Re: gEDA-user: How to layout footprints overhanging edge of board?

[Andy Howell <AndyHowell@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

phil@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
>> Hello,
>>
>> 	I'm trying to do a layout in PCB with components that extend over the
>> edge of the board.
> 
> Andy,
> 
> Not sure if you are making your own footprints for these overhanging parts
> or not ... but one solution is to make footprints that index up to the
> edge of the board ... with some background knowledge on your part of the
> fit and size of what lays over the edge.  You just make the footprint
> without the stuff  (silk layer) that hangs off the edge.

Two of the footprints were in the release, an one I made. Does "index up 
to the edge" have a special connotation, or does it simple mean to make 
a footprint without the overhanging bit?

> The other solution is to just make the layout area in PCB bigger ... and
> make an outline layer that will correspond to your PCB's finished size and
> shape, it doesn't have to be a rectangle.  PCB outputs 'outline' as its
> own gerber file to tell your board house (or yourself) what the outline
> dimension is.   If you do this there shouldn't be much reason why your
> parts can't overhang as long as you keep the copper within the outline.

I made the board bigger. Its a very simple, single sided layout. This is 
my first attempt at both layout and etching a board myself. Lots to 
learn; I appreciate your help.

> By and large there is no reason to worry about parts hanging over the edge
> of the outline ... especially (only?) if it's silk.  Most board houses
> will purge everything from your design outside of the 'outline' boundaries
> so that it doesn't interfere with other work on a panel anyway.
> 
> The geda-user archives and the wiki should cover the outline layer better
> than I can.

Thanks. Searching though the mailing list for "outline". I found the 
following:

	1) Create a layer with the special name "outline"
	2) Make sure it is not in a component or solder side group
	3) The lines should be 10mils
	4) Measurements are taken from the center of the lines
	5) When producing gerber files, the outline shows up as
            boardname.fab.gbr

One helpful thread: 
http://archives.seul.org/geda/user/Feb-2007/msg00027.html

I made an extra layer, case-outline, to make placement easier.

I didn't see anything on the wiki, but its probably there staring me in 
the face.


Thanks again,

	Andy




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