Howto convert PCB DXF file to gerber files for prototyping? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: beduino
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2020, 11:13:49 pm
content: Hello,I'd like to convert PCB drawn in DXF to something like gerber files for PCB prototyping.Idea is simple to draw circuit (no mask needed) as DXF file, then send as gerber files for manufacturing.Any ideas howto convert PCB drawn in DXF to gerber TOP/BOTTOM files?Vias not needed, while it can be drilled by hand, but it could be nice to have those holes drilled during PCB manufacture (0.5mm-1mm diameter).Sample DXF file attached as PNG image.Regards.Beduino.

author: bin_liu
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2020, 12:51:40 am
content: Using Altium Designer can easily achieve DXF to PCB files, and finally can generate gerber files.You can upload DXF files and I will help you.

author: Kasper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2020, 06:59:17 am
content: Import dxf to an EDA then export gerbers from it.EasyEDA can do it. Circuit studio can too, sometimes. Believe it or not, easyEDA the free program worked better for me than circuit studio.

author: 741
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2020, 01:14:49 pm
content: So, it seems, can KiCad (I've not tried this though!)If you'd rather not bother installing this for one file conversion, I can try and do it for you if you like.It looks like it would export everything to one chosen layer, which can be anything eg front or rear copper, silk screen etc.

author: beduino
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2020, 05:55:12 pm
content: Quote from: 741 on June 27, 2020, 01:14:49 pmThank you very muchIt looks like it works fineKiCAD is now my PCB development environment, but I'm new user, however I managed to create DXF files using custom DXF library based on C++ parametric programming - I mean I write C++ program to generate DXF files, so many fancy complicated shapes can be done.

author: 741
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2020, 07:38:11 am
content: I'm glad it worked OK.Out of interest, is your DXF export program something generically usable - how do you specify the input?BTW: Kicad files are designed to be human readable, just text files. I understand there is also a Python scripting interface. For example someone made a script which creates a PCB starting point by laying out physical parts like the schematic (https://forum.kicad.info/t/simple-script-that-will-copy-position-from-schematic-to-layout-for-an-easier-start/23460)I do not know Python, but I have done some potentially awkward PCB patterns using Delphi & text output.

author: beduino
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2020, 04:53:17 pm
content: Quote from: 741 on June 30, 2020, 07:38:11 amI use pure C/C++ code with custom DXF draw library, something like this source code, where I can assign parameters and conditionals how output DXF will look like, based on C/C++ program variables and passed command line options.I can also send such DXF files (mm) to laser cut in diffrent metals like stainless steel or aluminium, etc.The same DXF writing library with C/C++ is used in many projects.