Kiba This problem has been around for as long as there have been people using CAD Systems to design things.
The first part of the answer to the problem is to make sure that everyone references the same "Master Library", as opposed to a copy of it which may be residing on a local disk (this eliminates people using obsoleted symbols / parts). The second part of the answer to the problem is not to allow anyone to "access" the "Master Library" in anything other than "read only" mode, excepting the one person who is in charge of keeping the "Master Library" updated. I would propose that you consider something along the following lines: No one should be able to go into your "Master Library" at his leisure and add things, or even more worse, edit things. Make the "Master Library" read only, and set up an "Interim Library" which can be accessed by anyone, but which contains only new or edited symbols / parts, which need to be checked and approved before being added to the "Master Library". New symbols / parts, or editing of existing symbols / parts (which should be accompanied with an appropriate renaming of the part (minimally with a modifier of some type added to the original name, or a totally new name)), should be done in a "Local Library" (local, as within the database of the design where it is needed), and then submitted to (copied into) the "Interim Library" for everyone's review, and then when approved they can be placed / replaced in the "Master Library" by the one person who has control of the it. In this scenario, all work is done in "Local Libraries", and the "Interim Library" is only accessed for as long as people need to copy finished symbols /parts into it from their "Local Lobraries" (or review symbols / parts copied there by others), and the "Master Library" only gets accessed by the one person in charge of it, and then only long enough to add what ever needs to be added (or overwrite the old file with an updated version). A "Local Library" can be easily created within a design database by using the "Make Library" function in the "Design" menu. If you delete all symbols / parts from this "Local Library" excepting that which will become the "new" ones, the "Local Library" will be very small and only contain those items which are "pending approval". An easy way to make a new symbol / part (or edit an existing one), is to place a similar symbol / part into the design from either the "Master Library" or the original Altium / Protel Libraries, and then create a "Local Library" with the "Design > Make Library" function, and then edit that symbol / part as required, including renaming it, and then deleting the original symbol / part from the design, and replacing it with the new symbol / part. Once the symbol / part is placed into the "Interim Library", and then finally into the "Master Library" (after approval), it may be necessary to replace the symbol / part once again with the final version from the "Master Library", at which time the "Local Library" within the database can be deleted. Additionally, you might find it helpful to make all of your standard Altium / Protel Libraries "read only" (especially where they may reside on users local disks), so that they can not be edited by anyone, and set up a "Master Library" for your company, and copy things out of the Altium / Protel Libraries and place them into your "Master Library" for the company on an "as you need them" basis. This allows you to keep the original Libraries as delivered, and make any appropriate changes you to a symbol / part as you deem necessary for your company's uses, which may include renaming the symbol / part to meet your company's specific needs. This will also allow your company "Master Library" grow very quickly on an "as used" basis, with very little extra work. When coupled with a 'look in the "Master Library" first' policy, this can help create a well organized "Master Library" which contains only the symbols / parts you have actually used in your designs, and which by default can become your "Preferred" symbols / parts "Library" While there are many variations to the above, hopefully the it will give you some food for thought. JaMi ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kiba Dempsey" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, July 18, 2003 4:22 AM Subject: [PEDA] Using DXP with a networked library. > Could any one give me some advice on the following problem:- > > I am trying to set up a library which can be used by multiple engineers. The > problem arises when two engineers are working on the same library. Both > engineers can open the library and add new parts, but both will find that > they can not save. Is there a system which would at least warn that the > library can not be edited? > > > Regards, > Kiba. > > * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
