Re: CAD tools compatibility ?

Robert Lacoste wrote:
We are looking for a new CAD system, mainly for the schematic phase as our
routing is 99% subcontracted. Our subcontractors are using mid to high range
products (PADS, Protel or CADSTAR). So the question : Do you know if these
tools are able to import a schematic designed with a lower cost CAD tool
(say Eagle or Proteus/Isis for example) ? I guess that the netlist could be
imported but I would like to know if the schematic itself can be imported
too.

It's one thing to export a netlist from a schematic program.

It's another thing to ensure that the layout tool can deal with not
only the netlist, but also the component packages. Your schematic
program needs to work with the same libraries as the layout tool. When
you place an OP275 symbol on the schematic, somehow that symbol must
tell the layout program that it needs to use the SOIC-8 package instead
of the DIP-8.

Basically, you'll have to use the schematic capture program that goes
with your contractor's layout program. If they use PADS, you'll need
PADS. If they use DXP, you need DXP. If they use PCAD, you need PCAD.
Equally as important, you'll need to use their libraries, or at the
least you'll have to create your own library that you'll share with
them.

-a

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Finding Components in P-Cad
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    (sci.electronics)
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    ... Idid some searching on the pcad site and they offer a search facility. ... >> schematics. ... >> Are you supposed to load all the libraries and then do a query for the ... > If you ever want to lay down different types of pads in Pattern Editor ...
    (sci.electronics)
  • Re: Cheap Schematic Capture
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    (sci.electronics.cad)
  • Re: Low cost PCB layout software
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