Now you can place order directly by PCBWay Plugin for KiCad
Usually, it is easier to generate Gerber files using Kicad than other PCB design software. All you need to do is to select the necessary layers and to not forget generating the DRILL file. Now, let’s get started!
1. Open your .kicad_pcb file
After opening your Kicad project - .pro file, you can double click the .kicad_pcb file or click the “PCBNew” button to open your PCB editor.
2. Plot your Kicad PCB as Gerber files
Click the “File” menu -->”Plot” and choose the necessary layers shown as below (for 2 layer boards), then click the “Plot” button to generate the related layers.
The necessary layers for 2-layer PCB could be:
Top Layer: pcbname.GTL
Bottom Layer: pcbname.GBL
Solder Mask Top: pcbname.GTS
Solder Mask Bottom: pcbname.GBS
Silk Top: pcbname.GTO
Silk Bottom: pcbname.GBO
Drill Drawing: pcbname.TXT
Board Outline:pcbname.GML/GKO
Note: In order to facilitate our access to your files, please do NOT check the "Include extended attributes" before Plot.
Do NOT check "Use extended X2 format", otherwise, the format will not be accpeted.
3. Generate the drill file
Before closing the plot window, you need also generate the drill for manufacturing. Select “Suppress leading zeros” and “Minimal header” and click “Drill File” button as following shown.
4. Check the Gerber files in GerbView
Now you have finished the job. But you should always check whether your Gerber files are working or not. Open the “GerbView” and check what your board looks like before sending it to manufacturer.
Now you can see your board like this.
5.Compress all the files in a single .zip file
The final step is to Compress all the files in a single .zip file, then you can fill out the form about your PCB parameters ( size, quantity , layers , thickness , etc ) on our “PCB Instant quote” page and upload your .zip ( Gerber ) file to PCBWay online system, our engineers will check it again and feedback to you if any problems happen before it can be fabricated. Here we go!
See "Generate Position File in Kicad"
https://www.pcbway.com/blog/help_center/Generate_Position_File_in_Kicad.html
We will update this article based version7.0.Now you can place order directly by PCBWay Plugin for KiCad.For details on how to use it, see the link.https://www.pcbway.com/blog/News/PCBWay_Plug_In_for_KiCad_3ea6219c.html
The solder mask is not checked in the picture, we have checked it now.
+1 for having an updated screenshots from KiCad 5.1
+1 to that
Maybe you can check this one: https://www.pcbway.com/blog/help_center/Generate_Gerber_file_from_Kicad_5_1_6.html
Thank you for showing the way the window looks in the current version of KiCad. Can you edit your OP and replace the photo with this one? It took me an hour to find a reference for how to setup my geber files for PCBWay ordering.
Thanks for your advice.
Yes, Edward, it is correct.
Hello Fabrizio, you might forget to check Edge.Cuts, the default is not selected, it will be fine if selected. (See the below picture.) Regarding of the "Exclude PCB edge layer from other layers", if you do not check, the profile of each layer will appear.
Yes, you are supposed to choose the options mentioned above and then it will output correctly.
Can I submit a job with drill file with the units set to mm instead of inches? Because now in KiCad 5 apparently Gerbview doesn't scale the plot and drill files the same unless the drill file units match the plot units (mm).
yes, both mm and inches settings are OK