Electronics > PCB/EDA/CAD

Gerbers to Include To Avoid Having a Solder Mask

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bostonman:
Recently I laid out a PCB and showed some friends. Unfortunately they don't understand what a PCB is, so I had the idea to make (and possibly spend the money ordering) one without a solder mask so the traces show. I added a middle layer to use as the copper pour ground and thought the top and bottom would show all the traces.

Attached are the files I included to JLCPCB to see the gerber view, however, it looked like the board was covered in green covering all the vias/holes/pads.

Did I include a layer I shouldn't have?

thm_w:
There is no GTS or GBS file so it looks ok to me: https://jlcpcb.com/help/article/Suggested-Naming-Patterns

But if you don't include a solder mask layer, its probably going to confuse them. So at the very least put that in the notes that you don't want any solder mask.

The JLC preview isn't trustworthy in giving you an accurate representation of the end result.

bostonman:

--- Quote ---There is no GTS or GBS file so it looks ok to me
--- End quote ---

That's what I thought too.

Thanks for the link, but I already saw that months ago when I ordered another board (and I saved it for future reference).

So if I include 'top' (which I assume is some assembly print) and 'top silk', ignoring a middle and bottom layer, that's enough to get the whole top of the board made correctly?

What happens with the traces and stuff, do they still get soldered or remain copper?

As you may tell, I'm a bit confused on one or two (or maybe three) of the layers and their purpose. The silk screen layer is obvious, but then there is paste, mask, and assembly.

oPossum:
Soldermask is a negative layer, so just draw a polygon on those layers that covers the entire board.

bostonman:

--- Quote ---Soldermask is a negative layer
--- End quote ---

A negative layer? I assume it inverts?

Why draw a polygon on that layer or layers?

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