CAD and Gerber Identification
Overview
CAD and Gerber Identification
Overview
This document is a guide to assist in identification of the ECAD tool using the fileset provided by the customer. This will help to
make a qualified request to the customer for the correct ECAD data. It is highly recommended that Business units and Work cells
develop a “Standard Data Agreement” that can be found in the “Global DFx Overview” document located here:
https://sites.google.com/a/jabil.com/edfx/home/documents
Definitions:
Note: CAD and Gerber are not the same, generally gerber cannot be loaded into Valor and used to generate placement
programs or Golden BOM’s or output for the Test Group where CAD can be.
CAD or ECAD: (Computer Aided Design) In our environment (electronic manufacturing) it refers to the design software used by
our customer to layout the PCB and components. There are several design applications that are used, some within the same
customer. It is important to understand which one is used by our customers in order to properly process their data. It is also
known as “intelligent data” because it contains most information required to manufacture the PCB.
Gerber: (Vector Photo Plot) A group of “dumb” files output from the “CAD” that describes only the bare PCB artwork like an
etch-a-sketch or picture. It has limited use within Valor and is not a desirable format.
Note: Identification by filename should not be regarded as definitive, since it is common for CAD users to have procedures in
place that rename the files post-output.
Support: For questions regarding CAD or ECAD files and their identification contact Lyndon Rickards at 248-292-6540.
3 | Confidential
Filename Extension Recognition (filename.xxx)
Cadence Allegro*
.brd File Extension See extract path in Appendix A
Need: ( File name example: 1-CD50-000232_X1.brd 8,895KB )
WARNING – if gerber or other files do not indicate Allegro is the design tool, do not assume that BRD file is Allegro :
• See Altium Protel and PCAD below. Misidentification of a ‘.brd’ file can cause the extraction service to fail. The Allegro
‘brd’ file is a binary file, typically > 1Mb in size.
• Eagle CAD file extension is also .brd and can cause the extraction service to fail conversion.
Mentor PADS*
.pcb ( Binary not useable by Valor ) and .asc (ASCII) file extensions
Need: ( File name example: 1-CD50-000232_X1.asc 8,895KB )
Mentor Boardstation
.tar.Z ( Full Unix Mentor Container)
Need: ( File name example: 1-CD50-000232_X1.tar.Z 16,895KB )
Files From Container Needed for Valor:
neutral_file geoms_ascii traces.traces_nn tech.tech_nn layers.layers_nn
aperture_table.apertt_nn
drill_table.drillt_nn pins.pins_nn
variants.variants_nn gates.gates_nn nn = revision
4 | Confidential
Filename Extension Recognition (filename.xxx)
Mentor Expedition / Veribest
Refer to ODB++ ( Database Imports Directly is usually zipped up for transfer )
Altium DXP
.pcbdoc ( Binary not useable by Valor ) and _ASCII.pcbdoc ( ASCII ) file extensions
Need: ( File name example: 1-CD50-000232_X1_ASCII.pcbdoc 8,895KB )
Note: The gerber file naming convention from this software includes a ‘.BRD’ ( see Cadence Allegro ) file which is the board
outline in gerber format. It is typically much smaller than an Allegro .brd file. If placed on the configuration management
server it will cause the service to fail.
Zuken Visula and Cadstar
.paf File Extension
Need: ( File name example: 1-CD50-000232_X1.paf 8,895KB )
Native format is a large directory structure which is not of use to Jabil.
Gerber files typically have ‘.spl’ extension, and are accompanied by matching ‘.rep’ aperture lists Otherwise they follow no
regular naming convention. Examination of the files in a text editor will give clues as to origin.
File to request: Cadif file, also known is ‘.paf’ file.
5 | Confidential
Filename Extension Recognition (filename.xxx)
Cadence ORCAD
.MAX and .MIN File Extensions
Need: ( File name example: 1-CD50-000232_X1.MAX and .MIN 8,895KB )
Note: Close examination of many complete customer datasets may reveal mention of Orcad in miscellaneous files. This
does not necessarily indicate the layout tool is Orcad – their schematic capture tool is one used widely in conjunction with
other layout software.
ODB ++
.tgz File Extension ( Database Imports Directly is usually zipped up for transfer )
Need: ( File name example: 1-cd50-000232_x1.tgz
8,895KB )
*Note: Software file types identified with an * can alternatively export acceptable ODB++ files.
CadSoft Eagle
.brd Native File Extension ( File is not Directly useable and requires substantial manipulation )
Need: ( Gencad FatF and Gerber files )
Note: Additional time is required to manipulate and make data usable to Jabil programming and review processes.
6 | Confidential
CAD Application Data Details
7 | Confidential
Cadence Allegro ( filename.brd )
Description: Very common CAD package for designing PCB’s
What to look For: Probably the most commonly used tool by AUH customers. Native design database is the ‘.brd’ file from which
Jabil can make all required extracts via the allegro extraction service ( See Appendix A ).
Gerber files typically have extension ‘.art’ and are accompanied by Excellon format drill file with ‘.tap’ extension. Another key
identifier is accompanying aperture list ‘art_aper.txt’.
How are Files Delivered - (File / Directory Structure will Normally Contain):
What to do with Extracted Files: Copy to a local directory location for use by Valor (i.e. vtemp directory).
Import Under Valor CAD Description: “Cadence Allegro”
File to request: ‘.brd’ file.
Note: Before saving the brd file, the customer should ensure that artwork films have been set up as if generating gerber, since
Valor uses these ‘views’ to derive the physical board layers. This is regular practice by most Allegro users.
WARNING – if gerber or other files do not indicate Cadence Allegro is the design tool, do not assume that BRD file is Allegro –
see Altium Protel and PCAD below. Misidentification of a ‘.brd’ file can cause the extraction service to fail. The Allegro ‘brd’ file is
a binary file, typically > 1Mb in size.
8 | Confidential
Mentor PADS
Description: Formerly PADS, now owned by Mentor. Should not be confused with other Mentor tools (Boardstation,
Expedition).
What to do with Native File: Copy to a local directory location for use by Valor (i.e. vtemp directory).
Import Under Valor CAD Description: “Mentor PADS”
What to look For: Native design database is a single file available in two formats – binary(.pcb) and ascii (.asc)
Gerber files typically have extension ‘.pho’ and are accompanied by a matching set of ‘.rep’ aperture list files. Excellon drill and
rout files have ‘.drl’ extension, and a bonus bogus drill location file with ‘.lst’ extension.
How are Files Delivered - (File / Directory Structure will Normally Contain):
File to request: ‘.asc’ file.
This is prepared by the customer in PowerPCB following the procedure:
File->Export->(ASCII Output Dialog)->
Choose ‘Select All’
Check ‘Include Lib Attributes’
->OK
Note: Films setup should be performed prior to export. This procedure is known as ‘Define CAM Documents’ and is regular
practice to prepare gerber output.
Request: Please ensure copper pour process has been performed to avoid ambiguity in the data. Some PowerPCB users bypass
this stage in the design as it may involve manual verification.
9 | Confidential
Mentor Boardstation
Description: The ‘original’ Mentor layout tool. Native format is a large directory structure known to the user as the ‘job
container’. It may contain many hundreds of files, including exported gerber and drill.
What to do with Native Files: Copy to a local directory location for use by Valor ( i.e. vtemp directory ).
Import Under Valor CAD Description: “Mentor Boardstation ”
What to look For: Gerber files are exported following a standard but unintuitive naming convention of ‘artwork_1’, ‘artwork_2’
etc… but many customers will have some post-process that renames these to a custom convention and adds an extension like
‘.gbx’. Gerber files may be accompanied by an aperture table called ‘aperture_table_report’.
How are Files Delivered - (File / Directory Structure will Normally Contain):
File to request: Valor requires a small subset of files from the container – it may be easier to ask for the whole container, which
is traditionally shared by Unix tar/compress with a ‘.tar.Z’ extension. Be warned the file will be BIG and although it may be
opened with Winzip, the directory structure is lost.
neutral_file *
geoms_ascii *
traces.traces_nn *
tech.tech_nn +
layers.layers_nn +
aperture_table.apertt_nn drill_table.drillt_nn -
pins.pins_nn variants.variants_nn
gates.gates_nn -
* Required
+ Desireable
- Optional
….where nn represents the latest revision number. The Mentor user will be familiar with the convention.
Notes: Neutral file should be saved with all options turned ON except Panel Information, and geoms_ascii saved at the same
time to ensure synchronization. Files should not be re-named.
10 | Confidential
Mentor Expedition
Description: Formerly Veribest, acquired by Mentor and re-named Expedition.
What to look For: Gerber files do not follow a regular naming convention and should be examined individually for a clue as to
source.
How are Files Delivered - (File / Directory Structure will Normally Contain): ODB++ (.tgz or .zip)
Import Under Valor CAD Description: “ODB++”
11 | Confidential
Altium DXP / Protel / PCAD
Description: The Altium Protel and PCAD applications have been merged into a single application now called DXP (Design
Explorer).
Import Under Valor CAD Description: “Altium Designer”
What to look For: Gerber files follow a naming convention whereby the extension is indicative of their purpose – eg ‘.tmk’ = top
soldermask, ‘.top’ is top copper. Excellon drill file extension ‘.drl’.
How are Files Delivered - (File / Directory Structure will Normally Contain):
Note: The naming convention includes a ‘.BRD’ (see Cadence Allegro) file which is the board outline in gerber format. It is
typically much smaller than an Allegro .brd file. If placed on the extraction service server it will cause the service to fail.
Files to request: The ASCII version of the ‘ascii.pcbdoc’ file which is simply exported from the File->Save As menu. The native
format is binary ‘.pcbdoc’, which cannot be used.
12 | Confidential
Zuken Visula and Cadstar
Description: Two distinct tools formerly known as Redac before acquisition by Visula.
What to look For: Native format is a large directory structure which is not of use to Jabil. Gerber files typically have ‘.spl’
extension, and are accompanied by matching ‘.rep’ aperture lists. Otherwise follows no regular naming convention though
examination of the files in a text editor will give clues as to origin.
How are Files Delivered - (File / Directory Structure will Normally Contain): filename.paf
Import Under Valor CAD Description: “Zuken Visula”
File to request: File to request: Cadif file, also known is ‘paf’ file.
Note: ODB++ is also an alternative export format.
13 | Confidential
Cadence ORCAD
Description:
What to look For: The native files we can use directly are ‘.MAX’ and ‘.MIN’. Gerber files follow no particular convention except
for the extensions as described for Altium tools above. Formerly ORCAD, acquired by Cadence and not to be confused with
Allegro.
How are Files Delivered - (File / Directory Structure will Normally Contain): Files .MAX and/or .MIN
Import Under Valor CAD Description: “Cadence ORCAD-Layout”
File to request: .Max and/or .Min.
Notes: Close examination of many complete customer datasets may reveal mention of Orcad in miscellaneous files. This does
not necessarily indicate the layout tool is Orcad – their schematic capture tool is one used widely in conjunction with other
layout software.
14 | Confidential
ODB ++
Description: Native Valor / Mentor format.
What to look For: .tgz or .zip File Extension
How are Files Delivered - (File / Directory Structure will Normally Contain): .tgz or .zip Files
Import Under Valor CAD Description: “ODB++”
File to request: ODB++ Database
15 | Confidential
Appendix A ( Cadence Allegro Extract Paths )
Americas/Europe:
Asia:
\\alfjtscfgm01\allegroprocess\username
\\corvalor04\process\username
16 | Confidential
Native CAD Application Requirements
17 | Confidential
Native CAD Files
CAD Vendor
CAD Tool
Versions
Files
Cadence
Allegro
14+ only
.BRD
Mentor Graphics
Power PCB 2000-2007/PCB/Perform
All
.ASC
Calay
Calay, Prism, SPECTRA
V03, V04
.PCB
ComputerVison
Theda Autoboard
2-3.1
.TL
Harris
SCICARDS
23-28
.ASCII, .DAT
Mentor Graphics
BoardStation
7,8
Neutral File (full minus panel option)
Geoms_ASCII
PINS.PINS
Traces.Traces
Tech.Tech
Layers.Layers
Aperture_Table.Apertt
Drill_Table.DRL
Variants.Variants (optional)
18 | Confidential
Native CAD Files
CAD Vendor
19 | Confidential
CAD Tool
Versions
Files
Cadence
OrCAD
386+ (V035)
.MIN,.MAX
Altium
P-CAD
3+
ASCII, .PCB or PDIF (not preferred)
Altium
Protel
3+
ASCII, .PCB
Altium
DXP Design Expert
3+
ASCII, .PCBDOC
Tango
Tango
Series II
.PCB
Zuken
Redac Cadstar
up to 7
.PAF (CADIF File)
Zuken
Visula
up to 7
.PAF (CADIF File)
Zuken
BD
All
.PCF & .PNF (ASCII extracts)
Valor
ODB++
All
.TGZ, .ZIP
Mentor Graphics
Expedition
All
.ODB++ (.TGZ or .ZIP), Gencad
Intercept Technology
Pantheon
<7
Gencad + Gerber + Drill +IPC D-35x
Netlist
Intercept Technology
Pantheon
7+
.ODB++ (.TGZ or .ZIP), Gencad
Native CAD Files
CAD Vendor
CAD Tool
Versions
Files
PTC
CREO/Pro-E
All
Native Files or Standard Exchange
Formats (STEP, IGES, etc.)
SolidWorks
SolidWorks
All
Native Files or Standard Exchange
Formats (STEP, IGES, etc.)
Dassault Systems
Catia
All
IronCAD
IronCAD
All
AutoDesk
AutoCAD 2D & 3D
All
Standard Exchange Formats (STEP,
IGES, etc.)
Standard Exchange Formats (STEP,
IGES, etc.)
Native Files or Standard Exchange
Formats (STEP, IGES, .Dxf)
Note: Some CAD tools ie Unicam can export only gerber files. In this case or related please include the IPC Netlist and machine readable ASCII component
placement files. If in doubt ask your Valor SME or application programmer.
Note: Pantheon offers the option to export in Mentor format similar to Boardstation (neutral_file, geoms etc.). However, these files are not compliant with that
standard format and will be problematic and possibly unusable.
20 | Confidential
Thank You
Topic:
Audience:
Summary:
Author:
Update:
Revision:
CAD and Gerber Identification.
Data Receivers From Customers.
Provide Basic ECAD File Recognition for Users.
Global DFx Group
9/24/14
1