[PCB_FORUM] Re: Reverse engineering using CAM 350 tool

  • From: Kevin McCowan <kmccowan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: icu-pcb-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2004 11:32:25 -0400

So, let me see if I have this right.
You have gerbers and want to go to an allegro .brd file
AND create schematics? I think that if you can accomplish this
you will be considered a master.
If you already had the schematic and wanted to create a brd file
from gerbers you might have some hope of getting there with a lot
of invested hours. I believe the task you have undertaken,
if I understand correctly, is for all practical purposes,
impossible.
You don't have any footprints in the data. You don't have any
netnames in the data, in the case of the pdfs you really don't
have anything useful.
Once in the distant past I lost the .brd file but still had the
gerbers and all of the component symbols and schematic. I imported the
gerbers placed all of the components and extracted the nets to
recreate the board. It was a major effort even having most of the
pieces in place.
I wish you the best of luck on an extremely difficult task.
Sorry I couldn't be more help,
Kevin McCowan
Sr. PCB Designer
TSI Telsys

J Wages wrote:

Hey folks,
I reviewing a large opportunity to reverse engineer a few hundred
obsolete PCB layout designs. Each design has different available data
files. Some only have a pdf drawing of the etch and board dimensions.
Others have unkown originated gerber files and apertures lists. I have
downloaded the CAM350 tool and am currently undergoing learning that
tools processes and capabilities. I was wondering if any of you out
there have much experience with reverse engineering, the CAM 350 tool or
could recommend alternative tools. The idea output would be to reverse
engineer to create a Cadence Concept HDL schematic, BOM, full netlist,
and layout the board for availability for fabrication and assembly. Any input would be appreciated.
Thanx in advance.


Jim S. Wages / SR. PCB Layout Designer
(919) 484-2963


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