Re: gEDA-user: Using polygons for creating a ground plane by hand
Ok, so the solder mask is a coating, and if I choose I could simply order a board without one. I suppose the advantages would be that it (obviously) keeps you from soldering where you shouldn't, and also keeps the board clean looking and prevents corrosion. And I suppose that since I've already made all of the elements, it wouldn't be too difficult to ensure the spacings between the pins and then make them into elements. If it's the lesstif version, it's in the Tools menu. In the GTK version, you can use the buttons on the left. Ok. Is it the THRM button? If so, I can't get it to work. I click it, and it gives me a small black symbol resembling Germany's Iron Cross (if you're familiar with that symbol). If I place this over a via and left click, right click, or shift (and left click), nothing happens. I will see if I can find out about this tool in the documentation, but do you have any idea what I might be doing wrong? Thanks, Jeremy ___ geda-user mailing list geda-user@moria.seul.org http://www.seul.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/geda-user
Re: gEDA-user: Using polygons for creating a ground plane by hand
On Sun, Mar 25, 2007 at 11:50:57AM -0400, Jeremy Pedersen wrote: If it's the lesstif version, it's in the Tools menu. In the GTK version, you can use the buttons on the left. Ok. Is it the THRM button? If so, I can't get it to work. I click it, and it gives me a small black symbol resembling Germany's Iron Cross (if you're familiar with that symbol). If I place this over a via and left click, right click, or shift (and left click), nothing happens. I will see if I can find out about this tool in the documentation, but do you have any idea what I might be doing wrong? Each layer/via pair has its own THRM status. Select the layer containing your ground plane, then click with the THRM tool. - Larry ___ geda-user mailing list geda-user@moria.seul.org http://www.seul.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/geda-user
Re: gEDA-user: Using polygons for creating a ground plane by hand
Jeremy, Create a polygon around your via. Make sure you have the polygons layer active. Now use the therm tool to click on the via. Steve M. Jeremy Pedersen wrote: Ok, so the solder mask is a coating, and if I choose I could simply order a board without one. I suppose the advantages would be that it (obviously) keeps you from soldering where you shouldn't, and also keeps the board clean looking and prevents corrosion. And I suppose that since I've already made all of the elements, it wouldn't be too difficult to ensure the spacings between the pins and then make them into elements. If it's the lesstif version, it's in the Tools menu. In the GTK version, you can use the buttons on the left. Ok. Is it the THRM button? If so, I can't get it to work. I click it, and it gives me a small black symbol resembling Germany's Iron Cross (if you're familiar with that symbol). If I place this over a via and left click, right click, or shift (and left click), nothing happens. I will see if I can find out about this tool in the documentation, but do you have any idea what I might be doing wrong? Thanks, Jeremy ___ geda-user mailing list geda-user@moria.seul.org http://www.seul.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/geda-user ___ geda-user mailing list geda-user@moria.seul.org http://www.seul.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/geda-user
Re: gEDA-user: Using polygons for creating a ground plane by hand
Oh, maybe I should clarify: The pcb I am recreating has components with square pads: that is what I am trying to do. I have done this by placing a rectangle around a via in the component layer and also in the solder layer. I am using the component layer as my top layer and the solder layer as my bottom layer. I am then eliminating the clearance between the via and the copper. Is this the wrong way to do this? Also, if I wanted to have this manufactured and I only wanted to pay for a two layer board (after all, the original pcb is only two layers), would I only want to use the component and solder layers for the board? This would mean I would place the bottom-side traces in the groundplane (with some clearance, of course)...is this correct? I am still a little confused. Thanks a lot, Jeremy ___ geda-user mailing list geda-user@moria.seul.org http://www.seul.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/geda-user
Re: gEDA-user: Using polygons for creating a ground plane by hand
Oh, maybe I should clarify: The pcb I am recreating has components with square pads: that is what I am trying to do. Use the 'q' key to change pins/pads from round to square and back. Also, if I wanted to have this manufactured and I only wanted to pay for a two layer board (after all, the original pcb is only two layers), would I only want to use the component and solder layers for the board? Yup. This would mean I would place the bottom-side traces in the groundplane (with some clearance, of course)...is this correct? Yup. ___ geda-user mailing list geda-user@moria.seul.org http://www.seul.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/geda-user
Re: gEDA-user: Using polygons for creating a ground plane by hand
Use the 'q' key to change pins/pads from round to square and back. Oh okay: thanks. I guess I'd better go ahead and convert all of these vias and my silk layer stuff to elements first. Yup. Okay then. I know what to do about the ground plane now. Thanks much, Jeremy ___ geda-user mailing list geda-user@moria.seul.org http://www.seul.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/geda-user
Re: gEDA-user: Using polygons for creating a ground plane by hand
Ok, after an astoundingly short (five minute) search, I found the solution to the polygon problem: whoops. RTFM, I suppose. However, my other two questions still stand: Also, this is a two layer board: the top layer traces are in the component layer, and the bottom layer traces are in the solder layer. Should I place the ground plane in the solder layer as well? Or should I put it in the GND layer to differentiate it from the traces on the bottom of the board? And one last thing: Some of the vias have rectangular copper bits around them, presumably to catch more solder and create a little heat sink (just a guess: I really don't know). So far, I've just been placing vias and drawing the rectangular copper sections by hand: is there a better way? Thanks much, Jeremy http://www.seul.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/geda-user ___ geda-user mailing list geda-user@moria.seul.org http://www.seul.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/geda-user
Re: gEDA-user: Using polygons for creating a ground plane by hand
On 3/24/07, Jeremy Pedersen [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: And one last thing: Some of the vias have rectangular copper bits around them, presumably to catch more solder and create a little heat sink (just a guess: I really don't know). So far, I've just been placing vias and drawing the rectangular copper sections by hand: is there a better way? Without seeing the copper bits I am guessing that they are there to provide thermal relief around the via. It is probably not necessary unless you are planning to solder something into the via. I believe you can use the thermal command (F10 in my version of PCB) to add a thermal relief to a via. (* jcl *) -- http://www.luciani.org ___ geda-user mailing list geda-user@moria.seul.org http://www.seul.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/geda-user
Re: gEDA-user: Using polygons for creating a ground plane by hand
Well, technically the almost all the vias are going to have something soldered into them: I had to create all of the elements for the PCB by hand, and instead of creating real elements I just drew outlines in the silk layer and placed vias where pins will go. The documentation says this is a bad idea, but I can't figure out why: you use vias to create elements, right? So why can't you just place vias? They look ok in the PCB and the print ok as well...perhaps I'm missing something? The documentation says that the vias will be covered (except for the hole) by the solder mask, but isn't that something only used in manufacturing? I'm pretty sure my board will print out OK if I'd like to make it at home, but if I send it to a manufacturer, they'll be using a solder mask, right? This is still very confusing: for instance, why does the solder mask not show traces? Now I'm really lost. I'm starting to think perhaps that I used the wrong layers. p.s. F10 just brings up the File menu in my version of PCB, I'll check about thermal reliefs in the documentation Without seeing the copper bits I am guessing that they are there to provide thermal relief around the via. It is probably not necessary unless you are planning to solder something into the via. I believe you can use the thermal command (F10 in my version of PCB) to add a thermal relief to a via. ___ geda-user mailing list geda-user@moria.seul.org http://www.seul.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/geda-user
Re: gEDA-user: Using polygons for creating a ground plane by hand
On 3/24/07, Jeremy Pedersen [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Well, technically the almost all the vias are going to have something soldered into them: I had to create all of the elements for the PCB by hand, and instead of creating real elements I just drew outlines in the silk layer and placed vias where pins will go. The documentation says this is a bad idea, but I can't figure out why: you use vias to create elements, right? So why can't you just place vias? They look ok in the PCB and the print ok as well...perhaps I'm missing something? It is a bad idea. You are more likely to make an error and it takes more time. Also, you will need to rework your PCB layout if you plan to purchase a board with solder mask. Making footprints is not difficult and if you continue to create PCBs it will be useful skill. Check on my website and gedasymbols.org for footprints and scripts. The documentation says that the vias will be covered (except for the hole) by the solder mask, but isn't that something only used in manufacturing? I'm pretty sure my board will print out OK if I'd like to make it at home, but if I send it to a manufacturer, they'll be using a solder mask, right? This is still very confusing: for instance, why does the solder mask not show traces? Now I'm really lost. I'm starting to think perhaps that I used the wrong layers. Solder mask is used to prevent soldering during assembly. Since vias and traces aren't meant to be soldered to they are masked. Some PCB vendors offer boards without soldermask. (* jcl *) -- http://www.luciani.org ___ geda-user mailing list geda-user@moria.seul.org http://www.seul.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/geda-user
Re: gEDA-user: Using polygons for creating a ground plane by hand
Well, technically the almost all the vias are going to have something soldered into them: I had to create all of the elements for the PCB by hand, and instead of creating real elements I just drew outlines in the silk layer and placed vias where pins will go. The documentation says this is a bad idea, but I can't figure out why: you use vias to create elements, right? So why can't you just place vias? They look ok in the PCB and the print ok as well...perhaps I'm missing something? The fundamental difference is that pcb does NOT expect anything to be soldered to a via. What you should do is select all the vias for one element, cut to buffer, convert buffer to element, paste it back down. Now they're pins, and pcb DOES expect things to be soldered to them. The documentation says that the vias will be covered (except for the hole) by the solder mask, but isn't that something only used in manufacturing? The solder mask is a plastic film over the board that keeps solder from sticking to the things that aren't pins or pads. I.e. it will cover vias by default, so you won't be able to solder to them. Use the show solder mask option to see what's covered. p.s. F10 just brings up the File menu in my version of PCB, I'll check about thermal reliefs in the documentation If it's the lesstif version, it's in the Tools menu. In the GTK version, you can use the buttons on the left. Shift-clicking a via cycles between the types of thermals. ___ geda-user mailing list geda-user@moria.seul.org http://www.seul.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/geda-user
