PCB Libraries Forum : Allegro https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/ Sun, 05 Apr 2026 19:34:09 +0000 Wed, 27 Sep 2023 09:17:26 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.07 30 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/RSS_topic_feed.asp?FID=9 <![CDATA[PCB Libraries Forum]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/forum_images/PCBLForumLogo.gif https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/ <![CDATA[Allegro : Known Cadence 17.2 Issue: Read Here]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/known-cadence-17-2-issue-read-here_topic3322_post13265.html#13265 Author: Nick B
Subject: Known Cadence 17.2 Issue: Read Here
Posted: 27 Sep 2023 at 9:17am

Problem: When you attempt to run a build, Cadence Allegro does not open like it was. This issue is coupled with having just upgraded to 17.2.

Resolution: This is a Cadence problem in that 17.2 does not appear to set your CDSROOT and Path environment variables. You can check this by running Cadence Switch Release either in Start -> Run or the Search Box in Windows 10 and start typing 'Cadence Switch Release'. You should see it after the first couple of letters. Select it and run it.


The Path in CDSROOT should match the Path in the top part of the box. This is the Cadence Design System Root variable and is used to determine the root directory of the current release. If you have the problem, this will be blank.

To fix this, you need to set your Environment Variables for CDSROOT and PATH. To do this, you need to open your Environment Variables as such:

In Windows, you go to Control Panel. Select Large Icons.Select System. Alternatively, In Windows 10, you can right click on Start ->System.

 

Then go Advanced System Settings ->Environment Variables. You set both CDSROOT and PATH there.

CDSROOT will likely not even be a variable. Create a new one in System Variables, set the name to CDSROOT and the value to the proper full path to the SPB directory as noted above.

Path will certainly be a variable. You will need to edit it and add the following directories. If in Windows 7, you'll need to simply tack them on to the end of the string using the nomenclature ;<Path>. The Path variable is simply lots of directories separated by semicolons. If in Windows 10, it'll look like the following dialog and edit the entries to add the highlighted paths.


With these two variables set, when the program runs 'allegro' it will be able to find the actual executable which sits in %CDSROOT%\tools\bin and in turn run it properly.


]]> Wed, 27 Sep 2023 09:17:26 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/known-cadence-17-2-issue-read-here_topic3322_post13265.html#13265 <![CDATA[Allegro : Drill Symbol Definition - Allegro]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/drill-symbol-definition-allegro_topic3259_post12984.html#12984 Author: Jeff.M
Subject: Drill Symbol Definition - Allegro
Posted: 17 Apr 2023 at 7:53am

The drill symbol shape is fixed as a cross.
The size is fixed at 1 mm.
]]> Mon, 17 Apr 2023 07:53:53 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/drill-symbol-definition-allegro_topic3259_post12984.html#12984 <![CDATA[Allegro : Drill Symbol Definition - Allegro]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/drill-symbol-definition-allegro_topic3259_post12981.html#12981 Author: Arun7290
Subject: Drill Symbol Definition - Allegro
Posted: 15 Apr 2023 at 11:05am

I would like to know if there are any guidelines or any set of rules for defining the drill symbols in Allegro pad stack editor. 

I have noticed that whenever we generate any through hole footprint from the Footprint expert into Allegro, it generates footprint and pad stack files. 

And the pad stack files are having the drill figure, drill figure width & height and drill character defined. 

But I couldn't understand how it gets defined.

]]> Sat, 15 Apr 2023 11:05:52 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/drill-symbol-definition-allegro_topic3259_post12981.html#12981 <![CDATA[Allegro : Texas Instruments Footprint and 3D]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/texas-instruments-footprint-and-3d_topic3194_post12694.html#12694 Author: Nick B
Subject: Texas Instruments Footprint and 3D
Posted: 08 Nov 2022 at 12:04pm

what are you trying to download?]]> Tue, 08 Nov 2022 12:04:08 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/texas-instruments-footprint-and-3d_topic3194_post12694.html#12694 <![CDATA[Allegro : Texas Instruments Footprint and 3D]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/texas-instruments-footprint-and-3d_topic3194_post12693.html#12693 Author: soaresva
Subject: Texas Instruments Footprint and 3D
Posted: 08 Nov 2022 at 11:38am


I tried down loading the following but could not:


]]> Tue, 08 Nov 2022 11:38:52 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/texas-instruments-footprint-and-3d_topic3194_post12693.html#12693 <![CDATA[Allegro : Package Symbols versus Mechanical Symbols]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/package-symbols-versus-mechanical-symbols_topic2518_post10610.html#10610 Author: delovetsky
Subject: Package Symbols versus Mechanical Symbols
Posted: 17 Feb 2020 at 7:07am

Plated through mounting holes which are electrically connected need to be tested for.

This means it needs to reside with the net list for automated testing.

In Allegro a mechanical plated through hole will not allow a connection and would be voided within a shape.
 
]]> Mon, 17 Feb 2020 07:07:08 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/package-symbols-versus-mechanical-symbols_topic2518_post10610.html#10610 <![CDATA[Allegro : Package Symbols versus Mechanical Symbols]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/package-symbols-versus-mechanical-symbols_topic2518_post10370.html#10370 Author: tjnash75
Subject: Package Symbols versus Mechanical Symbols
Posted: 12 Aug 2019 at 4:34pm

I've confirmed that Allegro mechanical symbols don't allow electrical connections, so at the very least plated holes can't be mechanical symbols and connect to a net.  How confusing...]]> Mon, 12 Aug 2019 16:34:44 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/package-symbols-versus-mechanical-symbols_topic2518_post10370.html#10370 <![CDATA[Allegro : Package Symbols versus Mechanical Symbols]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/package-symbols-versus-mechanical-symbols_topic2518_post10369.html#10369 Author: tjnash75
Subject: Package Symbols versus Mechanical Symbols
Posted: 12 Aug 2019 at 10:44am

I believe Allegro and OrCAD PCB Designer both use psm and bsm files to delineate drawing types:
Package Symbol (.psm): Used for footprints such as SOIC20, BGA, QFP, and so on.
Mechanical Symbol (.bsm) : A generic card outline, mounting hole, tooling hole, board stiffener.
Format Symbol (.osm): A through D size page format, company logo, assembly/fab notes, cross section diagram, and so on.
Shape Symbol (.ssm): Creates a filled polygon (shape) used for custom pads.
Flash Symbol (.fsm): A symbol used to represent a thermal relief connection on a negative plane.

I don't believe the dra file is any different, and that the psm/bsm file is a binary file only used during placement.  

I experimented and there's definitely a difference, as changing the file extension broke my ability to place the symbol.  

You raise any interesting point about electrical connectivity, though. 

I wonder if mechanical symbols (from the tool's perspective) can still have electrical connectivity defined.  

I would think that a mechanical stiffener (e.g. a wedge lock) would possibly fall into the same category as a plated through hole, in that respect.
]]> Mon, 12 Aug 2019 10:44:15 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/package-symbols-versus-mechanical-symbols_topic2518_post10369.html#10369 <![CDATA[Allegro : Package Symbols versus Mechanical Symbols]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/package-symbols-versus-mechanical-symbols_topic2518_post10368.html#10368 Author: Tom H
Subject: Package Symbols versus Mechanical Symbols
Posted: 12 Aug 2019 at 9:42am

There are Plated Through Mounting Holes which are normally in the schematic tied to GND. 

There are Non-Plated Mounting Holes which are Mechanical. 

What's a .bsm file? Is that a Concept Symbol?
]]> Mon, 12 Aug 2019 09:42:46 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/package-symbols-versus-mechanical-symbols_topic2518_post10368.html#10368 <![CDATA[Allegro : Package Symbols versus Mechanical Symbols]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/package-symbols-versus-mechanical-symbols_topic2518_post10367.html#10367 Author: tjnash75
Subject: Package Symbols versus Mechanical Symbols
Posted: 11 Aug 2019 at 7:35am

I've noticed when I create items like mounting holes, they get created as package symbols as opposed to mechanical symbols.  

I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong, or if this is the default behavior of the tool.  

If this is the behavior of the tool, why are things like mounting holes getting created as package symbols (.psm) and not mechanical symbols (.bsm)?  

Is this a bug or am I misunderstanding the purpose of mechanical symbols?

Thanks in advance!
Tim
]]> Sun, 11 Aug 2019 07:35:47 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/package-symbols-versus-mechanical-symbols_topic2518_post10367.html#10367