Question about ExpressPCB

[Govmnt_Lacky]

Is there any way to export an ExpressPCB layout to a PDF file? Is there a way to do it through the ExpressPCB software OR will I need a workaround?

Thanks 

[bluebunny]

I guess you could use something like WinPDF to "print" to a PDF file?  Just had a quick go and it seems to do whatever "Print" would have done, only to a PDF file.

[davent]

I've Bullzip (freeware) installed on my computer and simply select that as my printer, from the choose printer dialogue box when i need to create a PDF. Works fine with ExpressPCB, looks to be lots of other PDF printers to choose from.

dave

[Tony Forestiere]

CutePDF Writer come to mind. Also free.

[R.G.]

Another solution - don't use ExpressPCB, and tell them why.

[davent]

R.G. not sure what you're getting at but ExpressPCB will print to PDF (or direct to printer) fine these days, not always the case, it's just there aren't any provisions within the program itself to do it which is not unusual at least for the freebee/old stuff i use.

When i first started using ExpressPCB to get a usable print of the pcb you had to do a screen capture of it then put it in am editing program, scale it and jump through hoops to get correct pcb art. Next it changed so that you could print to PDF (but not to a physical printer) and the pcb image was correct then they finally it changed so you could print direct to a printer and get the correct image.

dave

[Scruffie]

I use PDFCreator to print to it as well.

R.G Refers to the fact that Express PCB while easy, basically forces you to use their service rather than being able to save the files as Gerbers.

I still like it though... but for small runs (big runs lead to competitive prices) it is very expensive and you can't shop around.

If you're just doing home layouts though, it's fine and simple, just means for fabbed boards you may find your self having to learn a whole new program.

[davent]

Yeah, yeah, i'm in that at home and simple camp and... in potentially, expensive trouble should i should ever need a commercial version of my art, very, very slim to non-existent chance i'll ever have to cross that bridge.
Thanks Scruffie!

[R O Tiree]

PDFCreator +1

That said, ExpressPCB prints perfectly well direct to my laser printer. Just feed the printer some UV-transparent sheet to chew on and the results are fantastic. I only use the PDFCreator output when I'm saving a layout file for others to use, along with the schem, and the BoM gets sent to Notepad as a txt file.

[davent]

PDFCreator +1

That said, ExpressPCB prints perfectly well direct to my laser printer. Just feed the printer some UV-transparent sheet to chew on and the results are fantastic. I only use the PDFCreator output when I'm saving a layout file for others to use, along with the schem, and the BoM gets sent to Notepad as a txt file.

Exactly!

I like to open the pdf's in Inkscape and legend the pcb's using it as i don't think much of the one and only font available within ExpressPCB. Can also make the schematic far more readable with a more appealing font and colour indexing, they dress up real fine using Inkscape.

dave