  Getting Started With CAMCAD

CAMCAD is a simple, easy to use  translation tool for the CAD/CAM/CAE industry.  It has a familiar Windows look and feel, and allows for fast, accurate translations of the industries most popular drawing formats.

To begin using CAMCAD, merely locate the program folder or group called CAMCAD  and double click on the CAMCAD icon.  If you have a shareware copy of CAMCAD, locate the program folder or group CAMCAD Shareware and double click on the CAMCAD icon.


  Entering Access Codes

Help | About CAMCAD | Access Codes

When you purchase modules to upgrade the functionality of CAMCAD, you must enter the module access codes.  To do this, launch CAMCAD.  Then click on the word Help on the menu bar to drop down a list of selections.  Choose About CAMCAD.

The About CAMCAD & Access Codes dialog box appears.  Click on the button labeled "Access Codes".

The Access Codes window contains two text lines where you must enter your user name and company name exactly as they are printed on your license sheet.  The next two fields are called Temporary Expiration Date and Temporary Duration.  Should you have a temporary access code, fill in these fields as they appear on your access code sheet; otherwise, leave these fields blank.

Under these fields you will see a window listing all the possible modules for use with CAMCAD.

The Access Code Window

 Select a module by double clicking on the module name.  A small window appears and promps you for your access code.  Enter in the access code exactly as it is printed on the license sheet.

Entering The Access Code

When you finish and press Enter, you will see the words "FULL ACCESS" next to your module name.

Repeat the above procedure for each of the modules you have purchased.

If you have any problems with entering your access codes, click here.


  Access Code Problems

Most access code problems generally fall into one of three catagories:

1) Incorrect keyin of license information:

    Your user name and company name must be entered in exactly as it is printed on the license sheet.  Even if the information is wrong or incomplete, it still must be entered as it is printed on the license sheet.  Double check your CAMCAD  entries against  what is printed on your license sheet - verify no periods or hyphens are left out, and capitalization is correct. Users with temporary licenses must complete the two extra fields for temporary users.  Users with perminant licenses will have no temporary information on their license sheet, and the temporary fields should be left blank.

2) Different versions of CAMCAD and access codes:

    Access codes from the different versions and editions of CAMCAD are not interchangeable.  If you have had CAMCAD for any length of time, and you recently upgraded to the latest version or release, you probably need to have a new access code sheet issued to you.  Contact RSI for details.

3) CAMCAD rejects attempts at entering in access codes:

    If you've seen the error message You can not enter access codes in CAMCAD shareware, then you fall into this catagory.  This simply means that you are running a shareware copy of CAMCAD, which does not accept any access codes at all.  Contact Router Solutions to obtain a fully functional copy of CAMCAD.

If you are having difficulties that do not fall into one of the above catagories, please contact Router Solutions.


About CAMCAD Modules

  About CAMCAD Modules & Editions

CAMCAD is organized in various editions, which are purchased according to the needs of the end user.

• CAMCAD Shareware:  At this level, CAMCAD acts as a viewer only.  Supported formats are DXF, HPGL/HPGL2, Gerber/Gerber-X, and IPC350/356/356a.

• CAMCAD Graphic: This edition of CAMCAD specializes in the reading/writing of graphical CAD/CAM data.  Formats such as DXF, Gerber, HPGL, IGES, and IPC are supported, with full editing capability. Over 35 modules in total.

• CAMCAD Professional: For users who need to retain complete intelligence in their PCB designs upon import into CAMCAD, we offer the Professional Edition.  All attributes are retained, including netlist and part information, for full data capturing/data mining.  Manufacturing(.ccm) and Bill Of Materials(.bom) outputs found in this edition; over 55 modules possible.

• CAMCAD 3D-ECAD: Create 3D solid models of PCB designs for electromechanical packaging in SolidWorks97.  Component heights are extracted automatically from the CAD databases and user setup files.  Among the 18 possible modules are readers for PADS, PCAD, ACCEL, REDAC, VERIBEST, MENTOR, CADENCE, PROTEL, and OrCAD.

• CAMCAD PCB Translator: CAMCAD functions as a complete PCB migration tool in this edition, with complete retention of all PCB design intelligence. For example, quick and accurate PADS (.asc) to Mentor Board Station V8.  Many modules in development - call for details.

• CAMCAD HP3070: Read PCB data and export a board file and board XY file for use on the HP3070 machine. Over 18 possible modules.


  Help On Help

The CAMCAD help file uses is organized into the following sections:

Welcome To CAMCAD: This section covers general CAMCAD information and is useful to review if you are unfamiliar with or new to CAMCAD.  Topics covered include general module information; access code keyin; CAMCAD Edition differences; single user and network setup information; uninstallation information.  QuickStart guides you through importing sample files.

CAMCAD Reference: This book contains specific sections to assist you in using CAMCAD.  CAMCAD Concepts deals with general and advanced topics necessary to get the most out of CAMCAD, and the Frequently Asked Questions book will list answers to many of the issues you are likely to face.

When navigating through a series of commands to perform an action, shortened annotation will be used.  For example, the command sequence for opening the help file - "Find and click on the word Help on the menu bar to drop down a list of choices, and select Index" will be shortened to Help | Index.  Similarly, importing an HPGL file will be written as File | Import | HPGL Read instead of "On the menu bar click on File, then select Import, and then select HPGL Read".


Installation/Uninstallation

  CAMCAD Installation/Uninstallation

CAMCAD Shareware: The shareware version of CAMCAD will create a program group called "CAMCAD Shareware" for Windows 3.x or Windows NT.  Inside the program group there will be an icon for uninstalling CAMCAD.   Windows95 users should double click on the "Add/Remove Programs" icon in the Control Panel window, and select "CAMCAD Demonstration Copy".  Each time you get a new version of the shareware, it is highly recommended you uninstall the old copy before you install the new one.  We also recommend uninstalling the shareware copy if you are installing CAMCAD Professional.

CAMCAD Full Release Editions: CAMCAD Graphic, Professional, 3D-ECAD, PCB Translator, and HP Test will have icons and program groups created for running CAMCAD during the installation process.    Windows95 & NT4.0 users should double click on the "Add/Remove Programs" icon in the Control Panel window, and select the CAMCAD entry for uninstallation.

NOTE: When the installation program creates program icons for your version of CAMCAD, it will assign the following flags to the launch properties of the icon:

CAMCAD Graphic:                  .../CAMCAD/camcad.exe /GRAPHIC

CAMCAD Professional:             .../CAMCAD/camcad.exe /PROFESSIONAL

CAMCAD 3D-ECAD:                  .../CAMCAD/camcad.exe /3D_ECAD

CAMACD PCB Translator:           .../CAMCAD/camcad.exe /PCB_TRANSLATOR

CAMCAD for HP Test:              .../CAMCAD/camcad.exe /HP3070

If you want to create your own icon for launching CAMCAD, you must include the proper command flag to launch the executable correctly.

Each time you get a new version of CAMCAD, you should select the same directory for each CAMCAD installation.  The installation will only copy and update files which are newer than the ones already installed on your system - significantly decreasing the time it takes to upgrade CAMCAD.  Furthermore, if you always install CAMCAD to the same directory, you will not have to re-enter your access codes each time you upgrade to a newer version.

When you uninstall CAMCAD, it may not completely remove all the files from your system.  To complete the uninstallation process, simply delete any unnecessary remaining files or directories from your system.  For insight as to why you may need to manually delete these remaining files, click here.


Uninstallation

  Uninstallation Notes for CAMCAD

When CAMCAD is installed on your system, a file is created called delsL1.isu and is placed in the CAMCAD root directory.  This file works in conjunction with the installation, and logs each file that is installed during the CAMCAD installation sequence.  When an uninstallation occurs, the .isu file is called to coordinate what files are to be removed from your system.

When you work with CAMCAD, you may create new files that you store within the CAMCAD root directory or any of the subdirectories.  These new files are obviously not recorded within the .isu file because they were created after the installation took place.  When you run an uninstallation,  all original files installed on your system will be removed, leaving any files that you created later intact.  This is a safety precaution - we do not want to delete any files that you created and may consider important.

Simply use your file manager tool or Windows Explorer to navigate to the CAMCAD directory after you perform an uninstall, and take a look at the files that remain.  If you need them, copy them to a safe directory, and only then delete the CAMCAD root directory and its subdirectories.

If you have installed multiple copies of CAMCAD on your system as you have upgraded from one version to the next, you will have multiple .isu files left over in your CAMCAD directory after you perform an uninstallation.  These can all be safely deleted.

If you have any questions that are not answered here, please do not hesitate to contact Router Solutions.


  Importing A Sample DXF File

File | Import | DXF Read

During the installation process, you have the option of installing various sample files to test in CAMCAD.  If you have a shareware copy, your sample files are limited to DXF, Gerber, and HPGL files.  If you have a full edition, there are many more sample files to choose from.

The basic steps of importing files are always the same, and for demonstration purposes, we will use a DXF file as an example.  If you did not install the DXF sample files when you installed CAMCAD, you may substitute in your own DXF file.

With CAMCAD running, click on the word file on the menu bar to drop down a list of choices, and select import.  A dialog appears called 'Import File Format', with two main viewing areas. The viewing area on the left lists all the modules that you are licensed for, and the viewing area on the right lists all unlicensed modules.  You cannot select anything in the right window unless you purchase the access code for that particular module.

In the left hand window, select 'DXF Read' and click the okay button.  A new window appears, asking you for the location and filename of your DXF file.  Browse to find the "DXF" subdirectory in the "Samples" directory, and choose columbia.dxf (or substitute in your own DXF file).

The next window that appears gives choices on the way you want to import the DXF file.  This window is important in that it is different for each kind of file you want to import.  For example, the window is called "DXF Format" in this case, but if you were importing an HPGL file, the window would be called "HPGL Format" and the choices for configuration may be completely different.  To find out the specifics of all the choices are for any kind of file import, refer to the help file that is specific to your CAMCAD Edition and find the particular module that you are interested in.

For this example, the default choices in the "DXF Format" window are fine.  Click on the okay button.  CAMCAD will then import the file.  Before displaying the file on the screen, you are given choices on the placement of the imported file.  The most common choice, and the one that you are likely to use for the vast majority of imports, is the top selection called "Place at ORIGIN and FIT PAGE to Image".  The other selections, however, are quite useful, and you may want to use them later when you are working with your actual files to be translated.  In this case, select "Place at ORIGIN and FIT PAGE to Image".

Columbia.dxf is now displayed on your screen.


All Menu Commands

  CAMCAD Menu Commands

Select any of the CAMCAD menu choices below for further information.  Entries in italics are not yet implemented.

· File:

File | New

File | Close

File | Import

File | Export

File | Save Data File As...

File | Load Data File As...

File | Print

File | Print Preview

File | Print Setup

File | Exit

· Zoom:

Zoom |Zoom In

Zoom | Zoom Out

Zoom | Zoom Window

Zoom | Zoom Extents

Zoom | Zoom 1:1

Zoom | Pan To Center

Zoom | Pan To Text

Zoom | Next Text

· Edit:

Edit | Undo

Edit | Redo

Edit | Delete Selected

Edit | Move Selected

Edit | Copy Selected

Edit | Explode Selected Geometry

Edit | Explode Selected Polylines

Edit | Generate Geometry

Edit | Merge Polyline

Edit | Move Polyline Vertex

Edit | Add Polyline Vertex

Edit | Delete Polyline Vertex

Edit | Move Polyline Segment

Edit | Delete Polyline Segment

· Query:

Query | Find Next At This Level

Query | Edit entity

Query | Measure

Query | Toggle Mark For Entity

Query | Mark By Window

Query | Mark By Window (Cross-Check)

Query | Clear Marked

Query | Reverse Marked

· Add:

Add | File

Add | Layer

Add | Line | Segment

Add | Line | Polyline

Add | Circle

Add | Arc | Clockwise

Add | Arc | Counter-Clockwise

Add | Arc | Start, End, Center

Add | Text

Add | Geometry

Add | End Polyline

Add | Close Polyline

Add | Close & Fill Polyline

· Tools:

Tools | Aperture List

Tools | Geometry List

Tools | Layer List

Tools | File List

Tools | Tool List

Tools | Navigator

Tools | Keyword Map Editor

Tools | Refresh Attribute Inheritance

Tools | External Geometries | Save

Tools | External Geometries | Load

Tools | External Geometries | Browse

Tools | External Geometries | Exchange

Tools | Gerber In | Define Padstacks

Tools | Gerber In | Define Components

Tools | Gerber In | Auto-Exchange Vias

Tools | Gerber In | Interactive Exchange Vias

Tools | Gerber In | Auto-Exchange Components

Tools | Gerber In | Interactive Exchange Components

Tools | Panelization | Panelize

Tools | PCB | Select Nets

Tools | PCB | Highlight Selected Item's Net

Tools | PCB | Query Components

Tools | PCB | Find/Pan Component

Tools | PCB | Find/Pan Pin

Tools | PCB | Find/Pan Coordinate

Tools | PCB | Show Layerstacking

Tools | Copper Pour | Copper Pour

· Settings:

Settings | Modify Settings

Settings | Save Settings

Settings | Load Local Settings

Settings | Load Global Settings

Settings | Load Font File

Settings | Change Origin Position

Settings | Restructure Files Around Origin

Settings | Change Admin Password

Settings | System | Load Menu Language File

Settings | System | Save English Menu Language File

· View:

View | Toolbars

View | Status Bar

View | Customize

View | Copy To Clipboard

View | Write .BMP File

View | Redraw

View | Negative View

View | Show Classes

View | Show Insert Types

View | Show Fills

View | Show Attributes

· Window:

Window | Tile Vertically

Window | Tile Horizontally

Window | Cascade

Window | Arrange Icons

· Help:

Help | Index

Help | Using Help

Help | About CAMCAD

Help | Tip Of The Day


  Importing A Sample Gerber File

File | Import | Gerber Read

During the installation process, you have the option of installing various sample files to test in CAMCAD.  If you have a shareware copy, your sample files are limited to DXF, Gerber, and HPGL files.  If you have a full release, there are many more sample files to choose from.

In this example, we will be focusing on the Gerber sample files.  If you did not select the Gerber files to be installed when you installed CAMCAD, you may substitute in your own Gerber files.

With CAMCAD running, click on the word File  on the menu bar to drop down a list of choices, and select Import.  A window appears called "Import File Format", with two main viewing areas.  The viewing area on the left lists all the modules that you are licensed for, and the viewing area on the right lists all unlicensed modules.  You cannot select anything in the right window unless you purchase the access code for that particular module.

In the left hand window, select "Gerber Read" and click the okay button.  A new window appears, asking you for the location and filename of your Gerber file.  Browse to find the "Gerber" subdirectory in the "Samples" directory.  You will find that there are several .gbr files that you can select, and for this example, we will be importing all the Gerber files into one window. Single left click on the top file listed, which is probably drill.gbr.    Then move your mouse pointer to the last file listed, which is probably silk.gbr, and hold the shift key down while single left clicking on the file.  The result is that all the .gbr files are selected.  Click on the "Open" button.

Next, a window appears called "Gerber Format".  This window is important because it allows you to toggle options on how you want the Gerber files to be imported.  For now, the default selections are okay; however, if you want a more detailed description of what the selections mean, you can go to the readers/writers section of the Edition-specific help suppliment, and investigate the Gerber entry listed for "Read/Import Modules".  Because the default selections are fine, you can just click on the okay button to proceed.  The .gbr files are then imported into CAMCAD.

Before the files are displayed on your screen, you are given choices on the placement of the imported files.  The most common choice, and the one that you are likely to use for the vast majority of imports, is the top selection called "Place at ORIGIN and FIT PAGE to Image".  The other selections, however, are quite useful, and you may want to use them later when you are working with your actual files to be translated.  In this case, select "Place at ORIGIN and FIT PAGE to Image".

The .gbr files are now displayed on your screen.

When the files are imported and shown on your screen, you will notice a large number of green circles with numbers inside.  This is CAMCAD's way of telling you that you have undefined apertures present.

To see how you can solve this dillema and define your apertures, click here.


Defining Undefined Apetures

  Defining Undefined Apertures

See also: Working With Apertures

When you import standard Gerber files, you will probably have the need to read in an aperture list to define the apertures in your files.  This is easily accomplished in CAMCAD using the aperture reader.  With a Gerber file(s) displayed on your screen, go up to the menu bar and select File, then select Import.  From the available list of options in the left window, select "Aperture Read".  Click on okay.

The next window that appears is titled "Aperture Smart Reader", and this is where you will select the macro file which is used to read in your aperture file.  The macro file is necessary because different applications create aperture files that are in different formats; there can be very noticable differences between aperture files from different applications, and CAMCAD has to have a way to sort through these differences.

Macro files can be created to be specific to one kind of aperture file, or they can be made more general to read in aperture files from different systems.  The macro file that is displayed in the "Aperture Smart Reader" window is called default.mac.   This is a large, general macro file that will work for many different kinds of aperture file formats.  If you do not get the results you want with the default.mac file, CAMCAD is shipped with other macro files that you can try (click on the button with three periods that is located next to the text entry box, and browse to find other .mac files).  For the Gerber files send as samples with CAMCAD, the default.mac file is what you will want to use.  Click on okay to continue.

The next window is called "Open", and prompts you to browse for the aperture file you want to read in.  Find your way to the "Gerber" subdirectory within the "Samples" directory, and select "aperture.gap".  Click on okay.

A window comes up, showing you the success or failure of reading the aperture list.  If this window appears blank, or only one or two apertures are defined, click on "Reject" and repeat the process, using another macro file to read in the aperture file.  In this example, using "default.mac" and the aperture file "aperture.gap", you will see that all the apertures become defined.  Click on "Accept".  The apertures are now defined.


Apeture Read

  Aperture Read

See also: Working With Apertures

          Advanced Macro File Tips

     Automatic Macro File Generation

          Tools | Aperture List

File | Import | Aperture Read

When you import standard Gerber files, you will probably have the need to read in an aperture list to define the apertures in your files.  This is easily accomplished in CAMCAD using the aperture reader.

With a Gerber file(s) displayed on your screen, go up to the menu bar and select File, then select Import.  From the available list of options in the left window, select "Aperture Read".

Click on okay.

The next window that appears is titled "Aperture Smart Reader", and this is where you will select the macro file which is used to read in your aperture file.  The macro file is necessary because different applications create aperture files that are in different formats; there can be very noticable differences between aperture files from different applications, and CAMCAD has to have a way to sort through these differences.

Macro files can be created to be specific to one kind of aperture file, or they can be made more general to read in aperture files from different systems.  The macro file that is displayed in the "Aperture Smart Reader" window is called default.mac.   This is a large, general macro file that will work for many different kinds of aperture files.  If you do not get the results you want with the default.mac file, CAMCAD is shipped with other macro files that you can try (click on the button with three periods that is located next to the text entry box, and browse to find other .mac files).  For the Gerber files send as samples with CAMCAD, the default.mac file is what you will want to use.  If you need other macro files, you can visit our web site - we have a whole section devoted to aperture files and aperture macros.

The next window is called "Open", and prompts you to browse for the aperture file you want to read in.  Find your way to the "Gerber" subdirectory within the "Samples" directory, and select "aperture.gap".  Click on okay.

A window comes up, showing you the success or failure of reading the aperture list.  If this window appears blank, or only one or two apertures are defined, click on "Reject" and repeat the process, using another macro file to read in the aperture file.  In this example, using "default.mac" and the aperture file "aperture.gap", you will see that all the apertures become defined.  Click on "Accept".  The apertures are now defined.


Command File

 	Menu Bar Command - File

When you select the File command from the menu bar, you will see a drop-down list of choices that include:

File | New

File | Close

File | Import

File | Export

File | Save Data File As...

File | Load Data File As...

File | Print

File | Print Preview

File | Print Setup

File | Exit


Command Zoom

Menu Bar Command - Zoom

When you select the Zoom command from the menu bar, you will see a drop-down list of choices that include:

Zoom In	Zoom Out
Zoom Window	Zoom Extents
Zoom 1:1	Pan To Center
Pan To Text	Next Text

Click here to return to All Menu Commands


Command Edit
  Menu Bar Command - Edit

When you select the Edit command from the menu bar, you will see a drop down list of choices that include:

Undo	Redo
Delete Selected	Move Selected
Copy Selected	Explode Selected Geometry
Explode Selected Polylines	Generate Geometry
Merge Polyline	Move Polyline Vertex
Add Polyline Vertex	Delete Polyline Vertex
Move Polyline Segment	Delete Polyline Segment


Command Query

  Menu Bar Command - Query

When you select the Query command from the menu bar, you will see a drop-down list of choices that include:

Find Next	Query/Edit Entity
Measure	Toggle Mark For Entity
Mark By Window	Mark By Window (Cross-Check)
Clear Marked	Reverse Marked

Click here to return to All Menu Commands


Command Add

  Menu Command - Add

When you select the Add command from the menu bar, you will see a drop-down list of choices that include:

File	Layer
Line	Circle
Arc	Text
Geometry	End Polyline
Close Polyline	Close & Fill Polyline

Click here to return to All Menu Commands


Command Tools

  Menu Command - Tools

When you select the Tools command from the menu bar, you will see a drop-down list of choices that include:

Aperture List	Geometry List
Layer List	File List
Tool List	Navigator
Keyword Map Editor	Refresh Attribute Inheritance
PCB

Click here to return to All Menu Commands


Command Settings

  Menu  Command - Settings

When you select the Settings command from the menu bar, you will see a drop-down list of choices that include:

Modify Settings	Save Settings
Load Local Settings	Load Global Settings
Load Font File	Change Origin Position
Change Admin Password	System

Click here to return to All Menu Commands


Command Window

  Menu Command - Window

When you select the Window command from the menu bar, you will see a drop-down list of choices that include:

Tile Vertically	Tile Horizontally
Cascade	Arrange Icons

Click here to return to All Menu Commands


Command View

  Menu Command - View

When you select the View command from the menu bar, you will see a drop-down list of choices that include:

Main Toolbar	Status Bar
Current Settings	Add Toolbar
Snap/Grid Toolbar	Edit Toolbar
Poly Toolbar	Show Toolbar
PCB Toolbar	Customize Toolbar
Copy To Clipboard	Write .BMP File
Redraw	Negative View
Show Classes	Show Fills
Show Attributes

Click here to return to All Menu Commands


Command Help

  Menu Command - Help

When you select the Help command from the menu bar, you will see a drop-down list of choices that include:

Index	Using Help
About CAMCAD	Tip Of The Day

Click here to return to All Menu Commands


Command File New

  Menu Command - File | New

File | New

This command is used to create a new project window in CAMCAD.  The default titles of the new windows are CAMCAD1, CAMCAD2, CAMCAD3, etc.. until a project is loaded into the new window.

When a new project window is opened, one or more files can then be imported into CAMCAD. There is no limit on the number of files that the user may import into any project window, and there is no limit on the number of project windows that the user can have open at the same time.

Of course, computer/system resources must be sufficient to handle the projects the user is looking to take on.


Command File Close

  Menu Command - File | Close

File | Close

This command will close the currently selected working window.  It is important that you save your work with the File | Export command before you close your project window, as you will not be prompted to do so.


Command File Import

  Menu Command - File | Import

File | Import

This command allows you to import selected files into CAMCAD.  When you choose File | Import, you will first be asked to select the type of file format that you wish to import.  In the "Import File Format" dialog box, you will see two main windows.  The left hand window is labeled "Licensed" and the right hand window is labeled "Unlicensed".  You can make your file type selection by double-clicking on any of the choices in the "Licensed" side of the window.  If the particular kind of file format that you are looking to import appears in the right-hand window, you may contact Router Solutions and inquire about expanding your access code set.

After you select the type of file format for the import, you will be asked for the file name of the file that you wish to open.  Browse through your files until you find the one that you are looking to import, and double-click on the file.

With some file types, you will next be asked to define certain import parameters.  For example, when importing a DXF file, you will see a dialog box called "DXF Format", or when importing an HPGL file, you will see a dialog box called "HPGL Format".  The default settings are usually okay to use; however, you should explore the help file section called "Import/Read Modules" for specific information regarding file importing.

Before displaying your file on the screen, CAMCAD will ask you how you wish to have it displayed.

Place At Origin And Fit Page To Image:  This is likely the choice that you will use most frequently.  This will display your file as large as possible given the current viewing window, after placing it at the origin to retain it's true X and Y coordinates. This is the recommended method of importing and viewing files.

Place At Origin: This will import your file into the current project window, but will not proportionally scale the size of the project window to best fit the imported file.

Place With Mouse: This option will allow you to manually place the imported file.  Move the drawing around the screen until it comes to the desired placement point, and click the mouse button.

Fit Image To Page: This option imports the file and scales it such that it fills the project window, regardless of it's true X and Y coordinate placement.

For information on importing apertures, click here


Command File Export

  Menu Command - File | Export

File | Export

This command is used to export and save your work in a format of your choosing, completing the translation process.  When you select export, only the current working window is exported.

The first step in exporting a file is choosing the type of file format that you want to export to.  In the "Export Format" dialog box, you will see that the window is divided into two main sections, one labeled "Licensed" and the other "Unlicensed".  Choose your file type from the selections on the left hand "Licensed" side - if the type you are looking for is on the "Unlicensed" right hand side, please contact Router Solutions to obtain the proper export module access code.

Depending on the file type you choose for the export, you may have a dialog box that comes up to change export parameters.  Usually the defaults are perfectly fine to use; however, you may want to explore the "Write/Export Modules" section of this help file to find out the specifics of the export parameters for each export module that we offer.

The next step in the export process is to choose the filename and location for the exported file.  Default file extensions are automatically assigned, such as .asc, .brd, .gbr, or .plt, depending on the export format that you choose.  You do not have to use these extensions, however, and you may choose whatever file name that works best for your particular situation.


Command File Save Data File As

  Menu Command - File | Save Data File As

File | Save Data File As

This option allows you to export the data in a project window to the CAMCAD data file format, with a .CC extension.


Command File Load Data File As

  Menu Command - File | Load Data File As

File | Load Data File As

This command allows the user to import CAMCAD data files (.CC files).


Command File Print

  Menu Command - File | Print

File | Print

This command is used to print the contents of the working project window.  When selected, the print dialog box appears with several different options:

Print Options

Extents Of Drawing: When toggled, this option will print the entire drawing, whether or not the drawing is visible or only partly visible in the project window.

Contents Of Window: When toggled, this option will force the printer to print only what is visible in the current project window.

B & W / Color: This allows the user to toggle between black & white or color printouts.

Fit To Page: This option will rescale your image to fill the entire page when printed.

Print To Scale: When selected, this option will print the contents of the project window in the scale in which it is displayed, regardless of the paper size.  The "scale" is user-definable in the edit box that is underneath the Print To Scale option.

Print By Layer: This option will force the printer to only print one file layer at a time, each layer on a different page.

Print Banner: This option toggles on and off the "Printed By CAMCAD - [filename]" banner that normally appears at the bottom of all printed pages.

Paper Orientation - Portrait / Landscape: Select the way you would like your file to print on a page.  Portrait refers to normal, 8.5" X 11.0" printing, and landscape refers to sideways 11.0" X 8.5" printing.


Command File Print Preview

  Menu Command - File | Print Preview

File | Print Preview

This option, when selected, gives the same print dialog box as the File | Print command.  The only difference between the two commands is that File | Print Preview will display your file on the screen exactly as it will print out, while File | Print will actually send your file to the printer.

Use File | Print Preview to view how the print options influence the resulting printout, without actually printing your file.


Command File Print Setup

  Menu Command - File | Print Setup

File | Print Setup

This command allows you to see what printer CAMCAD is going to print to, and what the specifics of that printer are.  To change from one printer to another, merely select a different printer listed in the Print Setup dialog box.

To add another printer, refer to your Windows documentation for the Windows Control Panel.


Command File Exit

  Menu Command - File | Exit

File | Exit

This command exits you from CAMCAD, and takes you back to your Windows environment.  Make sure you save your work before using this command.


Command Zoom In

  Menu Command - Zoom | Zoom In

Zoom | Zoom In

This command allows you to zoom in on a particular section of your image, to view it at  2X the current scale.  When selected, the Zoom | Zoom In command changes your CAMCAD crosshairs to a large, square zoom area. Manuver the zoom area to the section of your drawing that you want to enlarge and click the left mouse button.  The area outlined by the zoom window now fills the screen.

Each successive Zoom | Zoom In command results in a 2X enlargement.


Command Zoom Out

  Menu Command - Zoom | Zoom Out

Zoom | Zoom Out

The Zoom | Zoom Out command reduces the image on the screen by a factor of 2X.  Simply click on the toolbar button or select the command from the menu bar, and your view of the image will be rescaled.


Command Zoom Window

  Menu Command - Zoom | Zoom Window

Zoom | Zoom Window

After toggling this command, your crosshair cursor will change to an image of a magnifying glass.  Click and hold the left mouse button to drag a window around the area that you want to focus on, then release the button.  The area inside the zoom window is automatically enlarged.  This command is very useful for zooming up on a very small section of your drawing.


Command Zoom Extents

  Menu Command - Zoom | Zoom Extents

Zoom | Zoom Extents

Zoom extents automatically creates a zoom window around the extents, or borders, of your entire drawing, and redraws your image so that it is visible in the window in its entirety.


Command Zoom 11

  Menu Command - Zoom | Zoom 1:1

Zoom | Zoom 1:1

This zoom command redraws your image to a 1:1 ratio.  Please note that this does not mean that the entire drawing will be visible on the screen - depending on the window size and dimensions, the drawing may or may not fit entirely in the window.


Command Zoom Pan To Center

  Menu Command - Zoom | Pan To Center

Zoom | Pan To Center

This zoom command allows you to select a point on the drawing that will be placed at the center of the project window.  Merely select this command, and your CAMCAD crosshair pointer turns into a simple cross pointer.  Manuver the pointer to the section of the drawing that you want to appear in the center of the project window, and click the left mouse button.  The selected point is automatically moved to the center of the project window, and the image is redrawn appropriately.


Command Zoom Pan To Text

  Menu Command - Zoom | Pan To Text

Zoom | Pan To Text

This zoom function allows you to search through your drawing for a text string.  When selected, the Zoom | Pan To Text command brings up a dialog box with several user-definable settings.  There is a single small field where you enter in the text string that you are looking for, and below this field, there are the following options:

Case Sensitive: This toggles whether text case is relevant or not.

Find Substrings: This setting should be used when the text you are looking for is a substring of a larger text string.  For example, D-14ARPOL1 is a text string containing POL1.  If you issue the command Zoom | Pan To Text and search for the text string POL1, the search will fail unless Find Substrings is toggled as on.

Text Entities: Todo.

Entities With Visible Attributes: Todo.


Command Zoom Next Text

  Menu Command - Zoom | Next Text

Zoom | Next Text

This command repeats the last Zoom | Pan To Text command, to allow for easy multiple searches of the same text string.  Please note that this command also retains the search parameters as the original Zoom | Pan To Text command, such as case sensitivity and substring searches.


Command Edit Undo

  Menu Command - Edit | Undo

Edit | Undo

Undo is a frequently used command that removes the last changes you made to your file.  CAMCAD Edit | Undo stores the last 20 changes made, so issuing multiple Edit | Undo commands will remove up to the last 20 changes to your file.


Command Edit Redo

  Menu Command - Edit | Redo

Edit | Redo

This command is a "reverse" of the Edit | Undo command.  For example, lets say you are using the Edit | Undo command to step back through changes to your file.  You meant to undo the last 3 changes, but accidently hit the undo button 4 times.  You can use the Edit | Redo command to step forward and regain that last change.


Command Edit Delete Selected

  Menu Command - Edit | Delete Selected

Edit | Delete Selected

This command allows you to remove the selected items from your drawing.  Keep in mind that it is possible to have more than one entity or item selected at once, and Edit | Delete Selected removes all the currently selected items.

To select multiple entites in CAMCAD, press and hold the shift key while using the mouse to click on individual items.


Command Edit Move Selected

  Menu Command - Edit | Move Selected

Edit | Move Selected

There are times when it is helpful to move objects or entities in a CAMCAD project window.  Use the mouse to select the item/items that you wish to move, then issue the Edit | Move Selected command.  Next, move the mouse pointer so that the crosshair is near the selected item, and left click.  The selected item is "picked up" and is movable with the mouse.  When the item is in the new location, left click again.  The item is "dropped".

To select multiple objects at once, press and hold down the shift key while selecting each individual object.


Command Edit Copy Selected

  Menu Command - Edit | Copy Selected

Edit | Copy Selected

This command is currently unavailable.


Command Edit Explode Geometry

  Menu Command - Edit | Explode Selected Geometry

Edit | Explode Selected Geometry

When viewing and analyzing files, it is often helpful to have the ability to separate geometries, blocks or groups into their individual parts.  Edit | Explode Selected Geometry performs this function - each entity within the selected geometry will be "ungrouped" with the other entities of the block, to allow for complete data mining within your file.

To issue the command, simply select and highlight your geometry, and issue the Edit | Explode Selected Geometry command.  The geometry is then exploded.


Command Edit Explode Polylines

  Menu Command - Edit | Explode Selected Polylines

Edit | Explode Selected Polylines

When viewing and analyzing files, it is often helpful to have the ability to separate polylines into their individual line segments.  Edit | Explode Selected Polylines performs this function - each line segment within the selected polyline will be "unjoined" with the other line segments, to allow for specific alterations or complete data mining within your file.


Command Edit Generate Geometry

  Menu Command - Edit | Generate Geometry

Edit | Generate Geometry

This is an extremely helpful command that allows you to select multiple items and link them together into a block.  Press and hold down the shift button, and use the mouse to select each individual item that you want to include in the block.  Next, select the Edit | Generate Geometry command.  The individual items are now merged into a block.


Command Edit Merge Polyline

  Menu Command - Edit | Merge Polyline

Edit | Merge Polyline

This is an extremely helpful command that allows you to select multiple line segments or polylines and merge them into one large polyline.  Select the Edit | Merge Polyline command to get into "edit" mode, and use the mouse to select each individual line segment that you wish to merge.    After you are done selecting the lines, reissue the Edit | Merge Polyline command or hit the escape key to get out of "edit" mode.  The selected lines are now merged into one polyline.

Keep in mind that you cannot merge lines or polylines from different layers into one polyline.


Command Edit Move Vertex

  Menu Command - Edit | Move Polyline Vertex

Edit | Move Polyline Vertex

This command allows you to alter the location of a single vertex within a polyline.  The process is simple.  From the menu bar or the edit toolbar, select Edit | Move Polyline Vertex.  This turns on the "edit" mode..  Next, move the mouse crosshairs over the polyline that you wish to edit and click the left mouse button.  The vertex that is nearest to the crosshairs when the polyline is selected becomes the vertex that is moved.  Move the vertex to the new location and click the mouse button again.  The vertex is placed at the new location.

Note: After you are finished moving your polyline vertex, you should hit the [ESCAPE] key to deselect the Edit | Move Polyline Vertex command and exit from "edit" mode, to tell CAMCAD that you are finished with this command.


Command Edit Add Vertex

  Menu Command - Edit | Add Polyline Vertex

Edit | Add  Polyline Vertex

This handy editing command allows you to insert a vertex into a polyline.  Issue the Edit | Add Polyline Vertex command and move the mouse crosshairs to the location on the polyline where you want to insert the vertex.  Single click the mouse button, and the vertex is inserted.  Next, move the mouse and you will see the new vertex change location.  Move the vertex to the correct location and click the mouse button again.  The vertex is placed.

Note: After you are finished adding your polyline vertex, you should hit the [ESCAPE] key to deselect the Edit | Add Polyline Vertex command, to tell CAMCAD that you are finished with this command.


Command Edit Delete Vertex

  Menu Command - Edit | Delete  Polyline Vertex

Edit | Delete  Polyline Vertex

This command removes a vertex from a polyline.  Select Edit | Delete Polyline Vertex from the menu bar or edit toolbar to enter into "edit" mode, and move the crosshairs over the polyline and vertex you want to remove.  Click the left mouse button, and vertex on the polyline nearest the crosshairs is removed.

Note: After you are finished deleting your polyline vertex, you should hit the [ESCAPE] key to deselect the Edit | Delete Polyline Vertex command and remove yourself from "edit" mode, to tell CAMCAD that you are finished with this command.


Command Edit Move Segment

  Menu Command - Edit | Move  Polyline Segment

Edit | Move  Polyline Segment

This command allows you to pick up and move individual line segments that make up a polyline.  Select the command from the menu bar or toolbar to enter into "edit" mode, and move the crosshairs over the polyline and line segment that you wish to move.  When you click the mouse button, the line is "picked up" and you can then move it to the new location.  When it is in the location that you want, click the mouse button again.  The line segment is "dropped" in the new location, and the polyline is redrawn accordingly.

Note: After you are finished moving your polyline line segment, you should hit the [ESCAPE] key to deselect the Edit | Move Polyline Segment command, to tell CAMCAD that you are finished with this command.


Command Edit Delete Segment

  Menu Command - Edit | Delete  Polyline Segment

Edit | Delete  Polyline Segment

This command allows you to quickly remove line segments from any polyline.  Toggle the command from the menu bar or toolbar to place yourself in "edit" mode, and move the crosshairs over the line segment that you want to remove.  When you click the mouse button, the line under the crosshairs is deleted.

Note: After you are finished deleting your polyline line segments, you must hit the [ESCAPE] key to deselect the Edit | Delete Polyline Segment command and remove yourself from "edit" mode.


Command Query Find Next

  Menu Command - Query | Find Next At This Level

Query | Find Next At This Level

Many times you will run into situations where you want to query on something in the project window, yet because entities overlap or are on top of each other, selecting the specific entity for querying can be difficult. This is where the Query | Find Next command comes in.  Move the CAMCAD crosshairs to the area where your entity is located, and click the left mouse button.  If your target object is not highlighted, repeatedly press the [F3] shortcut key.  Each time you hit the [F3] key, a different entity within the crosshairs area will become selected.  Continue using the [F3] key until the entity that you want is selected.


Command Query Query/Edit Entity

  Menu Command - Query | Query/Edit Entity

Query | Query/Edit Entity

This command gives you specific information on whatever entity is selected.  The Query | Query/Edit Entity dialog box will differ depending on each entity that is selected, as different entities have different attributes.  At the top of the query dialog box is a word that identifies the kind of entity that is being queried, i.e. Poly, Aperture, Text, & Insert.  Follow the links below for specific query information on each kind of entity:

Poly Query	Aperture Query
Text Query	Insert Query
Please note: We are in the process of restructuring the query dialogs, so the information contained in the above links may not exactly reflect the query dialogs that you see on your screen.  If you would like information on arc, line, or circle queries, please refer to the Poly Query section.


Query_Poly_Query

  Query | Query/Edit Entity | Poly Query

Query | Query/Edit Entity | Poly Query

When you query a polyline, you will see the Poly Query dialog box that contains the attributes of the polyline.  At the top of the dialog box, you will see a dialog window that has Poly, Poly - CLOSED, or Poly - CLOSED FILLED, indicating the state of the polyline.  Under this will be a listing of the X and Y coordinates of the vertices of the polyline.  The rest of the dialog box announces the specific attributes for the polyline.  If you are attempting to query a line or arc, you will probably see the query come up as a poly query.

 example of the Poly Query dialog

The following jumps will guide you to detailed information about each section of the Poly Query dialog:

1) The Poly Query window, the negative checkbox, and the Edit Poly Item button

2) Layer dropdown choices

3) Width dropdown choices

4) Class dropdown choices

5) Modify, Attribs, Close buttons and Keyword/Value window


Command Query Toggle Mark For Entity

  Menu Command - Query | Toggle Mark For Entity

Query | Toggle Mark For Entity

This command will toggle a marked entity as selected or not selected.  For example, if you have ten individual entities selected and realize that the tenth entity should not be selected, rather than clearing everything and starting over with the Query | Clear Marked command, you can issue the Query | Toggle Mark For Entity command and clear the mark just on that tenth entity.


Command Query Mark By Window CC

  Menu Command - Query | Mark By Window (Cross-Check)

Query | Mark By Window (Cross-Check)

This command is very similar to the Query | Mark By Window command.  This command, however, will mark as selected any entity that falls within the marked window, even if the entity is only partially inside the marked window.  Therefore, if you have a polyline that lies half in and half out of the Query | Mark By Window (Cross-Check) window, the polyline will be selected.


Command Query Clear Marked

  Menu Command - Query | Clear Marked

Query | Clear Marked

The Query | Clear Marked command will deselect all entities that are currently selected.  After you issue this command, it is often helpful to do a View | Redraw command to refresh your project window view.


Command Query Reverse Marked

  Menu Command - Query | Reverse Marked

Query | Reverse Marked

This command will instantly select everything that is not currently selected, and unselect entities that are currently selected.  This command is very useful for deleting a large number of entities at once (mark what you want to keep, then do a reverse-marked, then delete).


Command Query Mark By Win

  Menu Command - Query | Mark By Window

Query | Mark By Window

This command will select all entities within the Query | Mark By Window window.  Issue the command from the menu or toolbar, and click and drag the mouse crosshairs to create a window around the area you wish to mark.  When you complete the window, all entities that are completely inside the window will be marked. Therefore, if you have a polyline that lies half inside and  half outside of the Mark By Window window, the polyline will not be marked as selected.


Command Add File

  Menu Command - Add | File

Add | File

Adding a file into your project window is simple with this command.  After you choose the Add | File command, you can verify the existance of the new file with the Tools | File List command.

In CAMCAD, the project window is composed of individual files that you can toggle on and off, just as each individual file is composed of layers that you can toggle on and off.  When you add a new file, you can add entities and make changes to this new file without affecting your original files.  This is extremely helpful for editing purposes.


Command Add Layer

  Menu Command - Add | Layer

Add | Layer

In CAMCAD, you have a project window in which multiple files can be displayed, and each file can have multiple layers.  You can add new layers to any file with the Add | Layer command.  After you choose Add | Layer, you will be prompted for a new layer name.  This new layer is assigned a color which can be changed later.

Adding layers is extremely helpful in editing, as you can select and move any entity from one layer to another, and turn layers on and off to display only the information that you need.


Command Add Line

  Menu Command - Add | Line

Add | Line | Line Segment

This command allows you to insert a line segment into the project window.  Select the command from either the menu bar or the toolbar to go into "add" mode.  Then move the mouse in your project window, clicking once to begin the line, and once to end the line.  After you get the line(s) placed, toggle the Add | Line | Line Segment command again to exit from "add" mode.

Add | Line | Polyline

This command allows you to insert a polyline into the project window, and works exactly like the Add | Line Segment command.  Toggle the Add | Polyline command and insert your new polyline into the current project.  After you have the polyline inserted, you can issue the Add | Polyline End command or re-enter the Add | Line | Polyline command to remove yourself from "add" mode.


Command Add Circle

  Menu Command - Add | Circle

Add | Circle

This CAMCAD command will insert a circle into the project window.  Select the command, then position the crosshairs where you want the circle to be placed.  A single mouse click places the circle into the project window.  Then, you drag the mouse to create the radius of the circle.  When the circle is the proper size, a single left click ends the procedure.  A circle is created.


Command Add Arc

  Menu Command - Add | Arc

Add | Arc | ClockWise - Center, Radius, Start, Delta

This command allows you to insert an arc into the project window.  After selecting this command, each left mouse click signifies a selection of the arc's center, radius, start, and delta.  The arc is drawn clockwise.

Add | Arc | Counter-ClockWise - Center, Radius, Start, Delta

This command allows you to insert an arc into the project window.  After selecting this command, each left mouse click signifies a selection of the arc's center, radius, start, and delta.  The arc is drawn counter-clockwise.

Add | Arc | Start, End, Center

This command inserts an arc into the project window, with each left mouse click indicating the arc's start, end, and center.


Command Add Text

  Menu Command - Add | Text

Add | Text

This useful command will insert text into your project window.  After you issue the command, you will see a small dialog box with a window for your text.  Type something in the window.  The dialog box does not go away, but if you move your mouse at this point, you will see your text attached to the mouse pointer.  Move and position the text to the place you want it to appear, and click the mouse button.  The text is placed and the Add | Text dialog disappears.


Command Add Geometry

  Menu Command - Add | Geometry

Add | Geometry

This command allows you to insert a geometry into the project window.   After you choose Add | Geometry, you will be presented with a window in which you can select which geometry will be inserted.  Make your selection and choose okay.  Move the mouse so that the new entity is placed at the proper location, and click the mouse button.  The geometry is inserted.

You can view all available geometries with the Tools | Geometry List command.


Command Add End Polyline

  Menu Command - Add | End Polyline

Add | End Polyline

This command takes you out of the "add polyline" mode.  After you add a polyline in the project window, you must toggle this command to "stop" drawing your polyine.


Command Add Close Polyline

  Menu Command - Add | Close Polyline

Add | Close Polyline

Use this command when you are adding a polyline that you need closed.  Draw your polyline in the project window with the Add | Polyline command.  When you choose the Add | Close Polyline command, CAMCAD will insert a line segment between the beginning and end points to close the polyline.


Command Add Close Fill Polyline

  Menu Command - Add | Close & Fill Polyline

Add | Close & Fill Polyline

This command will close and fill any added polyline.  First choose Add | Polyline and insert your polyline into the project window.  Right after you draw your polyline, you can select this command to automatically close and fill the new polyline.  If necessary, CAMCAD will insert a line segment to close the polyline.


Command Tools Aperture List

  Menu Command - Tools | Aperture List

See also: Aperture Read

          Defining Undefined Apertures

          Working With Apertures

Tools | Aperture List

The Aperture List dialog contains specific, detailed information about all of the defined apertures in the currently selected project window.  Editing apertures and manipulating the aperture listing is possible in the Aperture List dialog window.

* Click on the column header to sort by different criteria

* Click on selected aperture's shape icon to change the aperture shape

* Double-click on an aperture's name to edit the aperture

* Click on selected aperture's name to edit the name of the aperture

Double-clicking on an aperture name will bring up the Edit Aperture window


Command Tools Geometry List

  Menu Command - Tools | Geometry List

Tools | Geometry List

The Geometry List dialog will display all the currently defined geometries for the current project window.  The AD column displays an "A" if the item is an aperture, and a "D" if the item is also a drill.  You can toggle these settings by selecting the geometry and toggling the aperture & drill checkboxes.  The display section details what information is shown in the Geometry List dialog.

The Geometry List dialog


Command Tools Layer List

  Menu Command - Tools | Layer  List

Tools | Layer List

The Layer List dialog displays all the layers in the currently selected project window.  The display is defaulted to highlight colors, but the display can be toggled to comments or mirror layers to display other layer information.

Colors for each layer may be edited by double-clicking on the square colored box following the layer name field.

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The Layer List dialog, displaying all layer information


Command Tools Tool List

  Menu Command - Tools | Tool  List

Tools | Tool List

This CAMCAD command brings up a dialog window that shows the current apertures that are defined as drills, and the cooresponding drill code (T-Code) for Excellon Drill & Route Write.  Further functionality of this dialog may be added in later editions of CAMCAD.

The Tool List dialog


Command Tools Navigator

  Menu Command - Tools | Navigator

Tools | Navigator

When this command is issued, the CAMCAD Navigator dialog box is opened.  Inside, three folders will be shown initially: Files, Geometries, and Layers.

When the Files folder is expanded, you will see all of the files that are loaded into the current project window.  Depending on the files that you have loaded, different information will be at your disposal.  Information such as component instance, netlist, and component type will be displayed with all attributes.

When the Geometries folder is expanded, all geometries contained in the files that are loaded will be displayed.  This includes global pad, drill, padstack, and component definitions along with any defined attributes.

Expanding the Layer list displays all layers for the currently selected project window.  Defined attributes in the layers can also be seen in this folder.

To view, edit, add, or delete attributes for any desired entity simply select that entity and click on the "edit attributes" button.

The Navigator dialog, with specific file information


Command Tools Keyword Map Editor

  Menu Command - Tools | Keyword Map Editor

Tools | Keyword Map Editor

The keyword map editor only applies to people reading and writing intelligent databases.

What is displayed in this dialog box is the CAMCAD keyword, the Import keyword, and Export keyword.  These keywords refer to attribute types in the CAD data.

The Import keyword column displays all attribute types contained in the original CAD data.  The Export keyword column displays all attribute types to be written to the new CAD format.  The CAMCAD keyword column displays a listing of the internal attribute types within CAMCAD.  Normally, when you import a CAD file, the Import keyword and Export keyword are the same. The CAMCAD keyword is the internally displayed keyword when viewing attributes for a particular entity, either through the query dialog or through the navigator.

Any of the keyword entries may be edited by selecting the desired CAMCAD keyword and clicking the "edit keyword" button.  You can edit the CAMCAD keyword to a more descriptive name, and the export keyword can be edited to match the appropriate legal keyword in the target CAD system.

Once the keywords have been edited sufficiently, a keyword map file can be saved for future use.  Use the "save keyword map" button to accomplish this.  If you already have a saved keyword map, you can load it with the "load keyword map" button.

The Keyword Map dialog


Command Tools Refresh Attribute Inh

  Menu Command - Tools | Refresh Attribute Inheritance

Tools | Refresh Attribute Inheritance

This command is currently in developent.


Command Tools PCB

  Menu Command - Tools | PCB

Tools | PCB | Highlight Net

This brings up a dialog box in which you select a net name to highlight.  When you click on okay, it will highlight the selected net on the board.

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Tools | PCB | Highlight Selected Item's Net

This will highlight the net of the selected item, if the selected item is part of a net.

Tools | PCB | Highlight Comp/Pin

This command is not currently activated.


Command Settings Modify

  Menu Command - Settings | Modify Settings

Settings | Modify Settings

This page is under construction.


Command Settings Save

  Menu Command - Settings | Save Settings

Settings | Save Settings

This command creates a new .set file, that you can later read in as a local or global settings file. This command saves each setting found with the Settings | Modify command.


Command Settings Load Local

  Menu Command - Settings | Load Local Settings

Settings | Load Local Settings

This command will allow you to load in a .set file that will affect only the current project window.  This is extremely useful, as you can have different settings affecting each different project window to customize each resulting display.


Command Settings Load Global

  Menu Command - Settings | Load Global Settings

Settings | Load Global Settings

This command will load in a .set file that will contain the settings format for all project windows created thereafter.  If you have a project windows open already, loading in global settings with this command will not do anything - it will only affect new project windows created after the Settings | Load Global Settings command is issued.


Command Settings Load Font File

  Menu Command - Settings | Load Font File

Settings | Load Font File

This command allows you to load in a CAMCAD font file.  CAMCAD is shipped with a font file called default.fnt, and several more .fnt files are available for download at the RSI web site.  In addition to this, there is also a file for download called fontgen.exe, which is the CAMCAD font file generator.  You can use this program to read in any true-type font (.ttf) file and convert it to the CAMCAD readable .fnt format.


Command Settings Change Origin

  Menu Command - Settings | Change Origin Position

Settings | Change Origin Position

You may find it helpful or necessary to change the origin position while viewing or editing your file, and the Settings | Change Origin Position allows you to do this quite easily.  When you issue the command, your CAMCAD mouse crosshairs will dissappear, and you will have direct control over the X and Y axis as you move the mouse.  Move the origin to the desired position and click the mouse button.  The origin is changed to the new position.


Command Settings Change Admin

  Menu Command - Settings | Change Admin Password

Settings | Change Admin Password

The Settings | Change Admin Password command allows a network administrator to set and change a password necessary to enter or modify access codes.

When CAMCAD is first installed on a network, the network administrator sets up each client station with the Setupusr program.  Immediately after running the setupusr.exe, the administrator should enter in the access codes for the modules that will run at that station.  After the access codes are entered, the network administrator can set a password that will protect the access codes just entered.  Once the password is established at that machine, the access codes cannot be altered unless the correct password is keyed in.

Any local user machine that the network administrator wishes to 'protect' should have a password established.


Command Settings System

  Menu Command - Settings | System

Settings | System

You will find two sections under the Settings | System command:

Load Menu Language File: This command will allow you to change the language file used to write the menu bar and menu commands, for international support.

Save English Menu Language File: When you save the English Menu language file, you create a .txt file whose contents consist of the text and formatting of the CAMCAD menu bar.  You can then manually edit this .txt file to change the menu commands to the language of your choice.


Command View Main Toolbar

  Menu Command - View | Main Toolbar

View | Main Toolbar

This command toggles the Main Toolbar on and off.  All CAMCAD toolbars can be repositioned on the screen.  Simply click and hold down the mouse button while the mouse pointer is over an empty section on the toolbar.  Drag the toolbar to the new position and release the mouse button, and the toolbar is repositioned.

The Main Toolbar

For specifics on the Main Toolbar, click here.


Command View Status Bar

  Menu Command - View | Status Bar

View | Status Bar

The status bar rests at the bottom of the CAMCAD window, and when toggled on, will display the current scale, the current X and Y coordinates of the crosshairs, and the units of measurement.

example of Status Bar


Command View Current Settings

  Menu Command - View | Current Settings

View | Current Settings

The View | Current Settings command will toggle the display of the Current Settings dialog box.

The Current Settings Dialog Box

Displayed in the current settings dialog is the following information:

Current File ListBox: Displays the filename of the currently selected entity, or the filename to which changes/additions will be made.

Current Layer ListBox:  Displays the layer of the currently selected entity, or the layer on which any changes will be made.

Current Width ComboBox:  Displays the current width (aperture) setting for the highlighted entity, or the width (aperture) that will be used to draw any new entities.

Scale:  Displays the scale for the currently selected entity.

Rotation: Displays the rotation for the currently selected entity, or the rotation which will be applied to new entities.

Text:  Displays the text size (in inches) for the currently selected text, or the size in which inserted text will be printed.

Mirror:  Toggles whether inserted text will be mirrored.


Command View Add Toolbar

  Menu Command - View | Add Toolbar

View | Add Toolbar

This command toggles the Add toolbar on and off.  All CAMCAD toolbars can be repositioned on the screen.  Simply click and hold down the mouse button while the mouse pointer is over an empty section on the toolbar.  Drag the toolbar to the new position and release the mouse button, and the toolbar is repositioned.

The Add Toolbar

For specifics on the Add Toolbar, click here.


Command View Snap/Grid Toolbar

  Menu Command - View | Snap/Grid Toolbar

View | Snap/Grid Toolbar

This command toggles the Snap/Grid Toolbar on and off.  All CAMCAD toolbars can be repositioned on the screen.  Simply click and hold down the mouse button while the mouse pointer is over an empty section on the toolbar.  Drag the toolbar to the new position and release the mouse button, and the toolbar is repositioned.

The Snap/Grid Toolbar

For specifics on the Snap/Grid Toolbar, click here.


Command View Edit Toolbar

  Menu Command - View | Edit Toolbar

View | Edit Toolbar

This command toggles the Edit Toolbar on and off.  All CAMCAD toolbars can be repositioned on the screen.  Simply click and hold down the mouse button while the mouse pointer is over an empty section on the toolbar.  Drag the toolbar to the new position and release the mouse button, and the toolbar is repositioned.

The Edit Toolbar

For specifics on the Edit Toolbar, click here.


Command View Poly Toolbar

  Menu Command - View | Poly Toolbar

View | Poly Toolbar

This command toggles the Poly Toolbar on and off.  All CAMCAD toolbars can be repositioned on the screen.  Simply click and hold down the mouse button while the mouse pointer is over an empty section on the toolbar.  Drag the toolbar to the new position and release the mouse button, and the toolbar is repositioned.

The Poly Toolbar

For specifics on the Poly Toolbar, click here.


Command View Show Toolbar

  Menu Command - View | Show Toolbar

View | Show Toolbar

This command toggles the Show Toolbar on and off.  All CAMCAD toolbars can be repositioned on the screen.  Simply click and hold down the mouse button while the mouse pointer is over an empty section on the toolbar.  Drag the toolbar to the new position and release the mouse button, and the toolbar is repositioned.

The Show Toolbar

For specifics on the Show Toolbar, click here.


Command View PCB Toolbar

  Menu Command - View | PCB Toolbar

View | PCB Toolbar

This command toggles the PCB Toolbar on and off.  All CAMCAD toolbars can be repositioned on the screen.  Simply click and hold down the mouse button while the mouse pointer is over an empty section on the toolbar.  Drag the toolbar to the new position and release the mouse button, and the toolbar is repositioned.

The PCB Toolbar

For specifics on the PCB Toolbar, click here.


Command View Customize Toolbar

  Menu Command - View | Customize Toolbar

View | Customize Toolbar

This command is currently unavailable.


Command View Copy To Clipboard

  Menu Command - View | Copy To Clipboard

View | Copy To Clipboard

When you issue this command, the exact contents of the current project window are placed on the Windows clipboard.  This command is useful when transferring information to other Windows applications, such as MS Paint.


Command View Write BMP File

  Menu Command - View | Write .BMP File

View | Write .BMP File

This command will export the image in the project window as a .bmp file.  After converting to .bmp format, you can easily load the image into other Windows applications, including MS Paint and MS Word.

CAMCAD will only export .bmp images properly if the working environment is set at 256 colors or less.  You can see your current settings in the "Display Properties" section found in the control panel of Windows.


Command View Redraw

  Menu Command - View | Redraw

View | Redraw

Redraw will redisplay the contents of the project window.  After making changes or edits, redrawing is generally a good idea.

If you wish to stop the redraw before it is completed, just hit the escape key.  The redraw is halted, and the CAMCAD crosshairs will appear.


Command View Negative View

  Menu Command - View | Negative View

View | Negative View

In CAMCAD, it is possible to toggle entities as 'negative'.  A good example of the use of negative areas are scratch areas in a copper plane. Of course, it is helpful to identify which entities are negative, and that is where View | Negative View comes in.

When selected, this command will gray out all entities that are 'positive', and all 'negative' entities will be displayed in the proper layer color.


Command View Show Classes

  Menu Command - View | Show Classes

View | Show Classes

Todo.


Command View Show Fills

  Menu Command - View | Show Fills

View | Show Fills

Todo.


Command View Show Attributes

  Menu Command - View | Show Attributes

View | Show Attributes

Todo.


Command Window Tile Vertically

  Menu Command - Window | Tile Vertically

Window | Tile Vertically

This command will resize and arrange all open project windows in a vertical format.  Window | Tile Vertically is very useful when comparing two or more files, or anytime displaying multiple files is necessary.

Only currently open windows are affected by this command - minimized windows remain minimized and unaffected.


Command Window Tile Horizontally

  Menu Command - Window | Tile Horizontally

Window | Tile Horizontally

When you give the Window | Tile Horizontally command, your currently open project windows are resized and displayed horizontally.  This command is very useful when visually comparing two or more files.

Only open and displayed project windows are affected by this command - minimized windows remain unaffected.


Command Window Cascade

  Menu Command - Window | Cascade

Window | Cascade

This command will resize and arrange all open project windows in a cascading format.  Only open and displayed windows will be cascaded - minimized windows remain unaffected by this command.


Command Window Arrange Icons

  Menu Command - Window | Arrange Icons

Window | Arrange Icons

In CAMCAD you can minimize the current project window, so that only the top title bar is present (Win 95) or it appears as an icon (Win3.x, Win NT).  When you issue the Window | Arrange Icons command, all of the minimized icons are arranged neatly along the bottom of the screen.


Command Help Index

  Menu Command - Help | Index

Help | Index

This command will launch the CAMCAD help file.


Command Help Using Help

  Menu Command - Help | Using Help

Help | Using Help

This command guides you through using Windows Help Files.  Reviewing this topic is highly suggested, as it will allow you to maximize your use of the CAMCAD help file.  Five or ten minutes reviewing Help | Using Help will reward you a many times over,  as you will get much more out of the CAMCAD help file.

For specifics on using the CAMCAD help file and it's contents, click here.


Command Help About CAMCAD

  Menu Command - Help | About CAMCAD

Help | About CAMCAD

This extremely useful command brings up the "About CAMCAD and Access Codes" dialog box.  Inside this dialog, you will see what name and company name CAMCAD is licensed to, along with the CAMCAD serial number. If you choose the "Access Codes" button from this screen, you will bring up the actual access code dialog box.  For information on entering access codes, click here


Command Help Tip Of The Day

  Menu Command - Help | Tip Of The Day

Help | Tip Of The Day

This command will bring up the "Tip Of The Day" dialog box, which is optionally shown each time you launch CAMCAD.  It is highly recommended that you let this dialog come up each time you run CAMCAD, as there are many helpful tips that will be displayed.


Command Tools File List

  Menu Command - Tools | File List

Tools | File List

This command will display the File List dialog window, which displays all the files currently loaded into the project window.  From this dialog, you can toggle individual files as on or off by clicking on the word "ON" or "OFF" just to the left of the file name.  To bring up the file edit window, click on a filename to highlight, and click on the modfiy button.

The resulting window, called Edit File Placement, allows you to manipulate the X and Y insertion point of the file, the scale of the file, and the rotation of the file.  Just click inside one of the fields to bring up a cursor, and type in the desired value.

Editing the file placement and rotation


Beyond This Help File
 Important Help File Information

See also: Help On Help

Please adjust your screen display settings to a minimum of 256 colors and a resolution of 800 X 600.  The help files may be launched with lower settings, but imbedded graphics may not be displayed correctly.

Please feel free to use the below information to assist you in obtaining help on any CAMCAD related issue that is not yet covered in this help file.

• Help File Upgrades: Please check our web site frequently for updates to this help file.  Be sure to bookmark http://www.rsi-inc.com.

Router Solutions, Inc.

180 Newport Center Drive, Suite 240

Newport Beach, CA  92660

Main Office Number: (714) 721-1017

Sales Toll Free: (800) 766-1230

sales@rsi-inc.com - All sales related issues

tech@rsi-inc.com - Technical support

upgrades@rsi-inc.com - CAMCAD upgrade information

camcad@rsi-inc.com - Give us your feedback on CAMCAD


1New Topic Page

  Read Module :

File | File Import |

Topic Page Under Construction


  Main Toolbar

The Main Toolbar in CAMCAD contains buttons to very common commands used most frequently by users.  Click on any of the buttons below to find out more about the commands you are interested in.

 File | New

 File | Import

 File | Export

 Zoom | Zoom In

 Zoom | Zoom Out

 Zoom | Zoom Window

 Zoom | Zoom Extents

 Zoom | Zoom 1:1

 Zoom | Pan To Center

 View | Redraw

 View | Negative View

 Tools | Layer List

 Tools | Geometry List

 Tools | Aperture List

 Tools | Tool List

 Tools | File List

 Tools | Navigator

 File | Print

 File | Print Preview

 View | Copy To Clipboard

 View | Write .BMP File

 Help | About CAMCAD

 Help | Index

 Window | Tile Vertically

 Window | Tile Horizontally

 Window | Cascade


  Add Toolbar

The Add Toolbar contains buttons which are shortcuts to the Add commands found on the menu bar.  Click on the links below for specific command information.

 Add | Line | Line Segment

 Add |Line | Polyline

 Add | Add Circle

 Add | Add Arc ClockWise

 Add | Add Arc Counter-ClockWise

 Add | Add Arc

 Add | Add Text

 Add | Insert A Geometry

 Add | Add File

 Add | Add Layer


  Snap/Grid Toolbar

The Snap/Grid Toolbar gives three shortcuts to the Settings commands on the menu bar.

 Settings | Modify | Grid | Show Grid

 Settings | Modify | View | Show Origin

 Settings | Modify | Grid | Snap On


  Edit Toolbar

The Edit Toolbar gives useful shortcuts to both Edit and Query commands.

 Edit | Undo

 Edit | Redo

 Query | Mark By Window

 Query | Mark By Window (CrossCheck)

 Query | Reverse Marked

 Query | Clear Marked

 Query | Query/Edit Entity

 Edit | Delete Selected

 Edit | Move Selected

 Edit | Generate Geometry

 Edit | Explode Selected Geometry


  Poly Toolbar

The Poly Toolbar offers shortcuts to several Edit commands.  Click on any of the buttons below for further information.

 Edit | Edit Polyline Bulge

 Edit | Add Polyline Vertex

 Edit | Move Polyline Vertex

 Edit | Move Polyline Segment

 Edit | Delete Polyline Vertex

 Edit | Delete Polyline Segment

 Edit | Explode Selected Polylines

 Edit | Merge Polyline


Show Toolbar

  Show Graphic Classes Toolbar

The Show Graphic Classes Toolbar offers shortcuts to several View commands from the menu command bar.

 View | Show  Fills

 View | Show Attributes

 View | Show Classes | Show All Classes

 View | Show Classes | Hide All Classes

The following buttons are on the Show Toolbar, and they indicate individual classes that may be toggled on or off for display purposes:

nrm = normal

ana = analysis

a_e = anti-etch

b_g = board geometry

drw = drawing

drc = DRC

etc = etch

mnf = manufacturing

rki = route keep in

rko = route keep out

pki = place keep in

pko = place keep out

vki = via keep in

vko = via keep out

aki = all keep in

ako = all keep out

bol = primary board outline

col = primary component outline

pol = primary panel outline

mil = milling

urt = unroute

tfo =  trace fanout


  PCB Toolbar

The PCB Toolbar contains shortcuts to the Tools | PCB commands.  Click on the buttons below for further information:

 Tools | PCB | Select Nets

 Tools | PCB | Highlight Selected Items Net


Command Query Measure

  Menu Command - Query | Measure

Query | Measure

This command allows you to measure the distance between any two entities, centerlines, or points in your project window.  When you give the Query | Measure command, you enter into "measure" mode and the measure dialog box appears.  Make your appropriate choices in the "From" and "To" sections to toggle point, entity, or centerline measurements, and make your measurements.  When finished, click on "done" to close the measure dialog and exit from "measure" mode.


  Main Tip Page


Single User VS Network Setups

 CAMCAD Single User VS Network Setups

When you first install CAMCAD, you have the option of choosing a single user setup or a network setup.  If you are installing CAMCAD to a single machine for a single user, you must select single user setup.  If you have purchased the CAMCAD network module, and have been sent your customized CAMCAD network file, you may select the network setup.

Single User Setups: The single user setup gives you the option of selecting the installed sample files, and creates all the necessary program file icons and program groups for you to use CAMCAD.

Network Setups: CAMCAD can be installed to a network when there are multiple users wishing to use it. Click here for CAMCAD network information / tips.


  Under Construction

This topic page is under construction.  Be sure to download the latest help file release at the Router Solutions web page.

Http://www.rsi-inc.com


Query_Aperture_Query

  Query | Query/Edit Entity | Aperture Query

Query | Query/Edit Entity | Aperture Query

When you query an aperture, you will see the Aperture Query dialog box that contains the attributes of the aperture.

 example of the Aperture Query dialog

The following jumps will guide you to detailed information about each section of the Aperture Query dialog:

1) The D-Code dropdown choices

2) Shape dropdown choices

3) A & B sizes, X & Y placement

4) Insert Layer dropdown choices

5) Modify, Attribs, Close buttons and Keyword/Value window


Query_Text Query

  Query | Query/Edit Entity | Text Query

Query | Query/Edit Entity | Text Query

When you query a text entity, you will see the Text Query dialog box that contains the attributes of the selected text.

 example of the Text Query dialog

The following jumps will guide you to detailed information about each section of the Text Query dialog:

1) The text window and font dropdown choices

2) X & Y placement

3) Height, Width, Angle, and Oblique settings

4) Proportional, Mirror, and Negative checkboxes

5) Layer dropdown choices

6) Width dropdown choices

7) Class dropdown choices

8) Modify, Attribs, Close buttons and Keyword/Value window


Query_Insert Query

  Query | Query/Edit Entity | Insert Query

Query | Query/Edit Entity | Insert Query

When you query an inserted entity, such as inserted geometries or components, you will see the Insert Query dialog box that contains the attributes of the entity.

 example of the Insert Query dialog

The following jumps will guide you to detailed information about each section of the Insert Query dialog:

1) Inserted geometry name and dropdown choices, and Ref Name field

2) Type dropdown choices

3) X & Y placement settings, Scale & Angle fields, Mirror checkbox

4) Insert layer dropdown choices

5) Modify, Attribs, Close buttons and Keyword/Value window


  Poly Query

The Poly Query window, the negative checkbox, and the Edit Poly Item button

The Poly Query window begins by showing you the polyline entry, and underneath, the vertices of the polyline.  The polyline entry may be written as "Poly", "Poly - FILLED", or "Poly - FILLED CLOSED".  Move the mouse pointer over the entry (the word Poly) and click to highlight, then click on the "Edit Poly Item" button.  You will see a small window called "Edit Poly", with checkboxes for Filled, Closed, and Void Poly.  If you wish to edit the polyline, you can toggle the checkboxes that you are interested in and click on the okay button.

The Edit Poly dialog

The vertices of the polyline can also be highlighted and edited.  Move the mouse pointer over a vertex entry, click to highlight, and click on the "Edit Poly Item" button.  A different window appears called "Edit Poly Vertex/Bulge", with the specific attributes of the vertex in question.

If the vertex is an endpoint on a line segment that contains a bulge (for example, an Arc), you will see entries for the Bulge Number, Bulge Radius, and Bulge Chord Distance. Otherwise, these entries will be 0.000.  The Bulge Number is the tangent of the angle of the chord distance over half the distance between the two points.  Positive and negative values are determined by draw order, and which way the arc is drawn.   The Bulge Radius is simply the radius of the circle that matches the given arc.  The Bulge Chord Distance is the value from the top of the arc down to a straight line connecting the two endpoints of the arc.

The Edit Poly Vertex/Bulge dialog with bulge attributes


QPQ 2

  Poly Query

Layer Dropdown Choices

The layer section of the poly query will show you what layer the queried entity lies on.  Modifying the layer is extremely easy - simply drop down the list of choices, and select the layer that you want to move the polyline to.  After you make the new selection, click on the modify button in the query dialog to make the change.  When the screen is redrawn, you will see the polyline appear in the color of the new layer, showing you that the polyline was moved to the new layer.

example of layer selection and modification


QPQ 3

  Poly Query

Width Dropdown Choices

The width section will show you what aperture the selected polyline is drawn with.  Click on the small down arrow to dropdown a list of choices.  You may choose any of the apertures to modify the polyline width.  After selecting the aperture, be sure to click on the modfiy button to make the change to the polyline.

example of the Width dropdown choices


QPQ 4

  Poly Query

Class Dropdown Choices

Internally, CAMCAD has many class settings that you can use to flag particular entities.  This optional flag will allow you to manipulate entities displayed in the project window with unparalleled percision.  You can turn classes on and off in CAMCAD, just the same way you can turn layers or files on and off.  If you want to display only certain entites from multiple layers or files, set those entities to a single class, then turn off all classes except that one.  The resulting project window display will contain exactly the information you need.


QPQ 5

  Poly Query

Modify, Attribs, Close buttons and Keyword/Value Window

The last features of the Poly Query dialog are the Modify, Attribs, and Close buttons, with the Keyword/Value window below.

The modify button will apply any changes made in the query dialog box to the entity in the project window.  You must use this button to insert your changes - if you use the close button without using the modify button, you will loose your changes.

The attribs button will bring up the CAMCAD attribute editor.  For further information about the attribute editor, refer to the specific help section called Attribute Editor.

The keyword/value window will show you, at a glance, the defined attributes and associated values for your selected entity.  This is the same information that can be found in the attribute editor, but the editor will allow you to modify the settings.  The keyword/value window only displays the settings.


  Polyline Display Rules

In CAMCAD, all polyline draws will follow the following rules:

1) All verticies which are not endpoints will be displayed as round.

2) Endpoints of lines and polylines will be displayed as Round, Square, or Endcap.

2b) Closed polys have no start or end, so all vertices will be round

3) Square line ends will be handled with a rotated aperture.

4) Endcap line ends will be handled with a rotated aperture.

Gerber Output Rules:

Extended (RS274x) Gerber Output: Extended Gerber output must support rotated apertures

Standard (RS274) Gerber Output:  Must warn users if non-othogonal lines and/or polylines drawn with a Square or Endcap exist.  These features will be assigned a new round aperture of same width as the original geometry

Rotated Apertures In General:

Square and round apertures can be handled by CAMCAD.  Rectangular apertures cannot be rotated.


  CAMCAD Hotkeys

The following keys are shortcuts to commands in CAMCAD:

CTRL + N..................................................	File | New
CTRL + P..................................................	File | Print
PGUP........................................................	Zoom | Zoom In
PGDOWN..................................................	Zoom | Zoom Out
HOME........................................................	Zoom | Zoom Extents
INS............................................................	Zoom | Pan To Center
F2..............................................................	Zoom | Next Text
CTRL + Z..................................................	Edit | Undo
CTRL + A..................................................	Edit | Redo
CTRL + D..................................................	Edit | Delete Selected
F3..............................................................	Query | Find Next
CTRL + Q..................................................	Query | Query/Edit Entity
CTRL + M.................................................	Query | Toggle Mark For Entity


  Top Ten Frequently Asked Questions

1) Why are my thermals coming in as undefined when I import my Gerber-X (RS274x) file?

When you first read in your Gerber file, there is a checkbox next to an option called "Macro Defined Thermal, Moire".  Try re-reading in your Gerber file, making sure this checkbox is not checked.

2) I get a Win32s error that refers to a file called comctl32.dll or ctl3d32.dll.  It looks like Windows is looking for them, but they are not on my Win 3.x system.  What are these files?

Comctl32.dll and ctl3d32.dll are 32-bit drivers that are included with Win95 and Win-NT operating systems.  For Win 3.x users, these drivers are included with the proper version of Win32s, necessary for running CAMCAD.  If you get this kind of error, you do not have the proper version of Win32s installed on your system.  You can download the correct version of Win32s at our web site - Http://www.rsi-inc.com, under CAMCAD tools.

3) How would I go about defining custom HPGL and Gerber file extensions in CAMCAD, so when I import those files, CAMCAD will automatically be looking for the proper files?

Step one is to save the current setup by issuing the Settings | Save Settings command.  Next, open the new file in a text editor, such as MS WordPad.  Among the other settings, you will see a  section called "File Extensions".  Type in your modifications and save the file.  Note: Only HPGL and Gerber files can have custom extension modification.

4) What is the difference between highlighted & marked entities?

In CAMCAD it is possible to have multiple entities marked - simply hold down the shift key as you are clicking on the entities to mark them.  When you toggle certain commands, like move or delete, these commands will apply to all marked entities.

The last entity to be marked is the one that is considered highlighted, which is relevant to other single-entity commands like query.

5) I have an older copy of CAMCAD installed on my system.  When I downloaded and installed the new shareware or the new Professional version of CAMCAD, I no longer am able to run the old copy.  Why can't I run the old version anymore?

New versions of CAMCAD have more toolbars than older versions, a fact that Windows does not handle very well.  If you need to regain functionality of the old version of CAMCAD, there is a way to do it involving editing either the Win Registry or the camcad.ini file, depending on what operating system you are running.  You can call RSI technical support for details, but we always recommend running the newest version of CAMCAD.

6) When I import my DXF or Gerber files, line ends that should be square appear rounded.  Why is this happening?

This was a known issue with certain early releases of CAMCAD V. 2.1.  This issue has been resolved, and all current releases of CAMCAD will display line ends properly.

7) After I read in my Gerber file, I see a bunch of green circles with numbers inside.  What are these circles, and how do I get rid of them?

These green circles represent undefined apertures.  Review the sections in this help file called Defining Undefined Apertures and Aperture Read.

8) I am using the CEdit module to make changes and additions to my file.  Some commands dealing with editing do not seem to turn off, such as inserting a line segment.  How do I turn off these commands?

Some commands place the user in certain CAMCAD "modes", such as Add | Line Segment or Edit | Move Poly Vertex.  To exit from these modes, either issue the command again to turn it off or press the escape key.

9) What modules are necessary to perform basic functions, and what kind of module packages does RSI offer?

The lowest level of functionality with CAMCAD occurs at the shareware level, where CAMCAD acts only as a viewer.  One step up occurs with the addition of the CPRINT module, where you gain the ability to print the contents of the project window to any standard printer, to the clipboard, or export in .BMP format.

Functionality greatly increases with the addition of the WGRAPH and CEDIT modules.  WGRAPH allows for exporting to DXF, Gerber, or HPGL/HPGL-2 formats, while CEDIT gives the ability to modify and change your files, such as select and move entities from one layer to another.

It is very common to purchase CPRINT, WGRAPH, and CEDIT together in one package.  We call this bundle CAMEDIT.

Of course, CAMCAD functionality extends well beyond this level.  No matter what translation service you need, we may have a package just right for you.  For further details, please contact RSI sales at (800) 766-1230 or sales@rsi-inc.com.

10) How do I enter in my access codes to use the modules I purchased?

Access codes can be entered in the Help | About CAMCAD & Access Codes section of CAMCAD.  For further information, see the help file entries Help | About CAMCAD & Access Codes and Entering Access Codes.


  Aperture Query

The D-Code Dropdown Choices

In the Aperture Query dialog, the top field refers to the D-Code of the aperture in question.  You can change this aperture to any other defined aperture by clicking on the dropdown arrow at the right of the D-Code field.  Browse through the list of possible selections, and choose the aperture that you need.  Note that when a new aperture is selected, the shape and size fields will be modified to reflect the proper attributes of the new aperture.  Once the aperture is found, click on the modify button to make the change to the project window.

D-Code and aperture selection in the Aperture Query dialog


  Aperture Query

Shape Dropdown Choices

You can see, and if necessary, modify any selected aperture's shape using the shape field in the Aperture Query dialog.  Please note that all changes are global for the current project window.  For example, if D-10 is normally a round, and you select and query a D-10 aperture and change the shape to square, all instances of the D-10 aperture will be changed to square when the modfiy button is clicked.

example of modifying the Shape Field


  Aperture Query

A & B Sizes, X & Y Placement

When an aperture is queried, you will be able to see the defined A and B sizes in the Aperture Query dialog.  If modification is required, simply click in the appropriate field to get a cursor, and type in the new size.  Please note that once a change is made and the modify button is clicked, the change is global for that particular aperture.  All instances of the aperture will have the new size settings.

Likewise, the X and Y placement fields will display the current coordinates for the aperture in question.  If you wish to move the selected aperture to another location, you can do so by modifying these fields.

Useful fields in the Aperture Query dialog


  Aperture Query

Insert Layer Dropdown Choices

These dropdown selections are the layers that you may move the selected aperture to.


  Aperture Query

Modify, Attribs, Close buttons and Keyword/Value Window

The last features of the Aperture Query dialog are the Modify, Attribs, and Close buttons, with the Keyword/Value window below.

The modify button will apply any changes made in the aperture dialog box to the entity in the project window.  You must use this button to insert your changes - if you use the close button without using the modify button, you will loose your changes.

The attribs button will bring up the CAMCAD attribute editor.  For further information about the attribute editor, refer to the specific help section called Attribute Editor.

The keyword/value window will show you, at a glance, the defined attributes and associated values for your selected entity.  This is the same information that can be found in the attribute editor, but the editor will allow you to modify the settings.  The keyword/value window only displays the settings.


  Text Query

The Text Window And Font Dropdown Choices

The top of the Text Query dialog contains a window that shows the selected text.  You may click inside the window to bring up a cursor, and change, modify, add, or delete the text however you wish.  When finished, be sure to click on the modify button to apply the changes to the project window.

The font dropdown selection will list all CAMCAD .fnt files that are currently loaded into your system.  If you have particular True-Type fonts that you wish to use, you can download fontgen.exe from the RSI web page.  This program will convert any True-Type font into a CAMCAD readable .fnt file.   Place the .fnt file in the CAMCAD root directory, and it will become a choice in the font dropdown choices in the Text Query dialog.

The Text Query dialog, with text window and font field


  Text Query

X & Y Placement

The X & Y placement fields show the insertion point of the selected text.  You may change the values in these fields, but be sure to click on the modify button to make the selection perminant.


  Text Query

Height, Width, Angle, And Oblique Settings

These settings will determine how the text in question is displayed on the screen. The height field refers to the height of the text, while the width field tells you the width of the field assigned to each letter.

The angle setting refers to the angle at which the line of text is drawn.  For example, an angle setting of 0 means the line is written horizontally, while an angle setting of 90 will cause the text to be written vertically.

The oblique field allows you to italicize your text.  Positive entries in this field will result in text leaning to the right, and negative entries will cause the text to lean to the left.  The useful range of settings is -50 to +50, with 0 being no lean.

Text adjustment is possible in the Text Query dialog


  Text Query

Proportional, Mirror, And Negative Checkboxes

These three settings further modify the queried text.

The proportional checkbox will toggle whether each character of text is given the same amount of room, or whether the room allocated will be proportional to the text character.

The mirror checkbox will mirror the text about it's insertion point when toggled.

The negative checkbox will cause the text to be placed in the negative plane - so it is scratched instead of drawn.


  Text Query

Layer Dropdown Choices

This dropdown field will allow you to see, and modify if necessary, the layer the text is inserted on.  After the modify button is clicked, the text is moved to the new layer.

Changing the layer in the Text Query dialog


  Text Query

Width Dropdown Choices

This field will display the aperture used to draw the queried text.  If necessary, you may change this aperture to another defined aperture by selecting the new choice in the dropdown field.  When modify is selected, the text is redrawn with the new aperture.

Selecting a new aperture in the Text Query dialog


  Text Query

Class Dropdown Choices

This field will display the class assigned to the text in question.  If change is necessary or desired, you may dropdown a list of choices and select a new class.

Viewing and modifying the class setting in the Text Query dialog


  Text Query

Modify, Attribs, Close buttons and Keyword/Value Window

The last features of the Text Query dialog are the Modify, Attribs, and Close buttons, with the Keyword/Value window below.

The modify button will apply any changes made in the Text Query dialog box to the entity in the project window.  You must use this button to insert your changes - if you use the close button without using the modify button, you will loose your changes.

The attribs button will bring up the CAMCAD attribute editor.  For further information about the attribute editor, refer to the specific help section called Attribute Editor.

The keyword/value window will show you, at a glance, the defined attributes and associated values for your selected entity.  This is the same information that can be found in the attribute editor, but the editor will allow you to modify the settings.  The keyword/value window only displays the settings.


  Insert Query

Inserted Geometry Name And Dropdown Choices, Ref Name Field

In the Insert Query dialog, you will first see the inserted geometry name of the queried entity.  You can change this entity to another defined entity by dropping down the list of choices in the Inserted Geometry field, and selecting a new type of geometry.  When the modify button is clicked, the change will be made.  Please note that the change will only affect the selected geometry, and other instances of the original geometry type will not be affected.

The Ref Name field is the reference name assigned to the queried geometry.  If no reference name is assigned, this field will be blank.

Selecting a geometry in the Insert Query dialog


  Insert Query

Type Dropdown Choices

In this field, you will see the geometry type of the selected entity.  You can dropdown a list of choices and modify the type.  When the modify button is clicked, the change is made.  Please note that the new type will only refer to the selected entity, and not all instances of the geometry.

The Type field in the Insert Query dialog


  Insert Query

Insert Layer Dropdown Choices

In this field, you may see and modify the layer in which the entity is inserted.  If editing is necessary, simply click on the arrow to dropdown a list of choices, and select the appropriate layer.  When the modify button is clicked, the geometry will be moved to the new layer, and will be displayed in the appropriate layer color.

Modifying the insert layer in the Insert Query dialog


  Insert Query

Modify, Attribs, Close buttons and Keyword/Value Window

The last features of the Insert Query dialog are the Modify, Attribs, and Close buttons, with the Keyword/Value window below.

The modify button will apply any changes made in the insert dialog box to the entity in the project window.  You must use this button to insert your changes - if you use the close button without using the modify button, you will loose your changes.

The attribs button will bring up the CAMCAD attribute editor.  For further information about the attribute editor, refer to the specific help section called Attribute Editor.

The keyword/value window will show you, at a glance, the defined attributes and associated values for your selected entity.  This is the same information that can be found in the attribute editor, but the editor will allow you to modify the settings.  The keyword/value window only displays the settings.


  Insert Query

X & Y Placement, Scale & Angle Fields, Mirror Checkbox

The coordinates of the insertion point for the selected entity is shown in the X and Y fields.  These values may be adjusted by clicking in the appropriate field and typing in the new value.

The scale field shows the scale at which the entity is displayed, and the angle field refers to the angle in which the geometry is drawn.  Again, these settings are easy to modify by clicking in the field and typing in the new value.

The mirror checkbox, when toggled, mirrors the component about it's insertion point.

Editable fields in the Insert Query dialog


Technical Support

  Technical Support Fax Form

For technical support issues, please print out this page, complete the entries, and fax to (714) 721-1019.  If you need to send us an example file, you can attach it to an email and send to tech@rsi-inc.com. Be sure to include a complete description of your problem with any emailed files.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Date:_____________________

User Name:_______________________Company:________________________

Voice #:___________________________Fax#:_____________________________

E-Mail Address:_____________________________________________________

Name Of Files Sent To RSI:_________________________________________

Version Of CAMCAD:________________________________________________

Explanation Of Situation:___________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________


  Client Feedback Fax Form

For general CAMCAD & RSI feedback, please feel free to use this fax form.  Simply print out this page, complete all applicable entries, and fax to RSI - (714) 721-1019.

We appreciate your feedback!

_______________________________________________________________________________

"I feel that CAMCAD and RSI meets my expectations because..."

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

"I feel that CAMCAD and RSI hasn't met my expectations because.."

________________________________________________________________

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"If I could make CAMCAD do one thing more, it would be..."

________________________________________________________________

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[Optional]

Name:____________________________Company:___________________

Phone:___________________________Email:_______________________


  CAMCAD Interest Request

If you would like to order CAMCAD or any of the CAMCAD modules, you may use this form to facilitate your purchase.  Simply print this page, complete all applicable fields, and fax to RSI at (714) 721-1019.  We will call you within minutes to discuss your interests!

_______________________________________________________________________________

[Shipping Information]

                                                                                   Date:_____________________

End User Name:____________________________________________________

Company Name:____________________________________________________

Company Address Line 1:__________________________________________

Company Address Line 2:__________________________________________

City:____________________State:__________________Country:____________

Voice #:___________________________Fax#:_____________________________

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[Interest  Information]

p..........I have purchased CAMCAD already, and would like information on more modules

p..........I do not currently own  CAMCAD


Read Module DXF

  Read Modules : DXF

File | File Import | DXF Read

see also: File | File Export | DXF Write

DXF Information:  Our DXF reader will import DXF files from several different sources, including Autocad R12, R13, and R14. Depending on the application generating the DXF file, you may want to modify certain file parameters upon import to CAMCAD.  These import parameters are clarified below.

DXF Import Parameters:

When you import your DXF file with  File | File Import | DXF Read, you will have the ability to modify the DXF import parameters.  Usually the default options are fine to use, however there will be times that you may wish to alter the standard settings.  The DXF Format dialog box is detailed below:

The DXF Format Dialog

Scale: This will define the import scale of your file.  An entry of 1 equates to a normal 1:1 view, an entry of 2 equates to a 2:1 import, and so on.

Units:  This dropdown field allows you to view or modify the units of measurement for your file.  You should pick the unit type which was used to create your file.  Please note that the import units may be different than the display units, so that you can accurately import multiple files with different units of measurement and display them all in one common window with one standard unit of measurement.

Layer Name Prefix:  When importing multiple files into the same project window, it may be helpful to assign a unique layer name prefix to each particular file.  For example, if you set the prefix to "1", each layer in that file will have their name prefixed with the number 1.

Proportional Text:  This checkbox will toggle whether your text is imported as proportional or non-proportional.  Proportional text will allocate different amounts of space per printed character to achieve a natural looking type, while non-proportional text will give a fixed, set amount of space per character.  Users typically choose to leave this option toggled on.

Convert Circles To Apertures:  Upon import, this option gives the ability to convert your DXF circles to apertures.  These new round apertures will retain the width of the original circle, and may be modified in the aperture list.  This option is very useful when importing a DXF file to translate to Gerber or Gerber-x format.

Convert Donuts To Apertures:  Like the above option, this will convert your DXF donuts to apertures which retain the donut outer diameter as the width.

Fill Closed Zero-Width Polylines:  CAMCAD will read in the DXF file, and any zero-width closed polylines will be filled.  This checkbox will cause all polylines meeting the criteria to be imported as filled - there is no option for individual polyline fills in the DXF import dialog.  Please refer to Query | Query/Edit Entity | Poly Query for information on individual polyline fills.

Polyline Ends - Round, Square, Endcap:  These helpful toggles allow you to import your file with differing polyline end types.  The round and square options keep the line extents, while the endcap option will end the line with a square but without line extents.


Write Module DXF

  Write Modules : DXF

File | File Export | DXF Write

see also: File | File Import | DXF Read

DXF Information:  Our DXF writer will export DXF files that are compatable with several different target systems, including Autocad R12, R13, and R14.  One notable exception is CADKEY - if you are looking to generate a file for import into CADKEY, you should not use the DXF Write option in CAMCAD.  Rather, you should obtain the CADKEY CADL Write module, and use that to generate a CADKEY readable file for import.

When you export your DXF file, you will see the specific export parameters defined in the "DXF Export Format" dialog.  These options are discussed in further detail below.

DXF Export Parameters:  The following parameters are the


All Toolbars

  CAMCAD Toolbars

CAMCAD toolbars can be toggled on/off by the cooresponding View | Toolbars command.  Toolbars may be repositioned on your screen by dragging with the mouse, and moving the mouse pointer over a button will bring up a yellow button label.

Click on any of the toolbars below for more specific toolbar information.

The Main Toolbar

The Current Settings Dialog

The Add Toolbar

The Snap/Grid Toolbar

The Edit Toolbar

The Query Toolbar

The Poly Toolbar

The Graphic Classes Toolbar

The Insert Types Toolbar

The PCB Toolbar


  Query Toolbar

The Query Toolbar gives shortcuts to Query commands.

 Query | Find Next At This Level

 Query | Measure


Insert Types Toolbar

  Show Insert Types Toolbar

The Show Insert Types Toolbar offers shortcuts to several View commands from the menu command bar.

The following buttons are on the Show Insert Types Toolbar, and they indicate individual insert types that may be toggled on or off for display purposes:

unk = unknown

via = via

pin = pin

pcbcmp = pcb component

mchcmp = mechanical component

gencmp = generic component

pcb = pcb

fdc = fiducial

tool = tooling

tpb = test probe

frpd = free pad


Fax Forms

  CAMCAD Fax Forms

· Client Feedback Fax Form

· Technical Service Request Fax Form

· CAMCAD Interest Form


All Editions

  CAMCAD Help: Edition Suppliments

Please choose from the following links to launch the edition-specific help  suppliment.  CAMCAD is shipped with the edition suppliment that cooresponds to the edition of CAMCAD that you own.  If you wish to view a different suppliment, you may download the edition suppliment from our web page and place it in your CAMCAD root directory.

Graphic Edition


  CAMCAD Editions

A


  Adding New Entities

Use the Current Settings Toolbar to set qualities for the new entity to have (such as what file it should be in and what layer it should be on).

 · Pick the file from the Current File ListBox that you want to add the entity to.  You can add a new file with the Add File command.

 · Pick the layer from the Current Layer ListBox you want the new entity to be on. You can add a new layer with the Add Layer command.  If Locked Layerlist is set in the System Settings, only the layers for the selected file appear in the Layer ListBox in the Current Settings.

 · For lines, polylines, circles, arcs, and text, pick the appropriate width (aperture) from the Current Width ComboBox to draw the entity with.

- If you type a numeric value in the Current Width ComboBox, a new round aperture will be created with this size and the new entity will be drawn with this aperture.

- If you type a name in the Current Width ComboBox, a new round aperture will be created with this name and a zero size and the new entity will be drawn with this new aperture (for example, "D10").

- If you want to change the size or shape of an aperture, you can edit apertures in the Aperture List

 · When adding a text entity, the Current Text Height, Current Mirror, and Current Rotation can be modified on the fly before placing the text.  The results can be seen while dragging the new text.

 · When adding an insert of a geometry, the Current Scale, Current Mirror, and Current Rotation can be modified on the fly before placing the geometry.  The results can be seen while dragging the new insert of the geometry.

These current settings can be set by hand, or you can highlight another entity with the desired qualities (file, layer, width, etc...) and CAMCAD will fill the current settings appropriately.

Example 1: Adding a new line to an empty window:  Add a file, add a layer to the file, then add the line

Example 2: Adding a line to an existing database: Pick the file, layer, and width (aperture) for the new line, or highlight an entity that has the desired file, layer, and width, then add the new line(s).

See Also:

Working With Files

Working With Layers

Working With Apertures

Add Menu

Current Settings


  Editing Entities

1) Select an entity (see Selecting Entities).

2) Hit Edit Entity (Ctrl + E).

3) Make modifications to database values.

4) Hit "Modify" Button

The values in the Edit Dialog represent true database values.  This means that if the file is scaled, rotated, mirrored, or offset, these values will not correspond to the final coordinates.  Likewise with geometries when in the geometry editor.  For example, a block containing a circle of radius 1 is inserted with a scale of 10.  Changing the radius of the circle to 2 would result in a circle with a radius of 20.

Most types of entities have a width field.  This can be modified by selecting a different width/aperture from the drop down or typing in a new size or name.  Typing in a new size creates a new round width/aperture of this size.  Typing in a new name creates a new width/aperture with size zero and undefined aperture shape.

Working with a poly

A poly structure can have multiple polys in it.  This is represented by a tree.  Clicking on a vertex in this tree will draw a cross over that vertex in the drawing.  The cross is drawn in the Marked Color.  A line is drawn from this vertex to the next vertex to show which bulge/segment is affected by a change to this vertex bulge number.

To edit a vertex coordinate or bulge number, click on the vertex in the tree and hit "Edit Poly Item."

To edit a poly width, Closed, Filled, or Void, click on the poly in the tree and hit "Edit Poly Item."

Attributes

Hit Attribs to modify this entitys attributes.

Editing Apertures

Modifying an apertures size or shape from the Edit Aperture Flash Dialog makes changes to the aperture.  This means that these types of changes will affect all flashes and draws of this aperture.

See also

Poly Edit Functions

Geometry Edit


  Selecting Entities

Entities may be selected in CAMCAD in a variety of ways:

* Move the mouse crosshairs over an entity and left click.  The center of the crosshairs contains a circle that represents the Search Range.

TIP: Press F3 to scroll through entities contained within the search range until the desired entity is highlighted.

The Search Range diameter is set to a default of 300 pixels.  Modify this diameter under Settings | Modify Settings | System, Search Range field.

* Groups of entities may be selected with the Query | Mark by Window and Query | Mark by Window (Cross-check).

* Mark by Window allows you to drag and draw a window.  Any entity that is fully contained within the window will be marked.

* Mark by Window (Cross-check) also allows you to drag and draw a window.  Any entity partially contained or fully contained within the window will be marked.

* Unmark an entity by selecting Query | Toggle Mark for Entity.  Clear and reverse marked commands are also found under the Query Menu commands.

* Use the Zoom | Pan to... commands to select specific entities.


Network Tips

 Network Tips: Installation/Setup

Network Setups:

(Note - You must have the CAMCAD Network File to perform a network installation of CAMCAD)

The CAMCAD network setup installs extra network-related files and directories, like the Setupusr and License directories.  These extra files make it possible for CAMCAD to function in a networked environment, using a floating license scheme to allow multiple end users to launch and run CAMCAD.  Our file based network installation operates completely independent of network type.  This allows CAMCAD to be installed on Win NT, Novel, LanTastic, etc...based networks without requiring specialized setup configurations.

Network Server Installation:

In a network setup, you first install the CAMCAD package to a directory on the server machine using the Network Server option in the install.  The CAMCAD Network Directory, chosen during the installation, will be the location of the shared executable.  This network directory should be one that is accessible to all end users (e.g. network drive or shared drive with correct permissions - read/write permissions are necessary for the CAMCAD Network Directory and all sub-directories).  This directory will contain the executable and all other necessary files, including the end user setup executable.

User/Local Client Installation:

From the end-user's machine, navigate to the CAMCAD Network Directory, then the setupusr.xxx subdirectory.  Launch setupusr.exe to setup a local copy of CAMCAD.  The setupusr.exe installation will create a CAMCAD Local Directory on the end-user's local drive which will store the local user's personalized settings and licenses. The After running setupusr.exe to install the local copy of CAMCAD, the network administrator must enter the access codes issued to the company for each end user.

**Tip** After entering the access codes for the local user of CAMCAD, a password may be established at that machine to prevent the altering of the access codes.  Review the CAMCAD Help Reference entry Settings | Change Admin Password for further information.

After the access codes are entered in, you should see the words FULL ACCESS next to the module name.  However, you may see the words UNAVAILABLE next to a module name.  This means that the access code is entered in correctly, but all the available licenses are checked out.  If this is the case, you must wait for another end user to quit running CAMCAD before running it yourself.

**Tip** Sometimes you will see UNAVAILABLE even though you have enough licenses to run CAMCAD -  it may be necessary to 'reset' the internal CAMCAD license file.  Make sure nobody is running CAMCAD, and launch the file called resetnet.exe located in the CAMCAD root directory.  This small program quickly resets the internal variables in the CAMCAD network file, and restores all licenses to their maximum limit.

**Tip** To view the current status of your license file, to determine how many licenses you have for each module and how many are currently checked out, you can run the ccnetmon.exe program.


  Working With Apertures

See also: Aperture Read

          Defining Undefined Apertures

    Automatic Macro File Generation

          Tools | Aperture List

         Advanced Macro File Tips

Many people use CAMCAD for importing, viewing, editing, and exporting Gerber files.  Gerber files come in two formats, RS274 and RS274X.  The difference between these two formats deals with apertures.  Standard Gerber files (RS274) need separate Aperture files, while Gerber-X files (RS274X) contain embedded aperture information.  CAMCAD is able to recognize and work with both kinds of Gerber formats, and is able to translate from standard Gerber to Gerber-X.

It is easy to find out whether your Gerber file is a RS274 type or RS274X type.  Simply import it into CAMCAD.  If it looks correct, with nothing out of the ordinary, it is a Gerber-X file.  If you see your board covered with large green circles with numbers inside, you have a standard Gerber file.  The circles represent undefined apertures.

TIP: You can toggle the display of the undefined aperture circles on or off.  From the menu commands, choose Settings | Modify Settings and click on the Aperture tab, and toggle off the display of undefined apertures.

Even though the display of undefined apertures may be toggled on or off, it is always better to import the Aperture file to assure the correct viewing of the Gerber file.

Aperture file import is a separate import process from importing the Gerber files.  Choose File | Import | Aperture Read.  Aperture files will contain information regarding D-Code or Aperture Number, Shape, Xsize, and Ysize.  Unfortunately, there are many different Aperture file formats, each varying the way it presents aperture information.  CAMCAD must have a way of knowing which order to expect the aperture information; it does this with a text file called a Macro File.

The first window that appears in the aperture import process is called the Aperture Smart Reader.

The Aperture Smart Reader Dialog

This is the window that you select the macro file that you wish to import the Aperture file through.  The default macro file, called default.mac, works with many different kinds of aperture file formats.

Use the default.mac macro file for the sample file.  Click on Okay.  The next window asks for the aperture file to open.  In the Samples | Gerber directory, choose the sample aperture file aperture.gap.

The third window that you will see is the Imported Apertures window.

The Imported Apertures Dialog

This window indicates the success of the import, and shows you the apertures that will be imported.  Click on the View Logfile button to view the import, line by line.  Verify that each relevant aperture line is preceded by a Match Found!.  Lines which show Could Not Find Match For indicate unmatched lines in the aperture file.  If necessary, customization of the Macro file is possible.  Refer to the relevant pages in the CAMCAD Help Reference, and open the file default.mac in any text editor and review the beginning sections.

If the Imported Apertures dialog appears blank, that means the wrong macro file was used to import the apertures.  If only a few apertures are defined, but some are left out, chances are very good that you can customize that macro file to read in the other missing apertures.  If all of the apertures are coming up, click on Accept to finish importing them into CAMCAD.  Reject will close the import dialog without importing the apertures.  View Logfile will show you the logfile of the conversion line by line, which is extremely useful if you need to customize the macro file.  The logfile will show you which lines were brought in and which lines were rejected by the macro file, guiding you to which sections of the macro file need customization.

TIP: In the Help Reference, refer to the page titled Automatic Macro File Generation to create various macro file samples.

Once the apertures are imported into CAMCAD, they can be viewed by selecting Tools | Aperture List. The Aperture List dialog shows useful information regarding imported apertures.  From left to right, you will see the aperture shape, D-Code, exported as name, Xsize, Ysize, rotation, and offset values.

From this dialog, you may view or edit aperture information.  Select an aperture by double-clicking on the D-Code.  The Edit Aperture dialog appears, offering settings and values for the aperture.  Make any necessary changes, but note that the changes will be global throughout the database.  This means that if you change D-11 from 35 mils to 60 mils, for example, all instances of the D-11 (both flashes as pad shapes and draws as line widths) will be changed.

It is sometimes necessary to view multiple Gerber files in CAMCAD, each with it's own separate Aperture file.  A problem arises: each Aperture file may contain a distinct D-Code that must be retained for proper viewing of the associated Gerber file.  As multiple Aperture files are imported into CAMCAD, D-Codes are overwritten (there can not be 2 D-17s, for example).  Therefore, there must be a way of uniquely identifying a pair of Gerber & Aperture files that handles multiple instances of D-Codes.  CAMCAD does this by the optional Aperture Prefix setting.  In the Aperture Smart Reader dialog there is a field for the Aperture Prefix.  Assign a prefix such as 'A' or '1'.  Then import the Aperture file.  Next, import the Gerber file.  In the Gerber Import Format dialog, there is also an Aperture Prefix field.  Assign the same prefix as the Aperture file. Follow the same procedure for each Aperture & Gerber file pair, assigning a unique prefix to each.

Once all Gerber and Aperture files are imported, use the Set D-Codes button in the Aperture List dialog  to reassign and organize all imported apertures.  The entire resulting database can then be exported to Gerber-X files after any needed editing.


Macro Files

  Advanced Macro File Tips

See Also: Automatic Macro File Generation

Macro files are used in conjunction with importing aperture files.  CAMCAD is shipped with several different macro files, and RSI has more macro files available on the World Wide Web site.

Customization of macro files is sometimes necessary in order to successfully import an aperture file.  When you open a macro file in a text editor, you will see the following relevant terms:

** Lines that begin with a period (.) are macro file commands

** Lines that begin with a semicolon (;) are commented out

** .ASSIGN =  Older aperture files may not have D-Codes defined within the aperture file, but rather may have only an aperture number.  The .ASSIGN command assigns D-Codes to aperture numbers.  Depending on the aperture file, these lines may or may not be necessary.  If they are not necessary, they can still be present within the macro file and will not influence the success of the macro file. Should you need to enter more apertures, follow the same pattern as the other .ASSIGN lines.

** .STARTDEF = The beginning of the macro file definition

** .UNITS = Units - INCH, MIL, MM

** .TEXTDELIMITER = Should you wish to skip an entire text section of a line in the macro file, you can designate .TEXTDELIMITERS.  Common delimiters are parenthesis (), single quotes '', and double quotes "".

** .IGNORE = Any character appearing in the .IGNORE quotes are ignored by the .SCANLINE command.  Note - when a character is .IGNORED, it is ignored throughout the ENTIRE aperture file.

** .WORDDELIMITER = Any character appearing in the .WORDDELIMITER quotes will act as a separator between words.  Note - when a character is a delimiter, it is a delimiter throughout the entire aperture file.  The delimiter is case sensitive.  A blank space must always be present in the .WORDDELIMITER line.

** .FORM_xxx =  The CAMCAD command for that aperture shape.  .FORM_ROUND, .FORM_SQUARE, .FORM_RECT, .FORM_THERM are the most common shapes.  The .FORM_xxx command is always followed by a space and the aperture file name for the same aperture shape.

** .SCANLINE = The macro file command to scan the aperture file line by line.  This command is always followed by a series of other commands that match the sequence of data in the aperture file.  When the Aperture Smart Reader scans the aperture list, it will scan a line and then compare it to the .SCANLINE command definitions found in each of the .STARTDEFs until it finds a match between the commands in the .SCANLINE and the information in the aperture list.  The .SCANLINE acts as a template.

** .SKIPWORD = Issued in the .SCANLINE command, the .SKIPWORD command will ignore the cooresponding word in the aperture file line.

** For further references to the macro file commands, please open the file default.mac in any text editor and review the contents.


rscicards

  Read Module : Scicards/Harris-EDA

File | File Import | Scicards/Harris-EDA Read


rtheda

  Read Module : Incases Theda

File | File Import | Incases Theda Read

Router

RSI Call Out: THED

Database Class: NET

System: Computervision Theda

Hardware Platform: SUN

Version: 2 to 3.1

Operating Systems: UNIX

Input File Format:.TL

Command Sequence to Generate file(s): board save TL

Make sure, that all SCOPES are saved.

Output File Format:.TL

Command Sequence to Load file(s): Normal file load

General Comments:

Board outline is PSEUDO REAL.

LIBRARY definition needed.

TL SYNTAX from Version 2 to 3.1 supported.

Input Comments:

1.PARTS that contain mirrored and or rotated symbols in Theda are 	not supported.

2.VOID AREAS without parents are supported.

   	3.COMPACT output TL-SYNTAX is not supported by RSI-Reader.

   	4.MOUNTING HOLES and other free standing pads are not supported.

   	5.CHAMFERED Arcs (Radius Value in Polylines) are not supported.

   	6.DIMENSION scope is not supported.

   	7.COMPONENTs without Reference Designator names are not

 	translated.

   	8.PHISICAL KEEPOUTS section is not currently supported.

LAYER DEPENDENT PADSTACK DEFINITION :

Theda allows the definition of different Padstack Graphics, dependent on which Layer the pad ends up being placed. This is not supported.

LAYDBASE allows in the Setup file to normalize a Padgraphic, which will change the Layername. This, however may duplicate Graphic elements.

Output Comments:

NAMED COPPER AREAS crashes Theda during file load, therefore all copper areas are translated as unnamed.

All data and comments in this document are solely RSI's

interpretation or implementation of the applicable database.

INPUT means RSI can READ the database and

OUTPUT means RSI can WRITE the database.


rmentorneu

  Read Module : Mentor Neutral File

File | File Import | Mentor Neutral File

1) General Description

2)	What files we need

2a)	How to create the files we need

3)	How to import your file

3a)	Input control file *.IN

3b)	The Log file

4)	Database class

Board Outline class

Component class

5)	Troubleshooting & Faqs


rmentor4

  Read Module : Mentor 4 File

File | File Import | Mentor 4 File

Router Solutions Incorporated

LAYDBASE - Input/Output Formats

1) General Description

2)	What files we need

2a)	How to create the files we need

3)	How to import your file

3a)	Input control file *.IN

3b)	The Log file

4)	Database class

Board Outline class

Component class

5)	Troubleshooting & Faqs

RSI Call Out: MEN8

Database Class: PIN

System: Mentor Boardstation, Fablink

Hardware Platform: SUN, HP

Version: 8.2, 8.4

Operating Systems: UNIX

Input File Format:

Command Sequence to Generate file(s):

Only the .PRT file needs to be saved in a special way, the other three files are in the standard Mentor format.

In Mentor LIBRARIAN functions select;

LOAD PART FILE

SAVE GEOMETRY ASCII

Be sure to select the proper options to save all parts into a single ASCII file. The file generated should be given the .PRT file extension.

The standard Mentor name for the other files needed are as follows;

.CMP = comps.comps_n

.WIR = traces.traces_n

.NET = nets.nets_n

Where n represents the highest number found for the file name specified.

Output File Format:

Command Sequence to Load file(s):

These steps show, how to load the RSI-Translator files rsi.prt, rsi.cmp, rsi.net, rsi.wir files into a Mentor Board Station system.

.../currentdirectory contains rsi.prt, rsi.cmp, rsi.net, rsi.wir

1.Create an EMTPY mentor Boardstation design.

2.Copy the RSI files into a Mentor accessible directory.

3.make a subdirectory rsi../currentdirectory/rsi

4.Copy the EMPTY design including the pcb subdirectory into rsi 	directory cp -r EMPTY/pcb ../currentdirectory/rsi/pcb

5.Copy rsi.cmp to rsi/pcb/comps.comps_1

6.Copy rsi.net to rsi/pcb/nets.nets_1

7.Copy rsi.wir to rsi/pcb/traces.traces_1

Now run LIBRARIAN and load the rsi.prt file.

After all geometries are loaded, save the design with save/design/design.

Now enter BOARDSTATION or FABLINK and the complete design will show on the screen.

General Comments:

Board outline is REAL.

LIBRARY driven system.

Input Comments:

Support for Mentor version 7 is offered on a custom basis.

All vias must be part of a net.

Spaces in component names are replaced with "_".

No $$ADD command is supported except in create_board mode.

Mounting holes which are inserted with the $$ADD command are not implemented.

Only one VIEW per translation is supported.

The WIRE/TRACE file can contain AREAS , which are filled polygons. These polygons can have overlapping sides, which may not be supported correctly by other CAD systems. Overlapping sides are polylines, which lie on top of existing polylines, and therefore do not form a "good" polygon.

Silk-screen reference designators are not always placed correctly.

For the RSI Laydbase system, it is important to know the Solder Layer of a design. The Solderside is derived by the first occurrence of the following instances:

   1..SOLDERSIDE LayerName (SIGNAL_xxx) from the mentor.tec file.

   2.XRF : the highest Signal number from the Wire Reference Table

   3.Routing_Layer attribute:the Layer SIGNAL_number_of_routing_layers

Unplaced Components are placed to 0,0 Coordinates.

Attribute "DRILL_DEFINITION_UNPLATED" is not implemented. (Free standing drillholes).

No support for movable pins.

Output Comments:

Electrical Layers which have a true physical layout number assigned to them in the source CAD system will automaticaly be assigned a signal_#. Where # is the true physical layout number assigned by the source system. All non-electrical layers that are desired to be mapped to a signal_# ayer must be specified in the .STP file and mapped to the exact signal layer desired.

All PWR and GND planes will automaticaly be assigned to a power_# layer where # signifies the order in which they  were encountered in the read of the source database. Hence the first plane layer to be translated would be assigned to power_1, the second to power_2, ... etc.

Because all layer mapping for electrical and plane layers is automatic the layer mapping in the .STP file for these layers is ignored.

Test points in Mentor must be placed as vias. Therefore, all pads in the source file will be evaluated as vias for Mentor.This may result in buried via warnings to be written in the log file for all SMD

pins.

The mentor8 writer now allows substitution commands in the .STP file.

The check_name logic is as follows:

   1.Get a name

   2.Substitute partial or all of the name

   3.Run the the legal check (numbers of char and allowed char).

Substitutions are not reported in the log file.

The following substitution commands are allowed:

     .SUBSPAD oldstring newstring

     .SUBSSHAPE oldstring newstring

     .SUBSTYPE oldstring newstring

     .SUBSCOMP oldstring newstring

     .SUBSSIGNAL oldstring newstring

     .SUBSLINE oldstring newstring

     .SUBSPIN oldstring newstring

The file layer_file on Mentor sets the maximum number of layers for a design and it also lists all available layers for data to be entered onto.  This file must agree with the data that is being loaded.

The most common problem is to have the layer_file set for less signal layers (e.g. 12) while the database that is being loaded may refer

to a layer 16.

Silk-screen reference designators are not always placed correctly.

Mentor Librarian does not allow self intersecting polygons. These are polygons, which cross lines. The RSI translators are not checking

for this occurrence. To prevent the Mentor Librarian software from

aborting the operation on these incidents, type before loading the PRT file the following AMPLE command:

abort_enable = @false

This command will issues warnings in the librarian and continue the operation.

Void Areas are not supported in the Mentor BoardStation system. Therefore, Copper Pour areas might short circuit pins, which would

have been covered by Void Areas. If void areas are used in a design,

do not translate Pour.

Mentor cannot easily define Padstacks, which are located on the Solder Layer only. When this is encountered the Laydbase program will do

the following:

   1.In the logfile XXXMEN.LOG the padstack is logged.

   2.In the .tec file a procedure is printed to assist the user to  change the padstack in Mentor librarian.

   3.The defined padstack will exists on all signal layers.

Read Wires files from inside Boardstation / Fablink :

In AMPLE ($) type $$read_wires("filename",@replace,@attempt_fix,@noattempt_remove).

This allows to read wire files with dangeling ends and duplicate

vias and segments.

Generic Part : All shapes which have no pins will be converted to generic parts. Generic parts can only be rotated in 45 degree steps

and will be rounded to the closest one.

Lost Routes and Traces : It can happen, that even though the traces_traces files contains all routes,  traces and vias, Mentor looses entities during the read process.

To minimize this effect, use the AMPLE command

read_wires("filename.wir",@replace,@attempt_fix,@noattempt_remove); .

The Lost Routes problem can not be fixed by the translator, but needs to be fixed by Mentor. In tests it has shown that Mentor V8 (B4)

release reduces the number of lost routes quite good, but

still a 1-3% of guides may be expected.

All data  and comments in this document are solely RSI's interpretation or implementation of the applicable database.

          INPUT means RSI can READ the database and

   	OUTPUT means  RSI can WRITE the database.


rallegro

  Read Module : Allegro File

File | File Import | Allegro File

1) General Description

2)	What files we need

2a)	How to create the files we need

3)	How to import your file

3a)	Input control file *.IN

3b)	The Log file

4)	Database class

Board Outline class

Component class

5)	Troubleshooting & Faqs

Cadence Allegro files have the default extension .brd. These binary files must be first "extracted" into ASCII files, before loading into CAMCAD. The extract is a program in the Allegro System and must be executed using the CAMCAD "valext.txt" file. The CAMCAD Allegro reader is user definable and adapts automatically to add-ons and changes in the extract file. However, the beginning records of the extract file must stay identically. The user can change the attribute section of the extract file.

"valout.txt" example as supplied with CAMCAD:

#

# VALID ALLEGRO OUTPUT SCRIPT FOR ROUTER SOLUTIONS SOFTWARE

#

# This Script creates 4 files : BRD.TXT PAD.TXT SYM.TXT RTE.TXT

#

# This is the new modified version May 92. (Router Solutions Inc.)

# This is the new modified version APR 94. (Router Solutions Inc.)

#	Component values, partnumber and type was added.

#

# This is the new modified version MAY 94. (Router Solutions Inc.)

#               Pin Rotation was added. This only work from

#               Allegro version 6.

#

# This is the new modified version JUN 94. (Router Solutions Inc.)

#               Test point was added.

#

# This is the new modified version DEC 96 (Router Solutions Inc.)

#	User properties added.

# Board section was never used. Exchange it for Layer information

#BOARD

#	BOARD_NAME

#	BOARD_UNITS

#	BOARD_EXTENTS_X1

#	BOARD_EXTENTS_Y1

#	BOARD_EXTENTS_X2

#	BOARD_EXTENTS_Y2

#	BOARD_LAYERS

#END

LAYER

LAYER_SORT

LAYER_SUBCLASS

LAYER_ARTWORK

LAYER_USE

LAYER_CONDUCTOR

LAYER_DIELECTRIC_CONSTANT

LAYER_ELECTRICAL_CONDUCTIVITY

LAYER_MATERIAL

LAYER_SHIELD_LAYER

LAYER_THERMAL_CONDUCTIVITY

LAYER_THICKNESS

END

PAD_DEF

END

GEOMETRY

# GENERATES PLACEMENT, SYMBOL, AND ETCH INFORMATION

  SYM_TYPE

  SYM_NAME

  REFDES

  SYM_X

  SYM_Y

  SYM_ROTATE

  SYM_MIRROR

  NET_NAME

  CLASS

  SUBCLASS

  RECORD_TAG

  GRAPHIC_DATA_NAME

  GRAPHIC_DATA_NUMBER

  GRAPHIC_DATA_1

  GRAPHIC_DATA_2

  GRAPHIC_DATA_3

  GRAPHIC_DATA_4

  GRAPHIC_DATA_5

  GRAPHIC_DATA_6

  GRAPHIC_DATA_7

  GRAPHIC_DATA_8

  GRAPHIC_DATA_9

  GRAPHIC_DATA_10

  COMP_DEVICE_TYPE

  COMP_PACKAGE

  COMP_PART_NUMBER

  COMP_VALUE

# User Attributes are added here

  BARCODE

  BOARD_FIDUCIAL

  BOARD_TOOLING

  BREAKAWAY

  CUTOUT

  PANEL_FIDUCIAL

  PANEL_TOOLING

  ROBBER_BAR

  CLIP_DRAWING

END

COMPOSITE_PAD

# GENERATES VIA AND NETLIST INFORMATION

# from here on down, these are user attributes and are optional

  NET_NAME

  PIN_NUMBER_SORT

  CLASS

  REFDES

  SYM_TYPE

  SYM_NAME

  SYM_X

  SYM_Y

  SYM_ROTATE

  SYM_MIRROR

  PIN_NAME

  PIN_NUMBER

  PIN_X

  PIN_Y

  PAD_STACK_NAME

  VIA_X

  VIA_Y

# for Version 6

  PIN_ROTATION

  TEST_POINT

  NET_PROBE_NUMBER

END

# End of VALOUT.SCR

================= end of example

Allegros extract program will return an error message, if you try to extract non-existant attributes.

How to run extract:

extract

<enter brd file name>	: your_file_name

<enter .txt extract script> : valout.txt //  will need 4 files, hit return on the fifth.

<enter filename> : brd.txt

<enter filename> : pad.txt

<enter filename> : sym.txt

<enter filename> : rte.txt

<enter filename> : <return>	// no file name

Now the program will execute. Check extract.log for error messages.

The loading of the Allegro files can be in any order, or in simultanious selection.

.MIRRORLAYER in ALLEGRO.IN

In the extraced files, all components are exploded. This means every instance of a 1206 Resitor (R1,R2,R3) has its own library definition. CAMCAD rebuilds a library from the exploded data. Therefore the first instance of a shape becomes the master, from which all other instances are derived. To rebuild the mirrored shapes correctly, CAMCAD looks into the .MIRRORLAYER in the ALLEGRO.IN to "unmirror" layers.

File load sequence:

The 4 script files can be loaded in any sequence, however to correctly update BOARD_FIDUCIAL and PANEL_FIDUCIAL, it is important that the .s file (3rd file from extract) is loaded before the .r (4th file from extract). Only this guaranties that the FIDUCIAL of the pins are updated correctly with the symbol inserts.

SMD pad recognition:

A pad is flagged to be SMD if no drill diameter is set.

SMD component recognition:

SMD componenets are recognized like in CCMout. See SMD rule flag

in ALLEGRO.IN.

PADFORM SHAPE (complex outline) is read in as a Rectangle with X and Y size as defined in the extract file.


rvisula_cadstar

  Read Module : Visula & Cadstar-NT File

File | File Import | Visula & Cadstar-NT File

Router Solutions Incorporated

LAYDBASE - Input/Output Formats

1) General Description

2)	What files we need

2a)	How to create the files we need

3)	How to import your file

3a)	Input control file *.IN

3b)	The Log file

4)	Database class

Board Outline class

Component class

5)	Troubleshooting & Faqs

RSI Call Out: CADF

Database Class: Net

System: Cadstar for Windows, Visula

Hardware Platform: HP, SUN, Win

Version:

Operating Systems: UNIX

Input File Format: .paf file

Output File Format: PAF file

Command Sequence to Load file(s):

The PAF file in read or written in Visula -> File -> Neutral Database -> Read/Write

Cadstar is not dependant on technologies, though the translator requires a technology file. It is suggested that the standard TT6 technology file be used.

On the other hand, the Visula system is dependent on Technologies. Only defined technologies are allowed (TT2, TT4, TT6), other technologies received from customers are specific to that customer. You can not add layers to a technology.

General Comments:

None at this time.

Input Comments:

Tested version is CADIF 4.0

Padforms are derived from the PADASSIGN section. (not from the padstack section). Therefore PADFORMS are the same, regardless of the placement side of the shape.

A Cadstar defined "island" within a boundry area is not supported.

All Pins are converted to the original defined pin numbers (not the optional pin names).

Only 90° pad rotation is allowed.

Round Padform is translated as Round.

Anulus Padform is translated as Round.

Square Padform is translated as Square.

Diamond Padform is translated as Round.

Octagon Padform is translated as Square.

Finger Padform is translated as Oblong.

Oblong Padform is translated as Rectangle.

Bullet Padform is translated as Oblong.

Copper padform is translated as Round padform.

Dimension entities are ignored.

ZONE placed components are not supported.

Circles and polygons with voids are converted to polygons.

Taper lineends and pads are ignored.

Copper areas are not completely supported.

Copper voids are not completely supported.

Closed polylines containing arcs will not be filled.

Output Comments:

Supported Visula version 3.5 and 4.

Cadstar for Windows Version 2.0

Pin Names are converted to Pin Numbers

After loading into Cadstar there may be some non-optimized "ratsnests". Simply run the Cadstar Reconnect function.

Cadstar v 2.1 may still show missing connections even though all traces are routed (hopefully this will be fixed in a future release of Cadstar).

Copper (Electrical layers) as part of a shape (packAlt) are not translated. (Visula seems not to allow SYMDATA on electrical layers).

All data and comments in this document are soly RSI's

interpretation or implementation of the applicable database.

INPUT means RSI can READ the database and

OUTPUT means RSI can WRITE the database.


rveribest

  Read Module : VeriBest EIF File

File | File Import | VeriBest EIF File

Router Solutions Incorporated

LAYDBASE - Input/Output Formats

1) General Description

2)	What files we need

2a)	How to create the files we need

3)	How to import your file

3a)	Input control file *.IN

3b)	The Log file

4)	Database class

Board Outline class

Component class

5)	Troubleshooting & Faqs

RSI Call Out: EIF

Database Class: NET

System: Veribest EIF Files

Hardware Platform(s): Sun

Version(s): 1.0, VB14

Operating Systems(s): UNIX

Update yourself!!

Get the latest EIF.SYM translator setup file modified

06/27/97 to make use of all your VeriBest layers.

Included are modified versions of VeriBest's EIF into

VBPCB level mapping files (EIF_LEVX.TXT and VBPCB.LVL).

Input File Format:

EIF Files Intergraph/Veribest supports EIF output for the following products:

     Daisy Boardmaster 4.5 +

     AT Designer 12.4

     Cadnetix any Version F

     PCB Engineer has to be upgraded to AT Designer

Command Sequence to Generate file(s):

The following seven (7) files are created on EIF output from Veribest. 	1.filename_cor.txt - Rename to filename.cor

          Correspondence file.

   	2.filename_cel.txt - Rename to filename.cel

          Cell definition file

   	3.filename_clr.txt - Rename to filename.clr

          Clearance file

   	4.filename_des.txt - Rename to filename.des

          Design file

   	5.filename_pad.txt - Rename to filename.pad

          Pad geometry file

   	6.filename_pin.txt - Rename to filename.stk

          Padstack (Pin) file

   	7.filename_tec.txt - Rename to filename.tec

          Technology file, layer stacking

A Keyin netlist must also be extracted from Veribest.

The Keyin-netlist to be renamed to filename.net

If you have any questions on which files should receive which extention please refer to the correspondence file (open with ascii viewer).

Output File Format:Listed below.

Command Sequence to Load file(s):

The following files are generated by EIFOUT

   	1.*.cel -- Cell definition file

   	2.*.clr -- Clearance file

   	3.*.cor -- Correlation file

   	4.*.des -- Design file

   	5.*.net -- Keyin Netlist

   	6.*.pad -- Pad geometry file

   	7.*.pkg -- Package file

   	8.*.stk -- Padstack (Pin) file

   	9.*.tec -- Technology file, layer stacking

Veribest EIF import procedure.

First create an empty design directory.

     C:\>md design1

     C:\>cd design1

Copy the created EIF files into this empty design directory.

     C:\design1>copy rsi\xxxeif\filename.*

     C:\design1>copy rsi\xxxeif\eifo_cor.txt

Copy all files from the veribest\vbpcb\libelect\pcbseed directory into the design directory.

     C:\design1>copy veribest\vbpcb\libelect\pcbseed\*.*

21 files should be copied over.

Run Veribest PCB from the Windows "Start" menu.

     Start | Programs | Veribest PCB | Veribest PCB

When the "Open a Design File" file selection dialog box opens, navigate to your design directory and select the file "design.vdb" and click on the "OPEN" button.

Veribest PCB and MicroStation will open and load the design.vbd file.

Now the EIF load may be performed. This is found under:

     File | Import | EIF

When the "EIF import" dialog opens select all option boxes (do not modify Radio Button selections) then click the "OK" button.

This will load the EIF files located in the directory from which the design.vbd was loaded.

A timed dialog box should appear followed by a message "EIF imported successfully". Click "OK".

At this point the padstacks must be processed. From the menu bar select:

     Route | Pads Processor

When dialog box appears click "OK".

The EIF load procedure is now complete. The file may now be saved out under its proper name.

     File | Save As

If a File | Save is performed the design will be saved out as design.vbd in your design directory.

General Comments:

Board outline is REAL.

LOCAL COMPONENT driven.

The EIF files are compatible with both INTERGRAPH AT-DESIGNER and VeriBest-PCB system.

All files are in ASCII and fully portable between hardware platforms.

Input Comments:

The (.USECORFILE y) command in the EIF.TEC file will load all files for translation automatically. The EIFO_COR.TXT must be renamed to file_name.COR and this .COR file specified as the input.

Spaces in layer names are eliminated. e.g. "COMP NAME" --> COMPNAME

Local component definition in design file under part placement is not supported. The shape is taken from the cell library definition.

PART_DEF, VIA_DEF, AND CELL_DEF - Local part definition in design file is not supported --> Violates the library concept.

Mounting Holes are not supported (MH in CEL file and DES file are not translated).

Layernames in EIF files can contain whitespace (blanks). These spaces are removed while reading the files into the LAYDBASE system. Therefore the Layer "Trace Layer 1" will be changed to "TraceLayer1". This is important for the correct setup in the STP files.

Pin Stack definitions must contain all the pin graphic information. pad Entries under a Shape are converted as graphic elements and they are not associated with Pins. Pins, which are CROSS_HAIR shapes will get the graphic of the PAD entry which is on the same placement

coordinate. Pads, which fall on Pin coordinates of pins, which are not CROSS_HAIR shapes will be ignored.

Pad Shapes - ROUND_HOLLOW will be converted to ROUND FILLED.

SQUARE_HOLLOW will be converted to SQUARE FILLED.

Pin and Pad assign: They are as Pins and Pads in the EIF cell files. The default and good definition should be that the pin defines the correct PADSTACK (defined in STK file). However there are two more ways that a PAD definition can influence the pin PADSTACK

definition:

   	1.. PADOVERWRITEPIN y will always overwrite the pinstack with 	multiple PAD forms on multiple layers. The PAD center MUST be 	identical for all pad forms.

   	2.In EIF.TEC you can use the command .PADOVERWRITE padform . This 	will only overwrite a PIN form (i.e. Crosshair) which is set with 	.PADOVERWRITE ... Multiple PADOVERWRITEs are allowed. The pin is 	only overwritten if the placement coordinate is equal between pad 	and pin.

 Planes :

PLANE_OUTL SOLID is translated as a solid plane.

PLANE_OUTL HOLE are voids.

Planes are not parents of voids.

SMD Pins are defined with graphic on TOP_PAD and BTM_PAD. Only the graphic for TOP_PAD is translated for SMD pads. SMD pads are Pads, which have no drill size.

Non centered PADS geometries are not supported. Non centered pad geometries are padstacks, which have a XOFF and YOFF not equal 0.0.

ELLIPSE as graphic entity is not supported.

Cells defined as EGDE CONNECTORS do not reflect the mirrror of this connector, and therefore all pins are converted to the TOP layers, even that the pins should be on the BOTTOM layer. VERIBEST needs to fix the mirror flag in EIF-Des file. The current workaround is to

redefine the EDGE CONNECTOR before generating the EIF files to a SMD component.

Output Comments:

Veribet EIF scanner drops parts which are placed at angles other than 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees.

Veribest supports only one offset axis in pad definitions.

The user must set plane connections within the Veribest environment.

     SETUP|JOB PERAMETER

     ROUTE|PLANES|PLANE PROCESSOR

All data and comments in this document are solely RSI's

interpretation or implementation of the applicable database.

INPUT means RSI can READ the database and

OUTPUT means RSI can WRITE the database.


rpfw

  Read Module : Protel For Windows File

File | File Import | Protel For Windows

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

IMPORT SPECIFICATIONS

SYSTEM:	PROTEL for Windows

VERSION:	2.7

IMPORT FORMAT:	.PCB (ASCII)

CREATING THE IMPORT FILE

In the PROTEL for Windows environment perform the following

steps:

1) FILE MENU | SAVE AS

2) Select the TEXT Option

3) Name the File

4) Select OK

IMPORTING INTO CAMCAD

Show the Import Dialog box

ITEMS CONTROLLED BY PROTEL.IN

UNDERSTANDING THE PROTEL.LOG FILE

general

unique

DATABASE CLASSIFICATIONS

DATABASE CLASS:	NET

BOARD OUTLINE CLASS:	PSEUDO or REAL

COMPONENT CLASS:	LIBRARY or EXPLODED

Need popup windows for PSEUDO, REAL, LIBRARY and EXPLODED

LOCAL PADSTACK DEFINITIONS

	IMPORT FILE	CAMCAD
BLIND VIAS SUPPORTED	YES	NO
BURIED VIAS SUPPORTED	YES	NO
COMPLEX PAD SPECIFICATIONS	YES	NO
SOLDERMASK INFORMATION
TROUBLESHOOTING and FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


rpcad

  Read Module : PCAD File

File | File Import | PCAD File

Router Solutions Incorporated

LAYDBASE - Input/Output Formats

1) General Description

2)	What files we need

2a)	How to create the files we need

3)	How to import your file

3a)	Input control file *.IN

3b)	The Log file

4)	Database class

Board Outline class

Component class

5)	Troubleshooting & Faqs

RSI Call Out: PDIF

Database Class:

System: PCAD

Hardware Platform: PC

Version: 2 thru 8

Operating Systems: DOS

Input File Format: .PDF

Command Sequence to Generate file(s):

PDIFOUT -I pcb_file where pcb_file is the PCAD .PCB file (Binary Database)

Also on PDIF export from the PCad user interface, under PDIF OUT Option, make sure that " List Pin Names in Component " is selected (yes), default value is NO. Failure to do this will result in

the pin sequence to be used in the target database rather than the desired pin numbers.

Output File Format: .PDF

Command Sequence to Load file(s):

PDIFIN -I pdf_file where: pdf_file is the RSI generated .PDF file.

This creates a PCAD .PCB file which can be loaded into PCAD using the standard file load.

General Comments:

Board outline is PSEUDO.

LIBRARY definition, but Pad forms can be locally defined.

DIMENSION entities are not supported in RSI Input and Output software.

PDIF translators work on the library definition, the same as PCCARDS if ROTATE PADSTACKS is switched on in the PCB Editor Configuration.

Input Comments:

PDIF file has no drill information.

PDIF Version 7 is fully (including Aperture Table) supported.

PCAD allows for the local redefinition of pad stacks. This is not supported by laydbase, only the master definition is translated.

FLASH Rotation in Padstack definitions is not supported.

SHAPE types for FLASHES are translated to Round except RECTANGLE are translated to Rectangle.

LOCAL Padstack overwrite (IPT command) is not supported.

P-CAD allows duplicate pin names(e.g. two pin 6's). This is not allowed in LAYDBASE or other CAD systems. To resolve this problem modify the .PINNAMENUMBER command in the PDIF.TEC file to be set to "y".

Output Comments:

The padstack definitions for PDIF output are generic. The user can modify or even link their own padstacks to fit their application.

Drill information is not included in the padstack inside the PDIF file. Please check the SSF file for more info.

For further information regarding Padstack and Drill information please view this technical document.

Be sure to switch on Padstack rotation before loading an RSI generated PDIF file.

PDIFIN version 5 can not read PDIF files larger than 1 mb.

Thermals are not converted automatically into PCAD the user must add thermal via the PCAD command "Query Netpin" - Shows you all pintype connected to a net, and "Query Netvia" to convert all viatypes used in a net.

Void areas without parents are not supported.

Built in APERTURE TABLE for PDIF Version 7 output not supported.

RSI Translators create specific output for different version of PDIF. This feature is controlled in the PDIF.SYM file by the ".VERSION" command. The options are;

.VERSION 4 D - this is for PDIF version 4 or PCAD version 4 and 5 	- MIL based units.

.VERSION 6 D - this is for PDIF version 6 or PCAD version 6, 7 	and 8 - SUB MIL based units

The "D" creates a PDIF file which is compatible to DOS naming limitations. This may be replaced with a "U" which will create a PDIF file with UNIX naming limitations. CAUTION - a DOS file can always be loaded into UNIX but a UNIX file may not be compatible with DOS.

All data and comments in this document are solely RSI's

interpretation or implementation of the applicable database.

INPUT means RSI can READ the database and

OUTPUT means RSI can WRITE the database.


rorcad

  Read Module : PADS File

File | File Import | PADS File

Router Solutions Incorporated

LAYDBASE - Input/Output Formats

1) General Description

2)	What files we need

2a)	How to create the files we need

3)	How to import your file

3a)	Input control file *.IN

3b)	The Log file

4)	Database class

Board Outline class

Component class

5)	Troubleshooting & Faqs

PADS PCB-2000 and PADS Perform--See Section 1

PADS Power PCB--See Section 2

_________________________________________________________________

Section 1 PADS PCB-2000 and PADS Perform

RSI Call Out: PAD6

Database Class: PIN

System:  PADS Perform

Hardware Platform(s): PC / Sun / HP

Version(s):

Operating Systems(s): DOS - Windows / UNIX

Input File Format:.ASC

Command Sequence to Generate file(s):

1.From the In/Out menu select ASCII Out

2.Select Output Formats Basic Units

3.Select Sections to Output All

4.Fill in the the Output Filename field and select the OK button

Output File Format:

Command Sequence to Load file(s):

1.From the In/Out menu select ASCII In

2.Enter the name of the RSI generated .ASC file and hit enter

Recommended PADS Layering Scheme

1 Component Side

2-20 Other Electrical Layers - Solder Side is always the highest 	number.

21 Soldermask Top

 	22 Solder Paste Bottom

 	23 Solder Paste Top

24 Drill

25 Plane Clearance

26 Silkscreen Top

27 Assembly Top

 	28 Soldermask Bottom

 	29 Silkscreen Bottom

 	30 Assembly Bottom

General Comments:

For more information see PAD2 page.

Board outline is REAL.

For input to PADS POWER PCB, you must set the .UNIT command in 	PADS.SYM to MIL, otherwise the PADS POWER PCB makes errors in the 	PARTDECAL section.

Input Comments:

If mitres have been set then when performing the Pads ASCII out the "Convert MITRES to ROUTE SEGMENTS" check box must be selected for the mitres to appear in the ASCII file.

Mitres are 90° corners that are chamfered to 45° at 1/2 the grid distance.

If mitres are present and "Convert MITRES to ROUTE SEGMENTS" was not selected on ASCII out, then the RSI translator will generate an error and will exit. This can be overridden by changing the PADS.TEC file command .EXITMITREERROR to "n".

Part values are interpreted as follows:

R1 RC07,4.7K,10% = Shapename RC07

Value 4.7K

Tolerance 10%

Pads can rename pin names of Library components (DECAL) by type.

Example: 7400 DIP14

     Pin 1 -> AA1

     Pin 2 -> AA2

and

     7402 DIP14

     Pin1 -> BB1

     Pin2 -> BB2

This is a modification of the library. The RSI database converts these situations as follows:

One library shape will be created 7400_DIP14 with Pins AA1, AA2 	and another shape will be created 7402_DIP14 with pins BB1 and 	BB2.

Parts can be assigned as testprobes in .TEC file with .TESTPROBE xx (prefix of Decal name)

Output Comments:

Multiple via definitions are supported for loading data into PADS.

When complex copper areas are loaded into PADS a display error may occur during PADS ASCII IN.

Complex Pads are not supported.

To input unused vias the .UNUSEDVIA command in the .SYM file must be set to "y".

Different via sizes per net are not supported.

While loading files into PADS PCB (WORK), major limitations in the amount of information, no room for entities and other restrictions, may prevent the file being read into PADS. The only solution is to reduce the complexity of the input file (eliminating of layers). Laydbase Pads Writer software will not check for these limits, only for the syntax.

Necked Line Width might not be converted correctly due to a reported error in LAYDBASE.

Text elements per decal are limted to 5000 total characters. The exceeding text is not written out (so that the design loads into PADS).

All data and comments in this document are solely RSI's

interpretation or implementation of the applicable database.

INPUT means RSI can READ the database and

OUTPUT means RSI can WRITE the database.

____________________________________________________________________

Section 2 PADS Power PCB

RSI Call Out: PPWR

Database Class: Net based (different than PADS PERFORM)

System: PADS POWERPCB

Hardware Platform: PC, SUN, HP

Version: 1.5, 1.6, 2.0

Operating Systems: DOS, WINDOWS, UNIX

Input File Format:

Command Sequence to Generate file(s): From the In/Out menu select ASCII Out Select Output Formats Basic Units Select Sections to Output All Fill in the the Output Filename field and select the OK button

Output File Format:

Command Sequence to Load file(s):

From the In/Out menu select ASCII In Enter the name of the RSI generated .ASC file and hit enter.

PADS PowerPCB Version less than 1.5 may show load errors. Please update your PowerPCB to version 1.5 or better.

General Comments:

Board outline is REAL.

For input to PADS POWER PCB, you must set the .UNIT command in PADS.SYM to MIL, otherwise the PADS POWER PCB makes errors in the PARTDECAL section.

Input Comments:

The ASCII file needs to CONVERT MITRES to ROUTE SEGMENTS done.

Partvalues are interpreted as follows:

R1 RC07,4.7K,10% = Shapename RC07

Value 4.7K

Tolerance 10%

Pads can rename pin names of Library components (DECAL) by type.

Example: 7400 DIP14

Pin 1 -> AA1

Pin 2 -> AA2

and

7402 DIP14

Pin1 -> BB1

Pin2 -> BB2

This is a modification of the library. The RSI database converts these situations as follows:

One library shape will be created 7400_DIP14 with Pins AA1, AA2 and another shape will be

created

7402_DIP14 with pins BB1 and BB2.

The ASCII file needs to CONVERT MITRES to ROUTE SEGMENTS done.

Part can be assign as testprobes in .TEC file with .TESTPROBE xx (prefix of Decal name)

Output Comments:

Single Pin Nets are dropped when loading into Pads POWER.

Multiple via defintions are supported for loading data into PADS.

When complex copper areas are loaded into PADS a display error may occur during PADS ASCII IN.

Complex Pads are not supported.

Different via sizes per net are not supported.

Necked Line Width might not be converted correctly due to a reported error in LAYDBASE.

All electrical and netlist copper is converted to "Pourout" or "Voidout". The user has to flood in Pads.

Rats Nets update is not done global, but has to be done net by net. Pads Power PCB now treats nets as a collection of vias and segments. This now allows the interface software to "dump" all segments and vias into a net without worrying about "missing lines". PADS POWER will

automatically reconnect these segments.

If you now load a translated design into PowerPCb, you will first see all nets with rats nets, just go to routing menu, click a segment or via and again. PowerPCb will automatically recalculate the connection.

All data and comments in this document are soly RSI's

 	interpretation or implementation of the applicable database.

INPUT means RSI can READ the database and

OUTPUT means RSI can WRITE the database.


raccel

  Read Module : Accel File

File | File Import | Accel File

1) General Description

2)	What files we need

2a)	How to create the files we need

3)	How to import your file

3a)	Input control file *.IN

3b)	The Log file

4)	Database class

Board Outline class

Component class

5)	Troubleshooting & Faqs

         RSI Call Out: TPRO

         Database Class: GRAPHIC/NET

         System:  TangoPro, Accel EDA

         Hardware Platform:  PC

         Version:  12, 13

         Operating Systems: DOS

Input File Format: .PCB (ASCII)

Command Sequence to Generate file(s):Standard file save in ASCII format

Output File Format:.PCB (ASCII)

Command Sequence to Load file(s):Standard file load

General Comments:

Board outline is PSEUDO.

LOCAL COMPONENT definition is supported.

Input Comments:

Dimension entities are not currently supported.

Only 90 degree pad rotation is supported.

Offset Drill Hole command is not currently supported.

RSI-TRANSLATOR will use the pinname as defined in the PATTERN section and not as defined in the COMPDEF section. The reason is that ACCEL EDA allows to attach the same pattern to different compdefs with different pinnames. This would violate the RSI-TRANSLATOR library concept, which is that a placed components has only one exact shape definition.  RSI-TRANSLATOR converts the netlist from ACCEL EDA to correctly match the PATTERN

names.

Tango allows Component definition with equal or no pin names. This is not allowed in most other CAD systems. The RSI-TRANSLATOR will create a local component definition for every component with system generated pin names, for every component on the design.

Padform RndRect will be converted to rectangle.

Via definitions inside library definitions are converted to pins with names: via_xxx

Output Comments:

In order to assure net assigns as copper, run:

     utils|Reconnect Nets

from the Menu Bar before saving the file.

Tango Pro PCB Lite limitations are not conformed to. Only the limitations, as known, of Accel EDA and Tango Pro full versions are adhered to.

Comp value and Shape height are now implemented.

Only 90° rotation of elements are supported.

Copper and voids as part of a pattern are converted to lines (this is a limit in Accel EDA).

In TPRO.SYM there is a command ".OLDTANGPRO y" to maintain backward compatibility with older versions of Tango Pro.

Only TOP, BOTTOM and ALL layers are supported for padstacks.

Complex Pads are not supported.

Filled circles are not supported in Tango and Accel-EDA.

Drills that are only pads are not displayed.

Power and ground nets still show missing conections.

Polygons can have maximum of 4000 Vertex Points.

All data and comments in this document are solely RSI's

interpretation or implementation of the applicable database.

INPUT means RSI can READ the database and OUTPUT means

     RSI can WRITE the database.

Accel.in: Multiple layers may be defined as the "component outline".  For example:

.COMPONENTOUTLINE    "TOP SILK"

.COMPONENTOUTLINE    "BOT SILK"


rgerber

  Read Module : Gerber File

File | File Import | Gerber File

1) General Description

2)	What files we need

2a)	How to create the files we need

3)	How to import your file

3a)	Input control file *.IN

3b)	The Log file

4)	Database class

Board Outline class

Component class

5)	Troubleshooting & Faqs


rhpgl

  Read Module : HPGL File

File | File Import | HPGL File

1) General Description

2)	What files we need

2a)	How to create the files we need

3)	How to import your file

3a)	Input control file *.IN

3b)	The Log file

4)	Database class

Board Outline class

Component class

5)	Troubleshooting & Faqs


rdxf

  Read Module : DXF File

File | File Import | DXF File

1) General Description

2)	What files we need

2a)	How to create the files we need

3)	How to import your file

3a)	Input control file *.IN

3b)	The Log file

4)	Database class

Board Outline class

Component class

5)	Troubleshooting & Faqs


rorcad

  Read Module : OrCAD File

File | File Import | OrCAD File

Router Solutions Incorporated

LAYDBASE - Input/Output Formats

1) General Description

2)	What files we need

2a)	How to create the files we need

3)	How to import your file

3a)	Input control file *.IN

3b)	The Log file

4)	Database class

Board Outline class

Component class

5)	Troubleshooting & Faqs

RSI Call Out: MASS

Database Class: NET

System: 	ORCAD LAYOUT PLUS

Massteck - MAX EDA

Hardware Platform: PC

Version: Revisions 6 and 7

Operating Systems: DOS

Input File Format:.MIN

Command Sequence to Generate file(s):EXPORT MASSTECK ASCII

To generate the proper .MIN file, under options, "all of the above" should be selected, which is the default setting.

Output File Format: .MIN

Command Sequence to Load file(s):IMPORT MASSTECK ASCII

General Comments:

Board outline is PSEUDO.

Input Comments:

Component value text is not supported as component value, but as text.

For mirrored components to work correctly the .MIN file must match the symbol name and the mirror name ("-M") and the UID (as suggested in the Orcad design process manual).

Orcad defines separate symbols for mirrored and non-mirrored components. If the mirrored component does not have the same UID as the non mirrored component then the translator will place the "mirrored" symbol from the TOP (not mirrored, because it was the mirrored definition).

Double PINNAMES : ORCAD LAYOUT PLUS allows same pinnames for different pin numbers. This is not allowed in RSI-LAYDBASE, and will be dropped.

ORCAD LAYOUT PLUS allows different technology by layer, this is not supported. The TECHNOLOGY is taken from the first electrical layer.

Only 90° pad rotation is supported.

Dimension Objects are not translated.

Output Comments:

Drill sizes will be written for drills with sizes greater than 0.00 inches for which DRD or DRL is the nick-name.

CIRCLES and ARCS are not currently supported.

VOID areas are not supported.

RING CONNECTIONS, which are part of an electrical net, are automatically optimized during the read process into MASSTECK. These ring connections will be lost.

There is a known error in the OrCad .MIN file reader in that it may periodicaly drop some routed traces.

Complex plane areas may cause the Orcad Min to Max converter to lock up. It is suggested not to convert these plane areas , rather to recreate them in Orcad.

All data and comments in this document are solely RSI's

interpretation or implementation of the applicable database.

INPUT means RSI can READ the database and

OUTPUT means RSI can WRITE the database.


apsample_ECAM
!     Type            Width          Length     Rotate   Offset      Swap  Tool      Size      Legend

!                English  Metric English  Metric     English  Metric Code  No. English  Metric

!-----------------------+---------------+-------------------+-------------------------+--------------

D11   ROUND        12.00   0.305    0.00   0.000   0    0.00   0.000  D11    0    0.00   0.000  D0

D25   SQUARE       60.00   1.524    0.00   0.000   0    0.00   0.000  D25    0    0.00   0.000  D0

D34   DONUT        75.00   1.905   35.00   0.889   0    0.00   0.000  D34    0    0.00   0.000  D0

D88   TARGET      250.00   6.350    0.00   0.000   0    0.00   0.000  D88    0    0.00   0.000  D0

D106  THERMAL      80.00   2.032   80.00   2.032   0    0.00   0.000  D106   0    0.00   0.000  D0


apsample_zuken
photo data table

================================================================================

| Turret | D code | Aperture | Aperture | Inner  | Land   | Line   |  Line     |

| number |        | type     | size     | size   | count  | count  |  length   |

+--------+--------+----------+----------+--------+--------+--------+-----------+

|     30 |    D35 | circle   |    0.085 |   --   |    192 |      0 |     0.000 |

|     69 |    D78 | square   |    0.060 |   --   |      9 |      0 |     0.000 |

|     93 |   D102 | thermal  |    0.050 |  0.030 |    140 |      0 |     0.000 |

================================================================================


apsample_pads
Photo-Plotter Apertures Report

==============================

Position  Width  Hgt/ID  Shape    Qty

========  =====  ======  =====    ===

   10       94       0    SQRL      4

   11        5       0    LINE

   24      138       0    RND      10

   25       60       0    SQR       5


apsample_cadnetix
FORMAT: ABSOLUTE, ASCII, 2.4, LEADING ZEROS, ENGLISH.

;type         ;dcode   ;x size  ;y size     ;pos

round           11      10      10      ;2

square          22      50      50      ;15

thermal.85      43      OD85    ID62     4 GAPS @ 45DEG .012 THK.;38


apsample_lavenir
--------------------------------------------------------

 D       X       Y          COUNTS

 Code    Size    Size     Traces (Arcs) Pads

--------------------------------------------------------

   33 C  0.11    0        0      0      37

   34 S  0.11    0        0      0      4

   55 T  0.2     0        0      0      15

--------------------------------------------------------


apmacro_ECAM
.STARTDEF ECAM/CAMCAD

        .UNITS=MIL

        ;

        .TEXTDELIMETER   ()

        ;.IGNORE ""            // inside bracket

        .WORDDELIMETER " "  // inside bracket

        ;

        .FORM_ROUND      ROUND

   .FORM_RECT	   RECTANGLE

        .FORM_SQUARE     SQUARE

        .FORM_TARGET     TARGET

        .FORM_DONUT      DONUT

        .FORM_THERM      THERMAL

        ; all different possibilities.

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_ROUND .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_SQUARE .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_TARGET .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE

   .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_RECT   .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_DONUT .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_THERM .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE

.ENDDEF


apmacro_zuken
.STARTDEF ZUKEN

        .UNITS=INCH

        .TEXTDELIMETER   ()

        .IGNORE ""            // inside bracket

        .WORDDELIMETER "| "  // inside bracket

        .FORM_ROUND        circle

        .FORM_SQUARE       square

        .FORM_THERM        thermal

        ; all different possibilities.

.SCANLINE .SKIPWORD .DCODE .MUST_FORM_ROUND .XSIZE

.SCANLINE .SKIPWORD .DCODE .MUST_FORM_SQUARE .XSIZE

.SCANLINE .SKIPWORD .DCODE .MUST_FORM_THERM .XSIZE .YSIZE

.ENDDEF


apmacro_pads
.STARTDEF PADS

        ;.UNITS=inch

        .UNITS=MIL

        ;.UNITS=mm

        ;

        .TEXTDELIMETER   ()

        ;.IGNORE ""            // inside bracket

        .WORDDELIMETER " "  // inside bracket

        ;

        .FORM_ROUND      LINE

        .FORM_ROUND      RND

        .FORM_SQUARE     SQRL

   .FORM_SQUARE     SQR

   .FORM_DONUT	    ANNL

   .FORM_THERM      THER

   .FORM_OBLONG	    OVAL

        ; all different possibilities.

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .XSIZE .YSIZE .MUST_FORM_ROUND

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .XSIZE .YSIZE .MUST_FORM_SQUARE

   .SCANLINE .DCODE .XSIZE .YSIZE .MUST_FORM_RECT

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .XSIZE .YSIZE .MUST_FORM_THERM

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .XSIZE .YSIZE .MUST_FORM_DONUT

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .XSIZE .YSIZE .MUST_FORM_OBLONG

.ENDDEF


apmacro_cadnetix
.STARTDEF CADNETIX

        .UNITS=MIL

        .TEXTDELIMETER   ()

        .IGNORE ""            // inside bracket

        .WORDDELIMETER ".D "  // inside bracket

        .FORM_ROUND        ROUND

        .FORM_SQUARE       SQUARE

        .FORM_THERM        THERMAL

        ; all different possibilities.

.SCANLINE .MUST_FORM_ROUND .DCODE .XSIZE

.SCANLINE .MUST_FORM_SQUARE .DCODE .XSIZE

.SCANLINE .MUST_FORM_THERM .SKIPWORD .DCODE .SKIPWORD .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE

.ENDDEF


apmacro_lavenir
.STARTDEF Laviner

        .UNITS=inch

        .TEXTDELIMETER   ()

        .IGNORE ""            // inside bracket

        .WORDDELIMETER " "  // inside bracket

        .FORM_ROUND        C

        .FORM_SQUARE       S

        .FORM_TARGET       T

        ; all different possibilities.

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_ROUND .XSIZE

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_SQUARE .XSIZE

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_TARGET .XSIZE

.ENDDEF


 Automatic Macro File Generation

Below you will find abbreviated samples of aperture files.  Each aperture file sample has a cooresponding macro file.

Open your aperture file in a text editor and look at the format. Then, browse through the samples to find the format which matches your aperture file. Remember, CAMCAD only needs DCode, Shape, XSize, and YSize to import apertures successfully; on a piece of paper, write down the general order which this information appears in your aperture file.  Write 'skipword' for extra information in the aperture line which CAMCAD does not use.  That way, you know the general macro file format that your aperture file needs.  If customization is necessary, the easiest macro file to work with will be the one which already matches the general format for your aperture file.

Notes: a) should you have an aperture file format which does not coorespond to any of the samples listed below, please contact Router Solutions for a customized macro file; b) not all macro files have sample aperture files; c) you must have the program MS Notepad in your c:\windows directory (this is the Microsoft default).

To Generate Macro Files:

1) Click on the macro file link.  The pop-up window will display the macro file which works with the chosen sample file format.

2) A button below the macro file will copy the macro file to the Windows clipboard, and launch Notepad.  Simply press [CTRL-V] to paste the macro file into Notepad.

3) In Notepad, save the file with a .mac extension.  Be sure to note the file name and location.

4) Launch CAMCAD and read in your aperture file with the newly created macro file.  Check the logfile to verify that all apertures were found.  In the event that all apertures were not found, you can either customize the macro file yourself or contact Router Solutions for assistance.

The bolded line indicates the general scanline command sequence.

CAMCAD/ECAM-|DCode|Shape|XSize|Skipword|YSize|

CAMCAD/ECAM Aperture File Sample

CAMCAD/ECAM Macro File

Zuken-|Skipword|DCode|Shape|XSize|YSize|

ZUKEN Aperture File Sample

ZUKEN Macro File

PADS-|DCode|XSize|YSize|Shape|

PADS Aperture File Sample

PADS Macro File

CADNETIX-|Shape|DCode|XSize|YSize|

CADNETIX Aperture File Sample

CADNETIX Macro File

Lavenir-|DCode|Shape|XSize|YSize|

Lavenir Aperture File Sample

Laviner Macro File

ScanCAD-|Skipword|DCode|Shape|XSize|Skipword|YSize|

ScanCAD Aperture File Sample

ScanCAD Macro File

Eagle-|DCode|Shape|XSize|YSize|

Eagle Aperture File Sample

Eagle Macro File

Mentor-|Skipword|Shape|Skipword|YSize|XSize|Aprotation|Skipword|Skipword|DCode|

Mentor Aperture File Sample

Mentor Macro File

Mentor II-|Skipword|DCode|Shape|Skipword|Skipword|XSize|YSize|

Mentor II Aperture File Sample

Mentor II Macro File

Protel Advanced PCB 2.8.0-|DCode|Shape|XSize|YSize|

Protel Advanced PCB 2.8.0 Aperture File Sample

Protel Advanced PCB 2.8.0 Macro File

CAM350-|DCode|Shape|Skipword|XSize|Skipword|YSize|

CAM350 Aperture File Sample

CAM350 Macro File

GAP-|DCode|Shape|XSize|Skipword|YSize|

GAP Macro File

APP-|DCode|Shape|XSize|Skipword|YSize|

APP Macro File

APT-|DCode|Shape|XSize|YSize|

APT Macro File

RPT1-|Skipword|DCode|Shape|Skipword|XSize|YSize|

RPT1 Macro File

RPT2-|Skipword|DCode|Shape|Skipword|Skipword|XSize|YSize|

RPT2 Macro File

TOL-|XSize|YSize|Shape|DCode|

TOL Macro File

CADSTAR-|DCode|Shape|Skipword|XSize|Skipword|YSize|

CADSTAR Macro File

PCAD-|Skipword|Dcode|Shape|XSize|YSize|

PCAD Macro File

View386-|DCode|Skipword|Skipword|Shape|XSize|YSize|

View386 Macro File


apsample_scancad
                                                 WORKFILE      :    010144

                                                  LAYER         :         *

Pads/Tracks Table                                 GERBER CONFIG.:    010144

                                                         Format :  2.4 -  "

                                                  Total  PADS # :       668

*=========================================================================*

|   # | Dcod | T | Xmils | X mm. | Ymils | Y mm. |Hole(mm)| # Pad | # Trk |

|-----|------|---|-------|-------|-------|-------|--------|-------|-------|

|   1 | D010 | c |   4.0 | 0.102 |   4.0 | 0.102 |  0.000 |     0 |    54 |

|  38 | D043 | o |  95.0 | 2.413 |  50.0 | 1.270 |  1.016 |   255 |     0 |

|  43 | D048 | r | 100.0 | 2.540 |  75.0 | 1.905 |  0.000 |    93 |     0 |

|  78 | D087 | s |  25.0 | 0.635 |  25.0 | 0.635 |  0.000 |     0 |    50 |

*=========================================================================*


apmacro_scancad
; ScanCAD.MAC

.STARTDEF Template

        ;.UNITS=inch

        .UNITS=MIL

        ;.UNITS=mm

        ;

        .TEXTDELIMETER   ()

        .IGNORE ""            // inside bracket

        .WORDDELIMETER "| "  // inside bracket

        ;

        .FORM_ROUND      c

        .FORM_SQUARE     s

        .FORM_RECT       r

        .FORM_OBLONG     o

        ; all different possibilities.

.SCANLINE .SKIPWORD .DCODE .MUST_FORM_ROUND .XSIZE

.SCANLINE .SKIPWORD .DCODE .MUST_FORM_SQUARE .XSIZE

.SCANLINE .SKIPWORD .DCODE .MUST_FORM_RECT .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE

.SCANLINE .SKIPWORD .DCODE .MUST_FORM_OBLONG .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE

.ENDDEF


apsample_Eagle
D11   ROUNDED             6.000       6.000       0.000 MULTI

D54   RECTANGULAR        64.000      64.000       0.000 FLASH


apmacro_eagle
.STARTDEF EAGLE

        ;.UNITS=inch

        .UNITS=MIL

        ;.UNITS=mm

        ;

        .TEXTDELIMETER   ()

        .IGNORE ""            // inside bracket

        .WORDDELIMETER " "  // inside bracket

        .FORM_ROUND      ROUNDED

        .FORM_RECT       RECTANGULAR

        ; all different possibilities.

.SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_ROUND .XSIZE

.SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_RECT .XSIZE .YSIZE

;

.ENDDEF


apmacro_mentor
.STARTDEF Mentor

        .UNITS=inch

        ;.UNITS=MIL

        ;.UNITS=mm

        ;

        .TEXTDELIMETER   ()

        .IGNORE ""            // inside bracket

        .WORDDELIMETER " "  // inside bracket

        ;

        ; Usable keywords

        ; XSIZE

        ; YSIZE

        ; SKIPWORD

        ; SKIPALPHA

        ; DCODE

        ; APNUMBER

        ; FORM

        ; APPTYPE

        .FORM_ROUND      circle

        .FORM_RECT       rectangle

        ; all different possibilities.

.SCANLINE .SKIPWORD .MUST_FORM_ROUND .SKIPWORD .XSIZE .YSIZE .APROT .SKIPWORD .SKIPWORD .DCODE

.SCANLINE .SKIPWORD .MUST_FORM_RECT .SKIPWORD .YSIZE .XSIZE .APROT .SKIPWORD .SKIPWORD .DCODE

;

.ENDDEF


apsample_mentor
Thursday April 17, 1997; 14:57:12

Pos  Shape     Type  Height(Y)/Diam Width(X)  Ori Mirror Power Dcode Used

3    circle    trace 0.010000       0.000000  0   false  false 10    true

6    rectangle flash 0.065000       0.060000  180 false  false 15    true


apmacro_proteladvanced
.STARTDEF Protel Advanced PCB 2.8.0

        ;.UNITS=inch

        .UNITS=MIL

        ;.UNITS=mm

        ;

        .TEXTDELIMETER   ()

        .IGNORE ""            // inside bracket

        .WORDDELIMETER " "  // inside bracket

        ;

        .FORM_ROUND      ROUNDED

 	    .FORM_RECT 	 RECTANGULAR

        .FORM_THERM      RELIEF

        ; all different possibilities.

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_ROUND .XSIZE

  .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_RECT .XSIZE .YSIZE

  .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_THERM .XSIZE .YSIZE

;

.ENDDEF


apsample_Proteladvancedpcb
D35   ROUNDED            63.000      63.000       0.000 FLASH

D66   RECTANGULAR        62.000      65.000       0.000 FLASH

D75   RELIEF             85.000      85.000       0.000 FLASH 14.000 17.000 4


apsample_mentorII


apmacro_mentorII
.STARTDEF Mentor II

        .UNITS=inch

        .TEXTDELIMETER   ()

        .IGNORE ""            // inside bracket

        .WORDDELIMETER " "  // inside bracket

        .FORM_ROUND      CIRCLE

;        .FORM_SQUARE     SQUARE

;        .FORM_TARGET     TARGET

;        .FORM_DONUT      DONUT

;        .FORM_THERM      THERMAL

;        .FORM_OCTAGON    OCTAGON

        .FORM_RECT       RECTANGLE

;        .FORM_OBLONG     OBLONG

        ; all different possibilities.

        .SCANLINE .SKIPWORD .DCODE .MUST_FORM_ROUND .SKIPWORD .SKIPWORD .XSIZE

        .SCANLINE .SKIPWORD .DCODE .MUST_FORM_RECT .SKIPWORD .XSIZE .YSIZE

        .SCANLINE .SKIPWORD .DCODE .MUST_FORM_ROUND .SKIPWORD .SKIPWORD .SKIPWORD .XSIZE

;

.ENDDEF

;


apmacro_gap
.STARTDEF GAP

        ;.UNITS=inch

        .UNITS=MIL

        ;.UNITS=mm

        ;

        .TEXTDELIMETER   ()

        ;.IGNORE ""            // inside bracket

        .WORDDELIMETER " "  // inside bracket

        ;

        .FORM_ROUND      ROUND

        .FORM_SQUARE     SQUARE

        .FORM_TARGET     TARGET

        .FORM_DONUT      DONUT

        .FORM_THERM      THERMAL

        .FORM_OCTAGON    OCTAGON

        .FORM_RECT       RECTANGLE

        .FORM_OBLONG     OBLONG

        ; all different possibilities.

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_ROUND .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_SQUARE .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_TARGET .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_DONUT .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_THERM .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_OCTAGON .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_OBLONG .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_RECT .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE

.ENDDEF


apmacro_app
.STARTDEF APP

        ;.UNITS=inch

        .UNITS=MIL

        ;.UNITS=mm

        ;

        .TEXTDELIMETER   ()

        ;.IGNORE ""            // inside bracket

        .WORDDELIMETER " "  // inside bracket

        .FORM_ROUND      ROUND

        .FORM_SQUARE     SQUARE

        .FORM_TARGET     TARGET

        .FORM_DONUT      DONUT

        .FORM_THERM      THERMAL

        .FORM_OCTAGON    OCTAGON

        .FORM_RECT       RECTANGLE

        .FORM_OBLONG     OBLONG

.FORM_BLANK 	 BLANK

        ; all different possibilities.

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_THERM  .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE    .SKIPWORD .SKIPWORD .SKIPWORD .SKIPWORD .SKIPWORD

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_RECT   .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE    .SKIPWORD .SKIPWORD

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_DONUT  .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE    .SKIPWORD .SKIPWORD

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_BLANK  .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .SKIPWORD .SKIPWORD

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_DONUT  .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .SKIPWORD

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_THERM  .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .SKIPWORD

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_ROUND  .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .SKIPWORD

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_SQUARE .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .SKIPWORD

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_TARGET .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .SKIPWORD

.ENDDEF


apmacro_apt
.STARTDEF APT

        ;.UNITS=inch

        .UNITS=MIL

        ;.UNITS=mm

        ;

        .TEXTDELIMETER   ()

        ;.IGNORE ""            // inside bracket

        .WORDDELIMETER " "  // inside bracket

        ;

        ; Usable keywords

        ; XSIZE

        ; YSIZE

        ; SKIPWORD

        ; SKIPALPHA

        ; DCODE

        ; APNUMBER

        ; FORM

        ; APPTYPE

        .FORM_ROUND      CIRCULAR

        .FORM_SQUARE     SQUARE

        ; all different possibilities.

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_ROUND .XSIZE  .YSIZE

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_SQUARE .XSIZE .YSIZE

.ENDDEF


apmacro_rpt1
.STARTDEF       RPT1

        .UNITS=inch

        ;.UNITS=Mil

        ;.UNITS=mm

        ;

        ; Mapping of Aperture types.

        .FORM_ROUND      CIRCLE

        .FORM_SQUARE     RECTANGULAR

        .FORM_RECT       RECTANGULAR

        .FORM_OBLONG     CIRCLE

        ;

        .IGNORE ""            // inside bracket

        .WORDDELIMETER " ,"  // inside bracket

        ;

        .SCANLINE .SKIPWORD .DCODE .MUST_FORM_ROUND  .SKIPWORD .XSIZE .YSIZE

        .SCANLINE .SKIPWORD .DCODE .MUST_FORM_SQUARE .SKIPWORD .XSIZE .YSIZE

.ENDDEF


apmacro_rpt2
.STARTDEF       RPT2

        .UNITS=inch

        ;.UNITS=Mil

        ;.UNITS=mm

        ;

        ; Mapping of Aperture types.

        .FORM_ROUND      CIRCLE

        .FORM_SQUARE     RECTANGULAR

        .FORM_RECT       RECTANGULAR

        .FORM_OBLONG     CIRCLE

        ;

        .IGNORE ""            // inside bracket

        .WORDDELIMETER " ,"  // inside bracket

        ;

        ; Usable keywords

        ; XSIZE

        ; YSIZE

        ; SKIPWORD

        ; SKIPALPHA

        ; DCODE

        ; APNUMBER

        ; FORM

      .SCANLINE .APNUMBER .DCODE .MUST_FORM_ROUND  .SKIPWORD .SKIPWORD .XSIZE .YSIZE

        .SCANLINE .APNUMBER .DCODE .MUST_FORM_SQUARE .SKIPWORD .SKIPWORD .XSIZE .YSIZE

.ENDDEF


apmacro_tol
.STARTDEF       TOL

        ; this list is for

        ; 0.055, 0.055,  C,  D12

        ;.UNITS=inch

        .UNITS=INCH

        ;.UNITS=mm

        ;

        .FORM_ROUND      L

        .FORM_ROUND      C

        .FORM_SQUARE     R

        .FORM_RECT       R

        .FORM_OBLONG     O

        ;

        ;.IGNORE ""            // inside bracket

        .WORDDELIMETER " ,"  // inside bracket

        ;

        ; Usable keywords

        ; XSIZE

        ; YSIZE

        ; SKIPWORD

        ; SKIPALPHA

        ; DCODE

        ; APNUMBER

        ; FORM

        ; APPTYPE

        .SCANLINE .XSIZE .YSIZE .MUST_FORM_ROUND .DCODE

   .SCANLINE .XSIZE .YSIZE .MUST_FORM_SQUARE .DCODE

   .SCANLINE .XSIZE .YSIZE .MUST_FORM_RECT .DCODE

   .SCANLINE .XSIZE .YSIZE .MUST_FORM_OBLONG .DCODE

.ENDDEF


apmacro_cadstar
.STARTDEF       CADSTAR

        ;.UNITS=inch

        .UNITS=Mil

        ;.UNITS=mm

        ;

        ; Mapping of Aperture types.

        .FORM_ROUND      Circle

        .FORM_SQUARE     Square

        .FORM_RECT       Rectangle

        .FORM_OBLONG     Finger

        .FORM_OCTAGON    Octagon

        .FORM_OBLONG     Bullet

        .FORM_ROUND      Diamond

    .FORM_DONUT	 Annulus

        ;

        ;.IGNORE ""            // inside bracket

        .WORDDELIMETER " "  // inside bracket

        ;

       .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_ROUND .SKIPWORD .XSIZE

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_SQUARE .SKIPWORD .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_SQUARE .SKIPWORD .XSIZE

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_DONUT .SKIPWORD .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_DONUT .SKIPWORD .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_OBLONG .SKIPWORD .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_RECT .SKIPWORD .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE

.ENDDEF


apmacro_pcad
.STARTDEF       PCAD

        ;.UNITS=inch

        .UNITS=INCH

        ;.UNITS=mm

        ;

        .TEXTDELIMETER   ()

        ;.IGNORE ""            // inside bracket

        .WORDDELIMETER " "  // inside bracket

        .FORM_ROUND      ROUND

        .FORM_RECT     RECTANGLE

        .FORM_SQUARE     SQUARE

   .FORM_THERM      THERMAL

    .FORM_ROUND	 LINE

        ; all different possibilities.

        .SCANLINE .SKIPWORD .DCODE .MUST_FORM_ROUND .XSIZE

        .SCANLINE .SKIPWORD .DCODE .MUST_FORM_SQUARE .XSIZE

        .SCANLINE .SKIPWORD .DCODE .MUST_FORM_RECT .XSIZE .YSIZE

   .SCANLINE .SKIPWORD .DCODE .MUST_FORM_THERM .XSIZE .YSIZE

.ENDDEF


apmacro_view386
.STARTDEF VIEW386

        .UNITS=inch

        ;.UNITS=MIL

        ;.UNITS=mm

        ;

        .TEXTDELIMETER   ()

        ;.IGNORE ""            // inside bracket

        .WORDDELIMETER " "  // inside bracket

        ;

        .FORM_ROUND      ROUND

        .FORM_ROUND      POEX

        .FORM_SQUARE     SQUARE

        .FORM_TARGET     TARGET

        .FORM_DONUT      DONUT

        .FORM_THERM      THERMAL

        .FORM_OCTAGON    OCTAGON

        .FORM_RECT       RECT

        .FORM_OBLONG     OBLONG

        ; all different possibilities.

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .SKIPWORD .SKIPWORD .MUST_FORM_ROUND .XSIZE

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .SKIPWORD .SKIPWORD .MUST_FORM_SQUARE .XSIZE

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .SKIPWORD .SKIPWORD .MUST_FORM_TARGET .XSIZE

        .SCANLINE .DCODE .SKIPWORD .SKIPWORD .MUST_FORM_RECT .XSIZE .YSIZE

.ENDDEF


apsample_cam350


apmacro_cam350
.STARTDEF CAM350

        ;.UNITS=inch

        ;.UNITS=Mil

        .UNITS=mm

        ;

        ; Mapping of Aperture types.

        .FORM_ROUND      ROUND

        .FORM_SQUARE     SQUARE

        ;

        ;.IGNORE ""            // inside bracket

        .WORDDELIMETER " "  // inside bracket

        ;

  .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_ROUND .SKIPWORD .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE

  .SCANLINE .DCODE .MUST_FORM_SQUARE .SKIPWORD .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE .ENDDEF


apsample_matrox
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TAPE PARAMETERS ---

TYPE: ABSOLUTE     ORIGIN OFFSET X = 0  Y = 0      ZERO SUPPRESSION: LEADING

FORMAT:  2.4        EOF INDIC: M02

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

APERTURE SETUP NO.1 ---

D#   STATION               SIZE            SHAPE      FLASH/LINE

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

D497   488                  .0040             RD              L

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

D418   409                  .0800             SQ              F

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

D93     84               .0080 X .0760         REC             F

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

D280   271               .0350 X .0450         OVAL            F

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

D18      9            .1200 OD X .0400 ID      DONUT           F

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

D125   116            .1000 OD X .0800 ID THERM w/ .0150 X-SHAPE CONNECTIONS

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


apmacro_matrox
.STARTDEF Matrox

        .UNITS=inch

        ;.UNITS=MIL

        ;.UNITS=mm

        ;

        .TEXTDELIMETER   ()

        .IGNORE ""            // inside bracket

        .WORDDELIMETER " "  // inside bracket

        ;

      .FORM_ROUND      RD

      .FORM_RECT       REC

      .FORM_SQUARE     SQ

      .FORM_OBLONG     OVAL

      .FORM_DONUT      DONUT

      .FORM_THERM      THERM

        ; all different possibilities.

.SCANLINE .DCODE .SKIPWORD .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .SKIPWORD .YSIZE .SKIPWORD .MUST_FORM_DONUT

.SCANLINE .DCODE .SKIPWORD .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .SKIPWORD .YSIZE .SKIPWORD .MUST_FORM_THERM

      .SCANLINE .DCODE .SKIPWORD .XSIZE .MUST_FORM_ROUND

      .SCANLINE .DCODE .SKIPWORD .XSIZE .MUST_FORM_SQUARE

      .SCANLINE .DCODE .SKIPWORD .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE .MUST_FORM_OBLONG

      .SCANLINE .DCODE .SKIPWORD .XSIZE .SKIPWORD .YSIZE .MUST_FORM_RECT

.ENDDEF


  Working With Files

Importing/reading a file is the first step in working with files.  You should review the pages Importing A Sample DXF File and Importing A Sample Gerber File in the QuickStart section of the CAMCAD Help Reference. As a general rule, importing a file is a four step process:

1) Choose File | Import from the menu commands, and choose the desired format from the dialog.  The available formats will appear in the left side of the window, and the unavailable formats will appear in the right side of the window.

The Import File Format Dialog

2) Next, you will be presented with a window titled OPEN. Navigate to the desired file and select it.

The Open File Dialog

     3) Import format options will be presented to you.  Each type of file format has different import options.  Generally, the default selections will be fine to start with, but occasionally they must be modified in order to import the file correctly.

4)

Af      4) After the import format options have been set, you will be asked for the desired placement of the file.  Selections include Place at Origin and Fit Page to Image, Place with Mouse, Place at Origin, and Fit Image to Page.  For ease of use within the CAMCAD environment, it is recommended that you choose Place at Origin and Fit Page to Image.

Before your file is displayed on the screen, you may see a log file open up in Notepad.  The log file details specific information regarding the import process.  It is important to note that the log file is not a listing of import errors.  Rather, sometimes CAMCAD will skip or alter unnecessary or bad information in order to successfully import a file. The log file is simply a listing what CAMCAD had to do in order to import the file as it did.

Your file will then be displayed on the screen.  Multiple files can be displayed within the CAMCAD project window, such as multiple Gerber files.  Simply repeat the import process for each file you wish to import into CAMCAD.

Multiple project windows can be opened within CAMCAD.  Open a new project window with the File | New command.  Each project window can have an unlimited number of files in any combination of file formats.  Individual project windows may be selected under Window | [desired window name].  Toggle various displays of the project windows with the Windows | Tile Vertically, Windows | Tile Horizontally, and Windows | Cascade commands.

Some file-specific and view-specific functions are detailed below:

The File List Dialog

•	Explore the File List dialog, found under Tools | File List.  The File List will show each file that is currently opened in the project window.  Immediately to the left of the file name you will see either ON or OFF, depending on whether the file is turned on or off.  You can toggle the display of any file by single-clicking this word.

The File List dialog also allows the user to edit the X,Y insertion point, the rotation, the scale, and the mirroring status of the file.  Select a file and choose MODIFY.  A small window will appear with fields that may be modified.  Make any necessary changes and choose DONE.  When the File List dialog is closed, you will see the changes take effect.

•	The manipulation of settings in the File List may alter the way the file is shown on the screen (i.e. mirroring).  It may be necessary to reset the page dimensions in order to display the file properly.  Choose Settings | Modify Settings from the menu commands. On the Page tab, you will see the current max/min X and Y coordinates for the page.  Click on the button called Fit Page To Image.

The Settings | Modify Settings Dialog

Zoom in/out/window/extents commands are offered, with buttons on the Main Toolbar.  Use these to alter your view of your file.  To navigate about your file, you may also find the commands Pan to Center, Pan to Coordinate, Pan to Text, and Pan to Reference Designator helpful.  They all are found under the Zoom commands from the menu commands.

•

Explore the View commands from the menu commands.  View | Toolbars shows all available toolbars; toggle the display of a toolbar by selecting it.  Toolbars, once visible, may be repositioned on the screen by grabbing them with the mouse cursor and dragging to a new location.  Other View commands toggle the display of graphic classes and insert types, show fill styles, and copy images to the clipboard.


  Working With Layers

Many different file formats contain multiple layers of data.  Each layer has a separate name, and is represented graphically by different colors.  All of the layers contained within all of the files currently loaded into the project window are visible with the Tools | Layer List command.

The Layer List Dialog

Individual layers can be toggled on or off, and specific information regarding each layer can be set.  At the left side of the Layer List window, the layer number is on a button.  Click on a layer button.

The Layer Edit Dialog

The Layer Edit dialog will appear, offering settings specific to just that layer.  For example, you can set the Z Coordinate on the Silkscreen layer for use in extruding component height for export to the Solidworks 3-D modeling system. The top of the Layer List dialog shows the Layer List Mode.  Each mode offers further settings and modifications that are possible.

Navigate to View | Toolbars and toggle the Current Settings dialog on.  Then, select different entities in your file.  Carefully note the information that is displayed in the Current Settings dialog, and how it changes from entity to entity.

The Current Settings Dialog

The Current Settings shows the currently selected file, layer, and width, as well as other selected options.  It is important to note that this dialog will:

•	1) Display information about selected entities

•	2) Show what settings will be used for any added entities

For example: You decide to add some text to your data.  Issue the Add Text command, and insert the text.  The Current Settings dialog will tell you what layer the text is inserted on, what width it was drawn with, etc..  This also applies to added lines, polylines, apertures, and all other inserted entities.


  Working With Geometries

The Geometry List can be found under Tools | Geometry List.  Depending on the kind of file you have imported into the project window, you will see different kinds of geometries.  For example, if you have a Gerber and Aperture file loaded, you will see Apertures in the Geometry List.  If you have a DXF file loaded, you will see inserted geometries / groups.

The Geometry List Dialog

Explore the Geometry List in detail.  The left window indicates the file, and the right window indicates the loaded geometries.  DXF files will probably all have different geometries, while Gerber files of the same design probably share the same geometries (apertures).  The bottom of the window allows you to toggle on or off the various kinds of geometries.

You can set apertures as Tools in the Geometry List dialog.  After performing any necessary editing, the resulting data can be exported as an Excellon Drill file.

Geometries can be created and manipulated in a variety of ways.  Use the Edit | Edit Geometry commands to gain use of geometries.

Import the sample DXF file called smallpcb.dxf.  It is particularly helpful to be able to step inside geometries, to find out about the entities that create the geometry.  Select a geometry in smallpcb.dxf and choose Edit | Edit Geometry | Edit Selected Geometry.  Individual components of the geometry can then be queried and edited.  When finished editing the geometry, choose Edit | Edit Geometry | Done Editing Geometry.

Note: When editing geometries in this fashion, it is helpful to use the Geometry Toolbar for shortcuts to the menu commands.  Verify under View | Toolbars | Geometry Toolbar that the toolbar is toggled on.

You may also Explode Selected Geometries, so that the entities are separated out permanently.


  Working With Attributes

Attributes are only encountered in intelligent files.  Files such as Gerber, DXF, or HPGL files do not contain embedded attribute information, such as REFDES or VALUE.  Therefore, users of CAMCAD Graphic Edition can skip this section of the Guide.

Attributes can be seen by querying/editing components in intelligent CAD files.  With a CAD file imported, select a component and choose Query | Edit Entity.  In the dialog, you will see information such as geometry name, reference designator, geometry type, insertion coordinates, and insertion layer. Below these fields, a window shows you the keyword and value attributes for the component.

Query | Edit Entity With Attributes

Click on ATTRIBS to launch the Attributes dialog.  This dialog shows all attributes assigned to that geometry.  Double click on an attribute to view the Attribute Edit dialog, where various fields allow for customization.  Adding attributes is accomplished with the ADD button.

The Attributes Dialog

Another extremely useful function is being able to navigate through the CAD data to arrive at a specific component, pin, netlist, or other entity.  Issue the command Tools | Navigator and explore the Navigator dialog in detail.  You can drill down through the CAD data in several different ways to arrive at a specific location in order to set or verify attributes.  If you modify or add an attribute, you must use the command Tools | Refresh Attribute Inheritance once the Navigator dialog is closed to globally modify the CAD data.

* If you modify attributes under the Query/Edit | ATTRIBS, those attributes are only modified for that particular entity and the changes take effect when the MODIFY button is clicked

* If you modify attributes under the Navigator, the changes will be made only when the Refresh Attribute Inheritance command is issued

CAMCAD also offers a Keyword Map Editor, found under Tools | Keyword Map Editor.  This allows the user to set attribute mapping information, in order to export proper attribute information.

For example, users of CAMCAD for HP3070 may have to map the attribute TOLERANCE.  The CAD data may use the attribute name +TOLER and -TOLER, but the HP3070 machine requires the name be +TOL and -TOL.  Therefore, mapping is required for correct export of the data.

The Keyword Map Dialog

Once attribute keyword mapping is complete, you can save a map file to retain the attribute mapping.  Future conversions will be easier and faster when you can take advantage of map files.


  Working With Netlists

Netlist information is only relevant when refering to intelligent CAD files.  Graphic-only formats such as DXF, Gerber, or HPGL files contain no netlist information.  Users of CAMCAD Graphic Edition can skip this section.

Import a CAD file and display it on the screen.  It is often helpful to be able to highlight and display netlist information.

Note: Turn on the PCB Toolbar for shortcuts to netlist functions.

     Click on Tools | PCB | Select Nets.  You will see a dialog containing a listing of all the nets present within the CAD data.  Choose a net, such as GND, and click on Mark and Highlight.  The GND traces will be highlighted in the display.

A related useful function is being able to select a trace and then highlight everything electrically connected to that trace (on the same net).  Select and highlight a trace and choose Tools | PCB | Highlight Selected Item's Net.


rpfw_gendesc

  Read Module : Protel For Windows File

General Description


rpfw_importspecs

  Read Module : Protel For Windows File

Import Specifications

GENERAL

SYSTEM:	PROTEL for Windows

VERSION:	2.7

IMPORT FORMAT:	.PCB (ASCII)


rpfw_creatingimportfile

  Read Module : Protel For Windows File

Creating the Import File

GENERAL

In the PROTEL for Windows environment perform the following

steps:

1) FILE MENU | SAVE AS

2) Select the TEXT Option

3) Name the File

4) Select OK


rpfw_ImportingintoCAMCAD

  Read Module : Protel For Windows File

Importing into CAMCAD

GENERAL

Show the Import Dialog box


rpfw_ItemsControlledbyPROTEL.IN

  Read Module : Protel For Windows File

Items Controlled by PROTEL.IN

GENERAL


rpfw_UnderstandingthePROTEL.LOGfile

  Read Module : Protel For Windows File

Understanding the PROTEL.LOG file

general

unique


rpfw_DatabaseClassifications

  Read Module : Protel For Windows

Database Classifications

DATABASE CLASS:	NET

BOARD OUTLINE CLASS:	PSEUDO or REAL

COMPONENT CLASS:	LIBRARY or EXPLODED

Need popup windows for Pseudo, Real, Library, Exploded


rpfw_LocalPadstackDefinitions

  Read Module : Protel For Windows

Local Padstack Definitions

LOCAL PADSTACK DEFINITIONS

	IMPORT FILE	CAMCAD
BLIND VIAS SUPPORTED	YES	NO
BURIED VIAS SUPPORTED	YES	NO
COMPLEX PAD SPECIFICATIONS	YES	NO
SOLDERMASK INFORMATION


rpfw_Troubleshooting&FrequentlyAskedQuestions

  Read Module : Protel For Windows

Troubleshooting and Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL


_GeneralDescription

  Read Module : Scicards/Harris-EDA

General Description


rscicards_GeneralDescription

  Read Module : Scicards/Harris-EDA

General Description


rscicards_ImportSpecifications

  Read Module : Scicards/Harris-EDA

Import Specifications


rscicards_CreatingtheImportFile

  Read Module : Scicards/Harris-EDA

Creating the Import File


rscicards_ImportingintoCAMCAD

  Read Module : Scicards/Harris-EDA

File | File Import | Scicards/Harris-EDA Read


rscicards_ImportingintoCAMCAD

  Read Module : Scicards/Harris-EDA

Importing into CAMCAD


rscicards_ItemsControlledByRSCIcards.IN

  Read Module : Scicards/Harris-EDA

Items Controlled by RSCIcards.IN


rscicards_UnderstandingtheRSCIcards.LOGfile

  Read Module : Scicards/Harris-EDA

Understanding the RSCIcards.LOG file


rscicards_DatabaseClassifications

  Read Module : Scicards/Harris-EDA

Database Classifications


rscicards_LocalPadstackDefinitions

  Read Module : Scicards/Harris-EDA

Local Padstack Definitions


rscicards_Troubleshooting&FrequentlyAskedQuestions

  Read Module : Scicards/Harris-EDA

Troubleshooting and Frequently Asked Questions


rtheda_GeneralDescription

  Read Module : Incases Theda

General Description

Router


rtheda_ImportSpecifications

  Read Module : Incases Theda

Import Specifications

Database Class: NET

System: Computervision Theda

Hardware Platform: SUN

Version: 2 to 3.1

Operating Systems: UNIX

Input File Format:.TL

RSI Call Out: THED


rtheda_CreatingtheImportFile

  Read Module : Incases Theda

Creating the Import File

Input File Format:.TL

Command Sequence to Generate file(s): board save TL

Make sure, that all SCOPES are saved.


rtheda_ImportingintoCAMCAD

  Read Module : Incases Theda

Importing into CAMCAD

Router


rtheda_ItemsControlledbyTHEDA.IN

  Read Module : Incases Theda

Items Controlled by THEDA.IN

Router


rtheda_UnderstandingtheTHEDA.LOGfile

  Read Module : Incases Theda

Understanding the THEDA.LOG file


rtheda_DatabaseClassifications

  Read Module : Incases Theda

Database Classifications

Database Class: NET

Board outline is PSEUDO REAL.

LIBRARY definition needed.


rtheda_LocalPadstackDefinitions

  Read Module : Incases Theda

Local Padstack Definitions

	IMPORT FILE	CAMCAD
BLIND VIAS SUPPORTED
BURIED VIAS SUPPORTED
COMPLEX PAD SPECIFICATIONS
SOLDERMASK INFORMATION


rmentorneu_GeneralDescription

  Read Module : Mentor Neutral File

General Description

General


rmentorneu_InputSpecifications

  Read Module : Mentor Neutral File

Input Specifications


rmentorneu_CreatingtheImportFile

  Read Module : Mentor Neutral File

Creating the Import File


rmentorneu_ImportingintoCAMCAD

  Read Module : Mentor Neutral File

Importing into CAMCAD


rmentorneu_ItemsControlledbyMENTOR.IN

  Read Module : Mentor Neutral File

Items Controlled by MENTOR.IN file


rmentorneu_UnderstandingtheMENTOR.LOGfile

  Read Module : Mentor Neutral File

Understanding the MENTOR.LOG file


rmentorneu_DatabaseClassifications

  Read Module : Mentor Neutral File

Database Classifications

Database Class:

Board Outline Class:

Component Class:

Need popup windows for pseudo, real, library, exploded


rmentorneu_LocalPadstackDefinitions

  Read Module : Mentor Neutral File

Local Padstack Definitions

Blind vias supported?

Buried vias supported?

Complex Pad Specifications:

Soldermask Information:


rmentor4_GeneralDescription

  Read Module : Mentor 4 File

General Description

Router


rmentor4_ImportSecifications

  Read Module : Mentor 4 File

Import Specifications

System: Mentor Boardstation, Fablink

Version: 8.2, 8.4

Hardware Platform: SUN, HP

Operating Systems: UNIX


rmentor4_ImportSpecifications

  Read Module : Mentor 4 File

Import Specifications

System: Mentor Boardstation, Fablink

Version: 8.2, 8.4

Hardware Platform: SUN, HP

Operating Systems: UNIX


rmentor4_CreatingtheImportFile

  Read Module : Mentor 4 File

Creating the Import File

Router


rmentor4_ImportingintoCAMCAD

  Read Module : Mentor 4 File

Importing into CAMCAD

Show the import dialog box


rmentor4_ItemsControlledbyMENTOR.IN

  Read Module : Mentor 4 File

Items Controlled by MENTOR.IN

Router


rmentor4_UnderstandingtheMENTOR.LOGfile

  Read Module : Mentor 4 File

Understanding the MENTOR.LOG file

Router


rmentor4_DatabaseClassifications

  Read Module : Mentor 4 File

Database Classifications

Database Class:

Board Outline Class:

Component Class:

Need popup windows for pseudo, real, library, exploded


rmentor4_LocalPadstackDefinitions

  Read Module : Mentor 4 File

Local Padstack Definitions

Router


rmentor4_Troubleshooting&FrequentlyAskedQuestions

  Read Module : Mentor 4 File

Troubleshooting and Frequently Asked Questions

Router