Automated drawing with AutoCAD2007 1

[GonzaloEE]

Hi all,

I need to make 3d views of printed circuit boards made in Protel99SE, for enclosure manufacturing. We have AutoCAD2007 at the office, but its embedded 3D renderer doesn't give any dimensional info.
I've made some programs in C to make automated blocks for typical parts like chips, surface mount parts, etc. Protel can also export PCB layers to DWG, but I need to put it all together in a single CAD file.

Any ideas?

 

[TCARPENTER1]

Hi GonzaloEE,

If you have control over the insertion point coming out of your Protel99E, it's not a difficult task to "assemble" it in AutoCAD. Look into the "Insert" and "Import" commands, both C and VBA/VB/.net support these.

If not, you'll need another tact. Let us know the specifics you may need help with.

HTH
Todd

 

[GonzaloEE]

Please find below a sample DWG showing a typical Protel output and a dummy part model.
I'de like to write a script or program for automatic part centering over their PCB footprint. I'm OK with using boxes instead of more complex part models.

Thanks.

 

[TCARPENTER1]

Hi GonzaloEE,

I think you'll be able to use the geometry you've got without too much trouble. You can write a quick and dirty script to test out your methodology. A script file is nothing more than an ASCII text file containing AutoCAD commands:
-Insert
C:\Filename.dwg
0,0,0
1
1
1
Once you've gotten the insertion point worked out, you can make the routine more sophisticated with either VB/VBA or C.

HTH
Todd

 

[GonzaloEE]

Thanks, I'll look into it and get back with results.

Regards,