Comparison between AutoCAD and Coventor's Layout Editor

I am the Product Manager for the Front-End Tools of CoventorWare so
admittedly I have a bias towards the Layout Editor in Coventorware.
However, I've tried to be as objective and accurate as possible in the
following comparison.  At Coventor, I've personally worked with customers
who use AutoCAD for mask design and we've been able to successfully
integrate their AutoCAD layouts with our analysis tools.  I only point this
out to show that we don't have a problem working with AutoCAD alongside
Coventorware.  However, we do feel that the Layout Editor in CoventorWare
provides some unique capabilities that make it a better choice for MEMS
layout.

Unique features of each package:
CoventorWare Designer (stand-alone layout component)
        Created from the ground-up for MEMS layout.
        Able to import GDS, CIF, DXF; export GDS, CIF
        Creates only objects acceptable to mask makers: closed objects, no
zero-width wires.
        Extracts 2D layout from parameterized MEMS schematics (behavioral
models)
        Generators:  Predefined foundry elements, parameterized
electromechanical elements, and custom user-defined generators
        Integrated 3D Solid Model builder:  fabrication process editor,
along with layout description, is used to create solid model (all included)
        3D visualization, including arbitrary cut-planes, of solid-model,
conformal layers, angled sidewalls, etc.
        Optionally integrated into larger MEMS analysis suite for building
full-3D and reduced-order models, and performing physics analyses
        Runs on both Unix and Windows platforms
AutoCAD
        Strong selection and object manipulation capabilities:  Very easy to
align and move, using object snaps.
        Mature software:  16 versions released, thus many pluggable modules
available
        Strong mechanical design environment well suited for some MEMS
Both
        Hierarchical design ('cell-' or 'block-based')
        Unrestricted layer definitions capability
        Both graphical and command-line interfaces, for scripting
(Designer's is Java-based)
        True curves and true rotations of all objects

Regards,
Tim Tsuei


> Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2002 12:58:09 -0800 (PST)
> From: Siripon Sukuabol 
> To: mems-talk@memsnet.org
> Subject: [mems-talk] Which the best is between Autocad and 2D-Catapul mask
> layout in
>  Coventor for MEMS Design?
> Reply-To: mems-talk@memsnet.org
>
> Dear All;
>
>
> Could you tell me which the best one is between
> Autocad and 2d-catapul mask layout in Coventor ?
>
>
> How are they different?
>
> Thank you
>
> Siripon
> -----------------

-----------------------------
Tim Tsuei, Ph.D.
Product Manager: Front-End Tools
Coventor, Inc. (formerly Microcosm)
4001 Weston Parkway, Suite 200
Cary, NC 27513
http://www.coventor.com
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