Creating 3D PCB Models from IDF Files
You can use existing PCB assemblies in IDF format to create equivalent mechanical 3D PCB assembly models in Creo Elements/Direct Modeling IDF Data Adapter (PCB I/F). When you have completed your mechanical design work on the imported PCB assembly, you can export it back to its source format for EE detailing.
During import, the int file, which describes the board and its part placement, and the pro file, which describes the outline and height of each PCB component, are read by the IDF Data Adapter (PCB I/F). This read operation is controlled by the settings in the sdpcb_idf.cfg file or your customized version of this file. Depending on the CAD system used, the IDF files can have several file extensions. For example, the board file can be an int, brd, or emn file, and the library file can be a pro, lib, or emp file.
During export, a new int file is created. This write operation is controlled by the settings in the sdpcb_idf.cfg file or your customized version of this file.
Perform the following steps to create a mechanical 3D PCB model from IDF data:
• To import board and part files in IDF format,
You can
◦ import a board and/or a part file in IDF format.
◦ create "surrounding box" models or load the corresponding models from one of the libraries (see below) to the LIB_CONTcontainer.
◦ add parts (based on the models included in LIB_CONT) to the PCB assembly.
◦ place the parts.
◦ create restricted areas. (such as, the keepout areas or the component height restrictions).
The Import IDF dialog box provides the following options:
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Board Name
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This is a display-only box. It displays the name of the PCB assembly, which is encoded in the Board-File. This field is automatically filled after you select the Board-File.
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Owner
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You can type / to add the PCB assembly at the root level or you can select an existing assembly as the owner of the PCB assembly.
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Board-File
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The board file (int, brd, or emn) contains board blank and component placement information from the ECAD format.
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Part-File
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The part file carrying the .pro, .lib, or .emp extension contains outline information from the ECAD format, which is required to extrude the component models. This is an optional box if the LibPath is enabled. If no part file is selected, the models from the active libraries are used. If no part file is found in the active library, an error message is displayed.
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LibPath
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When this option is enabled, the Libraries browser is displayed. The Libraries browser allows you to activate, deactivate or re-order the libraries. You can use the 3D models from the active libraries. If this option is not enabled, the component models are extruded based on the profile outline information from the ECAD format.
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Clean Geo
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When you select this checkbox, multiple overlapping 2D elements are not created at the same location on the same workplane. For example, if a circle exists on a workplane, and you import a board file which again creates a circle of the same radius at the same location, selecting Clean Geo does not create the duplicate circle.
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Replace
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When this option is enabled, a newly imported PCB assembly that has the same name as an existing PCB assembly in your current Creo Elements/Direct Modeling IDF Data Adapter (PCB I/F) session will replace (that is. take the position of) the existing PCB assembly.
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Collect Contours
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When this option is enabled, contours of the same type are imported into a single PCB profile during the import operation. It reduces the number of generated profiles and allows easier handling of the grouped contours.
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To import a PCB assembly in IDF format,
a. Click PCB and then, in the Filing group, click 
ECAD Adapter.
ECAD Adapter.b. Click 
Import to display the Import IDF dialog box for IDF files.
Import to display the Import IDF dialog box for IDF files.c. Click Owner and select an owner of the imported PCB assembly or type / if you want the imported PCB assembly to be at the root level.
d. Click Board-File and select a file with the .int, .brd, or .emn extension.
e. Click Part-File and select a file with the .pro, .lib, or .emp extension.
f. Optionally, use the LibPath, Clean Geo, and Replace buttons described above.
g. Optionally, click the Collect Contours check box and select a Collect Type Filter to import grouped or named contours.
 | Intermediate Data Format (IDF) 3.0 does not support grouped or named contours. The Collect Contours do not support nested or overlapping loops. |
h. Click 
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.• To check the PCB model,
a. Check whether the component parts in this 3D PCB models have been replaced by Creo Elements/Direct Modeling geometries as expected.
b. If your 3D PCB assembly indicates that you need to define additional 3D component models in Creo Elements/Direct Modeling IDF Data Adapter (PCB I/F), click PCB and then, in the Model group, click 
New. to create these models.
New. to create these models.c. In the Creo Elements/Direct Modeling IDF Data Adapter (PCB I/F), click PCB and then, in the Assembly group, click 
Update to apply all of your changes and additions to the current assembly.
Update to apply all of your changes and additions to the current assembly.• To export the PCB model in IDF format,
a. Click PCB and then, in the Filing group, click ECAD Adapter.
ECAD Adapter.b. Click 
Export to display the Export IDF dialog box along with the File Browser.
Export to display the Export IDF dialog box along with the File Browser.c. Select the printed circuit assembly (PCA) you want to export.
d. Specify the unit (mm or mils) for that assembly.
e. Click Export File.
f. Use the file browser returned by the system to select an existing PCA file or to specify a new board (.int) file name.
g. Optionally, use the StoreExpParts function to store the expanded part.
| | You can export only the active PCB assembly. |
IDF File Formats
The Intermediate Data Format (IDF) is based on the Mechanical Data Exchange Specification for the Design and Analysis of Printed Wiring Assemblies. This format is non-proprietary. This specification defines an intermediate data format for exchanging data between EE and ME CAD/CAE systems for use in 3D design, thus enabling users of such systems to participate in concurrent EE/ME design.
The Intermediate Data Format comprises three files:
Board file | Contains a description of a single printed wiring assembly (PWA), including the board shape, layout restrictions, and component placement. The extension of this file type is int. This file usually carries the .int, .brd, or .emn extension. |
Library file | Contains descriptions of the actual components used in one or multiple PWAs. This file usually carries the .pro, .lib, or .emp extension. |
Panel file | Contains a manufacturing-related description of a panel, including its physical shape, layout restrictions, and the placement of boards and components on the panel. This file is not used in Creo Elements/Direct Modeling IDF Data Adapter (PCB I/F). |
For a detailed description of the Intermediate Data Exchange (IDF) Format, read the following HTML file supplied with Creo Elements/Direct Modeling IDF Data Adapter (PCB I/F):
$INSTALLDIR/personality/sdpcb/idf30format/idf30.html