[PCB_FORUM] OrCAD Layout to Allegro PCB...

Hi,

I had been using OrCAD Layout for many years. About two years ago, I purchased Allegro PCB Design L with all options except partitioning. I have now created several boards using Allegro and I am now pretty fluent using it.

I recently received an older PCB done in OrCAD Layout and it's associated Capture schematic from a new client. They are wanting to move it over to Allegro. I was able to convert the .MAX file within Allegro.

As expected, when when creating the Allegro netlist from this older Capture schematic (that was originally for OrCAD Layout), I recieved many errors from the netlister:

1) the many 'stock' PCB library footprint names that were shipped with OrCAD Layout contain several characters that Allegro cannot use, i.e., '.', '/', and spaces,

2) complains about duplicate schematic pin names on ICs (visible non-power pins), i.e., VCC, GND,

3) and on, and on...

After saving all of the PCB footprints in Allegro from the converted .MAX file, I see that the illegal 'characters' from item #1 above have simply been removed in the new .DRA filenames.

Long question made short, is there a faster method to cross-over a OrCAD Layout/schematic-to-Allegro PCB/schematic combination (all PCB footprint fieldnames within an older schematic)? I believe I know how to fix all of this, but since this is a large design, it will take many extra hours just to get it to the point where a new netlist can be generated in Capture (Allegro Design Entry) and carried over to the newly converted Allegro PCB.

I know that I can use Capture to prepare a BOM with footprint info, take the footprint info into Excel, change illegal footprint names to match what is in the new .DRA filenames, and create an 'Update file' to change the footprint names in the part fields in Capture. Then I know I can go into Capture and edit all parts with duplicated pin names from item #2 above. And on, and on...

Are there any other potential problems that I have not yet uncovered? The client is wanting a time estimate before beginning actual work...

Are there, for example, Perl scripts that can be used to help with some of this?


Thanks,

Danny

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