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

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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

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

James Morrison wrote on Sat, 23 July 2011 16:42

Except for auto generating a schematic PDF.

It seems you can already do this, at least if you are willing to use

Eagle's PDF generator.  I just looked at the PRINT command options, and it

appears there is enough there to do that.

What is missing is the ability to select the printer by name.  This is

presumably something Cadsoft could add without too much trouble.  I use

Acrobat to create PDF files, not Eagle's built in capability for that.

Maybe Eagle's is OK, I haven't tried it.  I guess I just trust Adobe to do

a better job writing PDF files.

--

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

James Morrison wrote on Sat, 23 July 2011 16:42

Except for auto generating a schematic PDF.

It seems you can already do this, at least if you are willing to use

Eagle's PDF generator.  I just looked at the PRINT command options, and it

appears there is enough there to do that.

What is missing is the ability to select the printer by name.  This is

presumably something Cadsoft could add without too much trouble.  I use

Acrobat to create PDF files, not Eagle's built in capability for that.

Maybe Eagle's is OK, I haven't tried it.  I guess I just trust Adobe to do

a better job writing PDF files.

--

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