{"id":10937,"date":"2024-12-20T14:05:16","date_gmt":"2024-12-20T19:05:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/?p=10937"},"modified":"2026-03-26T04:40:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T08:40:11","slug":"nx-tips-and-tricks-pcb-exchange","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/nx-tips-and-tricks-pcb-exchange\/","title":{"rendered":"NX | Tips and Tricks | PCB Exchange &#8211; Getting Started"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In our latest NX\u2122 software Tips and Tricks video, we dive into PCB Exchange and its use in analyzing IDX files in NX. In this video, we look at what settings are necessary, how to read new files, and how to view new layers and traces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out the video below or scroll down to learn more about PCB Exchange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"NX | Tips and Tricks | PCB Exchange - Getting Started\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/avJsKiHhUpk?list=PL1m1vu8_quoDVJfmPp3FL9700HGM_LK9P\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are IDX files?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before we jump in, it&#8217;s important to understand what IDX files are. IDX, or Incremental Design Exchange files, are an XML-based file format that facilitates electrical and mechanical co-design and collaboration.  These files contain board outlines, stackup structures, components, and board bend areas, among other items. Today, we&#8217;ll explore how to take an IDX file and use it to produce a CAD file for a circuit board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">PCB Exchange Preferences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The first step in opening an IDX file in NX is to ensure that you have the proper settings selected. There are two sections in PCB Exchange Preferences that are crucial for this: Other Entities and IDX Collaboration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Other Entities &#8211; Check the Traces, Pads, Soldermasks, Pastemasks and Generic shapes to ensure that each item imports as defined in the ECAD file. Additionally, set each item to load as bodies to create solid bodies with thickness for each item. This approach promotes the best visual experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>IDX Collaboration &#8211; Select the proper file folder for your collaboration directory. This folder should be where you want PCB Exchange to store the IDX incremental files by default. NX stores this directory as an attribute on the current NX part, so the next time you open the part, NX recalls the directory.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"618\" height=\"670\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/Preferences.png\" alt=\"PCB Exchange Preferences window\" class=\"wp-image-10956\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/Preferences.png 618w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/Preferences-277x300.png 277w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reading your IDX file<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that we have selected the proper preferences, we can read our IDX file. To do this, we must select the Read PCB command, and then the file we wish to load. When we do this, we should also select &#8220;Only Use Existing Components&#8221; as well. After selecting OK, our file will load in.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"674\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/PCB1-1024x674.png\" alt=\"PCB Exchange can quickly produce a CAD model of your circuit by reading an IDX file.\" class=\"wp-image-10961\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/PCB1-1024x674.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/PCB1-300x197.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/PCB1-768x505.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/PCB1-900x592.png 900w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/PCB1.png 1117w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">PCB Exchange quickly produces a CAD model of your circuit by reading an IDX file.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Once the file loads, we have a few ways to go about navigating our new assembly. One of the most valuable features of PCB Exchange is the PCB Navigator, found on the resource bar on the left-side of the screen. The PCB Navigator organizes all components and holes, making it easy to track part details such as package names and part numbers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, another great tool for navigating our circuit is the Assembly Navigator, which organizes all imported parts. Selecting a part in either navigator highlights the respective part in the other navigator, as well as in the display window. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Adding design layers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Another important part of PCB design is including layers and traces in our model. To add these, we can use the Read Design Layers command. We are prompted to select a new IDX file, and this time, the ECAD layers, nets, and padstacks are included in our circuit.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"630\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/PCB2-1024x630.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10966\" style=\"width:840px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/PCB2-1024x630.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/PCB2-300x185.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/PCB2-768x473.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/PCB2-900x554.png 900w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/PCB2.png 1064w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This time, our PCB contains traces and layers to provide more context for the functionality of our circuit.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>One easy trick to view the new PCB layers is to edit object display and change the translucency of the circuit board. This keeps the board visible as part of the assembly while providing insight into what it contains. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Continue your journey with NX<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Watch the Mechatronics Concept Designer Tips and Tricks video here \u25b6\ufe0f<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Watch the Lattice Structures Part 2 Tips and Tricks video here \u25b6\ufe0f<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"NX | Tips and Tricks | Getting started with Mechatronics Concept Designer\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QmKVGaxCeh0?list=PL1m1vu8_quoDVJfmPp3FL9700HGM_LK9P\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"NX | Tips and Tricks | Lattice Structures: part two\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mhydaVFSXxU?list=PL1m1vu8_quoDVJfmPp3FL9700HGM_LK9P\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PL1m1vu8_quoDVJfmPp3FL9700HGM_LK9P\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Take a look at the full Tips &amp; Tricks playlist on YouTube \u25b6\ufe0f<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile has-background\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(0,255,185) 0%,rgb(0,230,230) 100%)\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Take me to the NX design blog \ud83d\udcda<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"587\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/12\/designblog-1024x587.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8926 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/12\/designblog-1024x587.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/12\/designblog-300x172.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/12\/designblog-768x441.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/12\/designblog-900x516.png 900w, https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/12\/designblog.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/community.sw.siemens.com\/s\/topic\/0TO4O000000MihTWAS\/nx-cad\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Visit the NX design community \ud83d\udcf1<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In our latest NX\u2122 software Tips and Tricks video, we dive into PCB Exchange and its use in analyzing IDX&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":99378,"featured_media":10954,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spanish_translation":"","french_translation":"","german_translation":"","italian_translation":"","polish_translation":"","japanese_translation":"","chinese_translation":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[162,1,166,167],"tags":[3,501,533,4],"industry":[],"product":[],"coauthors":[6694],"class_list":["post-10937","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-learning-resources","category-news","category-tips-tricks","category-video","tag-cad","tag-nx","tag-nxmakesitreal","tag-product-design"],"featured_image_url":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/Blog_Header_TipsTricks_PCB-Exchange-Connect.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10937","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/99378"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10937"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10937\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10993,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10937\/revisions\/10993"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10954"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10937"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10937"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10937"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=10937"},{"taxonomy":"product","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product?post=10937"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=10937"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}