Hi,
I am trying to create a simple PCB with the following features:
(1) Base board of some thickness
(2) One layer of trace/copper strip on top
(3) Some plated through holes
I can draw the design in SW as a single Part file, but I don't know how to export it into CW correctly. The ultimate goal is to pass on the CW data in IDF format to a designer with other tools such as Altium, who will then generate the Gerber files for board production later on.
- Right now I figured out to do (1) I just need to select the base board Extrusion.
- However, I cant seem to generate a 2nd layer on top of the base board for (2). My thoughts is that if I can do this then I can then set this 2nd layer to Conductor material which would be my trace?
- For (3) it seems I need to use Extruded Cut instead of Hole Wizard. This is a minor annoyance but nothing serious. Although I am not sure about the different Hole Types and other options/settings I see in the CW properties...
Since I am unfamiliar with PCB design in general, maybe I am going about this the wrong way or not understanding the settings I need to use in SW/CW. Alternatively, perhaps there are other more suitable tools for this application. Regardless, I would appreciate any help/insight on this task.
Thank you kindly in advance,
First of all, you must understand that CircuitWorks (CW) is intended to read IDF format from a PCB layout tool. I do not believe you can "draw" a PCB in SolidWorks and have CW understand it.
Further, CW is not designed to support flashes, traces or even board layers. It only deals with: board outline and thickness, component placement, component outline and height, vias and holes in the board.
Some people have been able to design simple PCBs or other types of circuits that they need produced using the PCB technology using SolidWorks. In that case they need to export Gerber files for the traces, flashes, board outline, and holes or vias. There is a program called STL2GBR that reads the STL exported from SolidWorks and creates a series of Gerber files at different extrusion "heights."
Steve DiBartolomeo
Artwork Conversion Software