This dialog box allows you to set the parameters for the PCB production technology. It also allows you to define the format of all the files needed by the manufacturer to be able to produce the PCB. This should be done in consultation with the board manufacturer to ensure that the design matches their manufacturing technology.

Note:
Before opening this dialog you must define all layers and views corresponding to the CAM outputs. See Creation and use of layers and views.

Tip:
To open this dialog box, choose the Layers and Views command in the Settings menu or if the Layer and View Bar is displayed, click on the button on the bar. In the dialog box, click the CAM Settings button.

Settings

Destination folder: Specify the name of the folder within the current project where the files are to be generated. If the folder does not exist, it is created.

PCB Title

The names of the generated files consist of a first part corresponding to the name of the PCB and a second part describing the function of the file. This box can be used to directly specify the name of the PCB or a format string for generating file names. The format string consists of zero or more directives and common characters. All common characters are copied unchanged. The directives are as follows:

%T	It is replaced by the value of the field code PCB name. See The list of field codes.
%J	It is replaced by the title of the Job.
%P	It is replaced by the title of the project.
%D	It is replaced by the title of the document.
%V	It is replaced by the name of the view.
%F	It is replaced by the value of the .FileFunction parameter in the view. See The properties of a view. The %F directive is added automatically if it is not included in the specified string.

The value of this parameter is %T_%F if no value is specified.

Example 1: You can specify the name of the PCB directly. By entering the string PCB150r1 the generated files will have the name starting with this string.

Example 2: If you want to use the document title as the name prefix, specify the string: %D_%F.

Manufacturer technology

The parameters on this tab allow you to set the manufacturing rules provided by the manufacturer with respect to their PCB construction technology (CAM rules). The rules are about:

the holes on the board. Minimum diameter and distance between them;
the minimum anular rings. The annular ring is the difference between the diameter of the copper pad and the size of the hole;
the minimum width of the copper traces and the insulation present between them, either for the external or internal sides;
the minimum thickness of the lines on the screen and their distance from the pads;
the minimum diameter for milling operations;

Note:
Compliance with these rules and with the DRC rules is verified during the control of the drawing rules (DRC). PCB » Design Rules Check command.

CAM Outputs

This tab lists all the CAM outputs for generating the files needed to produce the PCB. It is possible to define a CAM output for each of the different phases required in the production and assembly of the PCB. A CAM output groups all the parameters needed to generate the required files.

To add a new CAM output

Select the CAM Outputs tab.
Click the New CAM Output button. The dialog box for specifying the name opens.

To remove a CAM output

Select the name of the CAM output to be removed.
Click the Delete CAM Output button.

GERBER FILE

This tab is related to the generation of Gerber files. You can add a new Gerber file and set its parameters or remove an existing file. A Gerber file corresponds to a view defined in the Layer Setup.

To add a new Gerber file

Select the Gerber File tab.
Click the Add View button. The dialog box for selecting the view opens.

To delete an existing Gerber file

Select the view to remove.
Click the Remove View button.

To specify the name of a Gerber file

Select the view.
Enter a value for the parameter File title. If this parameter is not specified, the file name is determined as described for the parameter PCB Title. Otherwise, this box can be used to directly specify the file name or a format string for generating file names. See CAM file name format.

Type of document: Choose the file format.

Numeric format: Choose the format of numeric data.

Omission of zeros: Choose whether to keep or omit the numeric data zeros.

Omission of repeated coordinates: When this option is enabled, the coordinates are not repeated, allowing you to reduce the size of the file.

Coordinated origins: Choose the origin point for all coordinates. It is advisable to keep the same coordinate origin for all files in a CAM output. The CAM origin can be set using the PCB » Set CAM Origin command.

Minimum line thickness for text filling: You can specify the optimal thickness for the lines used to fill in the characters of the writings on the PCB.

Minimum line thickness for filling images: You can specify the optimal thickness for the lines used to fill the bitmap images on the PCB.

Add Gerber Object Attributes (TO): Enable this option to add object attributes specified by the %TO code. This option allows information about components and the connections between them to be included in the Gerber file.

Add Gerber Job File: Enable this option to add the Gerber Job file.

IMAGE FILE

This tab is related to the generation of bitmap files with the graphic image of the PCB. You can add a new bitmap file and set its parameters or remove an existing file. An image file corresponds to a view defined in the Layer Setup dialog.

To add a new image file

Select the File Image tab.
Click the Add View button. The dialog box for selecting the view opens.

To delete an existing image file

Select the image file.
Click the Remove View button.

Type of document: Choose the bitmap file format.

File title: If this parameter is not specified, the file name is determined as described for the PCB Title parameter. Otherwise, this box can be used to directly specify the file name or a format string for generating file names. See CAM file name format.

NC DRILL

This tab is related to the generation of files with data for PCB drilling.

Type of document: Choose the file format.

File title: If this parameter is not specified, the file name is determined as described for the PCB Title parameter. Otherwise, this box can be used to directly specify the file name or a format string for generating file names. See CAM file name format.

Numeric format: Choose the format of numeric data.

Omission of zeros: Choose whether to keep or omit the numeric data zeros.

Omission of repeated coordinates: When this option is enabled, the coordinates are not repeated, allowing you to reduce the size of the file.

Coordinated origins: Choose the origin point for all the coordinates of the holes. It is advisable to keep the same coordinate origin for all files in a CAM output. The CAM origin can be set using the PCB » Set CAM Origin command.

Generates separate files for PTH and NPTH: When this option is enabled, the data for the metallized and non-metallized holes are reported in separate files. Otherwise a single file is generated.

Generate the report file: Choose whether a report file with a list of all generated drilling files should be generated.

Add Gerber Object Attributes (TO): Enable this option to add object attributes specified by the %TO code. This option allows information about components and the connections between them to be included in the Gerber file.

PICK AND PLACE

This tab is related to the generation of data files for the Pick and Place machines for PCB assembly.

Type of document: Choose the file format.

File title: If this parameter is not specified, the file name is determined as described for the PCB Title parameter. Otherwise, this box can be used to directly specify the file name or a format string for generating file names. See CAM file name format.

Unit of measure: Choose the coordinate unit of measurement.

Coordinated origins: Choose the origin point for all component coordinates. It is advisable to keep the same coordinate origin for all files in a CAM output. The CAM origin can be set using the PCB » Set CAM Origin command.

TEST POINTS

This tab is related to the generation of the file with the coordinates of all the pads marked as test points.

Type of document: Choose the file format.

File title: If this parameter is not specified, the file name is determined as described for the PCB Title parameter. Otherwise, this box can be used to directly specify the file name or a format string for generating file names. See CAM file name format.

Unit of measure: Choose the coordinate unit of measurement.

Coordinated origins: Choose the origin point for all pad coordinates. It is advisable to keep the same coordinate origin for all files in a CAM output. The CAM origin can be set using the PCB » Set CAM Origin command.

BILL OF MATERIALS

This tab is related to the generation of the file with the list of all the components present on the PCB.

Type of document: Choose the file format.

File title: If this parameter is not specified, the file name is determined as described for the PCB Title parameter. Otherwise, this box can be used to directly specify the file name or a format string for generating file names. See CAM file name format.

NOTES

This tab is related to the generation of the file with information on the PCB. Includes the list of layers and the corresponding Gerber files.

Type of document: Choose the file format.

File title: If this parameter is not specified, the file name is determined as described for the PCB Title parameter. Otherwise, this box can be used to directly specify the file name or a format string for generating file names. See CAM file name format.