> > REGARDING Information on translators > I am looking for information on the best way to translate between Cadence > Layout Editor files (or GDSII, also called stream output) and AutoCad DXF > format, or NASTRAN or PATRAN for finite element analysis. We are mainly > interested in supported commercial software rather than university unsupported > software. Any information on commercial vendors of such translation software > would be greatly appreciated. > Jon Bernstein > jbernstein@draper.com > > > > Jon, I use the two-way GDSII<-->DXF translator from Artwork Conversion Software 1320 Mission Street, Suite 5 Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Fax: (408)426-2824 It costs around $3000 and runs under DOS with a hardware key to prevent simultaneous use on multiple machines. It works best if all GDS cells (also called structures) are smashed flat before translation to DXF, but handles some cell instances without problems. I have limited experience with the opposite path from DXF to GDS. Good luck in your search. Please post results to the mems@isi.edu list. Phil -- ************* __ ************* Phil Barth *********** / / ************ Project Engineer ********* / / ********* Analytical & Medical Laboratory ******* / /___ ______ ******* Hewlett-Packard Laboratories ****** / __ // __ / ****** email: barth@hpl.hp.com ****** / / / // /_/ / ****** US Mail: 3500 Deer Creek Road ******* /_/ /_// ____/ ******* Building 26U ******** / / ********* Palo Alto, CA 94304 ********** / / *********** Phone: (415) 857-5804 *********** /_/ *************** Fax: (415) 852-8502