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Review of Slam Edit |
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| Author: Sarah_Walton | |
| Review Date: 10/10/2002 | |
| Tool Expereince: 2 years | |
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My company switched to the Slam layout tool two years ago. My primary function is analog and some custom digital layout. I find that the slam layout tool is extremely easy to use and offers the same, if not more drawing and file management options than tools of much greater cost.
There are a number of features of the Slam layout tool that I find to be exemplary for increasing layout efficiency. First is the user programmability of the tool. Our cad department has written scripts using tcl and the included slam commands, to draw a variety of devices (resistors, buses, transistors, capacitors, etc.) with user specified parameters.
Another great feature of the tool is the saving function after a crash. Personally, I have found that the Slam tool rarely crashes, but in the unfortunate event when there is a crash, data is saved, so there is little layout time lost.
I believe the greatest weakness of the tool is the texting. The tool philosophy does not encompass changing text orientation to a readable format in flipped and/or rotated blocks. Reading text can be trying. There are a lot of clicks involved with the layout. Users who are used to other drawing conventions (i.e. strokes) will probably balk at first use. Give the tool a weeks use, and I believe the Slam drawing perks outweigh the change in clicks.
There are a number of layout commands that I find extremely convenient, however, trying to describe them is beyond the scope of this review. The tool creates a standard GDSII output as well as verilog and spice. Stabiesoft is extremely easy to contact with any questions or comments. Everyone at my company has found that needs for modifications, bugs, and tool improvements are quickly acted on. I would strongly recommend trying the free 30 day evaluation copy.
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