Protel to Accel/PCAD 200x
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 Protel PCB File
in the Ascii format which is genarated in the export area
of Protel PCB.
Here is a screen capture of the original Protel file and
the newly created Accel/PCAD file in CAMCAD.
Click
Here to Download the Original Protel Design File.
Click
Here to Download the Resulting Accel/PCAD 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 Protel PCB layer names are standard, the
electrical layers will be automatically mapped to the proper
layers in Accel/PCAD. There will always be layer names
we do not automatically handle, and these will automatically
be mapped to the same layer names in Accel/PCAD. 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 Accel/PCAD 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 Accel/PCAD ascii files.
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 Protel PCB ASCII Read,
now you are on your way to a good translation.
Click
here to be taken to the Protel PCB page in the Importing
section.
Click
here to be taken to the PFW.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 Accel/PCAD (.pcb) Layout Write. Then you are on
the way of making a new database for Accel/PCAD.
Click here
to be taken to the Accel/PCAD page in the Exporting section.
The Accel.out file, this file sets basic rules about the
Accel/PCAD 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 Accel/PCAD. To see more of the features just click
on the Accel.out page.
Click
here to be taken to the Accel.OUT file in the Exporting
section.
The Accel.chk file, this file sets basic rules for the naming
conventions in the Accel/PCAD files. The Accel.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 Accel.chk file arises because of limitations
on allowed characters and the number of characters for different
key fields within the Accel/PCAD 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 Accel.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 Protel PCB import log file in
the Importing section.
Click
here to be taken to the Accel/PCAD export log file in
the Exporting section.
Limitations
At the present time, we have not found any limitations in
the translation.
FAQs
Why are there DRC errors when I Import a Protel PCB file.
Some of the reasons are the same pin number called out in
2 different nets or plane areas which overlap.
Support
If you need further assistance, please contact RSI's Tech
Support Department at tech@rsi-inc.com.
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