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Printed Circuit Boards

Printed Circuit Boards

Printed Circuit Boards

(OP)
I’m testing out Desktop EDA and I’m wondering about its versatility. I’m not overly familiar with the file extensions used in the industry and I’m hoping someone might be able to shed some light on the subject. This software imports/exports files with an EMN or EMP file extension. It appears that there are options for what I’m assuming are various software packages (Allegro, Cadence, Orcad), but all with the EMN/EMP file extensions. I only have a week left on the trial and need to get the review done. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
CAD Administrator
SW '07 SP1.0, Dell M90, Intel 2 Duo Core, 2GB RAM, nVidia 2500M
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

RE: Printed Circuit Boards

I thought IDF was the standard translation format for PCB information.

cheers

RE: Printed Circuit Boards

(OP)
That's interesting, CBL. Everything works as it's supposed to with the Desktop EDA addin running. I'm guessing that the list hasn't been updated?

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
CAD Administrator
SW '07 SP1.0, Dell M90, Intel 2 Duo Core, 2GB RAM, nVidia 2500M
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

RE: Printed Circuit Boards

JMirisola,
We have Orcad here and what we do is export the board as an IDF as ctopher mention. Take the export file .emn and import into SW using File/Open/IDF (*.EMN;*.BRD;*.BDF;*.IDB) and you'll see the Orcad file extension .emn. Select it and it should import fine into SW. The bigger the file, the longer the import. SW only teases you with this and is very generic. There is a third party software called CircuitWorks which give all the bells a whistles.

Here’s a link:
http://www.priware.com/common/Circuitworks.aspx

Macduff spin
Colin Fitzpatrick
Mechanical Design Engineer
Solidworks 2006 SP 4.1
Dell 380 XP Pro SP 2
nVida Quadro FX 3450/4000



RE: Printed Circuit Boards

Thanks Colin. I was searching for the thread, but you covered it.

Chris
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 10-27-06)

RE: Printed Circuit Boards

So you are running the SolidWorks IDF 3D Modeller add-in?

Quote (Desktop EDA Site):

The SolidWorks/IDF 3D Modeler is a Bi-directional translator between SolidWorks and IDF. IDF is an industry standard that allows the exchange of PCB design data between ECAD and MCAD systems. You can create SolidWorks assemblies of your PCB designs. You can also modify the SolidWorks PCB assembly and send the changes back to the PCB CAD system.

I've only seen demo PCB software so am not overly familiar with it.

cheers

RE: Printed Circuit Boards

(OP)
Thanks, Macduff. I'm testing/reviewing Desktop EDA for my blog, and I was curious about the file extensions.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
CAD Administrator
SW '07 SP1.0, Dell M90, Intel 2 Duo Core, 2GB RAM, nVidia 2500M
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

RE: Printed Circuit Boards

(OP)
Yes, CBL, I am running it and, from what I can tell, it works excellently. My biggest issue has been with a couple of errors in the help file...smile
It's sort of a double-edged sword, writing the review blog. I get try out software and hardware from SW partners, but some of the software packages are in areas outside of my experience. I'm guessing that it will be a positive for the various SW partners if someone like me can actually use their stuff with ease. It means that other, more knowledgeable people will be able to use it easier.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
CAD Administrator
SW '07 SP1.0, Dell M90, Intel 2 Duo Core, 2GB RAM, nVidia 2500M
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

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