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DXF import to PCB Designer v16.2

sheepdog

I've searched through the forum for some help w/ this, but all I can find is details for importing into Layout.

I'm using OrCAD PCB Designer v16.2.  I'm trying to etch my company logo on the top layer of my board.  I assume the way to do this is to import a DXF file of the logo.  I've had very little luck w/ this.  Some versions of the logo don't import at all.  I've been able to get one to import, but each letter of the logo is composed of hundreds of small shapes.  It's just not coming over "clean"...i.e. each letter of the logo composed on one shape. 

Does anyone here have experience with this?  Are there some properties of the DXF file that need to be set prior to importing to OrCAD?  Kinda lost here...

  • CoreSourceTech

    This might make the import very clean. Try bringing the dxf into AutoCAD, save as 

    a dxf, and then import it into Orcad Layout.  Sometimes that step saves a ton of time.

     Good luck

  • EvanShultz

     Hi sheepdog,

     The DXF import into PCB Editor is quite limited. There are a lot of DXF element types that aren't recognized. I have given up on using DXFs for anything that isn't primarily 90 corners and circles.

    But since you want to import a logo, you might still be in luck. Dave Elder has written a fantastic SKILL program called logoMaker_public.il, which you can find on this forum if you search. If you can get your logo into an image file, it should work for you.

  • sheepdog

    Thank you both for your replies.

     Yes, I have quickly discovered how limited DXF import is with this program.  I did see that SKILL program you mentioned, and I tried for a little while yesterday to get it installed on my PC, but I wasn't able to get it to work.  Not exactly an easy process.

     Also, I did find that if I opened the DXF in AutoCAD, and then re-saved it as an older version type of DXF ("R12/LT2"...whatever that means), I was able to get the logo to import properly.  I had to do a bunch of re-formatting once imported....but I was able to save it off as a sub-drawing and now I am trying to work on some scaling issues so the logo fits on my board.

     Almost there....

  • Bennigin

    I always bring the drawing up in AutoCad and do the scaling to get it to the right size for importing. Another thing I do when I have problems is, select everything in the drawing and click the explode button or type explode on the command line. It will break up a lot of the elements that can't be imported and make them so they can be imported. Sometimes that doesn't work but most of the time it does.

  • steve

    It is worth trying to get logomaker installed. Once you have it is a great tool for logos in PCB's. Let the forum know what issues you are having, I'm sure it can be resolved.

    If you stick with DXF import the best thing to do is keep the file as simple and clean as possible. Try using plines (polylines), these work well on import into Allegro especially if you want a filled shape.

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