Electronics Desktop imports AutoCAD version 2.5 (AC1002) through 2012 (AC1024) on Linux and version 2.5 (AC1002) through 2017 (AC1027) on Windows. See the introductory topic Importing Files into the Layout Editor for the initial steps in the process of importing 2D data into the Layout Editor. Once a 2D model file is selected, an explorer window opens.
The window is initialized with the layers on the imported AutoCAD file.
- Import stackup and options allows you to import information from an xml control file or a layer mapping file into the window.
- Export control file creates an xml control file using the information imported to the window to the location specified.
Layers Pane
- File Layer Name is name of layer as stored in the dxf or dwg file.
- Import check box specifies which layers to import.
- Import layer name is the name of the new layer. Note the information contained in the control file is exported on the Layer Stackup window and is not directly usable by the translator — if layer names are changed. One can, however, combine the records for renaming layers with the control file exported on the stackup window; for more information see Control File Usage with Renaming. The Electronics Desktop also supports reading .tech and .layermap files.
- Type can be changed and identifies the layer type that are used to place each layer in the file. Via and wirebond types are special and allows users to select the start and stop layers by expanding the window’s width.
Options Pane
- Use Override AutoCAD file units and the Units drop-down menu to select the units to be used to interpret the DXF/DWG file contents.
- Import Only Named Nets – Only applicable when a valid 3D Layer stackup is imported. When checked this option sets ImportDummyNet=”false”.
Objects Pane
- Use the check boxes to fine-tune the import:
— Auto detect closure causes polylines to be checked to see whether or not they are closed. If a polyline is closed, Electronics Desktop creates a polygon in the design.
— Self stitch causes multiple straight line segments to be joined to form polylines. Tolerance is used to decide if two coordinates are the "same" and should be considered for joining. If the resulting polyline is closed, a polygon is created in Electronics Desktop. You have the choice of two different tolerances for self stitching: DefaultTolerance and explicit Tolerance. Default tolerance is a geometric tolerance based on the extents of the project being imported. Explicit tolerance allows you to expand the tolerance based on your knowledge of the dxf project being imported.
— Defeature removes certain small features in the imported geometry to reduce complexity. The features that are removed include multiple points placed in the specified distance, thin or narrow regions (“thins” and “spikes”), and extraneous points along straight line segments. Specify the distance in the Tolerance area.
— Round coordinates rounds all imported data to the specified number of decimal places.
— Convert closed wide lines to polygons imports wide polylines as polygons. You have more flexibility to change the shape of such an object when it is imported as a polygon.
The following DXF entities can be imported as 2 dimensional objects from AutoCAD:
- Arc
- Solid
- Circle
- Block
- Ellipse
- Array of blocks (MInsert)
- 2D Polyline, Polyline, and Line
When you have completed selections on both tabs, click OK on either tab and the file is imported into the active Layout window.
Via and Wirebond Types
-
Via – By “_Default_”, Start Layer is the top-most signal layer and Stop Layer is the bottom-most layer. To set up blind and buried vias it is best to start by setting the layer types for all layers , then reorder by dragging the rows by selecting the filled-in cell on the left.
-
Wirebond – By “_Default_”, Start Layer” and “Stop Layer” are set to the signal layer directly underneath the Wirebond. If no signal layer lies underneath the Wirebond the “Start Layer” and “Stop Layer” are set to the bottom-most layer. Wirebond layer rows can be moved up and down by dragging and dropping.