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shewitson
9 Posts |
 Posted - 26 Jul 2012 : 09:42:10
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Hi,
Is there a way I can view the solder resist layer without exporting a gerber?
Maybe somewhere on the 3d view?
Stephen |
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edrees
United Kingdom
779 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jul 2012 : 09:48:47
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You have to add a top/bottom solder resist layer as additional layers (and ignore the default solder resist layers).
Settings =>Design Tech.=>Layers => Add.
Then assign the new layers some nice colours and then you can print them off.
These new layers can have special "exceptions" if required, like solder resist over vias if required. Hope this helps.
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DavidM
United Kingdom
458 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jul 2012 : 09:49:51
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Stephen,
if you are only generating the solder resist at the plotting stage by doing an extra 'pads only' plot, then the only place to view the solder resist without actually generating the Gerber is on the preview image of the plotting dialog itself.
The alternative method of adding explicit solder resist/mask layers to your design in the Design Technology dialog will allow you to view the resulting solder resist in the PCB drawing itself, simply by displaying only the resist layer.
David
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shewitson
9 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jul 2012 : 09:53:10
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Thank you both for that.
I didnt really want to go through the effort of defining a custom solder resist layer.
Maybe V17 can include a resist viewer on the 3d part then?
Stephen |
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wprov
United Kingdom
15 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jul 2012 : 13:12:55
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Hi,
Rather than adding another "feature" to V17 would it not be better to have the resist & solder layers enabled by default thus as David says just turn off all layers and enable the desired resist layer !. You can do this once and put in a tech file to add to projects.
That would be better than adding a viewer that already exists i.e. pcb layer on/off.
It would also help me by knocking down all the walls to finally get the features request so so long ago yet so close !!!!!. After all if the developers have run out of irrelavent ideas then just might blow off the thick layer of dust, use image enhancer to read the faded writting and complete desirable features :).
If any of you have got V15/16 with resist/solder layers enabled can you put a shape etc only on one of those layers and output as gerber to see if actually outputs the shape. The reason is the demo's will not allow gerber output and on V11 any shape/line etc does not output !. Thus impossible to check if fixed !.
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edrees
United Kingdom
779 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jul 2012 : 13:44:34
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WPROV
If any of you have got V15/16 with resist/solder layers enabled can you put a shape etc only on one of those layers and output as gerber to see if actually outputs the shape.
Works for me in V15. |
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wprov
United Kingdom
15 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jul 2012 : 14:34:27
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Hi edrees,
Fantastic one less wall !. So now have actual layers (resist & solder) that can be seen, can put shapes (resist cut outs & solder paste cut outs) that gerber outputs, etc. Now if can get pads (which are just shapes really) to be put into only those layers in both symbol & pcb then much closer to requested feature !.
For your interest I wanted to have the additional layer resist & solder so can make pcb symbols that are made up of outer copper, resist & solder parts for specific parts. Be able to add those parts to a pcb maintaing the copper, resist & solder "pads/shapes" without resorting to special named pads that have to be globally exempt from certain layers (can only add pads to top, bottom or all) so can move part if needed and keep the special effects.
Now just need symbol to allow "pads" to be added to copper only, resist only & solder only so can build up the three main parts of a SMD part you take for granted when output the gerber.
Next part would be to add a hole which is not a pad but drill location position within a pad that has many "holes" but not generate "pad" errors being inside a main pad.
Most people would not notice extra features though having the actuall resist & solder layer active so can see & add bits might upset some even though the layer by default would be invisible i.e. not displayed. Even old library parts would still work as if does not have the extra layer information present then treats SMD pads as copper & resist & solder (as per gerber configuration).
For me a powerful feature to overcome parts that I use mainly having thermal power pads for heat sinking thus 1 large pad with many plated "holes" but have smaller pads on solder layer for the paste volume/position and a resist pad same as the copper.
That leads onto more possibilities for others i.e. any shape copper with a "hole" in any part of the shape making special pads etc. Basically control over copper & resist & solder without resporting to tricks and importantly you see what you get with simple gerber layers that will less cause problems of having to add/subtract bits to acheive same goal !.
Not a lot of work as most of it is already in place !. Never happen as I see it as being a useful feature but others might disagree especially with a bit more work in symbol library !. |
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View solder mask