Ken, The icon & basic menu for ODB++ are available in Allegro 13.6 but your layout house will have to go to : http://www.valor.com/cadenceodb.htm where after filling out a questionnaire about their professional life history, they can download the actual ODB++ software patch for Allegro . Instructions are included & it is free. If your manufacturers use ODB++ , they can provide you with a Valor rules file so you can check your design against their design rules. The Allegro software for the competing GenCam format is now available from OHIO Design Automation [http://www.ohio-da.com]. Details available @ http://www.ohio-da.com/gencam.htm [No price is given but I'm sure this one isn't free. I thought Allegro was going to integrate GenCam without one having to purchase add-on software from third parties but maybe that comes later.( Insert graphic of maintance $$$s flying away here!)] There are other similar products as well, such as Fabmaster [http://www.fabmaster.com/], though I believe it is for assembly only. We currently use this format but my only knowledge of it as a PCB Designer is that we create an output file & then dump it electronically into a somewhat dark hole on the other side of the world and PWAs eventually come back from there having used this data. May the best format win (or the best formats coexist), Tom Martin Sr. PCB Designer, ASE Technologies USA VP Smoky Mountain Chapter, IPC Designer's Council Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2000 16:06:20 -0700 From: Ken Patel <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: ODB++ file????? MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Can I ask my layout house who is using Cadence Allegro to output ODB++ file? Is fab house love to have this format? re, ken patel --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TechNet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8d To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF TECHNET Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------