In my previous blog, I talked about creating a footprint using an existing template in Allegro ECAD-MCAD Library Creator and explained how easily you can access an existing template and create a package from it by just clicking a button. In this blog post, we will discuss another method to create footprints i.e. using packages.

Using ECAD-MCAD Library Creator, you can create footprints from packages in just five easy steps.

What is a Package?

Before starting with the steps, it is important to know what a package in Allegro Library Creator is. A Package in Library Creator is a model of a physical component that has enough details and accuracy to support the requirements of both MCAD design and PCB layout. A Package typically contains a 3-dimensional representation of a physical component, 2D contact regions, pin numbers, lead form attributes, and tolerances.

Now it’s time to start with the steps.

Step #1: Searching the Package in Repository

Searching a package in the Library Creator repository is quite simple. You can perform a search based on the properties of the package. Select a property from the Property column drop-down list in the Search tab and then select the constraint from the Constraint drop-down list. Specify the property value and press the Enter button on your keyboard. That’s it, hundreds of results are displayed in a fraction of a second.

Step #2: Loading the Package

Now it is time to load the package. Loading a package is as easy as opening an application on your phone. In this step, you just right-click the package from the search results and select Load. A package can also be loaded by double-clicking the package name in the search results.

Then, if you need to switch between multiple packages, you can do that by choosing File – Load Packages.

Step #3: Applying Rules to the Package

The main step when creating a footprint using packages is applying rules where you modify the package according to the pre-defined rules. You will certainly want your board to make it through design to manufacturing. For this, you must follow the industry standards, such as IPC-7531 while creating footprints and Library Creator is the only tool that allows you to create footprints according to the industry standards. To apply rules, you just need to click the Apply menu and then select a rule.

If you want to create or edit a rule, you can do that from the Edit - Configuration menu.

Step #4: Exporting the Footprint

Well, that’s easy too. To export the footprint to PCB Editor, choose File – Export – Allegro and it’s done. ECAD-MCAD Library Creator has been designed to directly interact with Allegro PCB Editor. This direct interaction completes the export process quicker.

Step #5: Verifying the Footprint

You would, obviously, want the footprint to be verified to ensure everything transferred correctly to Allegro PCB Editor. When you export the footprint from Library Creator, a .dra file is created. You can open this file in Allegro PCB Editor and launch 3D Canvas to view the footprint.

Conclusion

And, you are done! We have covered almost all the tasks involved in creating a footprint from a package in this blog post. But if you want to try out these steps in detail, click here for a Rapid Adoption Kit (RAK) on creating a footprint using packages in Library Creator. This RAK describes all the steps discussed in this blog post in detail.

Note: The above link can only be accessed by Cadence customers who have a valid login ID for https://support.cadence.com.