Hi there,
I’ve been testing my first PCB design uploads to BatchPCB and note the solder mask files (from the DesignSpark copper resist gerbers) are rendering with green-colored shapes over all the pads and vias. A screencap of the layer selection page is below.
May I presume these are defining where the holes in the resist will be (ie: a negative rendering) rather than where the resist will be applied?
Thanks,
Michael
Yes, what you provide are the holes in the resist, wherever you have a shape you will have the corresponding shape missing from the resist.
The manufacturers take your positive shapes and make a negative layer from it all.
I use “shape” because you can also put other shapes/figures on the resist layers to be able to include them.
I.E. a big square over a corner mounting hole surrounded by plane gives a big resist free area that can be contacted by a case.
Excellent. All is well with the world. 
Thanks.
