Re: CAD tools compatibility ?


Brad Velander wrote:
Yes, Leon is just copying something.
lEON, you had better indicate what files/formats are what or you are
seriously misleading these guys. I don't see one library format that I
recognize despite Leon's comments.

There are several formats in there that are simply netlists (i.e. PADs
*.net & Accel *.net), not the schematics nor PCB files. Next you have the
problem that most nobody saves their files in some of those formats (i.e.
ascii, Protel *.ASC), so down the road you may not be able to readily deal
with them again unless you have some friend with the tools to correctly read
them and write the acceptable format/version files back out to an ascii
file.

Besides the basic information Leon has offered, there is surely
limitations on the actual file versions that it can import. In some cases
they may be well out of date versions. Don't be sure it will import any
current specific format unless the software supplier will guarantee you.
Then get ready to deal with the limitations of the compatibility upon
importing. This is true of even the best imports because most packages have
features or details which are not supported nor correctly converted on
import.

From what I have seen in over 20 years is that almost no package imports
or converts schematic files, it is just not worth the development time. A
schematic can be redrawn in a couple of days once you know your new tool.
PCBs do have converters because that can save you weeks if not months of
time to redevelop the PCB. Then you have to confirm that it is valid and the
same as the original, all big costs.


Those were schematic ASCII formats. It will also import the same PCB
design formats. I've only used the schematic facility on a few
occasions, but it worked very well. It will also export EDIF
schematics.

Here is the Help entry for Protel files:

"Protel PCB and Schematic designs and Schematic libraries in ASCII
format. Protel PCB footprint libraries can be opened in their Binary
library format.- Versions - Protel 98, Protel 99, Protel 99 SE and
Protel DXP (2002). (Protel DOS and Protel V2.x and 3.x formats are not
supported. Please contact your local sales office to check for
alternative solutions.)
Design types supported are for: Schematics and PCB
Library types supported are for: Schematic Symbols and PCB Footprints,
and Parts libraries"

Pulsonix has all the major packages, and have imported native format
files for me to one of them on a couple of occasions and saved them for
me as ASCII.

Leon

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: CAD tools compatibility ?
    ... I don't see one library format that I ... not the schematics nor PCB files. ... This is true of even the best imports because most packages ...
    (sci.electronics.cad)
  • Re: CAD tools compatibility ?
    ... I've had good results opening PCAD/Accel schematics, PCB files and libraries ... I don't see one library format that I ... Aren't OrCAD EDF files netlist only? ...
    (sci.electronics.cad)
  • Re: libtool
    ... the symbols in shared/static libraries? ... Of course, this is complete nonsense. ... How was a single uniform library file format ... If I write {int foo; ...
    (comp.lang.c)
  • Re: More on Coldfire BDM project
    ... More on the BDM adapter. ... Two files Protel '98 files are attached: ... The other is saving the files in Protel ASCII format, which can then be imported by some other systems. ... it should be straightforward to change the patches to suit - although it is almost certainly easier just to change your schematics a little. ...
    (comp.arch.embedded)
  • Re: References Problem???
    ... You are correct that the VBA library supplies the Format() function, ... that the reference that control the Format funtion would be VBA - ... afer reregistering the VBA and DAO 3.6 libraries with no effect I'm at a ... While my app isn't dead int he water I am stuck trying to put a new ...
    (microsoft.public.access.forms)