1. DXF is a multi-layer file containing vectors and text.
2. PADS/PCB design PowerPCB will read 2D lines (a type of vector) and text.
3. PADS/PCB design PowerPCB layer name naming rules:
4. ▲PADS layer name examples:
5. BRD00: Board frame
6. LIN01: 2D line, PADS layer 1
7. TXT01: Text, PADS layer 1…
8. The layer name will be loaded only if PADS can recognize it.
9. Text from LIN01 (2D line) will not be loaded.
10. 2D line from TXT01 (Text) will not be loaded.
11. PADS cannot read 2D line circles.
12. ▲PCB design PowerPCB layer name examples (same as _):
13. BOARD_OUTLINE_00: Board frame
14. 2D_LINE_01: 2D line, PCB design PowerPCB layer 1
15. TEXT_01: Text, PCB design PowerPCB layer 1
16. 01: PCB design PowerPCB layer 1 (cannot be 1)
17. XXXX: PCB design PowerPCB layer 0 (no number available)
1. The last two digits represent the layer of the design; if they are unrecognizable, it means the 0th layer, and a single digit will not be loaded.
2. The letter in front indicates an Item, which has no significance when importing 2D-Line/Text. You can choose whatever you prefer.
3. PCB design software PowerPCB will automatically determine if it is 2D-Line or Text.
4. DXF to PAD/PCB design PowerPCB is categorized into three types based on the source:
5. ▲AutoCAD Export DXF is directly designed by PADS/PCB PowerPCB Import.
6. In AutoCAD, the Layer Name is used for PADS/PCB design PowerPCB, but there may be other issues.
7. ▲After exporting DXF from AutoCAD (recommended R13 DXF), first import/export the DXF in CAM350,
8. Then transfer to the PCB design PowerPCB to consolidate all layers into a DXF containing 2D-Line and Text.
9. ▲Transfer any file to DXF, and finally to PCB design PowerPCB.
10. AutoCAD can also use this method to export PS/PDF for the same process.
11. This conversion method only contains 2D-Line because all Text is converted into 2D-Line, resulting in a much larger DXF file.
12. Generally, the entire machine drawing cannot be transferred to PADS by this method, but PCB design PowerPCB can handle it.
13. However, using this method ensures that Chinese characters will not become garbled.
14. After exporting DXF from AutoCAD, directly import it into PADS/PCB PowerPCB.
15. ▲Ensure relevant Layer and Layer Name settings are configured in AutoCAD.
16. After exporting DXF from AutoCAD, first import/export the DXF in CAM350, then transfer to PCB design PowerPCB.
17. ▲AutoCAD Export DXF (recommended R13 DXF).
18. ▲CAM350 Import DXF.
19. Import Unit depends on AutoCAD; generally choose MM.
20. Scale Factor (DXF:CAM350) should be set to 1:1.
21. Check “Map all layers to one CAM350 layer.”
22. Choose “Explode Line Style” in the lower right corner if available.
23. ▲CAM350 Export DXF.
24. ▲CAMtastic! LT 2000 Import DXF.
25. ▲CAMtastic! LT 2000 Export DXF, check Filled (No Endcaps).
26. PADS/PCB design PowerPCB cannot recognize the circles converted from CAM350, but CAMtastic! LT 2000 can.
27. ▲Select Setup/Preference, choose Inch for Design Unit (Unit of CAM350).
28. ▲The DXF obtained by this conversion method contains 2D-Line and Text.
29. ▲Import DXF.
30. Since the default setting for Layer and Item is All, it will use the Layer Name of the DXF.
31. There’s no need to move it.
32. DXF-File Unit should be set to Inch (Unit of CAM350).
33. Note that the required Mode is New or Add.
34. ▲Over.
35. ▲This conversion method may cause Chinese characters to become garbled, but the file size is relatively small.
36. ▲Note that CAMtastic! LT 2000 may have issues reading DXF exported from AutoCAD.
37. Convert any file to DXF and finally to PCB design PowerPCB.
38. ▲ Convert any file to DXF to PS/PDF.
39. ▲Avoid using EPS files exported from AutoCAD as they are prone to issues.
40. ▲Select Setup/Preference, choose Inch for Design Unit (Unit of CAM350).
41. ▲The DXF obtained from converting any file to DXF contains only 2D-Line.
42. ▲Import DXF.
43. Since the default setting for Layer and Item is All, it will use the Layer Name of the DXF.
44. There’s no need to move it.
45. DXF-File Unit should be set to Inch (Unit of CAM350).
46. Note that the required Mode is New or Add.
47. ▲Over.
48. Transfer to PADS.
49. The method is similar to switching to PCB design PowerPCB, but with a few additional steps.
50. ▲For DXF transferred from AutoCAD, after merging into one layer in CAM350,
51. It must be split into two layers containing 2D-Line and Text items respectively.
52. Alternatively, expand Text into 2D-Line in CAM350.
53. ▲Steps to split into two layers:
54. ->Add a new layer.
55. ->Edit/Copy, select Filter, uncheck Font, select A(All), choose To Layers, select the newly created layer.
56. ->Edit/Delete, select Filter, uncheck Font, select A(All).
57. ->This results in two layers: 2D-Line and Text.
58. ▲Steps to convert Text into 2D-Line:
59. ->Edit/Change/Explode/Text, select A(All).
60. ->If using CAMtastic! LT 2000 Export DXF, check Convert Text to Plines.
61. ▲The DXF file should not be too large; files over 2MB may cause issues.
62. ▲If using CAMtastic! LT 2000 Export DXF, select Filled (End Caps).
63. ▲Remember to choose the origin first in PADS.
64. ▲Select All for Layer and Item during import.
65. ▲Another method is to transfer to PCB design PowerPCB first, then export ASC (PCB design PowerPCB v1.1, Basic).
66. Then use a text editor to modify the first line of the ASC to:
67. *PADS-PERFORM-V6-BASIC* DESIGN DATABASE ASCII FILE 1.0.
68. PADS can import this ASC file.
69. Reasons for failure in transferring from PowerPCB to PADS/PCB design:
70. ▲Incorrect scale.
71. ▲Origin is too far from the drawing surface, causing PADS/PCB design PowerPCB to be out of the coordinate system range when reading.
2. PADS/PCB design PowerPCB will read 2D lines (a type of vector) and text.
3. PADS/PCB design PowerPCB layer name naming rules:
4. ▲PADS layer name examples:
5. BRD00: Board frame
6. LIN01: 2D line, PADS layer 1
7. TXT01: Text, PADS layer 1…
8. The layer name will be loaded only if PADS can recognize it.
9. Text from LIN01 (2D line) will not be loaded.
10. 2D line from TXT01 (Text) will not be loaded.
11. PADS cannot read 2D line circles.
12. ▲PCB design PowerPCB layer name examples (same as _):
13. BOARD_OUTLINE_00: Board frame
14. 2D_LINE_01: 2D line, PCB design PowerPCB layer 1
15. TEXT_01: Text, PCB design PowerPCB layer 1
16. 01: PCB design PowerPCB layer 1 (cannot be 1)
17. XXXX: PCB design PowerPCB layer 0 (no number available)
1. The last two digits represent the layer of the design; if they are unrecognizable, it means the 0th layer, and a single digit will not be loaded.
2. The letter in front indicates an Item, which has no significance when importing 2D-Line/Text. You can choose whatever you prefer.
3. PCB design software PowerPCB will automatically determine if it is 2D-Line or Text.
4. DXF to PAD/PCB design PowerPCB is categorized into three types based on the source:
5. ▲AutoCAD Export DXF is directly designed by PADS/PCB PowerPCB Import.
6. In AutoCAD, the Layer Name is used for PADS/PCB design PowerPCB, but there may be other issues.
7. ▲After exporting DXF from AutoCAD (recommended R13 DXF), first import/export the DXF in CAM350,
8. Then transfer to the PCB design PowerPCB to consolidate all layers into a DXF containing 2D-Line and Text.
9. ▲Transfer any file to DXF, and finally to PCB design PowerPCB.
10. AutoCAD can also use this method to export PS/PDF for the same process.
11. This conversion method only contains 2D-Line because all Text is converted into 2D-Line, resulting in a much larger DXF file.
12. Generally, the entire machine drawing cannot be transferred to PADS by this method, but PCB design PowerPCB can handle it.
13. However, using this method ensures that Chinese characters will not become garbled.
14. After exporting DXF from AutoCAD, directly import it into PADS/PCB PowerPCB.
15. ▲Ensure relevant Layer and Layer Name settings are configured in AutoCAD.
16. After exporting DXF from AutoCAD, first import/export the DXF in CAM350, then transfer to PCB design PowerPCB.
17. ▲AutoCAD Export DXF (recommended R13 DXF).
18. ▲CAM350 Import DXF.
19. Import Unit depends on AutoCAD; generally choose MM.
20. Scale Factor (DXF:CAM350) should be set to 1:1.
21. Check “Map all layers to one CAM350 layer.”
22. Choose “Explode Line Style” in the lower right corner if available.
23. ▲CAM350 Export DXF.
24. ▲CAMtastic! LT 2000 Import DXF.
25. ▲CAMtastic! LT 2000 Export DXF, check Filled (No Endcaps).
26. PADS/PCB design PowerPCB cannot recognize the circles converted from CAM350, but CAMtastic! LT 2000 can.
27. ▲Select Setup/Preference, choose Inch for Design Unit (Unit of CAM350).
28. ▲The DXF obtained by this conversion method contains 2D-Line and Text.
29. ▲Import DXF.
30. Since the default setting for Layer and Item is All, it will use the Layer Name of the DXF.
31. There’s no need to move it.
32. DXF-File Unit should be set to Inch (Unit of CAM350).
33. Note that the required Mode is New or Add.
34. ▲Over.
35. ▲This conversion method may cause Chinese characters to become garbled, but the file size is relatively small.
36. ▲Note that CAMtastic! LT 2000 may have issues reading DXF exported from AutoCAD.
37. Convert any file to DXF and finally to PCB design PowerPCB.
38. ▲ Convert any file to DXF to PS/PDF.
39. ▲Avoid using EPS files exported from AutoCAD as they are prone to issues.
40. ▲Select Setup/Preference, choose Inch for Design Unit (Unit of CAM350).
41. ▲The DXF obtained from converting any file to DXF contains only 2D-Line.
42. ▲Import DXF.
43. Since the default setting for Layer and Item is All, it will use the Layer Name of the DXF.
44. There’s no need to move it.
45. DXF-File Unit should be set to Inch (Unit of CAM350).
46. Note that the required Mode is New or Add.
47. ▲Over.
48. Transfer to PADS.
49. The method is similar to switching to PCB design PowerPCB, but with a few additional steps.
50. ▲For DXF transferred from AutoCAD, after merging into one layer in CAM350,
51. It must be split into two layers containing 2D-Line and Text items respectively.
52. Alternatively, expand Text into 2D-Line in CAM350.
53. ▲Steps to split into two layers:
54. ->Add a new layer.
55. ->Edit/Copy, select Filter, uncheck Font, select A(All), choose To Layers, select the newly created layer.
56. ->Edit/Delete, select Filter, uncheck Font, select A(All).
57. ->This results in two layers: 2D-Line and Text.
58. ▲Steps to convert Text into 2D-Line:
59. ->Edit/Change/Explode/Text, select A(All).
60. ->If using CAMtastic! LT 2000 Export DXF, check Convert Text to Plines.
61. ▲The DXF file should not be too large; files over 2MB may cause issues.
62. ▲If using CAMtastic! LT 2000 Export DXF, select Filled (End Caps).
63. ▲Remember to choose the origin first in PADS.
64. ▲Select All for Layer and Item during import.
65. ▲Another method is to transfer to PCB design PowerPCB first, then export ASC (PCB design PowerPCB v1.1, Basic).
66. Then use a text editor to modify the first line of the ASC to:
67. *PADS-PERFORM-V6-BASIC* DESIGN DATABASE ASCII FILE 1.0.
68. PADS can import this ASC file.
69. Reasons for failure in transferring from PowerPCB to PADS/PCB design:
70. ▲Incorrect scale.
71. ▲Origin is too far from the drawing surface, causing PADS/PCB design PowerPCB to be out of the coordinate system range when reading.
