How the hell do i print PCB files?.  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Refrigerator
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2014, 02:07:13 pm
content: I recently started working on my PCB designs again, and i'm having massive problems printing PCB files.I want to do some toner transfer but i can't get the damn thing to print, i'm using Windows 8.I've done toner transfer before but then i used a different CAD software in which i would just hit "Print" and it did what i want.Maybe it's those pesky windows ? I remember using Windows 7 back then.I'm currently using ExpressPCB, i've tried using Eagle but Expresspcb seems so much easier to use.Could really use some help right now. :/Thanks in advance.

author: Nerull
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2014, 03:19:44 pm
content: How are you trying to print them? What files are you trying to print? Does ExpressPCB not have a print option?Windows doesn't know what a PCB file is, or how to print it. You need a program that can read the files and print. If these files are in an ExpressPCB-specific format, you will have to either use it to print directly, or export to another format which can be printed, like pdf.

author: Refrigerator
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2014, 03:29:30 pm
content: I tried that "Print..." option but after that i pretty much got lost.(i'm hopeless when it comes to this kind of stuff )

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2014, 04:03:03 pm
content: Quote from: Refrigerator on March 09, 2014, 03:29:30 pmTry to be more specific so people can guide you. For example shat happened when you clicked Print... ?BTW, ExpressPCB is a property software provided by PCB manufacturer so making it easy to fabricate boards not through their service is not in their interest.Some people reported that diptrace and kicad are easier to use than eagle.

author: Refrigerator
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2014, 05:08:07 pm
content: When i press print it shows me this window in which there's like printing options, and on the upper part there's a bar to select the printer but not a printer ( The thing ) but some program, in my case OneNote.

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2014, 05:24:36 pm
content: Quote from: Refrigerator on March 09, 2014, 05:08:07 pmCan you print from another program like notepad or a browser? Did you install a printer driver for your printer?

author: Phaedrus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2014, 05:32:23 pm
content: I've never had issues printing with ExpressPCB (used it before switching to DipTrace; but ExpressPCB is still quicker/easier for quick sketches). It sounds like it isn't detecting your printer. Try printing something through Microsoft Office or something. It may be a Windows issue, rather than a CAD issue.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2014, 05:42:22 pm
content: OneNote is not a printer, it's some Microsoft "note taking" software. Apparently it has been set up as your default printer. You may just need to change the default printer. You do have an actual printer that uses paper, right? Can you print to it from any other program?

author: Refrigerator
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2014, 05:54:41 pm
content: I've tried installing the drivers but in order to install hem i had to plug my printer in, so i did just that and it didn't detect anything, it just made that stupid sound that it does whenever you put anything into the usb port, i tried installing anyways and without the printer connected the installer just fails. I'm starting to think my printer is a bit too old.Btw it's a Samsung ML-1520P, and it doesn't seem to be broken or anything because after turning on it does that usual procedure of heating up and looking if there's any paper left.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2014, 06:00:04 pm
content: Tried the usual of uninstalling the drivers, downloading the latest from the manufacturers website and installing them? Most require you to install then plug the printer in only after installing and restarting Windows.

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2014, 06:09:01 pm
content: They have a Windows 8 driver, so the printer is not too old.If it fails to work it could be broken of course.http://www.samsung.com/in/support/model/ML-1520P/XIP-downloads

author: Refrigerator
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2014, 06:39:16 pm
content: I might take it apart and see if everything's okay .

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2014, 06:54:20 pm
content: First of all you have to do what other people have said, which is to make sure the printer is known to Windows and that it can print a test page from the control panel. After that, make sure you can print to it from Notepad or Internet Explorer. Lastly, go back to ExpressPCB and try printing from there.

author: Refrigerator
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2014, 07:44:10 pm
content: Well i've already taken the printer apart and boy oh boy i was glad i did, there were loads upon loads of dust and some spider webs too.And now when it's clean i don't have to worry about any dust getting clogged inside.I'll now proceed installing the drivers and test if it works.

author: Refrigerator
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2014, 07:51:24 pm
content: It worked ! But not for long....After two sheets of paper my printer started giving me errors, maybe i need a new toner cartridge?

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2014, 08:03:01 pm
content: Quote from: Refrigerator on March 09, 2014, 07:51:24 pmYou should totally be able to tell by looking at the errors you get...