CAM Process Create Directories

On 7/22/2011 7:45 AM, James Morrison wrote:

Hello,

 

I would like to suggest that there be a way for the CAM processor to

automatically create any sub-directories it needs based on the file

specified for a given layer.  For instance, I have the following file

specified for my top layer:

 

%P/gerbers/01-top.grb

 

This structure helps keep the design files separate from the manufacturing

file output.

 

But I have to manually create the gerbers folder which is a bit of a pain.

There is more to this folder structure so it's not just one folder, but

actually a whole tree of folders for various outputs and formats.

 

It would be nice if I could set a switch in the CAM processor to simply

create any sub-directories that it needs that don't exist.

 

James.

 

or even not a switch... just do it.

HI James,

I was going to ask this exact same question!

I instead, create a folder on my desktop called "Gerber Files" Once that is

created, I then run my CAM Processor and all the files are named as I like

them and put into that folder, The only thing I can't automate is the

creation of the folder as you said yourself.

I dont think there is any "Tricks" in the cam processor to create folders

though.

My file is named as follows in the CAM Processor ( eg)

"/Users/Me/Desktop/Gerber Files/%N SILK TOP.GBR"

I am wondering, Could a ULP Script be written so that it ?

1) Creates the Folder(s)

2) Runs the CAM Processor of your choice

3) Run Other scripts like Pick & Place, drilling and even a BOM.

Then we could assign a button in the LAYOUT to run that script?

What do you think?

Dave M

--

Web access to CadSoft support forums at www.eaglecentral.ca.  Where the CadSoft EAGLE community meets.

davem wrote on Fri, 22 July 2011 20:36

HI James,

 

I was going to ask this exact same question!

 

I instead, create a folder on my desktop called "Gerber Files" Once

that is created, I then run my CAM Processor and all the files are named

as I like them and put into that folder, The only thing I can't automate

is the creation of the folder as you said yourself.

 

I dont think there is any "Tricks" in the cam processor to create

folders though.

 

My file is named as follows in the CAM Processor ( eg)

 

"/Users/Me/Desktop/Gerber Files/%N SILK TOP.GBR"

 

I am wondering, Could a ULP Script be written so that it ?

 

1) Creates the Folder(s)

2) Runs the CAM Processor of your choice

3) Run Other scripts like Pick & Place, drilling and even a BOM.

 

Then we could assign a button in the LAYOUT to run that script?

I like your thinking.  I've suggested in the past that the CAM processor be

expanded to be a more generic manufacturing output engine.  Then we could

add tabs for BOM, x-y data, and any other specific output we need like

mechanical drawings, etc.  We'd need to be able to specify a ULP to run and

the ability to run it from the schematic or board file.

I suppose you could write a custom ULP to do it.  But since almost every

EAGLE user needs to create output for manufacturing of some sort I would

think having CadSoft solve it once for everyone is a better use of overall

time than everyone coming up with a solution to the same problem.  And

because they can write it right into the code base they could do things you

can't do in ULP/SCR's.

But the idea is sound.  There should be a one-click solution to creating

all the manufacturing output you need for a project.  And this is not to be

lazy, it's to be consistent and to reduce mistakes.

James.

--

James Morrison  ~~~  Stratford Digital

Specializing in CadSoft EAGLE

• Online Sales to North America

• Electronic Design Services

• EAGLE Enterprise Toolkit

--

Web access to CadSoft support forums at www.eaglecentral.ca.  Where the CadSoft EAGLE community meets.

Hi James,

I am glad someone likes my "Thinking"!

When I get to the stage of outputting manufacturing data I first run the

cam processor and view the gerber files etc.

I check for any errors and then make adjustment in the PCB Layout or where

ever. Then I rerun the gerber output and check again, So By AUTOMATING

This, we can prevent a whole bunch of duplicate or redundant files and make

folders of files suited for the different parties that need it, i.e PCB

Manufacture, PCB Assembly, Purchasing,and as well as complete documentation

records for your own use, I understand this will be different for each

company.

So..

I am starting to learn the ULP Scripting language, I do know other

languages ( object Orientated)  So It shouldn't be impossible.

I have already started reading the manual to get familiar with its

capabilities, and have already started modify the BOM.ULP to get it to work

more "SEAMLESS" for my needs.

If we wait for CADSOFT to IMPROVE EagleCad then that will never happen, So

we should not rely on them. ?There has hardly been any MAJOR features or

changes in the last few releases. Probably because FARNELL own them now!

In order to AUTOMATE the export we need to see what the limits of the

Scripting language are.

The Main question is :

Q1) Can the CAM Processor be called via a ULP?

and

Q2) is the a better text editor for EagleCad Scripting?

Dave M

--

Web access to CadSoft support forums at www.eaglecentral.ca.  Where the CadSoft EAGLE community meets.

Hi James,

I am glad someone likes my "Thinking"!

When I get to the stage of outputting manufacturing data I first run the

cam processor and view the gerber files etc.

I check for any errors and then make adjustment in the PCB Layout or where

ever. Then I rerun the gerber output and check again, So By AUTOMATING

This, we can prevent a whole bunch of duplicate or redundant files and make

folders of files suited for the different parties that need it, i.e PCB

Manufacture, PCB Assembly, Purchasing,and as well as complete documentation

records for your own use, I understand this will be different for each

company.

So..

I am starting to learn the ULP Scripting language, I do know other

languages ( object Orientated)  So It shouldn't be impossible.

I have already started reading the manual to get familiar with its

capabilities, and have already started modify the BOM.ULP to get it to work

more "SEAMLESS" for my needs.

If we wait for CADSOFT to IMPROVE EagleCad then that will never happen, So

we should not rely on them. ?There has hardly been any MAJOR features or

changes in the last few releases. Probably because FARNELL own them now!

In order to AUTOMATE the export we need to see what the limits of the

Scripting language are.

The Main question is :

Q1) Can the CAM Processor be called via a ULP?

and

Q2) is the a better text editor for EagleCad Scripting?

Dave M

--

Web access to CadSoft support forums at www.eaglecentral.ca.  Where the CadSoft EAGLE community meets.

OK,

I have been READING THE MANUAL, and some web searching, And I can find

NOTHING on running the CAM PROCESSOR within a ULP.

I did see that you can run a CAM JOB from a "Command lIne" ( not eagle

command line)

like this one.

-X-     eXecute CAM Processor

But I dont know if you can call this with a script.

The ONLY other thing I have read is that OLIN seems to have some usefull

ULPS or scripts that can do cam processing, but on his web link they are

only available for PC , does anyone have these ULPS?

Dave M

--

Web access to CadSoft support forums at www.eaglecentral.ca.  Where the CadSoft EAGLE community meets.