LogicWorks 3 FAQ
LogicWorks 4 users, please check the LogicWorks 4 FAQ as the As and Qs tend to be different!
This page answers the most common tech support questions we get for LogicWorks. Please have a look here before you call or email for support!
How do I get technical support for LogicWorks?
Installation Support is available through the Pearson Higher Education Media Product Assistance Hotline at:
- Tel: 1-800-677-6337 M-F (8:00AM to 5:00PM CST)
- Fax: 847-486-2595
- email: media.support@pearsoned.com
PLEASE NOTE: Capilano Computing does not provide direct phone technical support for LogicWorks. If Pearson cannot answer your question, they will contact us.
We regret that we cannot provide direct support to students on circuit design or general program operation issues. Other support issues that are not covered in this FAQ can be directed by email to tech@capilano.com.
What are the differences between LogicWorks 3 and LogicWorks 4?
LogicWorks 4 was a major new version of LogicWorks, released December, 1998, with a number of smaller updates since. Here is a summary of the changes:
Windows Version
 | LW 4 is a full 32-bit application. This means that it is faster and does not have the directory restrictions in LW 3, but it also means that LW 4 will not run under Windows 3.x. |
| LW 4 has an updated user interface with adjustable toolbars, docking windows, etc. |
| New library parts palette with preview and "all libraries" option. |
| New copy/paste options with Windows Metafile export for enhanced graphics. |
| New PROM/RAM/PLA Wizard simplifies creating programmable devices. |
| New Sheet Size Wizard provides many border and sheet size options. |
| Many small editing features. |
Macintosh Version
| New PROM/RAM/PLA Assistant simplifies creating programmable devices. |
In addition, LogicWorks 4 owners are eligible to download an ongoing series of free upgrade patches as they become available.
How do I upgrade from LogicWorks 3 to LogicWorks 4?
Sorry, there is no upgrade path available from LogicWorks 3 to LogicWorks 4. You have to buy a complete new unit.
How do I get the latest version of LogicWorks 3?
If you already own LogicWorks 3, you can download a patch that will upgrade it to the latest version, 3.0.3. The patch requires that you already have 3.0.0, 3.0.1 or 3.0.2 installed. If you already have 3.0.2 then the main change in this version is Windows NT4.0 compatibility in the Windows version. There are no new features.
Click here to download the LogicWorks for Windows 3.0.3 patcher (2,200K).
Does LogicWorks work with Windows 95?
LogicWorks versions 3.0.1 and later work with Windows 95.
LogicWorks Version 3.0.0 does NOT work perfectly under Windows 95. If you display a menu, then click on either a title bar or the unused portion of the menu then LogicWorks will hang.
Does LogicWorks work with Windows NT4.0?
LogicWorks 3.0.3 does work with Windows NT 4.0. Earlier versions do not work correctly.
Why doesn't LogicWorks run after I install IE 4.0?
Some LogicWorks users have reported problems with LogicWorks not running after they have installed Microsoft's Internet Explorer 4.0. This is due to the fact that, as a side effect, IE4.0 turns on the "Show window contents while dragging" option permanently without giving you the option to turn it off. For reasons beyond our control, the current version of LogicWorks is not compatible with this option. In order to give you an easy way to turn this option on and off at your discretion, we have made a simple tool that you can download. It consists of only a single file and does not require any installation other than unzipping it.
Instructions:
| Click here to download the ScreenDiddler tool (70K). |
| Unzip the ScreenDiddler.exe file to any convenient location on your computer. (You might want to put it in the LogicWorks folder LW303.) |
| Run ScreenDiddler.exe by double-clicking on it. |
| Use the switch to turn off the "show window contents while dragging" option. |
| LogicWorks should now run OK. If you want to turn the option back on at any time, just run ScreenDiddler again. |
Why does LogicWorks hangs with the Windows 95 Plus Pack installed?
Why does LogicWorks hang under Windows NT 4.0?
LogicWorks for Windows will not work if the Windows 95/NT Plus option of Full-window drag has been enabled. To disable this option:
- a) Use the right mouse button to click the desktop, and then click Properties.
- b) Click on the Plus! tab.
- c) Ensure that the "Show window contents while dragging" checkbox has been de-selected.
If you can't find the Plus! tab in your control panel, see Why doesn't LogicWorks run after I install IE 4.0? above. It's actually the same problem and this provides an alternate solution.
Why does LogicWorks generate the error message that it needs TrueType fonts installed?
LogicWorks uses TrueType fonts for all text display and for printing because TrueType fonts can be rotated. Follow the directions in the error message to install and enable the use of TrueType fonts. If you have followed the directions in the error message and are still getting the error then TrueType fonts are not the problem. In a few, rare, cases the root of the problem has been identified as a corrupted system file and was solved by re-installing Windows or Windows 95.
Why do I get a message indicating LogicWorks can't find an initial printer to get dimensions from ... and I can't print?
LogicWorks reserves a certain amount of memory for internal printing structures. Many printer drivers are now being developed that require more memory than was being reserved. This has been fixed in Version 3.0.1 of LogicWorks.
You may have success in printing by obtaining the latest version of the printer driver directly from the printer manufacturer.
Why doesn't a dialog appear when I select Print Setup or Print?
The print record associated with the schematic has either been corrupted or contains undecodable information about a printer you no longer have access to. The print record can be disposed of by selecting Print Setup while holding the Ctrl key.
How do I get LogicWorks Version 3.0.0 to read files saved using LogicWorks Version 3.0.1 and later?
Information about the current printer is saved in each LogicWorks design file. The format of this information has changed in LogicWorks Version 3.0.1. Older versions of LogicWorks for Windows cannot directly read files saved using LogicWorks Version 3.0.1 or later. However, printer information can be removed before saving a design file, thereby making it readable by previous versions of LogicWorks:
- a) Hold the CTRL key down while selecting the Print Setup command from the File menu in the schematic window.
- b) Press OK when asked if you want to delete the printer information.
- c) Save the LogicWorks design file. It now contains NO printer information and can be read by a previous version of LogicWorks.
Why doesn't LogicWorks open my Libraries at Startup?
LogicWorks uses its initialization file (lw.ini) to determine which library files to open. See the appendix section in the manual for information on the format and keywords of the initialization file.
Can I share my files with LogicWorks on Macintosh?
LogicWorks files saved using Version 3.x are directly compatible across both platforms.
Can LogicWorks be installed on a Novell Server?
Yes, but there is only one initialization file (LW.INI) for all users and there is only one state file for all users (LWSTATE.INI). The state file is used to save window positions between invocations of LogicWorks. Windows will "jump" between sessions if more than one user has write access to this directory.
Why don't my switches toggle state when I click on them?
The Simulator must be running. Select Simulator from the Tools menu, click on the run button and ensure the simulator speed is appropriate.
Why can't I get rid of the Unknown values (X in a probe, undetermined values in the Timing Window)?
Some circuits with feedback will propagate unknowns indefinitely. In the real world the circuit would reach a determinate state because of the analog characteristics of real electronics. Unfortunately, LogicWorks only does digital simulations. Manual intervention is required to clear these unknowns. Select Simulator from the Tools menu, click on the Clear X button (to clear these unknowns).
Why don't my signals always connect?
LogicWorks only tests the end points and corners of a moving or new signal when determining if it should be attached to an existing signal.
For example, placing a breakout and dragging a bus ACROSS the breakout without terminating the bus AT the breakout will NOT result in a connection of the breakout to the bus.
How do I create a simulation subcircuit for a symbol?
There are a variety of ways of creating a subcircuit and attaching it to a symbol for simulation purposes. Here is a simple procedure that works, although you can use your knowledge of the package to try different procedures.
We will assume we are making a subcircuit containing only a 2-input AND gate.
- Make a new, empty circuit window by selecting the File/New Design command.
- Create the subcircuit, adding Port Connector symbols for each location where you want to make a connection to a pin on the parent symbol. In this case: Place an AND-2 gate from the Primitive Gates (primgate.clf) library. To the left of the gate, place two Port In devices from the Connectors (connect.clf) library. Connect the pins on the Port In devices to the inputs on the AND gate. Place a Port Out device to the right of the AND gate and connect it to the output pin on the gate.
- Place unique port names on the three port connectors using the pencil tool. Specifically: Select the pencil tool in the tool palette. Click on the first Port In symbol. Type the name "INA" and hit Enter. Click on the next Port In symbol and type "INB" and Enter. Click on the Port Out symbol and type "OUT" and Enter. The subcircuit is now complete. You don't need to save it.
- Select the Tools/DevEditor command.
- In the Options menu in the DevEditor window select the Subcircuit/Part Type command.
- Select the second option "Create a subcircuit symbol and store the subcircuit with it". When you click on this option, a box will appear containing a list of all open circuits. Select the one you just created.
- Click the Done button on the Subcircuit/Part Type box. You should now see the three pin names in the pin list on the left.
- Select the Autocreate Symbol command in the DevEditor's Options menu.
- Click the Extract Pin List button. This will place the three pin names in the appropriate boxes.
- Click the Generate button. This will create a symbol. You can modify the symbol graphics if you want.
- Select the Save As command in the DevEditor's File menu and save the new part to your own library. Do not modify any of the standard LogicWorks libraries.
Your part is now ready to use. Create a new, empty design and verify that it operates like an AND gate.