Installing CADSTAR - where have my files gone?

Just a little something that occasionally affects those that have Windows Vista/Windows 7  onwards.

During the CADSTAR installation you are prompted for the paths to install to, this is split into two paths - Program and User files.

Program files go into: C:\Program Files\Zuken\Cadstar13.0\Program

User files by default go into Public\Zuken\Cadstar13\.....

Later on when trying to find files the user - perhaps having recently upgraded from Windows XP cannot find half of the installed files - where is this elusive public folder and what is the point of it?

While I know where it it and it is supposed to be for sharing your files it is generally better to put your shared files on a network shared drive etc.

So during the install I ALWAYS copy the path for the program files to the user files path before continuing.

Saves a lot of hassle, confusion and head scratching.

Anyway - that is what I and a lot of others do -it is up to you what you do.

Update: As an update to this I want to mention that sometimes (Especially with Windows 7) Microsoft consider us all incompetent and do not allow us to write to files within the Program Files folder, this is why a lot of stuff gets put in public. So if you do as I have advised then you may also need to take ownership of the Zuken folder and all subfolders below it. (Mr Google can tell you how).

Who want's a CADSTAR library with over 17,000 parts in it?

Did you know that along with the free CADSTAR Express demo version you can also get a sample of the online library that maintenance customers only get access to?

There is a free library containing 17,400+ parts including manufacturers such as:

AMD, Fairchild, Hitachi, Intel, IRF, Maxim, Microchip, Motorola, Nat Semi, OnSemi, Philips, Texas, Vishay, Xilinx and Zetex.

Need a Microchip Pic or Xilinx processor, there are over 1000. 1600+ Maxim parts.

The symbol library also has within it over 17,000 schematic symbols in and IPC7351 least, nominal and most component library's for the parts.

If the exact part you need is not there then surely there is something similar that can be renamed/modified to suit your needs.

It is available here after you have registered, download - install and enjoy.

Even maintenance customers would benefit from downloading this (also available in the support downloads section) as it would save them downloading individually from the online library.