Automation
No matter how many features or how much functionality is added to the Mentor toolset, there are always cases where customers need something more or slightly different than what is currently available. Automation support has been developed to satisfy the immediate needs of these customers. The functionality of the layout design tools, including selected library management and schematic capture tools has been exposed through an automation layer. This automation layer allows users to access and modify data in these tools by creating scripts in several different standard programming languages on different hardware platforms. These scripts allow users to quickly and easily extend the functionality of their basic Mentor tools so that team members can focus on only those actions that are important in their roles.
Automation Basic
Automation Basic allows users to get data from or put data into a running application. They can access every piece of data and existing functionality that is exposed as well as catch events such as mouse movement and mouse clicks. This capability allows them to create customized reports and cross-probe between different applications while an environment can be set up so scripts or forms are automatically loaded every time the application starts.
Automation Pro
Automation Pro includes a forms builder that allows users to create custom dialogs. The forms builder also allows users to encrypt scripts and dialogs so they can run but not modify the scripts and dialogs. Additionally, Automation Pro allows access to the output engines, allowing users to automate the creation of all necessary output files for design fabrication. This functionality can greatly improve productivity and reliability as it provides a consistent, repeatable process.
