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Date: Wed, 6 Feb 2019 03:53:52 +0100 (CET)
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To: "Girvin Herr (gherrl AT fastmail DOT com) [via geda-user AT delorie DOT com]" <geda-user AT delorie DOT com>
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Subject: [geda-user] dxf export, vector formats (was Re: PCB 4.1.3 png export acting
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On Tue, 5 Feb 2019, Girvin Herr (gherrl AT fastmail DOT com) [via geda-user AT delorie DOT com] wrote:

>reasonable amount, the image disappeared! I later read that LC prefers
>vector graphics to raster bit-maps, of which PNG is, and suggests converting
>the raster file to DXF using inkscape. I have tried that in the past, but
>with less than successful results.

For anyone interested in more vector export paths that don't convert to 
raster on the way: pcb-rnd can export to DXF directly (since summer 2017). 
Also can export to svg (probably not useful with LibreCad, tho).

The optional cam syntax (where you can specify what layers should go in 
what file) works with both (just as with png and ps and eps), so you don't 
need to work around ancient heuristics^1 and code bugs that differ from 
exporter to exporter.

On the input side, pcb-rnd can load HPGL, which most mech CADs can plot - 
layer info preserved through pens.

Regards,

Igor2




Footnote:

^1: there are heuristics inherited from gEDA/pcb that make some exporters 
do real strange things depending on whether layers are empty and/or 
visible. Empty not as in "has nothing on it", but as in "has nothing but 
side effects on it". Side effects are outline and padstack (was 
pin/via/pad in pcb). These mechanisms and how they interact with exporter 
options unfortunately tend to vary from exporter to exporter. I decided 
not to throw them out because there are user 
scripts/makefiles/musclememory depending on these. Instead I've introduced 
the optional cam syntax that solves this for all exporter the same way, 
without having to change the old ways. Ever since, I recommend users to 
try the exporter as is, because defaults most often do what they want; but 
if it's not the case, it's the easiest to use the cam syntax and just 
provide an explicit list on what layers should go in which file instead of 
learning how to work around the heuristics on a per exporter basis.