I just had some boards made and all the holes are the same size except the vias. I used 35 and 39mil and all were 35mil. CircuitMaker generates two files: a .drl file and a .tol file. The later was not in the list so I did not include it. Should it have a different extension like .drill? Since I did not include the drill sizes why did the computer except the job. Why did it not tell me the .tol file was missing.
Is anyone else using CircuitMaker? What did you do to get around this problem.
.drl is the usual extension. It’s a good idea to supply a text file with the Gerbers etc. describing each file like this:
Fred (top).gbr - Top layer
Fred (bottom).gbr - Bottom layer
Fred.drl - drill file
…
to avoid confusion.
PCB companies I deal with would have noticed the missing drill file and contacted you.
I guess I did not make myself clear. I gave them the .DRL file, but not the file containing the drill sizes, that is, the .TOL file. Is there another extension for this file such as .DRILL?
rinthesun:
I guess I did not make myself clear. I gave them the .DRL file, but not the file containing the drill sizes, that is, the .TOL file. Is there another extension for this file such as .DRILL?
What was not clear is if the circuit boards that you had made did not meet your expectations and requirements. Did you get boards back with the wrong hole sizes, or were the boards fine and you wonder how they knew what drill size to use. I like to use gerbv to look at my files to get an independent view.
BatchPCB expects a single drill file that includes the drill sizes with the locations. Most PCB software generates that. The filename can be any of “.drl”, “.txt”, “.tap”, “.drill”, “.gdd”, “.drd”, “.cnc”, “.exl”. Ref: http://batchpcb.com/index.php/Home
I don’t know if there is a readily available utility that will combine your two files into a single file.
But to be clear, the one-word answer is no.
My drill files have the sizes included.
I got boards back with the wrong hole sizes, but other than that were fine.
Leon-Heller, are you using CircuitMaker? What version?
I have looked at the .DRL file and I do not see drill sizes. The .TOL file has those drill sizes.
So what I understand now is that the .DRL file must include the drill sizes and my version of CircuitMaker does not do that.
I have CircuitMaker Professional edition Build 7, 1988 to 2000, other than that there is no version number.
I use Pulsonix. There is an option to include the drill sizes in the file, perhaps you have something similar.
Thanks for your help. I believe I have found the answer in this forum
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=748&start=15
I can use Notepad to combine the files. We shall see.