Hi Daan, Depending on the software tool which produces the ODB++ data, the user can select whether to take certain information out of the file before sending the data to another company. For example, in general it is possible to remove the netlist data, component layers etc., if required. To put it another way, ODB++ can be used to define as much or as little of the product as you want. Having said that, a bare-board vendor would not thank you for removing the netlist! Hope this helps, Julian Coates Valor -----Original Message----- From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of D.Terstegge Sent: 28 January 2002 22:12 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [TN] ODB++ I have another question about changing from Gerber to filetypes like ODB++ (or many other formats). How do you folks out there think about sending such data, which may include almost complete design information, to the outside world ? I mean with Gerber your stencil vendor or bare board vendor may learn some things about mechanical characteristics of your designs (so what ?), but isn't it a risk with formats like ODB++ that someone steals a major part of your design and your companies knowhow ? Daan Terstegge http://www.smtinfo.net ----- Original Message ----- From: Earl Moon To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Monday, January 28, 2002 8:35 PM Subject: Re: [TN] ODB++ Paul, As a thoroughly experienced and long time Valor user, first I can say it's a great package though a bit tough to learn. Concerning ODB++, most all my fab suppliers use the convention. CAM350 and most CAM packages also output ODB as "smart" data instead of "dumb" Gerber. By the way, I have a set of procedures that cut through the exhaustive Valor documentation. When you're ready, I'll send them to you. Mostly they are actual photos of nearly every screen used in the Valor program. Earl ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------- 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 To temporarily halt delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search previous postings at: www.ipc.org > On-Line Resources & Databases > E-mail Archives 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------