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Creating PCB Assemblies from your Diptrace PCB Project
If you use the EDA Tool Diptrace to design your PCB Assemblies, the best method to upload your design files to MacroFab is to create the following manufacturing package to upload to the MacroFab platform.
- ODB++ Manufacturing Packet
- Bill of Materials from a .XLSX spreadsheet
Once you have created this manufacturing package you will be able to easily upload your PCB Assembly to the MacroFab platform.
In the PCB tab, simply drag-and-drop your manufacturing package into the file upload target. Alternatively, you can click the Upload Files button on the right side of the screen. More information about uploading files to the platform can be found on the knowledge base article Creating a PCB and Uploading Design Files. The Bill of Materials .XLSX format upload procedure can be found here.
Diptrace ODB++ File Generation
ODB++ files are exported directly from your PCB and include the PCB layers and placement data needed to build your design.
To generate the ODB++ packet start by clicking File -> Export -> ODB++. The Export ODB++ window will pop up.
Make sure all of the boxes in the Layers section of this window are checked. Click the 'As Compressed File' as well. This will zip up the ODB++ packet automatically. Then press Export. Diptrace will now automatically generate all of the necessary manufacturing files. This may take a few moments. Once the file generation is complete Diptrace will generate a new zip folder called odb.zip in the directory that you choose.
If any issues are encountered using Mentor Graphics ODB++ please use ODB++ CAM350 as your CAM.
Bill of Materials Generation
For the Bill of Materials Auto Fill to work on the MacroFab Platform, Manufacture Part Numbers (MPNs) must be supplied for the components. MacroFab currently does not support MPNs in the ODB++ file so a .XLSX spreadsheet will have to be made to associate MPNs with component designators. The spreadsheet only needs to contain designators and the corresponding MPN. For more information on making a .XLSX formated spreadsheet and uploading it see the knowledge base article, Importing a Bill of Materials Spreadsheet.
Generating this Bill of Materials .XLSX file is optional for Diptrace PCBs. You will be able to fill out the Bill of Materials without MPNs. The platform will use the footprint and value provided by the ODB++ file to suggest parts. See the Bill of Materials Management article for more information.
Additional Diptrace Questions?
If you have any other questions about creating a PCB Assembly with a Diptrace PCB Project please contact our support team.