AutoCAD 2000 DXF to PADS

[Tom Frayda]

Am I correct in my understanding that PADS (still) can not import an AutoCAD 2000 DXF format directly and that it (still) must be in R14?

I ask because I am attempting to get the DXF transfer working between PADS and Ansoft's Designer suite for high-frequency/wireless/planar antenna design and it appears that the output is in AutoCAD 2000 format. I can import it into AutoCAD and kick it back out to get it into PADS, but I was hoping for a better way.

TIA


+Tom

[Dick Belanger]

Tom,

I'm not sure how that rumor got started (PowerPCB not importing AutoCAD 2000 correctly). I think it was just some miscommunication about a bug with a specific design where the workaround was to go back to AutoCAD 14 format.

I believe the last several releases of PowerPCB, at least back to 4.0 and maybe before, have supported AutoCAD 2000. If you run across a case where it doesn't, please report it to Tech Support (and copy me if you don't mind.) Thanks.

Dick

[MitchM]

Hi Tom,

Been doing AutoCAD2000 in now for a couple months with no problems (except of course where the mech eng puts little "gotchas" into the autocad drawing... )

Seems to work ok.

Mitch

[Tom]

I cannot seem to import the attached AutoCAD 2000 DXF file. Can someone else try? Maybe I'm doing something wrong. I can DXFIN in AutoCAD 2000 but it doesn't appear to come in PowerPCB V5.0.1.

PowerPCB does not give me an error message when I import it. I tried to import with different unit settings and different layer settings. I turned on every 2D-Line Layer. I zoomed all around the database - nothing there.

I need some help from someone who knows what the trick is.

[randychase]

Tom, have you previously been able to import a block like this? I see that you created this as a block and with attributes to define the layers.

I think this is where the problem is. PADS does not know how to parse over the attributes inside the blocks. If you explode it, you will be able to read into PADS the line elements, but you still need to erase the attributes and use simple text.

I think so anyway. The block works great for AutoCad.

[randychase]

By the way, I agree with others. I have not had ANY trouble reading in Release 2000/2000i AutoCad DXFs.

[Tom]

Randy,

That was it. I had attributes assigned to the AutoCAD Block. It reads into AutoCAD 2000 without a problem. When I remove the Attributes it imports into PowerPCB OK.

[Tom Frayda]

Thanks for all the prompt feedback. I guess I got the idea about being limited to R14 from the PPCB 5.01 On-Line Help topic on Importing a DXF File where it only references R14.

The problems I'm having are:

1) Maximum database coordinates being exceed - this seems to stem from the values Ansoft outputs as it's environment space for the $EXTMIN/$EXTMAX variables - once I changed these values in the DXF file, PADS was much happier - just need to figure out how to address this in Ansoft

2) Undefined LTYPE error - found that running a purge unused in AutoCAD cleaned this up and allowed me to import it into PADS okay

Still these extra steps are undesirable, so I will try to find a way to eliminate them.

Thanks again all!


+Tom

[Alan K]

I'm a CAD designer trying to create a dxf to send to a co-worker who is using PADs.
I have sent him numerous versions to no avail. Could the problem be on his end? I have an outline that is exploded with no extra blocks or attributes. I've tried scaling it up to convert from inches to mils. Any ideas?
Also - I've seen a couple of posts for people working on dxf conversion programs - anybody have one?
Thanks,
Alan

[Jason Roetz]

Alan,

First, change all lines to polylines using the PEDIT command. Then export to R14 DXF format.

Your co-worker should be able to pull it in after these two steps.

Jason

[Alan K]

I have a couple of questions:
Do the polylines need to be separate, or can they be joined into one continuous polyline?
PADs works in thousandths of an inch, while I'm working in inches, so I assume that I should scale the outline up by x100?
Does it make a difference if the dxf comes out of model space or paper space in Autocad?
Thanks,
Alan

[Jason Roetz]

If you're importing the polyline as a board outline, then yes, it does need to be one continuous polyline.

Leave the scale as is. Have your PCB guy specify inches when he imports it.

I believe that R14 DXF only supports model space. Either way, to be safe, use model space.

[Alan K]

Jason,
Here's what we tried:
1.) The file is a 2d Autocad 2000 dxf file.
2.) It is a single continuous polyline outline.
3.) The lines are on a layer named "BOARD_OUTLINE00".
4.) Select inches when importing.
5.) All other layers & entities are purged from the drawing.
6.) The file was created in "model space" (not paper space).

Here's the response from my PADs guy:
I have imported the file, and it comes in now, however, the lines are not selectable in PADS and they are not on the BOARD OUTLINE layer.

Any thoughts?
Alan

[varora]

Change the name to "BOARD_OUTLINE_00"

It will come in as board outline and not 2D line.
To select board outline

RMB\Select board Outline\ click on any segment

[Jason Roetz]

I just bring the outline in as 2d lines, then select the shape in PPCB, RMB and select "Scale". There is an option under scale to convert the 2d lines to a board outline.

Works for me!

Jason