CadStar apertures

[zeit_ghost]

Hello.

I'm trying to figure out why I can't seem to get CadStar to print out
apertures on some simple pcb designs.

The version I'm using is antique, V2.4.1, which is used as I
understand it, because it's simpler for students than a more up to
date version.

Trouble is, when I print out the copper layers I get the tracking
& the pads but the pads are blind without the aperture which
means that once I've produced a pcb there's nothing to guide the
drill.

I've used other pcb software previously & this has never been a
problem.

rgds
Zeit.

 

[Leon Heller]

"zeit_ghost" <john.young@sihe.ac-dot-uk.no-spam.invalid> wrote in message
news:utydnW7xZfH6mrnfRVn_vA@giganews.com...

Hello.

I'm trying to figure out why I can't seem to get CadStar to print out
apertures on some simple pcb designs.

The version I'm using is antique, V2.4.1, which is used as I
understand it, because it's simpler for students than a more up to
date version.

Trouble is, when I print out the copper layers I get the tracking
& the pads but the pads are blind without the aperture which
means that once I've produced a pcb there's nothing to guide the
drill.

I've used other pcb software previously & this has never been a
problem.

With a lot of packages that is the default because the holes are drilled
automagically. There is usually some way to enable the holes for manual
drilling. If no-one else can help I know the people who worked on the
original CADSTAR, they subsequently set up their own PCB software company
and I use their software.

Leon

Leon

 

[Geo]

On Tue, 01 Mar 2005 00:10:47 -0600, john.young@sihe.ac-dot-uk.no-spam.invalid
(zeit_ghost) wrote:

I'm trying to figure out why I can't seem to get CadStar to print out
apertures on some simple pcb designs.

The version I'm using is antique, V2.4.1, which is used as I
understand it, because it's simpler for students than a more up to
date version.

Trouble is, when I print out the copper layers I get the tracking
& the pads but the pads are blind without the aperture which
means that once I've produced a pcb there's nothing to guide the
drill.

Cadstar does not include a "hole" in any pads unless the shape is defined as an
annulus (which I have never used in 15+ years of cadstar work).
When post-processing, the only thing you can produce is a "drill detail" which
identifies each hole size by a letter. Normally you would produce an excellon
file for use with an NC drilling machine.

HTH

Geo

 

[R.Lewis]

"zeit_ghost" <john.young@sihe.ac-dot-uk.no-spam.invalid> wrote in message
news:utydnW7xZfH6mrnfRVn_vA@giganews.com...

Hello.

I'm trying to figure out why I can't seem to get CadStar to print out
apertures on some simple pcb designs.

The version I'm using is antique, V2.4.1, which is used as I
understand it, because it's simpler for students than a more up to
date version.

Trouble is, when I print out the copper layers I get the tracking
& the pads but the pads are blind without the aperture which
means that once I've produced a pcb there's nothing to guide the
drill.

I've used other pcb software previously & this has never been a
problem.

rgds
Zeit.

V2 was a long (long) time ago but I think I remember that if you print out
to a plotter (HPGL) it does show the holes.

 

[zeit_ghost]

Thanks guys.

The previous incumbent had a special library of parts or so it
transpires...

I guess I'll have to find that!

best regards
Zeit.

 

[zeit_ghost]

Hi, guys.

The "special library" does indeed exist.

However, it isn't sufficient on its own to generate pads with
apertures.

After much effort, it transpires that under Settings/Assignment/Pads
you can select "Annulus" instead of "circle" as the pad type.

And it has to be the particular pad type used on the pcb of course.

As obscure methods of doing something easy, this plainly takes the
biscuit...

cheers,
Zeit.