Bitmap image on copper layer

Layout
1

I can import an image (PNG, transparent background) using Place->Add Image. Once loaded, I can (E)dit the image and give it a position on the F.Cu copper layer. But it’s not actually there-- the color is black (as opposed to the red of the F.Cu layer) and hiding the F.Cu layer doesn’t make it vanish, nor does it appear at all in the 3-d viewer. Am I missing some crucial step? Thanks!

2

The bitmap-image in the pcb is not a part of the pcb. It can be used as a background for the pcb-layout (for instance to redraw a existing board).
So the bitmap is not supposed to be included in any pcb-layer and it also doesn’t appear in any output format (gerber, 3D).

If you want a picture in a copper (for instance a company logo):

  • use file–>import graphics (works with dxf and svg files)
  • use the image converter (see kicad main manager)
1 Like
3

Ah, thank you for the clarification. That use case makes sense. I was confused by the fact that the bitmap object could be placed on a specific layer (which seems like a sort of UX bug if it’s not really on any layer). Thanks.

4

I assume this is so you can move the image to different user layers and control the visibility separately from other layers.

1 Like
5

This topic was automatically closed 90 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.