Macaos Gallery 2.8
Simple PCB Editor
We have added three new features to the Simple PCB Editor.
- Details: In Details mode, it is possible to select one or more objects (features) and inspect their properties. In many cases, object properties may modified. This makes it possible to make minor adjustments to a PCB.
- Symbols: Symbols may be added to the legend or solder mask layer of a PCB. Support is provided for the same symbols, text, and bar codes as in the Import module.
- DRC: The DRC operation runs a number of design quality checks on the PCB product and the MIF data. This includes an analysis of holes (checking for missing pads or solder mask openings), buildup compatibility, and more. See here for a list of potential issues which are checked.
Other improvements
- The user manual has been moved online.
- A few tweaks have been added to the Assembly Data Manager, including Rotate component 180° and Unapprove multiple components.
Macaos Gallery 2.7
Simple PCB Editor
We have added two operations to the Simple PCB Editor.
- Crop: Sometimes, the imported Gerber files include extraneous information, such as a title block or drawing frame, which should not be included in manufacturing files. Clicking on the Crop button deletes all features (graphic objects) on visible layers, which are not completely or partially inside the outer contour of the board.
- Delete selected features: Selected features on visible layers may be deleted. All features on visible layers which are completely or partially within a selection rectangle are deleted.
In addition to these new operations, the simple PCB Editor also lets you:
- Change the diameter of a drill or rout tool
- Toggle the plating of a drill tool
- Change the drill depth/extent of a drill layer
- Reassign a copper layer, or swap two layers.
- Toggle the polarity of a copper layer
- Change the via protection style of a via protection layer
- Replace a layer with a new Gerber file
To access the Simple PCB Editor, right-click on a single-board PCB product and choose Edit PCB.
Other improvements
Stencil usable area
Typically, the usable area of a stencil, the area which is accessible to the squeegee, is somewhat smaller than the stencil. When placing the board(s) within a stencil frame, they should be placed within the usable area. When defining a stencil frame, it is now possible to specify the stencil's usable area as a rectangle, centered in the stencil frame. This is done in the Stencil Frame Editor, which may be opened from the Stencil Frame Manager.
Offline mode
With this release, we have implemented a new license server. Although this should be transparent to users, it does allow us to offer the possibility of running Macaos Gallery in a completely offline mode.
In offline mode, Macaos Gallery does not access the internet for any purpose. Our Gallery Offline Registration Utility must be used to configure offline mode. It may be downloaded from here.
