Jim, I would definitely be interested in reading the reverse engineering process you come up with. Please include me on the email distribution list. Godspeed on your challenge. :o) Jessie Vogt jvogt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx -----Original Message----- From: J Wages [mailto:jwages@xxxxxxxxx] Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2004 10:52 AM To: icu-pcb-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [PCB_FORUM] Re: Reverse engineering using CAM 350 tool Kevin, I appreciate the input and I agree that what I described in my original email is pretty daunting. I guess I'm just trying to see what I can actually create with the data that is available. I'm sure I will be limited by the amount, or more accurately, the lack of input data. *chuckle* Most of these designs are pretty simple. Interface connectors with a couple of resistors. I've downloaded the CAM 350 reverse engineering tool and have a 30 day full capability license to try it out on a few designs. At first glance it appears to be exactly what I need for the designs that I have gerbers files, aperture lists, BOM, and NC drill data. I think you are correct in the difficulties in creating a schematic, but I think I can do it with some extra effort. I doubt, however, that the customer really needs that and once I describe the effort and cost of such effort. In the end I imagine that the customer will probably be content with a reproducible set of fabrication and assembly deliverable file packages. I plan on documenting this "Reverse Engineering" process, so if anyone else is interested let me know and I'll create a email distribution list describing my process and the issues I encounter during my endeavor. Jim S. Wages / Independent SR. PCB Layout Designer: (919) 484-2963 -----Original Message----- From: Kevin McCowan [mailto:kmccowan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx] Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2004 10:32 AM To: icu-pcb-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [PCB_FORUM] Re: Reverse engineering using CAM 350 tool 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 > > > ----------------------------------------------------------- > 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 please login at > //www.freelists.org. Our list name is icu-pcb-forum > or go to //www.freelists.org/archives/icu-pcb-forum/ > > Problems or Questions: > Send an email to icu-pcb-forum-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > > Want to post a job listing ? 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