how do you print tonepad's pcb layouts?

[Vince_b]

Is there a way to extract the pcb layouts from the pdf build documents that you can find at tonepad.com? I tried a couple of things but it always say that I don't have the required permission and/or ask for a password.

The reason I'm asking is because I have to pay 4 bucks for every transfer sheet and I don't really want to spend $20 just to print 5 different layouts that could fit easily on a single page.

[Bill_F]

You cut up the PNP and use only as much as you need for that PDF page you're printing out.

Tonepad has a good tutorial on how to do this.

http://www.tonepad.com/photoessay.asp?photoEssayID=10&sequenceNo=1

[AnalogDude]

I'd be inclined to print screen, paste the image into my favorite image editor, cut, crop and resize my heart out, then print a few off to get the scale right on regular paper. This is because I have no interest in pdf editing. I haven't done this for pcb's so your mileage may vary.

It may be worth checking the read and write permissions in the document properties too if you want to go the other way with it.

[Vince_b]

I've done the print screen trick a few times but it's really a pain to get the size right. Also, when using print screen, the image is downsampled at 72 dpi which is far from great.

And I can't cut the transfer sheet to the right size because I don't print it myself and I HAVE to use a full sheet in the printer.

[Keeb]

I think you can import the tonepad PDF into Inkscape (a free vector based program for graphics).
It will then "split" the document. By selecting the pcb pattern and grouping it you can move it away and delete the rest.

Rinse and repeat until a full page is done.

I'm not sure if this f's up resolution or size so it might be best to test on normal printing paper and an IC socket for size...
If your printer partner in crime can't read Inkscape you can export from Inkscape to PDF. Again, I don't know what this does to resolution/size.

[Mustachio]

Yeah he password protects the pdf's . So when you try to open in say photoshop or another editor it asks for a pass and wont let you open without it.

I believe if you screen cap it and try to paste it into photoshop or another editor , try setting the dpi to 256 instead of 72. And then double check the actual size (go to view and turn on ruler view) . I usually do a test print and line up an opamp or something with a physical part on top of the test print on paper.

I'd suggest getting a cheapo laser printer like the Cannon LPB 6000 for around 50 bucks and then you can do all your prints yourself for cheaper in the long run.

[Perrow]

Most Tonepad layouts include a scale next to the layout, iirc (on phone and won't look up). Scale the PDF, screen grab, paste in image editing software, crop the image so the scale is a known with, change the dpi of the image to your desired value (i.e. 300) without scaling the image, check the resulting measure of the image (in the properties of the image), if the scale and the properties doesn't agree on width you adjust the zoom in the PDF and start over (I suggest using math to calculate the desired zoom, if the layout doesn't fit one screen you do multiple screen grabs and join them.

[stevie1556]

Open the PDF file in Adobe and right click on the PCB image and select copy. Paste it into MS Word, and then right click it as you can enter the height and width that you want it resized to.

[tonyharker]

You need to get yourself a PDF password remover such as this one. http://www.verypdf.com/app/pdf-password-remover/index.html You can then edit the PDF and copy to jpg or other graphics format.

[Vince_b]

Thanks for all the help guys, I finally found a way that works for me.

Yeah he password protects the pdf's . So when you try to open in say photoshop or another editor it asks for a pass and wont let you open without it.
I believe if you screen cap it and try to paste it into photoshop or another editor , try setting the dpi to 256 instead of 72. And then double check the actual size (go to view and turn on ruler view) . I usually do a test print and line up an opamp or something with a physical part on top of the test print on paper.
I'd suggest getting a cheapo laser printer like the Cannon LPB 6000 for around 50 bucks and then you can do all your prints yourself for cheaper in the long run.

I thought that changing the resolution before pasting the image would still result in a big quality loss but it seem's that it is not the case. As long as I keep the dpi a multiple of 72 it works well.

Have you tried the Cannon LPB 6000 yourself?  I was thinking of buying a cheap laser printer but I heard that some of them doesn't work really well for toner transfer. And I was kinda afraid of buying a model that might not works for the only purpose that I plan to use it.

You need to get yourself a PDF password remover such as this one. http://www.verypdf.com/app/pdf-password-remover/index.html You can then edit the PDF and copy to jpg or other graphics format.

This will work too.

[Bill_F]

Sorry if I'm not getting this but can't you print it straight from the Tonepad Pdf. It comes out the right measurement when I do. If you print off a page first, so you get the location of the image then tape a piece of PNP cut to that size over the area it should work. Just like in the tutorial on their page. I've done this many times and never had any problem with it.

[Vince_b]

Yes Bill it would work like you said. But the thing is that I don't own a laser printer and I need to go to a print shop. They charge me a lot for each single sheets  and they would not allow me to put a small piece of PNP sticked to a normal paper sheet in their printer. This is why I wanted to be able to put many layouts on a single sheet. It's really easy to do with GGG and Madbean layouts, but not so with Tonepad because their pdf are protected.

[Govmnt_Lacky]

...and they would not allow me to put a small piece of PNP sticked to a normal paper sheet in their printer.

I may have missed something but...

If they wont let you use PNP in their machine... What do you plan to transfer to?

[Perrow]

They won't let him stick a small piece on a paper, they will let him print a whole sheet.

[deadastronaut]

@vince:  they obviously don't want to risk jamming up their machine...

and they probably won't like to turn off toner saver function, and won't give you a nice thick toner image either....

buy a printer, it'll save you grief and money in the long run.

[Vince_b]

Yes I will buy a printer eventually. Jim already suggested a Cannon LPB 6000. Any other suggestions? Something cheap and easily available in Canada.

[Mustachio]

Yup I own the LPB 6000 Just got it recently and it works perfect! Great thick defined prints! Cheap! 50 bucks you can't go wrong. I'm using some free photo sized photo paper with it now and it works great.

In photoshop when you try to bring something in from a print screen do this. Go to file then New, Now it will pop up with the settings box for the new document and it will automatically be set on source: Clipboard

You will notice its already set at 72dpi and the width and height are showing you in pixels change the dpi to 254 and now change the option from pixels to inches or cm or mm. Now if the pdf showed the actual size of the board you can match it up it all depends on what everything was made in. I believe 254 and 150 dpi have worked for me in the past. Turning on the ruler guide in photoshop will help you figure it all out. You can keep changing those settings untill you get it right without printing. I spent some hours one day trying out a bunch of different dpi settings to get things correct so Try out 254 and 150 first.

[Mustachio]

Just did a quick test on the tonepad cp9 comp pdf. It was 90 dpi from a print screen.

Good luck.

[Vince_b]

Thanks Jim, I got it working now. The "right" dpi setting will of course vary in function of the zoom level of the pdf when you take the print screen.

I will try to get a  LPB 6000, I hope it ain't too hard to find where I live.

[EATyourGuitar]

how do you print tonepad's pcb layouts?

you don't! they are not vector based and the pdf is protected. total waste of time to even share it as a PCB layout when it pretty much sets you up to have poor or average results but never good results like if it was a high resolution gif or PDF or vector based gerber, eps etc... it might actually be a high resolution PDF but putting a lock on it won't stop the assholes from stealing the content. it only stops the people from DIY there are PDF password crackers on the internet but why should we all download them and waste the time. that just puts us right back where we would be if he just shared it properly. I say if your going to share your DIY stuff, don't pull out after you already put the tip in.