Hi,
I have the Student Version of Solidworks (2013, x64). I'd like to create a PCB in Solidworks and then export it to Circuitworks. If I extrude a wafer type structure and then place a extrusion called "Board_Outline1", then Circuitworks will correctly identify the area. If I try the same thing but calling it "Pads1", then Circuitworks does not seem to identify the pad region correctly.
This seems to correspond to what the help indicates
Do I need to specify something additional so that circuitworks knows it's an electrical area?
Thanks for the help.
I think you have it a little backwards. Circuitworks accepts some PAD's files, they are called .asc files. You import those into CircuitWorks and a model of the PCB is made for you. If you don't have many component files the board assembly will be lacking detail as some components will just be 'blocks' of various heights. You do not see and traces or pads in the output but holes and routing are transferred over.
We used the combination with .asc files from PADS 7 and Altium. I would model the enclosure and the external connections such as VGA, HDMI, power jacks and the like along with a PCB shape. I would export a DXF file to be imported into PADS as a starting point for the PCB gurus. When he was done I would reimport the .asc into Circuitworks and create another model to check that everything was still fitting and aligning. It was not uncommon for him to add LED's that would require another 'hole' in the enclosure and sometimes he might move a connector. I would then modify the enclosure to match. It's much easier for me to move a hole than for him to move traces.
This process works well and it another 'check point' for fit. Good luck!