Hi all, I work as a Mech Engr in an electronic environment. The Electronics team here uses Cadence as their primary pcb design tool.

I need a 3d of the pcb to build the product structure in Pro/E. Anyone knows a means of import/export options that would help me get a 3D model out of Cadence/Allegro? I have heard that we can input height information for various components placed on the PCB.

I have also heard about a file format called IDF but not sure how do I import the same in Pro/E. Otherwise, I need to recreate the PCB as a solid model and include minimum details to check for interference/component placement options. Thanks in advance, Jay RE: Importing PCBs as 3D models in Pro/E from Allegro/Cadence (Mechanical). What you are talking about is called ECAD.

It used to be an option but is included with foundation now. It is something that Pro/E does very well.

You cn also return the data to teh PCB group with keepouts, skylines and lots of other information. There are lots of advantages to learning all about it and using all of the options avalable. It has saved me many times. HELP, SUPPORT INFORMATION look for the list of modules you have. Make sure Pro/ECAD is there. All of the details are here and in the help files. RE: Importing PCBs as 3D models in Pro/E from Allegro/Cadence (Mechanical).

Hi Jay, I have used this many times as we too use Allegro and ProE. The best bit about the Ecad interface is that you can substitute proper models of your PCB components with the blocky components Ecad creates. All you need to do is import the EMN & EMP files, this will create your PCB assembly and create a file ECAD_HINT.ADD file. Open this file in Wordpad and substitute the MCAD_NAME with your model name, within the quotes. You have to make sure that the coordinate system on your models match the origin orientation on the Allegro footprint. Good luck Jeff It's all part of life's rich tapestry! RE: Importing PCBs as 3D models in Pro/E from Allegro/Cadence.

Hi Jaykm, Here are config.pro option to play with show_axes_for_extr_arcs yes ecad_area_default_import cosm_area ecad_import_holes_as_features no template_ecadpart C: ptc proe2001 templates inlbs_part_ecad.prt template_ecadasm C: ptc proe2001 templates inlbs_asm_ecad.asm ref_des_display YES ecad_other_outl_csys_def_name cso. Show axes is good to use if you are assembling full size components to a PCB, but increases size of Proe file. Enjoy Tofflemire RE: Importing PCBs as 3D models in Pro/E from Allegro/Cadence (Mechanical).

Normandc wrote:You can get a more complete 3D model of the RaspberryPi Model B on but you need to register. Multiple CAD formats are available. Edit: scratch that, here's a complete working STEP file that you can download without registration: Wish I had searched before spending time with those damaged files! Thanks RS actually are a distributor so they should have a correct version. Still think a version produced by EaglePCB importer would look better as the STEP file I tried are not as detailed, but sufficient for casings etc. Hi, I make 'few' changes in mod EaglePCB_2_FreeCAD: - multi format supporting: * Eagle (*.brd) * Razen (*.rzp) * FreePCB (*.fpc) * gEDA (*.pcb) * FidoCadJ (*.fcd) * KiCad (*.kicad_pcb) * IDF v2/v3 - support for generate path and pads for PCB, - added function Explode and fast Explode - function is useful in making pictures for presentation/etc., - added part searcher in PCB, - many changes in script code, - managing parts directly from FreeCAD.

I am using allegro 16.6 for layout and i want to create.emn and.emp file for 3D view. If generate from allegro then what are points(steps) to be follow one by one? Thanks..emp file? Allegro has an IDF export, not on my work computer so I cant fire it up to find what menu its in, but it is there.

Next release features: - PySide migration, - export PCB from FreeCAD to one of supported file format, - option create constraint area - something similar that is in CATIA, Future features: - From. I am just wondering about the multi format supporting of the EaglePCB_2_FreeCAD like is it able to support the KICAD files and is it is possible with it to convert the KICAD files to the Eagle files. Mod i not a converter. Yes script can import and export from/to Eagle/KiCAD formats but not 1:1. I would like also mention about new version. From this release it is not only importer, but also exporter (at this moment 4 formats are supported) and workbench that help You create board 'from scratch' in FreeCAD.

Changes from last version: - create PCB directly in FreeCAD: at this moment only board (from next release it will be board object) and adding models (models saved in library) - create Bounding Box for PCB: bounding box for all PCB parts or from selection - it is possible to fix models position/rotation in special tool and save values in database - no reload PCB is necessary from now - update parts directly from FreeCAD: no reload PCB is necessary from now - export bill of materials (BOM): csv/html/txt - create constraint area: Route Outline Top/Place Outline Top/Place Keepout Top/. - export PCB layers to one of supported file formats: at this moment border and measure layers Future features: - read holes/paths data from spreadsheet module - descriptions on PCB I would like to hear your opinions, criticism, ideas. Hi marmni (and FreeCAD developers), You asked for issues, so here goes. File extensions for IDF The IDF standard does not specify or even mention file extensions.

I have found 3 pairs of file extensions in use. When I export to IDF in Cadence Allegro, there is a 'File name type' option. It has three values: • IDF ->(default) produces files with the.bdf (board) and.ldf (library) file extensions. • PTC ->produces files with the.emn and.emp file extensions • SDRC ->produces files with the.emn and.pro file extensions 2. The.bdf file extension is already used by FreeCAD. Allway Sync Pro 12.14 Torrent. Reading an IDF file with a.bdf extension creates something in the combo/tree view, but nothing is visible on the screen. No error messages are displayed.

It doesn't look like the default.bdf open/import routine has good error handling (and doesn't let the user know). In FreeCAD, how is the situation where two entities/modules use the same file extension handled? Is there a good way to get the correct result (force FreeCAD to use the correct file open/import routine)? As FreeCAD supports more file types, we are likely to see more collisions like this.

Some documentation on setting up a part library would be nice. Recent versions of Cadence Allegro have a similar capability to 3D render board assemblies; it requires STEP files. It would be nice to only have the parts in one format. If I use the.emn,.emp file names, your module works! The components are only boxes as I haven't set up the part library. Thanks for reading!

Hi, ad 1 There is few more extensions for IDF files. Ad 3 Yes, popup window will show with question which module use for that file. Ad 4 In next release (v 3.2, next few days) there will be manual for workbench. Ad 5 I don't agree. More file formats == bigger flexibility. [.]If I use the.emn,.emp file names, your module works! The components are only boxes as I haven't set up the part library.[.] So it mean that You load files not by my module PCB workbench does not 'support'.emn extensions (yet).

IDF libraries are not supported by PCB mod, and never will. If You want to try PCB module, change emn to idf (there was some reasons why I use idf extension, I will change this in next release). Some errors in IDF format was corrected in version 3.2 (they can appear in v3.1). Hi marmni, I tried the module v3.2 with an Eagle.brd file and it seemed to work well. If I change the.emn extension to.idf, and Open the file, then the python console shows a call to PCBbrd.open() and the Report view says 'Incompatible file format.' If there was a new, unused window open, it is now closed after the error from PCBbrd.open() - that is an error.

I've had something else close a new window in FreeCAD, so it might not be your module's fault. The idf module opens up the.emn file fine (the only problem being the distribution is missing the.csv file for the part model library). I've attached a simple example file. If I have time tomorrow, I'll try to add a little more interest to the example board. Multiple IDF exports from Cadence Allegro. (4.47 KiB) Downloaded 52 times In 5, I meant that since Allegro uses STEP files for part models, it would be nice to be able to use them in STEP format with FreeCAD, so I don't have to keep translating the models from STEP (our format) to IGES.

Yes, supporting more file types is good. It looks like your PCB module now supports STEP! Since I don't have an expensive mechanical CAD package available to me, I've been using FreeCAD to verify IDF export to mechanical CAD. I wanted to check out the capabilities of your PCB module. Right now, I can't use it for that purpose.

BTW, the documentation is looking much better! It's clear you've put a lot of effort into it.