[kborer22]

Ok well here is my situation, i am working at Textron Defense Systems and am currently modeling circuit boards to check for interference with housings and other borads. For most I would model the board, import a .dxf, place that on the correct side of the board, and extrude the component outlines. (I think the .dxf is coming from PADS)

So this next board i have to do is something like 1800 components(compared to 200-300 that i usually deal with), and extruding each of these components would be a giant pain in the $@#$@#$@#. I have access to a VALOR file that has all of the X/Y coords for all of these components. I was wondering if there is a way to read in that excel file and basically plot a grid of points.

Of the 1800 components there are only like 50-100 different types, so obviously there will be many 1 ohm resistors (for example). Since i have the centroid X/Y coord for all of the 1 ohm resistors, i want to make a model or the resistor (a simple 3d rectangle). I had an idea of possibly plotting a grid and then being able to place/copy that model of the resistor on to the grid points.

(let me know if that made sense!)

I am still waiting on the final design of the board, so i would imagine some components will still be moving. Depending on the layout i would be able to pattern a component, but it usually does not work out in a nice circular or rectangular pattern.

If you have any suggestions how to do this, or possibly another idea, it would be much appreciated!