Mail Archives: geda-user/2014/03/29/13:30:03
> Main problem is my tracks are OK on the bottom layer, but all my pads
> for the smd packages are on the top layer.
> Is there any way I can merge top and bottom layers ?,
> then make the top layer continuous Cu as a ground plane and 0v.
Go to File->Preferences->Layers->Groups. Note that there's a row for
each of your drawing layers, plus a row each for top and bottom side.
Any drawing layer that's got the same group (column) selected as the
top, will be on the "top" of the board. Any that are the same as
bottom will be on the "bottom".
Element pads are not controlled by that grid, but by which side the
element is on.
The TAB key flips the board over visually so you can edit either side.
SMD parts are always placed on the wide you are visually looking at,
so use TAB to flip the board over before placement.
The B key, while the cursor is over an element, flips that element to
the other side of the board.
So you can move the pads to the other side by moving the whole element
to the other side.
Having said all that, you can't just hack the layers to make the SMD
pads be on the back of the board and expect it to work, unless you can
solder all your smd parts on upside down. Yes, you can get away with
it for resistors and capacitors, but you can't do it for anything with
three or more pins.
So, you'll likely end up using the 'b' key to move all your parts to
the other side of the board, then editing the parts to line up with
the existing traces (where possible) (make sure "rubber band mode" is
off for this part), then re-routing for all your asymmetric parts
(transistors, ICs, etc).
> Another problem is how do I join a track to a rectangle or polygon ?.
The 'j' key over a track toggles whether it connects to a polygon or
carves a clearance through it.
> Is there anyway of setting the printer resolution ?, I'm using a HP
> 6529e, on a network, so not a direct connection. I could worst case
> make a wired connection to it and set the default on the Cups
> server.
PCB outputs a postscript image (unless you use the PNG exporter, which
is typically used for web pages). Postscript is a stroked language,
so does not have a "resolution" to change. How your OS interprets
those strokes for non-postscript printers is beyond PCB's control.
Most HP printers are controlled by job headers in the data stream, so
it won't matter if you connect it directly or via the network.
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