Interfacing to Other Design Tools
Altium's design software is probably just one of many engineering design environments that you work with, or need to interface to.
Perhaps you need to interface to another design and analysis platform to perform a power simulation, or perhaps you need to import an older design that was developed in another design environment. Whatever the reason, it's likely that one day you'll need to be able to interface to another design tool.
Performing an Import or Export
Interfacing to another design environment is all about transferring design data. That can either be done by reading/writing the design data from/to a different file format, or directly transferring data via software API's.
Import actions are performed via the File » Import command. Also, many of the importers can be accessed via the Import Wizard. Using the Wizard allows related files, such as design files and their libraries, to be batch imported.
Export outputs can be created by adding the required outputs in an Outputjob file (in the Export Outputs section) followed by generating the outputs from the file or as part of the Project Release process. Alternatively, export actions are performed via the File » Export menu, in the appropriate editor.
Interfacing to EDA Design Tools
The table below summarizes EDA design tools and their file formats supported for import to and/or export from Altium NEXUS.
| Name | Supported Formats | Learn More |
|---|---|---|
| Protel® / Altium |
Import Export |
|
| P-CAD® |
Import Export |
Altium Design Software Import-Export Support - P-CAD Design Files Import-Export Support |
| Autodesk® EAGLE™ | Import (XML format, up to version 9.4) EAGLE Schematic (*.sch) EAGLE PCB (*.brd) EAGLE Library (*.lbr) |
|
| Cadence® Allegro® | Import (requires Allegro, check the Import Prerequisites) Allegro binary PCB (*.brd) Allegro ASCII PCB (*.alg) Allegro Footprint (*.dra) |
|
| Cadence® OrCAD® |
Import (up to OrCAD version 17.2) OrCAD PCB Editor (*.brd) (requires the Allegro importer) |
|
| KiCad® |
Import |
|
| LTSpice® | Import LTSpice ASC Files (*.asc) LTSpice ASY Files (*.asy) |
|
| Mentor Graphics® DxDesigner® | Import (up to VX2.x) DxDesigner Designs and Libraries |
|
| Mentor Graphics® Expedition® | Import (up to VX2.x) Expedition files (*.pcb, *.lib) |
|
| Mentor Graphics® PADS® |
Import (up to VX2.x) Export |
|
| Mentor Graphics® xDxDesigner® | Import (up to EE7.9.4) xDxDesigner Designs (*.prj) and Libraries |
|
| Zuken® CADSTAR® | Import (up to 2018 version) CADSTAR Schematic Archive (*.csa) CADSTAR PCB Archive (*.cpa) CADSTAR Part Library (*.lib) |
|
| Zuken® CR-5000® | Import Zuken CR-5000 PCF Files (*.pcf) Zuken CR-5000 FTF Files (*.ftf) Zuken CR-5000 EDS Files (*.eds) Zuken CR-5000 EDF Files (*.edf) Zuken CR-5000 LAF Files (*.laf) Zuken CR-5000 SMB Files (*.smb) Zuken CR-5000 PRF Files (*.prf) Zuken CR-5000 CDFLAF Files (*.cdf) |
Interfacing to Other Design Tools
Altium NEXUS can also interface to other design tools (MCADs, CAEs, etc.), for example, using neutral file formats. The table below summarizes other file formats supported for import to and/or export from Altium NEXUS.
| Name | Supported Formats | Learn More |
|---|---|---|
| Ansoft™ | Export (up to version 4.0) Ansoft™/ANSYS ® Neutral files (*.anf) |
|
| Ansys® | Export EDB files (*.def) |
|
| AutoCAD® | Import/Export (up to version 2018) DXF files (*.dxf) DWG files (*.dwg) |
|
| HyperLynx™ | Export HyperLynx files (*.hyp) |
|
| IDF | Import/Export IDF Board files (*.brd, *.bdf, *.idb, *.enm, *.idf) |
Mechanical Data Import-Export Support - IDF Files Import-Export Support |
| IDX | Import/Export Incremental Design Exchange format files (*.idx) |
Mechanical Data Import-Export Support - IDX Files Import-Export Support |
| Parasolid |
Import Export |
Mechanical Data Import-Export Support - Parasolid Files Import-Export Support |
| SiSoft™ Quantum-SI™ | Export Comma-Separated Values files (*.csv) |
|
| SolidWorks® | Import SolidWorks Part files (*.sldprt) |
Mechanical Data Import-Export Support - SolidWorks Part Files Import Support |
| Specctra® |
Import Export |
|
| STEP | Import/Export STEP format files (*.step, *.stp) |
Mechanical Data Import-Export Support - STEP Files Import-Export Support |
| VRML | Export VRML files (*.wrl) |
Mechanical Data Import-Export Support - VRML Files Export Support |
Getting Help
If you're reading this page because you're new to designing with Altium software, here are some tips to help you get started:
- If you're moving from another design environment, you can start exploring the software here, or dive straight into the start-to-finish introductory tutorial.
- Use the resources available in this documentation space (www.altium.com/documentation), where you can either search via the search icon, or browse using the navigation tree on the left.
- Whatever type of document you are editing, you can press F1 over an object, editor, panel, menu entry or button to access reference information about that item.
- Press Shift+F1 while running a command, for a list of shortcuts you can use in that command.
- Explore the Altium Academy Youtube channel, an online experience created to bring modern education to PCB Designers and Engineers globally. Learn directly from professionals and industry experts as they share their knowledge covering basic PCB design principles, advanced engineering topics, and everything in-between.
- Attend a webinar or another of Altium's learning events.
- Join a discussion forum, where you can share with and learn from your industry peers.
search icon