Learning Forum

[mmuk]

When using PCB Editor, I export my PCB design as IPC2581, following the online tutorial. But sometimes (not always!) when I import this to Ansys, I get just two empty circles (looks like a 2-pin header footprint without the edge box), and nothing else. Does anyone know why this happens? Is it an issue with the exporting from OrCAD or the importing to Ansys?

[Dan Dvorscak]

It can be hard to say exactly why the import fails. If you try and open the IPC2581 file in question in another tool such as one of the free viewers, are they able to open a visualize the geometry correctly?
I think the general guidelines when exporting IPC2581 out of the PCB editor are use the options:
IPCÔÇô2581 = Revision B
Functional Mode = USERDEF
Select All Check Boxes Except: Export Cross Section Data Only
I've also seen cases where the fix for issues like this is to update to the latest hotfix of PCB Editor.