Eagle PCB and PCB Library Translator. February 2016

Transcription

1 Eagle PCB and PCB Library Translator February 2016

2 Eagle PCB and PCB Library Translator Translates Eagle PCB (.brd) and Libraries (.lbr) to PCB Editor 2 Cadence Design Systems, Inc., Cadence Confidential

3 Eagle PCB Translator Prerequisites Eagle board and library must be in XML format. Open Eagle board or library file in Eagle v6.5 or newer Save file (.brd/.lbr) and it will automatically be converted into XML format Note, the translator will detect this and warn the user if the file is in binary format. 3 Cadence Design Systems, Inc., Cadence Confidential

4 Eagle PCB (.brd) translation Select File New and create a new empty board file Select Import Translators Eagle PCB Click Translate and set Filetype = Eagle board (.brd) Select board and Open to translate Translated board is named Eaglefilename_allegro.brd 4 Cadence Design Systems, Inc., Cadence Confidential

5 Eagle Library (.lbr) translation Select File New and create a new empty board file Select Import Translators Eagle PCB Click Translate and set Filetype = Eagle Library (.lbr) Select board and Open to translate Translated board is named Eaglefilename_allegro.brd 5 Cadence Design Systems, Inc., Cadence Confidential

6 Eagle Library (.lbr) translation The result of translating an Eagle library file is a board file containing all the package symbols (footprints) from the Eagle library Symbols can be exported from the resulting board file In OrCAD PCB Editor : Use Export More Libraries In Allegro PCB Editor : Use File Export Libraries The result are all the individual elements like padstacks, shape symbols etc. that can be used for new or existing designs. 6 Cadence Design Systems, Inc., Cadence Confidential

7 Limitations and workarounds Use all translated data at your own risk! Although rarely seen, translations of large boards or boards with many copper shaes can take up to minutes Don t close down PCB Editor but give it a little of time although it might say Not Responding Translator does not currently support blind/buried vias. In such cases contact customer support and file a support case. There are differences in how Eagle and PCB Editor handles constraints and copper shapes so always make sure to check the board after translation Polygons/copper shapes with crossings will not be translated Always update shapes to smooth and check board status Always check bottom of the log file for warnings 7 Cadence Design Systems, Inc., Cadence Confidential

8 Unroutes after translation A possible cause could be shape priorities Look for out of date dynamic shapes in Status Locate unrouted connection Turn off visibility for everything Turn on each layer including boundary Select Shape Select Locate boundary for net that s not fully connected Select the shape and Right Click Raise Priority 8 Cadence Design Systems, Inc., Cadence Confidential

9 Unroutes after translation A possible cause could be overlapping shapes on the same net This is typically seens as a workaround in Eagle for creating full contact for a few pins. This can be handled much easier in PCB Editor. Locate unrouted connection using visibility settings like described earlier. If shapes on same net are overlapping either merge them, delete one or edit so that they don t overlap 9 Cadence Design Systems, Inc., Cadence Confidential

10 Shape not completely filled It is possible that the translation will result in some shapes not being completely filled due to voids This can easily be corrected Select Shape Manual Isolation/Cavity Delete Select the shape that s not completely filled and Right Click Delete All Voids 10 Cadence Design Systems, Inc., Cadence Confidential

11 Duplicate footprint names Pay attention to warnings in log file An Eagle board file can contain footprints with duplicate names but originating from different libraries The translator detects this and issues a warning at the end of the log file In case of such a warning it is necessary to run a backannotation from PCB Editor to OrCAD Capture before netlisting The files and the steps involved are described as part of the warning 11 Cadence Design Systems, Inc., Cadence Confidential

12 12 Cadence Design Systems, Inc., Cadence Confidential