Commonly Used Folders and User Files

[Eric Haugen]

The default location for PCb123 is:


C:\Program Files\Sunstone Circuits\PCB123 V4

PCB123 uses a different location to store User Files. I will only review the commonly used folders and their contents. If you have additional questions please contact customer support. Your libraries, designs, backup files, board templates, user preferences, and PCB123 start up files can be found in one of the following locations.

XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\PCB123



Vista and Win 7: C:\ProgramData\PCB123
Please note this folder is made invisble by default in Windows Vista/7.

BackupFiles – Contains the PCB123 created auto backups. PCB123 automatically creates a backup every 10 minutes. The backups are labeled the filename_Backup1.123, filename_Backup2.123, filename_Backup3.123. PCB123 stores 5 backups then begins to overwrite the backups after an hour.




BoardTemplates – The board outline templates that you see in the new board wizard can be found here. These are commonly used standard board templates which you can use, modify and share with other users. Any template that you create is also stored in this folder. To share a template you can email the template (.xml)file from this folder to another PCB123 user. All of the board outline edits and part placements will be saved in the template.



Designs – The default storage location for PCB123 design files. Unless you specify an alternate location when you save your files you will find you .123 files here.

[Eric Haugen]

Lib - All of the libraries that are installed with PCB123 can be found here. Within this folder you will find a Custom folder. All of the libraries you create are stored in the Custom folder. Inside the Lib folder you will find the following:

The Standard folder contains the generic parts that are displayed in the taxonomy.



The Ultra folder contains the majority of the parts that we provide with the PCB123 download. Please see the Ultra Library folder in the PCB123 taxonomy to review these parts.

• .sym files are Schematic symbol libraries
  .slb files are Layout footprint libraries
  .tax files are Taxonomy files. This file type stores the associations you create using the parts manager.

[Eric Haugen]

Preferences – The default user preferences settings are stored here. If you save any custom user preferences settings the saved preferences file will be found here. You can view the PCB123 user preferences by selecting View > User Preferences.

SampleDesigns – A sample PCB123 design is saved here. You will find a two version of the sample board here one routed and one unrouted. The data sheets used to create the parts on the design are also included.

[Sal Hernandez]

Make sure you are running the same v4 version. If one computer is using v4.1.19 and the other is using an older version, files created in the new release will not open in any of the previous v4 releases.