<..back

Allegro Extract

Overview
Cadence/Allegro exchange data files are created using an Allegro utility called "extract". The Allegro "extract" utility is a command line run application. The "extract" utility requires an Allegro license to run, therefore, the extract must be run on a system which has Allegro installed and licensed (The version of Allegro on the system running the 'extract' must be the same or newer than that of the system that generated the BRD file). The extract utility prompts the user to input some information. One item requested by the "extract" utility is an "Extract command file". The "Extract command file" is requested each time extract is run. The "Extract command file" defines the desired format of the exchange file(s) created by the extract utility as well as the number of files to extract. RSI has created an "Extract command file" you should use when creating Allegro exchange data files for use with CAMCAD. This file is named "valext.txt". For detailed directions on how to use the extract utility please see below:

Allegro Extract File Generation
Procedure
Run the Allegro extract utility by executing the "extract" application from a Unix shell window or Windows NT command prompt. From the UNIX shell or Windows NT command prompt type extract.

• NOTE for Allegro users running under Windows NT: When executing "extract" you may inadevertently call the Microsoft EXTRACT for extracting compressed files from .CAB files. This file is commonly located in the WINDIR i.e. "C:\WINNT\extract.exe". If this is the case, one of the extract.exe files should be renamed to something which will not have a conflict or the full path and name of the extract.exe you wish to use should be specified.
  Respond to the prompts as follows:
• Layout name (*.brd): path/boardname return
• Extract command file (*.txt): path/valext
• Extract output filename (*.txt): path/brd
• Additional output filename (return if none) (*.txt): path/pad return
• Additional output filename (return if none) (*.txt): path/sym return
• Additional output filename (return if none) (*.txt): path/rte return
• Additional output filename (return if none) (*.txt): return
• Note: The extract utility will produce 4 files: brd.txt, pad.txt, sym.txt, and rte.txt at the specified path. These files will be imported into the CAMCAD software during ICT development.

If Extract Fails
Extract may fail to complete processing if the .brd file is missing user-defined attributes that our extract command file (valext.txt) is looking for. If this happens, the extract.log file will identify the missing attributes. Missing attributes are identified in the extract.log file as follows:
• #User Attributes are added here:

BARCODE
Field 'BARCODE' is unknown
This example tells us that the attribute 'BARCODE', defined for extraction in the extract command file, was NOT found in the .brd file. In order to process the .brd file, you will have to comment the attribute 'BARCODE' out of the command extract file. To do this, open the valext.txt file and place a '#' in front of the keyword, 'BARCODE'.

<..back