Allegro X Scripting - Skill - Recent Threads

RE: Skill to open Custom Variables Window in Allegro x 25.1 PCB Editor

MZ20250602835 — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 08:48:45 GMT

Dear All,

i found the solution, i used axlShellPost instead of axlShell, such as axlShellPost("tbx customvar update"), there is no problem anymore.

Best Regards

Skill to open Custom Variables Window in Allegro x 25.1 PCB Editor

MZ20250602835 — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 12:40:07 GMT

Dear all,

i can use Command tbx customvar update to open the custom variables window.

I can also use axlShell("tbx customvar update") to open the same window but My current Problem is that:

after giving axlShell("tbx customvar update") I do not get the Skill > for the next skill

Skill > axlShell("tbx customvar update")

Reading file "C:/Users/emp8124501/ECAD/projects/251_demo/output/251_demo/physical/customvar.cfg"

Info: Reading custom variables from "C:/Users/emp8124501/ECAD/projects/251_demo/251_demo.cpm"

It missing the Skill > after Info: Reading custom variables from "C:/Users/emp8124501/ECAD/projects/251_demo/251_demo.cpm"

May i ask how could i solve this issue or are there any other skill to use instead of axlShell in allegro x pcb editor such as axlCmd, axlUIWExecuteCommand or axlDBCmd?

Many thanks

Moyan

How to write a simple CMXL code that retrieves or edits data from Constraint Manager

JuanCR — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 20:22:55 GMT

Imagine you want to access some constraint values using SKILL. I know there are AXL functions available; However, what if you want to use CMXL because it dives deeper into the Constraint Manager capabilities.

Let's show an example. Let's set static phase values of a differential pair configuration. This is how the code would look like:

axlCMDBInit()

dsn = cmxlFindObject(ACNS_DESIGN);

when(dsn

cmxlDBSkillInit(dsn);

cset = cmxlFindObject(ACNS_ECSET, "DIFF", dsn);

when(cset

println(cmxlPutAttribute(cset "DIFFP_PHASE_TOL" ACNS_STRING list("0.5")))

println(car(cmxlGetAttribute(cset "DIFFP_PHASE_TOL" ACNS_STRING))); should return 0.5mm

)

cmxlDBSkillExit(dsn);

Here's a brief explanation of what each section is doing:

If the same logic is used with any other attribute name, you can construct the new code to edit a different constraint. Make sure you use the right Object type with cmxlFindObject. You can find all the object types and definitions at the end of the CMXL Reference Manual.

Feel free to ask any questions!

Skill script for checking BGA pitch

SG20260713408 — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 10:17:44 GMT

This is a skill for inspecting the pitch of BGAs on a board.

If you know of a more concise and elegant code than this, please let me know. (SKILL++, OOP...)

Thank you.

/*
============================================================================================
* Tool Name : min_pitch_bga (Enhanced Version)
* Description : Automatically checks the minimum pitch of BGA components to prevent fine-pitch routing defects.
* Features :
* 1. Support multiple symbol filtering cases (Property, SymType)
* 2. Performance Optimization: Auto-bounding box shrinkage for
* high pin-count components to prevent computation lag.
* 3. Auto-sorting and reporting with an interactive .log viewer.
* Command : min_pitch_bga [Optional Pitch Value, default "0.5"]
* To change the pitch value, simply apply the desired pitch value after the command. (min_pitch_bga 1.0 or min_pitch_bga 0.5 .......)
============================================================================================
*/

axlCmdRegister("min_pitch_bga" 'min_pitch_bga ?cmdType "interactive")

procedure(min_pitch_bga(@optional (argu_bga_pitch "0.5") "S")

let((min_bga_pitch symbols loop sym_pins_locs obj1 objPairs pitch_datas min_pitch_data

pair_count var_x var_y delta_x delta_y refdes sym_xy layer sym_rot all_x_loc all_y_loc min_x min_y max_x max_y sym_pins total_results)

min_bga_pitch = atof(argu_bga_pitch)

when(min_bga_pitch

;;========================================================================================

;;Comment : Please select and use the case that fits the situation.

;;Comment(Case1) : Use when a symbol(footprint) is given a property name("DFA_DEV_CLASS") and a property value("bga").

;; Property values are entered by the user, so they are case-sensitive.

symbols = foreach(mapcan item axlSelectByProperty("symdef" "DFA_DEV_CLASS" "bga") ~> instances item) ;; Use if applicable to Case 1

;;symbols = foreach(mapcan item axlSelectByProperty("symdef" "DFA_DEV_CLASS" "bg*" t) ~> instances item) ;; Use if applicable to Case 1

;;symbols = foreach(mapcan item axlSelectByProperty("symdef" "REF_PATTERN_NAME" "BGA*" t) ~> instances item) ;; Use if applicable to Case 1

;;========================================================================================

;; Comment(Case2) : The name given when generating the symbol(footprint).

;; In other words, when the symbol name(footprint name) starts with "BGAXXXXXXXX_XXX_XXX"

;;symbols = axlSelectByName("SYMTYPE" "BGA*" t) ;; Use if applicable to Case 2, Delete ";;" and use

;;========================================================================================

axlClearSelSet()

if(symbols then

foreach(symbol symbols

loop = t

sym_rot = nil

sym_pins = nil

sym_pins_locs = nil

all_x_loc = nil

all_y_loc = nil

objPairs = nil

pitch_datas = nil

min_pitch_data = nil

pair_count = nil

var_x = nil

var_y = nil

delta_x = nil

delta_y = nil

sym_xy = symbol -> xy

refdes = symbol -> refdes

unless(refdes refdes = "No RefDes")

layer = if(symbol -> isMirrored then "BOTTOM" else "TOP")

sym_pins = setof(e symbol -> pins e -> number != "" || e -> isMech != t)

when(sym_pins && length(sym_pins) > 1

sym_rot = symbol -> rotation

if(axlGeoEqual(sym_rot 0.0) || axlGeoEqual(sym_rot 90.0) || axlGeoEqual(sym_rot 180.0) || axlGeoEqual(sym_rot 27.0) then

sym_pins_locs = sym_pins ~> xy

else

foreach(sym_pin sym_pins

sym_pin_xy = sym_pin -> xy

rot_pin = axlGeoRotatePt(minus(sym_rot) car(sym_pin_xy):cadr(sym_pin_xy) car(sym_xy):cadr(sym_xy))

sym_pins_locs = cons(rot_pin sym_pins_locs)

)

)

all_x_loc = foreach(mapcar item sym_pins_locs car(item))

all_y_loc = foreach(mapcar item sym_pins_locs cadr(item))

var_x = apply('min all_x_loc)

sym_x = apply('max all_x_loc)

var_y = apply('min all_y_loc)

sym_y = apply('max all_y_loc)

delta_x = abs(sym_x - var_x)

delta_y = abs(sym_y - var_y)

sym_xy = list((sym_x - (delta_x / 2)) (sym_y - (delta_y / 2)))

delta_x = delta_x / 30

delta_y = delta_y / 30

sym_pins_locs = setof(e sym_pins_locs axlIsPointInsideBox(e list(sym_xy list(var_x var_y))))

when(length(sym_pins_locs) > 1

pair_count = (length(sym_pins_locs) * (length(sym_pins_locs) - 1)) / 2

when(pair_count > 1500

while(loop

var_x = var_x + delta_x

var_y = var_y + delta_y

delta_x = (car(sym_xy) - var_x) / 30

delta_y = (cadr(sym_xy) - var_y) / 30

sym_pins_locs = setof(e sym_pins_locs axlIsPointInsideBox(e list(sym_xy list(var_x var_y))))

pair_count = (length(sym_pins_locs) * (length(sym_pins_locs) - 1)) / 2

when(pair_count < 1500 loop = nil)

)

when(sym_pins_locs

while(sym_pins_locs

obj1 = car(sym_pins_locs)

sym_pins_locs = cdr(sym_pins_locs)

foreach(obj2 sym_pins_locs objPairs = cons(list(obj1, obj2), objPairs))

)

when(objPairs

foreach(objPair objPairs

pitch_datas = cons(axlDistance(car(objPair) cadr(objPair)) pitch_datas)

)

min_pitch_data = car(sort(pitch_datas 'lessp))

)

when(min_pitch_data

when(min_pitch_data < min_bga_pitch

axlHighlightObject(symbol)

total_results = cons(list(layer refdes min_pitch_data symbol -> xy symbol -> name) total_results)

)

total_results = reverse(sortcar(total_results 'axlStrcmpAlpNum))

MPB_Create_log_File(total_results min_bga_pitch)

else

printf("###### BGA cannot be found. !! ######\n")

)

procedure(MPB_Create_log_File(total_results min_bga_pitch)

let((err_count Date Min_Pitch_BGA_Log_File)

err_count = 0

Date = (getCurrentTime)
Date = parseString(Date " ")
Date = strcat(nth(3 Date) " " nth(0 Date) " " nth(1 Date) " " nth(2 Date))

Min_Pitch_BGA_Log_File = outfile("./Min_Pitch_BGA.log" "w")

fprintf(Min_Pitch_BGA_Log_File "\nDATE : %s\n" Date)

fprintf(Min_Pitch_BGA_Log_File "\nTarGet Pitch : %f\n" min_bga_pitch)

fprintf(Min_Pitch_BGA_Log_File "\nSyntax : nIndex, Layer, RefDes, Pitch, Symbol_XY, Symbol_Name\n")

fprintf(Min_Pitch_BGA_Log_File "\n=========================================================================\n")

if(length(total_results) == 0 then

fprintf(Min_Pitch_BGA_Log_File "\n=========================================================================\n")

fprintf(Min_Pitch_BGA_Log_File "\n Total Error Count = 0\n")

else

fprintf(Min_Pitch_BGA_Log_File "\nIndex, Layer, RefDes, Pitch, Symbol_XY, Symbol_Name\n")

foreach(total_result total_results

err_count = ++err_count

fprintf(Min_Pitch_BGA_Log_File "\n%d, %s, %s, %f, %L, %s\n" err_count nth(0 total_result) nth(1 total_result) nth(2 total_result) nth(3 total_result) nth(4 total_result))

)

fprintf(Min_Pitch_BGA_Log_File "\n=========================================================================\n")

fprintf(Min_Pitch_BGA_Log_File "\n Total Error Count = %d.\n" err_count)

)

close(Min_Pitch_BGA_Log_File)

axlShell("viewlog ./Min_Pitch_BGA.log")

)

RE: Skill script for checking BGA pitch

SG20260713408 — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 07:46:22 GMT

I would love to see your code whenever you have time to test it.

I'm really looking forward to your approach.

thank you.

RE: Skill script for checking BGA pitch

TL202608111936 — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 01:20:05 GMT

Hi,

Although I haven't written the code to test my idea yet, I still stand by the idea.

Based on the initial user pitch and the pin list, I will sort the pin list by rows and columns, with each row/column separated by one user pitch and within a predefined tolerance. This will give me a matrix of the pin coordinates by row and column.

Then, within each row and column, I will sort the pins by X or Y coordinate. Finally, I will measure the distance between two consecutive coordinates in each row or column to find gaps that are smaller than the user pitch.

This approach should significantly reduce the number of measurements compared with the current method.

Finally, I will filter out the pins that do not satisfy the row and column conditions described above. These pins can be considered an "exception pin list" and will be checked separately using the old method, which scans the area to find the pitch.

If I have time, I will try coding this approach to see whether the idea is actually feasible.

Luan

RE: Skill script for checking BGA pitch

SG20260713408 — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 09:37:53 GMT

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Since the pitch and pin arrangement of BGAs are not all identical, it is difficult to grid them based on the input pitch.

Thank you.

RE: Skill script for checking BGA pitch

TL202608111936 — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 06:16:21 GMT

Hi,

For BGA packages with a large number of pins, identifying all pin pairs and measuring the distance between each pair can significantly slow down the code. I suggest dividing the BGA pins into a grid based on a predefined pitch. This way, I think we can reduce the number of distance measurements by approximately 50%.

Luan

RE: Skill script for checking BGA pitch

SG20260713408 — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 20:49:01 GMT

There are no special conditions.

I uploaded the relevant code a while ago, but I have improved the parts that were lacking and uploaded it again.

I was just curious to see what ideas others might have.

Thank you.

RE: Skill script for checking BGA pitch

Elecguy — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 13:40:07 GMT

Just took a quick look at it and it seems good. Any special conditions for the board where it should be used?

RE: Skill to update the value of Custom Variables in PCB Editor

MZ20250602835 — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 11:04:09 GMT

I want to have the skill to update the value of custom variables.

The commands i post above To update custom variables in Cadence PCB / Allegro using the Toolbox (tbx) utility, open the setup menu, select custom variables, and run the update command to input new values like dates or revisions, then run it again to refresh the drawing.

I would like to have the same function with using skill instead of commands.

I am still learning your code, but as far as i understand the code you post is for another function.

Many thanks again

Moyan

RE: Skill to update the value of Custom Variables in PCB Editor

andakConsultingLtd — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 10:59:19 GMT

Well, this shows you how to deal with custom properties and properties in general. What's missing?

RE: Skill to update the value of Custom Variables in PCB Editor

MZ20250602835 — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 10:57:07 GMT

Many thanks for your reply, but i think this is not the skill i need.

Best Regards

Moyan

RE: Skill to update the value of Custom Variables in PCB Editor

andakConsultingLtd — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 08:46:31 GMT

Hi Moyan,

See if you can use this (untested) code for your app:

; ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
; 1. DEFINE the property in the design's property dictionary (one-time setup)
; axlDBCreatePropDictEntry(name dataType objTypes valRange units constraint)
; Only needs to run once per design -- guard it so re-running doesn't error.
; ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
procedure( myskill_ensureProps()
unless( axlDBGetPropDictEntry("MY_TEMP")
axlDBCreatePropDictEntry("MY_TEMP" "REAL" list("pins") list(nil nil) "C" nil)
)
)

; ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
; 2. WRITE the property onto a specific object
; axlDBAddProp(dbid list(propName propValue))
; ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
procedure( myskill_setTemp(pin tempVal)
myskill_ensureProps()
unless( errset( axlDBAddProp(pin list("MY_TEMP" tempVal)) )
error("myskill" "axlDBAddProp failed for MY_TEMP=%g on %s.%s"
tempVal (or pin->parent->refdes "?") (or pin->number "?"))
)
printf("INFO myskill: MY_TEMP = %g set on %s.%s\n"
tempVal (or pin->parent->refdes "?") (or pin->number "?"))
)

; ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
; 3. READ the property back off the object
; axlDBGetProperties(dbid '("user")) returns a list of (name value) pairs
; ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
procedure( myskill_getPropValue(propName propList)
let( (result targetStr)
result = nil
targetStr = upperCase(propName)
foreach( entry propList
when( upperCase(sprintf(nil "%s" car(entry))) == targetStr
result = cadr(entry)
)
)
result
)
)

procedure( myskill_getTemp(pin)
let( (props strVal result)
props = axlDBGetProperties(pin '("user"))
strVal = myskill_getPropValue("MY_TEMP" props)
result = if( strVal != nil then atof(sprintf(nil "%s" strVal)) else nil )
result
)
)

; ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
; 4. (optional) REMOVE the property from an object
; axlDBDeleteProp(dbid propName)
; ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
procedure( myskill_clearTemp(pin)
unless( errset( axlDBDeleteProp(pin "MY_TEMP") )
error("myskill" "axlDBDeleteProp failed for MY_TEMP on %s.%s"
(or pin->parent->refdes "?") (or pin->number "?"))
)
)

; ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
; Example usage
; ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
let( (pin)
pin = car(axlDBGetPointList(nil "Select a pin: " '("Pin")))->objType ; placeholder for pin selection
myskill_setTemp(pin 85.0) ; write MY_TEMP = 85.0 on the pin
printf("MY_TEMP readback = %g\n" myskill_getTemp(pin)) ; read it back
)

RE: How to check BGA minimum pitch using Allegro Skill language

SG20260713408 — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 08:36:52 GMT

My apologies for the late reply; I had an issue with my account.

I do not think I can participate in a discussion due to my lack of knowledge.

Thank you.

How to check BGA minimum pitch using Allegro Skill language

BZ202408076026 — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 06:33:23 GMT

I want to check BGA minimum pitch. If BGA pitch is less than 0.5mm, need to highlight these BGA in PCB layout. Does anyone have experience to write script to do the check?

RE: How to check BGA minimum pitch using Allegro Skill language

SG20260713408 — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 08:19:30 GMT

I'm glad to hear that it was helpful.
I plan to upload the improved script separately.
Please take note.

RE: Skill ： check for shape minimum aperture of gap width

TL202608111936 — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 09:54:34 GMT

Hi,
I don't know if you've resolved your problem yet, but I have an idea:

- Select the shape → extract the shape's voids → convert each void into a polygon → expand the polygon → select the other voids or shape segments by using axlAddselectbyPoly→ measure them.

Luan

Skill ： check for shape minimum aperture of gap width

Xiaome8 — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 02:11:56 GMT

Hi Bro,

I has a trouble to check for shape minimum aperture of gap width , and there is an interesting picture which can fix the issue，So can anyone help to share such kinds of skills ？ thanks in advance.

SKILL program to save user colors

soll — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 14:03:13 GMT

Hello :)

I have written a SKILL program that save/load the colors of a BRD. It saves both the color palette and the colors associated with each subclass into a file, that can be loaded to another BRD (or the same).

It mostly works :p On some (rather) rare occasions, the SaveColors() function will skip some subclasses, or mess their name, and I have no idea why. But most of the time, it works. It has been written with Cadence 17.2, but should work on any version.

Sometime, after loading a color file, I get this error (SPMHDB-197): Subclass color index out of range. If anybody know what it exactly means, I am interested. If someone know were I could find a list of all the error codes and their meanings, I would be very interested too !

If you have any idea on how to make this program better or if you spot some grammatical/spelling mistakes, don't hesitate to tell !
If someone knows how to save the global transparency and shapes transparency of the Display tab (color dialog window), I think it would be a nice addition.

REMINDER : always double save you BRD before executing some SKILL code from and internet stranger :p I didn't had any problem with this program, but I don't know if it works the same on my setup and on yours. It probably does.

Here is the code :

; SaveColors() : save subclasses colors in a .colors file
; LoadColors() : load subclasses colors from a file
; skill "load SaveColors.il"

axlCmdRegister("savecolors" 'SaveColors ?cmdType "general")
axlCmdRegister("loadcolors" 'LoadColors ?cmdType "general")

procedure( SaveColors()
let((colorFileName colorFilePort subclass)
   ; color file creation
   colorFileName = axlDMFileBrowse(nil t ?defaultName strcat("./" axlCurrentDesign() "-" getLogin() ".colors") ?title "Save Colors As")
   colorFilePort = outfile(colorFileName)
   fprintf(colorFilePort ";:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:\n\n")
   fprintf(colorFilePort "    Color file       : %s\n" colorFileName)
   fprintf(colorFilePort "    User             : %s\n" getLogin())
   fprintf(colorFilePort "    Drawing          : %s.brd\n" axlCurrentDesign())
   fprintf(colorFilePort "    Software version : %s\n" getVersion())
   fprintf(colorFilePort "    Date/Time        : %s\n\n" getCurrentTime())
   fprintf(colorFilePort "---\n")

   ; get color palette
   paletteList = axlColorGet('all)
   foreach(color paletteList
       fprintf(colorFilePort "%d~%d~%d\n" nth(0 color) nth(1 color) nth(2 color))
   ) ;foreach

   fprintf(colorFilePort "???\n")

   ; get colors for each subclass
   foreach(ClassName axlGetParam("paramLayerGroup")->groupMembers
       foreach(SubclassName (axlGetParam(strcat("paramLayerGroup:" ClassName))->groupMembers)
           subclass = axlLayerGet(strcat(ClassName "/" SubclassName))
           fprintf(colorFilePort "%s/%s~%d~%d\n" ClassName SubclassName subclass->color subclass->pattern)
       ) ;foreach
   ) ;foreach

   fprintf(colorFilePort "!!!\n")
   close(colorFilePort)
   printf("Colors saved under %s." colorFileName)
)) ;let,procedure

procedure( LoadColors()
prog((colorFileName colorFilePort currentLine parsedLine colorPalette)
   colorFileName = axlDMFileBrowse(nil nil ?title "Load Colors")
   colorFilePort = infile(colorFileName)
   currentLine = ""

   ; checks that the selected file is a color file
   if(gets(currentLine colorFilePort) != ";:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:\n"
       then
           ;println(currentLine)
           axlUIConfirm("Le fichier choisi n'est pas compatible\n" 'error)
           return()
   ) ;if

   ; get to the color list
   while(currentLine != "---\n"
       gets(currentLine colorFilePort)
   ) ;while

   ; set the colors palette
   while(currentLine != "???\n"
       gets(currentLine colorFilePort)
       unless( currentLine == "???\n"
           parsedLine = parseString(currentLine "~")
           parsedLine = list(atoi(nth(0 parsedLine)), atoi(nth(1 parsedLine)), atoi(nth(2 parsedLine)))
           colorPalette = cons(parsedLine colorPalette)
       ) ;unless
   ) ;while
   colorPalette = reverse(colorPalette)
   axlColorSet('all colorPalette)

   ; set the subclasses colors
   while(currentLine != "!!!\n"
       gets(currentLine colorFilePort)
       parsedLine = parseString(currentLine "~")
       subclass = axlLayerGet(nth(0 parsedLine))
       if(subclass != nil
           then
               subclass->color = atoi(nth(1 parsedLine))
               subclass->pattern = atoi(nth(2 parsedLine))
               axlLayerSet(subclass)
       ) ;if
   ) ;while

   ; update display
   axlVisibleUpdate(t)
   printf("Color file loaded succesfully (I guess).")

   close(colorFilePort)
)) ;let,procedure

RE: SKILL program to save user colors

TL202608111936 — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 09:26:02 GMT

Hi Soll,

It is simplest way to do that. According to the Allegro documentation, File → Export → Parameters (param out) allows you to create a .prm file, which can then be imported back using param in.

Luan

RE: How to merge excel cell in Allgero SKILL using axlSpreadsheet API

BT202507156313 — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 06:15:59 GMT

Hi,

Merging cells in an XML file can be done quite easily using the following approach:

Read the XML file again using the infile function.
Iterate through each row and store the row data.
When reaching the target row and cell to be merged, add MergeAcross according to the Excel XML syntax.
Continue reading the file until reaching the last line.
Save the modified file.

Luan

How to merge excel cell in Allgero SKILL using axlSpreadsheet API

SK202607205032 — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 05:56:35 GMT

I just using axlSpreadsheetInit() to write excel file, but I don't know how to merge cell,example as the picture below.

Is there any suggestion? Thanks a lot.

How to use skill code to check pin to pin mark air gap?

SK202607205032 — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 08:21:37 GMT

Hi all,

I would like to get the air gap value between the first pin and the pin-1 marker (silkscreen text such as "*" or ">"), as shown below.

I found the API axlAirGap(), but I'm not sure how to implement it.

Could anyone provide an example or some guidance?

Thanks!!

RE: How to use skill code to check pin to pin mark air gap?

BT202507156313 — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 04:09:31 GMT

Hi!

You can try axlAirGap(pin_dbid mark_dbid nil 'anyLayer) for gap

Luan