Re: gEDA-user: What is the standard of gEDA tools and PCB

[Stephen Meier <smeier@AlchemyResearch.com>]

Rui Cheang,

Each copper layer will become an ***.output_group?.grb   - replace the ? 
with the layer number

Then pcb supports putting components on both sides of the fab. the top 
side is the component side. The bottom side is the solder side.

If you put components on the component side then you will get the 
additional files

***.output_componentpaste.grb   -  this is used to create a mask for 
putting solder paste onto the component pads
***.output_componentsilk.grb     -  this is used to put on the 
non-conducting silk screen information -- letters numbers lines etc.
***.output_componentmask.grb  - this is used to create the soldermask - 
see my paper about components for some more details.

If you have put components on the bottom side (solder side) you will get 
a similar set of files for the solder side solderpaste, soldersilk, 
soldermask.

You can see what each file is by using gerbv. For example gerbv 
***.output_componentsilk.grb will just display the component silk 
screen. or
gerbv ***.*.grb will open all the files though it can complain about the 
drill file if you havn't used any vias or through hole devices. Each tab 
on the right side of the display can be used to add a gerber file to the 
active display.

To work with a fab vedor what I do is give them all the greber files and 
a drill report (where and what size are the holes). They know what to 
do. They will ask a lot of questions about what material do you want to 
use. What thickness of copper. Questions about finishing (gold platting 
for example) and on and on. I often just tell them my application and 
ask for their recomendations.

Good luck,

Steve M.


Rui Cheang wrote:

> Thanks , but i want to know more:
> (1) it generated a lot of files: ***.output_group(1-8).grb, 
> plat-drill,grb, soldermask,grb, and unplated-drill.grb.  What are they 
> , how they can fab PCB board?
> (2) it have gotten an warning (but i am not choose the one you mentioned)
> --------- STARTING REFINEMENT PASS 6 ------------
> BEST PATH COST: 1821
> BEST PATH COST: 1655
> BEST PATH COST: 446
> BEST PATH COST: 481
> BEST PATH COST: 561
> BEST PATH COST: 970
> BEST PATH COST: 941
> BEST PATH COST: 831
> BEST PATH COST: 366
> BEST PATH COST: 929
> BEST PATH COST: 581
> BEST PATH COST: 440
> BEST PATH COST: 600
> END OF PASS 6: 13/13 subnets routed without conflicts
> Congratulations!!
> The layout is complete!
> And has no shorted nets.
> Warning: No action proc named " Atomic" is registered for widget "output"
>
> what is the reason? Thanks
>
>
> > From: Stephen Meier <smeier@AlchemyResearch.com>
> > Reply-To: geda-user@seul.org
> > To: geda-user@seul.org
> > Subject: Re: gEDA-user: What is the standard of gEDA tools and PCB
> > Date: Thu, 15 May 2003 09:54:40 -0700
> >
> > Dave McGuire wrote:
> >
> > > On Thursday, May 15, 2003, at 04:05 AM, Rui Cheang wrote:
> > >
> > > > Thanks!  and When can i start to generate the Gerber.  I have 
> > > > pressed the rat net and rip it all.  So it finished?  Further steps 
> > > > are needed in order to use Gerber?  Gerber is a program to read the 
> > > > layout, it is not a file format, am i right?
> > >
> > >
> > >   No, Gerber is a file format.
> > >
> > >      -Dave
> > >
> > > --
> > > Dave McGuire                "They live deeply, these vagabonds."
> > > St. Petersburg, FL                            -Goro
> > For PCB
> >
> > File->print layout
> >
> > then select the device driver    Gerber/RS-274X
> >
> > then hit the ok button
> >
> >
> > the greber files can be viewed with the geda program gerbv
> >
> >
> > Steve M.
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