Exporting 3D IDF

 In addition to my previous question, will the IDF file include components/component height?

Thanks,

Ron Scott

 The IDF process will generate several files.  One of them includes package height.

 Not sure what you meant by when we create artwork if that (3D info) was passed along.  Gerber does not include package info.  Does that address your first question?

You are correct that IDF is 3D by nature.  Exporting IDF from Allegro will produce two files:  a "board" file with the extensioin .bdf and a "library" file with the extension .ldf .  The information you are looking for is in the library file.  In this file you will find and outline and height for each component-package combination that is referenced in the board file.

You should be aware that the IDF Library file is a very primitive format.  The format only allows for one closed loop to define the outline and one height value.  There is no pin information.  What you get is a bounding cube.  When importing and IDF files, most CAD systems (including Allegro and Pro/Engineer) will ignore the IDF Library file definitioin and instead load the appropriate symbol or model from the CAD system library.

 Thanks for the speedy help on the first question. The second question was ill composed and can be ignored. 

Hi

There's a document regarding "best practices working with IDF" - go to Help, Documentation and select Best Practices

You also have a number of IDF settings located in Setup, User Preferences, Interfaces, IDF

Last but not least, components without height defined will get a default height that can be specified directly in the File, Export, IDF dialog. Also pay attention to this dialog with respect to selecting the correct File Name Type (IDF, PTC or SDRC)

Best regards

Ole