2009

With the Autodesk Inventor IDF Translator you can:
■ Import industry standard files (.brd, .emn, .bdf, .idb) in the Intermediate
Data Format (IDF) as new part or assembly files, or as subassemblies in
existing assemblies.
■ Display a summary of board items before importing.
■ Automatically place all or selected board items, such as drilled holes,
keepouts, outlines (including cutouts), and components on the PCB.
■ Automatically group outlines, keepouts, and components based on board
side (top, bottom, inner), when imported as an assembly.
NOTE Via keepouts are not grouped since they travel through the board.
■ Assigns colors on import for an accurate board representation. You can
change the colors for the entire board, other outlines, and all or selected
components.
Exchanging Data
The Autodesk Inventor IDF Translator supports IDF versions 2.0 and 3.0, and
PCB design files with the extensions .brd, .emn, .bdf and .idb.
The following table summarizes and describes the types of IDF entities
supported by the Autodesk Inventor IDF Translator.
DescriptionBoard entity type
Each of the four outline types provides a different function,
such as communicating board shape and cutouts, or regions
Outlines:
■ Board and Panel
for routing and placing components. When imported as an
■ Other
assembly, outlines are represented in the browser as parts
■ Routing
with single or multiple sketches. If multiple sketches exist,
■ Placement
you can expand the part to view them. When imported as
a part, outlines are represented as sketches.
Each keepout specifies a region of the board where a type
of item is not allowed. If multiple placement keepouts exist,
Keepouts:
■ Routing
a sketch is created for each one. All routing keepouts on the
■ Via
same side of the board (Top, Bottom, or Inner) are stored
■ Placement
368 | Chapter 20 Using the IDF Translator