Autotrax

AutoTRAX DEX is a MS-Windows XP/MS-Windows Vista 7/8 schematic design and PCB layout program with built-in Spice simulator and 3D part and board visualization. It is not to be confused with the simple PCB CAD package originally developed by Protel (now Altium) in the 1980s and 1990s and which is still available as a free download from Altium's website at www.altium.com.

Unlike other EDA program, AutoTRAX DEX integrated all of the schematic and PCB design into a single XML project file. It uses parametric parts which define the parts schematic symbols, PCB footprint and 3D package models using numeric parameters. This allow a simple parametric model to be quickly changed to represent an of a family of similar parts, e.g. DIP and BGAs.

AutoTRAX Design Express (DEX) has now replaced AutoTRAX EDA. It is based on Microsoft .NET 4 and has both a Microsoft Office 2007 and 2010 interface as well as a classic Dropdown menu with toolbars.

Unlike the Protel version, AutoTRAX DEX uses the Microsoft Windows platform and runs on Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. The file format is open and viewable with any text editor as it is XML based, and the XML schema is fully documented.

Protel Autotrax runs under DOS. It will run under Windows 98 and XP but only as a console window. It does not run on Vista or Window 7.

External links

Autotrax DEX (Windows)

• AutoTRAX DEX 2020 Web Site
• AutoTRAX DEX 2020 Manual
• Alternate AutoTRAX DEX 2020 Web Site
• Alternate AutoTRAX DEX 2020 Web Site
• AutoTRAX User Group
• YouTube tutorial videos
• File format documentation

Protel Autotrax (DOS)

• More Protel Autotrax utilities, from Jim Patchell
• A laser plotting utility for Protel Autotrax
• Newer (VESA) video drivers for Protel Autotrax
• A HowTo for using Protel AutoTrax under SuSE Linux and DOSemu
• Protel Autotrax companion programs - Directly generate RS274X gerbers from Autotrax PCB files, rotate PCBs, etc, From Les Hildenbrandt