Solid Edge IDF 3D ModelerSolid Edge IDF 3D Modeler

This allows you to add electronics assemblies designed in Printed Circuit Board (PCB) CAD

packages to your Solid Edge assembly.

It uses the IDF standard which is supported by most PCB CAD packages.

How Does it Work?How Does it Work?How Does it Work?How Does it Work?• Creates a Solid Edge assembly from IDF files• Creates IDF files from a Solid Edge assembly

ECAD Packages SupportedECAD Packages SupportedECAD Packages SupportedECAD Packages Supported

• Mentor• Cadence• Pads• P-CAD• Protel• ORCAD• Veribest• Any that supports IDF

When these toolbar buttons are added to

Assembly

Creating An Assembly from IDFCreating An Assembly from IDFFilesFiles

Creating An Assembly from IDFCreating An Assembly from IDFFilesFiles

• Use the Import IDF toolbar button• The IDF Import dialog box displays…

Import TabImport TabImport TabImport Tab

IDF Board File

IDF Library FileAssembly Directory

Settings TabSettings TabSettings TabSettings Tab

Color settings for auto created parts

Edit IDF part heights

Directory for Solid Edge parts

Options TabOptions TabOptions TabOptions Tab

Select IDF Features to Import

Select PCB hole types to

Import

Select Parts TabSelect Parts TabSelect Parts TabSelect Parts Tab

If any boxes checked, only selected parts are

imported

Feature Names TabFeature Names TabFeature Names TabFeature Names Tab

Status TabStatus TabStatus TabStatus Tab

Board TabBoard TabBoard TabBoard Tab

View the IDF Board file

Library TabLibrary TabLibrary TabLibrary Tab

View the IDF Library file

• Choose the Create Assembly button on the import tab …

Parts from Library

Part for PCB is automatically

created

Non Plated Holes

Plated Holes

If no library parts are available, the program

automatically creates parts

Top Parts

Bottom Parts

Printed Circuit Board Part

Creating IDF Files from An Creating IDF Files from An AssemblyAssembly

Creating IDF Files from An Creating IDF Files from An AssemblyAssembly

• Use the Export IDF toolbar button • The IDF Export dialog box displays…

Choose target ECAD system

Choose IDF units

Choose IDF version

Set name of IDF files

Export searches for Parts by their name in the Edge Bar to

get PCB geometry

Export uses Part Edge Bar name to create IDF file entries

To get part geometry, Export uses known feature names in Parts if present, otherwise

uses the bounding cube

Starting a New PCB DesignStarting a New PCB Design in Solid Edge in Solid Edge

Starting a New PCB DesignStarting a New PCB Design in Solid Edge in Solid Edge

• Use the New ECAD Assembly toolbar button• Creates a “template” assembly with all features

appropriately named ready for Export • The user modifies this Assembly as required

Features with correct names ready to modify

Top and bottom template parts – copy and rename

to create more parts

Full IDF SupportFull IDF SupportFull IDF SupportFull IDF Support

Top Place Outline

Bottom Place Outline

Place Keepout

Solid Edge IDF 3D Modeler FeaturesSolid Edge IDF 3D Modeler FeaturesSolid Edge IDF 3D Modeler FeaturesSolid Edge IDF 3D Modeler Features

• Supports IDF versions 2 and 3• Supports top and bottom placed parts• Bi-directional• Supplied with electronics parts library• Automatically creates parts if no library parts available• Fully supports the IDF Specification – route outlines,

keep-outs etc.