Definitions of Variables in .pkg files

[Tomski]

In Multisim 10 there is a folder named PCB which contains .pkg files that are to do with Multisim's exporting netlists to other formats. I have created a pkg file for exporting netlists to Eagle, but I cannot find in any of the Multisim documentation what the descriptions for the variables/commands are in the pkg file. Such as COMP_VALUE, GATE_SWAP_GROUP, #OUTPUT etc.

Can you help me by pointing me to where I can find this information as I wish to create a pkg file to enable Multisim to export to RS Components DesignSpark software, which has a more complex netlist structure.

[MariaMK]

Hi Tomski,

I have checked a few different versions of Multisim and cannot find a folder named PCB in the files. Have you created the PCB file during an export? Can you tell me the steps you have taken to export the netlist please? I don't believe there is functionality in Multisim for export to Eagle or DesignSpark.

Thanks

[Tomski]

The path to the folder is C:\Program Files (x86)\National Instruments\Circuit Design Suite 10.1\pcb

Inside that folder are the files

1Ultiboard10.pkg

2Ultiboard9.pkg

4Pads50.pkg

ORCAD.pkg

PROTEL.pkg

The above files contain text like I have shown below for the ORCAD.pkg file. It appears to be a script file that contains keywords like #HEADER, #OUTPUT, #PARAMETERS along with constant/variable names like ALL_NODES, ALL_CONNECTIONS, COMP_FOR_PIN etc.

From the pkg files listed above I have managed to work out the meaning of some of the keywords and such like, as they are pretty obvious, and used them to create a pkg file for Eagle and part of the DesignSpark netlist format and they work. However, I cannot find any information in the Multisim/Ultiboard documentation that relates to the keywords in the pkg files. I would like to know if there is any information on these keywords/constants/variables in the pkg files so that I can complete the DesignSpark.pkg file that would enable a circuit drawn in Multisim to be exported to this application and another one I'm attempting for KiCad.

#HEADER OrCAD (*.asc)|*.asc|

#FILE  EXT=asc, MODE=TEXT

#OUTPUT "
*ORCAD

*USER        60
*INCH              0.00001666666666666667
*METRIC         NO

*START   
"

#PARAMETERS REPEAT=ALL_COMPONENTS
#OUTPUT "
*COMP_FOR_PIN %s   \"%s\"   Footprint=\"%s\"   Value=\"%s\"", COMP_NAME, COMP_VALUE, COMP_FOOTPRINT, COMP_VALUE

#PARAMETERS REPEAT=ALL_NODES, REPEAT=ALL_CONNECTIONS, ITEM_PER_LINE =8
#OUTPUT "

*NET %s
*NET %s " { "%s. \"%s\" ", COMP_FOR_PIN, PIN_NUMBER } "", NODE_NAME , NODE_NAME

#OUTPUT "
*END
"

#END

[MariaMK]

Hi Tomski,

Multisim only supports the export of PCB layouts to .asc and.net files. 

It is a SPICE simulation environment however so if you would like more information on the syntax then you can find some documents online such as this one, SPICE: User's Guide and Reference.

If you would like more information on Multisim you will find some technical resources here.

I hope this is helpful.

[Tomski]

Hi Maria,

My question wasn't a Multisim support one as I'm fully aware that Multisim will only support exporting netlists to its sister software "Ultiboard". However, Multisim does provide the abilty to export netlists in PADS, ORCAD and PROTEL formats.

Multisim appears to use the files I'm talking about  in the pcb folder as a template for exporting pcb netlists in the correct format for other pcb design software like Ultiboard, PADS, ORCAD, PROTEL etc. As I've said, I have created my own .pkg files to allow Multisim to export netlists that can be read by Eagle Layout and KiCad and to some degree DesignSpark using the commands in the pkg files suppled with Multisim 10.1.  These commands are not Spice as I'm fully conversant with Spice and none of the links suggested have any information that's relevant, as I've spent ages looking through it all and also searching on the internet. My questions could possibly be answered by the people who developed the software. Can you pass this query onto them?

[MariaMK]

Hi Tomski,

Apologies for taking so long to get back to you on this. Unfortunately exporting from Multisim in this way would not be supported by National Instruments however I have found some documentation which may help you.

DesignSpark allows import of DXF files from other PCB tools as shown here.

You can export from Ultiboard to DXF files as outlined in this white paper.

If you want to export to DXF directly from a Multisim schematic there are some workarounds for this discussed in this forum post.

You can also import DXF files to Eagle using one of the converters here which may be useful to you.

Regarding the .pkg files in the PCB folder in Multisim 10.1, these are no longer present in later versions of Multisim and as such are not templates for exporting netlists to other formats.

I hope this helps you - if you would like to discuss your problem further and have support with us feel free to call the office and we can raise a Service Request for you.