How to produce Gerber files from HFSS files - Poly GRAMES

ProcГ©dure pour prГ©parer des
fichiers Gerber Г partir des fichiers obtenus en HFSS
How to produce Gerber files from HFSS files
Il est connu le fait que le logiciel HFSS ne peut pas produire des fichiers Gerber. Le
procГ©dГ© de fabrication de circuits utilisГ© chez Polygrames a besoin de fichiers Gerber. Les
fichiers obtenus Г partir du HFSS seront transfГ©rГ©s en ADS, puis exportes en format Gerber. Le
tout premier pas est d’exporter les fichiers en format .dxf à partir du HFSS (attention aux unités
de mesure et résolution). L’exemple suivant vous présente une procédure pour obtenir les
ouvertures gravГ©es dans le cuivre.
It is known that HFSS is not able to export its files in Gerber format, the one used at Polygrames to fabricate
printed circuits. To solve this annoying problem these files have to be imported in ADS, and then exported in the
proper Gerber format. The very first step is to export the structure from HFSS in the proper .dxf format (watch
out for proper units and resolution). The following example shows the procedure to obtain etched slots in a copper
layer.
1. Open a new layout window in ADS: File – New – Layout
2. Import the desired .dxf file in this window: File – Import… and watch for the correct
units:
École Polytechnique – Montréal, Polygrames, CREER
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If you see something like the following picture, it means that the contours are not
properly closed, the surfaces are not filled:
3. Select the desired contours to be closed, Right-Click on them, then Modify – Join
The result will be this:
4. Right click on the contour (the one that will be the ground plane outer limit), go to its
properties and transfer it onto the “cond” layer:
École Polytechnique – Montréal, Polygrames, CREER
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5. Now you have to close the contour (if needed): Right click – Modify – Join and you
obtain this:
6. The next step is removing the internal parts (slots) from the ground plane by using the
Boolean function in ADS:
Select all the desired elements of your layout, then Edit – Boolean Logical….. and
configure the correct parameters:
École Polytechnique – Montréal, Polygrames, CREER
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…that means that from the “cond” layer you remove the “Filter5” slots, delete the
originals and place the result on “cond” layer for the selected shapes, obtaining the
following result?
7. The next step is to insert the standard alignment donuts, cutting marks if needed,
mandatory text, and export the whole layout as a Gerber file: File – Export –
Gerber/Drill – More Options….
École Polytechnique – Montréal, Polygrames, CREER
Traian Antonescu
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8. The last step is to verify the correctness of your resulting file in Viewmate (software on
Server):
Bonne chance! Good Luck!
École Polytechnique – Montréal, Polygrames, CREER
Traian Antonescu
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