What netlist should I generate from Orcad to import into Eagle

Question

I use Orcad to draw schematics and there are quite a few options to generate netlists for PCB layout software but there is no specific Cadsoft or Eagle generator. Which Orcad netlist should I generate for Eagle? Do I need to edit the netlist to make it 100% compatible?

I have downloaded a copy of Eagle to test out compatibility with Orcad and Altium.

Message was edited by: Peter Cox-Smith on 21.02.16

New reply added by: Peter Cox-Smith

peterjcs23 · Accepted Answer

Okay, I have explored how to layout a PCB from a netlist generated from an Orcad schematic and the process that worked is as follows:

In Orcad generate a Multiwire netlist, this produces a .net file and a .scr file.
In Eagle set up a new project and in the project set up a new Board. This sets up a new folder for the Eagle project.
Copy the .net and .scr in the Orcad project folder and paste into the Eagle project folder
Add the component footprints to the Eagle Board using the normal Add function. Make sure you add all the footprints of all the components in the Orcad schematic. Also you need to name them with the same ID; so R1 corresponds to R1...C1 and C1...U1 and U1...etc. must be identical in the Orcad schematic and on the Eagle board. Don't worry too much about positioning the components at this stage.
Once all the parts are on the board, use the Eagle Import function which sets up a screen like this:

Hit the "Read list" button and select the .net file in the Eagle folder.
Select Multiwire on the screen above. This selects the correct format of the .net file.
Hit the "Generate net script" button, which will put the script into the window to the right. No need to edit this.
Hit the "Save net script" button.
Hit the "Run net script" button...the script adds the ratsnest to the components on your board

It took me a few goes to get this right even for a small circuit but all the nets were in place ready for a normal layout process. I used the autorouter and generated a satisfactory set of tracks.

I was not interested in transferring the schematic as Orcad is my normal way to control the circuit design and bill of materials. But I did want to use Eagle as the means to do the PCB layout. (I tried to do a schematic transfer but was unsuccessful, but for me this does not matter)

peterjcs23 · Answer

Here is the list of netlist types that Eagle claims to be able to import: Orcad can generate netlists for: Multiwire PADS2000 Accel Allegro ...perhaps one of them will work!