How to generate ODB++ from older PADS version?

Joerg

unread,

Aug 11, 2015, 2:48:12 PM8/11/15

to

Folks,

A contract assembler wants ODB++ and my layouter uses PADS 3.1 which
can't do that on its own. Does anyone know how a trick to generate this
output from a PADS 3.1 file?

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

John Larkin

unread,

Aug 11, 2015, 6:35:28 PM8/11/15

to

On Tue, 11 Aug 2015 11:48:08 -0700, Joerg <ne...@analogconsultants.com>
wrote:

>Folks,
>
>A contract assembler wants ODB++ and my layouter uses PADS 3.1 which
>can't do that on its own. Does anyone know how a trick to generate this
>output from a PADS 3.1 file?

The current version of PADS (VX.1) will import ancient layout files,
and can output ODB++.

We may be able to do it for you. I'll ask tomorrow.

Joerg

unread,

Aug 11, 2015, 7:02:37 PM8/11/15

to

Thanks, John, that would be nice.

John Larkin

unread,

Aug 12, 2015, 1:09:41 PM8/12/15

to

On Tue, 11 Aug 2015 16:02:36 -0700, Joerg <ne...@analogconsultants.com>
wrote:

Hi, Joerg,

I think we can do it. Email me the .PCB file and we'll convert it to
the new PADS format and make the ODB files too. We'll also convert the
.SCH file to new PADS format if you want; that should take about 20
seconds.

We'll have to learn how to do this sooner or later, and Mike has some
time now.

Joerg

unread,

Aug 12, 2015, 2:22:16 PM8/12/15

to

Sent. Thanks, John, that is very nice!

John Larkin

unread,

Aug 12, 2015, 3:47:35 PM8/12/15

to

On Wed, 12 Aug 2015 11:22:15 -0700, Joerg <ne...@analogconsultants.com>

wrote:

>On 2015-08-12 10:09 AM, John Larkin wrote:
>> On Tue, 11 Aug 2015 16:02:36 -0700, Joerg <ne...@analogconsultants.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> On 2015-08-11 3:35 PM, John Larkin wrote:
>>>> On Tue, 11 Aug 2015 11:48:08 -0700, Joerg <ne...@analogconsultants.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Folks,
>>>>>
>>>>> A contract assembler wants ODB++ and my layouter uses PADS 3.1 which
>>>>> can't do that on its own. Does anyone know how a trick to generate this
>>>>> output from a PADS 3.1 file?
>>>>
>>>> The current version of PADS (VX.1) will import ancient layout files,
>>>> and can output ODB++.
>>>>
>>>> We may be able to do it for you. I'll ask tomorrow.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks, John, that would be nice.
>>
>>
>> Hi, Joerg,
>>
>> I think we can do it. Email me the .PCB file and we'll convert it to
>> the new PADS format and make the ODB files too. We'll also convert the
>> .SCH file to new PADS format if you want; that should take about 20
>> seconds.
>>
>> We'll have to learn how to do this sooner or later, and Mike has some
>> time now.
>>
>
>
>Sent. Thanks, John, that is very nice!

Mike just did it. You open the file in PADS and hit file/saveas/ODB.
Takes seconds.

But he looked at it in a viewer and didn't like the top layer: the
pads are missing or something. Mentor is looking into that for us.

Joerg

unread,

Aug 13, 2015, 10:41:59 AM8/13/15

to

Thanks, John. I told them not to use the files for productuion just yet.

John Larkin

unread,

Aug 13, 2015, 11:57:03 AM8/13/15

to

On Thu, 13 Aug 2015 07:42:03 -0700, Joerg <ne...@analogconsultants.com>

So far, all our fab houses seem happy with Gerbers, but the ODB thing
may be the future. If it's possible, let us know if your board house
likes the ODBs that Mike made.

The current PADS will read all old PADS files, even from dynoDOS days,
and save in the new format. PADS does not need library access to open
or change old files; all the parts are embedded in the .SCH and .PCB
files, which is cool.

--

John Larkin Highland Technology, Inc
lunatic fringe electronics

jlarkin att highlandtechnology dott com
http://www.highlandtechnology.com

Joerg

unread,

Aug 13, 2015, 1:23:11 PM8/13/15

to

I sure will but I'll hold back until Mentor says the files are ok.
Missing pads on the top layer could ruin the day.

> The current PADS will read all old PADS files, even from dynoDOS days,
> and save in the new format. PADS does not need library access to open
> or change old files; all the parts are embedded in the .SCH and .PCB
> files, which is cool.
>

PADS seems to be a very nice tool. I can open their files in a viewer
and never have to go through all the hoops of Gerber importing until the
last layout round is done. It's also very nice later during debug to
find "Where the heck is C183?" ... click ... aha, there it is!

John Larkin

unread,

Aug 13, 2015, 11:12:01 PM8/13/15

to

On Thu, 13 Aug 2015 10:23:11 -0700, Joerg <ne...@analogconsultants.com>

Mike called Mentor and got the ODB settings figured out. Mentor
support is excellent. The file should be OK now, but I sure wish thst
you would test it for us!

Joerg

unread,

Aug 14, 2015, 10:16:47 AM8/14/15

to

Does that mean the ones you guys originally sent originally to me were
ok? I didn't get a new file set from Mike.

The test would happen if the board house submits a decent quote, there
isn't any other way we could test the file. But if they take the job and
make prototypes I sure will let you know.

John Larkin

unread,

Aug 14, 2015, 11:53:01 AM8/14/15

to

On Fri, 14 Aug 2015 07:16:53 -0700, Joerg <ne...@analogconsultants.com>

Mike sent you the files after he fixed the settings. Should be OK.

>
>The test would happen if the board house submits a decent quote, there
>isn't any other way we could test the file. But if they take the job and
>make prototypes I sure will let you know.

I guess we should ODB one of our boards and ask one of our fab houses
if it looks OK to them.

Gerber format is 50 years old or something. The original Gerber
machine had x-y actuators that moved a light box with an aperarture
disk over a sheet of film.