Protel gerbers turn out 10x actual size!

Archive BatchPCB
1

I’m using Protel/Altium Designer to export the PCBs gerber files, however the DRC bot seems to interpret it as 10x bigger than it actually is - quoting me $1900 for a board approximately 30x20 inches when it is actually only approximately 3x2 inches! Viewing the gerbers in ViewMate reveals that the board is however of the correct size.

I’m submitting the design in 2.4 format, however I have also tried 2.3 format and various leading/trailing zeros settings but this still produces the same result.

Is there a specific setting i’m missing required for Protel generated gerbers to be interpreted correctly? Or is it something wrong with the DRC bot?

Thanks!

2

I’m not a protel user, so take my opinion as such.

The export of your gerbers for some reason is puting a zero after your board size.

it may be the the format is actually 1.4 or 1.3 not 2.x

See how the import is setup on Viewmate and it may tell you the reason.

Just my opinion though,

James L

3

Thanks for the help,

It turns out that I needed to turn on trailing zero suppression when exporting the gerbers - I was only turning it on when converting the PCB to CAMTastic format thinking it would propagate through to the following gerber export process.

Regards, Simon.

4

Simon,

I’m glad you figured it out.

I had a few problems when I first started working with Eagle…but it wasn’t long before I found the problem.

Another one to keep Batch PCB open.

James L