Understanding PCB Layers
- Silkscreen layer
The silkscreen is mainly for the purpose of us humans to help us better understand the board and the functionality of different pins or LEDs, by adding letters, numbers, and symbols to the board.
- Soldermask layer
A solder mask layer is a protective layer of liquid lacquer applied to the top and bottom of a printed circuit board (PCB).
- Copper Layer
copper layers that are connected to an onboard voltage point.
- Substrate
the material that holds the traces and components that make up the foundation of a printed circuit board
Creating the Graphics
First of all, we can't design a graphic in our PCB design software. We need graphics design software like Inkscape or Illustrator. We will design or graphic in vector files. After designing our files we need to export each and every layer in .svg
Board Out Line
Before designing the pcb we need to have a board outline. This will be the final shape of your PCB. We're using easyeda to design. for my design, I exported the bottom layer of the design to the.DXF file from Inkscape and imported it to easyeda as board outline
Adding Design Elements
now we have a base for our PCB. we exported each and every layer of the design in separate .svg files.
import .svg files into Easyeda and place them in Specific layers. we can use import image with file > import > image and import the .svg file
i also added a small hole one the PCB
These instructables helped so much to make this design come true
After importing the .svg file scale it to the correct size. if you need an exposed solder pad place the design on the top layer and duplicate that layer and again place that duplicated layer to the solder mask layer
Export to Gerber
now we are done with our design we can check our design in 3D view. this looks good so we will export the Gerber file for manufacturing
Ordering the PCB
Final Result
WOW!! it's worth every penny. it turned out to be so much better than i expected