diptrace PCB dimensions problem

Hosam · 23rd February 2011, 10:37 AM

I try diptrace as free version to design PCB for power supply schematic its very good and simple but I have problem when I try to print the PCB with it the program doesn't give the same dimension for the PCB how could I solve this one please?

Mooly · 23rd February 2011, 11:34 AM

I use Diptrace and on the free version I have when you go to "preview" there is a "calibrate" feature. I have never had to use that though, always spot on in the default settings.

Mooly · 23rd February 2011, 11:38 AM

Like this,

Hosam · 23rd February 2011, 11:49 AM

I use it as you explain as I hope exactly anyway this is the picture that for the board without components inside it, when I try to print it the printer give me wrong dimensions do you suggest me to ask supported forum for the software or the problem with sitting I do as the picture?

Mooly · 23rd February 2011, 11:57 AM

Top one (scale) is just for the on screen view as far as I know. You want to alter the "print scale" from the drop down menu. You'll have to try it. Just print them as drafts so as not to waste ink.

Best way to set it all is create a PCB using DIP IC's and print it out. That's a critical test.

Are you making the boards using an inkjet printer and UV light box ? You can achieve excellent results that way if you set the print options (on the printer) to give an intense image on a transparancy.

marce · 23rd February 2011, 11:57 AM

Print Scale is shown on your screen shot. make sure printer paper size is correct, and that the print driver is not scaling the image to fit paper size.

Hosam · 23rd February 2011, 12:14 PM

ok I tried it now and the result with same picture:
the dimensions should be 91.44mm 27.94mm, but after I measure it on paper its 92mm 26mm
do you think I should use the Calibration option to make the printed paper with same dimension?
Note: the printer I use is Laser Canon 2900LPB and I don't use the driver option for anything I just use the default size from the program itself.

Mooly · 23rd February 2011, 12:22 PM

As I say, I have never had to use this feature so you are going to have to experiment.

It's not a million miles out... are you using the Canon printer drivers or Windows default ones ? Don't know if that would make any difference.

My Diptrace manual is an older one so maybe see online if it's mentioned in the latest user manual.

marce · 24th February 2011, 11:56 AM

I would double check whether windows is doing any scaling. Looking at your drawing the endpoints for the 27.94 dimension are not the same width as the PCB, in fact the top end point looks 1.94mm wider than the board. So I would say the print out is pretty much spot on.
I would also avoid using 2 decimal places with PCB's for dimensions, one will suffice, and better still use maximum of 0.5mm steps. Standard PCB manufacturing tolerance is +/- 0.4mm

es44 · 24th February 2011, 12:34 PM

Also, take a look in the printers "toolbox", setup, or whatever it may be called.
Be sure there a no places where "fit to size" is tagged.

23rd February 2011, 10:37 AM	#1
Hosam diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Syria - Canada	diptrace PCB dimensions problem I try diptrace as free version to design PCB for power supply schematic its very good and simple but I have problem when I try to print the PCB with it the program doesn't give the same dimension for the PCB how could I solve this one please?

23rd February 2011, 11:34 AM	#2
Mooly diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2007	I use Diptrace and on the free version I have when you go to "preview" there is a "calibrate" feature. I have never had to use that though, always spot on in the default settings. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------- *A simulation free zone.* *Design it, build it, test it.*

23rd February 2011, 11:57 AM	#5
Mooly diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2007	Top one (scale) is just for the on screen view as far as I know. You want to alter the "print scale" from the drop down menu. You'll have to try it. Just print them as drafts so as not to waste ink. Best way to set it all is create a PCB using DIP IC's and print it out. That's a critical test. Are you making the boards using an inkjet printer and UV light box ? You can achieve excellent results that way if you set the print options (on the printer) to give an intense image on a transparancy. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------- *A simulation free zone.* *Design it, build it, test it.*

23rd February 2011, 12:22 PM	#8
Mooly diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2007	As I say, I have never had to use this feature so you are going to have to experiment. It's not a million miles out... are you using the Canon printer drivers or Windows default ones ? Don't know if that would make any difference. My Diptrace manual is an older one so maybe see online if it's mentioned in the latest user manual. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------- *A simulation free zone.* *Design it, build it, test it.*

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23rd February 2011, 11:57 AM	#6
marce diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Blackburn, Lancs	Print Scale is shown on your screen shot. make sure printer paper size is correct, and that the print driver is not scaling the image to fit paper size.

23rd February 2011, 12:14 PM	#7
Hosam diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Syria - Canada	ok I tried it now and the result with same picture: the dimensions should be 91.44mm 27.94mm, but after I measure it on paper its 92mm 26mm do you think I should use the Calibration option to make the printed paper with same dimension? Note: the printer I use is Laser Canon 2900LPB and I don't use the driver option for anything I just use the default size from the program itself.

24th February 2011, 11:56 AM	#9
marce diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Blackburn, Lancs	I would double check whether windows is doing any scaling. Looking at your drawing the endpoints for the 27.94 dimension are not the same width as the PCB, in fact the top end point looks 1.94mm wider than the board. So I would say the print out is pretty much spot on. I would also avoid using 2 decimal places with PCB's for dimensions, one will suffice, and better still use maximum of 0.5mm steps. Standard PCB manufacturing tolerance is +/- 0.4mm

24th February 2011, 12:34 PM	#10
es44 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Fredericia, DK	Also, take a look in the printers "toolbox", setup, or whatever it may be called. Be sure there a no places where "fit to size" is tagged.

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