Dxf exporter for mechanical layers of a kicadpcb board. 'Dwgs', 'Cmts', 'Edge', 'Eco1', 'Eco2', 'F.Fab', 'B.Fab', 'F.CrtYd', 'B.CrtYd'. The dxf generated has single line draw as it should be for mechanical interchange (this option is missing in pcbnew plot) how to launch. Here we explore how to export DXF from Cadence OrCAD and Allegro. DXF and DXB files are two types of drawing interchange files used to transfer data between various applications. A DXF (drawing interchange format) file is either a binary or an ASCII representation of a drawing file. It is often used to share drawing data between other CAD programs. A DXB (drawing interchange binary) file is a specially coded binary version of a DXF file used for plotting.
Generate Drill and Gerber Files
Select File -> Plot from the menu to open the gerber generation tool.
KiCad implements a Python plugin interface so that external Python plugins can be run from within Pcbnew. The interface is generated using the Simplified Wrapper and Interface Generator or SWIG. SWIG is instructed to translate specific C/C header files into other languages using interface files. PCB variables (Follow this guide to export these in kicad): PCB dxf outline exported from kicad or other EDA software. Array of x,y coordinates extracted from pcb layout software. Tpminy – Smallest y value from x,y coordinates above. Outer PCB dimensions (pcbx, pcby).
Kicad Export Dxf Files
In general, there are 8x layers you need to have a PCB fabricated:
- Top Copper (F.Cu)+ Soldermask (F.Mask) + Silkscreen (F.SilkS)
- Bottom Copper (B.Cu) + Soldermask (B.Mask) + Silkscreen (B.SilkS)
- Board outline (Edge.Cuts)
- Drill file
In the Plot window with the Plot format set for Gerber, be sure these Layers are checked:
If you don't know which layers, please check all layers, JLCPCB will help you to use the right layers. Click ‘Plot’ to generate the gerber files for the layers.
Don't forget to Generate the Drill Files. Click on ‘Generate Drill File’ button. You can use the defaults here as well. Check the 'Merge PTH and NPTH holes into one file' box. For now just click ‘Drill File’ or press ‘enter’ to generate the drill file. Use the same output folder as for the gerbers, which should be the default.
Kicad Import Dxf
Check the Gerber files in GerbView
Next, click ‘Close’to exit the Drill and Plot windows. All of the files should have appeared in your gerbers folder. KiCAD comes with a gerber viewer called GerbView, you can open the “GerbView” and check what your board looks like before sending it to manufacturer.
For more details, please see this video tutorial of generating Gerber files for manufacturing in KiCad.
For Kicad 5.1.5, please check this tutorial.
If everything looks OK, select all of the files, zip them up, and upload the zip file to JLCPCB order page.
If the preview image or the exported file is incomplete, then For Kicad 5.1.5, please check this tutorial.
If everything looks OK, select all of the files, zip them up, and upload the zip file to JLCPCB order page.
Kicad Import Dxf
Kicad Export Dxf
- Open it in a CAD application like QCAD.
- Select the whole drawing.
- Use the EXPLODE command.
- Save it as a new DXF.
- Open it in Inkscape.
- Set path string format to absolute:
- For older versions of Inkscape, uncheck the 'File -> Inkscape Preferences... -> SVG output -> Path data -> Allow relative coordinates' checkbox.
- For newer versions of Inkscape, set the 'Edit -> Preferences... -> Input/Output -> SVG output -> Path data -> Path string format' option to 'Absolute'.
- Select the 'Edit paths by nodes' tool (F2).
- Select the whole drawing (Ctrl+A).
- Reselect the whole drawing, thereby highlighting the individual nodes (Ctrl+A).
- In the node toolbar select 'Break path at selected nodes' (Shift+B).
- Use the 'Path -> Break Apart' command (Shift+Ctrl+K).
- Deselect, select and reselect nodes (Esc, Ctrl+A, Ctrl+A).
- In the node toolbar select 'Make selected segments lines' (Shift+L).
- Set the stroke color to black so that you can see the final image (Shift + Left-click on the black color of the palette).
- Save the SVG as a new drawing.