Import (IDX): Edit Parameters Dialog

The Edit Parameters dialog allows you to configure, import and save the parameters for importing an IDX file. It is displayed by clicking Edit parameters in the Import (IDX) dialog. The object types shown below can be imported from an IDX file that is output from the following mechanical CAD packages.

  • 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

Conversion Objects

An IDX file is in XML format, and consists of the Header, Body and ProcessInstruction sections. The shape and attributes of each object are described in the Body section. The following objects in the IDX Body section are converted when the file is imported to eCADSTAR PCB Editor.

IDX Object Description Conversion process
UnitLength Unit Converts the value of each numeric value in the described unit.
Item Indicates an object on the board. Converts to the target eCADSTAR object, depending on the type of object referenced by each item.
Stratum Indicates a layer. Converts to the board outline. However, when Stratum has the StratumTechnology description, the object is converted to the layer that matches the StratumTechnology attribute.
InterStratumFeature Indicates a hole. Converts to hole data. However, holes related to the component are excluded from the target.
AssemblyComponent Indicates a component. For a component assigned to the item that references AssemblyComponent, the reference name is used as a key when the component is moved.
KeepOut Indicates a keepout area. Converts to a component keepout, track keepout or via keepout area, depending on the value of the Purpose attribute.
KeepIn Indicates a limit area. Converts to a height limit area, placement area or routing area, depending on the value of the Purpose attribute.
Bend Bend information Converts to a bend line or bend area.
FunctionalItemShape Indicates an area that has a function. When the FunctionalItemShape attribute is set using one of the following values, it is converted to the target object. If another attribute is set, then it is not converted.
SettingObject to be converted
FlexibleAreaFlexible area
MechanicalItem Component
StratumTechnology Layer technology The target object is converted to the layer for which TechnologyType is set to Design, and also the LayerPurpose and LayerPositionType attributes match the attributes specified in the Other Layers section.
ShapeElement Indicates a shape Converts to a 2D shape. Shapes for which the Inverted attribute is set to true are converted to cutouts.
System Indicates a system. The item owner is defined by referencing the system name, with the attribute defined in SystemScope of InstanceName set to each item.
CartesianPoint Indicates a point. Converts to 2D coordinates.
Line Indicates a line. Converts to a line.
PolyLine Indicates a polyline. Converts to a continuous line.
Arc Indicates an arc. Converts to an arc.
CircleCenter Indicates a circle by the center point and radius. Converts to a circle.
Circle3Point Indicates a circle by three points on the circumference. Converts to a circle.
Elllipse Indicates an ellipse. Converts to an approximated segment array.
CurveSet2d Indicates a 2D shape, including its the upper limit and lower limit. Converts to a 2D shape, including its the upper limit and lower limit.

 

The following objects are not converted.

IDX Object
RoleInOrganisation
RoleOnItem
RoleOnItemInstance
NonFeatureItemShape
SimpleText
UnitPower
ExternalGeometricModel
UnitWork
ExternalSource
GeneralClassification
UnitCapacitance
Hyperbola
Annotation
UnitResistance
ItemConstraint
Material
OffsetCurve
Organisation
Parabola
Person
PointOnCurveIntersection
PointOnCurveDistance
BSplineCurve
TrimmedCurve
CompositeCurve
History
HistoryEntry
AngleLength
UnitSurface
UnitVolume
UnitWeight
UnitAmperage
UnitVoltage
MasterPart

 

The fields in this dialog are described below.

Item   Description
Import   If available, this option could allow you to import changes that are specified in the IDX file.
  Only import baseline items
  • Selected: items are ignored for which the BaseLine attribute is not set to true in the IDX file.
  • Not selected: items are converted for which the BaseLine attribute is not set to true in the IDX file.
Board outline   Allows you to specify whether the board outline is imported. You can also specify whether an area fill that has the same shape as the board outline is generated, and whether a value for the board size is imported. Area fills and cutouts defined in the board outline are input to the board outline layer. If there are multiple board outline shapes, then they are all imported. It is recommended that board outlines that are not required are deleted after the IDX file is imported. The following information is also imported.
  • The lower and upper values defined in the shape. These are converted to a value for the board thickness.
  • The lengths in the X and Y directions, obtained from the input bounding box. These are converted to a value for the board size.
  Import board outline
  • Selected: the area fill shape and the cutout of the board outline are converted, and the converted data is imported to the board outline layer. The Layout area and Design rule sections are made available.
  • Not selected: the board outline is not imported. The Layout area and Design rule sections are made unavailable.
  Generate layout area
  • Selected: generate an area fill that has the same shape as the board outline, and import it to the layout area layer. The cutout of the board outline is not converted.
  • Not selected: an area fill shape of the board outline is not generated.
  Import board size
  • Selected: the board size value is imported from the IDX file. This value defines the maximum manufacturable board size. It is specified in the Board size field in the Rule Editor Dialog: Board Tab in  eCADSTAR.
  • Not selected: the board size value is not imported from the IDX file.
Hole   Allows you to specify whether holes are imported. You can also specify how padstacks and non-circular holes are converted. A hole is converted to a round hole or slot hole, depending on its shape. The converted data is input to the hole layer. If the conditions are satisfied for a registered padstack and hole shape, then the object is converted to a padstack. Non-circular holes are imported to a non-circular hole layer, and are not converted to round holes or slot holes. The pen width, filled width and filled angle are set to 0.0. Round Holes

If cutouts are composed of one or multiple concentric arcs, then they are converted to round holes, as shown below.

Slot Holes

When the following conditions are met, cutouts are converted to slot holes. This is illustrated below.

  • Segments that face each other are parallel, and have the same length.
  • The center angle of the arc is 180 degrees.
  • The segment that connects the start point of the arc is perpendicular to the segment that connects the center point.



Depending on the type that is specified in the IDX file for InterStratumFeatureType, the plating attribute of the hole is set as shown below. 

InterStratumFeatureType ValuePlating attribute
UnsupportedPassage StratumFeatureTemplateComponent CutoutEdgeSegment Cutout PhysicalConnectivityInterruptingCutout ComponentTerminationPassage MilledCutoutNone
PlatedCutoutEdgeSegment PlatedInterStratumFeature PlatedPassage PlatedCutout PartiallyPlatedCutoutSet
Via FilledViaDepends on the parameter of the plating attribute in ItemInstance.
  Import hole
  • Selected: holes are imported from the IDX file. The fields in the Hole section are made available.
  • Not selected: holes are not imported from the IDX file. The fields in the Hole section are made unavailable.
  Convert non-plated hole to hole
  • Selected: non-plated holes are converted to holes.
  • Not selected: non-plated holes are converted based on the settings that you specify in the Convert non-plated hole to hole section.
  Hole diameter tolerance When assigning a padstack, specify the tolerance that is allowed for the diameter of the hole.
  Padstack table Allows you to specify the padstacks to be converted. Right-click in the table and select Add Rows on the assist menu to display the Select Padstack dialog. Select a padstack in this dialog by clicking it. Multiple padstacks can be selected using the Ctrl or Shift keys, or by dragging the cursor. 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 clicking them using the Ctrl or Shift key, or by dragging the mouse.
ItemDescription
Padstack nameSpecify the name of the padstack to be converted. To change a selected value, point the cursor in this field and then click the displayed button. The Select Padstack dialog is displayed. Alternatively, type the name of the padstack in this box.
PlatingDisplays whether the selected padstack is plated or non-plated. This value cannot be changed.
Hole shapeDisplays the hole shape of the selected padstack. This value cannot be changed.
Hole diameterDisplays the hole diameter. This value cannot be changed. Specify a real number greater than or equal to 0.
LengthDisplays the length for slot holes. This value cannot be changed. Specify a real number greater than or equal to 0.
 
  Convert undefined hole
  • Selected: if a hole is not defined in the padstack list, then convert it to a hole when it is imported.
  • Not selected: if a hole is not defined in the padstack list, then do not convert it to a hole when it is imported.
  Convert non-circular hole
  • Selected: a figure which cannot be converted to a hole layer is imported as a non-circular hole. It is imported to the non-circular hole layer "NewNonCircularHoleLayer".
  • Not selected: a figure which cannot be converted to a hole layer is not imported.
Component   Allows you to specify whether placement information for an imported component is automatically modified, and whether placement information is modified for fixed components. Each component is identified using a reference as a key. Depending on the IDX attributes, the following operations are performed.
  • Move.
  • Rotate.
  • Change placement side.
  • Change unplaced components to the placement status.
  Change placement information
  • Selected: the placement information of the component is automatically modified when it is imported. This includes its coordinates, placement side, and angle.
  • Not selected: the placement information of the component is not modified when it is imported.
  Update attributes on fixed components
  • Selected: the placement information is modified for components that are set to Fixed. See Fixing a Selected Object.
  • Not selected: the placement information is not modified for components that are set to Fixed. See Fixing a Selected Object.
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. The shape of KeepIn and KeepOut objects in the IDX file is converted. If the eCADSTAR height limit area layer is selected as the input destination, then the upper limit of the area is input as the height. If another layer is specified, then height information is not set for the area.
  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.
  Import
  • Selected: the associated row is imported to eCADSTAR.
  • Not selected: the associated row is not imported to eCADSTAR.
  IDX: Area type Specify the area type that is imported 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 Imported area type
Height limit area 
  • Height limit area
Keepout layer 
  • Comp.keepout area
  • Track keepout area
  • Via keepout 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 UserArea table allows you to specify the layers that are converted to user 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.
  Specify placement side
  • Selected: Select when specifying a converter layer by reference to the placement side of the user area. This option identifies the layer to input with the name and placement side of the user area.
  • Not selected: Does not refer to the placement side of the user area. This option identifies the layer to input only with the name of the user area.
  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.
  Import
  • Selected: the associated row is imported to eCADSTAR.
  • Not selected: the associated row is not imported to eCADSTAR.
  IDX: Name Specify the name of the User Area.
  IDX: Placement side Select the required placement side. The following options can be selected.
  • TOP
  • BOTTOM
  • BOTH
  • INNER
  • ALL

When Specify placement side is not selected, the placement side is not referenced.
Other Layers   Allows you to specify the details of any additional layers that are imported. A polyline with no area fill or width is input to the specified layer. The pen width, filled width and filled angle of the area fill are set to 0.0. If the following layers are specified as the input destination, then a polyine is not input.
  • Conductor layer
  • Symbol mark layer
  • Solder resist layer
  • Metal mask layer
  Other layers to output This table allows you to specify any additional layers to import from 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 eCADSTAR 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.
  Import
  • Selected: the associated row is imported to eCADSTAR PCB Editor.
  • Not selected: the associated row is not imported to eCADSTAR PCB Editor.
  IDX: Layer purpose Specify the purpose of each imported 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.
  Existing layer  data
  • Replace: figures that are already on the relevant layer in eCADSTAR are deleted when the layer is added. This does not include shapes in components.
  • Keep: figures that are already on the relevant layer in eCADSTAR are not deleted when the layer is added.

 

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
Import (IDX)
Export (IDX)