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What Dynamic Text Variables does FAB 3000 support?

Dynamic text variables change textual value of any text string.  For example, a variable for the date always displays the current date, as set by the system. Dynamic text variables can be located anywhere within a text string. Dynamic Variables are extremely used during Panelization.  They are distinguished by the prefix $$, as in $$DATE-MMDDYY for the current date.  FAB3000, ACE 2D/3D Translator, CloudDFM.com, and CAM Library support these dynamic variables.


Note:  All Dynamic Text Variables are Case-Sensitive and should be UPPER CASE.


New:  CALCULATE MATH Expressions {{ .. }}

(Requires FAB V8.6+) Mathematically calculate values of any Text string inside double brackets {{ ... }}    Here's a few examples that calculate the values inside a text label string:

  • "Half Panel Width: {{ $$PANEL_WIDTH/2.0 }}  $$PANEL_UNITS "
  • "Y Value Scaled by 10X = {{  $$Y * 10.0 }}"

Date/Time Variables:

  • $$DATE-MMDDYY date expressed as month/day/year (short)
  • $$DATE-DDMMYY date expressed as day/month/year (short)
  • $$DATE-MMDDYYYY date expressed as month/day/year
  • $$DATE-DDMMYYYY date expressed as month/day/year (last two digits)
  • $$DD day of month (01-31)
  • $$WEEK-DAY day of week (Sunday-Saturday)
  • $$MM month of year (01-12)
  • $$YY year (12)
  • $$YYYY year (2012)
  • $$WW week of year (1-52)
  • $$TIME current time

Workspace Variables: 

  • $$CELL name of current cell (active job/panel)
  • $$INSERT_NAME name of inserted job/panel  
  • $$INSERT_REFNUMBER numbered reference of insert.  
  • $$JOB name of current cell (active job/panel).  Same as $$Cell added for compatibility with ODB++ format.
  • $$STEP name of inserted job/panel.  Same as $$INSERT_NAME added for compatibility with ODB++ format.
  • $$LAYER name of layer where text is placed
  • $$LAYER_TYPE type of layer where text is placed
  • $$LAYER_SUBTYPE subtype of layer where text is placed
  • $$LAYER_THICKNESS thickness of layer where text is placed (inch)  
  • $$LAYER_THICKNESS_MM thickness of layer where text is placed (mm)
  • $$LAYERS_TOTAL total count of metal layers for active cell
  • $$STACKUP_TOTAL total count of metal and dielectric layers for active cell  
  • $$X bottom left x-coordinate of where text is placed (inch)
  • $$Y bottom left y-coordinate of where text is placed (inch)
  • $$X_MM bottom left x-coordinate of where text is placed (mm)
  • $$Y_MM bottom left y-coordinate of where text is placed (mm)
  • $$TOTAL_THICKNESS PCB Total Thickness  (inch) 
  • $$TOTAL_THICKNESS_MM PCB Total Thickness  (mm)
  • $$WORKSPACE_NAME workspace name (if available)
  • $$UNITS current workspace units.  Either: inch, mil, centimeter or millimeter
  • $$UNITS_SHORT current workspace units  Either: in., mil, cm. or mm. 

Attribute/Property Variables:

  • $$#<property_name> value of any object property.  
    • Requires $$# followed by a property name.
    • Example:   "Component Part Name is: $$#PART_NAME"
  • $$<.attribute>     value of any object attribute.
    • Attribute names always begin with a period .   
    • To review all available attributes, go to menu: Setup | System Attributes | All..
    • Example:  "The Component Height is: $$.comp_height ($$UNITS_SHORT)"

PANEL Variables:

  • $$PANEL_UNITS units of Panel. Either: inch or millimeter
  • $$PANEL_UNITS_SHORT units of Panel. Abbreviated units as either: in. or mm. 
  • $$PANEL_WIDTH width of Panel. Panel units will be used.
  • $$PANEL_HEIGHT height of Panel. Panel units will be used.
  • $$PANEL_THICKNESS Panel total thickness.
  • $$PANEL_TOTAL number of jobs inserted into the panel.
  • $$PANEL_SPACING_X default X spacing between inserted jobs.
  • $$PANEL_SPACING_Y default Y spacing between inserted jobs.
  • $$PANEL_MARGIN_LEFT left margin value of panel. 
  • $$PANEL_MARGIN_RIGHT right margin value of panel.
  • $$PANEL_MARGIN_TOP top margin value of panel.  
  • $$PANEL_MARGIN_BOTTOM bottom margin value of panel.

USER SPECIFIC Dynamic Text Variables:

  • $$COMPANY_NAME Your company name. 
  • $$CONTACT_NAME Your name.
  • $$PHONE Your contact phone number. 
  • $$EMAIL Your contact email address.


Note:   These values are predefined in the menu: Setup / Options... dialog.  Press tab "Misc" and enter the appropriate values such as "Your Name", "Your Company", "Your Email Address", etc.  They will then be accessible by Dynamic Text, and other generated reports.


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