4) exporting an idf file with circuitworks

4) Exporting an IDF file with CircuitWorks

CircuitWorks 7 can save SolidWorks assembliesas IDF files that can be read by ECAD systems

This is an example of an assembly created byprocessing an IDF file with CircuitWorks

CircuitWorks 7 can save SolidWorks assembliesas IDF files that can be read by ECAD systems

This is an example of an assembly created byprocessing an IDF file with CircuitWorks

These two components are

in a position that’s going to

cause a problem in our

SolidWorks assembly

The two components are

moved in SolidWorks

We now want to save these changes back out as an IDFfile, so the Electrical Engineers can update their system

We now want to save these changes back out as an IDFfile, so the Electrical Engineers can update their system

To save the assembly, select File

> Save As IDF.. From the

CircuitWorks menu

To save the assembly, select File

> Save As IDF.. From the

CircuitWorks menu

…or click the ‘Save As IDF’ icon

CircuitWorks will display the IDF Export Wizard withtwo Options: Express export or Full export

Express export can be used when the

assembly has been generated by an IDF file and components have been moved

Express export can be used when the

assembly has been generated by an IDF file and components have been moved

Full export allows much more control over the export process. It can

be used when assemblies have been modelled from scratch in SolidWorks, or major

changes have been made

As we’ve only moved two components,Express export has been selected

Express export can be used when the

assembly has been generated by an IDF file and components have been moved

Full export allows much more control over the export process. It can

be used when assemblies have been modelled from scratch in SolidWorks, or major

changes have been made

Click Next > to continue the export process

CircuitWorks prompts for a filename andlocation for the newly created IDF file

Type a filename

Type a filename and click Save

CircuitWorks reports that the filehas been successfully exported

Click ‘Cancel’ to close the

export wizard

CircuitWorks can also write out IDF data when moremajor changes have been made to the board or assembly

Here the sketch profile has been modified,additional holes added and components moved

Click ‘Save As IDF…’ to save the assembly to an IDF file

CircuitWorks displays the export wizard again

CircuitWorks displays the export wizard again

This time full export is selected

Click Next > to continue the export process

The next page of the Export Wizardprompts for board options

The next page of the Export Wizardprompts for board options

Set the file type you would like to export: IDF 2.0 or IDF 3.0

Set the file type you would like to export: IDF 2.0 or IDF 3.0

Set an alternative board thickness if

required

Set the file type you would like to export: IDF 2.0 or IDF 3.0

Set an alternative board thickness if

required

If holes are to be exported, the type and owner of the holes can be set

here

Set the file type you would like to export: IDF 2.0 or IDF 3.0

Set an alternative board thickness if

required

If holes are to be exported, the type and owner of the holes can be set

here

Click Next > to continue the export process

The next page of the Export Wizardprompts for other features to export

The next page of the Export Wizardprompts for other features to export

Select which features to

export from the list

The next page of the Export Wizardprompts for other features to export

If you’re exporting the file in IDF 3.0

format, the owner of the

features can be set here

Click Next > to continue the export process

The final page of the Export Wizardprompts for advanced export options

The final page of the Export Wizardprompts for advanced export options

The name of the exporting system can be set here

The name of the exporting system can be set here

The final page of the Export Wizardprompts for advanced export options

The name of the exporting system can be set here

The name of the exporting system can be set here

Setting this option will display

a dialog on export allowing the user to edit the component

reference designators

The final page of the Export Wizardprompts for advanced export options

The name of the exporting system can be set here

The name of the exporting system can be set here

Setting this option will display

a dialog on export allowing the user to edit the component

reference designators

The other options on this page can be set to tailor

CircuitWorks IDF export for use with specific

ECAD systems

The name of the exporting system can be set here

The name of the exporting system can be set here

Setting this option will display

a dialog on export allowing the user to edit the component

reference designators

Click Next > to start the

export process

The other options on this page can be set to tailor

CircuitWorks IDF export for use with specific

ECAD systems

CircuitWorks will prompt for a filename andlocation for the IDF file

Click Save to save the IDF

file and start the export process

CircuitWorks reports its progress as theboard and components are exported

CircuitWorks will display a message

when export is complete

Click OK to close the Export Wizard

If you want to check your assembly has exported correctly,you can open the newly created IDF file in CircuitWorks

Browse to and open the IDF fileCircuitWorks has just exported

The Import wizard shows the new board outline profile

The exported assembly re-imported into SolidWorks

For more information or to download an evaluation copy of CircuitWorks, visit

www.circuitworks.net or email info@circuitworks.net