PCB Testing / FAB 3000

When preparing PCB data for testing—especially for flying probe systems—it is important to clearly visualize test point locations, sizes, and board sides.

If you are working from an IPC Netlist file, FAB 3000 makes this process simple and visual.

The Challenge

IPC Netlist files contain valuable connectivity and test point data, but without the right tools, it can be difficult to:

• Visually identify test point locations
• Separate top versus bottom side points
• Distinguish thru-hole versus SMT test points
• Prepare data for flying probe testing

The Solution: Import and Visualize in FAB 3000

Step 1: Import the IPC Netlist File

Import your IPC Netlist directly into FAB 3000.

During import, create separate layers per side so test points can be organized by:

• Top
• Bottom
• Thru-hole

Once the Netlist file has been imported, you may view the test point locations, sizes, sides, and more.

Step 2: Explode or Export

Once imported, test points can be exploded using:

Edit > Explode > All

They can also be exported to other formats such as:

• Gerber
• ODB++
• DXF
• IPC Netlist

This makes it easier to visually review and prepare data for flying probe testing and other downstream manufacturing processes.

🎥 Watch the Tutorial

See how to import an IPC Netlist file and visualize test point locations step by step:

Why This Matters

Being able to visually confirm and organize test points helps support:

• More accurate flying probe testing
• Faster setup and review
• Better validation of PCB test data
• Improved downstream manufacturing preparation

If you need assistance with IPC Netlist import workflows or have questions about visualizing test point data, feel free to contact us or submit a support ticket. Our team is happy to help.