribute name does not have to match the column header in Excel.
• For now, file paths (Settings filename and Excel template) must be entered manually or selected from Explorer. The Save button saves the selections to the file specified in the Current settings filename field.

When defining the center point list, the following options are also available:

• layout-related information
• Center selection: “Use Center ” means that the geometric center calculated by Layout is used. Otherwise, the component’s zero point—that is, the origin—is used. If the components are built according to IPC recommendations, the origin is sufficient.

Logic Variant Settings

• Logic field name for Variant: the field in which the variant name is stored.
• NI text for Logic parts: indicator text to be added to an unfurnished component.
• Hide Attributes in Logic for NI Parts: The values of an unassigned component can be hidden.
• Substitute indicator for Refdes: A replaced component can be indicated, for example, with * characters.

The identifier (Refdes) for an unassigned component is shown in parentheses.

Logic Variant PDFs

Once at least some data has been selected for printing, the script reads the variant data upon startup. From there, you can select the desired data for processing.

The “Schematic Variant PDFs” button creates schematic variants and exports them as PDF files using Logic’s “Export PDF” routine. The routine has its own parameters, so it’s a good idea to set them first (the settings from the previous use remain in effect).

As an intermediate step, the script creates a circuit diagram file for each variant (except for BaseOption). You can, of course, edit these, but since the basic idea behind the variant is that the options are derived from a single main document, it is not worth saving them.

Layout STEP Export

Variant PCBs for 3D buttons generate a separate version of the PCB file for each variant. In this context, Layout may display warnings, for example, about single-pin nets. These warnings are irrelevant, as these files are intended solely for generating 3D representations of components in STEP format.

Clicking an item on the list opens that file and the STEP Export dialog. In the layout, you may need to open the 3D view once so that its default position and size are set correctly for the script to work.