ODB++ when will it finally be available?

[steffenPBMWG]

Hi there,

I think it was in November 2017 when here was anounces that ODB++ extport for Eagle is on the roadmap and might be released by the end of the year 2017. Now 2 years later I am still waiting for it. Many serial manufacturers demand on ODB++ instead of Gerber.

Since I am very familar with Eagle and pleased with it in general, I've always resisted to swap to Altium - they try to catch us Eagle users all day long... But based on the demand in my business it would be very helpful to see this feature in near future.

Best Regards, Steffen

[jevRXJLV]

Straight to the point, very good! TBH not sure if their project managers getting this information about the need in ODB++.... nowadays it is so obvious... I am personally tired every time looking for a workaround in order to make PCB assemblers happy with the files supplied to them. Unfortunately, If it would be my personal choice, I would go somewhere else despite all the good points of Eagle (as you mentioned). Still hope they will notice this!

[greenacresee]

It is frustrating to see so much missed potential over something even free tools have implemented. Clearly, someone understands the benefits of manufacturing integration/support on the Fussion360 side. Just look at all the recently added capabilities around cutting metal or driving a 3D printer. Too bad, there seems to be no interest in making sure I can build the electronics that go in that metal or plastic.

I get it, ODB++ was envisioned to support PCB fabrication. Turns out the real value is in supporting assembly. I don't understand how you can be a professional in this industry and have missed that. To still be parroting the ODB++ adoption story from a fabrication viewpoint seem to be admitting a major lack of industry understanding. Fabricating a PCB is of little use if I can't get the parts put on it.

At his point, they should just go talk to easylogix and have them bolt together a backend tool that will take your saved file and spit out ODB++. They can make it a dll and Eagle can just call it when needed. Work out a licensing agreement show them added revenue on code they have already written.  For me, as a user, it would be cheaper for me to buy another ECAD tool than to add the cost of easylogix expansive solutions to my toolset. Especially when I only need this one small aspect of what they provide.

There, a viable solution provided that requires minimal in-house resources from the Eagle development team.

[bbourbin]

I find it very unfortunate that this is the current state of EAGLE. I think Tom hit the nail on the head, when he said it doesn't look like Autodesk understands the business they've entered, nor their customer base. As a long time user of EAGLE, it's upsetting to have to move our business to another vendor, but our output from a tool is more important than the tool itself.

B

[greenacresee]

There is a quote from Bill Gates that has become a bit cliche: "Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning."

It takes great emotional fortitude to take advantage of such grumblings. To invest massive amounts of time and energy into a project and then be told, "Hey, this isn't what I wanted." or "I think you missed the mark." The natural response is "You don't understand" or "We know better." However, In my experience, Mr. Gates is absolutely correct in his sentiment.

It is my considered opinion, whatever that is worth, this one feature has, not mear tactical but strategic implications for the future of Eagle. This missing feature will cause both a lack of adoption and a migration from Eagle fare greater than any slick integration into Fusion could ever hope to overcome.

[gsX6AX2]

Professionals firms, stay away from Gerbers. Since it introduces human errors. You want Eagle to be adopted more, make OBB++ a priority. Also, ODB++ is being preferred now over Gerber files. 

[artistic_revolution]

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@greenacresee 

>>With all due respect, the "It is just a matter of time" is past wearing thin. I realize you don't make the call on what gets implemented. To that end, please make sure the product manager for Eagle and their team receive this post.

The concerning issue is that it appears those setting priorities at Autodesk don't understand the business they have entered when they bought CADSoft...I don't care how pretty the 3D render is... IF I CANT GET BOARDS BUILT.>>

^^THIS!!
and lumping Eagle subscription with Fusion 360?  Total cash grab crap. Autodesk is alienating their engineers, and there's no lack of competition from KiCad, Altium, and others.

I'm considering switching to KiCad myself seeing how bad things have been getting in this constant "wait and see" nonsense.

[benjamin.jordan]

ODB++ generation is in development right now and will be released within the next few months in Fusion.

[one-of-the-robs]

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@benjamin.jordan wrote:

 within the next few months in Fusion.

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... but not in Eagle because Eagle's dead?

[oz2cpu]

a few month passed.. now tell us how to make ODB files..

we need to NOW

[jorge_garcia2]

Hi @oz2cpu ,

Almost there just hold on a little longer...

Best Regards,

[microfirm]

Yes, elevate the request to get ODB++. How many people need to ask?

[benjamin.jordan]

Hi @microfirm the dev. work is done, just in final stages testing and honing. It will be released very soon.

[oz2cpu]

>the dev. work is done, just in final stages testing and honing. It will be released very soon.

can i please beta test ?? it is nearly weekly i have problems with EMS that require ODB

but i can only give them gerber, so i have to pay extra for stencils,

their paste robot take only odb,

a paste robot is faster, cheaper and much more versatile over stencil.

[C.Nicks]

Keep in mind this is not an update for Eagle, it is an update for Fusion 360.
All of us left behind will not be able to use it.

[mtl.asm]

at least in a pinch you could open your eagle files in fusion to export the odb files? crappy, but if it was make or break for someone at least there is a path?

[oz2cpu]

LATEST NEWS for eagle users, EXPORT : FABMASTER

send the FAB file to you EMS, they can import this file, just as well as they can with ODB

and now they are happy, this conclude all my problems 🙂

[C.Nicks]

Not quite. My files would most likely break a lot in Fusion. Also I would have to jump through some hoops to get approvals to upload to the cloud.

[artistic_revolution]

>>Keep in mind this is not an update for Eagle, it is an update for Fusion 360.
All of us left behind will not be able to use it. >>

Yeah....umm.what the heck? Autodesk what are you doing? 😞

[benjamin.jordan]

The update with ODB++ is now ready for release and will be available with the update coming out.... days from now. 

Yes this is in Fusion 360. If you're using EAGLE, you can open the EAGLE in Fusion to generate the ODB++ from it.

[benjamin.jordan]

I know you already solved your immediate production using a Fabmaster ULP - good solution BTW.

But in future I would like you to have early access to features like the ODB++ export if you'd be willing to take the time to test and offer more feedback. This would be through the insider program.

If interested, please email me at benjamin.jordan@autodesk.com and I'll get the process started for you.

Thanks a lot!

-Ben.