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Is there any way to import DXF files to use in schematic symbols?

MS202503286724

 I had used OrCad since the days of schema, My company had purchased the abortion called Altium, but using that was like chewing glass.

I asked them if we could get a seat of OrCad, as I was much familiar with that and fairly facile.

They obliged, and all has been going smoothly until they requested a wiring diagram. They require the part symbols to look like the parts getting wired, but unfortunately, I can't find anywhere the ability to import DXF files in order to create schematic symbols from.

You mean to tell me, that in 2025 when every other schematic capture program, even freeware, has this capability, OrCad doesn't?

Please tell me that I'm just missing something, because otherwise I'm going to be in a world of hurt trying to create all these symbols piecemeal.

  • Jeet
    0

    Are you trying to add a symbol in OrCAD Capture that includes nets labeled on each pin?

  • MS202503286724
    0 in reply to Jeet

    No, just a schematic symbol that looks like the part being wired, like a din rail mounted relay, or an industrial minicomputer. These are going to be parts not on a PCB, but actually connected via wires in, say a control box.

    I have all the pieces I need as dxf files, and I've modified them so they fit on a 0.1 inch grid. I just want to import the symbol and then add the pins to it afterwards for connection. If we give the schematic wires net names we can verify the point-to-point wiring via a netlist before the actual physical wiring is completed, and we also are able to spot if some connections are missed, or incorrect.

    I know that OrCad is mainly for laying out PCBs, but I want to try and take it a bit further, I've done it for years like this, but then I wasn't required to make the schematic symbols look like the parts, the other companies were happy if the parts were just rectangles with pins on them that matched the labeled connections on the part, however this company has always made their interconnect drawings where the parts looked like the actual parts and the interconnects showing the terminals the wires will be attached to.

  • avant
    0 in reply to MS202503286724

    I sound's like the company wants wiring diagrams - point to point wiring, showing each connection. (no ground symbols, no "T" junctions, etc).

    I've done many wiring diagrams, and I've found it much quicker to do these in Autocad or another drafting program. Of course, there are no nets or intelligence with this method.

    I believe the only picture file you can import into Orcad is a bitmap (.bmp) file. Maybe save your dxf images as bitmap to see if they work.

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