Start Files and printing

[ltrakal]

Hi Tom, I have a question to ask, since I'm finishing my first layout in pads, I used one of your start files, now i want to make a print of all the layers, and then generate gerbers should I use a CAM file to do that? and if i'm right, does the start file have the cam file inside or i should load it? do i have to take care of other settings too? right now i'm trying to fix a problem i have because i'm using the bottom layer as a split mixed plane, now i realize i need to have some traces on that layer too, is that posible? or should ijust use a regular routing layer and pour the part is going to be my plane?
sorry for this mixing of questions

Laszlo

[Tom]

Every Start File has a name that matches a Layer Scheme on the attached .PDF file. There are two sets of Start Files. One for CAM Plane (Layer_25) negative plane and one set for Split/Mixed Plane. There are 60 Start Files for each set for a total of 120 Start Files.

Every Start File has a CAM File built into it, but it needs to be edited. Here are the steps:

1. Create a CAM folder to put all your files in.
2. Export the CAM File into that folder.
3. Edit the CAM File using a Text Editor and Replace 5 capital X's XXXXX with your PCB file name.
4. Delete the CAM file in your PCB file and import the newly edited CAM File.

Remember that these CAM Files are custom made to accompany the pcbstandards library that has Full Padstacks. If you did not use the pcbstandards library, you will need to tweek the CAM File to your library construction. I.E.: Since every part in the pcbstandards library has solder mask built into the padstack, the CAM File only processes the Solder Mask Layer and not Layer_1.

You can have your Outer Layers set as a Split/Mixed Plane and have traces on it. You can post process it as a "Trace Layer". All Split/Mixed Layers get post processed as "Trace Layers" because the definition of Split/Mixed is that you can have Split Planes and a Mixture of Plane and routed Traces on the same layer. Since the plane is a "Postive Plane" (Copper Pour) it has to be processed as a Trace Layer, Not a Plane Layer. "Plane Layer" in a CAM File is reserved for CAM Planes only.

I am currently updating all of the Start Files to add colors to the CAM File "Print Section" so you can make colorful PDF files. These will be ready and on pcbstandards by Friday.

Please let me know if I answered all your questions. I want you to be as productive as you want to be.

[ltrakal]

ok thom thanks for all your answers, is very clear...i'm using the configuration 02B now, i have boottom as my plane layer but i'm runing a few traces in that layer too, is it possible to pour all the layer and make some keppouts around the traces? or i should use a clearance setup for my pour?

Laszlo

[Tom]

Just use Setup / Design Rules for your Trace to Copper spacing rules. No need to put in keepouts.

[ltrakal]

are the setups in the start files already tested?
thanks a lot for all you help Tom!!!... they other question is how can i print to a printer? using the same cam files or should i modify them?

Laszlo

[Tom]

It's always good to check the Print Layers and Options to see if they are set correctly. You may want to change the Scale the Orientation or the colors and elements.

[ltrakal]

thanks a lot tom, so far i'm having problems creating the plane area, i selected the board outline but i can't see the create plane area button whenn i do a right click, can this be because i have a lot of cutouts in the board?

[Tom]

Here you go.....

1. Make sure that your layer is set to the layer that you want your Split/Mixed Plane.

2. RMB/ Board Outline

3. Shift Click the Board Outline and the entire Board Outline should Highlight.

4. If you have other 2D-Lines, Keepouts or Copper by the Board Outline and your first click does not pick up the Board Outline but it selects the 2D-Line and you have to TAB to select the Board Outline, this will not work. You need to select the Board Outline with the First Click, but most important you must be on the layer you want to add the Split/Mixed Plane to. Then and only then will the "Create Plane Area" option appear on your RMB.

[ltrakal]

yes i can see the function create plane area now, but i have the error "self intersecting plane area result"
i think i have a problem with the board outline

[Tom]

Make sure that your line width is set to 4 mil or .1mm. This error message is usually the result if you have your width set to a large value.

Also make sure that your Setup/Preferences/Grid/Hatch Grid is .1mm.

[ltrakal]

hmmm i tried that , it doesn't work, i think neeed to reload it...see what i made before is i imported this from a dxf file and the cutouts too, but this i odd, when i export the pcb to dxf the cutouts are in the same layer board_cutout_00, but in the pcb file the cutouts are not...so i made a cutout with the tool cutout inside powerpcb and when i select the board outline the cutout is selected too but not the ones made in autocad. the thing is when i export the file all the cutouts, the ones made in powerpcb and the ones made in autocad are in the same layer board_cutout_00, the only diference is in power pcb hte ones made in power pcb are cutouts and the ones made in autocad are 2dlines...strange

thanks again for your time TOM