Import PADS file .pcb (binay) into Altium or KiCAD

[frox]

Hello,

I need to import a PADS .pcb file (binary) from Siemens into Altium or KiCAD. Do you have any idea? I don't have the full license of PADS layout. I know that Altium can import only from PADS ASCII PCB.

The file I'm interested in is here: https://www.analog.com/media/en/evaluation-boards-kits/evaluation-software/EE420v01.zip

Best,

 

[ZipZapOuch]

Hello,

I need to import a PADS .pcb file (binary) from Siemens into Altium or KiCAD. Do you have any idea? I don't have the full license of PADS layout. I know that Altium can import only from PADS ASCII PCB.

The file I'm interested in is here: https://www.analog.com/media/en/evaluation-boards-kits/evaluation-software/EE420v01.zip

Best,

What do they mean by ASCII? A Gerber file? Ask Analog Devices tech support to make the manufacturing files (Gerbers) and view them in altium

 

[frox]

I need to import the .pcb file into Altium, but Altium is not able to import it

 

[For The Popcorn]

Searching "converting pads pcb file to altium designer" brought up a number of YouTube videos and references from Altium on how to import Pads files into Altium.

 

[frox]

I know, but the video and tutorials refer only to the ASCII version of the pads file. The one provided by analog devices is binary and cannot be opened using the procedure explained also in the Altium tutorial:

Importing a Design from PADS Logic & PADS Layout into Altium Designer | Altium Designer 23 Technical Documentation

This page takes a look at Altium Designer's support for importing PADS designs, including PADS Logic schematics, PADS Layout PCB files, and library files

www.altium.com

 

[AnalogKid]

What do they mean by ASCII? A Gerber file?

No. Besides Gerbers and image prints, PADS has a proprietary file format that describes the board design using nothing but ASCII text. Once you get a feel for it, you can do things like update any text blocks without opening the file within PADS.

ak

 

[frox]

I agree with AnalogKid, but the .pcb file from PADS cannot be imported into other tools like Altium as is. It needs to be opened with PADS again and export the .txt or other compatible file format that Altium support.
Anyway, is there anyone that has PADS and do this conversion for me?

 

[ZipZapOuch]

easyEDA (from JLCPCB.com) supports certain PADs files.

EasyEDA Pro Tutorial

prodocs.easyeda.com

 

[frox]

The problem is that also EasyEDA support the ASCII version of PADS….
Someone do have PADS software and can open the .pcb file and export it as ASCII version?