Swtiching from Protel DXP to Cadence...

exporting to .brd from protel

I'm in the process of switching to Cadence because I work in a company that uses Cadence. I am having a HARD time trying to learn the software. I find Protel to be more user friendly than Cadence.

Anyway, Can somebody point me to commands/functions/etc in Cadence that can perform the similar results as the following commands in Protel:

1) Query: e.g. IsPad and Net = 'GND' and HoleSize = '30mil' . Is there any way of building this kind of query in Cadence ?
2) Navigator: for components, nets, DRCs, etc. How can I navigate these in Cadence?
3) Inspector: change the coordinates of an item, net type, etc. What would be an equivalent in Cadence?

Thanks!
MPF

1. Display - Element - configure the filter and pick your element

2. I don't know Protel so I'm guessing but I think my answer in 1. answers this also.

3. For instance - choose Edit/Move set your filter again, pick your part and type on the command line ix nnn - ix= increment X - iy= increment y or you could set your grid appropriately and move it.

SiGiNT

Re: Swtiching from P*otel DXP to Cadence...

mfilippa said:

1) Query: e.g. IsPad and Net = 'GND' and HoleSize = '30mil' . Is there any way of building this kind of query in Cadence ?
2) Navigator: for components, nets, DRCs, etc. How can I navigate these in Cadence?
3) Inspector: change the coordinates of an item, net type, etc. What would be an equivalent in Cadence?

Thanks!
MPF

Click to expand...

you can get more info about the pin, net etc in cadence tools.
if using Allegro u need to customize the tool before begining the job.
may take a little time to put it up.

Binu G

HI,

Unfortunately, for Cadence PSD. U must start from the begining (Schematic, Build Geometry,...). But this is my solution. I Use Orcad to draw Schematic ( Very FAST). Build Footprint in Allegro, translate netlist from Orcad to Allegro-> place and Route. If U want to simulation, use Spectraquest.

Good Luck

use the steps below to conveert your design in protel to .brd files:
1-export the protel file with the format PCAD ASCII file.
2-open the new file using PCAD2001 or PCAD2002 software.
2-1-you might have some problems that will be reported.try to fix them.
3-in PCAD, from the File menu,choose export>PDIF.
4-A new file will be created with .pdf extension.
5-Open the .pdf file with a text editor and change a parameter named DBgrid form 1 to 0.1.
6-save the new file.
7-Open PCAD translator(which is one of allegro utilities),choose the .pdf file as input,and accepr the allegro default options file.
8-Map the layers based on your requirements.(between PCAD and Allegro layers)
A new file with extension .brd will be generated, that you can open in Allegro.