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           Protel AutoCAD Interface 99 Readme file       3-Nov-99

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CONTENTS

1. About the AutoCAD Interface 
2. Installing and running the AutoCAD Interface
3. Current limitations
4. DWG/DXF-to-PCB Default Layer Mapping
5. Copyright Notice

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1. About the AutoCAD Interface

The AutoCAD Interface allows you to export and import from Protel 
PCB and Schematic files to AutoCAD DWG and DXF format files. The
interface supports the following AutoCAD versions: V2.5, V2.6, R9,
R10, R11, R12, R13, R14.

The new AutoCAD Interface replaces the existing DXF export and DXF 
import features in Protel 99.

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2. Installing and using the AutoCAD Interface

- Ensure that Protel 99 is closed prior to installing the AutoCAD 
  Interface.
- Double-click on the downloaded Autocadinterface99.exe file to 
  start the installation process. 
- Follow the instructions in the installation Wizard. 
  Note: the Interface must be installed in the \Design Explorer 99
  folder.
- Re-start Protel 99.

Exporting from Protel PCB or Schematic to DWG/DXF

  The AutoCAD Interface can export both DWG and DXF format files. 
  To export a PCB or Schematic as either a DWG or DXF file:
- Open the PCB or Schematic document.
- Select File » Export from the PCB or Schematic Editor menus.
- The Export File dialog will appear, select the 
  AutoCAD files (*.DXF, *.DWG) option in the Save as Type field, 
  enter the file name, and click the Save button.
- The Export to AutoCAD dialog will appear. Set the options as 
  required and click the OK button to create the file.

Importing from DWG/DXF to Protel PCB or Schematic 

  The AutoCAD Interface can import both DWG and DXF format files. 
  To import a DWG or DXF file:
- Open the PCB or Schematic document, this can be either a new
  document or an existing document.
- Select File » Import from the PCB or Schematic Editor menus.
- The Import File dialog will appear, select the 
  AutoCAD Files (*.DWG, *.DXF) option in the Files of Type field, 
  locate and select the file and click the Open button.
- The Import from AutoCAD dialog will appear. Set the options as 
  required and click the OK button.

If the contents of the DWG/DXF file are larger than the extents of
the 100x100 inch PCB workspace they are automatically scaled to fit. 

Note: use the What's This help button at the top of the dialog
for information about each option.

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3. Current limitations

The PCB importer has the following limitations:
- Arcs in scaled blocks are not imported correctly.
- Blocks that extend beyond the most upper right primitive in the 
  DWG/DXF file are not considered during automatic scaling, after 
  importing they may lie outside the Protel workspace.
- Arcs with a very large radius (their center point lies beyond the 
  extents of all other object in the DWG/DXF file) are not imported.
- Closed arcs are imported as pads with a radius equal to the arc
  radius.
- As rectangular solids are converted to fills they are occasionally
  positioned incorrectly.

The Schematic importer has the following limitations:
- Any entities outside the 65x65 inch maximum sheet size are
  ignored, including any with negative coordinates.

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4. DWG/DXF-to-PCB Default Layer Mapping

TOPLAYER=Top Layer
MIDLAYER1=Mid Layer 1
MIDLAYER2=Mid Layer 2
MIDLAYER3=Mid Layer 3
MIDLAYER4=Mid Layer 4
MIDLAYER5=Mid Layer 5
MIDLAYER6=Mid Layer 6
MIDLAYER7=Mid Layer 7
MIDLAYER8=Mid Layer 8
MIDLAYER9=Mid Layer 9
MIDLAYER10=Mid Layer 10
MIDLAYER11=Mid Layer 11
MIDLAYER12=Mid Layer 12
MIDLAYER13=Mid Layer 13
MIDLAYER14=Mid Layer 14
BOTTOMLAYER=Bottom Layer
TOPOVERLAY=Top Overlay
BOTTOMOVERLAY=Bottom Overlay
TOPPASTE=Top Paste
BOTTOMPASTE=Bottom Paste
TOPSOLDER=Top Solder
BOTTOMSOLDER=Bottom Solder
INTERNALPLANE1=Internal Plane 1
INTERNALPLANE2=Internal Plane 2
INTERNALPLANE3=Internal Plane 3
INTERNALPLANE4=Internal Plane 4
DRILLGUIDE=Drill Guide
KEEPOUTLAYER=Keep Out Layer
MECHANICAL1=Mechanical Layer 1
MECHANICAL2=Mechanical Layer 2
MECHANICAL3=Mechanical Layer 3
MECHANICAL4=Mechanical Layer 4
DRILLDRAWING=Drill Drawing
MULTILAYER=Multi Layer
0=Top Layer
PADHOLE=Mid Layer 1
VIAHOLE=Mid Layer 2

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5. Copyright Notice

Software, documentation and related materials:
Copyright (c) 1992-1999 Protel International Limited
All rights reserved.