Generating single DXF with board outline and mounting holes

[jpa0107]

Hello,

I need to generate a single DXF of my PCB board edge and mounting holes locations to hand off to a mechanical workshop so they so they make a backplate to stiffen my PCB (my PCB is big at 12x14in).

1. How do you generate a DXF of the mounting holes? It seems like there is no option for this in the plot menu?

2. Is it possible to generate a single DXF that combines multiple layers? It is quite frustrating to have a single DXF generated for every layer.

Thanks a ton!
John

[paulvdh]

One method to do it is to add graphics to your mounting hole footprint to make it visible.
Then use PCB Editor / File / Plot / Plot format: DXF and use the Plot on All Layers column to combine your graphics with the Edge.Cuts layer.

Note:
I have not tested this, but it should work, but I do not know how many people use such a combination. So please report back whether it works or not.

[mf_ibfeew]

You could try to generate a mapfile:

• File–>Fabrication-output–>Drillfiles
• choose mapfile format == DXF
• bottom right: generate mapfile

The output contains board edge and symbols for all NPTH/PTH holes.

[jpa0107]

I do not see this “Plot on All Layers” Dialog box. Is this a new feature added recently? I am using 7.0.5. This is what I see below. I did find the “Plot Edge.Cuts on all layers” option on my version which is useful.

[mf_ibfeew]

I am using 7.0.5

Are you sure (check in Help–>About Kicad–>Version)? The picture shows the plot dialog from the older kicad v6-version.