DXF/DWG Translator

The DXF/DWG translator enables you to convert ADS designs into AutoCAD's DXF/DWG file format, as well as convert DXF/DWG files into ADS designs. DXF is a very simple file format that can be read by most CAD programs that support DXF. The DXF/DWG translator is bidirectional and provides support for hierarchical and all layer separation.

DWG is a binary format, therefore the files take less time to load and save. Advanced Design System supports importing and exporting to/from AutoCAD. AutoCAD versions 12 to 2007 are supported for import. AutoCad versions 2000, 2004 and 2007 are supported for export. Carefully consider how you want to use DXF/DWG output - including layer numbering, use of holes, and polygon shapes - before beginning your layout design. Setting up the proper layout rules in ADS can save a lot of time in generating acceptable DXF/DWG output. For specific considerations or limitations, consult your AutoCAD documentation.

Note: Password protected DWG files are not supported.

ADS includes an editor that can display the DXF/DWG design. Using the editor, you can compare the DXF/DWG files to the original ADS layout design to verify that the design was exported correctly. Similarly, DXF/DWG files can be previewed prior to import into ADS:

• to edit a large design down to a smaller design prior to importing it into ADS. This edited design can be saved and then imported in ADS.
• or after import, to verify that the DXF/DWG design data and the ADS-imported design appear similar.

For details, see Using the Pre-Production Editor.

Importing DXF/DWG Files to ADS

The procedure for importing each format is generally the same, however the available options differ. For a step-by-step tutorial on importing a layout file, refer to Importing a Layout. For specific import options related to importing DXF/DWG files, refer to Import DXF/DWG Options. For information on mapping DXF/DWG entities to ADS layout components, refer to Mapping DXF to ADS.

Import DXF/DWG Options

This section describes the definable options available for importing files in the DXF/DWG format. To view the options, click File > Import > DXF/DWG > More Options.

The Import DXF/DWG Options dialog enables you to specify flattening, units, and layers to control the import of DXF/DWG format files. A DXF/DWG file must be selected in the main export dialog for the Import DXF/DWG Options dialog to open.

Options

Flatten hierarchy

Select Flatten hierarchy to remove any hierarchy that may be present in the DXF/DWG selected. Default setting retains the hierarchy.

Note: If you select a DXF/DWG that contains more than 50 component designs this option gets automatically enabled. This is to avoid long import times.

Units

Older versions of the DXF file format may not specify units. If no Units were specified in the input DXF file, this option is enabled. Default setting is mil.

Layers

The Layers tab displays a list all the layers in DXF/DWG file. Layers can be selectively imported to ADS using the import column. By default all layers are imported.

Mapping DXF to ADS

The following table represents the mapping of DXF/DWG file shapes ADS shapes.

Mapping DXF File Shapes to ADS File Shapes

DXF/DWG	ADS Layout Equivalent
Line with width = 0	Polyline
Line with width > 0	Path
Polygon with width = 0	Polygon
Polygon with width > 0	Polygon with cutline
Rectangle with width = 0	Rectangle
Rectangle with width > 0	Polygon with cutline
Circle with width = 0	Circle
Circle with width > 0	Polygon with cutline
Arc with width = 0	Arc
Arc with width > 0	Polygon

Exporting an ADS Design to DXF/DWG Files

To export DXF/DWG files:

1. Follow the steps as outlined in Exporting a Layout. For available options (accessed via More Options in the Export dialog box), see Export DXF/DWG Options.
2. After clicking OK in the Export dialog box, the translator converts your ADS Layout to DXF format.

Once in DXF/DWG file format, the file is available for use in AutoCAD or other Mechanical CAD systems.

Export DXF/DWG Options

The Export DXF/DWG Options dialog box enables you to set file format, Autocad version, path geometry, and hole format.

Options

The Options tab enables you to select various design attributes and AutoCad File Formats in the translation.

File format

DXF (Text)

Select this option to export the ADS design to DXF format as an ASCII text file. This selection is the default settling.

DWG

Select this option to export your ADS design to a binary DWG file format. Exporting to DWG file format is faster than the DXF (Text) format. Also file size of the DWG file will be smaller as compared to corresponding DXF (Text) file.

Autocad version

Use this drop-down list to select the AutoCad version. ADS layout can be exported in three AutoCad versions: 2000, 2004, and 2007.

Paths as polygons

Select Paths As Polygons to export the design paths or traces as polygons. Paths or traces have mitered or curved corners that need to be preserved in the translation. The ADS layout has paths with endpoint types other than flush that need to be preserved in the program database. This option is selected as the default.

Hole format

The Hole format section enables you to define how the translator deals with holes in a design.

Holes as polygons

Select Holes As polygons to convert holes into polygons. One polygon will be created for each hole in the same layer.

Note Some systems may not be able to tolerate complex polygons with cutlines. For these systems, select Holes as polygons. This option is deselected as the default.

Holes as cutlines

Select Holes as cutlines to convert holes into cutlines. This option is selected as the default.

Layers

The Export column enables you to deselect one or more layers to exclude it from the output file. Default setting is all layers selected and exported.

Mapping ADS to DXF (hierarchical)

The DXF file created by the DXF/DWG translator is as simple as possible so that many DXF parsers, even primitive ones, can read the file. The DXF translator performs the following mapping between ADS Entity and DXF files.

Hierarchical DXF Output

ADS Entity	DXF Entity
Polygon	closed LWPOLYLINE
polyline	open LWPOLYLINE
path	open LWPOLYLINE with width
path with PathAsPolygons	closed LWPOLYLINE
wire	open LWPOLYLINE
circle	circle
text	text
rectangle	closed LWPOLYLINE
arc	arc