Hello Dave.
Yes I can open the gerber files in the pcb editor but I can not
open 2 gerber files and then combine them to make a single gerber
file.? If it is possible please tell me how. When I open it in the
editor it shows the 2 different files and because the designer
split the top layer into 2 separate gerber files.? Kicad wants to
save one of the gerbers even if both are checked in the viewer. In
short,? I see no way to combine the 2 gerber files together to
make 1 gerber file for that top layer.? when I do load both files
Kicad treats them as 2 separate layers when in this case it is the
same layer.
Thank you.
Jim Pruitt
WA7DUY
On 12/17/2022 5:28 PM, Dave WB6DHW
wrote:
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jim:
? You can import Gerbers files into the pcb editor.
Dave - WB6DHW
On 12/17/2022 2:28 AM, Jim Pruitt via groups.io wrote:
Can anyone tell me how to correctly merge
2 GBR files into one file?? I have a project from a web site.?
The designer sent me the gerbers but the project lacks a top
solder mask.? Also when the designer made the original boards 15
years ago he split the top layer into 2 separate files.? Since
the top layer is MOSTLY ground plane (but not completely) I
could not figure out why he has a ground.gbr which is the top
layer ground plane but also has a compside.gbr for the 3 or 4
runs that do not tie to that top ground plane.? He used a pcb
program from that time but I had never heard of it.? As you
might guess,? no board house I found would even touch that.?
JLCPCB finally told me to go back and put that top layer into
one file and then resubmit it.? I have Kicad 6.? The designer
did not share his project file or any schematic file.? The
gerbers consisted of the bottom layer (solder.gbr) and a solder
mask for that bottom layer (mask.gbr) and then the 2 top layer
files (compside.gbr and ground.gbr).? I was hoping I could take
a text editor (Notepad++) and merge/combine those 2 top layer
gerber files but not sure what I am doing or how to do it.? I
did some comparison and both files started out with the same 20
or so first items but then some items were different after
that.? The board is a 2 layer board for through hole components
so no smt parts involved.
Also how can I make the top layer solder mask be created since
none was included?? Or is it even possible without having the
schematic file and a complete project?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Jim Pruitt
