Stats

  • Replies 12
  • Subscribers 163
  • Views 3173
  • Members are here 0
More Content

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

Davide98

Hi everyone,

I'm reaching out to see if anyone might be able to help with a few legacy tool challenges we’re facing.

We’re currently working with several old PCB designs created in OrCAD Layout 16.2, and we need to export them in ODB++ format. In the past, this was done using the GW2ODB executable that Valor used to provide (specifically: gw2odb_setup_v730.exe). Unfortunately, the original executable seems to be lost and no longer available online or from the original contacts.

We’re looking for help on a few points:

  1. Does anyone still have a copy of the GW2ODB executable? If yes, would you be willing to share it or point us to a safe download location?

  2. What is currently the best way to generate ODB++ output from OrCAD Layout 16.2? The export option is visible in the tool, but the functionality depends on the missing executable.

  3. Is there a reliable workflow or tool for converting .MAX files (Layout) to .BRD (Allegro/PCB Editor) without losing data or design integrity? We'd like to consider migrating the designs to a more modern toolchain if feasible.

Any insights, tools, or shared experiences would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

Parents Reply Children
  • in reply to Elecguy

    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!

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.