Mail Archives: geda-user/2014/03/29/15:30:47
On Sat, 29 Mar 2014 13:29:38 -0400
DJ Delorie <dj AT delorie DOT com> wrote:
>
> > 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.
Thanks for all the replies
I've started again, as it ended up in a bit of a mess, and I can
remember the rough layout, Still getting a bit of trouble using "j"
Sometimes it works , others not.
Do you hover over the track to be joined to the rectangle , or on the
rectangle close to the track. I have tried with "select" function after
using the line function to lay a track.
I found the thermal relief useful as its not fussy around connectors.
I have three crystal filters to go on the board, last time I just put
vias where the fixing screws and pins are located, where do I find the
facility to create an element , so I can just drop it on to the board ?
getting there slowly
Thanks
--
--
Best wishes /73
Richard Bown
Email : richard AT g8jvm DOT com
HTTP : http://www.g8jvm.com
nil carborundum a illegitemis
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