How to import CAD Formats into GRS500
Application Note AP207 

Importing CAD formats into GRS500

The GRS500 cad input processors import and read the following cad formats to automatically generate test programs and graphical repair information.  The table below lists the ASCII output files you need to generate from CAD or CAM systems in order to prepare your GRS500 test program.

This document is also applicable for GRS CADView graphical cad viewer repair test software.

Cad Format

Supported file(s)

Extension

Altium Designer

Hyperlynx

*.hyp

Bartels Auto Engineer

IPC-D-356 / GENCad CAD File

*.* (varies) / *.cad

BoardMaker

BoardMaker Jig file

*.jig

Cadence

IPC-D-356 Tracks File (CADCAM)

*.* (varies)

Cadstar

Cadif

*.paf

Eagle (See note 6)

Eagle *.egr (Requires ULP)

*.egr

Fabmaster

Pins Part list / Fabmaster Archive

*.asc / *.far

GenCAD

GenCAD CAD File

*.cad

Gerber  (See note 1)

Gerber File

*.* (Varies)

Kades G

Database file

*.dfb

IPC-D-356 (See note 2)

Netlist

*.* (Varies)

Lavenir

F04 Format

*.f04

Mentor BoardStation

Mentor Neutral file / Mentor routes file

*.*

Mentor Expedition

GenCAD CAD (preferred)
or IPC-D-356

*.cad

Mentor Integra

Integra TXF file

*.txf

OrCad

GenCAD CAD

*.cad

Pads Power PCB  (note 5)

Pads Hyperlynx

*.hyp

PCAD 2001 

IPC-D-356

*.* (Varies)

PCAD 2002 - Onwards (see note 3)

Contact factory

*.* (Varies)

PCAD 2004 (see note 3)

Contact Factory

*.pgr

Prisma

Prisma CXF

*.cxf

Protel

Protel Hyperlynx

*.hyp

Pulsonix

GenCAD CAD File

*.cad

Seetrax Ranger

GenCAD CAD

*.cad

SuperMax ECAD

IPC-D-356 Netlist

*.* (Varies)

Target 301

Target GRS500 Export File

*.tgr

Theda

TL Version 4 / TL Version 6

*.tl / *.tl

Toshiba  (See note 4)

Toshiba component positions

*.drm

UniCAD

UniDAT

*.uni

Veribest

GenCAD CAD

*.cad

Visula

CADIF

*.paf

Vutrax

Engineer's cross reference

*.exg

Note 1: Gerber

Gerber contains pad information only, and lacks net information, wherever possible try to obtain CAD data as you will make a much better test program from CAD data. A second best if you have gerber is to obtain IPC-D356 from your PCB fabricator, or have a bureau service extract D356 from your gerber files.   

Note 2: IPC-D-356

IPC-D-356 is one step up from Gerber as it does contain net information, however IPC-D-356 still lacks the net names and component information found in CAD data.

IPC-D-356 files may be output directly from PCB CAD systems or from Gerber that has been processed by a CAM system.  CAD system IPC-D-356 files contain Component and Net Information where as CAM system IPC-D-356 files only contain Net Information, and therefore make them less useful for the GRS500

Note 3:

Requires translation utility - please contact factory.

Note 4: Toshiba

The .drm toshiba file is a component based file and does not contain the net information available in other CAD formats.

Note 5: Pads PowerPCB

Pads PowerPCB exports to a HyperLynx format.  Go to Tools -> BoardSim and export your design to a .hyp file.

Note 6: Eagle

Eagle *.egr files are generated by processing the Eagle *.brd files with an output script (ULP) This ULP and full instructions are installed in a utilities folder under the GRS500 installation folder (GRS500 V2.1 and above)