Gerber import - drill file in *.txt format

oyoung · Tue 24 May , 2016 15:21 pm

I am using an app called Fritzing for a PCB design. It is a nice intuitive piece of software that does nearly everything I need, and the copper tracks import fine into VR Milling. However, the drill data is exported in *.txt format and VR Milling is looking for a *.drl format. Any suggestions?

Steve · Thu 26 May , 2016 16:36 pm

Can you just use the Auto Drill function? This sets the drill size to the hole size drawn in the pad. It could be worth changing the text file extension from txt to drl it may just work.

oyoung · Fri 27 May , 2016 10:04 am

Hi Steve, yes I can! I compared the txt with a 'proper' drl and addedd a G81 at the beginning, changed the suffix and it works. Kind of. The scale and origin seem a bit odd. Here's some photos?

: scale and origin seem wrong, but the positioning seems ok; board using fritzing.PNG (37.03 KiB) Viewed 26778 times

I have also used DesignSpark, and those holes work well, but the board seems to be missing half its tracks:

: board using DesignSpark.PNG (62.56 KiB) Viewed 26778 times

Any thoughts gratefully received!

Steve · Fri 27 May , 2016 10:27 am

Is the PCB output set in inch or metric?

Try setting to Metric, It may be a scaling issue with the drill holes.

I would also try a free internet gerber viewer to see if all the tracks are present in the other package.

Are you using the latest version of VR Milling?

Can you attach a couple of gerber and drill files?

oyoung · Fri 27 May , 2016 11:45 am

Hi - I have attached the two drl files. Both seem to be in inches, but the co-ordinates differ. There doesn't seem to be a 25.4 factor correlation with the two files. (drl files not allowed so they are re-named txt files)

I have tried changing the 'inch' line to 'mm', but it didn't seem to work. Is that the correct term?

Thanks again

Steve · Fri 27 May , 2016 12:09 pm

I diont thinkthere will be much we can do with the text file conversion.Could you attach the gerber from design spark?

What version of VR Milling software are you using?

oyoung · Fri 27 May , 2016 12:29 pm

Steve - please just change the suffix to .drl

VR Milling version 5.58.0.658...

I have also checked the DesignSpark PCB output using GraphiCode GC-Prevue, and it looks good. I'll try upgrading the VR milling to the latest version...

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