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Issues with Copper Area Color in Gerber Files and Via Stitching Method

sysy019

Hello,

I am currently facing an issue with my Gerber file outputs in Circuit Studio where the copper areas are not displaying the expected colors. Instead of a solid color for the copper regions, I am seeing colored lines that separate these areas, which is not the desired result. This problem seems to be unique to my files, as others are generated correctly.

I have followed the instructions in a video tutorial (link to the video tutorial), which indicates that the inner layer colors should automatically fill the defined areas upon separation. However, my results are not consistent with this.

Here are the details of my problem:

  • Gerber files are displaying separated lines with color, instead of solid colored copper areas.
  • I have attempted to replicate the process as shown in the video tutorial without success.
  • This issue occurs only with my Gerber files, not with others.

I have attached my Gerber file for your reference and review. Could you please help me identify what I might be doing wrong in Circuit Studio?

Additionally, I am looking for guidance on how to perform via stitching within Circuit Studio. If there is a standard method or a tool available for this, please provide the necessary instructions or direct me to relevant resources.

Thank you for your assistance.

imageNC Drill.zip

  • 0

    I took a quick look, that definitely looks messed up by the software.

    Are you sure there isn't a setting somewhere for those inner layers, to not invert them? Maybe you added the inner layers but have omitted (or accidentally checked on something) in the export CAM dialog (or similar). I'm guessing, since I don't use this software.

    If you can't spot it, you should also raise this with on the Altium forum for more visibility.

    Incidentally, the PCB manufacturer can easily fix it, if you tell them to invert those inner layers (obviously not possible with the low-cost prototype services, but if it's going to be manufactured by a normal PCB manufacturer).

  • 0

    From the image, it looks like the Gerber layer is generated negative, or inverse. This is sometimes done for internal plane layers or soldermask layers and from my experience the board houses prefer to have all layers plotted positive. 

    I don't speak Circuit Studio, but somewhere in the Gerber Generator setup, there should be a selection option to plot each layer positive/negative (normal/inverse).

    I cannot help with the via stitching. 

  • 0

    It might also be deliberate crippling by Altium. There are reduced options in Circuit Studio, so that it doesn't eat into sales of their higher-end product (supposedly). 

    Regarding stitching, whoever designed the circuit will let you know what their requirements are, and it would be done manually. They ought to point out which parts need it, and then the rest of it only needs very light stiching.

  • 0

    For the copper pours, What tool are you using? I use polygon pours for most situations. If you are using this, there is an option when setting up a polygon pour to do no fill (outlines only). If you can show us a config menu of the tool you're using, we can help you better.

  • 0 in reply to GabeFromSpace

    I applied the internal layers exactly as described in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XJzsImG-bo. However, the Gerber output isn't coming out correctly following these instructions.

  • 0 in reply to sysy019

    The planes look drawn correctly; it's likely some setting in the CAM _export_ (or similar) where you need to check, (assuming it's not some CircuitStudio crippling done by Altium). That's missing from the video you linked.

  • 0

    Here is a solution for the inverted inner layers (posted on an obscure website).

    Inverted Gerber files