topic Re: Add graphics to the PCB in Fusion Electronics Forum

Add graphics to the PCB

CaptainMJ — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 02:22:43 GMT

Hi All!

Just curious to know if there is a away to add graphics to the PCB board? I know there are circle and text options etc, but could i paste or import an image I have from an other program? For example a Adobe Illustrator Vector or jpeg/png or something similar?

Just want to add my company logo to the board but haven't been able to figure out how.

Re: Add graphics to the PCB

jorge_garcia — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 20:16:32 GMT

Hi @CaptainMJ,

I hope you're doing well. You can import a bitmap into FusionElectronics, you have to use the import-bmp.ulp that comes with Fusion360 Electronics. Click on the Automate menu and then select the run ULP option (it's the orange one). In the dialog that pops up look for import-bmp.ulp.

Couple of things when using this:
-It works best with a monochrome bitmap. The file should be saved as such it's not enough to say the file is only black and white, because you can get a lot of gradients and each one of those needs a separate layer on the PCB.
-You have to choose the sizing of the log at the time of import and you won't be able to scale it afterwards.

Let me know if you have any questions about this.

Best Regards,

Re: Add graphics to the PCB

CaptainMJ — Sat, 06 Jun 2020 08:10:10 GMT

Hi Jorge,

Thanks, i managed to do it following your instructions, but i now have a few images on layer 200, I dont seem to be able to move or delete them except for piece by piece. Is there away to delete the entire layer 200 so i can start again? And once i got the bitmap in correct size, how am i able to move it? I am not able to do it using the select tool as it selects items on all layers,or is there a way to use it to select items on only a specific layer?

Thanks

Marcus

Re: Add graphics to the PCB

jorge_garcia — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 21:34:10 GMT

Hi @CaptainMJ,

I hope you're doing well. Use the selection filter to limit the selection to layer 200, from there you'll be able to select it and delete. You would do something similar when you want to move it, the only difference would be that you would use Move instead of delete.

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

Best Regards,

Re: Add graphics to the PCB

CaptainMJ — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 16:12:05 GMT

@jorge_garcia Many thanks for the help, this resolved it!

Re: Add graphics to the PCB

AntonGabrie — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 16:12:01 GMT

Polygon cutouts on silk layer are a must!!!!! Bit map images are low quality, and rendering in high detail makes fusion super slow. Polygons are now available in silkscreen, please make the polygon cutouts possible!!!

Re: Add graphics to the PCB

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 18:03:33 GMT

Once I have imported and placed my bitmap why does it not show in the other views (images of board in the "common" tab, or 360's 3D view of the linked project)

Re: Add graphics to the PCB

jimUR4RG — Fri, 05 Aug 2022 09:23:51 GMT

I would like to know this too. It's hard to estimate if a graphic looks good without seeing it in the 3D view.

Re: Add graphics to the PCB

t.bryantSM4ZS — Sat, 20 Aug 2022 21:33:21 GMT

Wouldn't it be cool if we could import more than BMP files? I mean its 2022 after all I think BMP files were of limited use even back in 1999.

So maybe Autodesk should offer us an import option for SVGs?

Re: Add graphics to the PCB

a_tekautz — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 11:46:48 GMT

Hi!
At least there is a ULP called "DXFimport V2.0" that is able to import 2D DXF. You have to specify layer, position and scale on importing. Position and layer can be changed later, so can it be rotated (at least in steps of 90°). I was not able to resize it other than during the import process.

Maybe this helps.
Best,
Andreas

Re: Add graphics to the PCB

Zach__ — Tue, 23 May 2023 13:06:17 GMT

This might not be the most helpful, but it's super easy to add SVG graphics to my boards via Fusion 360's 3D design space as it supports SVGs by default. FWIW I make my own boards using subtractive manufacturing on FR4 with a longmill CNC. With a properly designed fixture, it's good for about 10 mil traces and gives ya two sides (vias but no micro-vias).

Just want to give a quick thank you to @jorge.garcia. You, good sir have helped me a ton!

Re: Add graphics to the PCB

gill_palmer — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 09:36:44 GMT

@jorge_garcia

Hello,

I read your solution to this issue and attempted to follow your instructions but Fusion is telling me that there are more than 256 colours in my image. I've exported a BMP file directly from Adobe Illustrator, using only black and transparent (I think) and have run my image through many online colour-reducing softwares with no change in the result.

Do you have any idea what I am doing wrong, or how to reduce my file colours?

Regards,

Gill

Re: Add graphics to the PCB

jorge_garcia — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 19:40:03 GMT

Hi @gill_palmer,

I hope you're doing well. The key here is that the file needs to be saved as a monochrome bitmap. I usually do this with MS Paint. Even though you've done all of the color processing, the file format itself is still able to store more than 256 colors and that's why the error pops up.

Open the file in MS Paint (or equivalent) do a File > Save As and make sure the file type is a monochrome bitmap.

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

Best Regards,