Issues generating gerber files Altium 18 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Edie00773
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 08, 2018, 03:08:32 pm
content: Hello everyone, lucked the forums for a few years but now I could use some help.I ahve a PCB made in altium, but none of the exported gerber files seem to make sence. I can't view them in any viewer apart from camtastic inside altium, and the manufacturer can't see them either.I'm pretty new to altium and I need these boards for a uni project, any help would be really appriciated.This is a link to the gerber abnd orignal files:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mKXRWhMi2ho_UffYMBhwKhRE6Hcfct2R?usp=sharingThanksEdward

author: Deridex
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2018, 07:39:00 pm
content: I can`t check your files right now, because i`m just with the mobile phone online.But i guess you did create GerberX2-Files instead of the usual Gerber-Files.

author: Edie00773
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 09, 2018, 11:48:48 am
content: Thanks for the reply.I'm pretty sure I've not exported gerberX2 files. i've gone through the process of exporting these gerbers so many times with different settings to try and get it to work that I would have realised if I accidently hit the wrong buttion. Or at least I hope I would.

author: Deridex
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2018, 11:55:56 am
content: Sadly i can't check the files you uploaded because i can't download em for some resaon. Sorry.

author: Edie00773
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 10, 2018, 01:23:34 pm
content: Here's the altium files via OneDrive. I can't attach directly as it's too large, (just over the 100KB limit)Don't know why it didn't work.Thanks for your time.https://livemdxac-my.sharepoint.com/:u:/g/personal/ea890_live_mdx_ac_uk/EcK3Oe3kc4tLj8b-475GQRMBooPW1UGmM1EnNxCvTeUdgg

author: mars01
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2018, 06:10:34 pm
content: Hi Edie,I've downloaded the files from your first post and indeed there are problems with the Gerber files.The Altium files that you provided also have some problems: the schematic and PCB are not in sync (some components from schematic are not on board and the reverse).Also the PCB itself seems to have some problems related to the origin position.I suspect that the origin issue is related to Mechanical 1 layer, the one where you imported the shape of the board. There was a small line that was about 4" to the left of the origin and 6.4" above the origin. It took some time to observe it but Altium Camtastic complained about the origin when the manufacturing files were created so it was a clue that something is not OK.I did manage to get some Gerbers out of your PCB file but given the state of the project I suspect there might be some other issues (the smallest one is that you have overlapping silkscreen). Check also the Mech 1 layer issue.See attached, the Gerber files from the folder:lmeche robot control board\Project Outputs for Imeche robotcontrol board\Gerber Filescan be opened and checked in any Gerber viewer.https://cp.sync.com/dl/b871aa650#ss7d25t6-77pex6y4-mddk2szq-d5gp8k4y

author: Edie00773
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 10, 2018, 06:17:28 pm
content: He, thanks for having a look. I'm on mobile right now so I can't check the gerbers. I just remembered I still had the old PCB in as well as the new one in the project. The current PCB is the one named copy, not sure if that was clear. Do you know what I might have some wrong to get the origin out of place in pretty new to altium and self taught as our uni has just changed over to altium and the staff only know eagle.ThanksEdward

author: Edie00773
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 10, 2018, 09:35:55 pm
content: I've finally had a chance to look at the gerbers you sent back to me. Were the ones with crazysilk screen the ones I sent out? They looknothing like the altium files at least on my end.I tried exporting gerbers again, even from the camtastic file you sent back, but I still can't view my exported files. However theones you sent seem to be perfect thank you.Do you know what I might be doing wrong? I know altium 18has a few bugs but I struggle to belive that camtastic can't export gerbers so it must be something I did wrong going from .cam to gerbers.Thanks againEdward

author: mars01
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2018, 11:26:50 pm
content: Hi,First, when you compile the project, you should have no errors and if possible, no warnings.Secondly, when you do the schematic transfer to PCB, you should have no differences.Third, the Design Rule Check should give no rule violations.Regarding the error in your Gerbers, I suspect that it had to do with the DXF file that you imported on Mechanical 1 layer in order to create the board shape. The DXF file should be compatible with Altium (needs to be a close shape, the outline should not be duplicated and so on).But it also may be the way you exported the Gerber files (if imperial units are used, it should be 2:3, type absolute, leading zeros suppression).There is something weird with the PCB file as the artwork is not in the center when the PCB file is opened.I would create a new board and copy paste the original artwork by selecting only within the limits of the board shape. Then deal with whatever errors /rule violations will appear (you will need to recreate the rules) and make sure that the schematic and the PCB are in sync.Best,Marius

author: Edie00773
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 10, 2018, 11:47:03 pm
content: The are two different PCBs ignore the original, I have just forgotten to delete it. But the one with copy in the name is the finished one, and I got no warnings or errors between the schematic and PCB. Nor any issues from the DRC.The DXF files were exported from SOLIDWORKS so I don't know what's going on with that.Should the origin be in the centre of the PCB then? Because I couldn't put anything into the negative coordinates, therefore I figured it should all be to the right.