Jan,
        The industry standard for data interchange is IPC-D-352. Also, many
cad software vendors provide a function to get an ASCII output of the
database. This,
however, would put you in the position of writing software around a
proprietary ASCII file
format.
        Since each cad tool is unique, I don't think you're going to find a
generic
"low-cost tool that converts a PCB layout into a readable format". If you're
writing this
code with the intent of selling it, you may be forced to deal separately
with each vendors
format, as well as with IPC-D-352. If you're just writing this for your
thesis, ask someone
to send you an ASCII output from their database.

 Michael Hiteshew
 Lockheed Martin Launching Systems
 [log in to unmask]
 (410) 682-1259



> hello,
>
> I am an EMC engineer working on a masters degree and looking for a
> low-cost tool that
> converts a PCB layout into a readable format (ASCCI), such that geometric
> information
> of the tracks is converted into a format that can be used by EMC tools to
> extract
> crosstalk and other stuff.
>
> To be specific, I am interested in a simple tool that dumps the folowing
> information into
> a file:
>
> for each net a record with:
>  - the track name
>  - net routing details: x-y coordinates of the net segments with layer
> info
>  - possibly vias used
>  - possibly chips connected to the net
>
> What are my options? Can I start from a gerber format or do I have to
> start from
> something more complex, as for example from a specific CAD layout file?
>
> I am not looking for plug-an-play, neither am I afraid of some serious
> programming. So
> somthing simple and general would be welcome.
>
> Your help is appreciated.
>
> Jan Vercammen
> EMC Engineer
> [log in to unmask]
>
>

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