Protel Arc
Maker
PADS to Protel Netlist converter
Cadcentric (Make rs274x gerbers from rs274d
gerbers, and
other utilities)
Gerber DRC
PCB Rotator
PAD Array
Contact me
download
CADCENTRIC
This is a collection of utilites which I have created
as needed
over the last 10 years.
- Cadcentric - creates a list of component positions, board
side,
and rotation. I created this to generate programming
files for an
assembly houses auto placement equipment. All of the
selections
on
cadcentrics main form are for this function.
- PCB --> APT - This reads a PCB file, and generates a
list of
apertures which TRAXPLOT can use to generate gerbers.
Be sure to
set the soldermask oversize setting before creating the
apertures.
- MAT --> APT - This reads the .MAT file created by
TRAXPLOT and
creates a neat, sorted aperture file (each entry only listed
once).
- GERBER --> XGERBER - This is the most usefull utility
in this
program. This combines an aperture file, and RS274D
gerber file/s
into one / many RS274X embedded aperture gerber files.
- DRC --> PCB - Highlights DRC violations on the PCB.
- PCB --> XGERBER - Replaces Traxplot. Directly
generates
RS274X gerbers from .PCB. Adds dimentions to .GDD
file.
Embeds tool sizes in .TXT file. Creates external
poured fills by
outlining the area to be filled with a .001 trace.
NEW Added for version 2.5
PCB --> XGERBER -
Replaces Traxplot.
Directly generates RS274X gerbers from
.PCB.
Adds dimentions to .GDD file.
Embeds tool sizes in .TXT file.
Creates .CSV BOM reports.
Creates external poured fills by outlining
the area
to be filled with a .001 trace.
Sample showing poured fill and
dimentioned
.gdd.
NEW Added for version 2.4
There is now a feature to read the DRC file generated by
Autotrax, and
highlight the prblem areas in the PCB file.
Much easier than creating printouts and going to each XY
location to
find the clearence violations.
This can be placed in a new pcb file, or added to the keepout
layer for
the acutual design:
Here is an image showing a clearance violation:

+
I let autotrax generate a DRC file, then run the DRC --> PCB
function.
Here is an image showing the highlights created on the keepout
layer:
And here is the combined
image:
I will be adding online help for this program eventualy.
GERBER DRC
This program has been
abandoned as
there are better free options avalable online.
download
PCB
Rotator
This program will rotate an entire PCB.
The Sample shown here is the "bigdemo.pcb" sample supplied
with
autotrax rotated 25 degrees.
This program is great if you need a rotated component.
1) Place the component you need by itself in a new pcb.
2) Rotate the new PCB with this program.
3) Block read the rotated PCB into your design and you have
a rotated
component.
Of course, you can also rotate sections of your final
design, or the
entire PCB.
Shortcomings:
1) Text strings are still horizontal or vertcle.
2) Square pads are still horizontal or verticle.
download PAD Array
This program generates an array of pads at any angle..
download Protel Arc
Maker

download PADS to Autotrax Netlist
converter

Contact me
les@hildenbrandt.com