Protel to Cadence Allegro
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.
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 Allegro. There will always be layer names we
do not automatically handle, and these will automatically be
mapped to the same layer names in Allegro. 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 Allegro 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 Allegro 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 Cadence Allegro PCB (Script) Write. Then you are
on the way of making a new database for Cadence Allegro.
Click
here to be taken to the Allegro page in the Exporting
section.
The Allegro.out file, this file sets basic rules about the
Cadence Allegro 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 Cadence Allegro. To see more of the
features just click on the Allegro.out page.
Click
here to be taken to the Allegro.OUT file in the Exporting
section.
The Allegro.chk file, this file sets basic rules for the
naming conventions in the Cadence Allegro files. The Allegro.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 Allegro.chk file arises because of limitations
on allowed characters and the number of characters for different
key fields within the Cadence Allegro 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 Allegro.chk file is separated
into six basic sections.
Link to .chk file (yet to be created)
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 Allegro 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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