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PollEx User Guides
Discover PollEx functionality with comprehensive user guides.
Modeler User Guides
This section contains the user guides for the following tools: BOM, CAM, Component Arrangement Plan, CP, Golden Sample, Logic, PCB, Redmark+, and Worksheet Planner.
PCB
PollEx suite is a knowledge-based design-verification toolset for PCB.
Import ECAD Files
Import ASCII files from ECAD vendors.
Siemens Interface
PollEx supports two ECAD tools from Siemens. They are PADS and Xpedition Enterprise.
Siemens Xpedition Enterprise

Welcome
What's New
View new features for PollEx 2025.1.
Get Started
Learn the basics and discover the workspace.
PollEx Tutorials
Discover PollEx functionality with interactive tutorials.
PollEx User Guides
Discover PollEx functionality with comprehensive user guides.
- Manufacture User Guides
  This section contains the user guides for the following tools: Block JIG Generator, Compare GDSII, Gerber to PCB, Make Board Paneling, Metal Mask Manager, Mounting Data Extractor, Mounting Emulator, Router-Machine JIG Generator, Solder Quantity Calculator, Soldering Pallet, Test Point Location Generator, and Underfill.
- Modeler User Guides
  This section contains the user guides for the following tools: BOM, CAM, Component Arrangement Plan, CP, Golden Sample, Logic, PCB, Redmark+, and Worksheet Planner.
  - Environment Migration
    Environment migration is a tool that migrates environment files used in the previous version of PollEx to the latest version.
  - BOM
    PollEx BOM is a BOM parsing and formatting tool
  - CAM
    Use PollEx CAM to handle any type of Gerber, such as 274D or 274X, convert 274D to 274X type, and compare each revision data.
  - Component Arrangement Plan
    The Component Arrangement Plan function replaces a paper worksheet with a graphic display report that shows on-board components with their area and marking at first pin.
  - CP
    PollEx Cross Probe (CP) supports two checking types, Same Type Check/Compare and Link and Search.
  - Golden Sample
    PollEx Golden Sample generates guide documents automatically.
  - Logic
    Use PollEx Logic to import and view schematic sheets, designs, check symbols, nets, and object properties.
  - PCB
    PollEx suite is a knowledge-based design-verification toolset for PCB.
    - User Interface
      Explore the PollEx PCB interface.
    - Tool Bar
      The PollEx PCB tool bar contains frequently used menus.
    - View Controls and Selection
      View controls enable you to control the view and display of your model in the modeling window.
    - Manage Files and Data
      Use the File menu to check basic functions, import ECAD files into PollEx PCB, and export working design to 3rd party EDA vendor formats.
    - Import ECAD Files
      Import ASCII files from ECAD vendors.
      - Altium Interface
        PollEx PCB supports various Altium’s PCAD, Protel, and Designer files.
      - Cadence Interface
      - CADVANCE Interface
        PollEx PCB supports CADVANCE files such as *.dsn, *.dbg, and *.dbr files.
      - Autodesk EAGLE Interface
        PollEx PCB supports EAGLE CAD file such as *.brd file.
      - Mentor Graphics Interface
        Mentor Graphics is releasing several different ECAD tools, PowerPCB, and Board Station.
      - Siemens Interface
        PollEx supports two ECAD tools from Siemens. They are PADS and Xpedition Enterprise.
        Siemens Xpedition Enterprise
        Siemens PADS
        Export Siemens PADS design to an ASCII file, *.asc
      - ODB++
        ODB++ is an ASCII format of Mentor Graphics used to compensate for the shortcoming of the GERBER format. Thus, it has all intelligent design information. PollEx PCB also supports this format.
      - Zuken Interface
        PollEx PCB supports various Zuken’s CAD design files: Cadstar, Board Designer, and PWS.
      - IPC-2581 Interface
        PollEx PCB supports IPC-2581 file such as *.cvg and *.xml files.
      - CAM 350
        PollEx PCB supports CAM350 file such as *.CAM file.
      - Gerber Data Interface
        PollEx PCB supports four types of GERBER formats: 274X, 274D, Drill, and Square Hole.
      - DXF
        PollEx PCB supports DXF file such as *.dxf file.
    - Export Design
    - Define Settings
      Under the setting menu, there are many settings for defining default value for using PollEx PCB. Use the menus under Setting in main menu.
    - Change the View
      Use the View menu to control the display more efficiently.
    - Define Properties
      Using Properties menu, you can see and edit properties of objects on board or library link.
    - Explore Tool Functions
      Under the Tools menu, there are many useful functions. Almost functions help you to get documents or reports for nets or components.
    - Analysis
      Refer to each individual user guide for the analysis products in the Solver User Guides Section.
    - Manufacture
      Refer to each individual manual for the manufacturing products.
    - Collaboration
      Redmark is a function to make comments in the design. This function can be used to leave messages or comments to assign tasks.
  - Redmark+
    In Redmark+, it is enabled to get the upgrade features for mark-up tools such as drawing object, text, measurement and reply, history, and so on.
  - Worksheet Planner
- Solver User Guides
  This section contains the user guides for the following tools: PI, SI, SI Explorer, and Thermal.
- Verification User Guides
  This section contains the user guides for the following tools: DFA, DFE, DFE+, DFM, and Logic DFE.
- UPE User Guides
  This section contains the PollEx UPE user guide.
PollEx Installation Guide
Instruction to install PollEx 2025.1.

Siemens Xpedition Enterprise

PollEx PCB reads Siemens Xpedition Enterprise’s six ASCII files. The following table shows all necessary files and their information.


File Name	Description
Cell.hkp	Component placement information
JobPrefs.hkp	Layer information
Layout.hkp	Routing information
NetProps.hkp	Net information
Padstack.hkp	Padstack information
PDB.hkp	Part library information

Extract ASCII file from Siemens Xpedition Enterprise.
From the menu bar, click File > Import ECAD > Siemens Xpedition Enterprise to open the Import from Siemens dialog.
In the Import from MentorGraphics dialog box, define the following:
1. Import From: Choose which file format to import
  1. Xpedition Binary File: Select the target Binary file *.pcb to import.
  2. Xpedition ASCII File: Select the target ASCII files *.hkp to import.
    Important: The Binary Reading Option only works on a machine with Siemens Xpedition installed. Otherwise, this feature will not work
2. User Defined Settings: Apply settings to the environment setting.
  - Import Type: Select the file format to be imported. This is usually automated to sync with the Import from Siemens Xpedition Enterprise page.
  - ASCII Options
    - Read sub-board: Check this option when board is arrayed board.
    - ASCII File: If there is sub-board in array board, define the location of sub board file data.
    - Select Sub Board: Option to read the Sub Board.
    - Read only One for the Same Boards: Only read one board if there are same multiple boards.
    - Allow Broken Component: Check this option when user wants to convert reference-changed component to break component.
    - Allow Unconnected Net: Check this option when user wants to read unconnected net together.
    - Remove Net Data: Use this option when user wants to import design without routing information.
  - Layer Set-Up: Set Siemens layers’ name which will be used as PDB’s component related layers for Board outline, Panel outline, and Hole.
After selecting all files, click Import to start reading Expedition into PollEx PCB.

Figure 1. Import from Siemens Xpedition Enterprise