• Skip to main content
  • Skip to search
  • Skip to footer
Cadence Home
  • This search text may be transcribed, used, stored, or accessed by our third-party service providers per our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.

  1. Community Forums
  2. Allegro X PCB Editor
  3. Allegro 17.40.028 Canvas Export Issue

Stats

  • State Not Answered
  • Replies 8
  • Subscribers 159
  • Views 11495
  • Members are here 0
More Content

Allegro 17.40.028 Canvas Export Issue

cstocci
cstocci over 3 years ago

I have an Allegro 4-layer PCB already done and it views perfectly within the canvas 3D display.  I mapped some manufacturer's STEP 3D files to the appropriate components.  However, when I exported my Allegro Canvas database to both a 3D PDF and STP file, both were identical and completely messed up!  Most of the components did not show up.  Only the thruhole connectors and even they showed up in a "ghosting" like 3D image...BIG MESS!

This process of exporting a 3D from a perfectly good canvas application into a 3D PDF and STEP file should work as it has in previous updates in Allegro.  Has something happened to the Canvas export function at update 17.40.028?  Has anybody else had this issue with corrupted 3D PDF and STEP exports within Allegro's Canvas?

  • Sign in to reply
  • Cancel
Parents
  • mahimag
    0 mahimag over 3 years ago

    try updating the 3D model mappings using the batch file sym_3d_update.exe and then try exporting the pdf and step. You can find this in <install_directory>/tools/bin folder. For example, run this batch on windows command prompt for updating all the symbols in the psmpath variable,

    sym_3d_update -d "C:\symbols_v174"

    Try  sym_3d_update -help to see avaialble switches with this command.

    • Cancel
    • Vote Up 0 Vote Down
    • Sign in to reply
    • Verify Answer
    • Cancel
  • cstocci
    0 cstocci over 3 years ago in reply to mahimag

    Hi mahimag,

    Thanks!!  I think the fact that I did not define nor set a PSM path in the Preferences is causing this issue.  As I did not do the PCB layout for this board, I did not do any of the path setups except for the STEPPATH entry.  In short, it appears that I have to export all of the components used to a PCB library directory (*.dra, *.psm, etc.) and then do the STEP library directory as first entry in my Allegro Preferences.

    In the meantime, I will use the sym_3d_update command to see if that works.  If it does, then that tells me that unless you take a given Allegro board and do all of the work I just described with the libararies and paths, the 3D mapping will be corrupt.  Under that condition, then, one has to manually update the export process...even though it looks great within the 3D Canvas environment, using the sym_3d_update command line approach.

    Does this make sense to you?

    • Cancel
    • Vote Up 0 Vote Down
    • Sign in to reply
    • Verify Answer
    • Cancel
Reply
  • cstocci
    0 cstocci over 3 years ago in reply to mahimag

    Hi mahimag,

    Thanks!!  I think the fact that I did not define nor set a PSM path in the Preferences is causing this issue.  As I did not do the PCB layout for this board, I did not do any of the path setups except for the STEPPATH entry.  In short, it appears that I have to export all of the components used to a PCB library directory (*.dra, *.psm, etc.) and then do the STEP library directory as first entry in my Allegro Preferences.

    In the meantime, I will use the sym_3d_update command to see if that works.  If it does, then that tells me that unless you take a given Allegro board and do all of the work I just described with the libararies and paths, the 3D mapping will be corrupt.  Under that condition, then, one has to manually update the export process...even though it looks great within the 3D Canvas environment, using the sym_3d_update command line approach.

    Does this make sense to you?

    • Cancel
    • Vote Up 0 Vote Down
    • Sign in to reply
    • Verify Answer
    • Cancel
Children
  • mahimag
    0 mahimag over 3 years ago in reply to cstocci

    I do not think it has anything to do with paths as you mentioned. But in cases like this remapping helps. You can try the utility or you can also try opening 3D Canvas, there in 3D mapper tab you can export *.map file and then import the same file back. This will also help in remapping models.

    • Cancel
    • Vote Up 0 Vote Down
    • Sign in to reply
    • Verify Answer
    • Cancel
Cadence Guidelines

Community Guidelines

The Cadence Design Communities support Cadence users and technologists interacting to exchange ideas, news, technical information, and best practices to solve problems and get the most from Cadence technology. The community is open to everyone, and to provide the most value, we require participants to follow our Community Guidelines that facilitate a quality exchange of ideas and information. By accessing, contributing, using or downloading any materials from the site, you agree to be bound by the full Community Guidelines.

© 2025 Cadence Design Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy
  • Cookie Policy
  • US Trademarks
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information