End-user Q&A

[jpcaram]

Hi everyone. If you have questions or would like to discuss the usage of FlatCAM, this is the right place.

[Sam Reaves]

Hello,

I find the double sided discussion in the manual somewhat confusing. My PCB software does have the ability to output
Geber in mirrored format for the bottom side with a reference to a common origin.If I use the artwork as is will I have to adjust or compensate in FlatCAM?

Sam

[jpcaram]

Hi Sam,

The Double-sided PCB tool in FlatCAM has two functions. One is to mirror a layer and the other is to create alignment drill holes. It is key to have the same mirror axis for both the mirroring and the alignment holes. If your bottom layer Gerber is not flipped, then FlatCAM will flip it for you. If it's already flipped, you don't need to do anything further (Assuming that your CAD program did things right). If you want the alignment drills though, you must figure out exactly how your CAD program flipped your board around and your can enter this data into FlatCAM.

You may also want to "un-flip" (or flip again) your bottom layer in FlatCAM, just to see that it aligns correctly with your top layer.

I will try to clarify the manual, perhaps with some diagrams.

Thanks,

JP

[cuagn]

Hi everybody,

Probably it's a misunderstanding, but I'm a little bit confused.

What are the usages of :

Bounding box : a rectangular box, useful for mirroring a bottom side, drawn (on the screen) with or without rounded corners. What's more ?

and

Board cutout : a rectangular box (NO way for rounded corners), with gaps (that's fine), defining the path for a tool.

I would appreciate to understand and more precisely, to be able to cut with rounded corners.

Regards

Marc

[Juan Pablo Caram]

Hi Sam,

In general, any "Geometry Object" can be converted into a "CNC Job". From a "Gerber Object" create a Bounding Box with rounded corners, which is a "Geometry Object". Then from this one, generate a "CNC Job". You won't have the gaps with this method though. I will consider adding a rounded corners option to the cutout generator.

Cheers,

JP

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[cuagn]

Thank you for enabling cutting with gaps and round corners. Clearly not urgent. ;)

However, I still don't understand why there are two "geometry object design functions" : Bounding box and Board cutout

Marc