User Manual for pcb-gfpw (version 0.0.11)


What is "pcb-fpw" ?

"pcb-fpw" is a FootPrintWizard for "pcb".

"fpw" (FootPrintWizard) is a Command Line Interface program for the (automated) creation of footprint files used by the pcb layout editor for the placement of parts in a pcb layout.
"pcb-gfpw" is a GTK GUI version for the interactive creation of footprint files used by the pcb layout application for the placement of parts in a pcb layout.

What is "pcb" ?

"pcb" is an interactive Printed Circuit Board editor for the X11 window system (see http://pcb.gpleda.org).
PCB includes a rats nest feature, design rule checking, and can provide industry standard RS-274-X (Gerber), NC drill, and centroid data (X-Y data) output for use in the board fabrication and assembly process.
PCB offers high end features such as an autorouter, topological router and trace optimizer which can tremendously reduce layout time.

Intended usage.

The "pcb-fpw" FootPrintWizard is what the name says it will be: a footprint wizard (a.k.a. footprint generator).

pcb-fpw is not a footprint editor, therefor one can NOT load an existing footprint file into pcb-gfpw, make some changes and save it back to file, and subsequent load the edited footprint file into pcb.

In a nutshell, the usage of pcb-gfpw comes down to the following:


Starting up the application.

During the startup of the application an "About pcb-gfpw" dialog appears, shortly followed by the "main window".

The "About pcb-gfpw" dialog contains the following buttons:


The "main window".

The main window of the program consists of five tabs with entry fields and a preview drawing area (when and if implemented), and a button bar with five buttons on the lower part of the window.
The titlebar shows the name of a saved footprintwizard file or the text "Unsaved fpw file" if no file has been saved.
An asterisk between brackets "[*]" is shown when the contents of any entry or the state of any checkbutton are changed and no saving has occurred.

The "Footprint" tab.

The first tab with entries is named "Footprint" and can be used for the input of general information about the footprint.


Now follow some entries about the "Author" and licensing of the footprint file.

The "Pins/Pads" tab.

The second tab is named "Pins/Pads" and should be used for the input of information about the number and pattern of pins and/or pads, the shape and clearances.
The first group of entries is for defining a "Pattern" of pins and/or pads.

The second group of entries "Pins" is used for the dimensions of pins (only).

The last group of entries "Pads" is used for the dimensions of pads (only).


The "Silkscreen" tab.

The fourth tab is named "Silkscreen" and can be used for the input of an optional silkscreen to be drawn, such as package outline, pin/pad #1 marker and/or courtyard.
The first group of entries "Package" is used for the drawing of the artwork on the silkscreen.


The second group of entries "Courtyard" is used for the dimensions of the courtyard.


The "Thermal pad" tab.

The third tab is named "Thermal pad" and can be used for an optional thermal pad and fiducials, if the footprint type allows for such an option.
The first group of entries "Thermal Pad" is used for the dimensions of thermal pad(s) (only).


The second group of entries "Fiducials" is used for the dimensions of fiducials (only).


The "Heel & Toe goals" tab.

The fifth and last tab is named "Heel & Toe goals".

This tab is for the input of heel and toe parameters to allow for the creation of PLCC, SO, QFN or QFP packages.

The first group of entries "Top to Bottom" is used for entering the distance between the top and bottom rows of pads.

The second group of entries "Left to Right" is used for entering the distance between the left and right columns of pads.

The buttons.

The eight buttons in the lower part have the following functions:


Updated: May 6th, 2011 by Bert Timmerman.