Importing Library Data Overview

You can import data into the CircuitWorks Component Library when you first install CircuitWorks or when you recreate an installation in a new location. Importing data avoids CircuitWorks having to recreate existing parts.

Importing Parts from a File

You can import a text file containing component data into the Component Library. The comma-separated value (CSV) or other character delimited file you import is created when you or another user exports a Component Library.

To import parts from a file:

  1. From the CircuitWorks Component Library dialog box, click Tools > Import Data > From Text File .
  2. From the Select File To Import dialog box, select the file type and file, then click Open.
    • Select the Custom Delimited Text File (*.txt) file type to import a text file that uses the delimiter specified in CircuitWorks Options - Library, vertical bar (|) by default.
    • Select the Mapping File (*.xrf) file type to import a Desktop EDA SOLIDWORKS IDF Modeler mapping file.

Importing Parts from a Database

You can import all the data from an existing Component Library into your library. Use this capability to upgrade a Microsoft Access (*.mdb) Component Library database file to the SQLite (*.db) format.

  • Missing fields from earlier database versions are derived from the data in the file you are importing to create all required files (see Component Library Data File Format).
  • Importing the database does not physically move parts on disk. CircuitWorks just adds references to the library.
  • To exchange library information between two seats of CircuitWorks, use the export and import capabilities.

To import parts from a database:

  1. From the CircuitWorks Component Library dialog box, click Tools > Import Data > From Database .
  2. From the Select Database To Import dialog box, select the database, then click Open.

Component Library Data File Format

The data file created by CircuitWorks when you export the Component Library is the same as is required when you import the data file.

The following fields appear on each line of the data file, each separated by the file delimiter:
  • Component part number
  • Part name (with .sldprt or .sldasm extension)
  • Component path
  • Configuration name - Leave blank to use the last-saved configuration
  • Component height in meters
  • Component orientation, 1 - 6:
    1. Aligned with XY 'Front' Plane - Positive Z
    2. Aligned with XZ 'Top' Plane - Positive Z
    3. Aligned with ZY 'Right' Plane - Positive Z
    4. Aligned with XY 'Front' Plane - Negative Z
    5. Aligned with XZ 'Top' Plane - Negative Z
    6. Aligned with ZY 'Right' Plane - Negative Z
  • Reference designator seed value - Used as a suffix when generating reference designator values for export
  • Component type - “3” for electrical components
  • CAD system - "0" for SOLIDWORKS
  • X component offset (default 0)
  • Y component offset (default 0)
  • Component rotation (default 0)
  • Z component offset (default 0)
If a comma (,) is used as the decimal delimiter, use the vertical bar (|) or tab as the field delimiter.

Example data file: