gnupic@linuxhacker.org

On Fri, 25 Apr 2003, Byron A Jeff wrote:
> It's an Open Source PCB layout tool. It looks pretty good but it doesn't
> seem to have a lot of support. No tutorials or examples outside of its
> self contained documentation. I was wondering if anyone has used it?
> Any tips or tutorials that you know of? Is it worth the investment of learning
> or is Eagle the way to go?
> 
I've been making PCBs myself for 6 months now, using open-source software.

I'm using xfig, the scale drawing program bundled with most linux 
distro's. It took a bit of trial and error, but what I do is draw 
everything on the canvas 10x bigger than normal scale, then export at 12% 
reduction to an image file, then print it out onto transparencies. Don't 
know why it's 12% when it should be 10%, it's probably something todo with 
my printer driver.

If you're going to use pre-sensitised boards, check their requirements wrt 
to developer solution. I wrecked a load of them because they had no label 
but were meant to be used with 1/2 strength developer solution.

I've even knocked up my own etching tank with an old servo, a few bits of 
wood and half a plastic bottle. Ferric Chloride is old fashioned and nasty 
stuff. I use a Sodium Persulphate based etchant. It takes a little longer 
to etch, but doesn't stain anywhere it spills and leaves a much cleaner 
PCB. You can also re-use it much more than Ferric Chloride.

Good luck,

Tim