To Import Components Into an Assembly

Use this procedure to import ECAD components after the PCB outline has been imported or created and opened as the base part of an assembly.

1. In an open assembly, click Model > Get Data >

Import. The Open dialog box opens.

2. Select ECAD IDF (*.emn) as the required package from the Type list, and choose the ECAD file that you want to import from the list of available files.

3. Click Open. The ECAD Input – Assembly dialog box opens with the following options:

◦ Board Reference Coordinate System—Displays the value of the ecad_board_csys_def_name configuration option.

◦ Component List—If all the components are in session, then the components are listed in the Component List. Component List displays the following information:

▪ Insert—Displays the insert status of the listed component. You can change the insert status of the component to Yes or No.

▪ Component Name—Lists the component name.

▪ Ref. Des.—Lists the unique designation of each component in the ECAD assembly. If one component is assembled multiple times, then each instance of the assembled component has a different reference designator.

▪ Get From—Shows whether the component is a new component or is present in the session or the search path. If the component is present in the session or the search path, the Get From list displays the status as Exist. If the component is a new component, then the Get From list displays the status as New.

▪ Coordinate System—In case of a new component, the default coordinate system that cannot be changed is used. When you create a new component, Either the default coordinate system or the one specified by the ecad_comp_csys_def_name configuration option is used.

◦ Other Outlines List—Component Name lists the other outlines.

Select the required other outline and change its Insert status to Yes or No as required. You can import the .OTHER_OUTLINE sections from the IDF file only. Other outlines are volumes representing non-electrical items that would not have reference designators.

◦ Library File for New Components—If required, select a library file by clicking Browse and selecting the required file. Library File for New Components is not available if all components are in session or in the search path.

◦ Investigate Placement—Imports placements in Investigate mode. This option lets you selectively accept or reject the placements of new or changed components.

◦ Investigate Geometry—You must click Investigate Placement to use the option Investigate Geometry.

◦ Use Default Template—Click Use Default Template to use the default template for importing the components into the assembly. Use Default Template is not available if all the components that are being imported into the assembly are present in the session or the search path.

◦ Open log window—Click Open Log Window for more information on the import operation.

4. Click OK. The Open dialog box opens. The Type box displays a list of library formats for the ECAD file that you are importing. Select the required library format.

The Open dialog box opens if the library file is not set in the Library File for New Components collector present in the ECAD Input - Assembly dialog box.

6. If the file you import contains component placement records, use GET COORD S or SEL COORD S to create or select a coordinate system for each component, unless you have specified a default component coordinate system in the configuration file.

If you selected Investigate Placement and Investigate Geometry in the ECAD Input – Assembly dialog box, the Investigate Component dialog box opens and lists all the changed, missing and new components.

Saving the assembly also saves component placement information when both the component outlines and the placement information are present. If only one is present, you must retrieve each component separately and save it later when you retrieve the assembly.

Creo Parametric imports the components. When placement information is imported as well, the components are automatically placed on the board.