13.25.10 Importing Auxiliary Files

Auxiliary files are not audited and are treated more as one-time data-entry or data-change events, similar to entering data using one of the interactive editors (example, PinEditor or Timer).

If you import the SDC file as an auxiliary, you do not have to re-compile your design. However, auditing is disabled when you import auxiliary files, and Designer cannot detect the changes to your SDC file(s) if you import them as auxiliary files.

Table 13-18. Auxiliary Files
Auxiliary Files	File Type Extension	Family
Criticality	*.crt	ACT1, ACT2, ACT3, MX, 1200XL, and 3200DX
PIN	*.pin	ACT1, ACT2, ACT3, MX, 1200XL, 3200DX, SX, SX-A, and eX
SDC	*.sdc	IGLOO, Fusion, ProASIC3, SX-A, eX, Axcelerator, and ProASIC ^PLUS
Physical Design Constraint*	*.pdc	IGLOO, Fusion, ProASIC3, and Axcelerator
Value Change Dump	*.vcd	IGLOO, Fusion, ProASIC3, Axcelerator, ProASIC, and ProASIC ^PLUS
Switching Activity Intermediate File/Format	*.saif	IGLOO, Fusion, ProASIC3, Axcelerator, ProASIC, and ProASIC ^PLUS
Design Constraint File	*.dcf	ACT1, ACT2, ACT3, MX, 1200XL, 3200DX, SX, SX-A, and eX

Note:

Not all PDC commands are supported when a PDC file is imported as an auxiliary file; some must be imported as source files. When importing a PDC file as an auxiliary file, the new or modified PDC constraints are merged with the existing constraints. The software resolves any conflicts between new and existing physical constraints and displays the appropriate message. Most PDC commands can be imported as auxiliary files. PDC commands that are not supported when the PDC file is imported as an auxiliary file are noted in their respective help topics.
Value Change Dump (VCD) files must be imported through SmartPower.

To import an auxiliary file (excluding VCD files):

From the File menu, choose Import Auxiliary Files. The Import Auxiliary Files dialog appears,
Click the Add button. The Add Auxiliary Files dialog box appears.
Select your file and click Import. The file is added to the Import Auxiliary Files dialog box. Continue to add more auxiliary files to the list. Some formats (like DCF and SDC) are not allowed to be imported in multiple auxiliary files.
- Modifying: If you need to modify a selection, select the file row and click Modify
- Deleting: If you need to delete a file, select the file row and click Delete.
- Ordering: Ordering your auxiliary files. Select and drag your files to specify the import order. Specifying a priority is useful if you are importing multiple PDC files.
After you are done adding all your Auxiliary files, click OK. Your auxiliary files are imported. Any errors appear in Designer’s Log Window.

Note:

VCD and SAIF are used by SmartPower for power analysis.
CRT files are for backwards compatibility with existing designs only.
File names or paths with spaces may not import into Designer. Rename the file or path, removing the spaces, and re-import.