Variant STEP Export using Skill

In addition to the previous question:

Is there a way to call the "step_out" with an argument, that exports only the highlighted components, like when exporting via file -> export -> step?

What I do now is replaying a recorded script, which is not the prettiest way - at least, because manual confirmation is needed.

Unfortunetly there is no argument for this option described in the batchhelp... maybe the step_out.txt is out of date or this option is not supported ...

In addition to the previous question:

Is there a way to call the "step_out" with an argument, that exports only the highlighted components, like when exporting via file -> export -> step?

What I do now is replaying a recorded script, which is not the prettiest way - at least, because manual confirmation is needed.

Unfortunetly there is no argument for this option described in the batchhelp... maybe the step_out.txt is out of date or this option is not supported ...

After upgrading to 24.1 my script does not work anymore, because Cadence has done some significant changes and the "step_out" is no longer available. Normally I would expect the tool to be able export separate step files for each variant itself, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
Has anyone the same problem and/or has an idea how to solve it? Thanks for any help in advance!

Hi Juuls, can you please try the new command "3d_export"

This uses the 3DX engine using OrCAD X/Allegro X licenses. It also has more optional arguments which can be found by adding -help to the command as follows:

3d_export -help

Usage: 3d_export outputFile millimeter|centimeter|micron|inch|mil [OPTIONS]

Export the 3D design to a disk file base on options. The first two arguments specify output file name and unit, respectively, where format STEP (*.stp *.step) | IGES (*.iges) | ACIS (*.asat *.asab *.sat *.sab) | PDF (*.pdf) | USD (*.usda *.usdc *.usdz) is supported for the output file. The z=0 position is set to the LOWER of the BOTTOM conductor by default (z0_stackup="PRIMARY" z0_layer="BOTTOM" z0_layer_position="LOWER").

Example:

"3d_export abc.stp millimeter electrical_component external_conductor"

"3d_export abc.stp millimeter -eE"

"3d_export abc.stp millimeter -e -E"

"3d_export abc.stp millimeter -e -E z0_stackup="FLEX1" z0_layer="TOP" z0_layer_position="UPPER""

Option table:

Short Long Description

----------------------------------------------------

-e electrical_component Export electrical component

-m mechanical_component Export mechanical component

-X 3d_model Export 3d models

-p place_bound Export place bound

-d dfa_bound Export DFA bound

-E external_conductor Export external conductor

-i internal_conductor Export internal conductor

-D dielectric Export dielectric

-k pastemask Export pastemask

-s soldermask Export soldermask

-S silkscreen Export silkscreen

-M mechanical_hole Export mechanical hole

-P through_pin_hole Export through pin hole

-V via_hole Export through via hole

-f fully_bent Export design in fully bent state

-l separate_file_per_layer Separate file per layer

-C compress Compress output file

-b bump Export bumps

-B bond_wire Export bond wires

-r rdl Export RDL(Die stack conductor)

-t etch_back_trace Export etch back traces

-T plating_bar_tail Export plating bar tails

-A all Export everything

NA z0_stackup Specify z=0 stackup

NA z0_layer Specify z=0 layer

NA z0_layer_position Specify z=0 layer position

NA step_protocol Specify STEP protocol (AP203|AP214|AP242), default is AP214

Hi John,

thanks for you reply. Unfortunately, this also does not support exporting step files that only contains the components of each variant.

The "step_out" had the option to export only the highlighted components and therefore somehow worked with my skill script. The "3x_export" has a similiar feature: when you open the 3d canvas, you can select "selected options only", but this does not work with my skill script, even if I select the components instead of highlighting them.

I would appreciate, if this would work as a built-in function. I can not imagine, that I am the only one, who has a use case for this. But since this is not possible yet, I'm still interested in any other advice.