				 README File
         README file for ProCAD 16/32 v5.0-01 for Windows 3.1x/95/98/NT
		  (C) Copyright Interactive CAD Systems, 1998

     Last revised - June 25, 1998


     Thank you for purchasing ProCAD PowerStation 32 for Windows.

     This file contains up-to-date information concerning software
     changes and manual corrections or additions. Please read through
     them carefully, since most of them are important. If there is a
     change in the installation procedure, you MUST read that section 
     in this file before proceeding. A few moments spent reading the 
     installation section would save you hours (or may be days) of
     frustration !!!.

     If you have any suggestions, questions, or problems, feel free to
     contact us using the following methods:

		       Main           (408) 970-0852 
		       FAX            (408) 986-0524
		       E-MAIL         support@icadsys.com

     Remember that for free technical support, upgrade pricing, and more,
     you must REGISTER your product. The first question technical support
     will ask you is for your serial number.


     Welcome to the growing number of ICS software users.

     Interactive CAD Systems Staff.


================================< CONTENTS >==============================


     This file has the following sections:

     Part 1: FIELD UPGRADING PROCAD
     Part 2: PROCAD INTERNET ACCESS COMMANDS (IAC)
     Part 3: KNOWN PROBLEMS
     Part 4: INSTALLATION
     Part 5: MOUSE BUTTON ASSIGNMENTS
     Part 6: MAKING BACKUPS OR COMPRESSING YOUR HARD DISK
     Part 7: CORRECTIONS TO PROCAD MANUALS
     Part 8: NEW & ENHANCED COMMANDS

=======< Part 1: FIELD UPGRADING PROCAD >===================================

ProCAD PowerStation 16/32 may be field upgraded by phone, fax or e-mail to
include modules that were not originally purchased or upgrade from trial or
demo version to the full version or extend your maintenance contract.

You should contact Interactive CAD Systems or your dealer to obtain an upgrade
code. Use the [Help]About ProCAD... menu item to access the About/Upgrade
dialog box, then simply enter your upgrade code.

=======< Part 2: INTERNET ACCESS COMMANDS (IAC) >===========================

ProCAD has a host of Internet savvy commands. To use ProCAD's internet access
commands (IAC), you must first enable this feature in the Configuration file
using the Config 16/32 program. Also, commands requiring e-mail ability such
as Remote Internet Routing, Online registration, Online tech support, etc.,
requires that you setup and configure your MS Windows E-Mail client such as
MS Outlook or MS Exchange. Please refer to your Windows manuals for details.

* PROCAD WILL NOT SEND E-MAILS IF YOUR WINDOWS MAIL CLIENT IS NOT CONFIGURED *

=======< Part 3: KNOWN PROBLEMS >===========================================

1. On some systems, when the screen saver kicks in, ProCAD may fail with a 
   protection fault when you resume operation. This is especially true if
   your screen saver or yourself changes display resolution while ProCAD is
   active. To correct this problem, you should disable your screen saver
   whenever you are using ProCAD. Also, do not change screen resolutions
   while ProCAD is active. This will crash ProCAD !!!.

2. On some windows accellerated super VGA drivers (especially ATI drivers),
   there is a bug in their drivers bitblt operations, as a result, ProCAD smart
   cursor may leave white stricks below the tool bar. You should contact your
   graphics card manufacturer for updated drivers or use Microsoft 800x600
   drivers or turn off ProCAD smart cursor ([View]Preference... menu item).

=======< Part 4: INSTALLATION >===========================================

ProCAD PowerStation 32 for Windows includes a setup and configuration programs. 
The diskette distribution version is copy protected, so you will need to use the 
configuration and setup programs included in this installation disk. The CD-ROM 
version is not copy protected, however, you will need to enter your Authorization
access code and registration information the first time you execute ProCAD.

 *** YOUR AUTHORIZATION CODE IS IN THE INSIDE COVER OF THE CD JEWEL CASE ***


FLOPPY DISTRIBUTION VERSION ONLY:
---------------------------------

To install the floppy distribution version of ProCAD, you should do the following:

Insert the installation disk in drive A or B. Invoke windows and issue the
file manager menu command "[File]Run...", then type

	A:\SETUP.EXE <CR>

Assuming your floppy is drive A. Make the necessary substitutions if you are
using a different source drive.

You should follow the setup instructions.

The above command  will install ProCAD program and data files on your 
destination drive.

If you did not purchase the Authorization Key Check Bypass option, you should,
re-insert installation disk #1 in your source drive (A or B) and then
double click on the Newly installed "ProCAD Configuration" ICON to start the
Configuration utility. Click on the "Install Auth." button to move the protec-
tion  authorization code to your hard disk. Note you must also specify to the
Configuration utility your source disk (A or B), and the Installation disk (red
label) must NOT be write protected. 

If you purchased the Authorization Key Check Bypass option, you will need to
enter the provided 4 or 5 digit bypass code during installation. This code is
NOT your serial number !!!!. It is provided as part of your package. You will
always use it each time you install ProCAD, so keep it in a safe place.

=======< Part 5: MOUSE BUTTONS  >============================================

On a  three button mouse,  the middle button will operate if  and only if you
installed the manufacturers  supplied drivers for Windows.  Make sure you are
not emulating Microsoft mouse, since Microsoft drivers only support two mouse
buttons.


=======< Part 6: MAKING BACKUPS >============================================

If you purchased the  Authorization Key Check Bypass option, or you are installing 
the CD-ROM version, you do not need to do anything special. Skip this section of 
this Read Me file....

You may backup your data on hard disk onto tape or floppy diskettes.  You may
not however, make copies of the installation disk for backup purposes,  since
that disk is copy protected. You are allowed one more installation if for any
reason you crash your hard disk. If this happens, give us a call and we would
take the necessary steps required to recover your lost protection count.

When making backup copies of your hard disk,  you should not backup the hidden
file   (PROCAD_?.SYS)  used  for the copy protection key check.   This file is
usually marked with system  attributes  and most backup  programs or defragers
will leave it alone.   If you must move the file,  either  because you want to
compress or defragment your hard drive,  you must first  uninstall the protec-
tion code onto your installation disk using the ProCAD  Configuration  utility
program before perform your hard disk compression or defragmentation, and then
move the protection back onto your hard disk. Please see pages 4 and 9 of  the
User's & Utility manual for details.

NOTE TO NORTON SPEED DISK USERS FOR WINDOWS 95
----------------------------------------------
Prior versions of Norton Speed Disk defaulted to not moving any  file  marked
(S)ystem, (H)idden or (R)ead-Only. However, Norton Speed Disk for Windows '95,
defaults to moving these files.  In order to  keep this from happening to the
ProCAD authorization file(s), your must make following changes:

TO KEEP NORTON SPEED DISK FOR WINDOWS '95 FROM MOVING THE PROCAD HIDDEN SYSTEM
AUTHORIZATION FILES

 1. Open Norton Speed Disk.
 2. Click "Options" from the "File" menu.
	A.  Click on the "Optimization" tab.
		I.  Select the "Full Optimization" radio button.
		II.  Click on the "Customize" button.
			a.  Click on the "Unmovable Files" tab.
			b.  Enter the "File Specifications" of "*.sys".
			c.  Click the "Add" button.
			d.  Click on the "OK" button.
	B.  Click the "Save" button to save these settings for the
	    selected disk drive.

=======< Part 7: CORRECTIONS TO PROCAD MANUALS >============================

	  ** SEE THE SUPPLIMENTAL MANUAL **

=======< Part 8: NEW & ENHANCED COMMANDS >==================================

IMPORT/EXPORT FILTERS
---------------------
An ASCII Interface format has been defined for ProCAD Advanced for windows.
This version of ProCAD can generate an ASCII dump of your schematic or PCB
database. Use the [FILES]Import and [FILES]Export menu items to import or
export ProCAD ASCII data files. A specification of the ASCII format is in the
User's manual. Call us for details if you are interested in writing programs 
that interface to our software.

PADS2000/PADS-PCB ASCII
-----------------------
This version of ProCAD may be used to Import PADS-PCB and PADS2000 files. If
you plan to use this feature, please note the following limitations:

   1.   ProCAD will not translate the COPPER POUR commands generated in
	PADS2000. Their formats as so different from that used in ProCAD
	for an efficient translation. You should use the AFILL/GND_PLANE
	command in ProCAD after importing the rest of the ASCII data file.

   2.   PADS2000 and PADS-PCB uses comp. mirroring for placing a component
	at the bottom side of a board. ProCAD uses the less restrictive
	layer mapping feature to accomplish the same task. The import filter
	will move all components placed at the bottom side of the board to
	layer map group #1. See "SURFACE MOUNT DESIGN" section of the Users
	manual for details.

   3.   ProCAD will only recognize the "ROUTE" command of PADS2000 and PADS-
	PCB for Net specification and routing. The "NET" and "CONN" formats
	are not supported. Also short hand notation using "{" and "}" chars
	are not supported. Normal ASCII out command will generate the proper
	"ROUTE" and expanded net and component placement formats.

   4.   Layer usage in ProCAD are mapped differently in PADS2000 and PADS-PCB.
	For example, ProCAD uses layer 20 for Top side traces, Layer 5 for
	pad master, while PADS uses layer 1 for Top side, and various layer
	combinations for pad stack. The import filter will allow you to map
	PADS2000/PADS-PCB pad stack to your choice of ProCAD layers. These
	are un-mapped layer numbers. Mapping will be performed automatically
	when the pad is placed on the bottom side of the board. (See note 2).

	Note: It is not necessary to re-map the Pad stack layers since those
	      mappings are performed in the translator dialog box (see above).

PROTEL (Autotrax) ASCII IN/OUT
------------------------------
This version of ProCAD may be used to Import and Export Protel Autotrax files.
If you plan to use this feature, please note the following limitation:

   1.   Only Autotrax (File format 4) files are recognized. If you are using
	Protel for windows, you should save your PCB file in this format
	before importing it into ProCAD. ProCAD will also export Autotrax
	file format.

OrCAD LIBRARY ASCII IMPORT
--------------------------
This version of ProCAD may be used to Import OrCAD library directly into ProCAD
Advanced for windows binary (".LIB") format. OrCAD library must be de-compiled
into an ASCII source file with a file extension of ".SRC" before importing into
ProCAD. Use the OrCAD DECOMP.EXE utility for this purpose. If you plan to use
this feature, please note the following limitation:

1. BITMAP sections of the OrCAD library source are ignored. You should convert
   them to VECTORS.

2. The CONVERSE (de-morgan) representation is not currently supported.

3. ProCAD import will translate power pins placed at "T0 and B0" locations to
   the appropriate RAT$VCC1 and RAT$GND1 tokens. Other power pins will be
   displayed at the defined location.

We are also in the process of adding other CAD software interfaces. Call us if 
you have a need for a specific interface.

If you have any problems with the installation or use of the software, please
feel free to give us a call.

TECH SUPPORT.
(408)-970-0852, Fax: (408)-986-0524, e-mail: support@icadsys.com

