Exchanging schematics between Altium and Diptrace

[Phaedrus]

Hi, a friend is trying to send me a schematic file from Altium, but I only have Diptrace. We can't seem to find a common file format between the two programs. Is there any way that we can exchange schematic files with this software, or will he just have to send me a .bmp and I build it up from scratch?

[Dagon]

Can altium export in PCAD ASCII? If so that might work.

[AndersAnd]

Can altium export in PCAD ASCII? If so that might work.

http://wiki.altium.com/display/ADOH/Importing+and+Exporting+Design+Files#ImportingandExportingDesignFiles-SupportedImportFileFormats

Supported Import File Formats

The following provides an overview of what file types can be imported into Altium Designer. The method of import may differ between different file types, and are detailed in the sections thereafter.

• All previous Protel/Altium Schematic files/libraries
• All previous Protel/Altium PCB files/libraries
• Protel 99SE Design Database (*.ddb)
• P-CAD V16 or V17 Binary Schematic design files (*.sch)
• P-CAD V16 or V17 ASCII Schematic design files (*.sch)
• P-CAD V15, V16, or V17 Binary PCB design files (*.pcb)
• P-CAD V15, V16, or V17 ASCII PCB design files (*.pcb)
• P-CAD V16 or V17 Binary Library files (*.lib)
• P-CAD V16 or V17 ASCII Library files (*.lia)
• P-CAD PDIF file (*.pdf)
• Tango PCB ASCII files (*.pcb)
• CircuitMaker Schematics (*.ckt)
• CircuitMaker User Libraries (*.lib)
• CircuitMaker Device Libraries (*.lib)
• OrCAD Capture Designs (*.dsn)
• OrCAD Capture Libraries (*.olb)
• OrCAD Layout PCB documents (*.max)
• OrCAD PCB Libraries (*.llb)
• OrCAD CIS Configuration file (*.dbc)
• OrCAD SDT (*.sch)
• PADS Layout ASCII Design files (*.asc)
• PADS Layout ASCII Decal Libraries (*.d)
• PADS Logic ASCII Design files (*.txt)
• PADS Logic ASCII CAE Decal Libraries (*.c)
• PADS Logic ASCII Part Type Libraries (*.p)
• DxDesigner Designs and Libraries
• Expedition files (*.pcb, *.lib)
• CADSTAR Schematic Archive (*.csa)
• CADSTAR PCB Archive (*.cpa)
• CADSTAR Part Library (*.lib)
• Allegro binary PCB (*.brd)
• Allegro ASCII PCB (*.alg)
• Specctra Design file (*.dsn)
• AutoCAD DWG/DXF (*.dwg, *.dxf)

http://wiki.altium.com/display/ADOH/Importing+and+Exporting+Design+Files#ImportingandExportingDesignFiles-SupportedExportFileFormats

Supported Export File Formats

Schematic Editor

• Altium Schematic Binary (*.SchDoc)
• Altium Schematic ASCII (*.SchDoc)
• Altium Schematic binary 4.0 (*.sch)
• Altium Schematic ASCII (*.SchDoc)
• OrCAD SDT Schematic (*.sch)
• Altium Schematic Template (*.SchDot)
• AutoCAD DWG/DXF (*.dwg, *.dxf)

PCB Editor

• Altium PCB Binary (*.PcbDoc)
• Altium PCB binary V3.0, V4.0 (*.PCB)
• Altium PCB binary V5.0 (*.PcbDoc)
• Altium PCB ASCII (*.PcbDoc)
• Protel Netlist (*.net)
• AutoCAD DWG/DXF (*.dwg, *.dxf)
• HyperLynx (*.hyp)
• P-CAD ASCII (*.pcb)
• Protel PCB 2.8 ASCII (*.pcb)
• Protel Netlist (*.net)
• Specctra Design File (*.dsn)
• SDRC-IDF Brd Files (*.brd)
• STEP (*.step, *.stp)
• SiSoft Files (*.csv)
• Ansoft Neutral File (*.anf)

Schematic Library Editor

• Altium Schematic Binary Library (*.SchLib)
• Altium V4.0 Schematic Binary Library (*.lib)
• OrCAD Capture Schematic Library (*.olb)
• P-CAD V16 Schematic Library (*.lia)

PCB Library Editor

• Altium PCB Library (*.PcbLib)
• Altium V3.0, V4.0 Library (*.lib)
• Altium V5.0 Library (*.PcbLib)
• P-CAD V16 PCB Library (*.lia)

[strangelovemd12]

Looks like OrCAD SDT (*.sch) or AutoCAD DWG/DXF (*.dwg, *.dxf) or P-CAD.  Might have missed some due to formatting.

http://text-compare.com/

[AndersAnd]

From DipTrace's help menu:

Also the following formats are supported:

1. DipTrace ASCII - DipTrace text data format.

2. Netlist - import/export of different netlist formats.

3. Autorouter DSN and Autorouter SES - file formats which allows to use Electra/Specctra autorouters.

4. Gerber RS-274X - export/import in PCB Layout.

5. N/C Drill - export and import in PCB Layout module.

6. Mach 2/3 Drill G-code - export from PCB Layout.

7. DXF - export from PCB Layout and Schematic / import to PCB Layout and Pattern Editor.

8. Pick and Place - export from PCB Layout.

9. P-CAD ASCII - export/import in PCB Layout and Schematic, import in Component and Pattern editors.

10. P-CAD PDIF - import in PCB Layout and Schematic.

11. PADS ASCII - export/import in PCB Layout, import in Schematic, Component and Patterns editors.

12. OrCAD MIN Interchange - export/import in PCB Layout.

13. OrCAD EDIF Schematic - import in Schematic.

14. Eagle - import in all programs (via ULP and script files, available in Diptrace/Utils folder).

15. VRML 2.0 - export from PCB Layout.