Demonstration Software

Pattern Generators/Steppers

The software that controls a pattern generator or stepper is operating in real time, usually on an inexpensive DOS compatible PC which is dedicated to the task. The typical operating system on these dedicated machines is some form of MS/PC-DOS running in real-mode and requiring minimal hardware and memory. The software may also be run as a full screen DOS application under Windows 3.x/95 if so desired, but multitasking, if detected, will be turned off.

The UPG1600/UPG2600/UPG3000 software replaces a DEC PDP-8 controller and will operate properly using as little as an 80286-12MHz CPU based computer. The UPG3600/UPG3696 software replaces a DEC PDP-11/04 and requires at least an 80486DX66 based system to operate properly.

All demonstration software comes compressed as a ZIP file and will need to be UNZIPped. The programme DEMOxxxx.EXE can then be run. The software will duplicate the look and feel of the pattern generator/stepper control software, without actually having a piece of equipment attached to the PC. The UPG3600/UPG3696 software includes on-line, context sensitive help files


UPG1600/UPG2600

The UPG1600 and UPG2600 pattern generator control software appear identical to the operator (the 2600 can make exposures in both directions of X-axis stage travel, while the 1600A can only make exposures when the stage is moving in a positive direction) so only demonstration software for an English 1600A is provided here. After UNZIPping this file, run the programme DEMO1600.EXE.


UPG3000

The UPG3000 pattern generator control software operates in the same fashion as UPG1600/UPG2600 software. The pattern generator itself has 5x the resolution of the 1600A/2600 and produces masks much more quickly. After UNZIPping this file, run the programme DEMO3000.EXE.


UPG3600/UPG3696

For the UPG3600/3696 software, configuration and data file selection are accomplished with a standard text mode, pull-down menu and windows user interface. The user interface of the original equipment, and its command set, are duplicated when actually operating the pattern generator or stepper. RX02 (8") floppy disk (stepper) and 9-track magnetic tape (pattern generator) support are no longer required.


D. W. Mann Format Data File Utilities

The UPGUTILS software performs the following functions:

ASCII files conforming to the DXF format can be converted to ASCII files conforming to the D. W. Mann format. The conversion does NOT do general polygon fracturing (the price reflects this) but the POLYLINE, LINE, CIRCLE, TEXT and rectangular BLOCK drawing entities will be recognised and converted to exposures suitable for the target pattern generator. The target pattern generator can be chosen by the user (English or metric 1600A/2600, 3000 or 3600. The 1600A/2600 machines also came in special and standard (1/2 the resolution of the special) versions). Mann format data files can be converted to DXF files without limitations

An optional Mann format data file viewing option (UPGVIEW) is available with UPGUTILS. This will allow the graphical viewing of Mann data files. Image ZOOM and PAN are supported. Multiple files can be assigned different colours and fill patterns and viewed simultaneously.


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