gEDA-user: Would like to use geda tools to make .dxf file for pcb cnc milling.

[dfro@xxxxxxxxx]

I am sorry if this is a redundant request/question.

I am currently building a cnc machine on which I would like to mill pcb's.

Others have worked out a tool chain using eagle:
http://pminmo.com/millingpcbs/milledpcb.htm

Is there any interest in a Geda-based alternative? Could it be 
gschem--pcb/dxf(export) or gschem--pcb--gerbv/dxf(export)? The dxf file 
would be an outline of all the traces and pads. The traces and pads 
would be 'islands' that the cnc machine would mill around.

Here, is the tool chain I have tried to get working without success.
1. From pcb I export gerber files.
2. I load a gerber file in gerbv and export it as a pdf
3. I load the pdf in inkscape and save as a dxf file.

However, when I view the dxf file in qcad or any other cad or cam 
program, the strokes and objects from inkscape are split into two 
incomplete and offset images, and the pcb traces are lines with no 
thickness. Inkscape is turning all strokes(pcb traces) into lines in the 
dxf file.

In inkscape, if I go through the very cumbersome process of individually 
selecting each stroke(trace) with the 'Edit paths by nodes(F2)' tool, 
and select 'Path>Stroke to Path' and then combine all the edited paths 
and objects using 'Path>Union' I can get a dxf file that is an outline 
of the traces and pads. However, inkscape often adds a little bulge to 
the end of each stroke. So, it is not a perfect outline. This also takes 
way too long on anything other than the most simple pcb artwork. So, I 
am stumped.

Any interest in adding the dxf export feature to pcb or gerbv? It seems 
to me that cnc milling of pcb's is becoming viable as a homeshop 
alternative to all of the other standard methods of fabricating pcb's.

Thanks,
Dave


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