Step by Step Example - Drill Generation

We will start with a simple STL file, plate.stl, that was created from a 3D model of a planar board that has several different sized holes "drilled" into it. Our objective is to get both the Gerber layout data and a drill file for the PCB manufacturer.

Since the design is uniform in Z, we need make only one cut.

Opening the STL File

The first step is to open the STL file to be converted.

Configuring STL2GBR

The STL file was drawn in units of inches so we select inches as our units for both input and output. We select a Gerber format of 2.4 which will give us sufficient precision. The most important option (to get drill holes) is to select the Embedding Level option for the Polygon Output.

Defining a Z Slice

We need to define at least one Z slice. Since this example part is uniform in z it does not matter where the slice is placed. Enter 0.01 (it is never a good idea to select 0 since there can be some numerical noise at the very top and bottom of the STL file.) Then click on OK.

Running the Translation

Now that the file is loaded, the translator configured and the z-slice defined, one only needs to run the translator by pressing the Translate button from the main menu.