Convert old OrCAD schematics to PDF or similar - OrCAD Community

Convert old OrCAD schematics to PDF or similar Basic PCB Design | Thread Starter: javenom Started: 08-03-2006 9:37 PM Replies: 3

OrCAD Community » OrCAD Community Forums » Basic PCB Design » Convert old OrCAD schematics to PDF or similar

03 Aug 2006, 9:37 PM

javenom
Joined on 08-04-2006
Posts 2

Convert old OrCAD schematics to PDF or similar |

Hi all,
I need to convert some really old OrCAD schematics to PDF or similar, or even simply print them; however the version of OrCAD used to create the schematics is v1.25 (circa 1986) which is DOS based. There is a command to make a hardcopy (i.e. print) but the only options are: Print to PRN, or print to LPT1. Now I've tried setting it up so that I can redirect any printing to LPT1 to any printer of my choice in windows, however when redirecting to the PDF 'printer' (or any printer for that matter) the output is junk. This is probably due to the fact that OrCAD is using print commands intended for the DOS printer driver installed, which is an Epson MX, not printing out the PostScript data needed for the PDF 'printer'. Does anyone know how it might be possible to convert these files to PDFs? Note: Windows-based versions of OrCAD cannot read these files.

04 Aug 2006, 1:50 AM

javenom
Joined on 08-04-2006
Posts 2

Re: Convert old OrCAD schematics to PDF or similar |

No need to reply anymore, I've managed to get it working. If anybody else has a similar problem, go to: http://www.geocities.com/dosprint/ where you can download a program that will print DOS-based PRN files. This is how I got it to work:

- Downloaded DOSPrinter.zip
- Extracted to C:\DOSPrint
- Created a batch file (PrintPRN.bat) containing the following line:
start C:\DOSPrint\DOSPrinter.exe /MODERN /GON /PageA4 /SEL /JOB'%1' /TOP0.00 /LEFT0.00 "%1"
- Added new file type (in Windows Explorer: Tools->Folder Options->File Type->New)
- Extension = PRN
- Selected new PRN type and clicked 'Advanced'
- Created a new action called 'Print' and selected PrintPRN.bat as application to perform action
- Set 'Print' as default action.

Now whenever I want to print from OrCAD (v1.25) I simply make hardcopy to file to produce a PRN. Then I double-click this PRN in Windows and a window pops for me to select the printer. I can then either print to a real printer or print to PDF. Problem solved.

04 Aug 2006, 2:51 AM

Ron_O
Joined on 03-09-2002
Posts 482

Re: Convert old OrCAD schematics to PDF or similar |

Excellent javenom! And thanks for posting the solution. This question has come up quite a few times and glad to see you figured it out. I know I've seen something like this in the past, but I don't think quite as easy. There are a number of people who still use DOS Orcad, and there it always legacy support so it's good to know a process for printing these old files. I'm bookmarking your post in case it comes up again. Thanks.
Ron O

04 Aug 2006, 11:27 AM

rmann
Joined on 04-22-2002
Redondo Beach, CA, USA
Posts 1,112

Re: Convert old OrCAD schematics to PDF or similar |

Javenom, I wonder if you tried loading the files as SDT. I understand that you have already solved your immediate problem, but still it might be worth while to know if your modern Capture can read those old files.
If the SDT file format actually does stretch as far back as version 1.25, then you can load them: Files > Open > Design > Files of type: SDT Schematic (*.sch).
I understand that there are often certain problems in loading SDT, like some things get a little screwed up, and need to be fixed up namually.
-Richard Mann

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