NetCon
Version 1.02
Netlist Converter

Copyright (c) 2004-2005 Rob L. Dey
All rights reserved.


Introduction:

The NetCon program is a computer-aided engineering (CAE) software tool that converts printed-circuit (PC) board netlist files from one format to another. This version of the NetCon software supports the following file formats during netlist conversion:

 from PADS-PCB to ExpressPCB
 from PADS2000 to ExpressPCB
 from PADS-PowerPCB to ExpressPCB

 NOTE: PADS-Perform is not supported.

Future versions of the NetCon program may support additional netlist file formats as well.


Program Features:

* Converts ASCII text netlist files that are created in OrCAD Capture or other schematic drawing programs from PADS-PowerPCB to ExpressPCB format
* Reports file conversion progress
* Shows full path of source and target files
* Treats source file as read-only
* Provides an easy-to-use, intuitive user-interface
* Sufficient system memory allows more than 2.1 billion lines, parts, nets, or connections


Program Operation:

The NetCon program runs on Microsoft Windows NT, 95, 98, 2000, ME, XP, or later operating systems.

To begin using the NetCon program, simply click on the NetCon desktop icon, or click on the Start button, and select Programs, then select NetCon.

Enter the source and target paths, and click on the OK button to create the new netlist file.

The source file is never modified or overwritten by the program. It is accessed in a read-only fashion.

The source and target filenames cannot be identical within the same folder or directory.


Program Menus:

The File, Open menu item and dialog box allows selection of the following source file format types.

 PADS-PowerPCB Netlist File (*.net)
 PADS-PowerPCB Netlist File (*.asc)
 All Files (*.*)

The File, Save As menu item and dialog box allows selection of the following target file format types.

 ExpressPCB Netlist File (*.net)

The File, Exit menu item allows the program window to be closed.

The Help menu provides access to program operation and release information, such as program version and author contact information.


Source Files:

The source netlist, PADS-PowerPCB (.net or .asc) file can be created by using OrCAD Capture (or other) schematic drawing CAD software. Versions 7.2 through 9.2.3 (with CIS or without CIS) have been tested, using the padspcb.dll and pads2k.dll files. The schematic software was originally available from OrCAD, Inc., and is available presently from Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (www.orcad.com and www.cadence.com). The PADS-PowerPCB printed-circuit (PC) board layout CAD software was originally available from PADS Software, Inc., and later from Innoveda, Inc. The PC board software is available presently from Mentor Graphics Corp. (www.mentor.com). If you design the PC board using OrCAD Layout or PADS-PowerPCB software rather than ExpressPCB software, you will not need to use this conversion tool.

Part and Net sections are required in the source netlist, and part pin numbers cannot include letters. Although netlist WARNINGs are allowed, all netlist ERRORs must be corrected prior to the conversion process. Supported source netlist versions include PADS-PCB (all), PADS-PowerPCB (v1.x, 2.x, 3.0), and PADS2000 (v6.0, 7.0), and exclude PADS-PowerPCB (v3.5, 3.6, 4.0, 5.0), and PADS-Perform (v6.x, 7.x).


Target Files:

The target (or destination) netlist, ExpressPCB (.net) file can be created by using this conversion tool. The output file that is generated can be imported into the free PC board layout CAD software, called ExpressPCB, which is available from Engineering Express (www.expresspcb.com). Versions 2.6.2 and earlier did not include a netlist import feature. Version 3.1.0 was the first to support netlists. Versions 4.1.1 through 4.2.2 have been tested with this netlist converter. If you draw the schematic diagram from within the free ExpressSCH program, you will not need to use this conversion tool.


For more information, please contact:

Nat Radio Co.
P.O. Box 1849
Point Pleasant, NJ  08742-1849  USA
info@natradioco.com
http://www.natradioco.com
