While CAM350 can be used to read any valid Gerber data, there are some steps that can be done in PADS to export data that is easier to import.
In PADS Layout (PowerPCB)
File | CAM
1. If you use augment on the fly, hit “regenerate” (Select EDIT | DEVICE SETUP) before exporting Gerber to insure flashed endpoints.
2. Use “offset” as your justification (i.e. the method of registration) to insure all layers are aligned. Use the same justification for the drill file as well. You can find the justification pull down under EDIT | OPTIONS.
3. The Drill Setup has been modified in the later versions of PADS so they no modification is needed to insure a proper Drill output. In older versions you will have to manually alter the setup to have the same justification.
4. Try to avoid the G36/G37 option, or use it just for system fonts. This can cause problems with the Gerber Output. (It can also greatly reduce file size and processing times, but if you do use it, Mentor recommends you compare the output to a RS274-d version for accuracy)
5. Remember the IPC-d-356 output from PADS retains a 0x/0y origin even though you may have used offset as in the above instructions. You will need to move the data to that origin to get a proper Netlist comparison once in CAM350.