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Best way to create negative text on copper planes(shapes)?

UlfK

All,

I would like to know if there is a "best way" to create negative text on a copper plane (dynamic shape). I sometimes see this on circuit boards, but have yet to find such a feature in PCB Editor 16.3.

I guess that creating a new sub-class, writing text in this class and then telling the board manufacturer to subtract new class from etch could work. Any other ideas?

  • steve

    Please see the attached pdf file explaining this process. On the example creates the text for silkscreen but the principle is the same for any text.

    Reversing Text.pdf
  • tomoo
    This is my best way to create the "text  as a void" in the shape.

    Open a New.brd and type in the TEXT as you want it to appear in the shape, and then create an artwork, (i.e. GERBER file) of the Text. In the design where the Text should be read in the artwork you just created, be sure to select the correct Etch Layer and then place the new Lines on the shape where you want the voids. Now there is one drawback to this method, the shape where the Text or Gerber data MUST BE a STATIC shape, dynamic shape does NOT allow for manual voids.

    With the lines (Texts) on the static shape select from the Menu Shape => Manual Void => Element in the Find Filter select Lines and then select the shape and then window around the lines that created the Texts. Once the shape is voided, delete the lines and you'll have a negative image of the Text in your shape

    Detailed steps:
    1. Start a new design.
    2. Add text as you want it to appear in the final design.
    3. Create artwork of the text.
    4. Open the design that you would like the "text displayed as a void".
    5. Using File > Import > Artwork import the artwork file onto the layer where you want the "text displayed as a void".
    6. Add a static shape where desired.
    7. Using the shape tools select the shape and void the lines which make up the text.
    8. Delete the lines (text)
    Note: The shapes must be static shapes.

    Hope this helps.
    Tomo
  • davidsun

     HI Steve,

     

    I followed you instructions, and attached is what I get. it looks not correct to me, is there anything wrong? 

     

    Sincerely

    David Sun

  • steve

    You will need to void the centre part of the A first then do the outer part of the A, otherwise you wil only get the outer shape of the A (which is what you have.

  • luanvn81

     Hi all!

    I have done follow on directions of  attach file, but when I  import IPF file into the layout (I have changed the active class and subclass to Etch and Top before),  my text(line) is on MANUFACTURING/PEN3 (or PENxxx). So, I have export sub-drawing  "my line" into clp file, and then change it into ETCH/TOP and import it again. So I want to ask you that when import the IPF file inton layout, It is on ETCH/TOP layer or not? and when use " set no_avtrim" , I can auto void automatically that needn't set shape parameter again?

    Tks,

    Luan.

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