Edit ECAD data

Open an ECAD file for editing

In the PCB industry, ECAD files are commonly used to provide PCB data. You can edit PCB data on the PCB tab of the NPI Process Definition window.

Note

If CAD data exists in the file, it will open on the PCB tab; otherwise it will open on the Gerber tab of the window.If CAD data exists in the file, it will open on the PCB tab; otherwise it will open on the Gerber tab of the window.

Log into the NPI client application.
Select Process Engineering , then open an assembly that contains an ECAD file from the Define Processes window.
In the Process Definition window, select the ECAD file on the left side of the window to load the file.

On the left side of the Process Definition window, the Process tree displays all of the components that make up a process definition.
Use the tools across the top of the window to view and modify ECAD data. (The following topics describe the tabs and the tools on each tab you can use to edit ECAD data.)

Gerber tab editing tools

The Gerber tab of the Process Definition window has powerful editing tools that allow you to edit ECAD data. The tools are organized by type:

Gerber Controls
Confirmations

The following topics describe how to use the Gerber tab's tools to modify ECAD data.

Gerber Controls tools

Tool	Description
Delete Digitized Component	Deletes the highlighted (selected) digitized object.
Automatically Scan for Identical Components	Scans for and identifies identical components in a Gerber file. When identified, the components are placed in a buffer so that they can also be digitized.
Gerber Preferences	Displays a dialog where you can specify preferences for handling Gerber files: Master Aperture List - Displays the list of Gerber data shapes that are applied to all the loaded Gerber layers. RS-274D Parsing Options - Displays the options used for parsing RS-274D Gerber files. Gerber Footprint Matching Tolerance - Specifies the tolerance value to use (in thousandths of an inch) when matching user selections to existing footprints when digitizing Gerber data. Automatically Generate Footprint Names - When set to True, generates names automatically for newly-created footprints.
Digitize Board Frame	Allows you to digitize the PCB board frame.
Image Frame	Used in conjunction with the Digitize Board Frame button. When the frame is digitized, it will be set as the Image (circuit) Frame.
Panel Frame	Used in conjunction with the Digitize Board Frame button. When the frame is digitized, it will be set as the Panel Frame.
Clear Selection	Clears all information in the buffer.
Show Gerber Information	When selected, information on the Gerber component’s pads (D-Code, Location, and so on) is displayed.
Import Aperture List	Displays a dialog where you can locate and select an aperture file to import.
Show Hidden Graphics	When selected, all objects that were previously hidden (but not deleted) are displayed.
Link Gerber Files to Layers	Allows you to link/assign Gerber files to the different layers of a PCB. Select the Add button, locate and select a Gerber file, then select Open. Select a layer from the ECAD Layer List, then select the Assign Layer button. To unlink a Gerber file from an ECAD layer, select the layer, then select the Un-Assign button.
Delete All Hidden Data	When selected, all objects that were previously hidden are deleted permanently.
Import Centroid File	Displays a dialog allowing you to locate and import a Centroid file so you can assign reference designators during digitization. Under File Options, set the file format (Fixed or Delimited) and assign the Remark Trigger which is used to hide rows in the Centroid file that aren't needed. Under Centroid Options, select the Units (Mils, for example) to be used for the Centroid file,

Use the Confirmations tools

Tool	Description
Hide Digitized Features	Hides all digitized components and features in the Gerber viewer.
Accept All Components	When selected, the system assigns all components in the buffer to their respective reference designators based on the loaded Centroid file.
Accept Component	When selected, the Commit Gerber Data dialog displays where you can assign reference designators to the all components in the buffer.
Accept Board Frame	Accepts the selected frame as the board frame.

Digitize Gerber data

When you open a Gerber file for digitizing, FactoryLogix displays the top side Gerber layers by default.

Double-click ECAD in the Process tree to check out the Gerber file for digitizing.
Select the Digitize button on the Gerber toolbar.
Drag a rectangle around all of the features that make up a single component.

The selected component is highlighted along with any other component on the PCB that share the same footprint in a slightly darker color.
Select the Accept Component button on the toolbar to open the Commit Gerber Data dialog. FactoryLogix will zoom in to the first part selected and prompt you to enter the reference designator for the highlighted part.
Enter the reference designator, then select the Accept button (check mark) to accept this component and advance to the next component in the Digitization Reference Queue. If an X/Y Centroid file was loaded earlier, FactoryLogix will automatically suggest the reference designator for the next component in the queue.
If the reference designator is correct, select the Accept Component button again to advance to the next part.
Continue accepting parts.

When you have accepted all parts in the digitization queue, FactoryLogix will return to the Gerber view and you can select a new component. Accepted components will change to a yellow highlight to indicate they are digitized.
Repeat the steps to select and digitize components.
Since an X/Y Centroid file was loaded, you can speed up the digitization process by selecting a new footprint, then selecting the Select All Components button to accept all components in the digitization queue and assign reference designators from the X/Y Centroid File. As components are accepted, you can view the results on the PCB tab of the window.
To digitize the board frame for documentation purposes, select the Gerber tab, then select the Digitize Board Frame button. Hover over the Layers tab on the right side of the window to display the Gerber layers loaded in this assembly.
Set the Digitizable check box on the layer containing the board outline (usually an assembly drawing or silk screen layer). Select the board outline on the Gerber tab to highlight it.
To accept the selected outline as the board frame, select the Accept Board Frame button.
Select the padlock icon next to ECAD in the Process tree to save and check in your ECAD file changes.
When you are satisfied with the digitization, select the PCB tab to view the results.

Note

Use the zoom tools in the lower-right corner of the window to adjust the view of the PCB.

Gerber editing tools

The editing tools on the left side of the Gerber tab help you control the digitizing process, show and hide Gerber data, and make the digitizing process faster.

Icon	Tool	Description
	Single Select	Selects one or more parts. Ctrl+click to select multiple parts.
	Marquee Select	Selects one or more parts by dragging a rectangle around the desired parts.
	Lasso Select	Selects one or more parts by drawing an ellipse around several parts.
	Polygon Lasso Select	Allows for custom selection outlines.
	Hand Pan	Drag to move the ECAD.
	Selection Border	Specifies the line width of the border. Select the Selection Border icon again after changing the border width when to show or hide the border around selected parts.
	Selection Highlight	Specifies the highlight color for selected parts. Select the Selection Border icon again after changing the border width to show or hide the border around selected parts.
	View from Top	Sets the ECAD viewer to display the top-side parts.
	View from Bottom	Sets the ECAD viewer to display the bottom-side parts.
	Hide Gerber Inside a Rectangle	Hides all aperture data within a drawn rectangle.
	Hide Gerber Outside a Rectangle	Hides all aperture data from outside a drawn rectangle.
	Hide this Aperture	Hides the selected aperture.
	Align Layers	Aligns currently-selected layers.
	Reset Offset	Reverts offset Gerber layers back to their original loaded location.
	Selected Color	Indicates the currently-selected color.
	Select by Part	Selects all parts that have the same part number.
	Select by Footprint	Selects all parts that share the same Footprint.
	Select by Technology	Selects parts based on their installation method: SMT or through-hole.
	Show All Circuits	Sets the ECAD viewer to display all circuits of a panelized PCB.
	Show Root Circuit	Sets the ECAD viewer to display only the root circuit of a panelized PCB.
	Adjust Grid Spacing	Determines the spacing of the grid in the Gerber window.

PCB tab editing tools

The PCB tab of the Process Definition window has powerful editing tools that allow you to edit PCB data. The tools are organized by type:

Search
CAD Controls
Fiducials
Components (two sets of tools)

The following topics describe how to use the PCB tab's tools to modify PCB data.

Search for a reference designator

Use the Search tool to search for a specific reference designator on a PCB.

Tool

Description

Search

Searches the board for a specific reference designator.

Enter a reference designator in the text box, then select Search (the binoculars).

The designator you enter is highlighted on the board image in a zoomed view.

Use the CAD controls

Use the CAD Controls tools to assign the PCB datum (origin), align Gerber layers with the ECAD, rotate a board, and assign Pin 1.

Tool	Description
Assign Origin	Defines the datum (0,0 point) of the board. Enter X and Y coordinates, then select Apply (check mark) or click an area of the board). (Optional) Select the Snap To Feature to locate the datum at the coordinates closest to the corner you click on the board image.
Align Photoplots	Lines up any associated Gerber layers with the ECAD.
Rotate PCB	Adjusts the overall orientation of the board. Select 90 Degrees or select Rotate Free Form and enter a rotation angle.
Assign Pin 1	Defines which pin of a component is Pin 1.
Show Polarity	Toggles the display of the red Pin 1 for each polarized component on/off.
Crop Extended Pins	Crops all extended pins on the board. Warning Cropping extended pins cannot be undone!
Export GENCAD File	Exports the selected data as a GENCAD file.

Modify fiducials

The Fiducials tools on the PCB tab of the NPI Process Definition window control every aspect of PCB fiducials. You can create and edit fiducials, hide or display, convert fiducials to components, and create fiducials from leads.

Tip
When creating or editing board components and fiducials, you can use the toolbar tools or right-click the board image in the window and use these menu commands:

Tool	Description
Create Fiducial	Adds fiducials to the board for machine programming purposes. Select Create Fiducial, then select the area of the board where you want the fiducial. Select the desired Fiducial Type and other settings in the Fiducial Properties dialog, then select OK. If the fiducial is defined properly for the board, select Finish (check mark) in the upper-right corner of the window.
Edit Fiducial	Used to edit an existing fiducial. Select a fiducial on the board image, then select Edit Fiducial. Modify the fiducial information in the Fiducial Properties dialog, then select OK.
Convert to Component	Converts a selected fiducial to a component.
From Lead	Creates a fiducial from a selected existing component lead. Select From Lead, select the lead on the board image, then select Finish (check mark) in the upper-right corner of the window.
Show All Fiducials	Displays a table of all fiducials on the board. Select a fiducial from the table to see it in a zoomed-in view.

Modify components

The two Components tool sets on the PCB tab of the NPI Process Definition window control every aspect of PCB components.

Tip
When creating or editing board components and fiducials, you can use the toolbar tools or right-click the board image in the window and use these menu commands:

Tool	Description
Add Component	Creates a new component location. Select a component on the board image (or the Components table if already displayed), then select Components > Add Component. Select X/Y Coordinates from the drop-down or click a location on the board image. Enter the information for the component in the Add Component dialog, select OK, then select Finish (check mark) in the upper-right corner of the window.
Edit	Modifies the basic properties of a selected component. Select the component you want to edit on the board image. Select Components > Edit. Edit the component details in the Edit Component dialog, then select OK.
Duplicate	Creates a duplicate of the selected component. Select the component you want to edit on the board image. Select Components > Duplicate. Edit the component details in the Duplicate Component dialog, then select OK.
Delete	Removes a selected component. Select the component you want to edit on the board image. Select Components > Delete. When you see the confirmation message, select Yes. Warning Deleting a component cannot be undone!
Show Components	Displays a table of all components on the board. Select Components, Show Components to display all of the board components. (Select Show Components again to hide the components.) Select a component from the table to see it in a zoomed-in view.
Move Components	Modifies a selected component to a new location on the board. Select the component you want to move on the board image. Select Components > Move Components. Enter the X and X coordinates of the new component location, then select OK.
Opportunity Counts	Displays total opportunities for errors in the manufacturing process and options for reducing errors. Select Components > Opportunity Counts to view the current counts. Select the gear icon. Change the dialog options as needed to help reduce opportunities for manufacturing errors.
CAD to BOM Comparison	Displays discrepancies between the CAD and BOM so you can resolve errors before manufacturing the board. Resolve a CAD reference Select Components > CAD to BOM Comparison. Select References Not In CAD. Select a discrepancy from the table to view it on the board image in a zoomed view. Select Add Component , enter X and Y coordinates for the reference or click a location on the board image. Enter reference details in the Add Component dialog, then select Finish (check mark) in the upper-right corner of the window. Resolve a BOM reference Select Components > CAD to BOM Comparison. Select References Not In BOM. Select a discrepancy from the table to view it on the board image in a zoomed view. Select Add Reference , select a BOM line item to assign to the component reference, then select OK.
Change Reference	Modifies the reference for the selected component. Select a component on the board image, then select Components > Change Reference. Select a new reference for the component in the Change Reference dialog, then select OK.
Set Top/Bottom Side	Modifies which side of the board the selected component is found (top or bottom) Select a component on the board image, then select Components > Set Top Side or Set Bottom Side. When you see the confirmation message, select Yes.
Change Footprint	Modifies the footprint shape used to represent a component. Select a component on the board image, then select Components > Change Footprint. Select a new footprint for the component in the Change Footprint Information dialog. (Optional) Use the Rotate drop down to rotate the component, then select OK.
Create Socket	Adds a new, slightly larger footprint around the selected part to represent a socket. Select a component on the board image, then select Components > Create Socket.
Polarity	Toggles the Polarized setting on/off. Select a component on the board image, select Components > Polarity, then select Set as Polarized or Set as Non-Polarized from the drop down.
Rotate	Changes the orientation of the selected component. Select a component on the board image, select Components > Rotate. Select a rotation angle from the drop down or select Rotate Free Form, enter an angle and press the Enter key on your keyboard.

Create and edit PCB frames

Each PCB can have two frames or outlines: A panel frame and a circuit frame. On the Frames tab of the NPI Process Definition window, you can add panel and circuit frames to a PCB in case the ECAD data doesn't include frames. There are also tools to edit PCB frames including changing the frame or panel color and frame shape.

Frames tab editing tools

Tool	Description
Add Panel Frame	Adds a panel frame to a PCB. Select Add Panel Frame. Enter the frame Dimensions or select Create From Rails, then enter the Top, Bottom, Left, and Right dimensions. Select a frame shape from the Frame Type drop down. When you are finished specifying the frame information, click a blank area of the window to close the dialog and display the frame on the board image. The panel frame is created as soon as you complete the dialog fields and you are returned to the Process Definition window. Note If you select a Rounded Rectangle frame shape, you are prompted to enter a corner radius value.
Edit Panel Frame	When selected, enables editing tools to modify frame properties such as shape, line weight, and color. Select the Edit Panel Frame tool. Select a new line weight for the frame using the Line Weight drop down or enter a Custom line weight. Select one of the Shapes tools (the Rectangle, for example), then drag in the window to add the shape to the board image. When a shape is selected, it has editing handles around it to indicate that you can move, resize, duplicate, or delete it. Select Shape Options to display properties for a shape. For example, if using a rectangle shape, you can enter new values for X and Y coordinates, Width, and Height. Select Duplicate to make a copy of a selected shape. Select Delete to remove a shape from the board image.
Delete Panel Frame	Deletes a selected panel frame from the board image.
Copy Panel Frame to Circuit Frame	Copies a selected panel frame and its properties to a circuit frame. Note When you copy one frame type to another, the target frame is overwritten.

Create and edit reference designator labels

The Labels tab in the NPI Process Definition window allows you to change the appearance, size, and position of each reference designator on a PCB. The Auto Place Labels tool attempts to find the most suitable position and size. You can also enable Part Labels in addition to—or instead of—the CRD (Component Reference Designator) label with the Show Types options.

Labels tab editing tools

Tool	Description
Font	Modifies the font, style, size, or color of selected reference designator labels.
Label Types	Displays CRD labels, Part labels, or both.
Auto Place Labels	Places labels on the board image automatically using optimal positioning. Before selecting Auto Place Labels, select a Priority from the drop-down to specify which label type should have priority over the other for label placement on the board image.
Rotate	Rotates a label on the board image. Use Rotate Free Form to rotate selected labels using an angle you specify.
Alignment Tools	Aligns selected labels on the board image.

Edit the panel layout

The Panel Layout tab in the NPI Process Definition window has tools to help you create a panelized assembly from a single-up (one-up) ECAD file. The Create Matrix tool defines the layout of the panel. It is also possible to create complex panel layouts with this tool such as panels with rotated or flipped circuits.

Panel layout tab editing tools

Tool	Description
Create Matrix	Defines the layout of the panelized assembly you want to create from a single-up PCB ECAD file. Select Create Matrix. In the dialog, enter the Number of Circuits Wide and the Number of Circuits High contained in the X and Y axes. Enter an Offset value or enter the spacing value between each circuit. Select Create Panel to create the panelized assembly.
Rotate	On a panelized layout, rotates selected board images a specified number of degrees. Use Rotate Free Form to rotate selected boards on the panelized layout using an angle you specify.
Flip Circuit Side	Flips the circuit on selected board images.
Step and Repeat	Creates a secondary matrix from one of the circuits already created with the Create Matrix option. For example, you would select this option if you needed to create a panel layout consisting of the original circuit, a circuit to the right in the X plane, and a circuit below on the Y plane (a 2x2 matrix without the diagonal circuit). In the dialog, you can set up the spacing and offset measurements. When you select the Create Panel button, the panelization is completed using the parameters you specify.
Duplicate	Duplicates selected circuits.
Delete	Deletes one or more selected circuits on a panelized layout. (You cannot delete the root circuit.)
Reset Panelization	Restores a panelized layout to a one-up board image.
Circuit Color	Changes the color of the circuit.
Line Weight	Modifies the line weight of the circuit.
Order Circuits	Specifies the order of the circuits on a panelized assembly. Click a number to reset Circuit 1.
Alignment Tools	Aligns or distributes selected circuits on a panelized layout for optimal fit: Align Left Align Right Align Center Align Top Align Center Align Bottom Distribute Left Edge Distribute Centers Distribute Right Edge Distribute Top Distribute Centers Distribute Bottom
Show Components	Shows or hides all components on a panelized assembly.
Calculator	Provides a calculator to use when working on panelized layouts.

Modify footprints

The Footprints tab in the Process Definition window allows you to modify the graphical rendering of each component on the board. There are four aspects of each footprint that you can modify:

Artwork - Typically the overall outline or shape of the component footprint
Pads - Modifies the leads that make up the component, including reordering
Highlight - Modifies the area of the component used for color coding in Active Work Instructions
Origin - Changes the 0,0 (origin) point of a part

Process Definition window Footprints tab

Modify electricals

There are currently three CAD file formats from which FactoryLogix can import Netlist and Trace information: GENCAD, PADS PowerPCB, and ODB++. You can use the Electricals tab in the Process Definition window to display these graphical traces.