Maker Pro
Maker Pro

Sprint layout PCB software

M

mkr5000

Jan 1, 1970
0
Anyone using this?


It looks like it DOESN'T automatically create a plated through connection when I run a lower and upper trace to the same pad !! ?

I have to go back now and run a separate pad, match the dimensions and designate it "through pad"?

Or -- stupid question, when the house gets my gerber files, will all holes be automatically plated through when I specify a double sided board? (don't think so -- can't remember).

Hate this new google groups format -- wanted to cross post to electronics.cad also -- can't do it.
 
J

John Devereux

Jan 1, 1970
0
mkr5000 said:
Anyone using this?


It looks like it DOESN'T automatically create a plated through
connection when I run a lower and upper trace to the same pad !! ?

How do you know?
I have to go back now and run a separate pad, match the dimensions and
designate it "through pad"?

Or -- stupid question, when the house gets my gerber files, will all
holes be automatically plated through when I specify a double sided
board? (don't think so -- can't remember).

Yes, this is what usually happens. You do need an actual pad, bigger
than the specified hole, on the artwork on both sides.

Sometimes you want a few holes *not* plated through, such as mounting
holes that you dont want to pickup solder. These are the ones you need
to specify "NPTH" or some such. But the default will be to plate
through.
 
G

George Herold

Jan 1, 1970
0
Anyone using this?

It looks like it DOESN'T automatically create a plated through connectionwhen I run a lower and upper trace to the same pad !! ?

I have to go back now and run a separate pad, match the dimensions and designate it "through pad"?

Or -- stupid question, when the house gets my gerber files, will all holes be automatically plated through when I specify a double sided board? (don't think so -- can't remember).


Hate this new google groups format -- wanted to cross post to electronics..cad also -- can't do it.

So switch back to the old google groups. That's what I'm doing..
google keeps saying it's going away soon... but.

George H.
 
M

mkr5000

Jan 1, 1970
0
Straight from Sprint -- it doesn't automatically create a through hole -- you have to go back and manually add it ! Nor does it give a default through hole as an option.

Nice program otherwise but no way I'm going to keep using it.

I understand you wouldn't want to connect a surface mount pad but if your connecting to a pad with a HOLE ? -- c'mon !
 
M

mkr5000

Jan 1, 1970
0
how do I switch back? looked everywhere for that option.
 
J

John Devereux

Jan 1, 1970
0
mkr5000 said:
Straight from Sprint -- it doesn't automatically create a through hole -- you have to go back and manually add it ! Nor does it give a default through hole as an option.

Nice program otherwise but no way I'm going to keep using it.

I understand you wouldn't want to connect a surface mount pad but if your connecting to a pad with a HOLE ? -- c'mon !

Can't help thinking you are misunderstanding something here. How can you
tell if a given hole is plated through or not? What is the software
doing that is making you think the hole is *not* plated through?

AFAIK the gerbers, for example (the final artwork sent to the
manufacturer) have no way of distinguishing plated from not. You usually
have to communicate this by other means. For example I generate a
separate drill data file for "PTH" and "non-pth" holes.
 
G

George Herold

Jan 1, 1970
0
how do I switch back?  looked everywhere for that option.

Well for me there is a little gear/wheel thing up in the corner that
brings down a settings menu. The last item on the menu is titled
"switch back to the old google groups". (or something like that)

George H.
 
G

George Herold

Jan 1, 1970
0
Can't help thinking you are misunderstanding something here. How can you
tell if a given hole is plated through or not? What is the software
doing that is making you think the hole is *not* plated through?

AFAIK the gerbers, for example (the final artwork sent to the
manufacturer) have no way of distinguishing plated from not. You usually
have to communicate this by other means. For example I generate a
separate drill data file for "PTH" and "non-pth" holes.

My guess(trademarked by Jeff L.) is that it doesn't put any hole (via)
in when switching from one layer to another during routing.

George H.
 
J

John Devereux

Jan 1, 1970
0
George Herold said:
My guess(trademarked by Jeff L.) is that it doesn't put any hole (via)
in when switching from one layer to another during routing.

Hi George,

Yes, could be. Might even make sense if pad is in fact a surface mount
"node" (as my software calls them).
 
Anyone using this?

It looks like it DOESN'T automatically create a plated through connectionwhen I run a lower and upper trace to the same pad !! ?

I have Sprint Layout. It's nimble and light--anti-bloatware. I like
it a lot.

It's strictly manual, no schematic or netlist interface (at least in
my version), but it's more than enough for small projects and useful
in planning large ones. I sometimes use it for sizing boards as a
sketch-pad, placing parts to see if they'll fit, and roughing out the
placement. It's very fast.

If you put in a via (or a through-hole pad), then of course you can
connect traces on different layers. It also lets you place an SMD pad
on just one layer, in which there's no hole, naturally.
I have to go back now and run a separate pad, match the dimensions and designate it "through pad"?

Or -- stupid question, when the house gets my gerber files, will all holes be automatically plated through when I specify a double sided board? (don't think so -- can't remember).

When they dip the board in their chemical baths, all holes get plated
(unless special measures are taken to prevent it).
Hate this new google groups format -- wanted to cross post to electronics..cad also -- can't do it.

Before you log in, the last option on the options menu is "Switch back
to old Google Groups."

Cheers,
James Arthur
 
U

Uwe Hercksen

Jan 1, 1970
0
John said:
Can't help thinking you are misunderstanding something here. How can you
tell if a given hole is plated through or not? What is the software
doing that is making you think the hole is *not* plated through?

AFAIK the gerbers, for example (the final artwork sent to the
manufacturer) have no way of distinguishing plated from not. You usually
have to communicate this by other means. For example I generate a
separate drill data file for "PTH" and "non-pth" holes.

Hello,

it is done with the drill programms. Drills done before plating are
plated through and drills done after plating are not plated.
A gerber contains only the artwork for one layer and no other information.

Bye
 
S

Spehro Pefhany

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hello,

it is done with the drill programms. Drills done before plating are
plated through and drills done after plating are not plated.
A gerber contains only the artwork for one layer and no other information.

Bye

It's an option in Altium, for example, to generate separate NC drill
files for plated and non-plated holes. Otherwise, the board maker is
going to have to sort them out.
 
how do I switch back?  looked everywhere for that option.

It can be a little tricky. If you select the options menu, it should
be the last option. But if it is not , then select the cozy or
compact option , and then select the options menu again. It will be
there the second time you select the options menu.

When you get in the old google groups, then bookmark that page so you
do not have to screw around again.


Dan
 
J

josephkk

Jan 1, 1970
0
Anyone using this?


It looks like it DOESN'T automatically create a plated through connection when I run a lower and upper trace to the same pad !! ?

I have to go back now and run a separate pad, match the dimensions and designate it "through pad"?

Or -- stupid question, when the house gets my gerber files, will all holes be automatically plated through when I specify a double sided board? (don't think so -- can't remember).

Hate this new google groups format -- wanted to cross post to electronics.cad also -- can't do it.

So get a real news server and a real news reader. See eternal-september
for a server and pan for a news reader.

?-)
 
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