I am trying to pattern whole PCB’s in another brd file, but cutting and pasting into the new file. My problem:
When I add one PCB, it works fine. When I add another one though, all the component names change, messing up the silk screen. C6 on one pcb is C17 on another, and C72 on the 8th board. How do I get multiple exact copies in one file?
You should not panalize designs in EAGLE. Export the layers of one design as gerbers and use something like [GerbMerge to panalize and create the gerbers of which you send to your fab house.](http://claymore.engineer.gvsu.edu/~steriana/Python/gerbmerge/)
Ok. Do you have a suggestion for another program where I can put tab routing (only with external routing) rather than one rectangular panel?
Just give your PCB supplier the Gerbers for a single board and tell him what you want.
I was told that they can only step and repeat the same design. I will be submitting a rectangular board, so I will use the gerbmerge.
If you really want to do it in EAGLE, you can use “panelize.ulp”. It copies all the names to new layers so they don’t change with the parts themselves. Then you just need to hide the original name layers, close the schematic window, and you can copy what’s left. Change the CAM layers accordingly.
Thank you! that is exactly what I needed.