Importing a Design from Xpedition into Altium Designer

Altium Designer can import binary format PCB and PCB libraries designed in Siemens EDA^® Xpedition™ (formerly Expedition^®) software.

Run the Importer via Altium Designer's Import Wizard (File » Import Wizard).

The Xpedition file importer is available through Altium Designer's Import Wizard (File » Import Wizard) by selecting the Mentor Expedition Designs and Libraries option on the Wizard's Select Type of Files to Import page.

Select Mentor Expedition Designs and Libraries in the Import Wizard to import Xpedition files.

Notes on Using the Importer

The following notes summarize the functionality of the importer:

• In Xpedition, a PCB design or library does not exist as a single file, but rather, as a structure of interdependent folders and files. Altium Designer's importer requires the entire folder/file structure to be intact to successfully import a PCB or library.

• To import a PCB design file, select the *.prj or *.pcb file in the design structure. Note that:

  • When the *.prj file is selected, the .xml constraint file is also recognized, and the Xpedition constraints are converted into Altium Designer rules in the imported PCB file.

  • When the *.pcb file is selected, the Xpedition constraints are not converted. All of the Xpedition rule definitions are enumerated in a section of the *.log file, so you can then examine this list and create appropriate rules in Altium Designer.

• To import a library file, select the *.lmc file in the library's top-level folder.

• Problems during import are detailed in the *.log file report.

• The Import Wizard supports custom pad shapes. When such pads are imported into Altium Designer, they are imported as pads of the custom shape type. Learn more about Customizing a Pad Stack in Altium Designer.

• The Import Wizard supports custom thermal reliefs defined in an Xpedition board design. In addition, where a predefined ‘8-leg’ (8-spoke) thermal relief is defined in Xpedition, this will also be imported as a custom thermal relief. Note that Xpedition’s support for the custom rotation of spikes is not supported when imported into Altium Designer. Learn more about Defining Custom Thermal Reliefs in Altium Designer.

• The Import Wizard supports rounded/chamfered rectangle-shaped pads with pad corner radius/chamfer defined in an Xpedition as an absolute value. When such pads are imported into Altium Designer, their Corner Radius property is defined as an absolute value. Learn more about Working with Pads & Vias in Altium Designer.

• The Import Wizard supports 'Round Donut' pad shapes when importing an Xpedition design/library.

• Defined pad hole tolerances are included when importing an Xpedition library.

• Replicated text strings in footprints (i.e., mounting hole 'A's) are supported when importing an Xpedition library. The original string, its replicates, and associated parameters are imported.

• Zero-width lines defined for a footprint on the Placement Outline layer are supported when importing an Xpedition library.