IDF Data Adapter (PCB I/F) configuration file for IDF format

Extended modules > PCB > IDF Data Adapter (PCB I/F) configuration file for IDF format

The name of the Creo Elements/Direct Modeling IDF Data Adapter (PCB I/F) configuration file for handling PCB assemblies in IDF format is sdpcb_idf.cfg. This file contains the definitions for IDF-Creo Elements/Direct Modeling data mapping and appearance. This configuration file controls the filtering of int files (describing the board) and pro files (describing the placement and the geometry of each PCB component) during importation and exportation.

The default directory is:

/$INSTALLDIRr/personality/sdpcb

The sdpcb_idf.cfg file includes the following definitions:

• Model Import Mode

• IDF Component Class

• IDF Profile Class

A syntax diagram for the sdpcb_idf.cfg file is provided below.

Model Import Mode

The MODEL-IMPORT-MODE defines the part-naming conventions and the behaviour of a PCB component during import. The default behavior is GEO-MODEL and the other behaviors are PNR-MODEL-LOOK, PNR-MODEL-MAKE, GEO-PNR-MODELLOOK, and GEO-PNR-MODEL-MAKE. For more information and to customize the behavior of the components during import, see the sdpcb_idf.cfg file at <Creo Elements/Direct Modeling installation location>\personality\sdpcb.

IDF component class

The COMPONENT-CLASS defines a component class name, a component type, and an RGB color for each component class. You can replace the predefined component class names by your own component class names. You can change the color of any component class in this file. Also, you can place ;; in front of any line you want to comment out.

A COMPONENT-CLASS definition for PCB assemblies in IDF format has the following format:

COMPONENT-CLASS "<component class name>" <component type>
COLOR <r-value> <g-value> <b-value>
END-CLASS

• The pcb-board component class of type BOARD and the default component class of type PACKAGE are required.

• The BOARD component type is reserved for the printed circuit board itself. The sdpcb_idf.cfg file (or your working copy of this file) must contain exactly one COMPONENT-CLASS of type BOARD.

• All other component classes are optional. All of the optional component classes are of type PACKAGE.

• The COLOR can be specified as any combination of red, green, and blue values, each of which must be in the range from 0.0 to 1.1. Examples of settings for red and yellow are provided below.

COLOR 1.0 0.0 0.0 ;; Red
COLOR 1.0 1.0 0.0 ;; Yellow

IDF profile class

Defines the data mapping of IDF profile entities to Creo Elements/Direct Modeling workplanes and profile color. You can replace the predefined profile class names by your own profile class names. You can change the color of any profile class in this file. Also, you can place ;; in front of any line you want to comment out.

Do not define any additional profile classes.

A PROFILE-CLASS definition for PCB assemblies in IDF format has the following format:

PROFILE-CLASS "<profile class name>"
<profile type>
<part type>
NOEXPORT
COLOR r-value g-value b-value
PCB-LAYER <layer name>
PCB-ATTRIBUTE <attribute name>
PCB-SIDE <TOP or BOTTOM>
END-CLASS

IDF profile type

For detailed information on valid IDF profile/layer combinations, read the following HTML file supplied with Creo Elements/Direct Modeling IDF Data Adapter (PCB I/F):

$INSTALLDIR/personality/sdpcb/idf30format/idf30.html

Do not create your own profiles or profile types in this configuration file. However, you can comment out profiles and profile types that should not be used. Also, you can change the color of any profile type.

RESTRICT type profiles do not return an error message if you place parts on them. The restriction is merely an "off limits" indicator for facilitating your design work.

PROFILE-TYPE can be:

BODY-OUTLINE	The profile is placed on a permanent workplane. It is extruded by the HEIGHT value in the current PROFILE section to create the part body. The profile on the workplane must be valid for an extrude command and may contain only one outer profile.
BOARD-CUTOUT	The 2D geometry of the profile is placed on a permanent workplane and used to punch the board. The profile on a BOARD-CUTOUT workplane must be valid for a punch operation.
RESTRICT-AREA	The 2D geometry of the profile is placed on a permanent workplane. The profile on a RESTRICT-AREA workplane may contain several closed polygons.
RESTRICT-BODY	The 2D geometry of the profile is placed on a permanent workplane representing a height restrict area on the appropriate side of the board. The restrict height is taken from the HEIGHT value in the current PROFILE section.
RESTRICT-BODY-TOP	Provided for compatibility: The 2D geometry of the profile is placed on a permanent workplane representing a height restrict area on the top side of the board. The restrict height is taken from the HEIGHT value in the current PROFILE section.
RESTRICT-BODY-BOT	Provided for compatibility: The 2D geometry of the profile is placed on a permanent workplane representing a height restrict area on the bottom side of the board. The restrict height is taken from the HEIGHT value in the current PROFILE section.
ANNOTATION	The profile is placed on a permanent workplane. Arc paths, circles and geometry_construction_point are exchanged.
OTHER-OUTLINE	Used for outline types other than those specified above.

IDF part type

PART-TYPE can be:

BOARD	The profile may be used with components of type BOARD only.
PACKAGE	The profile may be used with components of type PACKAGE only.
ALL	The profile may be used with components of type BOARD and PACKAGE.

IDF color

The COLOR is specified as a combination of red, green, and blue values, each of which must be in the range from 0.0 to 1.1. Examples for red and yellow are provided below.

COLOR 1.0 0.0 0.0 ;; Red
COLOR 1.0 1.0 0.0 ;; Yellow

IDF PCB layer

Defines the layer name associated with the profile. The PCB-LAYER can be one of the following:

TOP	The profile applies to the top layer of the board only.
BOTTOM	The profile applies to the bottom layer of the board only.
BOTH	The profile applies to both the top and the bottom layers of the board.
INNER	The profile applies to inner layers of the board only.
ALL	The profile applies to all layers of the board.

For detailed information on valid IDF profile/layer combinations, read the following HTML file supplied with Creo Elements/Direct Modeling IDF Data Adapter (PCB I/F):

$INSTALLDIR/personality/sdpcb/idf30format/idf30.html

Customization Example:

Comment out all profile classes that use INNER layers. Inner layers are not relevant to the placement of parts.

IDF PCB attribute

The PCB-ATTRIBUTE specifies the name of each attribute used in IDF board files (extension int) to mark the beginning and end of the following sections:

.BOARD_OUTLINE	For defining the outline, cutouts, and thickness of the board.
.OTHER_OUTLINE	For defining the outline, cutouts, and thickness of any outline other than the board outline.
.ROUTE_OUTLINE	For defining an area in which to route electrical connections.
.PLACE_OUTLINE	For defining an area in which to place components.
.ROUTE_KEEPOUT	For defining an area in which routing is not allowed.
.VIA_KEEPOUT	For defining an area in which vias are not allowed.
.PLACE_KEEPOUT	For defining an area in which electrical components are not allowed.
.DRILLED_HOLES	For defining drilled holes in the board.
.NOTES	For defining annotations to communicate additional information among designers.
.PLACEMENT	For defining the locations of components on the board. The placement information in the IDF board file includes the location of the part origin, the part orientation, and the side of the board on which the part is placed.

Please note that the owner of each PCB-ATTRIBUTE is specified in the IDF board file. The owner is always one of the following:

MCAD	The outline is owned by ME CAD system (i.e. Creo Elements/Direct Modeling) and should not be modified in the EE CAD system.
ECAD	The outline is owned by the EE CAD system and should not be modified in the ME CAD system.
UNOWNED	The outline can be modified in either system.

Customization Example:

Comment out all profile classes that use OTHER_OUTLINE if you are sure that no OTHER_OUTLINE profiles are used by your EE CAD system.