ProStep EDMD (*.idx) files are supported by major ECAD vendors. Use this file format to collaborate with your ECAD designers on an ECAD design. You can export CircuitWorks™ data to ProStep EDMD files and you can import ProStep EDMD files into CircuitWorks. CircuitWorks communicates proposed changes to the ECAD files to the ECAD designer and updated changes to ProStep EDMD files are communicated back to CircuitWorks when you import the ECAD data.
There are three typical workflows for SolidWorks designers using ProStep EDMD files:
- Sending ProStep EDMD file information for a new board to an ECAD designer:
- Designing a new board in SolidWorks and exporting it to CircuitWorks or opening an existing ECAD file in CircuitWorks
- Converting the ECAD file to ProStep EDMD
- Sending the ECAD file to your ECAD designer, either by syncing with a shared folder or by sending the files by email
- Sending proposed changes to a board from a ProStep EDMD file to an ECAD designer:
- Modifying a board in SolidWorks and exporting it to CircuitWorks
- Sending the proposed changes to the ProStep EDMD file to your ECAD designer, either by syncing with a shared folder or by sending the files by email
- Importing ProStep EDMD file that has changes proposed by an ECAD designer, approving or rejecting those changes, and sending decisions back to the ECAD designer:
- Opening the ProStep EDMD file in CircuitWorks
- Accepting or rejecting the proposed changes
- Building the model in SolidWorks
- Making proposed model changes in SolidWorks
- Exporting the model to CircuitWorks
- Sending the review results and any new proposed model changes to your ECAD designer, either by syncing with a shared folder or by sending the files by email
These workflows are integrated with the options you set in .
Each time you sync your ProStep EDMD data with your ECAD designer you are prompted to add messages that explain your decisions and proposed changes.