Method and procedure for converting Protel package library to allegro

From: http://www.elecfans.com/article/80/108/2009/2009041549928.html

 

If we use Protel for PCB design for a long time, we will always accumulate a huge Protel package library that has been tested in practice. It is always a headache to retain this package library when the design platform is switched. Here, we will use orcad layout and layout2allegro to complete this task. Step )~ I ):

A)Encapsulate and place the PCB in Protel (all the ones to be converted can be placed at a time) into an empty PCB, export the PCB file in the format of protel pcb 2.8 ASCII (export );

B)Use orcad layout to import the Protel PCB 2.8 ASCII file and save it (. max );

C)Use layout2allegro to convert the generated layout. Max file to the. BRD file of Allegro;

D)Generated in Allegro. open the BRD file and select Tools> padstack> modify design padstack from the top menu. the name and quantity of the current pad will be displayed on the options tab (increase one by one from 24.pad ). Click Edit to activate padstack designer to edit the selected. pad.

E)For Table pad, first check the layers tab and check whether the pad already exists in the database or can be used in the database. pad replacement (the difference can be considered within 1/10), if not:
① On the parameters tab, the type option is changed from "Blind/buried" to "single item ";
② Unit: Select mils for units, and enter 0 for decimal places, indicating that the unit is mil, and there is no decimal place after the decimal point, that is, an integer;
③ On the layers tab, delete top ~ All bottom layers except the default internal layer; adjust the top-layer regular pad, thermal Relief (6mil larger than regular pad), and Anti pad (6mil larger than regular pad ); soldermask_top layer regular pad (6mil larger than top layer regular pad); pastemask_top layer regular pad (same as top layer regular pad), confirm that the data of other unused layers is "null "; (For table pad, you only need to set the top, soldermask_top, and pastermask_top layers)
④ Save the new pad according to the naming format of the. pad file and store it in the path identified by Allegro set in the environment variable;
⑤ Select Tools> padstack> Replace in the top menu and click the pad you just modified. The old option on the options tab displays the pad name that has not been changed; click the button next to the new option, select the new pad, and click the replace button below to update the new pad.

For a pass-through pad, first check the layers tab and check whether the pad already exists in the library or can be used in the library. pad replacement (the difference can be considered within 1/10), if not:
① Confirm that the type option on the parameters tab is "through" (or "Blind/buried" depending on the design needs );
② Unit: Select mils for units, and enter 0 for decimal places, indicating that the unit is mil, and there is no decimal place after the decimal point, that is, an integer;
③ On the layers tab, delete top ~ All bottom layers except the default internal layer; adjust the regular pad, thermal Relief (10 mil larger than the regular pad), and Anti pad (10 mil larger than the regular pad) at the top layer ); copy the top layer information and copy to all to set the top, default internal, and bottom layers. Adjust the regular pad of the soldermask_top layer (6mil larger than the top layer regular pad) and copy it to the soldermask_bottom layer. (pastermask_top layer is not required for the over-hole pad)
④ Save the new pad according to the naming format of the. pad file and store it in the path identified by Allegro set in the environment variable;
⑤ Select Tools> padstack> Replace in the top menu and click the pad you just modified. The old option on the options tab displays the pad name that has not been changed; click the button next to the new option,
Select a new pad and click the replace button below to update the pad.

F)Replace all pads as described in (e) above;
Note: Each time Allegro generates a library file, its. pad file names start from 24.pad in sequence.