FileImportNetList

Created: June 10, 2016 | Updated: April 11, 2017 | Applies to versions: 15.1, 16.0, 16.1, 17.0, 17.1, 18.0, 18.1, 19.0, 19.1, 20.0, 20.1, 20.2 and 21

Parent page: CAMtastic Commands

The following pre-packaged resource, derived from this base command, is available:

Import Netlist

Applied Parameters: None

Summary

This command is used to import an IPC-D-356 formatted netlist into the current document.

Access

This command is accessed from the CAMtastic Editor by choosing the File » Import » Netlist command from the main menus.

Use

After launching the command, the File Import - Netlist dialog will appear. Use the dialog to locate and open the required netlist file. After clicking OK, the file will be imported and the relevant netlist layers (*.ipc) will be added to the layers list in the CAMtastic panel.

Tips

Protel formatted netlists are not supported. The imported netlist must be in the standard IPC-D-356 format.
If the IPC netlist has been imported correctly, you will see two layers added to the layers list in the CAMtastic panel: <fabrication_testpoint_report_for_DesignName>.ipc_t and <fabrication_testpoint_report_for_DesignName>.ipc_b, reflecting netlist information for the top and bottom signal layers. (A third layer, <fabrication_testpoint_report_for_DesignName>.ipc_in, will appear if you have internal signal layers in your PCB design. Unless you have blind and/or buried vias involving these layers, this third layer will be empty and can be left, or deleted, from the layers list).
If using Altium Designer's PCB Editor, the IPC netlist is created by generating a testpoint report and selecting IPC-D-356A as the output format. The individual options available for this format should be left disabled.