KiCad

Gerber Export Guide

This article describes the preferred method for generating Gerber and Drill files to print circuits on the Voltera V-One. Before proceeding, it is recommended to read the Circuit Design Guidelines.

Note: Screenshots are of KiCad 7.0.0 running on Windows 10. The exact names of the settings presented may differ based on the KiCad version, operating system, and circuit design in question.

Exporting Gerber Files

From the PCB Editor, navigate to File > Plot.

Under Plot format, select Gerber.

Optionally, create a subfolder to hold the generated files. By default they will be written to your project directory.

Under Layers, select F.Cu, B.Cu, F.Paste and B.Paste. You will not need all of these files for every circuit, but exporting them all simplifies this process.

Under General Options:

• Check Plot footprint values

• Check Plot reference designators

• Check Do not tent vias

Under Gerber Options:

• Check Use Protel filename extensions

• Set Format: 4.6mm

• Check Disable aperture macros

When ready, Click Plot to export the Gerber files.

Exporting Drill Files

Continuing from the Plot window, click Generate Drill File, next to the Plot button.

If you created a subfolder for your Gerber files, select it as your Output directory

Under Drill File Format, select PTH and NPTH in single file

Under Map File Format, select Gerber X2

Under Drill Origin, select Absolute

Under Drill Units, select Millimeters

Under Zeros Format, select Decimal format

When ready, Click Drill File to export the drill file.