Author Topic: Take a look at my newly improved PCB viewer / Gerber Viewer  (Read 90056 times)

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Offline PCB.Wiz

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Re: Take a look at my newly improved PCB viewer / Gerber Viewer
« Reply #75 on: August 25, 2016, 08:19:33 pm »
Maybe easier is to add a column to the BOM file? There should be a number of universal fields in the component description in any CAD package....

Yes, I agree a BOM extension is useful, but BOMs can get complex, and they are not always PCB-Centric.
Some are controlled from the SCH side, and others are run by SpreadSheet/DataBase managers... so getting the information into the BOM, can involve many steps and turf arguments....

My suggestion was not meant to displace BOM, just to give a very simple means to 'sneak' Height info into standard Gerber Files.
It is not as 'clever' as full mapping, but it is simple to implement for the user, and I think does not need too much software inside a viewer ?

I'll check other PCB sw for Gerber precision support. KiCad looks very good here, with 6 decimals in mm.
 
Addit:
KiCad defaults to this useful 1 um precision.
%FSLAX46Y46*%
G04 Gerber Fmt 4.6, Leading zero omitted, Abs format (unit mm)*

Mentor's PADS has some strange historic limit of 8 digits in Gerber, plus it internally stores to only 5 decimal digits-mm, so it can only give
%FSLAX35Y35*%
ie 3.5, which is still enough to export PCBs of 999.99mm to 99.9mm of suffix-height precision, using the 3.5 format.

I would propose that mm units be the default for suffix-height.
%MOMM*%
« Last Edit: August 25, 2016, 09:36:08 pm by PCB.Wiz »
 

Offline zofzTopic starter

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Re: Take a look at my newly improved PCB viewer / Gerber Viewer
« Reply #76 on: August 26, 2016, 08:11:08 pm »
Maybe easier is to add a column to the BOM file? There should be a number of universal fields in the component description in any CAD package....

Yes, I agree a BOM extension is useful, but BOMs can get complex, and they are not always PCB-Centric.
Some are controlled from the SCH side, and others are run by SpreadSheet/DataBase managers... so getting the information into the BOM, can involve many steps and turf arguments....

My suggestion was not meant to displace BOM, just to give a very simple means to 'sneak' Height info into standard Gerber Files.
It is not as 'clever' as full mapping, but it is simple to implement for the user, and I think does not need too much software inside a viewer ?

I'll check other PCB sw for Gerber precision support. KiCad looks very good here, with 6 decimals in mm.
 
Addit:
KiCad defaults to this useful 1 um precision.
%FSLAX46Y46*%
G04 Gerber Fmt 4.6, Leading zero omitted, Abs format (unit mm)*

Mentor's PADS has some strange historic limit of 8 digits in Gerber, plus it internally stores to only 5 decimal digits-mm, so it can only give
%FSLAX35Y35*%
ie 3.5, which is still enough to export PCBs of 999.99mm to 99.9mm of suffix-height precision, using the 3.5 format.

I would propose that mm units be the default for suffix-height.
%MOMM*%
Yes, the solution is technically possible. But I believe this feature will be rarely used, especially after the final solution is implemented. The height is not the only problem. See attached picture, also with capacitors. I need to solve the components dimensions and shapes input, in more universal way.
Take example of outline drawing - quite simple rules, but often there is a problem - there are many concepts, e.g. draw it on mechanical or on keep-out.
The structure of my setup file (.camset) is xml. I am already storing there some component settings. So if designer wants to play with different parameters, the simple way would be: Text-edit for start - more automatic and graphical edit later.
I still need to gain some experience with different BOM files.
It would be great to gain access to some repository of 3D models, without a need of loading each component by hand. I could index models my own way (by footprint fitness) so it is not much work to get a proper view..., so I need to learn STEP.
 
 

Offline zofzTopic starter

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Re: Take a look at my newly improved PCB viewer / Gerber Viewer
« Reply #77 on: February 27, 2017, 02:41:03 pm »
Right-click menu for component model and parameters (like elcap height) - I am still working on it. I hope to release this in couple of weeks.

 

Offline S13

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Re: Take a look at my newly improved PCB viewer / Gerber Viewer
« Reply #78 on: March 25, 2017, 12:31:22 pm »
Very impressed with this Gerber Viewer!  :-+

Thumbs up from me, and i will certainly give it a try  :)
 

Offline zofzTopic starter

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Re: Take a look at my newly improved PCB viewer / Gerber Viewer
« Reply #79 on: August 05, 2017, 12:17:03 am »
I have published a test version featuring component shape adjustments. The settings are stored in .camset and .zofzproj files.



short youtube video:

download: https://www.zofzpcb.com/Gerber-Viewer-Download.html look for "Current Build, Pre-Alpha".
After installation, enable the "ParamTables" option in Components / Models License menu.
« Last Edit: August 06, 2017, 08:12:41 pm by zofz »
 

Offline calli

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Re: Take a look at my newly improved PCB viewer / Gerber Viewer
« Reply #80 on: December 08, 2017, 11:19:54 pm »
I was looking for a 3D Gerber View and found this.

I am quite new to this all, using Easy EDA and the Gerbers from them will let your viewer error on

%FSLAX24Y24*%
or
G90*

Am *I* doing something wrong or is it the Gerber file?

Best,
Carsten
Carsten Wartmann: Make Magazin DE - Autor - Dozent - 3D - Grafik - Maker
http://blenderbuch.de/
 

Offline zofzTopic starter

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Re: Take a look at my newly improved PCB viewer / Gerber Viewer
« Reply #81 on: December 08, 2017, 11:45:09 pm »
I was looking for a 3D Gerber View and found this.

I am quite new to this all, using Easy EDA and the Gerbers from them will let your viewer error on

%FSLAX24Y24*%
or
G90*

Am *I* doing something wrong or is it the Gerber file?

Best,
Carsten
This are OK. can you send me your gerbers? let me see this - bug@zofzpcb.com
 

Offline zofzTopic starter

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Re: Take a look at my newly improved PCB viewer / Gerber Viewer
« Reply #82 on: December 10, 2017, 01:33:09 pm »
I was looking for a 3D Gerber View and found this.

I am quite new to this all, using Easy EDA and the Gerbers from them will let your viewer error on

%FSLAX24Y24*%
or
G90*

Am *I* doing something wrong or is it the Gerber file?

Best,
Carsten

Hi Carsten,
thanks for the Gerbers - I found the problem.
It is an extra space between '*' and '%FSLAX24Y24*%' just after the star in the previous line. Some time ago I have removed all spaces in pre-processing, what was just a hot fix. That was not the greatest move, since spaces are actually allowed, but only in the comments (like G04). Now, I have it done 'the right way' - just accepting stray spaces, but, as it shows, not in all conditions.
I have fixed this already, I will publish the hot-fix version shortly (just looking to solve one more bug).
If you like to test it before the release, just remove the space from all your gerbers, last header comment line, after the star.
 

Offline calli

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Re: Take a look at my newly improved PCB viewer / Gerber Viewer
« Reply #83 on: December 11, 2017, 09:29:09 am »
Thanks!

Works now perfect with Easy EDA Gerbers.

Carsten
Carsten Wartmann: Make Magazin DE - Autor - Dozent - 3D - Grafik - Maker
http://blenderbuch.de/
 

Offline xtlc

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Re: Take a look at my newly improved PCB viewer / Gerber Viewer
« Reply #84 on: January 29, 2019, 12:59:40 pm »
Hello zofz

I looked at your project and I sometimes follow this blog, so I thought I maybe can ask here: I sometimes put parts on pcbs, that are not in your database - for example I use many spring contacts and so on - usually I only have STP files for 3d data. Is there any way I can import them into the ZofzPCB 3D Gerber Viewer?
 

Offline zofzTopic starter

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Re: Take a look at my newly improved PCB viewer / Gerber Viewer
« Reply #85 on: January 29, 2019, 09:17:25 pm »
Hello Xtlc,
I have the documentation for STEP ap242 and I am working on a whole PCB + components export. It is simpler then component import, so it makes sense to start from this side. And I have already promised the export. About the import - what is a pitty, the step ap214/203 does not provide higher level information, e.g. about contacts. With my own library, I can do automatic fit and (later) provide footprint/component fit information (DFM). In the meanwhile, I am adding couple more of components, this time in a very universal parametric form - see pictures.







 
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Offline xtlc

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Re: Take a look at my newly improved PCB viewer / Gerber Viewer
« Reply #86 on: February 04, 2019, 01:27:47 pm »
Thanks for your reply.

Can I suggest to have a ZIF connector? Maybe for starters just length, height, width and pins to adjust manually?
 

Offline zofzTopic starter

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Re: Take a look at my newly improved PCB viewer / Gerber Viewer
« Reply #87 on: February 05, 2019, 07:17:02 pm »
ZIF connector is a quite reasonable choice, you mean the tape connector, of course. And the SMD barrel power, as I already have the body.  Probably in the next cycle, as I am finishing the update right now.

 

Offline xtlc

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Re: Take a look at my newly improved PCB viewer / Gerber Viewer
« Reply #88 on: February 07, 2019, 06:29:00 pm »
I am thinking about a variety of these:



Also I'd love to see them in here (as they are only defined by their WxHxD and number of pins and rows of pins. Working height and so on is just an extra not really important for the mechanics, as you can alter it by altering the H(eight) of the part:

 

Offline zofzTopic starter

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Re: Take a look at my newly improved PCB viewer / Gerber Viewer
« Reply #89 on: February 09, 2019, 10:06:26 pm »
 :-+ Spring contacts - OK, I can build it out of existing primitives (vertical cylinders).
 

Offline zofzTopic starter

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Re: Take a look at my newly improved PCB viewer / Gerber Viewer
« Reply #90 on: February 09, 2019, 11:05:41 pm »
I have fixed a .zofzproj file bug and going with the flow, I have added encryption and LZMA compression to the file format. The file is a binary, private, annotated mesh. - a single file containing the whole project.
I did it, because I want to pass the component generator allowance (license) to the whoever like to open this file, in a view only mode.
Scenarios:
  • PCB designer sends his project to a client, client does not need to have a license to see the components.
  • Show a PCB based product on the Internet, without publishing the production files.
  • Something like PDF, in a sense that browser can open the link in a similar fashion.

In the "View Only" mode, "Files" menu will be removed, Stackup will be read-only, etc. I am thinking about making it hard to produce the physical PCB, out of the view file. I am continuing with the following options:
  • Allow Orthogonal FOV
  • Allow Screenshot
  • Allow Netlist Names Display/Browse
  • Allow Component Names Display/Browse
Is there anything else, you would like me to add or block, in the View-Only mode?
BTW, the zofzproj file size have changed from 32M to 5.5M, for the demo1 PCB, making it more convenient for email or download.
What do you think about the idea?

 

Offline xtlc

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Re: Take a look at my newly improved PCB viewer / Gerber Viewer
« Reply #91 on: March 26, 2019, 08:21:51 pm »
Hi ... any updates?
 

Offline zofzTopic starter

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Re: Take a look at my newly improved PCB viewer / Gerber Viewer
« Reply #92 on: March 26, 2019, 10:23:18 pm »
Here is the update.
  • After publishing the version 1.0.5, i have fixed immediately visible, small bugs, mysteriously appearing just after the release.
  • I was trying to promote the new feature of the read-only free viewing of premium saved mesh files - it looks like almost in vain.
  • It is about time to clean the backlog. I took one hard old bug, I am deeply in - almost done.
  • I look forward to do the components, we talked about - I will really enjoy modeling it.
  • I just found out that someone have published a zofzpcb crack - from the youtube screen capture I can see he really dig into the machine code. He was also complaining on me, but i do not understand Greek. I am confused.
  • February was a great month, meaning number of licenses sold. The numbers are not going to keep, unfortunately. But it have covered the direct expenses, like STEP AP242 documentation, code signing certificate (it is needed), hosting, and a luxury indemnification insurance I tough I will need, last year.
 

Offline zofzTopic starter

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Re: Take a look at my newly improved PCB viewer / Gerber Viewer
« Reply #93 on: June 08, 2019, 12:20:21 pm »
I am here to see my work plan. The point 3 is done.



This is my test bench screenshot, the effect I was debugging for couple of last months - transparency gradient - the hollow display.
Too bad, I just have couple of hours per week for the project.  |O
Finally, time for a pleasure of modeling more components
:D

 

Offline PlainName

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Re: Take a look at my newly improved PCB viewer / Gerber Viewer
« Reply #94 on: June 09, 2019, 11:19:48 pm »
I just found this - a stunning piece of work!

Just a small problem at the moment - the menu stuff is semi-transparent background, and with the white text I find it very hard indeed to read. Could there be an option to make the menu background solid, or at least less transparent? Ideally, follow the system setting, but I guess you're not keen on standard GUI look and feel :)
 

Offline xtlc

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Re: Take a look at my newly improved PCB viewer / Gerber Viewer
« Reply #95 on: August 20, 2019, 03:13:31 pm »
Yeah ... the custom GUI is probably the biggest flaw in this amazing piece of software :(
 

Offline zofzTopic starter

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Re: Take a look at my newly improved PCB viewer / Gerber Viewer
« Reply #96 on: August 27, 2019, 10:07:21 pm »
I needed to make a vertical sheet metal object, including spiting and thickens changes. This will be for FFC/PFC, board-2-wire connectors, etc. Finally, the modeling time!
 

Offline zofzTopic starter

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Re: Take a look at my newly improved PCB viewer / Gerber Viewer
« Reply #97 on: August 27, 2019, 10:10:02 pm »
now what? how is this FFC build?
https://youtu.be/2_5Mih9Yy98
 

Offline zofzTopic starter

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Re: Take a look at my newly improved PCB viewer / Gerber Viewer
« Reply #98 on: October 02, 2019, 08:19:26 pm »
OK, I could not think of an abstract enough shape model for FFC connector, I have passed the problem to the user. Here is the simple "body" editor (not a pin editor, this will come later).
I will make it available for test very soon.
 
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Offline zofzTopic starter

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Re: Take a look at my newly improved PCB viewer / Gerber Viewer
« Reply #99 on: November 08, 2019, 10:39:44 am »
Hi,
Please check the beta version https://www.zofzpcb.com/Download/ZofzPCBtest.exe
features:
  • body editor - pin editor is still to be implemented
  • undo/redo
  • RGB/HSV color picker
  • save in camset and in zofzproj file
  • highlight selected primitive, checkbox - display only the edited part
If you like to buy the license, for only 10% of the price, please use the code "eevblog90" - thanks for following the topic.
The code is active over the weekend.



 


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