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Import of a PCB and its components via IDF and EDB

This example shows how to import a PCB and its components using IDF files (LDB and BDF). You can also use a combination of EMN and EMP files in a similar way.

Keywords: Icepak, PCB, IDF.

# ## Perform imports and define constants
#
# Perform required imports.

import os
import tempfile
import time

from ansys.aedt.core.examples.downloads import download_file
from ansys.aedt.core import Hfss3dLayout, Icepak

Define constants.

AEDT_VERSION = "2025.2"
NG_MODE = False  # Open AEDT UI when it is launched.

Open project

Open an empty project in non-graphical mode, using a temporary folder.

temp_folder = tempfile.TemporaryDirectory(suffix=".ansys")

ipk = Icepak(
    project=os.path.join(temp_folder.name, "Icepak_ECAD_Import.aedt"),
    version=AEDT_VERSION,
    new_desktop=True,
    non_graphical=NG_MODE,
)

PyAEDT INFO: Python version 3.10.11 (tags/v3.10.11:7d4cc5a, Apr  5 2023, 00:38:17) [MSC v.1929 64 bit (AMD64)].
PyAEDT INFO: PyAEDT version 0.24.dev0.
PyAEDT INFO: Initializing new Desktop session.
PyAEDT INFO: Log on console is enabled.
PyAEDT INFO: Log on file C:\Users\ansys\AppData\Local\Temp\pyaedt_ansys_ae145cb8-8ef5-451b-a7a3-f2c46f61b566.log is enabled.
PyAEDT INFO: Log on AEDT is disabled.
PyAEDT INFO: Starting new AEDT gRPC session.
PyAEDT INFO: AEDT installation Path C:\Program Files\ANSYS Inc\v252\AnsysEM
PyAEDT INFO: Client application successfully started.
PyAEDT INFO: New AEDT gRPC session session started on port 50051.
PyAEDT INFO: 2025.2 version started with process ID 8092.
PyAEDT WARNING: Service Pack is not detected. PyAEDT is currently connecting in Insecure Mode.
PyAEDT WARNING: Please download and install latest Service Pack to use connect to AEDT in Secure Mode.
PyAEDT INFO: Debug logger is disabled. PyAEDT methods will not be logged.
PyAEDT INFO: Project Icepak_ECAD_Import has been created.
PyAEDT INFO: No design is present. Inserting a new design.
PyAEDT INFO: Added design 'Icepak_W0D' of type Icepak.
PyAEDT INFO: Aedt Objects correctly read

Import the IDF files

Import the BDF and LDF files. Sample files are shown here.

You can import the IDF files with several filtering options, including caps, resistors, inductors, power, specific power, and size. There are also options for PCB creation, including number of layers, copper percentages, and layer sizes.

This example uses the default values for the PCB. The imported PCB (from the IDF files) are deleted later and replaced by a PCB that has the trace information (from ECAD) for higher accuracy.

Download ECAD and IDF files.

def_path = download_file(
    source="icepak/Icepak_ECAD_Import/A1_uprev.aedb",
    name="edb.def",
    local_path=temp_folder.name,
)
board_path = download_file(
    source="icepak/Icepak_ECAD_Import/", name="A1.bdf", local_path=temp_folder.name
)
library_path = download_file(
    source="icepak/Icepak_ECAD_Import/", name="A1.ldf", local_path=temp_folder.name
)

Import IDF file.

ipk.import_idf(board_path=board_path)

PyAEDT INFO: Active Design set to Icepak_W0D
PyAEDT INFO: Modeler class has been initialized! Elapsed time: 0m 1sec
PyAEDT INFO: Active Design set to Icepak_W0D

True

Save the project

ipk.save_project()

PyAEDT INFO: Project Icepak_ECAD_Import Saved correctly

True

Import ECAD

Add an HFSS 3D Layout design with the layout information of the PCB.

hfss3d_lo = Hfss3dLayout(project=def_path, version=AEDT_VERSION)
hfss3d_lo.save_project()

PyAEDT INFO: Python version 3.10.11 (tags/v3.10.11:7d4cc5a, Apr  5 2023, 00:38:17) [MSC v.1929 64 bit (AMD64)].
PyAEDT INFO: PyAEDT version 0.24.dev0.
PyAEDT INFO: Returning found Desktop session with PID 8092!
PyAEDT INFO: EDB folder C:\Users\ansys\AppData\Local\Temp\tmp36vc1dy8.ansys\icepak\Icepak_ECAD_Import\A1_uprev.aedb\edb.def has been imported to project A1_uprev
PyAEDT INFO: Active Design set to 0;A1_uprev
PyAEDT INFO: Active Design set to 0;A1_uprev
PyAEDT INFO: Aedt Objects correctly read
PyAEDT INFO: Project A1_uprev Saved correctly

True

Create a PCB component in Icepak linked to the HFSS 3D Layout project. The polygon "poly_0" is used as the outline of the PCB, and a dissipation of "1W" is applied to the PCB.

project_file = hfss3d_lo.project_file
design_name = hfss3d_lo.design_name

ipk.create_pcb_from_3dlayout(
    component_name="PCB_pyAEDT",
    project_name=project_file,
    design_name=design_name,
    extent_type="Polygon",
    outline_polygon="poly_0",
    power_in=1,
    close_linked_project_after_import=False,
)

PyAEDT INFO: Parsing design objects. This operation can take time
PyAEDT INFO: Refreshing bodies from Object Info
PyAEDT INFO: Bodies Info Refreshed Elapsed time: 0m 0sec
PyAEDT INFO: 3D Modeler objects parsed. Elapsed time: 0m 1sec
PyAEDT INFO: Materials class has been initialized! Elapsed time: 0m 0sec
PyAEDT INFO: PCB component correctly created in Icepak.

PCB_pyAEDT1

Delete the simplified PCB object coming from the IDF import.

ipk.modeler.delete_objects_containing("IDF_BoardOutline", False)

PyAEDT INFO: Parsing design objects. This operation can take time
PyAEDT INFO: Refreshing bodies from Object Info
PyAEDT INFO: Bodies Info Refreshed Elapsed time: 0m 0sec
PyAEDT INFO: 3D Modeler objects parsed. Elapsed time: 0m 1sec
PyAEDT INFO: Deleted 1 Objects: IDF_BoardOutline.
PyAEDT INFO: Deleted 1 objects

True

Release AEDT

ipk.save_project()
ipk.release_desktop()
# Wait 3 seconds to allow AEDT to shut down before cleaning the temporary directory.
time.sleep(3)

PyAEDT INFO: Project Icepak_ECAD_Import Saved correctly
PyAEDT INFO: Desktop has been released and closed.

Clean up

All project files are saved in the folder temp_folder.name. If you’ve run this example as a Jupyter notebook, you can retrieve those project files. The following cell removes all temporary files, including the project folder.

temp_folder.cleanup()

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