SparkFun Forums 

Where electronics enthusiasts find answers.

Questions relating to designing PCBs
By startty
#39921
I'd like to add an image to my PCB layout.

Is there a way to do this using any of the available PCB tools out there?

I'm not seeing it in CadSoft's Eagle editor.
User avatar
By leon_heller
#39923
The Pulsonix software I use can import a bitmap. I don't think there is any software that will add a bitmap to a Gerber (vector) file.

Leon
User avatar
By bigglez
#39941
startty wrote:I'd like to add an image to my PCB layout.

Is there a way to do this using any of the available PCB tools out there?

I'm not seeing it in CadSoft's Eagle editor.
Greetings startty,

I assume that you are using EAGLE from CADsoft?

Any BMP image can be imported to the PCB design using
a script file (ULP). These files are supplied with EAGLE,
and also created by users. A more comprehensive
set of ULPs can be downloaded from the CADsoft forum
or website.

First, check that you have the ULP files which can be invoked
from the board editor with the ULP icon. Next, search
through the files to find "import-bmp.ulp". If you don't have
it or your directory tree is pointed to the wrong directory on
your PC, search for that ULP using the Windows explorer,
or use Google to download a fresh copy. (I don't use this
ULP, so I don't know where I got it originally).

Finally, follow the instructions in the ULP. You will need
to fiddle with the scaling and layers to get the result you
expect.

Unless you want the image burned into a copper layer, I'd
place it on the silk layer(s).

Please post an image of your finished board with the
graphics added.

Comments Welcome!