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| -rw-r--r-- | README.rst | 26 |
1 files changed, 24 insertions, 2 deletions
@@ -322,8 +322,8 @@ Options: ``-o, --outline TEXT`` SVG file to be used for board outline layers. Can be the same file used for ``--top`` or ``--bottom``. Note that on - board outline layers, strokes are "thinned" and patterned strokes are not supported. However, dashed strokes *are* - supported (for mouse bites etc.). + board outline layers, SVG handling is slightly different since fabs don't support filled regions on these layers. + See `below <outline_layers_>`_ for details. ``--layer-top`` Top side SVG or PNG target layer. Default: Map SVG layers to Gerber layers, map PNG to Silk. @@ -358,6 +358,28 @@ Options: Passed through to svg-flatten, see `below <svg_flatten_>`__. +.. _outline_layers: + +Outline layers +************** + +Outline layers require special handling since PCB fabs do not support filled G36/G37 polygons on these layers. Gerbolyze +handles outline layers via the ``--outline [input.svg]`` option. This option tells it to add the input SVG's outline to +the outline gerber output layer. ``--outline`` expects the same SVG format that is also used for ``--top`` and +``--bottom``. Both templates contain an Inkscape layer for the outline, so you can use either template for the outline +layer as well. Since ``--outline`` will ignore all other layers, you can even put your outline into the same SVG as your +top or bottom side layers and pass that same file to both ``--top/--bottom`` and ``--outline``. + +The main difference between normal layers and outline layers is how strokes are handled. On outline layers, strokes are +translated to normal Gerber draw commands (D01, D02 etc.) with an aperture set to the stroke's width instead of tracing +them to G36/G37 filled regions. This means that on outline layers, SVG end caps and line join types do not work: All +lines are redered with round joins and end caps. + +One exception from this are patterns, which work as expected for both fills and strokes with full support for joins and +end caps. + +Dashed strokes are supported on outline layers and can be used to make easy mouse bites. + .. _subtraction_script: Subtraction scripts |