[sdiy] pcb

[Brock Russell]

>It's one of those things that make you realise that basically, technology
>has let us down.
>It's the year 2001, and we can't even get a computer to convert a dodgy
>bitmap into a useable PCB foil just by asking it.
>You could design a PCB on a home computer 20 years ago. Nowadays you get to
>use a mouse instead of cursor keys. Big deal!
>Weren't we supposed to be colonising other solar systems by now ?
>
>Colin f

There are lots of graphics to pcb or gerber converters available. Almost 
every professional package has a graphic import capability built in or an 
add-on written by a user or third party.

I use Paul Fincato's bitmap to pcb converter. This is a freeware Windoze 
program that outputs a rasterized image Protel text pcb file that can be 
loaded into most pcb cad programs. Unfortunately, Paul's website is gone 
but if someone has space to post a 309k file I will be happy to pass it on.

Brian Guralnick has a picture to gerber converter, Visual Basic module at 
ftp://ftp.point-lab.com/quartus/Public/ProtelUsers/. This one does colour 
images as well.

Howard Lee's bitmap to TraxPCB  at 
http://www.21icsearch.com/pmcu/down/bmp2pcb.exe

I think someone already mentioned this one, for Protel users there is the 
Klipper add-on at http://www.desktop-eda.com.au/products/pcb.htm .

Can't be done? Technology has let us down?
Twenty years ago I was laying out boards with tape and Bishop pads, 15 
years ago I used Smartwork on a slow PC clone and today I use Protel 99SE 
on a zippy P3 and regularly turn out multilayer boards with 200+ pin 
components with 0.5 millimeter lead pitch. I can even make a usable board 
from a scanned image.
I can send gerber files for multilayer boards to a board house and have 
finished product in my hands within 24 hours. I can get almost any 
component in small quantity delivered in 48 hours.
We have come a long, long way in twenty years.

JMO,

Brock