Homebrew PCBs

David,

I'm sorry to hear about the problems you had with KiCad. It actually is possible to print multiple layers on a single page -- there are checkboxes to select which layers, and then a checkbox (in the upper right corner of the dialogue box, I think, but that may depend on the version) to select whether each layer is printed on a separate page -- it is easy to overlook that checkbox, or at least I often have.

As for importing the Gerbers off the page -- hmmm, don't know what that is about. The only experimenting I have done with this was testing before my previous reply, and I didn't encounter that problem. Note that you can move (as well as copy, rotate, etc.) an entire block -- in PCBNew, use the selection tool to drag a rectangle around the block. As soon as you release the mouse button, the block outline will move with the mouse; move to where you want it and right click to select whether to move, copy, rotate, etc.

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "David C. Partridge" <david.partridge@...> wrote:
>
> I tried KiCad, but it would only print one layer per sheet, and I wanted board outline as well as copper top superimposed. It also imported the Gerbers "Off the page" (Bottom left versus Top left origin I think) so to speak, and I had fun trying to work out how to print them (move them onto the invisible page).  
> 
> D.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Andrew
> Sent: 06 April 2011 19:30
> To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: HP Laserjet 4050 prints over-size
> 
> David,
> 
> I just checked GerbView, which is part of the KiCad package (but can be run as a separate program), and it does support scaling when printing ... sort of. The problem is that in KiCad, at least on any version I've run under Linux, printing produces a "blocky" output rather than a usable, smooth output. To get the output you really need, you have to "plot" rather than "print." (You can "plot" to a postscript file, from which you then can print perfect output to a laser printer.)
> 
> Unfortunately, although GerbView includes both a plot and a print command, only the latter includes the ability to scale.
> 
> However, GerbView can load a gerber file and load it into PCBNew, which is the pcb design progam in the package -- and it can then plot (to postscript or other output), with scaling.
> 
> So, it's a little roundabout, but appears to be do-able: 1) generate gerber files from your current program. 2) Run KiCad and select GerbView (or run GerbView directly); load the gerber files and import them to PCBNew. 3) "Plot" the loaded files to postscript, using appropriate scaling. 4) Print the postscript file to printer.
> 
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "David C. Partridge" <david.partridge@> wrote:
> >
> > Does anyone know if any of the free Gerber viewers have this sort of scaling capability when they print?
> > 
> > I know GC_Prevue doesn't
> > 
> > D.
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com 
> > [mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Leon Heller
> > Sent: 06 April 2011 16:36
> > To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] HP Laserjet 4050 prints over-size
> > 
> > 
> > The Easy-PC PCB software I used to use had a correction factor for use with laser printers. Errors in both axes could be fixed.
> > 
> > Leon
> > --
> > Leon Heller
> > G1HSM
> >
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------
> 
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
>