Import (DXF): Edit Parameters

In Footprint Editor, you can import objects from a DXF file to add them as area fills or lines. This function is supported in Releases 12 and 14. Click Edit Parameters in the Import (DXF) dialog. The Edit Parameters dialog is displayed.

Item

Description
Import parameters Allows you to load parameters that are stored in a file, using the Open dialog.
Export parameters The parameters that you configure in this dialog can be saved to a file, using the Save As dialog.
OK Saves the settings that you specify in the Edit Parameters dialog, and closes the dialog.
Cancel Closes the Edit Parameters dialog without saving your changes.

Layer mapping

Item Value

Description
DXF file for reference   Reads the layer configuration, and displays it in the DXF layer configuration field.
DXF layer configuration   Displays the layer name in the DXF file.
Add   Add the layer name selected from DXF layer configuration to Layer to convert.
Layer to convert   In the Layer mapping box, set the association with layers to import from the DXF file. To add a combination of layers, right-click in the Layer to convert box and select Add Rows on the assist menu. Specify a layer in the displayed Select Layer dialog.
  • Click to move the rows selected in Layer not to convert to Layer to convert.
  • Click to move the rows selected in Layer to convert to Layer not to convert.
  DXF layer name Specify the layer name in the DXF file.
  Layer name Specify the layer name.
  Moves the row that is selected in the Layer to convert box to the Layer not to convert box. Select multiple rows using the CTRL or Shift keys.
  Moves the row that is selected in the Layer not to convert box to the Layer to convert box. Select multiple rows using the CTRL or Shift keys.
Layer not to convert   Layer not to convert is a table used for saving the Layer to convert settings. During the import process, only the settings specified in the Layer to convert field are referenced.
  • Click to move the rows selected in Layer not to convert to Layer to convert.
  • Click to move the rows selected in Layer to convert to Layer not to convert.
  DXF layer name The name of the layer in the DXF file.
  Layer name The layer in the design.

Import

Conversion figure

Item Value

Description
Scale Value between 0.01 and 100.0
  • Specifies a scale parameter to enlarge or reduce an object that is imported from the DXF file.
  • A value of 0.5 reduces the size by half.
  • A value of 2.0 doubles its size.
Tolerance for converting curved line  
  • Specify the maximum tolerable error that can occur during the conversion of curved lines.
  • Curved lines that cannot be depicted if imported as DXF shapes are approximated to multiple short straight lines. This process is called curved line conversion.
  • The following diagram shows how the curved line conversion processes an object. An error occurs in the location indicated by arrows.
    Diagram of curved line conversion
Convert circle to area fill   Allows you to specify whether circular objects are imported as circular area fills or as circular lines.
Selected Circular objects are imported as circular area fills.
Not selected Circular objects are imported as circular lines.
Convert open polyline to area fill   Allows you to control whether polylines are converted into area fills by specifying a value in the Tolerance for open polyline box.
Selected The Tolerance for open polyline box is made available. This allows you to set the maximum distance between the start and end points of polylines. This determines whether they are converted into area fills.
Not selected Polyline objects are imported as polylines.
Tolerance for open polyline   Specify the maximum distance between the start and end points of polylines. This value determines whether they are converted into area fills.
  • If the distance between the start and end points is smaller than the specified value, then polylines are imported as area fills.
  • If the distance between the start and end points is equal to or greater than the specified value, then they are imported as polylines.

Unit

Item Value Description
DXF file unit mm

Values in the DXF file are imported in mm.
inch Values in the DXF file are imported in inches.
micron Values in the DXF file are imported in microns.
mil Values in the DXF file are imported in mils.

 

Note
  • If you specify the same DXF layer name setting in multiple rows in the Layer to convert box, the layer is imported to Layer name in the highest row. It is not imported to Layer name in the lower rows.
  • The following object elements in DXF Release 12 are not supported:
  • POINT
  • SHAPE
  • VIEWPORT
  • The following object elements in DXF Release 14 are not supported:
  • POINT
  • SHAPE
  • VIEWPORT
  • SPLINE
  • MLINE (Multiline)
  • ELLIPSE
  • 3DSOLID (3D solid)
  • IMAGE
  • LEADER
  • RAY (Radial)
  • REGION
  • Because each footprint layer has specific input restrictions, you must correct the objects before adding them (see below).
Layer type Input object
Area fill Line Character
Hole layer Circles do not require correction.
Other area fills are not added.		 Lines are not added. Characters are not added.
Conductor layer Independent area fills do not require correction.
Convert area fills included in another area fill into cutouts.		 No correction. No correction.
Keepout layer Independent area fills do not require correction.
Convert area fills included in another area fill into cutouts.		 No correction. Characters are not added.
Symbol mark layer
Resist layer
Metal mask layer		 Independent area fills do not require correction.
Convert area fills included in another area fill into cutouts.		 No correction. No correction.
Component area layer Converted into component area. Lines are not added. Characters are not added.
Non-circular hole layer No correction. No correction. Characters are not added.
Undefined layer No correction. No correction. No correction.

 

Related Topics
Import (DXF) dialog