Importing a PCB

Use the PCB import tool to import all major ECAD file formats.

  1. On the Home tab, in the File group, click the  Import icon. From the drop-down list select the  Import PCB File icon.
    Figure 1. The PCB Import Tool dialog.


  2. In the File format drop-down list, select the type of file to import.
  3. Browse to the location of the file to import.
  4. [Optional] Under Layer type control, select the applicable options:
    • Board outline
      Include the layer(s) that contains the PCB outline including cutouts/holes that are cut out during PCB fabrication using a routing bit.
    • Signal conducting/plane
      Include all metal layer(s) such as signal traces, ground and power planes and metal fills.
    • Dielectric
      Include the dielectric layer(s).
    • Solder-resist
      Include the layer(s) that contains the insulating coating which covers the circuit pattern.
    • Solder-paste
      Include the layer(s) that define the solder paste mask.
    • Silkscreen
      Include the layer(s) that contains annotations (such as letters numbers and symbols as well as component footprints).
    • User defined
      Include all user defined layer(s).
    • CAM layers
      Include the CAM layers.
      Note: This check box will be automatically checked and hidden for Gerber (RS-274D/274X) import.
    Note: Any media defined in the PCB file and referenced in the layers are available in the model tree under Media. Media without labels are given the label of the layer. For example, if the solder paste layer contains a dielectric without a label, it is given the label SolderPaste.
  5. Click OK to import the PCB model and to close the dialog.