Problem Running dxf2a Command via Skill Form – Invalid Program Arguments

Hello,

A little update, I find the exact syntaxe for the dxf2a command. It should be written like this:

"C:\Cadence\SPB_17.4\tools\bin\dxf2a.exe" "-u" "MM" "-v" "MM" "-a" "4" "-g" "filecnv.cnv" "filedxf.dxf" "fileBRD.brd".

But i'm trying to send this commmand via axlRunBatchDBProgram, and there I have a new problem.

Here's how I use the function: axlRunBatchDBProgram("dxf2a" cmddxf(cmd_dxf, num_page) ?logfile cmdNetlogdxf(namelog) ?startMsg "DXF Import..."). With the command looking like : "\"C:/Cadence/SPB_17.4/tools/bin/dxf2a.exe\" -$ \"-u\" \"MM\" \"-v\" \"MM\" \"-a\" \"4\" \"-g\" \"filecnv.cnv\" \"filedxf.dxf\" %s"

Since I using axlRunBatchDBProgram, I'm supposed to use the argument "%s" for Cadence to get the board I'm using at that time. But right now Cadence is using a temporary board where it put the dxf that I want in my board. I don't how to show which board I want my dxf to be saved in because if I replace the "%s" argument by the name of my board I get an error and If I put them both It says that the dxf2a isn't correct.

Hello Maxime1998!

Select 1:

cmd window:

dxf2a -u MILS -v MM -a 2 -g  PKG_Training_DXF_cnv PKG_Training_DXF_dxf  PKG_Training_04_brd

Select 2:

cmd Allegro:

axlRunBatchDBProgram("dxf2a" sprintf(nil "dxf2a -$ -u MILS -v MM -a 2 -g PKG_Training_DXF_cnv PKG_Training_DXF_dxf %%s") ?reloadDB t ?logfile "file.log")

it works me well.

Regards,

Hoangkhoi.

doesn't work for me importing into a dra

\i (00:00:05) generaledit
\i (00:00:27) skill 'axlRunBatchDBProgram("dxf2a" sprintf(nil "dxf2a -$ -u MILS -v MM -a 2 -g MULTIPACK_l.cnv MULTIPACK.dxf %%s" ?reloadDB t ?logfile "dxf2a.log"))'
\t (00:00:27) Starting dxf2a...
\e (00:00:28) ERROR(SPMHGE-268): dxf2a had errors, use Viewlog to review the log file.
(00:00:29) 2
\i (00:00:31) setwindow text
\i (00:00:31) close

D:\xxx\yyy>type dxf2a.log
Reading Layer Conversion File
Reading DXF file...
done.
ERROR: Opening file D:xxx/yyy/#Taaaaad14832.dra.
ERROR: Opening D:/xxyyy/#Taaaaad14832.dra for incremental update failed.
Terminating program.

D:\xxx\yyy>

Hi!

skill 'axlRunBatchDBProgram("dxf2a" sprintf(nil "dxf2a -$ -u MILS -v MM -a 2 -p MULTIPACK_l.cnv MULTIPACK.dxf %%s" ?reloadDB t ?logfile "dxf2a.log"))'

i changed -g -> -p

-p creates a .dra file of sympackage type.

try it one more time.

HoangKhoi.

All the data I am attempting to import is mapped to the 'DRAWING FORMAT' class, so the '-p' option fails

The -f option appears to work, however nothing is saved to disk:(

D:\D:\XXX\YYY>tail allegro.jrl
\i (00:01:18) close
\i (00:01:20) setwindow pcb
\i (00:01:20) open
\i (00:01:44) fillin "menu_cancel"
\i (00:01:44) generaledit
\i (00:03:25) skill '`'axlRunBatchDBProgram("dxf2a" sprintf(nil "dxf2a -$ -u MILS -v MM -a 2 -f MULTIPACK_l.cnv MULTIPACK.dxf %%s" ?reloadDB t ?logfile "dxf2a.log"))`''
\t (00:03:25) Starting dxf2a...
   (00:03:27) t
\i (00:03:32) exit
\t (00:03:33)     Journal end - Wed May 14 11:16:53 2025

D:\D:\XXX\YYY>cat dxf2a.log
Reading Layer Conversion File
Reading DXF file...
done.
Layer conversion file: MULTIPACK_l.cnv
DXF file: MULTIPACK.dxf
BRD file: D:/D:/XXX/YYY/#Taaaaau00244.dra
Update existing design?: NO
Use default text?: NO
DXF units: MILLIMETERS
Design units: MILS
Design precision: 2
dxf2a complete.

D:\D:\XXX\YYY>dir *dra
 Volume in drive D is New Volume
 Volume Serial Number is 902D-8197

 Directory of D:\D:\XXX\YYYP

05/05/2025  09:57 AM           201,016 mp.dra
               1 File(s)        201,016 bytes
               0 Dir(s)  40,886,636,544 bytes free

D:\D:\XXX\YYY>dir *log
 Volume in drive D is New Volume
 Volume Serial Number is 902D-8197

 Directory of D:\XXX\YYY

05/14/2025  11:16 AM               713 downrev.log
05/14/2025  11:16 AM               323 dxf2a.log
               2 File(s)          1,036 bytes
               0 Dir(s)  40,886,636,544 bytes free

Any new suggestions?

Hello David,
Run the axlDesignType(t) command in the Allegro command window to check whether the -p and -f options are correct.
Then try again.

cmd:

[-p | -m | -f | -s]
Symbol file switch.
-p creates a .dra file of sympackage type.
-m creates a .dra file of symmechanical type.
-f creates a .dra file of symformat type.
-s creates a .dra file of symshape type.

dxf2a -$ -u MILS -v MM -a 2 [...] MULTIPACK_l.cnv MULTIPACK.dxf  MULTIPACK.brd

Also, change [....].

Regards,

HoangKhoi.

Hello David!

Today, I encountered the same issue as you. I found a solution for it.
Please try again.

'DRAWING FORMAT'  -> -f -> correct.

axlRunBatchDBProgram("dxf2a" sprintf(nil "dxf2a -$ -u MILS -v MM -a 2 -f MULTIPACK_l.cnv MULTIPACK.dxf %%s" ?warnProgram t  ?reloadDB t ?logfile "dxf2a.log"))

Regards,
HoangKhoi.

Hello David!

Today, I encountered the same issue as you. I found a solution for it.
Please try again.

'DRAWING FORMAT'  -> -f -> correct.

axlRunBatchDBProgram("dxf2a" sprintf(nil "dxf2a -$ -u MILS -v MM -a 2 -f MULTIPACK_l.cnv MULTIPACK.dxf %%s" ?warnProgram t  ?reloadDB t ?logfile "dxf2a.log"))

Regards,
HoangKhoi.