The software the EE's use for board layout (Allegro and OrCAD) will only output IDF 2.0 and 3.0
I am a ME and I want to bring the boards in with traces, vias, copper layers, etc for thermal simulations.
I have only found a few posts on it though it has been out for years... Does anyone know how to export/generate an IDF 4.0 file??
Thank you
As of version 16.6, OrCAD and Allegro do not support IDF 4.0. However, there are some new capabilities that might get what you want.
With 16.6, OrCAD and Allegro PCB Editors now support IDX 3.0. Here is link to a presentation given at CDN Live showing the interface. http://www.cadence.com/cdnlive/library/Documents/2013/sv/PCB102_Update%20on%20Efficient%20ECAD-MCAD%20Co-Design%20using%20EDMD%20(IDX)%20format_Acheson.pdf
Or go to cadence.com and search for IDX. This interface will allow you to get the board and copper over to SolidWorks.
Alternatively, the latest update now includes STEP export. The feature is intended to give PCB designers the ability to view their board in 3D, but they can also export it. Here’s a little information on it: http://www.ema-eda.com/Products/CadenceOrCAD/OrCAD166.aspx
Thank you for the info, Greg. I talked with our board laout engineer yesterday about the lack of info on IDF 4.0 and he mentioned IDX as well. Looks like it will require a software upgrade.
Cheers
Orcad Layout (Last version released 16.2) will export IDF2.0
Orcad PCB Editor (Allegro version 16.5) will export IDF3.0
I do not believe, I may be wrong, that any version of Allegro can export IDF4.0.