Issue link: https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/i/1180284
Electrical Design, Mechanical Design Incremental Data Exchange in Allegro PCB Editor October 2019 11 Product Version 17.4-2019 © 1999-2019 All Rights Reserved. Allegro to MCAD with Allegro Baseline Initiation This process involves placement of key components in PCB Editor (with assigned reference designators), followed by creation of baseline IDX file from Allegro PCB Editor. This file is then passed to MCAD for import. Changes made by the MCAD designer are passed as incremental IDX file, exported from MCAD tool to the Allegro PCB Editor. Recommended Flow Steps Allegro initiation This section describes the preferred flow for establishing the first steps in defining a baseline with Allegro as the initiator. This flow also assumes that board outline, restricted areas, mounting holes and components locations are to be defined. 1. The PCB designer creates the initial board in Allegro PCB Editor with following items: a. Board outline – the physical board outline with routed cut-outs. b. Mounting holes – Drill holes such a mounting and tooling-holes not associated with any physical part that will be placed by the ECAD tool. c. Component boundary areas – One component keep-in area (usually an area within the bounds of the board outline but may extend beyond the board outline). multiple package keep out areas where component placement and height restrictions may apply for top, bottom and all layers may be defined. External layers apply only, any internal layer definition may be ignored or converted to "ALL" in the MCAD tool. d. Conductor boundary Areas – Only one conductor keep in area (ROUTE_KEEPIN) may be defined. Various conductor keep out (ROUTE_KEEPOUT) areas where placement of conductor material is not allowed may be defined. Restrictions may apply for top, bottom and all layers. External layers apply only; any internal layer definition may be ignored or converted to "ALL" in the MCAD tool. e. Via Keep out Area – Areas where via locations are restricted. Restrictions may apply for top, bottom and all layers. External layers apply only; any internal layer definition may be ignored or converted to "ALL" in the MCAD tool. f. Key components may be placed at this time. 2. The Allegro designer exports an IDX baseline. The newly generated baseline is passed to the MCAD Designer. 3. The MCAD designer imports the IDX as a baseline.