X-Authentication-Warning: delorie.com: mail set sender to geda-user-bounces using -f X-Recipient: geda-user AT delorie DOT com Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 19:30:02 +0000 From: Richard Bown To: geda-user AT delorie DOT com Subject: Re: [geda-user] newbie help please Message-ID: <20140329193002.242d8329@richard-laptop> In-Reply-To: <201403291729.s2THTckd003879@envy.delorie.com> References: <20140329152452 DOT 20032004 AT richard-laptop> <201403291729 DOT s2THTckd003879 AT envy DOT delorie DOT com> Organization: Ham radio X-Mailer: Claws Mail 3.8.1 (GTK+ 2.24.20; x86_64-pc-linux-gnu) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Provags-ID: V02:K0:KB/2RblBheEwhi3H6epkjkQMGdv5CYN3ebysn6/gZqJ dOQFK2x3i4W95cCqCI+mLvToXKzrl2UJiPbPyX2tN+2Su88hQv +lyUSLtvZ1qaTqJq3HwFd6Se/6cwDGrt7PmVtHb61UMlcl8EWP R0y+z8mmgTdftH7Vn0Mm8tN0aJrTzPjfCNToBhf/zUTaw9/Hnt 3+fEvjEnrS1vldYkrqHSyrWo8YB+zu7lxUZMsY5CB7HV/1hiRf ducDhCCR/wViebM5hdCTluwIF9pTQX18u5dzQJ/+7YqtH7HanL YsBw7EHg5E4eHK/jvk44a48VjgmjipgnrVdNGztnXHz1o1ccBl krIbjOMTCID6PTiyT2+yWk1tTcGqzyRTw/8b3AmUz Reply-To: geda-user AT delorie DOT com Errors-To: nobody AT delorie DOT com X-Mailing-List: geda-user AT delorie DOT com X-Unsubscribes-To: listserv AT delorie DOT com Precedence: bulk On Sat, 29 Mar 2014 13:29:38 -0400 DJ Delorie wrote: > > > Main problem is my tracks are OK on the bottom layer, but all my > > pads for the smd packages are on the top layer. > > Is there any way I can merge top and bottom layers ?, > > then make the top layer continuous Cu as a ground plane and 0v. > > Go to File->Preferences->Layers->Groups. Note that there's a row for > each of your drawing layers, plus a row each for top and bottom side. > Any drawing layer that's got the same group (column) selected as the > top, will be on the "top" of the board. Any that are the same as > bottom will be on the "bottom". > > Element pads are not controlled by that grid, but by which side the > element is on. > > The TAB key flips the board over visually so you can edit either side. > > SMD parts are always placed on the wide you are visually looking at, > so use TAB to flip the board over before placement. > > The B key, while the cursor is over an element, flips that element to > the other side of the board. > > So you can move the pads to the other side by moving the whole element > to the other side. > > Having said all that, you can't just hack the layers to make the SMD > pads be on the back of the board and expect it to work, unless you can > solder all your smd parts on upside down. Yes, you can get away with > it for resistors and capacitors, but you can't do it for anything with > three or more pins. > > So, you'll likely end up using the 'b' key to move all your parts to > the other side of the board, then editing the parts to line up with > the existing traces (where possible) (make sure "rubber band mode" is > off for this part), then re-routing for all your asymmetric parts > (transistors, ICs, etc). > > > Another problem is how do I join a track to a rectangle or > > polygon ?. > > The 'j' key over a track toggles whether it connects to a polygon or > carves a clearance through it. > > > Is there anyway of setting the printer resolution ?, I'm using a HP > > 6529e, on a network, so not a direct connection. I could worst case > > make a wired connection to it and set the default on the Cups > > server. > > PCB outputs a postscript image (unless you use the PNG exporter, which > is typically used for web pages). Postscript is a stroked language, > so does not have a "resolution" to change. How your OS interprets > those strokes for non-postscript printers is beyond PCB's control. > > Most HP printers are controlled by job headers in the data stream, so > it won't matter if you connect it directly or via the network. Thanks for all the replies I've started again, as it ended up in a bit of a mess, and I can remember the rough layout, Still getting a bit of trouble using "j" Sometimes it works , others not. Do you hover over the track to be joined to the rectangle , or on the rectangle close to the track. I have tried with "select" function after using the line function to lay a track. I found the thermal relief useful as its not fussy around connectors. I have three crystal filters to go on the board, last time I just put vias where the fixing screws and pins are located, where do I find the facility to create an element , so I can just drop it on to the board ? getting there slowly Thanks -- -- Best wishes /73 Richard Bown Email : richard AT g8jvm DOT com HTTP : http://www.g8jvm.com nil carborundum a illegitemis ################################################################################## Ham Call G8JVM . OS Linux Mint 16 x86_64 on a Dell Inspiron N5030 laptop Maidenhead QRA: IO82SP38, LAT. 52 39.720' N LONG. 2 28.171 W QRV VHF 6mtrs 200W, 4 mtrs 150W, 2mtrs 400W, 70cms 200W Microwave 23 cms 140W, 13 cms 100W, 6 cms 0W & 3cms 5W ##################################################################################