Metric OrCAD Library

[SpeedyG]

As the world (U.S.A.) starts to open its eyes to the reality of Metric measurement system, lets see if we can follow the driection that Tom H. and Randy C. had set up for PADS. I would be interested to see if we could develop an OrCAD standard for the development of PCB footprints in Metric.

This standard must define:
Layer Assignments
Padstack Naming Convention
Footprint Naming Convention
Component orientation
Marking Identification

If we could pull this document together, we could create a library which we could freely distribute to OrCAD users world wide and increase the reliability of design standardization.

Any and all input is welcome. I know this is a huge task but I will additionally post this information on the two OrCAD sites that I know of (www.orcadpcb.com and groups.yahoo.com/groups/orcad)

Additionally, we will need volunteers for writing, reviewing, etc...

Globally, we would need to decide on a site to gather all of this information, possibly on the PCB standards site?

Please feel free to forward your comments to me at:
speedy-g@pcdc.cnchost.com

Regards,

Ralph Gonzales

[ltrakal]

I wish you good luck in this, personally I used Orcad layout and never like it...Since is now a Cadence program, they didn't do too much to it for the last years and I don't think they will...I don't see it as their concern since they are focusing more in Allegro.

Sorry

Laszlo

[Tom]

Ralph,

I like your idea about an OrCAD layout metric library. We have to find a way to translate the 8,000 existing PowerPCB libraries into OrCAD. If there is anything I can do to help your effort let me know. There really should be no difference in the Library names, padstacks, Orientation, Polarity marking, etc. All that has been defined and there is no need to recreate the wheel. If anyone has a better Naming Convention or any other library feature, let's use it. Our goal was to create the best. If we don't have the best, someone needs to show me something better.

Also, we would love to host the OrCAD library parts and any related documentation on pcbstandards.com. You have our complete support. Not everyone can afford PowerPCB, nor is PowerPCB meant for everyone.

[SpeedyG]

Tom,

You are right. Since I can have an ASCII representation of the components that you have built, all I have to do is re-map the layers and import them right in. I really dont want to re-create anything either. I will look into this a bit further. Since I can easily translate from PCAD into OrCAD via ASCII, all I should need to do is convert the structure of the ASCII file.

I will look into it and get back to you.

Thanks,

Ralph

[randychase]

Ralph, we are always willing to work with you. There are a lot of Orcad folks, so it would be a good thing. I appreciate you looking into it.

[jthomas]

That would be fantastic if someday the existing Metric library was converted over to Orcad layout.
Please let me know if there is that possibility!
thanks.


Jesse Thomas

[mhowell]

Ralph,

I can see a use for layer mapping to facilitate imports; padstack and footprint naming conventions would definitely help in re-use of previously created database items. I would be happy to use them when they are available. However, these are really standards that do not relate to the metric system.

Personally, I create all footprints for parts I have not used before from the IPC Land Pattern Calculator (http://search.ipc.org/sm782/default.asp) , converting english to metric as needed.

The Calculators' previously created footprints (saved by users without ANY naming convention) is a bit disorganized, but the footprint creation utility is very useful when one has a copy of IPC-SM-782 in their hands.

[Jackie Oh!]

Hi Ralph,

I think this is a great idea. I personally am using the land pattern calculator from this site. We use a lot of strange parts tho, so having access to a library of the magnitude of which you're speaking would be wonderful.

If you need help, let me know and I'll do what I can when I can.

Jackie Oh!