EasyEDA: I want to design a PCB that's 100mm by 100mm (solid copper, no components, electricity, or nothin')

Thread Starter

Hamlet

Joined Jun 10, 2015
519
Anyone here familiar with EasyEDA?

I want to produce a "pcb" that is a perfect square, smooth copper both sides, no holes, no components, nothing else. Let's call it an UNB (unprinted, non-circuit, board).

The goal is to produce a "gerber" file that I can send off to a pcb fabrication house.
 

Thread Starter

Hamlet

Joined Jun 10, 2015
519
Why do you need a Gerber file if there is nothing on the board? Why not just order some copper clad board and cut it yourself? Clearly I am missing something.
Let's just imagine that I'm lazy, and want someone else to cut it for me. (Just play along, I promise I'm not trolling.)
 

Thread Starter

Hamlet

Joined Jun 10, 2015
519
Simply to show you what is available out there albeit not 10x10cm... I gave up on EasyEDA...
Thanks for your candor. I just got off a chat with JLCPCB, who acquired EasyEDA, but no longer
have a support forum. I thought they were giving it a go as a component supplier/pcb-fab/software one-stop solution, but apparently, they don't have their act together.

EasyEDA is now my 7th pcb design program that I have had to toss in the trash. In ExpressPCB, it is easy to skip schematic capture, and go straight to the PCB design, and set the board chop-cut-saw-ratline-dice-slice or whatever we're calling getting the board dimensions set to a specific size is called.

All my entire life, I start with what I have in the refrigerator, before I plan a meal. I want my PCB software to give me the option to build a circuit on a 100x100mm copper clad board, and then let me see if I can cram my circuit into that space, NASA style. Why? Because JLCPCB offers the best fab prices $ for 1000sqare mm size.
 
Is this for self use or for commercial purposes? Is privacy required?

You can try some of altium's options, some prons and cons below:

Circuit Maker (free, but no privacy concerning your designs. Everything is public)

CircuitStudio (moderate price, entry level and shitty support)

Altium Designer (really good, but expensive)
 

Thread Starter

Hamlet

Joined Jun 10, 2015
519
Is this for self use or for commercial purposes? Is privacy required?

You can try some of altium's options, some prons and cons below:

Circuit Maker (free, but no privacy concerning your designs. Everything is public)

CircuitStudio (moderate price, entry level and shitty support)

Altium Designer (really good, but expensive)
Thank you. I will try Circuit Maker next. I don't want to give up. Electronics has a very steep learning curve, but I love it all the same. I love it.
 

Thread Starter

Hamlet

Joined Jun 10, 2015
519
Whoops, Circuit Maker is dead. Download is dead. Website non-functional.
I'll keep trying all the same, thanks.
 

Ian0

Joined Aug 7, 2020
9,621
I'd draw 100mm x 100mm outlines, then put a filled copper area that is 100mm x 100mm. Gerber output is below.



%TF.GenerationSoftware,KiCad,Pcbnew,5.1.6-c6e7f7d~87~ubuntu18.04.1*%
%TF.CreationDate,2021-03-26T09:38:06+00:00*%
%TF.ProjectId,,58585858-5858-4585-9858-585858585858,rev?*%
%TF.SameCoordinates,Original*%
%TF.FileFunction,Copper,L2,Bot*%
%TF.FilePolarity,Positive*%
%FSLAX46Y46*%
G04 Gerber Fmt 4.6, Leading zero omitted, Abs format (unit mm)*
G04 Created by KiCad (PCBNEW 5.1.6-c6e7f7d~87~ubuntu18.04.1) date 2021-03-26 09:38:06*
%MOMM*%
%LPD*%
G01*
G04 APERTURE LIST*
%TA.AperFunction,NonConductor*%
%ADD10C,0.254000*%
%TD*%
G04 APERTURE END LIST*
D10*
G36*
X164340000Y-139340000D02*
G01*
X65660000Y-139340000D01*
X65660000Y-40660000D01*
X164340001Y-40660000D01*
X164340000Y-139340000D01*
G37*
X164340000Y-139340000D02*
X65660000Y-139340000D01*
X65660000Y-40660000D01*
X164340001Y-40660000D01*
X164340000Y-139340000D01*
M02*
 

AlbertHall

Joined Jun 4, 2014
12,338

Thread Starter

Hamlet

Joined Jun 10, 2015
519
I'd draw 100mm x 100mm outlines, then put a filled copper area that is 100mm x 100mm. Gerber output is below.
Thank you Ian0, now we are getting somewhere. I thought the "gerber-file" was a single file that had all the particulars of the pcb design wrapped into it... You show a considerable string of commands, so I am understanding that the "gerber" is a file folder that has all the language describing the pcb, like a code blueprint.

So first, if I want to ignore schematic capture, I need to draw "outlines" the size of the finished pcb, then the copper is added, a kind of flood/fill command, with pads and traces if desired...
 

eetech00

Joined Jun 8, 2013
3,847
Thank you Ian0, now we are getting somewhere. I thought the "gerber-file" was a single file that had all the particulars of the pcb design wrapped into it... You show a considerable string of commands, so I am understanding that the "gerber" is a file folder that has all the language describing the pcb, like a code blueprint.

So first, if I want to ignore schematic capture, I need to draw "outlines" the size of the finished pcb, then the copper is added, a kind of flood/fill command, with pads and traces if desired...
You don't need a schematic.

Create a PCB with a board outline 100mm x 100mm
Add a copper pour area to one or both sides
Pour the copper.
Generate the gerber plots (only need top/bottom copper and board outline= 3 gerber files)
Send to fab house.

Your board will have copper planes on one (or both) sides with a miniumum border clearance as defined by manufacturer.
Clearance is usually 1.27mm-2.54mm.
 

Ian0

Joined Aug 7, 2020
9,621
Now here's a thought - what can you do with a blank pcb?
If you have the "component ID" printed on it - it can be a fascia panel.
And is there anyone out there offering a custom fascia panel service for anywhere near the price one can get a custom pcb?
 
EasyEda reviews the files before fabrication.
If you send them a blank board, it will get flagged and very likely could be rejected. They may assume that you made a mistake.

But by all means, keep us in the loop! I would love to see their response!
 

Thread Starter

Hamlet

Joined Jun 10, 2015
519
Now here's a thought - what can you do with a blank pcb?
If you have the "component ID" printed on it - it can be a fascia panel.
And is there anyone out there offering a custom fascia panel service for anywhere near the price one can get a custom pcb?
Exactly! Ten 100mm square boards/four bits each, plus shipping, wait three weeks. It's a great price, even for breakout boards, or a fascia panel (although a bit small). Imagine the cool artwork you could do on something a little larger, with the backside etched and illuminated...

1616815938391.png
 
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