Article ID: 000081097 Content Type: Product Information & Documentation Last Reviewed: 02/26/2008

How can I start SOPC Builder in Quartus II 7.2 (and later) in the "classic" GUI?

Environment

BUILT IN - ARTICLE INTRO SECOND COMPONENT
Description

To start SOPC Builder in the classic mode for backaward compatability with SOPC Builder designs built before Quartus® II 7.1 you can use one of the following ways:

1)     When you open a pre-7.1 SOPC Builder design (based on the .ptf file) in SOPC Builder, you will see a dialog box which provides the option of opening your system in "classic" mode or port your design to the new .sopc file format.

2)     From the Nios II command shell you need to switch to the project directory and type:

  --classic <project_name>

3)     If you want the classic SOPC Builder GUI to open up from Quartus II, you need to set the following environment variable for Quartus II 7.2 and later:

SOPC_BUILDER_CLASSIC = 1

and then restart Quartus II. 

For Quartus II 7.2 and later, the SOPC_BUILDER_CLASSIC enviroment variable will override the SOPC_BUILDER_PREVIEW variable used in Quartus II 7.1.

To add this environment variable in Windows do the following steps :

Exit the Quartus II software.

Open the windows Control Panel (Start -> Settings -> Control Panel ).

Double click on the System icon to open the System Properties window.

In the Systems Properteis window, click on the Advance tab.

In the Advance tab click on the Environment Variables button to open the Environment Variables window.

In the Environment Variables window, click on the New button under the System variables section to open the New System Variable window.

In the New System Variable window, enter "SOPC_BUILDER_CLASSIC" for a Variable name and "1" for the Variable value.

Click the OK button to close the New System Variable window.

Click the OK button to close the Environment Variables window.

Click the OK button to close the Systems Properties window.

 

NOTE:  If you migrate your SOPC Builder design to the new 7.1 SOPC Builder format (.sopc files) it can't be reverted back to the old format.  You should keep an original copy of your design before migrating your design to the new 7.1 SOPC Builder format.