Accel EDA, PCAD 200x, Tango

Overview

CAMCAD reads an Accel/PCAD2000 file format called an ASCII .PCB file. This is an ASCII file that is very easy to create in Accel/PCAD2000. For directions on creating this file in Accel or PCAD 200x, please see the original system file generation section.

Versions Supported

CAMCAD supports Accel EDA v.14 and v.15, Tango Pro v.12 & 13 (Not Tango Series II and prior) and PCAD 200x (.pcb).

Specific Import Procedures

The Accel, PCAD 200x and Tango import procedure does not vary from the generic file import procedure. Simply select the File | Import command and choose the Accel EDA, PCAD 200x (.PCB) Layout Read option from the Import File Format menu. Next, navigate to the .PCB file and select it. CAMCAD will then import the file according to the settings in the default rules file.

The default rules file is Accel.in and is found in the CAMCAD directory. See Accel.in File for more information regarding the use of this file.

Tips, Notes and Importing Questions

How is Component Height information recognized from Accel/PCAD 200x?

In Accel and PCAD 200x the common method for assigning height information to a component is through adding a component attribute of "ComponentHeight" to the shape and assigning it a value equal to the components height. Prior to Accel v15 the height was always specified in Accel database units in the ASCII data file. From Accel v15 through the current version, PCAD 200x, attributes carry a "ConstraintUnit" identifier which specifies the unit of measurement for the attribute value. Accel allows designs in MM or Mils. The design default value for the "ConstraintUnit" will be the same as the design units. If the library designer has not taken care to specify the "ConstraintUnit" for the attribute then the design default will be used and may not reflect the true unit for the height specified.

Are Alpha-Numeric Pins, or more specifically Pin Names, Supported?

CAMCAD currently supports only the Pad definitions in the patternDef for assigning pin numbers. Each Pad defined will receive as its pad number the assigned PadNum for this pad instance in the patternDef. It is understood that the netlist section of the Accel/PCAD 200x references the pinName defined in the compPin assignment of the compDef. This whole process is further complicated with the attachment of a patternDef to the compDef which is followed by a padNum (from the patternDef) to compPinRef (compPin number from the compDef) mapping in the padPinMap. Although CAMCAD does not retain this complex mapping from pattern pin number to component pin number to component pin name in the final results which are displayed, this complex mapping is retained during the import process for the reverse mapping of component pin names in the netlist back to the pattern pin numbers which are used in CAMCAD. Our CAMCAD customers can rest assured that the electrical integrity and the accuracy of netlist and x,y pin data of their imported Accel/PCAD 200x design data will remain 100% intact.

CAMCAD currently reverts back to the original Pad Numbers from the CAD file and all objects (i.e. Component inserts and Nets) will reference the correct Pad Number. This is not an error in our system and should not result in the creation of any erroneous data. This is a currently known limitation in the system and has been issued as an Enhancement to the Accel and PCAD 200x readers. There is no time-line or expected completion date for this enhancement.