I expect this is a n00b question, but I can’t seem to figure out how to plot multiple PCB layers to a single PDF.
Can someone point me to a reference on how to do this? I’m on version 6.0.9.
Thanks.
I expect this is a n00b question, but I can’t seem to figure out how to plot multiple PCB layers to a single PDF.
Can someone point me to a reference on how to do this? I’m on version 6.0.9.
Thanks.
Have you tried Print instead of Plot?
Nope. I missed that. “print” instead of “plot” while “plot” also has a PDF. Funky.
It does “print” them, but it overlays them into a single image rather than having the layers as separate images in the PDF. It will do for now, but definitely isn’t very good.
Is there an issue on the tracker somewhere I can upvote.
Thanks.
Ah in that case you may prefer to plot to separate PDFs and then use an external tool to combine the PDFs with a n-up layout.
Just to be sure…have you tried outputting gerber images? The gerber images are transparent in the viewer, so you can overlay 2-3 layers at a time and see how they line up. Much easier to work with in my opinion. Also I think you might do well to print from the gerber viewer.
I am plotting layers to svg and then opening them in inkscape. My task is to have black crtyd rectangles with element references (values on separate picture) on a gray copper background. That is the method from V4 and V5. I suppose that I can get what I need in V6 simpler but had no time yet to check.
SVG you can also use in LibreOffice Writer to collect together what you need and export as pdf.
What about: PCB Editor / File / Fabrication Outputs / Gerbers (.gbr) / Plot Format: PDF
(Hint: It just pops up the same dialog as from the Plot menu).
You can start by upvoting this checkbox:
In addition: As I understand it, KiCad has nothing to do with pdf output from the Print menu, and it is you printer driver that has an option to redirect pages to .pdf files.
You can also try the Board2Pdf plugin. It gives you lots of options to plot several layers to one page, or multiple pages.
If you want to automate your fabrication output, the KiBot tool also allows you to generate a pdf with one pcb layer per page.
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