Pads .pcb file into Altium - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: sparqq
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 02, 2017, 09:50:41 am
content: I've been lurking a while and of course watching the Dave his YT channel but now need some help with a little problem.I have a Pads design in a .pcb format which is not able to be imported to Altium with the wizard. Altium only supports the Pads ASCII format, but I don't have Pads to save the file it in ASCII. Anyone has suggestion on how to do this import?

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2017, 10:32:15 am
content: Quote from: sparqq on November 02, 2017, 09:50:41 amIf you are willing to send the file to someone with PADS, perhaps they will kindly convert it to PADS ASCII format for you.There are lots of import & export filters in DipTrace .......... but I too can only import PADS ASCII files.

author: sparqq
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 02, 2017, 11:59:16 am
content: I've no problem with sending the file over, it's not rocket science. Just need to be saved in ASCII format.

author: GreggD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2017, 12:01:18 pm
content: If it is Pads 9.5 or older I can do it. If it is small attach it in a post here as a zip. If big upload it to tinyupload dot c o m and post the link here.

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2017, 12:30:12 pm
content: Better that the two of you communicate via EEVBlog personal message rather than put the file up for everyone to see.You can swap email addresses / links via personal message.Just let us know if you have success.

author: sparqq
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 08, 2017, 01:36:51 am
content: Quote from: GreggD on November 02, 2017, 12:01:18 pmI've send you a DM with my e-mail but no answer so far.Any one else who can do the conversion for me?

author: Agrum
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2018, 02:32:47 pm
content: Hello,I have exactly the same problem described in this topic.I have a .pcb file, I can open it with PADS free pcb viewer but I want to open it in Altium. I think that the only way is to covert it in ASCII but I don't have PADSCan someone help me? These files are not private, I can share them.Thanks

author: Giaime
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2018, 11:06:37 am
content: Quote from: Agrum on November 08, 2018, 02:32:47 pmYou can send them to me, I have PADS Vx.0. Write me a PM.

author: Agrum
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2018, 09:12:20 am
content: Hello,thank you so much, I have sent you a pm

author: Agrum
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2019, 12:47:02 pm
content: Hello,I have the same problem againCan someone convert .pcb PADS file into .ASCII PADS file?I'll be really grateful

author: Giaime
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2019, 03:01:37 pm
content: Don't worry, write me a PM again

author: Agrum
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2019, 09:10:33 am
content: Thanks

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2019, 09:20:01 am
content: You know, when I had a problem importing OrCAD, I called Altium support and they sent me a step by step guide for it. It wasnt just running the wizzard, there were some .bat files involved.

author: frox
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 01, 2023, 07:49:03 pm
content: Hello,I have exatly the same problem. I have a .pcb file but I need to import it in altium.Can someone help me? I do not have a PADS layout license for that conversion.Best,