Meaning of the terms used in the Multisim and Ultiboard database

[cliff1001]

Hello Users: 

National Instruments provides a lot of examples with their software, however the documentation lacks definitions and specifications.  This is true with Multisim and Ultiboard, as well as Labview.

Here are a few terms used in Multisim-Ultiboard:

part

package

footprint

component

Please help determine what these terms mean.  I offer a few observations below.  Do you have anything to add? 

When viewing the package database in Multisim, edit_package->Select from database, there is a column called "package" , and a column called " Ultiboard footprint" . 

 When Viewing the database in Ultiboard, there is a column called "parts".  This column contains the "package", not the "ultiboard footprint"

There are "packages" in the database that have the same name as the "Ultiboard footprint".  However, they are different things.  There are multiple "packages" in the ultiboard database that share the same "footprint".   Many of the "packages" have a blank "footprint". 

Some of the "packages" in the database are not used by any "components" .  ("Components" are the objects used by Multisim, which involve the schematic symbol and other stuff.)

  There is an IPC naming convention for electronic components that contains their part type and size. The Ultiboard database at times uses the IPC names, sometimes in the "package", and sometimes in the "footprint".  (Using the names in the footprint is probably incorrect usage).   

Perhaps "package" is meant to mean the manufacture's name for the package used by their part?  

Why are there all the extra columns in the data list for the Ultiboard database? (i,e, PADs footprint and so on)?  

[eltico]

Hi cliff1001,

You are right about the terminology. There isn't much to add about it but I want to share the links below for more information:

http://www.ni.com/tutorial/11212/en/

http://www.ni.com/tutorial/3173/en/

http://www.ni.com/tutorial/5631/en/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hD2gsC_zV0

http://www.ni.com/pdf/manuals/374488c.pdf

http://www.ni.com/pdf/manuals/374483d.pdf

Regards,

PedroR

[GlennMsmith]

The tutorials need to be updated.  There is no Select a Footprint button, as indicated in step 2 of http://www.ni.com/tutorial/3173/en/.  There is only Select a Package, which seems to give me only the footprint attached to that package.  

I have 2 designs using the same package, but apparently different footprints.  I cannot find where to specify the footprint for the 2nd  design.  I can only see it in the ultiboard properties screen. I can't type a new value in. Nor can I find the file location from the 1st design.

Bottom line is there is confusion between package and footprint.  I can specify a package but not the footprint.