Export (IDX): Edit Parameters Dialog

The Edit Parameters dialog allows you to specify parameters for the exported IDX file. It also allows you to import previously-saved parameters, and save the parameters that you specify in this dialog. The following mechanical CAD packages are supported for the exported object types that are shown below.

  • Creo version 3.0 and version 4.0 (PTC)
  • NX version 12.0 (Siemens PLM)
Object type Creo version 3.0 and version 4.0 (PTC) NX version 12.0 (Siemens PLM)
Board Outline Supported Supported
Hole Supported Supported
Non-circular hole Not Supported Supported
Component Supported Supported
Area Supported Supported
Other layers Not Supported Not Supported

 

The fields in this dialog are described below.

Item   Description
Import parameters   Allows you to load the parameters that are saved by clicking Export parameters in this dialog. Browse to the required .xml file in the displayed Open dialog.
Export parameters   Allows you to save the parameters that you configure in this dialog. Specify the location and name of the parameter file that you want to save in the displayed Save As dialog.
Export   Allows you to specify the version of the IDX file that is exported, and the associated units.
  Version Select the version of the IDX file that is exported.
  • EDMD 2.0: the IDX file is exported in version EDMD 2.0.
  • EDMD 3.0: the IDX file is exported in version EDMD 3.0.
  Units Allows you to specify the units that are used for the exported IDX file. The following units can be selected.
  • mm: the data is exported in millimeters.
  • inch: the data is exported in inches.
  • micron: the data is exported in microns.
  • mil: the data is exported in mils.
Board outline   Allows you to specify whether the board outline is exported to the IDX file, and specify the board thickness. Area fills and cutouts that are defined in the Board outline layer are output as the board outline.
  Output board outline Specify whether the board outline is exported to the IDX file.
  • Selected: the board outline is exported to the IDX file. The Board thickness section is made available.
  • Not selected: the board outline is not exported to the IDX file. The Board thickness section is made unavailable.
  Default Board thickness Set the board thickness that is used by default. Specify a real number greater than 0. This value is used when Use the defined board thickness from design rules is not selected.
  Use the defined board thickness from design rules
  • Selected: the board thickness is defined by the value in the Board thickness field in the Rule Editor Dialog: Board Tab. This field shows the total of the values in the Layer thickness column, in the Layer Configuration table in this tab.
  • Not selected: the board thickness is defined by the value in the Default Board thickness box.
Hole   Allows you to specify that holes are exported. This section also allows you to specify how non-circular holes are converted. These are output as area fills with an outline that consists of straight lines and arcs. A non-circular hole layer is output as a non-plated hole with a non-circular shape. The hole attributes are the same as for circular holes. Hole attributes are set as shown below.
Hole typeIDX attributesSetting
Hole on board.

Padstack on board.

InterStratumFeatureType
  • If EDMDInterStratumFeatureType is set to the user-defined attribute of the hole or padstack that is input with the IDX Import command, then the value is set to InterStratumFeatureType. In other cases, the hole of the plated padstack is set to PlatedCutout.
  • The hole of a non-plated padstack is set to Cutout.
Padstack in component.

Hole.

InterStratumFeatureType
  • The hole of a plated padstack is set as PlatedCutout.
  • The hole of a non-plated padstack is set as Cutout.
Hole on board.ShapeElementType
  • Set as PartMountingFeature.
Padstack on boardShapeElementType
  • Set as ViaTerminal.
Padstack in component.   Hole in componentShapeElementType
  • Set as ComponentTerminal.
  Output Hole
  • Selected: holes are exported to the IDX file. The fields in the Hole section are made available.
  • Not selected: holes are not exported to the IDX file. The fields in the Hole section are made unavailable.
  Hole other  than round hole
  • Convert to non-circular hole: holes other than round holes are exported as non-circular holes.
  • Convert to cutout of board outline: holes other than round holes are converted to cutouts of the board outline.
  Hole
  • Selected: the hole and shape of the non-circular hole layer is exported.
  • Not selected: the hole and shape of the non-circular hole layer is not exported.
  Via hole
  • Selected: holes are exported that are in a padstack but are not in a component.
  • Not selected: holes that are in a padstack but are not in a component are not exported.
  Pin hole
  • Selected: holes are exported that are in a component.
  • Not selected: holes are not exported that are in a component.
Component   Allows you to specify whether components are exported to the IDX file, including non-electrical components. You can specify how component areas are handled, and whether to specify the height of components for which this attribute is not set. This section also allows you to specify how names are assigned to component shapes, and whether the names of 3D models are exported. Component attributes are set as shown below.
IDX attributes of componentSetting
Name of ItemInstanceSpecify the reference of the component.
ObjectName of PackageName
  • If Footprint name is selected as the component shape name, then specify the footprint name.
  • If Part name is selected as the component shape name, then specify the part name.
ObjectName of Identifier
  • To output the assigned accurate shape part names, specify the file name of the accurate shape parts.
  • In other cases or when no accurate shape part is assigned, specify the part name of the component.
  Output component
  • Selected: components are exported to the IDX file. The other fields in the Component section are made available.
  • Not selected: components are not exported to the IDX file. The other fields in the Component section are made unavailable.
  Output non-electrical component
  • Selected: non-electrical components are exported to the IDX file.
  • Not selected: non-electrical components are not exported to the IDX file.
  Convert multiple component areas to single shape
  • Selected: separate component areas are bundled into a single shape. This is defined by a rectangle which encloses them all.
  • Not selected: component areas are exported as separate shapes.
  Default height for components with no height attribute
  • Selected: in the associated box, set the height of a component for which the height attribute is not specified.
  • Not selected: a value is not defined for a component for which the height attribute is not specified. The associated box is made unavailable.
  Component figure name Allows you to specify whether the footprint name or the part name for the component is used as the name of the component shape.
  • Footprint name: the footprint name that is associated with the component is used as the name of the component shape.
  • Part name: the part name that is associated with the component is used as the name of the component shape.
  Use brackets() when outputting footprints with alternates
  • Selected: When selected, footprints with alternates will have the alternate name enclosed in brackets.
  • Not Selected: When not selected, footprint alternate names will be prefixed with a +-_.
  3D Model Allows you to specify whether the names of 3D models that are associated with components are exported.
  Output 3D models
  • Selected: if a 3D model is associated with a component, then its name is exported to the IDX file.
  • Selected: the names of any 3D models are not exported to the IDX file.
Area   The Area table allows you to specify the layers that are converted to area data. Right-click in the table and select Add Rows on the assist menu to display the Select Layer dialog. Select the required layers in this dialog. To delete a row, right-click in the table and select Delete Rows on the assist menu. You can select multiple rows to delete by dragging the mouse, or by clicking them using the Ctrl or Shift key. Exporting to IDX converts the following.
  • A limit area is converted to KeepIn.
  • A keepout area is converted to KeepOut.
  • A height limit area is converted to KeepIn. The height of the area is specified. When a layer other than a height limit area is exported, the height of the area is not specified.

The following attributes are set

KeepIn attributesDescription
Purpose
  • With height limit area selected: ComponentPlacement.
  • With component keep in area selected: ComponentPlacement.
  • With track keep in area selected: Route.

KeepOut attributesDescription
Purpose
  • With component keepout area selected: ComponentPlacement.
  • With track keepout area selected: Route.
  • With via keepout area selected: Via.
  eCADSTAR Layer name Displays the layers that you select in the Select Layer dialog. To change a selected value, point the cursor in this field and then click the displayed button. The Select Layer dialog is displayed.
  Output
  • Selected: the associated row is exported to the IDX file.
  • Not selected: the associated row is not exported to the IDX file.
  IDX: Area type Specify the area type that is exported for each eCADSTAR layer. The options that you can select vary depending on the type of layer in the eCADSTAR Layer name column.
eCADSTAR Layer type Exported area type
Height limit area 
  • Height limit area
Keepout layer Comp 
  • Comp.keepout area
  • Track keepout area
  • Via keepout area
Layout area Layer 
  • Comp. keep in area
  • Track keep in area
User defined layer 
  • Comp. keep in area
  • Track keep in area
 
  IDX: Placement side If applicable, select the required placement side. The following options can be selected.
  • Side A
  • Side B
UserArea   A user area is a user-arbitrarily named area on the board that does not have any specific purpose such as restriction. The User Area table allows you to specify the layers that are converted to area data. Right-click in the table and select Add Rows on the assist menu to display the Select Layer dialog. Select the required layers in this dialog. To delete a row, right-click in the table and select Delete Rows on the assist menu. You can select multiple rows to delete by dragging the mouse, or by clicking them using the Ctrl or Shift key.
  Output figure in Component
  • Selected: Expands the figures in the components into layers and outputs them.
  • Not selected: In-component figures are not outputted.
  eCADSTAR Layer name Displays the layers that you select in the Select Layer dialog. To change a selected value, point the cursor in this field and then click the displayed button. The Select Layer dialog is displayed.
  Output
  • Selected: the associated row is exported to the IDX file.
  • Not selected: the associated row is not exported to the IDX file.
  IDX: Name Specify the name of the User Area. All the shapes in the same layer are assigned the same name.
  IDX: Placement side If applicable, select the required placement side. The following options can be selected.
  • TOP
  • BOTTOM
  • BOTH
  • INNER
  • ALL
  IDX: Thickness Specify the thickness of the User Area.
Other Layers   Allows you to specify the details of any additional layers to export to the IDX file. The shape of the specified layer is output with a polyline that does not have an area fill or width. The following attributes are Specified for each layer.
eCADSTAR Layer typeExported area type
TechnologyTypeSet as Design.
LayerPurposeSet the value specified with the parameter.
LayerPositionSet the value specified with the parameter.
  Output figure in component
  • Selected: information is exported regarding area definitions for a component. This might include height restriction areas, for example.
  • Not selected: information is not exported regarding area definitions for a component.
  Other layers table This table allows you to specify any additional layers to export to the IDX file. Right-click in the table and select Add Rows on the assist menu to display the Select Layer dialog. Select the required layers in this dialog. To delete a row, right-click in the table and select Delete Rows on the assist menu. You can select multiple rows to delete by dragging the mouse, or by clicking them using the Ctrl or Shift key.
  eCADSTAR Layer name Displays the layers that you select in the Select Layer dialog. To change a selected value, point the cursor in this field and then click the displayed button. The Select Layer dialog is displayed.
  Output
  • Selected: the associated row is exported to the IDX file.
  • Not selected: the associated row is not exported to the IDX file.
  IDX: Layer purpose Specify the purpose of each eCADSTAR layer. The available options vary depending on the type of layer in the eCADSTAR Layer name column.
eCADSTAR Layer type Layer purpose
Conductor layer 
  • GenericLayer
  • OtherSignal
  • PowerOrGround
Symbol mark layer 
  • SilkScreen
Solder resist layer 
  • SolderMask
  • SolderPaste
metal mask layer 
  • SolderMask
  • SolderPaste
Dielectric layer 
  • GenericLayer
  • Glue
  • GlueMask
  • PasteMask
  • LandsOnly
Keepout layer 
  • SolderMask
  • SolderPaste
  • SilkScreen
  • GenericLayer
  • Glue
  • GlueMask
  • PasteMask
  • LandsOnly
  • PowerOrGround
user defined layer  
  • SolderMask
  • SolderPaste
  • SilkScreen
  • GenericLayer
  • Glue
  • GlueMask
  • PasteMask
  • LandsOnly
  • PowerOrGround
  IDX: Layer position type Specify the layer position. The following options can be selected.
  • Side A: the layer is at the Z = 0 position, in the opposite position to side B.
  • Side B: the layer is in the opposite position to side A.
  • All: all layers.
  • Outer: the layer is an outer layer on either side A or side B.
  • Inner: the layer is an internal layer.

 

Note
In eCADSTAR, a track keepout area restricts the use of any surface mount conductor object. This includes the following objects.
  • Pad/Padstacks
  • Route/Line
  • Area
  • Text

 

Related Topics
Export (IDX)
Import (IDX)