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Topic: Export from KiCAD (Read 1484 times) previous topic - next topic

Export from KiCAD

Ok, I have two more questions, but then I am ready to go.

I am using KiCAD for my board design.  I have checked my gerbers in a couple of different viewers, and they look fine.  I am using a fairly old version of KiCAD and I don't have the option to upgrade at the moment, so I hope I can use what I have.  I have searched online for answers to these questions, but of course the answers I find are conflicting and contradictory.

First, my drill files are exported as *.drl.  Is it necessary to rename these to *.txt?  Obviously it's very easy to do, but if it's unnecessary then it's one less thing to remember.

Second, I don't have the option to generate a single drill file.  KiCAD exports two files, my_pcb.drl for the plated holes, and my_pcb-NPTH.drl for the non-plated holes.  Do I have to have only one file?  If I submit two, will one be ignored, or what will happen?

I tried using a drill file merge utility, but then I can't re-read the drill file in the Gerber viewer, so I don't know if it worked.

I'm very excited to try dirtypcbs.  I have my PCB artwork ready, and I am waiting for some components so I can do a mechanical mockup and double-check footprints etc.  They'll be here in a few days so I'll upload my zip file then.

Thank you.

Re: Export from KiCAD

Reply #1 –
I realised that I do have the option to upgrade- I could run KiCAD on my Raspberry Pi 3, instead of this old laptop.

However, I am seeing how far I can get with what I have.  Here's what I have learned so far:

If I do nothing, I end up with two drill files, both ending in .drl

If I don't rename them and just upload them in a zip file with the gerbers that KiCAD generates I can see a plausible-looking preview in the cart!

So, in a few days I'll do just that and I'll add payment so I can see what happens next.


Incidentally, I may have found a bug with the cart:
http://dangerousprototypes.com/cart

If you submit one PCB design then it works (of course).
If you delete that one design then the cart times out, giving a 504 Gateway error.

Same thing happens if you are at the dirtypcbs ordering page:
http://dangerousprototypes.com/store/pcbs

And then click on "Checkout" with zero items in the cart.

It's not a problem, but I'd expect a message saying "your cart is empty" or go back to the ordering page ready to upload the first file.

Thank you.

Re: Export from KiCAD

Reply #2 –
It looks like you fixed the cart problem.  Thanks!

Re: Export from KiCAD

Reply #3 –
Finally managed to pay you!!  PayPal!  Grr!

Ok, so my file was created by KiCAD.  It has two drill files ending in .drl.  I did not rename them to .txt.  The render of my board looks good apart from my slotted holes looking like a single round hole.  I asked about this in another forum post, and I hope it is a rendering artefact and not going to be a real problem with the actual board.

There are two .drl files.  One is for plated holes.  The other is for non-plated holes (filename contains "NPTH").  Both sets of holes appear in the render and look fine.  The slotted holes should be plated, but, as I said, they appear as small round holes.

These are general issues, so I am happy to discuss them on the forum.

For specific issues for my order I will watch out for messages in my dirtypcbs account.

Thank you.