Converting .dwg or .dxf to a gerber file for Futurlec

[JazzMan]

Ok lookss like Futurlec is a good choice for one of my
projects. I've got it drawn in AutoCad, and can export to
..dxf, but I have no idea how to make a gerber file. Gerber?
Don't they make babyfood?
http://web2.airmail.net/jsavage1/images/misc/bbyfd2.jpg

Thanks!

JazzMan
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[Active8]

On Wed, 16 Mar 2005 22:54:44 -0600, JazzMan wrote:

Ok lookss like Futurlec is a good choice for one of my
projects. I've got it drawn in AutoCad, and can export to
.dxf, but I have no idea how to make a gerber file. Gerber?

I don't think you'll find a free program to do that. A gerber is
used by board fab houses and you won't need gerbers if you etch your
own board.

Futurelec what? Their boards are ready to go.

You're better off just downloading something like the free Eagle PCB
layout program if it's a board you want. It'll make gerbers.

Don't they make babyfood?
http://web2.airmail.net/jsavage1/images/misc/bbyfd2.jpg

That was great.

--
Best Regards,
Mike

 

[Robert Monsen]

Active8 wrote:

On Wed, 16 Mar 2005 22:54:44 -0600, JazzMan wrote:


Ok lookss like Futurlec is a good choice for one of my
projects. I've got it drawn in AutoCad, and can export to
.dxf, but I have no idea how to make a gerber file. Gerber?


I don't think you'll find a free program to do that. A gerber is
used by board fab houses and you won't need gerbers if you etch your
own board.

Futurelec what? Their boards are ready to go.

Futurlec (without the 'e'!) does prototype boards now, and has design
services as well. (I've never used either, I just like their prices. Who
knows whether it's a case of 'you get what you pay for').

You're better off just downloading something like the free Eagle PCB
layout program if it's a board you want. It'll make gerbers.

Yep, Eagle will generate the babyfood their fab machine wants. Here is a
tutorial on getting it to mash your peaches:

http://www.precma.com/informatica/gerber01.htm

Much of the site is in italian, but this tutorial is in english.

--
Regards,
Robert Monsen

"Your Highness, I have no need of this hypothesis."
- Pierre Laplace (1749-1827), to Napoleon,
on why his works on celestial mechanics make no mention of God.

 

[Roger Johansson]

JazzMan <No_Spam@airmail.net> wrote:

I was trying to avoid having to relearn a new program and
drawing the board all over again, which is why I wanted
some sort of converter, or maybe a proggie that would import
a .dxf (that's a standardized drawing interchange format) and
output a gerber.

There is dfx to gerber converter, but it is expensive.

http://www.artwork.com/acad/asm500/index.htm

They have demo download though
http://www.artwork.com/acad/asm500/500wdnld.htm

You need to register to get a temporary password, and I don't know what
if any limitations there are in the demo, if you will be able to save
your work or not, for example.

Another alternative is to create a picture of your circuit board design,
maybe by doing a screen dump from your layout design program.

And talk to the people at futurlec, they may be able to use a common
picture format like bmp, gif or something.



--
Roger J.

 

[JeffM]

gerber file. Gerber? Don't they make babyfood?
JazzMan

Different Gerber.
http://www.google.com/search?&q=H-Joseph-Gerber+photoplotter+boards

Heinz Joseph Gerber spent time in a Nazi labor camp
http://web.mit.edu/invent/iow/gerber.html
and went on to be in the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Alumni Hall
of Fame.
http://www.rpi.edu/about/hof/gerber.html

Abraham Zapruder may have owned some equipment of Gerber's design.

 

[JazzMan]

Robert Monsen wrote:

Active8 wrote:
On Wed, 16 Mar 2005 22:54:44 -0600, JazzMan wrote:


Ok lookss like Futurlec is a good choice for one of my
projects. I've got it drawn in AutoCad, and can export to
.dxf, but I have no idea how to make a gerber file. Gerber?


I don't think you'll find a free program to do that. A gerber is
used by board fab houses and you won't need gerbers if you etch your
own board.

Futurelec what? Their boards are ready to go.


Futurlec (without the 'e'!) does prototype boards now, and has design
services as well. (I've never used either, I just like their prices. Who
knows whether it's a case of 'you get what you pay for').

You're better off just downloading something like the free Eagle PCB
layout program if it's a board you want. It'll make gerbers.


Yep, Eagle will generate the babyfood their fab machine wants. Here is a
tutorial on getting it to mash your peaches:

http://www.precma.com/informatica/gerber01.htm

Much of the site is in italian, but this tutorial is in english.

I was trying to avoid having to relearn a new program and
drawing the board all over again, which is why I wanted
some sort of converter, or maybe a proggie that would import
a .dxf (that's a standardized drawing interchange format) and
output a gerber.

Oh well, looks like it's going on the back burner for now.

JazzMan
--
**********************************************************
Please reply to jsavage"at"airmail.net.
Curse those darned bulk e-mailers!
**********************************************************
"Rats and roaches live by competition under the laws of
supply and demand. It is the privilege of human beings to
live under the laws of justice and mercy." - Wendell Berry
**********************************************************