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The ODB++2GBR User Interface

The ODB++2GBR main window enables the user to select the file (or directory hierarchy) for the ODB++ data, open (i.e. scan) the database, select a step and one or more layers to convert. The Advanced button controls program configuration and behavior.


The ODB++2GBR Main Window

main window

The ODB++2GBR main window.

Input:

Step

Layer

Buttons



Advanced Configuration - Settings Tab

There are three tabs available for Advanced Configuration. The most commonly used configuration parameters are grouped into the first tab labeled Settings.

advanced configuration window - Settings Tab

Working Directory - specify the working directory where temporary files are written.

Thread Number - if you have more than one core, can specify additional raster threads. Do not exceed one thread per core.

SR Opt - Optimizes step repeat, where the software combines SR child steps together when possible. This is the default behavior. There is an option to turn it off because sometimes child steps overlap each other and combining it might produce an error with scratch data.

Keep Temp - If checked, temporary files are not deleted upon closing the program.

Show Progress - If checked, a progress bar is displayed during conversion.

Open Args - special arguments passed to front end that handles file opening.

Units - Specify units for your Gerber data - MM or Inches.

Out Scale - There are several options available:

Arc Resolution

ODB++ makes extensive use of arcs in the data. This parameter allows the user to specify the angle subtended by the chords used to approximate the arc.

Chord Error

ODB++ makes extensive use of arcs in the data. This parameter allows the user to specify the error between the arc and the approximation. The number of segments in each arc is adjusted to meet this error value. Set this value after setting units.

Scale - scales data as specified.



Circular Map - Controls the surfaces that will be converted to round flash. The default is 100 where if there are at least 100 round surfaces of the same diameter, they will be converted to a round flash. If it is set to zero, the round surfaces will not be converted into round flashes.

Filter Text - Filters out text from Gerber output.

Filter Barcode - Filters out barcode from Gerber output.

Butting Edge - If checked, output polygons are generated with butting edges instead of internal cutouts.

Step & Repeat - If checked, repeated geometries are implemented the step-and-repeat (SR) command in Gerber.

Explode Symbols - if checked, ODB symbols will be exploded in the Gerber and not output as macros.

Log Dynamic Text Info - If checked, dynamic text generated is reported in the log file

Convert Args - Special arguments to control the output (debugging)

Viewer - Specify the path/program name to launch in order to view the Gerber files. If it's not specified, you will be prompted to select a viewer when you try to view the output.



Advanced Configuration - G2K Settings Tab

ODB supports g2k arguments which define emulation mode for certain plotter manufacturers. This controls in this menu allows the user to select which kind of emulation to use when converting ODB++ files to Gerber. This mostly effects scaling and mirroring.

g2k settings tab

G2K Emulation

Most users should select None. The other 3 emulations were created for a specific client who required control of a specific range of photoplotters.

Ver1


Ver2

Ver3 - has additional transformation options enabled.



The Advanced Configuration Window - Post Processing

In this menu user controls post processing settings.

post processing tab

Circularize - directs the processor to convert a series of line segments into an arc using a user defined tolerance.

Drop Zero Width - directs the processor to delete 0 width draws.

Max Points - directs the processor to create polygons with user defined max points per polygon.

Rotate - Rotate the output file.

MirrorX - Mirror output file along X axis.

MirrorY - Mirror output file along Y axis.

Optional Arguments - Special arguments to control the output (debugging).