You cannot always export all data to earlier PADS ASCII formats. Earlier versions do not support several database structures. If your design exceeds any earlier database limits, either the entire export is aborted or the offending piece is not exported. Layer-specific reference designator and part type references are converted to generic reference designator and part type settings when converting version 3.0 CAM documents to earlier versions using ASCII Export. In addition, attributes and keepout settings are lost when exporting.
ASCII export supports physical design reuses; they are not lost when you import and export an ASCII file. All information about part type and attribute labels is ignored. If a component has more than one reference designator label, one is selected and converted. Visibility and size status for the label is ignored; however, the position is maintained. To save all or some of the database in PADS ASCII format:
The ASCII Output dialog box appears.
The ASCII file is created.
Select All outputs all items in the Sections area. Unselect clears all items in the Sections area.
Contains options for specifying output in PowerPCB V1.1, PowerPCB V1.5, PowerPCB V2.0 format, PowerPCB V2.1, and PowerPCB V3.0 ASCII format. Use the PowerPCB V3.0 ASCII format to export version 3.0 files for both PowerPCB and PowerBGA.
Note: Neither PowerPCB 3.0 nor PowerBGA 3.0 export to PowerBGA V2.5 ASCII format. Also, you can't export to PADS-Perform 6 ASCII format.
Sets the units to export to the ASCII file (Mils, Metric, or Inches). Use Current Units to create an ASCII file for an external translator or other ASCII-reading utility. The default is Basic Units. Basic Units represent how values are stored inside the software. They don't indicate a grid position in X,Y terms, but they record a precise positioning value for database items. Use Basic Units to directly re-import the ASCII file and save it as a .pcb database.
When you turn on the Parts and Nets check boxes, the Part and Net attribute values from the attribute hierarchy are also exported; meaning that attributes assumed from higher levels in the hierarchy are also exported. Parts Exports values, from the hierarchy, for part attributes. Nets Exports values, from the hierarchy, for net attributes.
When the ASCII Output dialog box appears, select the items to export in the ASCII file. Each item represents a section heading of the ASCII file. You can export the following parts and information:
| PCB Parameters | Global design information such as units and colors. |
|---|---|
| Text | Text items. |
| Reuse | Reuse elements and their definition. |
| Lines | 2D line items. |
| Clusters | Clusters and unions. |
| Vias | Vias, jumpers, pad stack information, and locations, including dangling vias. |
| Decals | Footprint information. |
| Packages | Electrical information. |
| Parts | Component instance information. |
| Jumpers | Jumpers. If you select the PowerPCB V1.1 format, you cannot output complete jumper information. Since PowerPCB/PowerBGA consider jumpers pins as vias, jumpers are exported, as vias, if the Via check box is on. |
| Connections | Unrouted pin pairs. |
| Routes | Traces, including route loops. You must export routes to export teardrops. |
| Teardrops | Teardrops. If you select the PowerPCB V1.1 format, you cannot output teardrops. You can only export teardrops if you export routes. |
| Miscellaneous | Other information. |
| Rules | Clearance, routing, and high-speed rules. |
| CAM | Information related to the plot file configurations generated using File/CAM. |
| Pour | Copper pour items. |
| Assembly Options | Assembly options. |
| Test Points | Test points and the test side (top, bottom, or both). |
| Attributes | The Attribute Dictionary, as well as all individual attribute and value assignments in the design. The values through the attribute hierarchy are not exported. Attributes are exported to possible extents for formats earlier than 3.0. |
PowerPCB/PowerBGA are compatible with ASCII files created in previous PADS systems. However, reading in a non-PowerPCB/PowerBGA originated ASCII file resets any rules or layer assignments, which are not part of the ASCII file, to the PowerPCB/PowerBGA default.
For example, if you set an empty database's layer directions to vertical on top and horizontal on the bottom, the opposite of the default, the layers revert to horizontal on top and vertical on bottom when you read a netlist and save the file in .pcb format. To avoid overwriting PowerPCB/PowerBGA rules when you read an ASCII file, use File/Export to output the rules as a rules.asc file. Read your ASCII file and then import the rules ASCII file.
Copyright ©, CAD 2 CAM, Inc., 1999, 2000.