Documentation

Importing PADS Files

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PADS files in the following formats can be opened in Pulsonix:

  • PADS PowerPCB/Standard/Professional/PowerLogic and PADS Perform designs and libraries in ASCII format

    (Other PADS ASCII formats, e.g. PADS 2000/ PADS Works and PADS PCB are supported, please contact Pulsonix if in doubt).

    Versions - PADS Perform 6.0 and PowerPCB/PowerLogic V1.0 through to and including all versions to V16.0

Design types supported are for:

  • Schematic Designs (*.net)
  • PCB Designs (*.asc)
  • Schematic Symbol Libraries (Schematic Decals) (CAE) (*.c)
  • PCB Footprint libraries (Decals) (*.d)
  • Parts libraries (*.p)

Exporting Libraries From PADS

The following describes how to export decals, the same procedure is used to export CAE decals (Schematic Symbols) and parts.

  1. From the File menu option select Library
  2. Within the library manager you will need to select the Decals button
  3. Select the library you want to export.
  4. Extend select all the items you want to export.
  5. Select the export menu and save the file to where you want to. You must use the correct extension so that Pulsonix can recognise it.
  6. The file output in ASCII format can then be imported into a Pulsonix library using either the Data Transfer Wizard or Library Manager

Exporting PCB Designs From PADS

  1. To export PADS designs use the Export option on the File menu.
  2. Select the name of the file and save the file. Use the default extension as this speeds up the recognition of the file as a PADS ASCII file.
  3. On the ASCII Output dialog select Format PowerPCB.
  4. Then select Select All and then select OK.
  5. The file output in ASCII format can then be imported into a Pulsonix PCB design using either the Data Transfer Wizard or by dropping the ASCII file on the Pulsonix application

Exporting Schematic Designs From PADS Logic

  1. To export PADS Schematic designs use the Export option on the File menu.
  2. Select the name of the file and save the file. Use the default extension as this speeds up the recognition of the file as a PADS ASCII file.
  3. On the ASCII Output dialog select Format PowerLogic.
  4. Then select Select All and then select OK.
  5. The file output in ASCII format can then be imported into a Pulsonix Schematic design using either the Data Transfer Wizard or by dropping the ASCII file on the Pulsonix application

Exporting Schematic Netlists From PADS

Pulsonix can also read in a netlist created in PADS PowerLogic for use with the Pulsonix PCB Design Editor. Although, this is is not a very efficient use of Pulsonix, it can be done. It is much more efficient to use Pulsonix Schematics for the front end, as the product then has the complete libraries and the ability to synchronise the designs etc.

  1. In PADS, use the Netlist to PCB option on the Tools menu. Ensure you use this option and NOT the Export option. This will create an .asc file for you.
  2. By default all sheets should be selected. All other options should be selected.
  3. The file exported in .asc netlist format can then be imported into a Pulsonix PCB design using the File Open dialog onto a new PCB design.
  4. During the netlist import, the Import PADS PCB Design dialog will be displayed. Use this to select the PCB Technology File to use. Components imported will be placed in the Component Bin.

Back Annotating To PADS Schematics

  1. Use the Back Annotate option from the File menu.
  2. Save the Pulsonix back annotation file in PADS format using the file extension .eco. This will be suitable to be read into PADS Schematics.
  3. From the dialog select the back annotation filename and press OK, all changes made will be saved to the Schematic design.

Importing PADS Designs into Pulsonix

Below is a brief summary of the import mechanism, the principle is the same for both Schematic and PCB designs:

  1. From the File menu in Pulsonix, select Open.
  2. Select the saved ASCII file and press the Open button.
  3. Pulsonix will present you with an Import file from which to make various selections, it will then import.

Use Layer Mapping

If you have selected a Technology file, you can also select Use Layer Mapping which will allow you to map the Allegro layers to the Pulsonix layers specified in the Technology. When checked, the Layer Mapping dialog will be activated before the import starts. If this check box is not selected, then the Allegro layers and names will be used. These can be edited in the Layers dialog in the Technology once imported.

Importing PADS Libraries into Pulsonix

Below is a brief summary of the import mechanism for library items:

For importing libraries, you can either use the library files if they have been exported (*.c, *.d, and *.p) or you can use a design *.net or *.asc) to create a library of just the design based library items. The principle is the same in both instances.

  1. For importing libraries, you can either use the Library Manager and Import mechanism on each page for each library type, or
  2. you can drop and drop the ASCII file onto the Library Manager where it will open the Save Items To Library option, or
  3. you can use the Data Transfer Wizard.

File Open | Library Manager | Layer Mapping | Data Transfer Wizard | Back Annotate | Save Items To Library

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