Homebrew PCBs

On Sat, Jan 9, 2010 at 1:44 PM, Brian Lalor <blalor@...> wrote:
> I’m finally trying to make this board!  And the frustration mounts…
> Aside from printer and tool issues (the adapter Dremel sent me for the
> model 210 drill press I spent way too much for on eBay doesn’t fit my
> tool), I think I’m making incremental progress; I just hope the final
> increment is done before I run out of supplies!
>
> I’m having a weird issue printing from Eagle; fortunately there’s a
> workaround.  Check out the picture here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/blalor/4259310618/
>
> When I print directly from Eagle, it looks like the pads are shifted a
> few mils (maybe even 10 or more) down and to the left; this is causing
> some of the pads to attach to the ground plane.  When I export a PDF
> and print that from Preview (I’m using OS X) the output appears to be
> perfect.
>
> Has anyone seen this before?  I’m using an HP LaserJet 4050TN.
>
> As an aside, the printing issues I was talking about yesterday do
> appear to be caused by the toner cartridge; I swapped in the other one
> and, although the toner’s still way too thin and uneven, the massive
> white line down the left side is gone.  The Pulsar green TRF seems to
> fill the gaps, however.  I’m going to try etching one of these
> transfers before cracking open the other printer I bought yesterday or
> paying full retail for a new toner cartridge.
>
> Thanks,
> Brian
>

From: Stefan Trethan <stefan_trethan@...>
Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] poor output from Eagle
To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, January 9, 2010, 8:02 AM


Eagle 4 does not have that error, at least I've never seen it.

But I'm really not surprised, Eagle is crap after all (my right to say
as I think, free speach and all). When I need accurate output I often
export gerber files and print those, gerber output is mostly correct
and it gives me the chance to check the gerbers before production.

For toner transfer (my own private use) I always print with Target,
because the printing dialog gives me the (easy to use, functioning,
including preview) options to position the printout where I want it on
the page (I use half sheets). It also has options to correct printer
scaling errors separately for x and y axis, as well as mirror, "hard
black", and "guide holes only for drills". Even If I have Eagle files
I will import into Target for the toner transfer ouput.
               <snip>
ST

Stefan, does Target create Gerber files like Eagle?   I'm new to PCB's and haven't learned any of the programs yet. 
 
 I eventually want to CNC mill my boards and was going to start with Eagle, but the learning curve is getting me.  Target on first glance is simpler, so if it produces Gerber files I will go with that.
 
If Target can't do Gerber, do you know if Diptrace or PCBArtist does?
 
Thank you in advance, Cary
------------------------------------

Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On Sat, Jan 9, 2010 at 4:51 PM, cary heestand <c.hhestand@...> wrote:

> Stefan, does Target create Gerber files like Eagle?   I'm new to PCB's and haven't learned any of the programs yet.
>
>  I eventually want to CNC mill my boards and was going to start with Eagle, but the learning curve is getting me.  Target on first glance is simpler, so if it produces Gerber files I will go with that.
>
> If Target can't do Gerber, do you know if Diptrace or PCBArtist does?
>
> Thank you in advance, Cary
> ------------------------------------
>

On Sat, Jan 9, 2010 at 10:03 PM, Piers Goodhew <piers@...> wrote:
> Yep, I have seen exactly that with Eagle on OS X (and recall another lister seeing it). Further, I now (under Snow Lep) get super-fat outlines on pads/holes etc (appears fine in Preview, fat on HP 4MP output) so I now copy the file to my 10.3.9 G4 and then print.
>
> It's all a hassle, but on a value-for-money basis I still swear by Eagle!
>
> PG
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

On 9 Jan 2010, at 21:30, Stefan Trethan wrote:

> Could be an OS X specific problem then?
> 
> Best to ask Cadsoft support about it, they reply timely, even if it is
> just a no can do sometimes.
> (Things are gonna stay like they've been, in terms of support, what
> whith Farnell buying them and all.)
> 
> ST
> 
> 
> On Sat, Jan 9, 2010 at 10:03 PM, Piers Goodhew <piers@...> wrote:
>> Yep, I have seen exactly that with Eagle on OS X (and recall another lister seeing it). Further, I now (under Snow Lep) get super-fat outlines on pads/holes etc (appears fine in Preview, fat on HP 4MP output) so I now copy the file to my 10.3.9 G4 and then print.
>> 
>> It's all a hassle, but on a value-for-money basis I still swear by Eagle!
>> 
>> PG
>> 
>> ------------------------------------
>> 
>> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
>> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
>> 
>> 
>>

On 10/01/2010, at 9:41 PM, Andrew Mathison wrote:

> Hi Stefan Trethan 
> 
> you could be right, but I have a feeling that the problem is from the printer driver. It could also be the printer firmware, so I would recommend checking the internet for updated drivers and firmware.....it may be a combination of both even -old driver, new firmware or the opposite....
> 
> If they are still available, even trying older versions may provide a fix....as it is not completely unknown for problems to be added as an update......
> 
> If it looks good on the screen, then I would definitely suspect the printer. Another printer from a different manufacturer may provide some helpful infos.....
> 
> I did not see a mention as to which version of Eagle is in use.......!!
> 
> Best wishes for 2010
> 
> Andy
> ---------------------------------------------------------- 
> Could be an OS X specific problem then?
> 
> Best to ask Cadsoft support about it, they reply timely, even if it is
> just a no can do sometimes.
> (Things are gonna stay like they've been, in terms of support, what
> whith Farnell buying them and all.)
> 
> ST
> 
> On Sat, Jan 9, 2010 at 10:03 PM, Piers Goodhew <piers@...> wrote:
> > Yep, I have seen exactly that with Eagle on OS X (and recall another lister seeing it). Further, I now (under Snow Lep) get super-fat outlines on pads/holes etc (appears fine in Preview, fat on HP 4MP output) so I now copy the file to my 10.3.9 G4 and then print.
> >
> > It's all a hassle, but on a value-for-money basis I still swear by Eagle!
> >
> > PG
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> 
> Greetings from
> 
> Andy Mathison
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
>

From: Stefan Trethan <stefan_trethan@...>
Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] poor output from Eagle
To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, January 9, 2010, 12:45 PM


  



Of course Target does Gerber.
In the following lineup you can see all licensing options, the free
"discover" version includes a text comment in the gerber files "only
for non-commercial use" or something like that, to discourage
commercial use. All versions can also import gerber files.
<http://server. ibfriedrich. com/wiki/ ibfwikien/ index.php? title=Editions_ and_prices>

(There is only version of Target that doesn't do Gerber, the unlimited
one you can download from PCB-Pool. This version is only licensed with
PCB-Pool for production, understandable if they give away software
that usually costs 3000eur for free they don't want you to make your
boards elsewhere).

There are also several special milling oputput formats in Target (for
isolation milling). I have not milled myself but you can read about
them here:
<http://server. ibfriedrich. com/wiki/ ibfwikien/ index.php? title=Engraving_ insulation_ channels>

Don't know about PCBArtist or Diptrace.

ST

On Sat, Jan 9, 2010 at 4:51 PM, cary heestand <c.hhestand@att. net> wrote:

> Stefan, does Target create Gerber files like Eagle?   I'm new to PCB's and haven't learned any of the programs yet.
>
>  I eventually want to CNC mill my boards and was going to start with Eagle, but the learning curve is getting me.  Target on first glance is simpler, so if it produces Gerber files I will go with that.
>
> If Target can't do Gerber, do you know if Diptrace or PCBArtist does?
>
> Thank you in advance, Cary
> ------------ --------- --------- ------
>







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On Sun, Jan 10, 2010 at 4:31 PM, cary heestand <c.hhestand@...> wrote:
> Stefan,  thank you for the answer.  I'm not very computer literate, so I will start with Target.  Seems to have it all, schematic, board layout and simulation in one package.
> Cary