How Can I Import PADS Files into Eagle ?

Hi,

I'm new to Eagle, but find it pretty easy to use and I can create PCBs pretty quickly that my PCB fab in China can make in a few days.

I have some PADS (MentorGraphics) .sch and .pcb files that I want to import into Eagle.

I have searched many forums, visited the CadSoft support page and even asked CadSoft Tech Support, not much success so far.

A colleague managed to import the original .sch and .pcb files into PADS, and exported the project as an ASCII file (also .dxf - but I'm not certain whether that helps) ...

Unfortunately, Eagle only imports ACCEL ASCII - aka P-CAD ASCII.

So ...

I have PADS .sch, .pcb, .asc and .dxf files, and just want to get the PCB (also the schematic if possible) into Eagle, so I can modify the original layouts.

I've researched for days and tried everything I can think of ...

I even tried to import the PADS files into Altium, hoping there might be a way of converting them there.

But neither the .sch and .pcb files, nor the ASCII or .dfx files, import correctly (or at all).

Ditto por KiCad, DipTrace etc.

I know this topic has been addressed a few times in the element14 forums, but I've been unable to find a solution, apart from this thread ...

How to import PADS component library? The import-pads-powerpcb-v5.ulp seems doesn't work.

Unfortunately this thread doesn't refer to the original source - or the ULP.

Does anyone have any ideas / suggestions ?

I'd really appreciate any assistance ...

Many thanks,

Gary

0 clem57 over 10 years ago

Firstly I would try Free PADS PCB Schematic Viewer - Mentor Graphics and check are they valid? If so, you know the type at least.
C
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Sign in to reply

Verify Answer

Cancel
0 clem57 over 10 years ago in reply to clem57

Assuming the viewer above works, try Converting Gerber files from PADS to DXF for a format useful to Eagle,
C
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Sign in to reply

Verify Answer

Cancel
0 Former Member over 10 years ago in reply to clem57

Hi Clem,
Many thanks for your reply …

Yes, as I think I mentioned in my post, I can open the files in PADS - and the Free Viewer opens the files OK.
So I know the files are intact - the issue is how to convert them into a form readable by Eagle.

Any further ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Best regards,

Gary
=====
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Sign in to reply

Verify Answer

Cancel
0 Former Member over 10 years ago in reply to clem57

Hi Clem,
Thanks again for your post …

Yes, I have already managed to export a .dxf file from PADS - but it doesn’t open in Eagle.
So - I don’t know whether the issue is on the PADS side or the Eagle side.

Any further ideas would be great - tanks.

Best regards,

Gary
=====
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Sign in to reply

Verify Answer

Cancel
0 eduardodemier over 10 years ago in reply to Former Member

Hi.
I have the same problem. A consultant did a design for me and now I need
to convert it to EAGLE.
I suppose there are two steps. First export from pads into a feasible
ASCIII format and then import this in EAGLE.
Any Hints?
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Sign in to reply

Verify Answer

Cancel
0 autodeskguest over 10 years ago in reply to eduardodemier

Am 07.10.2015 um 15:38 schrieb eduardodemier:
Hi.
I have the same problem. A consultant did a design for me and now I need
to convert it to EAGLE.
I suppose there are two steps. First export from pads into a feasible
ASCIII format and then import this in EAGLE.
Any Hints?

EAGLE comes with an import ACCEL ASCII format ULP. Maybe this helps?
As far as I know Pads can export in ACCEL-ASCII format.

--
Mit freundlichen Gruessen / Best regards
Richard Hammerl
CadSoft Support -- hotline@cadsoft.de
FAQ: http://www.cadsoft.de/training/faq/
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Sign in to reply

Verify Answer

Cancel
0 Former Member over 10 years ago

LogicSwap can Import PADS Schematics and Board Designs into EAGLE as a
service.
If you send us the files, we will send you a quote.
If there is enough interest from the community we will consider making this
into a product.
mailto:mwilson@logicswap.com
--
Web access to CadSoft support forums at www.eaglecentral.ca. Where the CadSoft EAGLE community meets.
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Sign in to reply

Verify Answer

Cancel
0 Former Member over 10 years ago

Hello Gary
Can you send your files to us?
Maybe we can help you, we are one high quality, high precision and special Printed circuit boards value-added services provider in China.

---
Best regards

Jun Lee
Tel: 86-755-29760917
Fax: 86-755-23114189
Email: sales@jxtpcb.com
Web: www.jxtpcb.com
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Sign in to reply

Verify Answer

Cancel