IGES Translator
IGES (Initial Graphics Exchange Specification) is a neutral graphics database format designed primarily for data exchange between mechanical CAD systems. The IGES file format links mechanical CAD systems to Advanced Design System. Two-dimensional geometry can be used to interchange layout or package outline information.
The Advanced Design System IGES translator can either create or read an IGES ASCII form file. The basic input requirements for the translator are the file to be translated and the configuration message file. The output is the translated file.
The IGES translator can be run via the layout window menu commands File > Import and File > Export.
The IGES format can represent both mechanical and electrical design data in two and three dimensions.
For IGES output, it is important to consider the limitations and capabilities of the intended receiving system. IGES is a very general language. Many IGES translators understand only a sub-set of IGES entities. If the receiving system is CALS Level 1 compliant, there should be no problem. If it is not, before you begin layout carefully review the types of entities the receiving system is able to accept and what options are available in the layout output translator. The translator is extremely configurable, but may still be unable to output every entity in a form acceptable to another system.
Translator Description
The Advanced Design System's IGES output is compatible with IGES versions 4.0 and 5.0. The output is CALS Level 1 compliant. However, because many IGES pre-processors accept different types of IGES files, the translator is designed to be highly configurable through the use of the Import and Export Options dialog boxes. For more information on the options provided in these dialog boxes, see the sections Import IGES Options and Export IGES Options later in this chapter.
Importing IGES Files
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 IGES Files, refer to Import IGES Options.
Import IGES Options
Precision
This value should be the same as the precision with which the drawing file was created. A warning is generated if the precision is less than the drawing file precision. Possible values are 0, −1, −2, −3, −4, or −5. The default is −3.
Define Layers
The Define Layers button invokes the Layer Editor. For Layer Editor options, see Defining Layers.
Note that the layer-to-IGES level number is controlled in the Layer Editor IGES Layer entry field for each program layer.
Exporting IGES Files
The procedure for exporting each format is generally the same, however the available options differ. For a step-by-step tutorial on exporting a layout file, refer to Exporting a Layout. For specific export options related to exporting IGES Files, refer to Export IGES Options.
Export IGES Options
IGES Extension
If you do not specify an output file name when exporting the file, the program takes the input file name and appends this extension to create the output file name. The default extension is igs , but any three character string can be used.
Units
These are the units that the IGES file will be written in. You may select from the following options: same, mil, inch, um, mm, cm. The default is same. When same is selected, the design is written in the same units that are stored in the design file. For more information on choosing layout units, refer to Setting Units/Scale Factors in the Customization and Configuration manual.
Exponent Character
For case sensitive post processors, this option enables you to specify either upper-case (E) or lower-case (e) exponents. The default is E, or upper-case.
Author
Your name. This is written into the Global Section (the first three lines of the IGES file) and is not required.
Define Layers
The Define Layers button invokes the Layer Editor. For Layer Editor options, see Defining Layers.
Addnl. Scale Factor
If this value is other than 1.0, the output coordinates are multiplied by that value. The default is 1.0. You may enter any integer or double precision float number.
Precision
This value should be the same as the precision with which the drawing file was created. A warning is generated if the precision is less than the drawing file precision. Possible values are 0, −1, −2, −3, −4, or −5. The default is −2.
Organization
Name of your company or organization. This is written into the Global Section (the first three lines of the IGES file) and is not required.
Create Top
When selected, this adds a Substructure Instance Entity to the IGES file at the top level of hierarchy. Create Top is selected as the default.
Include Fill
This is selected as the default. However, not all post-processors support fill patterns. To eliminate fill patterns in filled polygons, deselect this item.
Include Text
This is selected as the default. However, not all post-processors support text. When this option is deselected, text is eliminated from the IGES file.
Holes As Polygons
This is selected as the default. However, not all post-processors support holes in polygons. When Holes As Polygons is deselected, polygons are written with false edges.
Flatten
When Flatten is selected, all levels of hierarchy are automatically removed and a single flat design is translated. There will be no references from the top level structure to any other structure. This option is useful when your post-processor does not support or correctly translate hierarchy in IGES files. Please note: if a substructure was instanced more than once, selecting this option increases the size of the file.
This option is deselected as the default.
Reverse Arcs
When selected, the program writes all arc− as arc+ by interchanging the start and end points. This forces polygons to be written as line segments. This option is deselected as the default.
Conv Arc to Lines
When selected, the program translates an arc into of line segments. You should select this option if your post-processor places random arcs on a drawing. This option is deselected as the default.
Polygons As Open Polylines
When selected, closed polygons are written as open contours. This retains arcs in outline form. This option is deselected as the default.
Polygons As Segments
When selected, all copious data entities are changed to composite curve entities. Arcs are retained in outline form. This is useful for post-processors that cannot read IGES solids. However, when this option is selected, the size of the output file greatly increases because each line segment is written on a separate line, and each coordinate that is a vertex gets written twice. Also, knowledge of segments belonging to a polygon is not retained.
This option is deselected as the default.
Explicitly Define Defaults
If your post-processor complains because there are blanks in the Directory Entry Section fields, or that the parameter and record delimiters are not specified, select this option. Otherwise, Explicitly Define Defaults is deselected as the default.
ZeroFillSequenceNumbers
If your post-processor complains because the sequence numbers do not have zero fill, select this option. Otherwise, ZeroFillSequenceNumbers is deselected as the default.
ZeroFillTerminateSection
If your post-processor complains because the terminate section has zero fill, deselect this option. Otherwise, ZeroFillTerminateSection is selected as the default.
Name Properties
When selected, all Name Properties are preserved and exported with the IGES file. This option is deselected as the default.
Overcoming Limitations of Other IGES Readers
Privacy
Statement 
|
Terms of Use |
Legal |
Contact Us |
© Agilent 2000-2008
