Need Help Exporting ODB++ from OrCAD 16.2 Layout – GW2ODB Executable or Alternatives?

This is quite complicated but ... about your first question, have you tried archive.org? see if this executable is still somewhere online?

did you check this discussion:

 Layout to ODB++ Export 

I didn't export odb in a while but I used to download the executable from MG and then a command was available under file/export/odb++

Hi @Elecguy,

Thanks for the suggestion! I did try using archive.org, and it actually helped; I managed to recover some old phone numbers from archived distributor websites. I called a few of them and eventually got in touch with someone who used to have contacts at Valor.

Unfortunately, they confirmed that the GW2ODB executable is no longer available; it seems to have been lost over time.
At this point, it looks like the only chance is to find someone who has downloaded it in the past and is willing to share a copy.

If anyone here happens to have it or knows someone who might, it would be incredibly helpful!

Hi @andakConsultingLtd,

Just a quick update — I’m trying to get in touch with some of the users who had replied to an old thread I started on EDAboard, to see if anyone might still have a copy of the gw2odb.exe executable. Hopefully, someone kept it and can share it.

If I manage to retrieve it, I’ll make sure to host it somewhere and make it available for future generations of PCB designers who might face the same issue.

I’ll keep you posted.

Hi David.

If you have a third party gerber editor like cam350 or gerbtool you could load in your gerbers and then export them as a ODB file. This probably would not have all the data like the pick and place files but the bulk of your design would be there within the ODB file. Perhaps that might be an option for you.

The max translator within Allegro does a good job of importing the older layout files. Since you have 16.2 layout that actually came with allegro. You could fire up allegro and try the allegro import max file translator on say one of the small layout demo files to get a feel for it. There is also some good help instructions on the translator tab if you click on the help button.

The least path of resistance would be to keep your older designs in layout. On a new tool chain Orcad / Allegro is a pretty good option. The only other option I can think of is totally abandon ODB and just supply your board manufacturer with the gerbers, drill file etc so the boards can be made.  

Best Regards.