DDE SuperMAX ECAD to PADS *.ASC File
Overview
Router Solutions' CAMCAD PCB Translator can prepare
data and translate a wide variety of ECAD formats to other
ECAD formats. More than just a black box translator, the Windows-based
application allows for sophisticated analysis of the data
prior to translation. If any adjustments or edits are required,
the thorough tool set allows users to make modifications.
This three step process, Import, Investigate/Edit, Export,
allows users the most flexibility for their ECAD translation.
CAMCAD PCB Translator reads in the SuperMAX ECAD DDE
File.
Here is a screen capture of the original DDE file and the
newly created PADS *.ASC file in CAMCAD.
Click
Here to Download the Original DDE SuperMAX Design File.
Click
Here to Download the Resulting PADS *.ASC File.
Layermap
In general ECAD layers can be divided into two major catagories,
electrical and non-electrical. Both types can be mapped in
our system to layers expected by the target system. Usually
translation of electrical layers is critical and needs to
be 100% accurate (or nearly so), while more flexibility is
allowed with non-electrical layers. Sometimes non-electrical
layers need to be combined to move the data successfully into
the target system. CAMCAD offers users full visibility
of layer mapping.
In general if the DDE SuperMAX ECAD layer names are standard,
the electrical layers will be automatically mapped to the
proper layers in PADS. There will always be layer names
we do not automatically handle, and these will automatically
be mapped to the same layer names in PADS. For your convenience
you can click here and get a standard layer map for your reference,
this layer map is set up for a 4 layer board.
If you do want to change a layer just
highlight the layer and hit "Edit", then select
the layer in PADS you want this highlighted layer to go to.
Once all your editing is complete (you might want to save
your layer file it at this time) just hit "Proceed"
then your on your way to making your PADS *.ASC file.
Translation
Process
Import
It is very easy to load your ready to be translated file
into CAMCAD PCB Translator, just go to File
| Import then select the DDE Layout Read, now
you are on your way to a good translation.
Click here
to be taken to the DDE SuperMAX ECAD page in the Importing
section.
Click here
to be taken to the DDE.IN File page in the Importing section.
Process
Once you have your file loaded into CAMCAD PCB Translator,
you may want to take a good look at what you are trying translate.
See if everything is there like traces, components, component
outlines, vias, board outline and good idea to check a couple
of pad stacks to see if they have the proper layers. Another
thing you might want to do is Purge the unused Geometries.
In addition to that only translate the active layers and you
might to consider removing any or all the grachics you really
do not need.
Export
Now your ready to export and that's as easy as the Import
was. Just go to File | Export now
select the PADS Power V3 Graphic Write. Then you are on the
way of making a new PADS *.ASC File.
Click here
to be taken to the PADS page in the Exporting section.
The PADS.out file, this file sets basic rules about the PADS
export that should not be hard coded in the software. Currently
there are several rules in this file. One of the major items
is it handles the Layer Mapping to the correct layers in PADS.
To see more of the features just click on the PADS.out page.
Click
here to be taken to the PADS.OUT file in the Exporting
section.
The pads.chk file, this file sets basic rules for the naming
conventions in the PADS files. The pads.chk file is rather
involved and should not be modified unless the user possesses
a through understanding of the cause and effect of each line
in the file. This file is well documented with the file itself,
but a general overview of the file is provided in this document
to aid in understanding why it exist and how it works.
The need for the pads.chk file arises because of limitations
on allowed characters and the number of characters for different
key fields within the PADS file format. Since these limitation
often times change and users may want to implement varying
methods to adapt for the limitations, the concept of the .chk
file was introduced. The pads.chk file is separated into six
basic sections.
Log File
There are 2 log files normally generated, 1 is on the import
and the other is on the export. These log files will report
findings which CAMCAD PCB Translator, when we export
we may find items which the new CAD System may have a problem
with. You can find further discriptions of these log files
at the folling links.
Click
here to be taken to the DDE SuperMAX ECAD import log file
in the Importing section.
Click
here to be taken to the PADS export log file in the Exporting
section.
Limitations
At the present time, we have not found any limitations in
the translation.
FAQs
There are none at this time.
Support
If you need further assistance, please contact RSI's Tech
Support Department at tech@rsi-inc.com.
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