Can't generate netlist for pcb editor (allegro 16.0)

Hello I ran into a very similar issue trying to generate a netlist for allegro. In my case the issue was related to running capture v16.6 on windows 7.

By default when capture is installed it is not configured to be run as an Administrator

Try this either right click on the capture Icon and select run as an administrator to launch the program or change the properities of the icon so that capture always runs as an administrator. I had to do this too for the 16.5 ver of capture.

Hope that helps Scott.

I have the same problem when my company upgraded to Windows 7.

 A simpler way to fix this problem:

Type “Run” in the Start/Search box then select “Run programs made for previous versions of Windows.” Follow the dialog box. 

It took me less than 2 minutes to complete the fix. 

 Our Cadence rep sent it.  Here is the text:

Error initializing COM property pages. Invalid pointer
Error Message
Error initializing COM property pages. Invalid pointer
Problem
When I create netlist in Capture (Tools > Create Netlist), the error message above is generated.
Solution
Close OrCAD Capture or any other Cadence/OrCAD Applications.
1. Open command prompt as a administrator and register following dll
regsvr32 <Install_dir>\tools\capture\orpxllite.ocx
regsvr32 <Install_dir>\tools\capture\orTrueReuse.ocx
Note:<Install_dir> is the path for the installation directory, example: C:\Cadence\SPB_16.3
2. Delete the workspace, to do that
a. Go to Start > Type ‘regedit’. This opens registry editor
b. Locate and delete the 16.3 key located at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\OrCAD\CaptureWorkSpace\16.3.0

3. Turn off UAC
Control Panel > System and Security > Action Center > Change User Account Control Settings. Turn it off and click OK.
4. Start > Control Panel. In 'search control Options' type in 'UAC'
You get 'Action Center' "Change User Account Control Settings'.
Click on 'Action Center'
On left side, click on 'Change Action Center Settings'
Uncheck 'UAC'. Click OK

5. Go to Start > Computer – RMB – Properties > Advanced System settings > Environment Variables .
Under System Variables, there is a variable called ‘PATH’. Click ‘Edit’ and copy whole of the Path variable value and paste it in a text editor.
Rearrange the path such that it contains Cadence path at beginning (as shown)
Rename PATH as PATH_ORIG (this is done to take the backup of the variable).
Create a new Variable PATH
Variable Value:

%CDSROOT%\tools\bin;%CDSROOT%\tools\libutil\bin;%CDSROOT%\tools\fet\bin;%CDSROOT%\tools\pcb\bin;%CDSROOT%\tools\specctra\bi
n;%CDSROOT%\tools\PSpice;%CDSROOT%\tools\PSpice\Library;%CDSROOT%\tools\Capture;%CDSROOT%\OpenAccess\bin\win32\opt;
<rest of your path> and <delete all Cadence paths if any>
6. Reboot the system.
7. Go to Start > Programs > Cadence > Release 16.3 > Design Entry CIS > Right Mouse button > Run as Administrator
In Capture 16.5, in addition to above following also needs to be done,
Execute the following command in in capture command window,
DboTclHelper_ReRegisterOrCADPlugins
To execute this,
1. Invoke Capture and open the command window. (View > Toolbar > Command window)
2. Execute the above command.
3. Close and restart Capture and now see if you are able to generate the netlist.
If the issue persists even after this, please provide the file Plugins.ini present at <installation_folder>\tools\Capture folder with Cadence Customer
Support for further investigation.

Can you comment on the App note you referenced?  Is there a link or AppNote number?  I am on OrCAD16.3 and cannot emit an Allegro netlist-- there is no log output at all and the set up dialog (where you enter the .cfg file) never retains the path to the config file.

mvonahnen said:

 It took a serious of things to get mine working.  I disabled my virus scanner (not just for install) which makes my IT queezy.  I removed and reinstalled the software and then there are a couple items to do concerning registering .dll's in an app note.  All worked fine until I came in one morning to find out that Microsoft updated Windows 7 and then I had problems again.

 I ended up reverting Windows 7 back and it worked again.  There is still something going on with the SW, but if I don't let Windows 7 update, it seems to be stable.

 Oh by the way, still have the problem with 16.5

I meant "series" instead of "serious".