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] > > ################################################################ TechNet E-Mail Forum provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8c ################################################################ To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the body: To subscribe: SUBSCRIBE TechNet <your full name> To unsubscribe: SIGNOFF TechNet ################################################################ Please visit IPC's web site (http://www.ipc.org) "On-Line Services" section for additional information. For technical support contact Hugo Scaramuzza at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.312 ################################################################