Help with Allegro-Altium PCB conversion

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rive
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Pcb
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges of converting an Allegro .brd file to a format compatible with Altium. Participants explore various methods and tools for achieving this conversion, including the use of viewers, Orcad Lite, and reverse engineering techniques. The conversation touches on both practical solutions and the limitations of available software.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks assistance with converting an Allegro .brd file to Altium format without having Allegro installed.
  • Another participant suggests using a free viewer, although it is noted that such viewers typically do not allow for conversion or saving files.
  • A different participant mentions that Orcad Lite includes a file conversion tool called "extracta.exe," which should be accessible to Altium.
  • One participant reports encountering an error during the import process in Altium, despite the import starting successfully.
  • Another participant shares their experience with reverse engineering boards using Altium's CAM tool and inquires about the availability of Gerber or ODB++ files, noting that .brd files may not be compatible.
  • One participant clarifies that their main issue is related to high voltage clearance design rules in Altium, expressing a preference for importing an existing design rather than recreating it manually.
  • Another participant suggests that obtaining Gerber or ODB++ files could facilitate reverse engineering into an editable Altium file, which would allow for necessary modifications without default net naming issues.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various methods for converting files and share personal experiences, but there is no consensus on a definitive solution. Multiple competing views and approaches remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention limitations related to software compatibility and the specific requirements for successful file conversion. There are also references to potential issues with design rule checks in Altium that may affect the conversion process.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for PCB designers and engineers who are working with Allegro and Altium software, particularly those facing challenges in file conversion and design rule compliance.

Rive
Science Advisor
Messages
3,374
Reaction score
2,929
TL;DR
I have an Allegro .brd file as design reference, but I need something Altium-compatible instead
I have an Allegro .brd file as design reference, but I need something Altium-compatible instead. Altium can import .brd only in case there is Allegro installed on the same PC, what I don't have.

Is there anybody who can help me with this?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Thanks, I'll check.
Usually this kind of 'viewer' does not allow conversion or save, though...
 
Thanks.

Tried it both way, and Altium likely finds the required file since the import starts, but then Altium throws an error.

I'll try to get a PC with a clean install or with a different version...
 
I've reverse engineered boards from the CAM tool that's built into Altium. Do you have Gerber or ODB++ for it? I cannot remember if it works with .brd

I know it has a warning for being outdated, but I also know I have done this on later version of Altium than it has claimed. The images are outdated, but the procedures are the same: https://techdocs.altium.com/display/ADOH/CAM+Editor+Reverse+Engineering+PCBs

Something that stops a lot of people while doing it is they forget to assign all the layers ie. Top Layer, Bottom layer, Internal Layer... default from Import is Temporary and when you try to extract nets for it... you'll see it load, but nothing seems to happens.
 
Joshy said:
I've reverse engineered boards from the CAM tool that's built into Altium. Do you have Gerber or ODB++ for it? I cannot remember if it works with .brd
It does not work, but actually the problem is not like that (not about reverse engineering). The 'thing' is a well documented reference design, so I have the item in my hands, the complete BOM, the schematics and even a screenshot ( :doh: ) about the PCB design (embedded in a protected PDF document, so I could make a screenshot only :doh::doh:).
The main problem is, that we have some persistent and annoying problems with high voltage clearance design rules in the Altium version we have, so I just do not trust it. I would prefer to import an existing design instead of re-doing it manually.
Seems like it was a futile attempt. This software just hates me😝
 
Last edited:
If you could get Gerber or ODB++ then you could reverse engineer it into an editable Altium file and make the changes you want; furthermore if you can export ipc nets then you won’t have funky default net names.
 

Similar threads

How can I learn to use Cadence for PCB design?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
What are some best options for PCB design software?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Help With Shrinking a Circuit/Making it Fit Into a Tight Space
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
3K
Expert PCB Design Services for Small Business Start Up in 2012
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Pass current to "burn" stray vias?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
1K
Connecting extra IPs on a server
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Can I Modify My Printer PCB Board to Run Multiple Stepper Motors?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
Op-amp compensation of cascade fudges audio signal oddly
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Help Requested: Reverse Engineering PCB Layout to Circuit Design
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K
How Can Effective ESD Charge Routing Be Achieved in PCB Design?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K