Documentation

Importing Board Outline Shapes and Placement Sites from a STEP file

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Board outlines (and board cutouts), and Placement Sites in STEP format can be imported into your PCB design file using the Import Design Data option.

Component positional changes can be made using the STEP Positional Changes option.

Shortcuts

Default Keys: None

Default Menu: 3D Design

Command: Import STEP Board

Locating this option

Available from: 3D Design menu > Import STEP Board option

Using this option

  1. From the 3D Design menu in the Pulsonix PCB design Editor, select the Import STEP Board option.
  2. The File of Type drop down list, will be set to look for STEP files with the extension *.stp, and *.step.
  3. Select the import file and press Open to access the Import STEP dialog.
  4. Choose the required options from the dialog.

Import Board

Use this option to import STEP data to assist with mechanical data in your PCB design. This can include a board outline created in your mechanical CAD package and exported in STEP format. You cannot import complete STEP models or positional changes, only a Board including Board Cutouts, Mounting Holes, and Vias. As it is a board only, the STEP file does not require any face, side or layer information. It also does not require a local origin.

By default the system will try to find board shapes on XY plane. If they have been defined in another orientation you can choose the wanted plane from the dialog.

During import, it uses the best shape that it can find on the specified plane that encloses most of the other shapes in the STEP file.

By default, all units in STEP files are defined in mm. If your design is set as Imperial, during import, the units will be converted.

Importing Mounting Holes and Via Positions

To import smaller circular cutouts as either Mounting Holes or Vias, simply input the maximum diameter of each, respectively, in the designated fields. When a circle is discovered that is smaller than the specified mounting hole diameter, the circular element will be removed from the shape and a mounting hole will be created in its place, or a via if it is small enough for that. It assumes that mounting holes are bigger than via holes so it does the tests that way round.

Import Placement Sites

Selecting this box, the positions of items in the STEP file will be used to insert Placement Site attribute positions in the design. These will only be added if they are inside a board outline in the design.

The STEP files have an object location catalog for the top most elements, components like connectors, switches and other objects that another department have already placed on the board.

Choose from the Attribute Names listed in the drop-down list, or enter a new attribute name for the attribute positions that are added to mark placement sites.. You can also choose the text style from the list.

The Layer controls allow you to choose the layer on which the attribute positions should be placed. The Top Layer is used for all locations with Z >= 0, and the Bottom layer for Z < 0.

You can also use the Only Within Board check box to choose whether or not to keep any positions that are outside all board outlines.

Importing Component Positions

The STEP Positional Changes option is also available to import a STEP file. Once the design has been placed in Pulsonix, this option can be used to read STEP files containing Component positional data. It will compare the current positions of the components with positions of the components as described in the STEP file. If there are any changes you will be asked if you want to apply the changes.

Placement Sites | Import Component Positional Changes | Output STEP File

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