On 3/24/07, Jeremy Pedersen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Well, technically the almost all the vias are going to have something soldered into them: I had to create all of the elements for the PCB by hand, and instead of creating "real" elements I just drew outlines in the silk layer and placed vias where pins will go. The documentation says this is a bad idea, but I can't figure out why: you use vias to create elements, right? So why can't you just place vias? They "look" ok in the PCB and the print ok as well...perhaps I'm missing something?
It is a bad idea. You are more likely to make an error and it takes more time. Also, you will need to rework your PCB layout if you plan to purchase a board with solder mask. Making footprints is not difficult and if you continue to create PCBs it will be useful skill. Check on my website and gedasymbols.org for footprints and scripts.
The documentation says that the vias will be covered (except for the hole) by the solder mask, but isn't that something only used in manufacturing? I'm pretty sure my board will print out OK if I'd like to make it at home, but if I send it to a manufacturer, they'll be using a solder mask, right? This is still very confusing: for instance, why does the solder mask not show traces? Now I'm really lost. I'm starting to think perhaps that I used the "wrong" layers.
Solder mask is used to prevent soldering during assembly. Since vias and traces aren't meant to be soldered to they are masked. Some PCB vendors offer boards without soldermask. (* jcl *) -- http://www.luciani.org _______________________________________________ geda-user mailing list geda-user@moria.seul.org http://www.seul.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/geda-user
