FileImportODB

Applied Parameters: None

Summary

This command is used to import ODB++ data into the current document.

Access

This command can be accessed from the CAMtastic Editor by:

• Choosing the File » Import » ODB++ command from the main menus.
• Clicking the  button, on the Import/Export Tools drop-down () of the Utilities toolbar.

Use

After launching the command, the Choose Directory dialog will appear. Use the dialog to browse to, and select, the ODB++ root folder.

After selecting the required ODB++ folder and clicking OK, the Steps Table dialog will appear. This dialog lists all of the defined steps that currently exist and gives an object count for each. Click OK - the ODB++ data will be imported into the current document. The currently defined steps will appear on the Steps tab of the CAMtastic panel.

Tips

1. ODB++ data can only be imported into a new, blank CAM document. If data already exists in the current CAM document - from a prior Gerber, or ODB++ import - a dialog will appear alerting you to this fact and you will be prompted to import into a new CAM document.
2. The ODB++ format uses a standard file system structure. A job in ODB++ is represented by a self standing directory tree, which means the job tree can be transferred between computer systems without loss of data. All files in ODB++ are readable ASCII files.
3. A database job is a single folder, composed of the following sub-folders: fonts, input, matrix, misc, steps, symbols, and user.
4. The steps folder contains a collection of layers - physical board layers, mask layers, NC drill, etc, and a collection of netlists.
5. The symbols folder has single layer graphic entities which can be referenced from within any graphical layer in a step.
6. The matrix folder has definitions of the physical order of the layers, and the relation of drill layers (through, blind, buried etc).