[PCB_FORUM] Re: ODB++ Configuration

Not every supplier has Valor but all major CAM tools can now accept ODB++.
We have been using ODB++ exclusively now for several years. Although we own Valor licenses, we have ceased maintenance. We now do our checks in GCPrevuePlus which is much easier for the PCB designers to learn and use effectively. ODB++Inside does a great job. We produce complex (shape-wise) designs, including arrays, and have had very few problems. It pays to keep the ODB++ inside, Skill scripts and VUV utilities up to date. However, don't load 8.0.0 yet. 7.6.7 is currently the best match for 16.x until the CAM vendors catch up. 

Cheers, Dave


Douglas Stanley wrote, On 12/02/2008 7:07 a.m.:
If you have the Valor tools, the preferred method for translating Allegro data is to use the built-in translator inside of Valor's tool - not Allegro's ODB++ Inside. The code on Valor's side is updated much more often while the Allegro side is outdated the moment you get it. I'm not saying the Allegro translator doesn't work, but many have been the times the ODB++ Inside didn't translate the database correctly, while Valor's worked fine. I look at ODB++ Inside as more of a marketing tool than anything else. Douglas G. Stanley 
PC Board Designer, Sr. Staff
dstanley@xxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dstanley@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
(949) 926-5889

------------------------------------------------------------------------
*From:* icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] *On Behalf Of *Michael Catrambone 
*Sent:* Friday, February 08, 2008 7:51 AM
*To:* icu-pcb-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
*Subject:* [PCB_FORUM] Re: ODB++ Configuration
*Importance:* High

Randy,
I have to disagree with you. I have used both the translator in Valor as well as the OBD++ Inside that is part of Allegro, after you download it from Valor. The actually ODB++ Inside (brd2odb) translator was jointly created by both Cadence and Valor, I think it is mostly Valor code. If you have a problem you can get support directly from Valor and they engage with Cadence when required.
We all have our own personal preferences and I would rather use the ODB++ Inside (brd2odb) instead of having going into to Valor to create the files. Don't get me wrong, all translators have the share of problems but any problems will exist whether it ran inside of Valor or externally using ODB++ Inside (brd2odb). 


Dave,
To follow-up with your "command not found" issue, the ODB++ Inside (brd2odb) needs to be downloaded for the Valor web site and installed separately from the Cadence tools. The best way to get it or check to see if it is already installed is to start Allegro then select File > Export > ODB++ Inside and just click Yes from the confirmer window to open up the web page where it can be downloaded for Valor.
The exactly URL is: http://www.valor.com/en/Products/ODBpp/Cadence%20Allegro_Inside%20Package.aspx 

Hope this helps,
Michael Catrambone
UTStarcom, Inc.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
*From:* icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] *On Behalf Of *Randy Dawson 
*Sent:* Thursday, February 07, 2008 10:58 PM
*To:* icu-pcb-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
*Subject:* [PCB_FORUM] Re: ODB++ Configuration


Dave,
We did this in Valor class, and the best results were not using the translator at all.
Go straight to Valor Enterprise 3000, and import the file, their translators work better than any of the vendor supplied ones.
I love that netlist check tool, saved my bacon a number of times(esp. plane checks). Now I work for somebody that cant afford that stuff, whats your take on GerbTool, and CAM350? 

Randy



> From: dave.schaefer@xxxxxxx
> To: icu-pcb-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [PCB_FORUM] Re: ODB++ Configuration
> Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2008 21:32:04 -0600
>
> Dave,
>
> Thanks!
>
> I'll mess around with it a bit to see if I can get the desired results.
>
> I did read some of the command line info (Appendix A, I think), but when I 
> entered "brd2odb" on the command line I got "command not found" message.
> I'll try putting the command into skill and running (16.01 "L" on XP).
>
> Dave Schaefer
> dave.schaefer@xxxxxxx
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Dave Elder
> Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2008 5:56 PM
> To: icu-pcb-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [PCB_FORUM] Re: ODB++ Configuration
>
> Hi Dave,
>
> Use the brd2odb command line utility. Most of the parameters are
> configurable.
>
> This is how I run it from within Skill:
> sprintf(cmd, "brd2odb -a2l -c a -jn %s -v14_thermals -s all -sf -sp-xu
> mm -read_sqa no %s\\%s.brd", bdName, getWorkingDir(), bdName)
> axlRunBatchDBProgram("brd2odb", cmd, ?noUnload t, ?silent t, ?noProgress t) 
>
> See C:\Valor\ODB++Inside\brd2odb.pdf
>
> Cheers, Dave
>
> Dave Schaefer wrote, On 8/02/2008 11:57 a.m.:
> > Have started using ODB++ data for fabrication, manufacturing, and test.
> > I'd like to set up ODB++ Inside to execute with a standard set of
> parameters from a menu pick.
> >
> > Are ODB++ Inside default settings controlled by a configurable file?
> > Can I pass variables (design name) to ODB++ export?
> > Any other tips / comments?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Dave
> >
> >
> > Dave Schaefer
> > dave.schaefer@xxxxxxx
> > -----------------------------------------------------------
> > To subscribe/unsubscribe:
> > Send a message to icu-pcb-forum-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > with a subject of subscribe or unsubscribe
> >
> > To view the archives of this list go to
> http://www.freelists.org/archives/icu-pcb-forum/
> >
> > Problems or Questions:
> > Send an email to icu-pcb-forum-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > -----------------------------------------------------------
> >
> >
>
> =======================================================================
> This email, including any attachments, is only for the intended
> addressee. It is subject to copyright, is confidential and may be
> the subject of legal or other privilege, none of which is waived or
> lost by reason of this transmission.
> If the receiver is not the intended addressee, please accept our
> apologies, notify us by return, delete all copies and perform no
> other act on the email.
> Unfortunately, we cannot warrant that the email has not been
> altered or corrupted during transmission.
> =======================================================================
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------
> To subscribe/unsubscribe:
> Send a message to icu-pcb-forum-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> with a subject of subscribe or unsubscribe
>
> To view the archives of this list go to http://www.freelists.org/archives/icu-pcb-forum/ 
>
> Problems or Questions:
> Send an email to icu-pcb-forum-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> -----------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Climb to the top of the charts! Play the word scramble challenge with star power. Play now! <http://club.live.com/star_shuffle.aspx?icid=starshuffle_wlmailtextlink_jan> 


begin:vcard
fn:Dave Elder
n:Elder;Dave
org:Tait Electronics
adr:;;PO Box 1645;Christchurch;;;New Zealand
email;internet:dave.elder@xxxxxxxxxx
title:PCB Design Manager
tel;work:+64 3 3580327
tel;cell:+64 21 37 37 25
url:http://www.taitworld.com
version:2.1
end:vcard

Other related posts: