Gerber Files
In order to use cirQWizard to produce a printed circuit board, you need to export your PCB design in Gerber format for traces, contour and soldering paste layer and in Excellon format for drilling layer. If SMD components placement is intended, you will also need to export “centroid” data from your CAD software, which tells which component is located where.
Here is a list of a complete set of files, covering production data of PCB:
| File extension | Description | Format |
|---|---|---|
| *.cmp | Traces, top layer | Gerber RS274X |
| *.ncl | Contur milling | Gerber RS274X |
| *.crc | Soldering paste, top layer | Gerber RS274X |
| *.crs | Soldering paste, bottom layer | Gerber RS274X |
| *.sol | Traces, bottom layer | Gerber RS274X |
| *.drd | Drilling file | Excellon |
| *.mnt | SMD component placement data | ASCII data |
Example of data export for Eagle CAD
To simplify export from Eagle CAD, you can download a file with Eagle CAM Processor configuration settings: cqw-gerb274x.cam (for Eagle versions up to 7.2) or cqw-gerb274x-7.2.cam (for versions 7.2+). This way you won’t have to enter all the settings manually.
Run a CAM processor from a window with board layout or schematics. To do this select File → CAM Processor menu item:
In CAM Processor window you need to choose File → Open → Job menu item and select cqw-gerb274x.cam file, which you have downloaded earlier. After that press Process Job button. This will generate all required gerber and Excellon files in the same directory where your schematics and layout files are. You can now close CAM processor window.
Exporting centroid files from Eagle CAD
Choose File → Run ULP menu item from a window with board layout or schematics.
In the dialog navigate to ulp directory of your Eagle CAD installation and select mountsmd.ulp file.
Exporting gerber and centroid files from other CAD packages
Other CAD packages have similar export procedures for generating Gerber, Excellon and centroid files. You can contribute to the project by documenting the export process on the CAD software of your choice.