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PCB Editor won't print solid ground plane

cemmanuel

Hello, I am new using OrCad 17.4 and I have been very satisfied with the good performance of the software. I am designing a simple pc board and I want to manufacture it via simple transfer methods (iron or dry film), but I cannot find the correct way to print my design. I go to Cadence Allegro File->Print... but I always get this kind of results (I am using Microsoft Print to PDF):

I have changed my print setup multiple times but I do not undestand the reason why my ground plane is printed as multiple horizontal lines instead of a solid black color, as well as some pads being shorted with the plane. I have also tried Export->PDF... but as far as I undertand, this option is not what I am looking for. I also recognize that I can export my gerber and process it in a different software, but I would like to know if I can avoid that, since I think this should be a simple problem.

Thanks in advance and I hope the best. Greetings.

  • steve

    Try adjusting the printer DIP settings which should help this (File - Print then properties.

  • cemmanuel
    in reply to steve

    Sorry but I don't find such a setting on any of my printers options, including Microsoft print to pdf, fax, OrCADPS_17.2, OrCADPS_17.4 and others. I have tried adjusting many advanced options on such printers but all I get are different versions of the same problem.

  • steve
    in reply to cemmanuel

    OK you are correct there are no settings for Microsoft Print to PDF. I have CutePDF installed and the settings are available there. It's a free download from the web. You could also try the Export - PDF command which does use artwork films but you can make documentation films of what you need and just export those. There is a preference you need to set (Setup - User Preferences - Interfaces - PDF, set the pdf_filled_shape_transparency to 0.01 and then any pdf generated are solid filled.

  • cemmanuel
    in reply to steve

    Thank you so much, for some reason I thought that Export -> PDF was only to docummentate and share other information. I checked Filled pads, Filled shapes and Output PDF in black and white mode on my Export Options, as well as I was sure to select my paper size and the scale factor on the page setup. Thanks.

  • UlfK
    in reply to cemmanuel

    This how I do it: Generate Gerber-files. For transfer, use mirrored setting of the respective layer. When the gerber files are generated, use a free tool, eg. Pentalogix "Viewmate" and import the gerber files. Then set the image scaling the way you want it and then print to a printer that can handle transparent films or whatever media you can use, making sure that the black ends up in such a way that it can be transferred correctly to the unetched copper. (The mirror setting).

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