IDF import

[dgowans]

Apologies in advance for a somewhat off-topic post.....

I've been playing around with the IDF import capability (CircuitWorks lite) that's bundled with SWX. I can get basic board geometry to be created, but I'm having no luck getting any SMT components to be created with height - they come in as sketches only. It's my understanding that components should come in as extruded features, is this correct?

I assume the difficulty getting component heights is a function of how the Orcad file is structured; does anyone know how the component height information gets stored in a PCB layout package? Are there any resources available that describe how a PCB layout should be structured for successful import into SWX? I really don't have a need to have bi-directional data transfer so I'm going to have to make do with the functionality that comes with SWX.

 

[rfus]

If this is something you are really interested in you should have a talk with the CircuitWorks guys over in England.

We use Orcad to produce schematics and Allegro for layout. The height of the components is set in the part library and this metadata is carried over into the idf file and interperated as extrusion height, where the part outline is used as the sketch. You should look into the Orcad Layout package and find where to set this height property. If you still don't get any success try a different format for output, or like I said, send an email to the circuitworks guys with an example of your output after you have investigated if these parameters are set in Orcad.

Max heights will help design sheild cans or form factors, but a PCB with a bunch of extruded blocks on it isn't much help if you ask me. Personally, I am usually only interested in the footprints. I create all other elctro/mechanical type PCB elements or download them from the vendors. I look into chip and inductor heights, but going through the data sheets on the shematic BOM usually helps identify what parts need to be modeled and used in assembly. I then use the sketch footprints to mate these critical parts.

RFUS

 

[ctopher]

You need a library of parts. If there isn't a library, I think you can change settings within CircuitWorks to make the parts extrude to a predetermined height.
I played with it a couple years ago, that was the conclusion I came up with.
I suggest go through the help files.

Chris
SolidWorks 06 5.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 02-10-07)

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Chris ... that must have been the full CircuitWorks you played with. Apparently CircuitWorks Lite doesn't have a library.

http://www.priware.com/common/cwlite.aspx

See if any of these videos will help;

http://www.priware.com/common/CWProductTour.aspx

 

[dgowans]

When I'm importing PCB files I'm getting two files from our layout people - a .brd file and a .emp file, which is the component library as it comes out of Orcad. We've found a place to specify component height in the schematic portion of Orcad and this should carry forward into the layout portion. We'll be testing this later today, I hope.

 

[ctopher]

CBL, yes, it was the full version.
dgowans, yes there are settings in OrCAD (and maybe VectorCAD if used) and CircuitWorks to make this work.

Chris
SolidWorks 06 5.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 02-10-07)