CAD formats
EAGLE and Protel 98/99/SE/Altium/Protel-DXP files can be imported to TARGET 3001! that means, the proprietary project files of the mentioned systems can be converted to the *.T3001 format. TARGET 3001! files also can be converted to EAGLE.
In case you should need only subsets of project data you might import parts of your layout like a "painting" to TARGET 3001! that means you would get a plane vectorgraphics in TARGET 3001! lacking PCB informations (layer, pad properties, signal etc.). Conversions towards DXF, EPS... keep data less at last than the original file.
Direct converters from other CAD systems to TARGET 3001! as well as the export to other CAD Systems from TARGET 3001! currently are not planned. The reasons are as follows:
- The development of a converter is very laborious and costly because the documentation ALWAYS is incomplete. The consequence is, that the other system mut be inspected properly which is time consuming (Reverse Engineering). In case an ASCII format is not available, a conversion is nearly impossible.
- The result is ALWAYS a non 100% converter! Other CAD-Systems have import filters for different other CAD systeme, but 100% conversion you'll only hear from the marketing departments.
- The converters are programmed only up to a certain grade of coverage because otherwise the cost of development are inadequate.
- Approximations are unavoidable. A certain pad form e.g. which is not available in the other system gets exchanged by the "worst case" alternative.
- Other CAD-Systems receive development which mostly is not documented. Maybe you can receive a conversion without mistakes but often it will be not complete...
TARGET 3001! is able to create ASCII format from it's own projects. You might develop a converter on your own, if you like. Sure we can give you a quote for writing a converter. The developing time according to our experience will be at least three months.