How to print PCBs from JPG\GIF\other files?

[meffcio]

Hi guys, I have a a little problem here.  When it comes to print a pcb from pdf - it only means to print it in 100 scale. But when I have a board which is saved as a JPG or another filetype, like the on here: (celestion v30 simulator)

How can I print it in the 'good' scale?

[jefe]

If all else fails, you can try "trial and error"... print it at 100%, if that's too big, try it at 90%, etc.

[Mark Hammer]

That's what I do too.  Keep a couple of suitable chips around to compare to.  So, even though I can't imagine what 20-pin chips any of us might use, there are 10 pads in a row in the "right half" of the drawing.  If it's to scale then a 20-pin DIP (find your neighbour's old 386 in the trash and yank a chip from the mobo) should line up properly.

[Andi]

Or import it into something like Inkscape that supports dimensioning, and then scale it so that the gaps between holes are correct. Less trial, less error.

[arma61]

What I do

- insert picture in word (powerpoint) whatever
- draw a line 7.5 mm long (a resistor)
- move the line so thar one end meet a hole of the picture were a res is suppose to be
- scale down (or up!) the whole picture until the other end of the line meet the other end of the resistor

it's easiest if you do with IC (no arbitrary measures!) but at the moment cannot remmer how long is the testing line

Cheers m8s
Armando

[mdh]

Or import it into something like Inkscape that supports dimensioning, and then scale it so that the gaps between holes are correct. Less trial, less error.

+1 to this suggestion.  You can turn on a 0.1 inch grid to help.  And Inkscape is free, and available for any operating system you're likely to encounter.

[orangetones]

IC's generally have 0.1" spacing for the pins.  Use that as a guide and do the scaling in Inkscape, or similar software.

[tranceracer]

I use Corel Paintshop Pro but another method I use for simple size adjustments, all the time, is with MS Paint.

1. Right click on image and select: Save Image As
2. Open MS Paint in Start> Programs> Accessories
3. Drag-n-Drop photo into Paint or Open from File Menu
4. Go to File and Select: Page Setup...
5. Verify that Scaling is set to 100% normal size

Print and test to see if the components line up.

To adjust the image size to fit the components just select Image> Stretch/Skew (Ctrl+W)
Adjust the Horizontal and Vertical size in percentages.
1% = TINY
100% = No change
200% = HUGE

You'll have to print out the trace a couple of times but the best part is it's free, comes with all Windows OSes, not fancy.

[orangetones]

Inkscape is free too folks.