topic Create etch mask from PCB in Fusion Electronics Forum

Create etch mask from PCB

jdchapman97 — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 16:02:06 GMT

Hi!

I have been using Fusion 360's 3D modeling for a while, and wanted to do some circuit board design so I could integrate projects better. The only way I have to create a circuit board is to print an etch mask from a laser printer and transfer it to the board. Is there a way to get a PDF or other printable document from a PCB design that would do the trick? If anyone is familiar with Fritzing that's pretty much what I'm going for.

It would need to select specific layers (IE the pad layer and the bottom layer) and be able to mirror one of the masks. I've looked through the forums and through the tools in Fusion with no luck.

Re: Create etch mask from PCB

Pieter.Jan.Van.de.Maele — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 16:16:24 GMT

Through the command line interface you can run the PRINT command. It's currently missing from the toolbar but we are fixing that soon :). This will allow you to print to pdf. Before printing, make sure to go into the layers dialog and set to visible only the layers you want to etch on this side of your board. PRINT also has the option to "mirror" your image and to make the output "black" which you will want to set to true.

I hope this allows you to continue with your familiar workflow. Fusion Electronics also has a dedicated CAM processor which will allow you to export to gerber etc.

Re: Create etch mask from PCB

jdchapman97 — Sun, 16 Aug 2020 20:17:55 GMT

That did the trick! I will have to look and see what other things can be done through the command interface. Thanks so much!

Re: Create etch mask from PCB

Anonymous — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 14:04:17 GMT

Hello,

Im trying to do the same, but using the photosensitive dry film method in which the cupper must be in white color instead of black. Is there any way to invert the colors printing to PDF?

thank you in advance!

Re: Create etch mask from PCB

michaelpaiva — Fri, 20 Jan 2023 21:39:05 GMT

This no longer seems to work, is there any way to overcome this? I have a PCB that I designed and is ready to be etched and no way to print the mask.

Re: Create etch mask from PCB

jorge_garcia — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 21:39:22 GMT

Hi @michaelpaiva,

I hope you're doing well. You can use EXPORT in the command line and create a PNG of the board layers. Then use any drawing program (MS paint, for example) to invert the colors.

Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you.

Best Regards,