$#K Mentor BoardStation

CAMCAD Read/Import NameR-MENA

Full CAD Format NameMentor Boardstation (4 File ASCII), Fablink

Supported VersionsV. 8.2, 8.4

Hardware PlatformSUN, HP

Operating SystemUNIX

Database ClassPin: Connections must be made in a pin-to-pin manner. “T” connections are created by doubling back onto an existing section of a trace to give the visual appearance of a “T” connection. This class usually has very stringent rules that must be followed for trace routing and via placement.

Board Outline ClassReal: Board outlines in this CAD format are true board outline entities. CAMCAD supports true board outlines.

Component ClassLibrary: Library driven CAD systems have a component library section within the CAD data which defines all components.

Importing Mentor Boardstation into CAMCAD

File(s) Used For Import

1. ascii_geometries: Definitions for all library elements in the design including board outline, panel definition, layer stack-up.

2. comps.comps_*: Component file, which is called in the Mentor system comps.comp.$x. This file has the component placement information, as well as reference designator, part number, and package.

3. nets.nets_*: Netlist file, which is called in the Mentor system nets.net.

4. traces.traces_*: Trace or Wire file, which is called traces.trace. This file has all the via, routing and filled area information.

How To Produce File(s)

Only the ascii_geometries file needs to be saved in a special way, the other three files are in the standard Mentor format.

1. In Mentor Librarian select LOAD > PART FILE File > SAVE > GEOMETRY ASCII > To Single File.

2. The standard Mentor names for the other files needed are as follows:

•comps.comps_*

•traces.traces_*

•nets.nets_*

Where * represents the highest number found for the file name specified.

Notes On File Generation

Be sure to select the proper options to save all parts into a single ASCII file with a .PRT extension.

Import the geometry file into CAMCAD.  After it is loaded in, you can group select and load in the other three files all at once.

Items controlled by the Mentor4.IN file

.BOARDOUTLINE

Sets the default layer which is the Primary Board Outline

•Syntax: .BOARDOUTLINE “layername”

•Example: .BOARDOUTLINE “BOARD_OUTLINE”

.COMPOUTLINE

Sets the default layer which is the Primary Component Outline

•Syntax: .COMPOUTLINE “layername”

•Example: .COMPOUTLINE “COMPONENT_PLACEMENT_OUTLINE”

.TYPEATTR

This command identifies attributes which are defined in the TYPEATT section that should be assigned to components.

.HEIGHTATTR

Sets the default attribute name which identifies the true component height; also assigns the default units.

•Syntax: .HEIGHTATTR attribute name units

•Example: .HEIGHTATTR HEIGHT IN

.MIRRORLAYER

Establishes default layer mirroring.

•Syntax: .MIRRORLAYER [layer to be mirrored] [mirror layer name]

•Example: .MIRRORLAYER SOLDER_MASK_1 SOLDER_MASK_2