[SOLVED] Please help me convert Allegro .brd file to Altium .PcbDoc or .pcb file

rainux · Nov 30, 2011

Hello everyone,

For the PCB design of my project, I received the attached Allegro (.brd) file from the company.
I need to convert this file to Altium Designer (.PcbDoc) or Protel (.pcb) file.

I know the newer version of Altium Designer has a import wizard to convert .brd file to .PcbDoc file,
but Altium Designer6 which I am using doesn't.
So, I need a help from someone who has a newer version.

Would you please help me out?
I will greatly appreciate your effort because this is a critical work for me.
Please... help!

Thank you in advance.

loosemoose · Nov 30, 2011

Could you please post the .ALG file (ASCII). Altium cannot convert the binary version, unless Cadence Allegro is also installed.

rainux · Nov 30, 2011

Many thanks for your quick reply.

I am sorry but, the .brd file is all I received and they told me that this is the only PCB files they have.

I don't have Cadence Allegro with me, so I am not quite sure how to generate .ARG file.

However, from the Altium wiki:
**broken link removed**
it says;

The Import Wizard handles both Allegro PCB Design files (*.brd) and Allegro ASCII Extract files (*.alg).
If you have Allegro PCB Editor versions 15.2 or 16 installed, you can directly translate Allegro PCB Design files (*.brd) into Altium Designer PCB files (*.PcbDoc)

I thought it might be possible to convert the .brd file to the .PcbDoc with newer Altium Designer.
Again, Altium Designer6 which I have does not have that feature.

I will be greatly thankful for any suggestion...

PCBcomponentlibraries · Dec 1, 2011

I've just tried the .brd and got the message in the attached picture...

It seems there isn't a way to do it without having the .ALG or Cadence Allegro Installed, maybe someone with cadence could convert the files to .alg then one of us could convert it.

Chris.

rainux · Dec 2, 2011

Hi Chris,

Thank you so much.

I hope some one who has Cadence Allegro could help this out...

NIKHILRAJ · Dec 2, 2011

try the attached zip. it is in .cad format ( ASCII format). You may rename it to *.alg and try to import to Altium. I dont have altium eith me and unable to check. I dont know whether the transalation can provide 100% result.

PCBcomponentlibraries · Dec 2, 2011

Sorry no Joy with this file either, I tried changing it to .alg and it froze on the import. Tried the .cad and got a report saying the file is too old sorry.

NIKHILRAJ · Dec 2, 2011

can you share files "a.Allegro2Altium.bat
b.AllegroExportViews.txt"

deatials are available below

Using ASCII Conversion to Import Without Allegro
An Altium Designer workstation that does not have a licensed Allegro installation is able to import Allegro ASCII Extract files (*.alg). The following procedure enables a Licensed Allegro user to convert Allegro binary *.brd files to Altium compatible *.alg files. The conversion must be run on the Allegro licensed machine.

1.Locate the following two files in the \System folder of your Altium Designer installation (Summer 08 or later):
a.Allegro2Altium.bat
b.AllegroExportViews.txt
2.Copy the two files to the folder containing the *.brd binary Allegro version 15.2 or 16 file.
3.Open a command prompt, navigate to the folder containing these files and type the following: Allegro2Altium your_file.brd
4.Surround your filename with double quotes if the filename contains spaces, i.e.: Allegro2Altium "your file.brd"
5.The ASCII file is now created in the folder. Copy the *.alg file to the Altium Designer workstation, Summer 08 (Version 7) or higher, and import using the Import Wizard.

samym · Dec 2, 2011

hi,

i had converted the file but the file was in altium 09 version. if i gave is it possible to use because you are having Altium Designer6.

PCBcomponentlibraries · Dec 2, 2011

I think version 6 and 9 are backwards compatible with the exception of a few things, I think you get a report when doing the import. If it dosn't pull in you could save as from summer 09 to one of the binary formats.

ramanan.b · Jan 26, 2012

Dear all,

I am in exactly the same situation as the OP rainux. I am making use of a PCB design made by Hirose ( **broken link removed** ). However they only provide the file in .brd format.

Would any of you be able to convert the attached file for me.

Thank you very much in advance.

ssankurathri · Apr 18, 2013

hi,

I tried this and got the following error.
whe I open the command prompt and type in allegro2altium "file.brd", am getting an error that file extracta.exe is not found.

can u plz help me in this.

Thanks
skr

NIKHILRAJ said:
can you share files "a.Allegro2Altium.bat
b.AllegroExportViews.txt"

deatials are available below

Using ASCII Conversion to Import Without Allegro
An Altium Designer workstation that does not have a licensed Allegro installation is able to import Allegro ASCII Extract files (*.alg). The following procedure enables a Licensed Allegro user to convert Allegro binary *.brd files to Altium compatible *.alg files. The conversion must be run on the Allegro licensed machine.

1.Locate the following two files in the \System folder of your Altium Designer installation (Summer 08 or later):
a.Allegro2Altium.bat
b.AllegroExportViews.txt
2.Copy the two files to the folder containing the *.brd binary Allegro version 15.2 or 16 file.
3.Open a command prompt, navigate to the folder containing these files and type the following: Allegro2Altium your_file.brd
4.Surround your filename with double quotes if the filename contains spaces, i.e.: Allegro2Altium "your file.brd"
5.The ASCII file is now created in the folder. Copy the *.alg file to the Altium Designer workstation, Summer 08 (Version 7) or higher, and import using the Import Wizard.

waisermehmood · Jul 12, 2013

Hello,

I need to import *.brd file in altium. Can anyone convert my file to ascii so I can easily import into Altium.

Regards,
Waiser

penef · Jul 15, 2013

Hi all
for me the problem concern the altium import wizard which is without import format (see attachment).
There is someone who can give me some informations to complete this blank IMPORT WIZARD???

Thanks

jack_pcb · Jul 15, 2013

hi
check it .i have converted it to altium designer

babar_ali · Jul 19, 2013

This will help you.

**broken link removed**

Enjoy!

- - - Updated - - -

This will help you.

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/archive/index.php/t-495950.html

Enjoy!

anilrock87 · Jul 20, 2013

HI,
(@Penef)
It seems you have not installed plugin's for import/export.Follow the below steps

Go to DXP/Plugin's & Updates/....... there browse for the importer/exporter plugins and install it.

Note: Also check the remote repository location is set to correct path(DXP/Preferences/Installation Manager)
set it to
https://installation.altium.com or point it to local harddisk path where you saved the altium repository.

penef · Jul 24, 2013

hi anilrock87
When i want to applied the change. An error message appears (in attachment).
Can you give me some informations concerning this error message??

https://obrazki.elektroda.pl/9739769800_1374650021.png
Thanks for all
Penef

anilrock87 · Jul 24, 2013

Hi,
First please let me what type of package you are using is this complete package of altium, from attachment it seems software not completely installed
I will suggest you to re install the software.

ulambayar · Jul 28, 2013

hi,
could you convert panda-a-allegro.brd file to altium designer, please?

https://pandaboard.org/sites/default/files/board_reference/pandaboard-a/panda-a-allegro.brd

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