Including X2 information in earlier format files
Include X2 commands in G04 comments : this allows X2 commands to be included in files destined for earlier readers, whilst still adding the extra information about the file contents.
When this check box is ticked, for each of the X2 commands described above, if that particular option is turned off, the information will still be written to the file but as a standardised Gerber comment (G04) line. This allows the additional detail of X2 to be included in the file without upsetting any software that cannot handle the newer commands.
For example, the file function information might be included as:
����%TF.FileFunction,Copper,L4,Bot*%
or:
����G04 #@! TF.FileFunction,Copper,L4,Bot*
depending on whether the File Function switch is on or off.
If you wish to ‘suppress’ all mention of any X2 commands, turn off this last ‘G04’ check box too and the output file will be written without any X2 information.
The TF.GenerationSoftware option also includes the TF.CreationDate command.
Data recognition for Gerber X2
The data items are examined and aperture types are assigned:
| Aperture Type | Data Item |
|---|---|
| TestPoint | Anything marked as a test point in the design |
| ComponentPad | Any component pad set to Through Board |
| WasherPad | Any marked as Mounting Hole |
| ViaPad | A via |
| SMDPad | Any other pads |
| Conductor | Routed track/wire |
| NonConductor | Unrouted connection |
| OtherCopper | Copper or teardrop |
| NonMaterial | Doc shape, text, attribute position |
| Profile | Board outline |
| CutOut | Board cutout |
The file function attribute is recognised by words/phrases within the Layer or Layer class names:
| File Function attribute | Layer/Layer Class Name |
|---|---|
| SolderMask | Resist, solder mask, soldermask etc |
| Paste | Paste, paste mask, pastemask etc |
| Silk | Silk, silkscreen etc |
| Assembly | Assy, assembly etc |
| Glue | Glue, gluelayer etc |
If you output a Layer Span - a Drill Drawing has the file function Drillmap, and Drill output has the file function Plated or NonPlated as appropriate.
Importing Gerber X2 files into Pulsonix
Pulsonix has two Gerber Import options - Import Gerber and Intelligent Gerber Import. Both have restrictions regarding the import of Gerber X2 format files produced by Pulsonix or another system.
If the incoming Gerber file contains X2 format commands (AperFunction, FileFunction or Part), an additional message will be displayed on the import dialog to inform you that these commands have been detected but will not currently be processed.
Related Topics
Change Gerber Options | Gerber Setup | Gerber Import | Intelligent Gerber Import