Qcad to pcb files

[Jankers]

Can anyone please advise how to convert Qcad dxf files into PCb and gerber files?

I have tried Kicad but don't much care for it, also downloaded "PCB" from the repository but unable to
see any "import" function.

I also have Draftsite, but that appears to be more use as a conversion tool.

J.

[wedgetail]

Jankers

I do not have an answer to your problem. Googling the question shows these conversion programs exist, some as part of another CADish program. I have dabbled a fair bit making printed circuit boards but the programs now used seemed to get far too big so I am backing out of the heavy stuff.

I am interested to hear what you are trying to do and also level you consider yourself using printed circuit board programs then I can give some better information I expect.   

[djohnston]

Let me Google that for you.

[Jankers]

wedgetail,

The last time i did a pcb i used ferric and stick on traces, That was about 20 years ago.
The current use is very limited as i want to use milling techniques rather than chemicals
as the design calls for no more than straight lines with large components, no pics, cpu's or even ttl blocks.

dj, thank you so much. I have been googling for a couple of days but have yet to see some of the sites that
show up on your post, this old brain has difficulty in sorting out suitable search descriptors, but the "convert"
element in yours seems to have done the trick.
I shall now go and spend time having a look, i hope some can be used in Linux.
Many thanks.
J.

[wedgetail]

Jankers

I understand where you are coming from now. It is a logical route you are taking if you already have sweated over learning a CAD system.  I just mention that Eagle Free will run under PCLOS and I think it can do Gerber files.  The board size will be limited.  I think I have it installed somewhere so I could import a pcb and measure mounting dimensions for my CAD program, something like Qcad. I have not run it to any degree as I found it looked like hard work to learn to do the same things but slightly different everything different names.

In case you are successful finding a conversion drop a line?

You could look at the various very favorable cost offerings where you can pool pcbs again it does require Gerber files mostly I think.

[Jankers]

Thanks wedgetail,

I have been chasing the items shown up on Dj's link and may have spotted something.

I did try Eagle under Windows, but, like you, decided it was a bit much trouble. if it had imported dfx (not sure now, looked at so many) i may have continued but i am so out of date with electronics i would need to spend ages just learning what the library codes actually represented.

i will certainly post again and let you know how things pan out.

J.

[djohnston]

dj, thank you so much. I have been googling for a couple of days but have yet to see some of the sites that
show up on your post, this old brain has difficulty in sorting out suitable search descriptors, but the "convert"
element in yours seems to have done the trick.
I shall now go and spend time having a look, i hope some can be used in Linux.

You're welcome. Normally, I would recommend something in our repositories. But, there doesn't seem to be anything related to converting CAD formats. And everything I saw on the web was a pay service to do the conversion, or a pay for proprietary program. Good luck.

[Jankers]

Well i have had a look around and did find a "ulp" in Eagle that would work, but
only for two layers unless registered.

Diptrace looks interesting, a windows prog but runs fine under Wine so at least
i don't have to go back to Windows.

J.