Tim, You need to run the .max file through a translator. Here is an email one of my collegues recieved from Cadance covering this issue: I believe this solution from our SourceLink website will help you get the translator. It is recommended to use the v14.0 Layout-to-Allegro translator as that has been some reported problems with the others. As for your questions: 1) can an Orcad layout file be translated into Allegro? and if so, how? Yes, get the translator. 2) can your group do the translation or is this an additional product that I will have to buy? We do not translate designs, No you can download it for free. 3) are there any limitations on the versions involved in the translations? Please see the Solution below. Thank you, Allan Loewy Lead Support Applications Engineer Cadence Design Systems (845) 294-6023 (voice) mailto:loewy@xxxxxxxxxxx <http://www.cadence.com/> Cadence Support Hotline: (877)237-4911 For Customer Support online, visit Cadence Sourcelink <http://sourcelink.cadence.com> What is new in Sourcelink? <http://www.cadence.com/support/whatsnew.html> NEW: FAQ Library on SourceLink: http://sourcelink.cadence.com/docs/files/FAQ/FAQ_Library.html NEW: PSD14.2 Enhancement Videos <http://sourcelink.cadence.com/docs/files/Release_Info/PSD142_Release_Videos /main.html> Solution No. 11009288 Orcad Layout to Cadence Allegro translator http://sourcelink.cadence.com/docs/db/kdb/2002/Feb/11009288.html *Problem Statement: I have a Layout board file (.max) that I would like to translate to an Allegro board file (.brd). Is a translator available that can accomplish this task? *Solution: Cadence has developed an Orcad Layout to Allegro translator that works quite well. It will take a Layout .MAX file and create an Allegro .BRD file. We do not have a utility that will take a Layout footprint library .LLB file and create Allegro .PSM/.DRA files. There are no plans to create a utility like this. Currently the way to accomplish a task like this is to manually place all of your desired custom footprints from a library into a .MAX file, translate this file to Allegro and then extract the symbols in Allegro. A translator to convert an Allegro board to a Layout board has not been developed and there are currently no plans to create one. Here are some links to the translators (ToAllegro136.zip for v13.6 Allegro, ToAllegro140.zip for v14.0 Allegro, and ToAllegro141.zip for v14.1 Allegro. Note: The 14.1 and 14.2 versions of the translator have reported problems with reproduction of spacing and color rules. Development recommends using the v14.0 Layout-to-Allegro translator with Allegro 14.1 and Allegro 14.2 until these issues have been resolved. The 14.2 version of the Layout-to-Allegro translator has not yet been posted to the Orcad Community Website, if you require a copy please contact Customer Support. http://www.orcadpcb.com/downloads/product/ToAllegro136.zip http://www.orcadpcb.com/downloads/product/ToAllegro140.zip http://www.orcadpcb.com/downloads/product/ToAllegro141.zip Download the zip file appropriate to the version of Allegro that you have installed. Here are some links to a couple common problems encountered with setup/use: Could not find a TELENV environment variable or the FAKE_ENV file http://sourcelink.cadence.com/docs/db/kdb/2000/Nov/11035394.html Layout to Allegro translator error: Fileops entry 'UNITS' not found http://sourcelink.cadence.com/docs/db/kdb/2001/Oct/1844483.html -----Original Message----- From: Tim [mailto:silist01@xxxxxxxxx] Sent: Friday, June 13, 2003 1:55 PM To: si-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [SI-LIST] Orcad layout to Allegro Hi All, I want to translate some designs from Orcad layout to Allegro since our company upgraded the tool. From Allegro File->import menu, I cannot find a import file format that matches Orcad layout file(*.max). I went to File->open, Allegro cannot read Orcad layout file as well. I wonder is there anyway to do this translation? I am very curious why this two product families within the same company are not compatible with each other? Tim __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo. http://search.yahoo.com ------------------------------------------------------------------ To unsubscribe from si-list: si-list-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field or to administer your membership from a web page, go to: //www.freelists.org/webpage/si-list For help: si-list-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'help' in the Subject field List archives are viewable at: //www.freelists.org/archives/si-list or at our remote archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/si-list/messages Old (prior to June 6, 2001) list archives are viewable at: http://www.qsl.net/wb6tpu ------------------------------------------------------------------ To unsubscribe from si-list: si-list-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field or to administer your membership from a web page, go to: //www.freelists.org/webpage/si-list For help: si-list-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'help' in the Subject field List archives are viewable at: //www.freelists.org/archives/si-list or at our remote archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/si-list/messages Old (prior to June 6, 2001) list archives are viewable at: http://www.qsl.net/wb6tpu