CAD Interfaces Translator Notes
Product Version Sigrity 2018
July 2018
© 2018 Cadence Design Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Contents
1
Introduction
2
CAD Interfaces Translator Notes
ODB++ for Most PCB Design Tools
Package/Board/SIP Design - Cadence
PCB Design - Zuken, Visula
CR-5000 and CR-8000 Board Designer
Visula
PCB Design - Altium
P-CAD (ODB++ Recommended)
PCB Design - Mentor Graphics - Boardstation
Option1: Direct .SPD link
Option2: Manual .SPD Generation from Board Station Files
PCB Design - Mentor Graphics - Expedition
PCB Design - YDC Cadvance αIII Design
PCB Design - Mentor Graphics - PADS (Formerly PowerPCB, Padslayout)
PCB Design - Mentor Graphics
General Tips for Successful Translation
Specific NDD* Related Tips
3
Q & A
Zuken FAQ
Translator FAQ
Appendix
Appendix: Mentor Board Station Translation
Installation of the Direct SPD Interface
Manual Database Translation
Appendix: Free Layout Viewers
July 2018 3 Product Version Sigrity 2018
CAD Interfaces Translator Notes
Table of Contents
1
Introduction
This chapter introduces the CAD tools.
IC Package Design tools:
Cadence - APD, SIP
PCB Design tools:
ODB++ - All CAD tools that support ODB++ output (Expedition, Boardstation, Altium)
Cadence - Allegro, PCB SI, Specctra Router
Mentor - Board Station, Expedition, Padslayout, ICX
Zuken - CR-5000/8000, Visula
Altium - Altium Designer pre-version 10 only (Protel), P-CAD
YDC - Cadvance αIII Design
July 2018 4 Product Version Sigrity 2018
CAD Interfaces Translator Notes
Introduction
2
CAD Interfaces Translator Notes
ODB++ for Most PCB Design Tools
The most PCB design tools mentioned here include Altium, Mentor Boardstation, Expedition,
Zuken, PCAD.
Most CAD tools now support ODB++.
To translate the ODB++ file to .SPD file, follow the steps below:
1. In the CAD Design tool's menu, select File - Export ODB++ to create the ODB++ file.
Be sure to enable all options so that you get the most complete data set possible.
2. View the ODB++ database using Mentor's ODB++ viewer to be sure your design is in the
desired state.
http://www.mentor.com/products/pcb-system-design/downloads/odb-viewer/
If it is not, update the design in the CAD tool, and regenerate the ODB++.
ODB++ output should be written to a compressed archive with these typical extensions:
.zip
.tgz
.tar
.Z
.gz
.7z
3. Run SPDLinks.exe, and select the ODB++ file browser filter.
4. Browse to the ODB++ file.
5. Modify your settings as needed.
6. Modify the net set if applicable.
7. Press the Translate button.
Sigrity modules: SPDLinks.exe, ODBExtractor.dll
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CAD Interfaces Translator Notes
