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IDF Translator

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You can open an Intermediate Data Format (IDF) board file (IDF version 2.0 or 3.0) in Autodesk Inventor Professional. The file can be opened as a new assembly or part document, or the IDF solid body can be placed as a component in an existing assembly.

When you open an IDF board file type, the board components are summarized so you can determine which items to import. Each component is assigned a color to provide a visually correct representation of the PCB assembly. You can change the color of the entire board, other outlines, all components, or individual components as needed.

What is IDF?

IDF is the standard data exchange format for transferring printed circuit assembly (PCA) data between printed circuit board (PCB) layout and mechanical design. The format consists of the following files:

Board/Panel file	The input IDF file (.brd, .emn, .bdf, or .idb file) contains the board or panel definition.
Library file	Contains board property information. The library file has a .lib, .emp, .ldf, or .idl extension and must always be in the same location and have the same name as the board file.

All three files have the same file name with different extensions. The name is based on the name of the input IDF file.

How are different IDF board items supported?

When imported as an assembly document, the board components are translated into multiple parts that are contained in the new assembly. Each part file contains the data for one or more component instance. The Autodesk Inventor browser and the BOM are updated with the IDF information.

When imported as a part document, the board components are translated into the sketches and extrusions that make up the part model in a hierarchy. Importing as a single part simplifies file management and reduces the number of files Autodesk Inventor must open to display an accurate representation of the PCB assembly.

The Autodesk Inventor IDF Translator supports many standard IDF board items:

Outlines	Board and panel, Other, Routing, and Placement outlines are supported. Each outline has a different purpose, such as communicating board shape and cutouts, or regions for component placement, and are represented in the browser as either a part or sketch. When multiple outlines exist, a sketch is created for each one. Expand the part to view additional sketches.
Keepouts	Routing, Via, and Placement keepouts are supported. Each keepout specifies a region of the board where a type of item is not allowed. If multiple keepouts exist, a sketch is created for each one. Expand the keepout part to view the sketches.
Group Areas	Specifies an area where related components are placed. If a group area exists on both sides of the board, a sketch is created for each side.
Drilled Holes	Distinguished from circular cutouts in the board outline, drilled holes are always drilled and are placed onto the same sketch as the board outline.
Components	Board components, such as connectors, switches, and displays are listed with their package name and part number. Each component contains placement information. The package name and part number fields for each component are used to reference the component's definition in the IDF Library file. The reference designator followed by an underscore and a unique identifier is the display name for each occurrence of the component.

All part files are named automatically based on existing board information. Notes defined in the IDF file are created and stored, but not displayed.

How can IDF data be used?

Once the IDF data is imported, you can interact with it as you would any other Autodesk Inventor data. The imported board information can be represented in drawings, design views, and presentations.

NoteIDF does not provide a full design representation of a PCA and should not be used as such.

What can nonlicensed IDF Translator sites do with IDF board data?

The only difference between a system that has Autodesk Inventor IDF Translator installed, and one that does not is that a nonlicensed site cannot import new IDF components. For example, both licensed and nonlicensed sites can do the following:

Open and edit a regular assembly that contains an IDF subassembly.
Determine interferences with board components.
View the outline of IDF data within the context of an open assembly file.
Turn visibility off to completely hide the IDF assembly component in the graphics window.
Create detailed drawings of IDF data within any file.

Procedures

Import and use IDF board data

You can import IDF board data to a new part or assembly file or place it directly into an existing Autodesk Inventor assembly as a solid body component. If needed, you can also assign colors to the board and certain board items.

To open IDF board data in Autodesk Inventor

When you open a file with IDF board data as a new assembly or part, Autodesk Inventor creates a standard .iam or .ipt file with IDF board components. Once imported, the IDF data can be used as a component in other assemblies or as a stand-alone part or assembly.

Click Open.
In the Open dialog box, change the file type to IDF Board File (.brd,.emn,.bdf,.idb), and then select the file to open.
Click Open to start reading data.
In the Import IDF Options dialog box, view the summary data, and then select the type of document to create (assembly or part).
Select the items to import:
- To import all items, click OK.
- To import selected items, clear the check mark for the items to exclude, and then click OK.
- To import selected items in a different color, highlight the item name, click the Item color arrow to select a color from the palette, and then click OK.
Click Save to save the file.

Click Cancel to exit the dialog box without importing data.

To import IDF board data into an existing assembly

Open the destination Autodesk Inventor assembly file.
On the ribbon, click Assemble tabComponent panel Place.
In the Open dialog box, select IDF Board File as the Files of type, and then select the file to import.
Click Open to begin reading IDF components.
In the Import IDF Options dialog box, view the summary data, and then select the type of file to create, part or assembly.
Select the items to import:
- To import all items, click OK.
- To import selected items, clear the check mark for the items to exclude, and then click OK.
- To import selected items in a different color, highlight the item name, click the Item color arrow to select a color from the palette, and then click OK.
  
  NoteClick Cancel to exit without importing data.
The assembly or part document for the imported IDF data is displayed.
Return to the destination assembly to place the component as usual.

For more information on placing components search for "place components in assembly" in the Help Help Topics index.

References

Import IDF Options

Provides a summary of board or panel items, sets the type of document to create, and determines the components to import.

Access:

Click Open. Set the file type, select an IDF board file, and then click Open.

With an open assembly file, click Assemble tabComponent panel Place. Set the file type, select an IDF board file, and then click Open.

General Information	Shows the board name, the units of measurement used, and the IDF version.
Select document type to create	Sets the type of file to create, an assembly or a part.
Select items to import	Lists the items contained on the board and determines items to import. Remove the check mark from the items to exclude.
Item color	Displays the color for a selected item. Click the arrow to select a new color from the palette.

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