Creating The Gerber Files In Layout

Creating the Gerber files in Layout

This is the first time I am creating gerber files using Orcad I find some steps in the help manual hard to understand, I would need someone to guide me. Currently I am doing a single layer PCB board and stuck with step4 onwards, I would greatly appreciate if someone who can show me how it was done either by words or print screen the steps onto an power point, this would greatly be useful for first timer like me, thanks in advance. Step1 After completed my routing and drawing of border Step2 Save the .MAX file to a new, empty, temporary location. Step3 From the Options menu, Choose Post Process Settings. The Post Process spreadsheet appears. Step4 Select all etch layers (Routing and Plane) and select Properties from the pop-up menu. The Post Process Settings dialog appears. Step5 Check the Enable for Post Processing option and click OK. Step6 Select all of the layers that are Batch Enabled and from the pop-up menu, choose Properties. Step 7 In the Post Process Settings dialog box: a. b. c. d.

Clear the Center on page and Mirror check boxes. Ensure the X Shift and Y Shift values are both zero. This ensures that the coordinates in the IPC-356 netlist match the coordinates in the Gerber files. In the Format group box, choose RS-274D. Do not use Extended Gerber. Click OK.

Step 8 Left click the spreadsheet and from the pop-up menu, choose Run Batch to create the Gerber files and .GTD file. No thruhole.tap file is required. Step 9 Close the Post Process spreadsheet. Step 10 Save and close the .MAX file.

Re: Creating the Gerber files in Layout

Let's put it in this way. When you have finished step 3, you can find the "auto" menu in the top tool bar. Choose "run post processor" then you can get your own Gerber file. If you like, you can check your file by hitting the "tools->Gerber Tools->Open" in the layout session. Compare it with your max files, if there's nothing difference, then you can get it

Re: Creating the Gerber files in Layout

Nicholas, After Step 3...Select the individual layers...TOP, BOT, SMT, SMB, SST, DRD... When the layers you need are highlighted, right mouse and select properties. Check the Enable for Post Processing. Skip step 6 since you are in the Post Process Settions dialog box. Selections in Step 7 are up to to user. For example, I use the Extended Gerber and leave the Center on page selected. Then click OK. Go under auto and select Run Post Processor.

Creating negative image prints of copper layers to create board prototypes PROBLEM: In Layout, how do I create negative image prints of my copper layers to create an inhouse prototype?

SOLUTION: From within Layout, choose the Post Processing toolbar button. From the menu that displays, choose Setup Batch and enable Extended Gerber output for your layers. If you are hand-drilling the board, select the Keep Drill Holes Open option to leave an opening in the center of your pads as a drill target. Run batch post processing (choose the Post Processing toolbar button and then choose Run Batch) to create your extended Gerber files and your GerbTool .GTD design file. From within GerbTool, open your .GTD design file. Double-click on the rectangular Draw Color block and set it to white. Then, double-click on the rectangular Flash Color block and set it to white as well. From the File menu, choose Page Setup and select the Print Background and Color/Gray Scale options. Make sure the Overlay and Sketch options are not enabled. Finally, print the layer by choosing Print from the File menu. Document number: LAY01851 Applies to: Layout (v7.10, v9.0) Created on: Monday, August 17, 1998 Last modified: Monday, August 17, 1998

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